Global variation in the beta diversity of lake macrophytes is driven by environmental heterogeneity rather than latitude

Aim: We studied global variation in beta diversity patterns of lake macrophytes using regional data from across the world. Specifically, we examined 1) how beta diversity of aquatic macrophytes is partitioned between species turnover and nestedness within each study region, and 2) which environmental characteristics structure variation in these beta diversity components.  Location: Global  Methods: We used presence-absence data for aquatic macrophytes from 21 regions distributed around the world. We calculated pairwise-site and multiple-site beta diversity among lakes within each region using Sørensen dissimilarity index and partitioned it into turnover and nestedness coefficients. Beta regression was used to correlate the diversity coefficients with regional environmental characteristics. Results: Aquatic macrophytes showed different levels of beta diversity within each of the 21 study regions, with species turnover typically accounting for the majority of beta diversity, especially in high-diversity regions. However, nestedness contributed 30-50% of total variation in macrophyte beta diversity in low-diversity regions. The most important environmental factor explaining the three beta diversity coefficients (total, species turnover and nestedness) was altitudinal range, followed by relative areal extent of freshwater, latitude and water alkalinity range. Main conclusions: Our findings show that global patterns in beta diversity of lake macrophytes are caused by species turnover rather than by nestedness. These patterns in beta diversity were driven by natural environmental heterogeneity, notably variability in altitudinal range (also related to temperature variation) among regions. In addition, a greater range in alkalinity within a region, likely amplified by human activities, was also correlated with increased macrophyte beta diversity. These findings suggest that efforts to conserve aquatic macrophyte diversity should primarily focus on regions with large numbers of lakes that exhibit broad environmental gradients.

Disease-specific and general health-related quality of life in newly diagnosed prostate cancer patients: The Pros-IT CNR study

Background: The National Research Council (CNR) prostate cancer monitoring project in Italy (Pros-IT CNR) is an observational, prospective, ongoing, multicentre study aiming to monitor a sample of Italian males diagnosed as new cases of prostate cancer. The present study aims to present data on the quality of life at time prostate cancer is diagnosed. Methods: One thousand seven hundred five patients were enrolled. Quality of life is evaluated at the time cancer was diagnosed and at subsequent assessments via the Italian version of the University of California Los Angeles-Prostate Cancer Index (UCLA-PCI) and the Short Form Health Survey (SF-12). Results: At diagnosis, lower scores on the physical component of the SF-12 were associated to older ages, obesity and the presence of 3+ moderate/severe comorbidities. Lower scores on the mental component were associated to younger ages, the presence of 3+ moderate/severe comorbidities and a T-score higher than one. Urinary and bowel functions according to UCLA-PCI were generally good. Almost 5% of the sample reported using at least one safety pad daily to control urinary loss; less than 3% reported moderate/severe problems attributable to bowel functions, and sexual function was a moderate/severe problem for 26.7%. Diabetes, 3+ moderate/severe comorbidities, T2 or T3-T4 categories and a Gleason score of eight or more were significantly associated with lower sexual function scores at diagnosis. Conclusions: Data collected by the Pros-IT CNR study have clarified the baseline status of newly diagnosed prostate cancer patients. A comprehensive assessment of quality of life will allow to objectively evaluate outcomes of different profile of care

Mourera alcicornis (tul.) P.royen, nuevo registro de lafamilia podostemaceae en venezuela

RESUMEN Mourera alcicornis fue colectada por primera vez en Venezuela durante el Aqua RAP Orinoco-Ventuari en el año 2003. Luego de mencionar este hallazgo en el respectivo RAP Bulletin, una de las autoras confirma aquí su presencia. Esta especie de la familia Podostemaceae vive adherida a las rocas en los raudales del río Orinoco y se distingue de otras especies por sus flores escasas y pedúnculos más cortos. ABSTRACT Mourera alcicorniswas collected for the first time in Venezuela during the Aqua RAP Orinoco-Ventuari in the year 2003. This finding was mentioned in the RAP Bulletin and its presence is confirmed here by one of the authors. This species of Podostemaceae is attached to rocks in the torrent zone within the Orinoco river and can be distinguished from other species by its scarcity of flowers and shorter peduncles

Endemism in Neotropical Podostemaceae

Podostemaceae, a family of plants restricted to river rapids and waterfalls, are widely reported to have a high degree of local species endemism. We tested this idea for Neotropical members of the family using historical records, herbarium holdings, personal field collections, and geographic information systems analyses. In contrast to estimates of endemism based on the landmark studies of P. van Royen (66%), we report 15%–37% based on current taxonomy. Examples of regional endemism, based on extent of occurence and longest geographic axis measures, are discussed for a subset of species. Major hydrographic regions (Amazon River System, Paraná River System) and major areas (eastern Brazil) are shown to possess largely unique podostemad floras. We propose rivers and river systems as the most appropriate units to assess endemism for Podostemaceae, and consider one-river and two-river endemics as narrowly distributed. Limitations in the current taxonomy are discussed relative to establishment of meaningful estimates of local species endemism. We provisionally apply IUCN assessment categories to Neotropical Podostemaceae and report that approximately one third of the species fall into one of three categories: Data Deficient (DD), Least Concern (LC), and Vulnerable (VU). Ten species are Critically Endangered (CR). Species of Podostemaceae are restricted to an environment that has experienced major human impacts—tropical rivers. Large dams make long reaches of rivers inhospitable. Expanded use of hydropower in Latin America will exacerbate the problem

O g\ueanero Eleocharis R. Br. (Cyperaceae) nos ecossistemas aqu\ue1ticos tempor\ue1rios da plan\uedcie costeira do Estado do Rio de Janeiro

Volume: 62Start Page: 131End Page: 15

CC_MCCFull_Ruhfel_clusioids

Full maximum clade credibility chronogram of the clusioid clade based on the analysis of a combined four-gene data set (CC placement of Paleoclusia; see text for details). Created by BEAST

Data from: Dispersal largely explains the Gondwanan distribution of the ancient tropical clusioid plant clade

PREMISE OF THE STUDY: The clusioid clade (Malpighiales) has an ancient fossil record (∼90 Ma) and extant representatives exhibit a pantropical distribution represented on all former Gondwanan landmasses (Africa, Australia, India, Madagascar, and South America) except Antarctica. Several biogeographers have hypothesized that the clusioid distribution is an example of Gondwanan vicariance. Our aim is to test the hypothesis that the modern distribution of the clusioid clade is largely explained by Gondwanan fragmentation. METHODS: Using a four gene, 207-taxon data set we simultaneously estimated the phylogeny and divergence times of the clusioid clade using a Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo approach. Ancestral Area Reconstructions (AARs) were then conducted on a distribution of 1000 trees and summarized on a reduced phylogeny. KEY RESULTS: Divergence time estimates and AARs revealed only two or four cladogenic events that are potentially consistent with Gondwanan vicariance, depending on the placement of the ancient fossil Paleoclusia. In contrast, dispersal occurred on > 25% of the branches, indicating the current distribution of the clade likely reflects extensive recent dispersal during the Cenozoic (< 65 Ma), most of which occurred after the beginning of the Eocene (∼56 Ma). CONCLUSIONS: These results support growing evidence that suggests many traditionally recognized angiosperm clades (families and genera) are too young for their distributions to have been influenced strictly by Gondwanan fragmentation. Instead, it appears that corridors of dispersal may be the best explanation for numerous angiosperm clades with Gondwanan distributions