51 research outputs found
Population-genetic characterization of common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifoliaL.) from the southern part of the Pannonian Plain and the Peripannonian region of the Central Balkan
Vrsta Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. (fam. Asteraceae) je jedna od najagresivnijih invazivnih biljaka kako u Evropi, tako i na globalnom nivou. Kao korovska vrsta uzrokuje velike ekonomske gubitke redukujući prinos poljoprivrednih kultura, a njena masovna produkcija polena stvara ozbiljne alergijske probleme kod ljudi. Kao invazivna vrsta, predstavlja dobar model za proučavanje procesa uključenih u biološke invazije, koje se danas prepoznaju kao deo globalnih promena, predstavljajući jednu od glavnih pretnji biodiverzitetu, funkcionisanju ekosistema, poljoprivredi, ali i ljudskom zdravlju. U Evropi, ambrozija je široko rasprostranjena, ali jedno od područja sa najvećom incidencom ovog invazivnog korova je Panonska nizija. Po svom položaju, kao i karakteristikama samog područja, ovaj region predstavlja povoljno stanište kako za introdukciju ambrozije iz različitih pravaca, tako i za njenu brzu ekspanziju u pomenutom području i šire. U proteklih 30-40 godina ambrozija se širi na peripanonsko područje, tačnije ka centralnim i južnim delovima Srbije. Uzimajući u obzir sve činjenice, cilj ovog istraživanja je bio genetička karakterizacija populacija ambrozije sa područja Panonske nizije i peripanonskog prostora centralnog dela Balkanskog poluostrva. U svrhu ovoga, upotrebljeni su jedni od najpopularnijih i ajinformativnijih molekularnih markera u polju populacione genetike, mikrosateliti. Na području Panonske nizije utvrđen je visok nivo genetičke varijabilnosti i nizak nivo genetičke diferencijacije i struktuiranosti među ispitivanim populacijama, a najverovatnije kao posledica multiplih introdukcija i intenzivnog protoka gena među populacijama ispitivanog regiona. Suprotno, populacije sa peripanonskog prostora centralnog Balkana su pokazale niži nivo genetičkog diverziteta u odnosu na panonske populacije, sa izraženom inter-populacionom diferencijacijom. Potvrđeno je širenje ambrozije u pravcu sever-jug na području peripanonskog prostora, kao i poreklo ovih populacija od populacija iz regiona Panonske nizije, ali bez isključivanja mogućeg upliva ambrozije iz drugih pravaca. Ova saznanja doprinose rasvetljavanju procesa introdukcije i ekspanzije ispitivane invazivne vrste na ovom području Evrope. Utvrđen visok potencijal u ekspanziji ambrozije i potencijalni pravci širenja u ispitivanom području, mogu da doprinesu predviđanju dalje potencijalne ekspanzije ove vrste, što bi moglo unaprediti mere kontrole i strategiju za suzbijanje širenja ambrozije.Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. (fam. Asteraceae) is one of the most aggressive invasive plant species in Europe and globally. As weed species, common ragweed causes great economic losses by reducing the yield of agricultural crops, and its mass production of pollen produces severe allergic problems in humans. As an invasive species, Ambrosia artemisiifolia is a good model for studying the processes of biological invasions, which are today recognized as part of global changes, presenting a major threat to biodiversity, the functioning of ecosystems, agriculture and human health. In Europe, Ambrosia artemisiifolia is widespread, but one of the most infested area is the Pannonian Plain. According to location and characteristics of the area, this region represents a favorable habitat for introduction of common ragweed from different directions and rapid expansion in these areas as well as further. In the past 30-40 years, common ragweed was spreading across Peripannonian region, more precisely, to the Central and Southern parts of Serbia. According the facts, the aim of this study was the genetic characterization of populations of Ambrosia artemisiifolia from the Southern part of the Pannonian Plain and the Peripannonian region of the Central Balkan. One of the most popular and most informative molecular markers in population genetics, microsatellites were used. In the area of the Pannonian Plain, a high level of genetic variability and low level of genetic differentiation and structure among the study population have detected, probably as a result of multiple introduction and intensive gene flow between populations. In the other hand, the populations from the Peripannonian region have shown lower level of genetic diversity related to populations from Pannonin Plain, with moderate level of inter-population differentiation. Obtained results have confirmed that the spread of common ragweed across Peripannonian region was in the north-south direction, as well as that the populations from the considered area originated from the populations of Pannonian Plain. However, in this claim we can not exclude the possible influence of Ambrosia artemisiifolia from other directions. This study contributes to better understuding of the process of introduction and expansion of Ambrosia artemisiifolia in considered part of Europe. Detected high potential for expansion of common ragweed and possible directions of spreading in the study area, can contribute to the prediction of potential further expansion of Ambrosia artemisiifolia, which could improve control measures and strategies for preventing the spreading of this invasive species.
Population-genetic characterization of common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifoliaL.) from the southern part of the Pannonian Plain and the Peripannonian region of the Central Balkan
Vrsta Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. (fam. Asteraceae) je jedna od najagresivnijih invazivnih biljaka kako u Evropi, tako i na globalnom nivou. Kao korovska vrsta uzrokuje velike ekonomske gubitke redukujući prinos poljoprivrednih kultura, a njena masovna produkcija polena stvara ozbiljne alergijske probleme kod ljudi. Kao invazivna vrsta, predstavlja dobar model za proučavanje procesa uključenih u biološke invazije, koje se danas prepoznaju kao deo globalnih promena, predstavljajući jednu od glavnih pretnji biodiverzitetu, funkcionisanju ekosistema, poljoprivredi, ali i ljudskom zdravlju. U Evropi, ambrozija je široko rasprostranjena, ali jedno od područja sa najvećom incidencom ovog invazivnog korova je Panonska nizija. Po svom položaju, kao i karakteristikama samog područja, ovaj region predstavlja povoljno stanište kako za introdukciju ambrozije iz različitih pravaca, tako i za njenu brzu ekspanziju u pomenutom području i šire. U proteklih 30-40 godina ambrozija se širi na peripanonsko područje, tačnije ka centralnim i južnim delovima Srbije. Uzimajući u obzir sve činjenice, cilj ovog istraživanja je bio genetička karakterizacija populacija ambrozije sa područja Panonske nizije i peripanonskog prostora centralnog dela Balkanskog poluostrva. U svrhu ovoga, upotrebljeni su jedni od najpopularnijih i ajinformativnijih molekularnih markera u polju populacione genetike, mikrosateliti. Na području Panonske nizije utvrđen je visok nivo genetičke varijabilnosti i nizak nivo genetičke diferencijacije i struktuiranosti među ispitivanim populacijama, a najverovatnije kao posledica multiplih introdukcija i intenzivnog protoka gena među populacijama ispitivanog regiona. Suprotno, populacije sa peripanonskog prostora centralnog Balkana su pokazale niži nivo genetičkog diverziteta u odnosu na panonske populacije, sa izraženom inter-populacionom diferencijacijom. Potvrđeno je širenje ambrozije u pravcu sever-jug na području peripanonskog prostora, kao i poreklo ovih populacija od populacija iz regiona Panonske nizije, ali bez isključivanja mogućeg upliva ambrozije iz drugih pravaca. Ova saznanja doprinose rasvetljavanju procesa introdukcije i ekspanzije ispitivane invazivne vrste na ovom području Evrope. Utvrđen visok potencijal u ekspanziji ambrozije i potencijalni pravci širenja u ispitivanom području, mogu da doprinesu predviđanju dalje potencijalne ekspanzije ove vrste, što bi moglo unaprediti mere kontrole i strategiju za suzbijanje širenja ambrozije.Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. (fam. Asteraceae) is one of the most aggressive invasive plant species in Europe and globally. As weed species, common ragweed causes great economic losses by reducing the yield of agricultural crops, and its mass production of pollen produces severe allergic problems in humans. As an invasive species, Ambrosia artemisiifolia is a good model for studying the processes of biological invasions, which are today recognized as part of global changes, presenting a major threat to biodiversity, the functioning of ecosystems, agriculture and human health. In Europe, Ambrosia artemisiifolia is widespread, but one of the most infested area is the Pannonian Plain. According to location and characteristics of the area, this region represents a favorable habitat for introduction of common ragweed from different directions and rapid expansion in these areas as well as further. In the past 30-40 years, common ragweed was spreading across Peripannonian region, more precisely, to the Central and Southern parts of Serbia. According the facts, the aim of this study was the genetic characterization of populations of Ambrosia artemisiifolia from the Southern part of the Pannonian Plain and the Peripannonian region of the Central Balkan. One of the most popular and most informative molecular markers in population genetics, microsatellites were used. In the area of the Pannonian Plain, a high level of genetic variability and low level of genetic differentiation and structure among the study population have detected, probably as a result of multiple introduction and intensive gene flow between populations. In the other hand, the populations from the Peripannonian region have shown lower level of genetic diversity related to populations from Pannonin Plain, with moderate level of inter-population differentiation. Obtained results have confirmed that the spread of common ragweed across Peripannonian region was in the north-south direction, as well as that the populations from the considered area originated from the populations of Pannonian Plain. However, in this claim we can not exclude the possible influence of Ambrosia artemisiifolia from other directions. This study contributes to better understuding of the process of introduction and expansion of Ambrosia artemisiifolia in considered part of Europe. Detected high potential for expansion of common ragweed and possible directions of spreading in the study area, can contribute to the prediction of potential further expansion of Ambrosia artemisiifolia, which could improve control measures and strategies for preventing the spreading of this invasive species.
Taxonomic revision of the highly threatened Eumerus tricolor species group (Diptera : Syrphidae) in Southeast Europe, with insights into the conservation of the genus Eumerus
The diversity in the Eumerus tricolor group, the largest group within the genus in Southeast Europe, is investigated. Two new, locally distributed species are described, E. crispus Vujiv & Grkoviv, sp. n. from Serbia and E. nigrorufus Grkoviv & Vujiv, sp. n. from Montenegro. In addition to Southeast European members, one related species E. arctus van Steenis, sp. n. is described from Switzerland. We designate lectotypes for E. ovatus Loew, 1848, E. tarsalis Loew, 1848, E. tricolor (Fabricius, 1798) and E. varius Meigen, 1822. A map of the distribution of members of the E. tricolor group in Southeast Europe is provided. In addition, records from other parts of Europe are listed and an illustrated identification key to the SE European species of the E. tricolor group provided. We also study and discuss the signifi cance of small habitat patches for the preservation of species of Eumerus, because the three species described in this paper are currently known from such patches.Peer reviewe
Varijabilnost kontrolnog regiona mitohondrijalne DNK divljih svinja zapadnog Balkana
The wild boar (Sus scrofa) is one of most abundant game species in hunting areas of Balkan region. The large fraction of pre-glacial genetic diversity in wild boar populations from the Balkans was addressed due to high proportion of unique mtDNA haplotypes found in Greece, indicating Balkan as main refugial area for wild boars. The aim of the present study is to characterize mitochondrial DNA control region variability in wild boars from different areas in the West Balkan region, in order to evaluate level of genetic variability, to detect unique haplotypes and to infer possible structuring. The total number of 163 individuals from different sampling localities were included in the study. A fragment of the mtDNA control region was amplified and sequenced by standard procedures. Population genetic analyses were performed using several computer packages: BioEdit, ARLEQUIN 3.5.1.2., Network 4.6.0.0 and MEGA5. Eleven different haplotypes were identified and haplotype diversity was 0.676, nucleotide diversity 0.0026, and the average number of nucleotide differences (k) 1.169. The mismatch distribution and neutrality tests indicated the expansion of the all populations. It is shown that high level of genetic diversity is present in the wild boars from the West Balkan region and we have managed to detect regional unique haplotypes in high frequency. Genetic diversity differences have been found in regional wild boar groups, clustering them in two main clusters, but further speculations on the reasons for the observed clustering are prevented due to restricted informativness of the single locus marker. Obtained knowledge of genetic variation in the wild boar may be relevant for improving knowledge of the phylogeny and phylogeography of the wild boars, but as well as for hunting societies and responsible authorities for the effective control of wild boar populations.Divlja svinja (Sus scrofa) je jedna od najbrojnijih vrsta divljači u lovnim područjima Balkana. Na osnovu velikog broja jedinstvenih haplotipova u populacijama divljih svinja Grčke, zaključeno je da se veliki deo pre-glacijalnog genetičkog diverziteta ovih populacija zadržao na Balkanskom poluostrvu, koje je označeno kao glavni refugijum za divlje svinje. Cilj ovog rada je karakterizacija varijabilnosti kontrolnog regiona mitohondrijalne DNK kod divljih svinja sa različitih lokaliteta Zapadnog Balkana, u svrhu utvrđivanja genetičke varijabilnosti, detekcije jedinstvenih haplotipova i definisanja moguće struktuiranosti populacije. Ukupno su analizirane 163 jedinke sa različitih lokaliteta. Deo kontrolnog regiona mtDNK je umnožen i sekvenciran standardnim metodama. Populaciono-genetička analiza urađena je pomoću programskih paketa za analizu sekvenci: BioEdit, ARLEQUIN 3.5.1.2., Network 4.6.0.0 and MEGA5. Nađeno je jedanaest haplotipova i diverzitet haplotipova je iznosio 0.676, diverzitet nukleotida 0.0026, dok je prosečan broj nukleotidnih razlika bio 1.169. Test unimodalne distribucije i testovi neutralnosti pokazali su ekspanziju svih populacija. Pokazan je visok nivo genetičkog diverziteta u populacijama divljih svinja Zapadnog Balkana i detektovani su haplotipovi jedinstveni za regione u visokoj frekvenciji. Razlike u genetičkom diverzitetu pokazane su u regionalnim grupama, i klaster analiza je pokazala prisustvo dve odvojene grane, ali konačan zaključak o stepenu struktuiranosti nije mogao biti donet, zbog ograničene informativnosti jednog genskog markera. Dobijeni rezultati o genetičkoj varijabilnosti divljih svinja relevantni su za rekonstrukciju filogenije i filogeografije ove vrste divljači, ali i za organizacije odgovorne za efektivnu kontrolu populacija divljih svinja
The Hoverflies of an Oak Dehesa from Spain, with a New Species and Other Insights into the Taxonomy of the Eumerus tricolor Group (Diptera: Syrphidae)
Dehesas are typical Mediterranean habitats for extensive livestock raising. Hoverflies (Diptera: Syrphidae) may act as bioindicators in dehesas, but they are still poorly known in this habitat type. With the purpose of the present study, hoverfly diversity was surveyed in Campanarios de Azaba, a typical oak dehesa in Salamanca province, Spain. A total of 41 species were recorded, including Eumerus azabense sp. nov. This new species was found to belong to the Eumerus tricolor group, both in morphological and genetic terms, and clearly separated (DNA characters) from the similar Eumerus niveitibia, which is redescribed here. Genetic monophyly of the E. tricolor group is confirmed in the present paper. An updated hoverfly checklist of Salamanca province is provided (152 sp.) with indication of the 56 species recorded in Campanarios de Azaba. Obtained results address the importance of dehesa biodiversity, which includes species new to science.Financial support was provided by the project LIFE-NATURE ‘Conservación de la Biodiversidad en el Oeste Iberico’ (LIFE/E/NAT/000762). The current fellowship of Antonio Ricarte at the University of Alicante is supported by the ‘Vicerrectorado de Investigación y Transferencia de Conocimiento’
Diversity and genetic structure of Ornithogalum L. (Hyacinthaceae) populations as revealed by RAPD-PCR markers
Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) PCR method was used to assess the
level of diversity and genetic structure in Ornithogalum L. populations from
Serbia and Hungary with the main goal of improving the knowledge of this
genus in the given region. The material was collected from 19 populations and
identified as two morphologically similar and phylogenetically close taxa: O.
umbellatum L. 1753 and O. divergens Boreau 1887. All ten RAPD primers used
for the analysis gave PCR products, with length between 3000bp and 300bp.
There were 101 amplified fragments in total; number of polymorphic bands per
primer varied between seven and 13. Percentage of polymorphic loci was 96% in
total and 12% in average in each population. Genetic variation statistics for
all loci also showed that genetic diversity for all populations was 0.29 and
Shannon index 0.45, while mean values for these parameters calculated for
each population were 0.04 and 0.06, respectively. Analysis of molecular
variance demonstrated high population genetic differentiation; however Mantel
test showed no significant correlation between geographic distances of
populations and genetic distances expressed through population pairwise FST.
UPGMA dendrogram based on Jaccard genetic similarity coefficients showed
subclustering and principal coordinate analysis based on Nei and Li
coefficients of genetic distances indicated grouping. Analysis of populations
genetic structure was in accordance with these results and clearly separated
populations of O. umbellatum from O. divergens. RAPDs proved to be a reliable
and rapid method suitable for distinguishing genetic differentiation in
Ornithogalum, thus could be applied as a useful additional tool in resolving
taxonomic problems. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br.
173002
Integrative taxonomy of the Merodon aberrans (Diptera, Syrphidae) species group: distribution patterns and description of three new species
In this paper, we revise the Merodon aberrans species group of the genus Merodon Meigen, 1803 (Diptera: Syrphidae), providing morphological diagnoses and descriptions, molecular data for three species, as well as an illustrated key and a discussion of the different taxonomic characters used. We also discuss distribution patterns for this species group. The results revealed that the M. aberrans group is composed of five described species (M. aberrans Egger, 1860, M. brevis Paramonov, 1926, M. flavitibius Paramonov, 1926, M. hamifer Sack, 1913, and M. warnckei Hurkmans, 1993) and three new ones, namely M. hermonensis Vujić, Radenković et Likov sp. nov., M. petiolatus Vujić, Radenković et Rojo sp. nov., and M. retectus Vujić, Radenković et Likov sp. nov. Following a detailed study of the type material in different entomological collections, the status of several species is revised, one new synonym is proposed (subspecies M. aberrans isperensis Hurkmans, 1993 as junior synonym of M. flavitibius), lectotypes are designated for M. kneri Mik, 1867 and M. flavitibius, and paralectotypes are designated for M. hamifer and M. flavitibius. Seven out of eight species from the M. aberrans group are distributed in the Asian continent, namely all Caucasian countries, Turkey and Iran, confirming the notion about high diversity of Merodon species in these regions, but also highlighting the need for a systematic faunistic research.The authors acknowledge the financial support of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia (Grant Nos. 451–03-9/2022–14/200125 and 451-03-9/2022-14/200358) and the Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia, #grant No 7737504, project Serbian Pollinator Advice Strategy – for the next normal – spas
Gradual loss of genetic diversity of Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. populations in the invaded range of central Serbia
As an invasive allergenic weed, Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. causes serious
public health and economic problems in invaded ranges of Europe. Over the
last two decades, while expanding toward southern parts of Serbia, this
common ragweed has become a very troublesome plant species in the whole
country. Considering the importance of genetic studies in understanding of
invasive species, our main objectives in this study were to analyze the
genetic diversity and genetic structure of Ambrosia artemisiifolia populations
from Central Serbia, a relatively recently invaded region. Comparing values
of genetic measures obtained by microsatellite analyses, a number of
differences were detected in genetic diversity between sampled populations.
Allelic richness-r (ranged from 5.42 to 7.80), the mean number of alleles per
locus-NA (5.8-8.4) and the mean number of rare alleles per locus-NR (2.8-5.8)
have quite similar ranges across populations. We observed greater genetic
variability in populations from the northern part of investigated area than
in southern populations. Based on pairwise Fst values, AMOVA results and PCo
Analysis, moderate differentiation among population was detected, while the
STRUCTURE analysis clearly separated SR-Kru and SR-Les. Data obtained for
analyses of differentiation and gradual losses of genetic diversity of
sampled populations provides useful information about invasion dynamics of
common ragweed in recently invaded region. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke
Republike Srbije, br. 173002 and the Secretariat for Science and Tehnological
Development, Province of Vojvodina (No. 114-457-2173/2011-01
Assessment of genetic diversity within the Merodon ruficornis species group (Diptera: Syrphidae) by RAPD analysis
As one of the most distinct groups in the hoverfly genus Merodon, the
monophyletic ruficornis species group has been the focus of several studies
using different approaches. Molecular methods have shown incongruences
between morphological and molecular data. In the present study, we
investigated four species of the Merodon ruficornis group (i.e. M. loewi, M.
armipes, M. papillus and M. hoplitis) with the aim of detecting intra- and
interspecific genetic diversity, and we examined the usefulness of random
amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) in an integrative taxonomic approach to
species delimitation. Analysis of Nei’s genetic variation over all loci
showed that genetic diversity for the analyzed Merodon species was h=0.24.
Based on UPGMA, PCoA and Bayesian clustering analyses, our results clearly
differentiated four groups that correspond to the four
morphologically-defined Merodon species. Among the analyzed species, M.
armipes and M. hoplitis showed the lowest level of genetic divergence; M.
loewi was clearly separated from both M. armipes and M. papillus. Based on
our data, we propose the use of RAPD-PCR as an additional tool for resolving
taxonomic problems within Merodon. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no.173002
figure of habitus (Palma, 1863) fits the concept of Merodon aberrans. in Integrative taxonomy of the Merodon aberrans (Diptera, Syrphidae) species group: distribution patterns and description of three new species
figure of habitus (Palma, 1863) fits the concept of Merodon aberrans.Published as part of Vujić, Ante, Radenković, Snežana, Tubić, Nataša Kočiš, Likov, Laura, Popov, Grigory, Rojo, Santos & Miličić, Marija, 2023, Integrative taxonomy of the Merodon aberrans (Diptera, Syrphidae) species group: distribution patterns and description of three new species, pp. 51-96 in Contributions to Zoology 92 (1) on page 57, DOI: 10.1163/18759866-BJA10037, http://zenodo.org/record/834980
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