Can the Iberian Floristic Diversity Withstand Near-Future Climate Change?

We assess how effectively the current network of protected areas (PAs) across the Iberian Peninsula will conserve plant diversity under near-future (2020) climate change. We computed 3267 MAXENT environmental niche models (ENMs) at 1-km spatial resolution for known Iberian plant species under two climate scenarios (1950-2000 baseline & 2020). To predict near-future species distributions across the network of Iberian and Balearics PAs, we combined projections of species’ ENMs with simulations of propagule dispersal by using six scenarios of annual dispersal rates (no dispersal, 0.1 km, 0.5 km, 1 km, 2 km and unlimited). Mined PA grid cell values for each species were then analyzed. We forecast 3% overall floristic diversity richness loss by 2020. The habitat of regionally extant species will contract on average by 13.14%. Niche movement exceeds 1 km per annum for 30% of extant species. While the southerly range margin of northern plant species retracts northward at 8.9 km per decade, overall niche movement is more easterly and westerly than northerly. There is little expansion of the northern range margin of southern plant species even under unlimited dispersal. Regardless of propagule dispersal rate, altitudinal niche movement of +25 m per decade is strongest for northern species. Pyrenees flora is most vulnerable to near-future climate change with many northern plant species responding by shifting their range westerly and easterly rather than northerly. Northern humid habitats will be particularly vulnerable to near-future climate change. Andalusian National Parks will become important southern biodiversity refuges. With limited human intervention (particularly in the Pyrenees), we conclude that floristic diversity in Iberian PAs should withstand near-future climate change.

Differential Response to Moderate UV-B Irradiation of Two Heterocystous Cyanobacteria Isolated from a Temperate Ricefield

In cyanobacteria both photosynthesis and nitrogen fixation can be affected by UV radiation. Two of the most abundant heterocystous cyanobacteria isolates from a temperate ricefield in Uruguay belonging to Anabaena and Calothrix genus were exposed for 1 or 3 hours to UV-B dosis similar to those to which they are exposed in summer. Anabaena survival after 1 h of UV-B exposure was 10% whereas in Calothrix’s was 30%. Both the quantum yields of photosybtem II fluorescence and O2 photoevolution decreased with time of UV-B exposure for Calothrix and only till 1 h for Anabaena. Only the Calothrix strain presented phycoerithryn as antenna pigment and constitutive UV-B screening mycosporine like aminoacids. In the Anabaena strain, nitrogenase activity was drastically reduced with UV-B irradiation but in Calothrix was not affected. Proline content and lipid peroxidation increased after 3 hours of UV-B exposure only in Anabaena sp. The antioxidant enzyme activities evaluated followed different trends for both isolates, with an increase in superoxide dismutase activity in the Calothrix isolate. These results show that the two nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria studied have different responses to UV-B radiation and that cyanobacteria diversity may be considered when selecting strains to be used as biofertilizers.

Comparative Study of Bioactive Components and Quality from Juices of Different Mandarins: Discriminant Multivariate Analysis of Their Primary and Secondary Metabolites

A comparative study of the primary and secondary metabolites of the juice of several mandarin cultivars with different pollination, seed production and parthenocarpic abilities was carried out, and the antioxidant capacity of the hydrophilic fraction was measured. Correlation by a Principal Component Analysis and a Cluster Analysis was used. By a multivariate analysis, the 15 citrus cultivars were clustered into four groups consistently with citrus types. The presented data are an important factor for choosing varieties with high potential as a nutraceutical source. These aspects are necessary as consumers demand prevention of health problems through nutrition and certain fruit quality traits, including fruit size, internal quality, good rind color and easy peeling.

Diversity Dimensions of Freshwater Fish Species around the World

The quality and coverage of the available taxonomical and geographical information and the recognition that diversity is multi-faceted are two main factors that hinder to understand the spatial and temporal variations of biodiversity. In this study, we aim to quantify the global distribution of five diversity components used to assess freshwater fish diversity in river basins around the world. The multidimensional character of these diversity components was estimated and the so obtained diversity dimensions mapped. This was done taking into account those well-surveyed basins discriminated by considering collector’s curves, and additionally by controlling for the effect of survey effort on all considered diversity components. A total of 1,472,109 occurrence records were analysed, corresponding to 17,292 species of freshwater fishes. Five diversity components were considered: functional richness, species richness, taxonomic diversity, and two rarity measures. Well-surveyed river basins were discriminated using accumulation curves. The effects of survey biases and knowledge gaps were minimized by determining the relationship of each component with the completeness values calculated for each river basin. The geographical pattern derived from raw data is skewed by the unequal knowledge available, and all diversity components were positively correlated with completeness values. The first dimension described the association between species richness and functional diversity. The second dimension represented rarity and taxonomic diversity. The congruence between species richness and functional diversity suggests that ecosystem functions increase with the number of fish species present in river basins and that a decrease in species richness may involve a loss of functionality. The levels of rarity and taxonomic diversity of many species-poor basins found in arid and cold regions suggest that the distinctiveness of their freshwater fishes is primarily a consequence of how isolated these basins are.

Impact of the non-indigenous shrub species Spartium junceum (Fabaceae) on native vegetation in central Spain

Aims The introduction of potentially invasive species through ornamental cultivation or for rehabilitation purposes is a serious environmental problem.They cause damage to biodiversity through loss,increased mortality or‘in situ’selection phenomena in natural flora.Spartium junceum is a Mediterranean shrub that is not native in most areas of the Iberian Peninsula,although it is extensively grown for the rehabilitation of roadsides.We have investigated the effect on the native vegetation of an old S.junceum(Fabaceae)plantation in a conservation area in the centre of the Iberian Peninsula:the Cuenca Alta del Manzanares nature reserve in Madrid.Methods We compared S.junceum stands with the native nanophanerophytic Cistus ladanifer community at different ecosystem properties:soil properties,temporal soil seed bank contents,standing vegetation and net primary production of annual grasslands growing in these shrublands.Important Findings The results highlighted S.junceum’s ability to become established in the new environment(marginal areas of the nature reserve)and ensure its successful growth.This is more apparent in northern and eastern exposures where this formation contacts with the core of the best conserved native vegetation in the nature reserve.Soils under Spartium showed a higher nitrogen content,indicating its capacity-in common with other legumes-to fix N,and conferring an advantage over Cistus,which is N-limited.Other soil nutrients such as phosphorus,magnesium and calcium and water availability are also higher in Spartium soils than in Cistus.Phosphorus is usually a constraint for N-fixers,but in our study,it is the most significant soil variable in both shrub formations and is important to the success of Spartium.Water availability is a key factor for Mediterranean vegetation,and particularly in autumn when soils are recharged.The Spartium formation is able to retain water as its growth produces a closer canopy than Cistus,thereby preventing water evaporation and contributing to the success of this species.Perennials are more frequent in the standing vegetation than in the seed bank,whereas therophytes are similar.The standing vegetation has therophytes and chamaephytes as the predominant growth forms in Spartium sites,and hemicryptophytes and phanerophytes in Cistus.Therophytes are dominant in Spartium and Cistus seed banks,although the first formation has more species.Spartium has a higher number of hemicryptophytes and Cistus is higher in phanerophytes.Northern and eastern aspects show significant differences in richness-with a predominance of annual weed species in Spartium-and in aboveground net primary production,probably as a consequence of the nutrients present in the soils.Ruderal annual species under Spartium(Bromus tectorum,Chenopodium album)have higher germination rates in the greenhouse than in the standing vegetation,suggesting they are at potential risk if environmental conditions change.

Floral biology and pollination mechanisms of four Mexico-endemic Fuchsia species with contrasting reproductive systems

Aims The evolution of the outstanding variation of reproductive systems in angiosperms has been considered an important driver of line-age diversification.Closely related hermaphroditic and dioecious species with biotic pollination provide the opportunity to study and compare traits related to pollinator attraction and their con-sequences on reproductive components.A higher predictability of pollination syndromes is expected in dioecious species,which are dependent on pollinators,than in self-compatible hermaphroditic taxa.Dioecious species may suffer pollen limitation depending on the quality of floral rewards and the kind and abundance of pollina-tors,whereas no pollen limitation is expected in hermaphroditic spe-cies with autonomous self-pollination.Additionally,in the absence of pollen limitation,more or better seeds are expected in dioecious species,according to the sexual specialization hypothesis.Methods In natural populations of the hermaphroditic Fuchsia fulgens and Fuchsia arborescens and dioecious Fuchsia parviflora and Fuchsia obconica,all endemic to Mexico,we first described flower phenol-ogy,flower production and longevity and nectar volume and concen-tration.Then,we evaluated the correspondence between floral visitors and pollination syndromes.In hermaphrodite plants,we determined the level of herkogamy and the potential for autonomous self-pollina-tion.Finally,we evaluated the effect of pollen limitation on fruit set and seed number and assessed seed germination for all species.Important Findings In contrast to our prediction,dioecious species did not show a higher correspondence between pollination syndromes and floral visitors than did hermaphrodites;however,male flowers exhib-ited a higher correspondence than female flowers.No pollen limitation was detected in dioecious species,for which visitation rate did not differ between male and female flowers.The her-maphroditic F.fulgens showed pollen limitation for seed number,despite the presence of autonomous selfing.Fruit set from auton-omous pollination was higher in F.arborescens,which showed a lower level of herkogamy compared with F.fulgens.Finally,dioecious species produced fewer but heavier seeds compared with hermaphrodite species.Although Fuchsia is classified as an outcrossing genus,both hermaphroditic species showed autono-mous self-pollination.The heavier but lower number of seeds per fruit in dioecious species may be related to the more efficient resource allocation expected from sexual specialization.This could play an important role in the evolution of dioecy;however,a comparative phylogenetic approach is required to confirm this hypothesis.

Lichenicolous fungi of the genus Abrothallus (Dothideomycetes: Abrothallales ordo nov.) are sister to the predominantly aquatic Janhulales

This study provides new insights on the phylogenetic position of the lichenicolous fungal genus Abrothallus based on six molecular markers(nuSSU,nuLSU,mtSSU,RPB1,RPB2 and TEF-α).In a broad-scale analysis,we detected high support for inclusion of the genus within Dothideomycetes.A further analysis provided support for Abrothallus as a member of the subclass Pleosporomycetidae as a sister group of Jahnulales,an order of aquatic Dothideomycetes.Given the exclusive characters of this group of apotheciate fungi within the Dothidiomycetes,a new monotypic order Abrothallales is here introduced together with the new family Abrothallaceae.In a multi-locus analysis(based on the six loci indicated above plus ITS)restricted to 12 putative Abrothallus species,two clearly separated clades were observed:one comprising species growing on lichens of the families Parmeliaceae and Ramalinaceae,and the second including species that live on lichens of the order Peltigerales and the family Cladoniaceae.

Using a temporal phylogenetic method to harmonize familyand genus-level classification in the largest clade of lichen-forming fungi

Although classification at supra-specific ranks is inherently arbitrary,comparable taxonomic ranks within clades can facilitate more consistent classifications and objective comparisons among taxa.Different circumscriptions of the hyper-diverse lichen-forming fungal family Parmeliaceae and widely different generic circumscriptions among authors have been proposed.For this study,we use a recently developed temporal approach that uses timecalibrated chronograms to identify temporal bands for specific ranks in Parmeliaceae and allied groups with the overarching goal of establishing a consistent,stable classification.A data set of 330 species,representing 73 genera in the family and 52 species of related families was used to address the circumscription of Parmeliaceae and its genera following the proposed temporal approach.Based on the results of this study,we propose a revised,temporal-based classification for Parmeliaceae,including all clades that share a common ancestor 102.13–112.88 Ma for families and a time window of 29.45–32.55 Ma for genera.Fortyfive of the currently accepted genera in Parmeliaceae were supported in their current circumscription.Two subfamilies are accepted within Parmeliaceae:Protoparmelioideae Divakar et al.subfam.nov.,including Protoparmelia and the resurrected genus Maronina,and Parmelioideae,including the bulk of genera in the family.The new genus Austromelanelixia Divakar et al.is proposed to accommodate a clade of southern Hemisphere species previously included in Melanelixia.Eumitria and tentatively Dolichousnea are resurrected as genera separate from Usnea.The following genera are reduced to synonymy:Allocetraria,Cetrariella,Usnocetraria,and Vulpicida with Cetraria;Arctocetraria,Cetreliopsis,Flavocetraria,Kaernefeltia,Masonhalea,Tuckermanella,and Tuckermannopsis with Nephromopsis;and the lichenicolous genera Nesolechia and Raesaenenia with the lichen-forming genera Punctelia and Protousnea,respectively.A total of 47 new combinations and three new names at the species level are proposed.

Towards a revised generic classification of lecanoroid lichens(Lecanoraceae,Ascomycota)based on molecular,morphological and chemical evidence

Abstract The phylogenetic relationship of lecanoroid lichens is studied using two data sets:1)a 2-locus data set including 251 OTUs representing 150 species,and 2)a 6-locus data set with 82 OTUs representing 53 species.The genus Lecanora as currently circumscribed is shown to be highly polyphyletic and several genera,including Adelolecia,Arctopeltis,Bryonora,Carbonea,Frutidella,Lecidella,Miriquidica,Palicella,Protoparmeliopsis,Pyrrhospora,and Rhizoplaca are nested within Lecanora sensu lato.A core group of Lecanora is supported as monophyletic and includes species of the L.carpinea,L.rupicola,and L.subcarnea groups,and a core group of the L.subfusca group.Three monophyletic clades that are well supported in our analyses and well characterized by phenotypical characters are accepted here:1)Myriolecis to accommodate the Lecanora dispersa group and Arctopeltis;2)Protoparmeliopsis for the L.muralis group;and 3)Rhizoplaca is emended to include three placodioid taxa previously classified in Lecanora(L.novomexicana.L.opiniconensis,L.phaedrophthalma),whereas R.aspidophora and R.peltata are excluded from Rhizoplaca.The latter is transferred into Protoparmeliopsis.Lecidella is strongly supported as a monophyletic group.Our studies indicate the presence of additional clades of species currently placed in Lecanora sensu lato that warrant taxonomic recognition but additional data will be necessary before the circumscription of these entities is fully understood.37 new combinations are proposed into the genera Myriolecis(30),Protoparmeliopsis(2),and Rhizoplaca(5).

Variation of a floral polymorphism at different spatial scales in the Mediterranean geophyte Narcissus assoanus

Aims Habitat fragmentation impacts the spatial extent and isolation of local populations and communities.Although the biological consequences of these impacts have been well studied at the site level,effects directly related to changes in the spatial configuration of populations in the landscape remain less clear.The objective of this study is to examine how changes in the spatial-scale configuration of populations are associated with variability in morph rations in the floral polymorphic Mediterranean geophyte Narcissus assoanus.Methods We performed a nested analysis of morph ratio variation at three spatial scales:a 50×50 km regional scale in SE France,in fourteen 1×1 km landscapes located in the same region,and within 12 spatially extensive population patches.We also quantified variation in the behaviour of pollinators in population patches of contrasting spatial configuration.Important FindingsAt a regional scale,morph ratios show a geographic pattern of increasing isoplethy(1:1 morph ratio)away from centres of human population development and in upland pastures.At the landscape scale,isoplethy of local population patches is more correlated with decreased isolation among patches than with patch size.Finally,within local isoplethic populations,small patches can show significantly biased morph ratios.In small isolated patches,pollinators perform shorter flight distances among consecutive flower visits than in spatially extensive patches.This study of variation in a genetic polymorphism at multiple spatial scales provides new insights into the scale-dependent effects of habitat fragmentation and the potential occurrence of metapopulation dynamics in natural plant populations.

采用统一命名的热带多型性地衣生Koordersiella属(异名:Hansfordiellopsis)的分类概要（英文）

对同一菌物不同形态型分别命名的做法于2011年结束,这就需要对非地衣化的多型性子囊菌和担子菌采用统一的命名。地衣生的Koordersiella属因此也只需要单一的名称,而后发表的Hansfordiellopsis就是该属的异名。此属共有5个种,包括在此发表的2个新组合:K.tenuissima和K.variegate combs.Nov.。本文列举了该属的地衣寄主和已报道的地理分布,同时也提供了已被接受的物种检索表。此外,在Hansfordiellopsis下发表的1个种和在Koordersiella下发表的2个种,因与该属的模式种显然为不同的属而被排除。由于缺乏分子序列数据,Koordersiella属在座囊菌纲(Dothideomycetes)中的系统学地位目前仍然不明确。

Phenotyping Tomato Root Developmental Plasticity in Response to Salinity in Soil Rhizotrons

Plants have developed multiple strategies to respond to salt stress.In order to identify new traits related to salt tolerance,with potential breeding application,the research focus has recently been shifted to include root system architecture(RSA)and root plasticity.Using a simple but effective root phenotyping system containing soil(rhizotrons),RSA of several tomato cultivars and their response to salinity was investigated.We observed a high level of root plasticity of tomato seedlings under salt stress.The general root architecture was substantially modified in response to salt,especially with respect to position of the lateral roots in the soil.At the soil surface,where salt accumulates,lateral root emergence was most strongly inhibited.Within the set of tomato cultivars,H1015 was the most tolerant to salinity in both developmental stages studied.A significant correlation between several root traits and aboveground growth parameters was observed,highlighting a possible role for regulation of both ion content and root architecture in salt stress resilience.

Epitypification and neotypification:guidelines with appropriate and inappropriate examples

review of phylogenetic studies carried out together with morphological ones shows that a major problem with most early studies is that they concentrated on techniques and used material or strains of fungi that in most cases were not carefully reference,and in a worrying number of cases wrongly named.Most classical species,particularly of microfungi,are not represented by adequate type material,or other authoritatively identified cultures or specimens,that can serve as DNA sources for phylogenetic study,or for developing robust identification systems.Natural classifications of fungi therefore suffer fromthe lack of reference strains in resultant phylogenetic trees.In some cases,epitypification and neotypification can solve this problem and these tools are increasingly used to resolve taxonomic confusion and stabilize the understanding of species,genera,families,or orders of fungi.This manuscript discusses epitypification and neotypification,describes how to epitypify or neotypify species and examines the importance of this process.A set of guidelines for epitypification is presented.Examples where taxa have been epitypified are presented and the benefits and problems of epitypification are discussed.As examples of epitypification,or to provide reference specimens,a new epitype is designated for Paraphaeosphaeria michotii and reference specimens are provided for Astrosphaeriella stellata,A.bakeriana,Phaeosphaeria elongata,Ophiobolus cirsii,and O.erythrosporus.In this way we demonstrate how to epitypify taxa and its importance,and also illustrate the value of proposing reference specimens if epitypification is not advisable.Although we provided guidelines for epitypification,the decision to epitypify or not lies with the author,who should have experience of the fungus concerned.This responsibility is to be taken seriously,as once a later typification is made,it may not be possible to undo that,particularly in the case of epitypes,without using the lengthy and tedious formal conservation and rejection processes.

Families of Dothideomycetes

Dothideomycetes comprise a highly diverse range of fungi characterized mainly by asci with two wall layers(bitunicate asci)and often with fissitunicate dehiscence.Many species are saprobes,with many asexual states comprising important plant pathogens.They are also endophytes,epiphytes,fungicolous,lichenized,or lichenicolous fungi.They occur in terrestrial,freshwater and marine habitats in almost every part of the world.We accept 105 families in Dothideomycetes with the new families Anteagloniaceae,Bambusicolaceae,Biatriosporaceae,Lichenoconiaceae,Muyocopronaceae,Paranectriellaceae,Roussoellaceae,Salsugineaceae,Seynesiopeltidaceae and Thyridariaceae introduced in this paper.Each family is provided with a description and notes,including asexual and asexual states,and if more than one genus is included,the type genus is also characterized.Each family is provided with at least one figure-plate,usually illustrating the type genus,a list of accepted genera,including asexual genera,and a key to these genera.A phylogenetic tree based on four gene combined analysis add support for 64 of the families and 22 orders,including the novel orders,Dyfrolomycetales,Lichenoconiales,Lichenotheliales,Monoblastiales,Natipusillales,Phaeotrichales and Strigulales.The paper is expected to provide a working document on Dothideomycetes which can be modified as new data comes to light.It is hoped that by illustrating types we provide stimulation and interest so that more work is carried out in this remarkable group of fungi.

Naming and outline of Dothideomycetes-2014 including proposals for the protection or suppression of generic names

Article 59.1,of the International Code of Nomenclature for Algae,Fungi,and Plants(ICN;Melbourne Code),which addresses the nomenclature of pleomorphic fungi,became effective from 30 July 2011.Since that date,each fungal species can have one nomenclaturally correct name in a particular classification.All other previously used names for this species will be considered as synonyms.The older generic epithet takes priority over the younger name.Any widely used younger names proposed for use,must comply with Art.57.2 and their usage should be approved by the Nomenclature Committee for Fungi(NCF).In this paper,we list all genera currently accepted by us in Dothideomycetes(belonging to 23 orders and 110 families),including pleomorphic and nonpleomorphic genera.In the case of pleomorphic genera,we follow the rulings of the current ICN and propose single generic names for future usage.The taxonomic placements of 1261 genera are listed as an outline.Protected names and suppressed names for 34 pleomorphic genera are listed separately.Notes and justifications are provided for possible proposed names after the list of genera.Notes are also provided on recent advances in our understanding of asexual and sexual morph linkages in Dothideomycetes.A phylogenetic tree based on four gene analyses supported 23 orders and 75 families,while 35 families still lack molecular data.

Agronomic assessment of two populations of intermediate wheatgrass—Kernza^(®)(Thinopyrum intermedium)in temperate South America

Background Kernza®intermediate wheatgrass is a perennial grain and forage crop that can provide several ecosystem services.Major research efforts focused on Kernza have taken place in high latitudes.The goal of this study was to evaluate,for the first time,the agronomic performance of Kernza in a low-latitude region with mild winters.Methods A KS-cycle 4 Kernza population(A)was planted in spring in Wisconsin,USA,and selected in one cycle for lower vernalization requirements,obtaining a new population(B).These two populations,at three nitrogen(N)fertilization rates,were evaluated in a full factorial,completely randomized field experiment in Uruguay over 2 years.Results The populations were similar in grain yields and flowering time in the 1st year,but population B had 63%lower grain yield in the 2nd year and 20%lower forage yield throughout the experiment.Increasing the N rate to 160 kg ha−1 led to a 63%increase in grain yield and 28%increase in forage yield across populations.Forage yields and nutritive values were similar to those reported in the northern hemisphere.However,grain yields for both the 1st(316 kg ha−1)and 2nd year(41 kg ha−1)were lower due to reduced flowering and weed competition.Conclusions Expansion of Kernza to lower-latitude regions will require further breeding to improve reproductive performance.