Article
Plant Sciences
Noushka Reiter, Mike Wicks, Gail Pollard, Graham Brown, Myles Menz, Bjorn Bohman
Summary: Critical for conserving endangered orchids is identifying their pollinators and their distribution. We identified the pollinator(s), mechanisms of attraction, and the presence of pollinators at different sites for Caladenia xanthochila. The pollinator for C. xanthochila was a species of thynnine wasp, Phymatothynnus aff. nitidus. Hand pollinations revealed that pollination was pollen limited and significantly related to rainfall. Potential translocation sites for C. xanthochila were limited, with some lacking the pollinator. Additionally, evidence for cryptic species of pollinators was found, highlighting the importance of accurate identification.
Article
Agronomy
Ismail Gokhan Deniz, Yasemin Ozdener Kompe, Ines Harzli, Erdi Can Aytar, Vildan Akin Mutlu, Demet Incedere Uysal
Summary: The most effective way to protect endangered terrestrial orchids is through reproduction and successful reintroduction. This study successfully reproduced and reintroduced Anacamptis sancta using a compatible fungal partner. It was found that ex vitro symbiotic seed germination can be an effective method for protecting endangered temperate orchids.
Article
Plant Sciences
Darren C. J. Wong, Rod Peakall
Summary: In this study, transcriptome data were used for phylogenetic analysis of orchid plants, revealing important results and suggesting potential applications of transcriptome data in other studies.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Lynnaun J. A. N. Johnson, Michael E. E. Kane, Lawrence W. W. Zettler, Gregory M. M. Mueller
Summary: In this study, the mycorrhizal fungal community and fine-scale distribution of a rare and endangered epiphytic orchid, Dendrophylax lindenii, were investigated. The results showed that D. lindenii has high specificity for a single species of Ceratobasidium fungus, which was mostly absent in co-occurring epiphytic orchids. These findings suggest that this orchid mycorrhizal fungus may play a significant role in the fine-scale distribution of naturally occurring D. lindenii.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yasemin Ozdener Kompe, Haydar Karakaya, Vildan Akin Mutlu
Summary: The study revealed a high diversity of mycorrhizal fungi associated with Anacamptis laxiflora, with some fungi promoting seed germination and seedling growth. This suggests that the seeds have a high potential to germinate and develop into new individuals after forming successful symbiotic associations with compatible fungi in the soil.
FRESENIUS ENVIRONMENTAL BULLETIN
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Yashraj Chavhan, Sarthak Malusare, Sutirth Dey
Summary: The study shows that larger population sizes can avoid costs in fluctuating environments, while they incur more costs in constant environments. The primary mechanism for cost avoidance is the enrichment of multiple beneficial mutations within the same lineage.
Article
Plant Sciences
Brendan Janissen, Ann C. Lawrie, Tien Huynh
Summary: Optimizing germination conditions, including warm stratification and specific seasonal temperatures, significantly improved seed germination and seedling development in the endangered Australian orchid, Caladenia robinsonii. Orchid mycorrhizal fungal isolates from re-introduced populations were more effective in promoting germination and seedling development compared to isolates from wild populations.
AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Richard M. Bateman, Paula J. Rudall, Alexander R. M. Murphy, Robyn S. Cowan, Dion S. Devey, Oscar A. Perez-Escobar
Summary: The study reveals the complexity of species-level diversity and speciation in the challenging bee orchid genus Ophrys through detailed morphometrics and whole-plastome sequencing. Plastid sequences represent geographic location more strongly than taxonomic assignment, and variation within and among species appears as a continuum. The findings suggest a complex four-dimensional reticulate network of lineages in the Ophrys genus, with localized microevolution that rarely leads to genuine speciation.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Jennifer S. Barros, Enrico Bernard
Summary: Caves are important roosts for bat species worldwide, and the lithology of caves can influence the roost preferences and species richness of bats. In Brazil, the lithology of caves has been found to affect species richness, with carbonate caves having higher species richness and iron caves having lower species richness. The size and geographic location of caves also play a role in species richness and rarity.
Article
Plant Sciences
Noushka Reiter, Myles H. M. Menz
Summary: The study found that optimizing microsite selection can significantly improve the survival and recruitment rate of translocated rare plants, thereby improving long-term population persistence and the utilization of conservation funding.
AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Marta Kolanowska
Summary: This study presents the first comprehensive species distribution models for orchid, its fungal symbionts and pollinators. The impact of global warming on these organisms was evaluated through three different projections and four climate change scenarios. The findings indicate a poleward range shift for these organisms as a result of climate change, with global warming being favorable for orchid but having a negative effect on its fungal symbionts. Furthermore, the availability of pollinators will also be affected by climate change.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yiyu Hu, Yanqing Sun, Qian-Hao Zhu, Longjiang Fan, Jianhua Li
Summary: The study of Poaceae chloroplast genomes has made significant progress in the past 30 years, with a wealth of data generated in the last 10 years providing the foundation for understanding species evolution and phylogeny.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Richard M. Bateman, Paula J. Rudall, Ian Denholm
Summary: The circumscriptions of Gymnadenia genus and its species are highly controversial. A large-scale morphometric survey of these 'cryptic' taxa was conducted to determine if phenotypic differentiation exists alongside their documented genetic and ecological differentiation. Different ecotypes are subtly but reliably distinct, both morphologically and molecularly, and the three ecotypes merit species-level recognition.
SYSTEMATICS AND BIODIVERSITY
(2021)
Article
Entomology
Ajda Moskric, Andraz Marinc, Polonca Ferk, Brane Leskosek, Mai-Britt Mosbech, Ignas Bunikis, Olga Vinnere Pettersson, Lucile Soler, Janez Presern
Summary: This study sequenced and annotated the mitochondrial genome of the Carniolan honeybee (Apis mellifera carnica) from Slovenia and compared it with other related honeybee subspecies. The results revealed unique features of the mitochondrial genome and provided insights into the relationship between different honeybee subspecies. This information is valuable for the conservation, breeding, and selection of this local subspecies.
Article
Plant Sciences
Leon R. Perrie, Remy Amice, Lara D. Shepherd, Patrick J. Brownsey
Summary: The fern genus Lastreopsis has been re-circumscribed to include 19 species, with a new species, L. abscondita, described in New Caledonia. L. abscondita is closely related to and resembles L. vieillardii in the same region, but differs significantly in morphology. Further investigation into the genetic variation within these species is needed.
NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Harriet Walker, Joanna E. Jones, Nigel D. Swarts, Fiona Kerslake
Summary: This study explored the impact of doubling commercial field nitrogen and irrigation rates on grapes under low nitrogen conditions. The results showed that increasing nitrogen levels improved yeast assimilable nitrogen concentrations in grapes, while irrigation had no effect on yeast assimilable nitrogen concentrations. However, the treatment had marginal and inconsistent effects on vine growth, yield, and grape and wine composition.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF ENOLOGY AND VITICULTURE
(2022)
Article
Horticulture
Harriet V. Walker, Nigel D. Swarts, Joanna E. Jones, Fiona Kerslake
Summary: The study suggests that delaying nitrogen fertilizer application until veraison to harvest is not conducive to promoting overall vine growth and nitrogen use efficiency in cool climate wine regions. Compared to other timings, this treatment significantly reduced whole vine dry matter and vine nitrogen use efficiency, indicating inefficiency in nitrogen utilization during this period.
SCIENTIA HORTICULTURAE
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Belinda Davis, Wei-Han Lim, Hans Lambers, Kingsley W. Dixon, David J. Read
Summary: This study investigates the phosphorus (P) nutrition in green-leaved terrestrial orchid species growing naturally in P-impoverished soils. The findings reveal that these orchids can obtain significant amounts of inorganic P from their fungal symbionts, and the uptake is significantly higher compared to other green-leaved orchids. These results provide support for differences in P acquisition between orchid species and fungal symbionts, and suggest the presence of plant-mediated niche differentiation.
Article
Ecology
Haylee M. D'Agui, Mieke E. van der Heyde, Paul G. Nevill, Mahsa Mousavi-Derazmahalleh, Kingsley W. Dixon, Benjamin Moreira-Grez, Justin M. Valliere
Summary: The functionality of stockpiled topsoils differs from undisturbed native reference topsoils, and measures of soil microbial community composition, soil respiration, and plant growth do not provide consistent assessments of soil functionality. Further research is needed to improve site- and biome-specific topsoil management procedures.
RESTORATION ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Shane R. Turner, Adam T. Cross, Michael Just, Vern Newton, Simone Pedrini, Sean Tomlinson, Kingsley Dixon
Summary: Restoration seedbanks are crucial for restoring damaged environments globally, but lack of knowledge about seed biology and ecology hampers their effectiveness. Factors such as premature seed collection, low seed quality, and insufficient understanding of seed dormancy and germination requirements can affect the success of seed-based restoration. By adopting best practice principles and improving understanding of seed biology and ecology, restoration seedbanks can deliver immediate and cost-efficient benefits.
RESTORATION ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Michelle Ward, Ayesha Tulloch, Romola Stewart, Hugh P. Possingham, Sarah Legge, Rachael Gallagher, Erin M. Graham, Darren Southwell, David Keith, Kingsley Dixon, Chuanji Yong, Josie Carwardine, Tim Cronin, April E. Reside, James E. M. Watson
Summary: In the summer of 2019-2020, southern Australia experienced the largest fires on record, damaging the habitat of native species. A large-scale restoration effort is needed to improve degraded species habitat and provide fire-affected species with the opportunity to recover. Decision-makers require information on priority species needs, potential restoration interventions, and priority locations for these interventions. The study shows that restoring a significant portion of the study region would account for a large percentage of current and future habitat for priority species, but would come at a high cost.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Marc Freestone, Celeste Linde, Nigel Swarts, Noushka Reiter
Summary: This study aimed to develop asymbiotic germination and replate media for Prasophyllum and investigate the potential enhancement of seedling survival through the addition of mycorrhizal fungus in potting media. Testing 81 asymbiotic germination medium combinations, low concentrations of minerals, auxins, and cytokinins were found to be necessary for germination of P. frenchii. The best-performing media included W9.5 with 5% coconut water. In replate media, W9 with 5% banana was the most effective. However, seedling survival was only 1.7% two years after transferral to potting media in the nursery, regardless of the presence or absence of mycorrhizal fungus.
AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Giulia Ferretto, Tim M. Glasby, Alistair G. B. Poore, Corey T. Callaghan, Elizabeth A. Sinclair, John Statton, Gary A. Kendrick, Adriana Verges
Summary: Restoration is crucial for damaged ecosystems, and careful selection of donor material can enhance its success and cost-effectiveness. In this study, we identified that P. australis fragments with more shoots and less necrosis had higher survival rates after replanting. Additionally, fragments stored longer in tanks before replanting showed significantly higher survival rates.
RESTORATION ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Elizabeth A. Sinclair, Renae K. Hovey, Siegfried L. Krauss, Janet M. Anthony, Michelle Waycott, Gary A. Kendrick
Summary: Historical and contemporary processes drive spatial patterns of gene flow and genetic diversity in a temperate seagrass species in southern Australia. Through genetic analysis, the study found that the current and historical distributions of the seagrass were similar, except in the Bass Strait. The genetic structure was consistent with recognized biogeographic provinces and showed the influence of oceanic upwellings.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Nadine Holzel, Dugald C. Close, Sally A. Bound, Peter R. Quin, Denis C. Visentin, Nigel D. Swarts
Summary: In this study, N-15-labelled L-proline was spray-applied to sweet cherry branches to investigate its uptake and effects on fruit quality. The results showed that L-proline can be absorbed by sweet cherry plants and translocated into the fruit and storage organs, leading to advanced fruit maturity.
Article
Plant Sciences
E. Maria U. Jung, N. Adibah B. Abdul Majeed, Mitchell W. Booth, Rachel Austin, Elizabeth A. Sinclair, Matthew W. Fraser, Belinda C. Martin, Larissa M. F. Oppermann, Maike Bollen, Gary A. Kendrick
Summary: Climate change and extreme climatic events are posing threats to seagrass ecosystems. Metabolomics can provide insights into the early stress responses of seagrasses and aid in the development of targeted management and conservation measures.
Article
Ecology
Gary A. Kendrick, Marion L. Cambridge, Robert J. Orth, Matthew W. Fraser, Renae K. Hovey, John Statton, Charitha B. Pattiaratchi, Elizabeth A. Sinclair
Summary: Understanding sexual reproduction and recruitment is crucial for the conservation and restoration of seagrasses. This study collected data on flowering, seed production, and seedling establishment of the seagrass Posidonia australis for six years in meadows around Rottnest Island, Western Australia. The study found variable rates of flowering and seed production among meadows and years, with meadows on the northern shore consistently showing higher intensity of flowering and seed production. Factors such as clonal diversity, seed predation, and wind and surface currents during pollen and seed release were found to drive successful recruitment in established meadows.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Kit S. Prendergast, Kinglsey W. Dixon, Philip W. Bateman
Summary: This study reviews the literature on competition between honeybees and Australian native bees and finds that native bees in Australia may be vulnerable to competition with honeybees. However, the data on whether honeybees have negative effects on native bees are inconclusive, suggesting the need for further research. The study proposes various investigations to address the current gaps in knowledge and highlights the importance of understanding the conditions under which honeybees have different effects on native bees.
PACIFIC CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Madeleine L. Way, Joanna E. Jones, Rocco Longo, Robert G. Dambergs, Nigel D. Swarts
Summary: During the fermentation of apple juice, yeast metabolism influences cider attributes, especially for 'Pink Lady' apples. Sensory analysis reveals significant differences in the attributes of 'fresh apple', 'earthy', and 'pear' among different yeast strains. Understanding the impact of yeast strains on the chemical and sensory characteristics of apple cider can aid cider makers in choosing the right strains.
FERMENTATION-BASEL
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Marc Freestone, Celeste Linde, Nigel Swarts, Noushka Reiter
Summary: Understanding the nutrient requirements of orchid mycorrhizal fungi (OMF) is crucial for the conservation of threatened orchids and their symbiotic relationships. This study investigated how different nutrient media and fungal isolates affected the germination of Prasophyllum frenchii. The results showed that both the media and fungal isolates had a significant influence on germination percentage. Additionally, there was variation in aerial hyphal growth behavior among different OMF isolates. These findings highlight the importance of fungal diversity within the same operational taxonomic unit (OTU) and have implications for ecological research and conservation.