Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jian He, Rudan Lyu, Yike Luo, Lele Lin, Min Yao, Jiamin Xiao, Lei Xie, Jun Wen, Linying Pei, Shuangxi Yan, Jin Cheng, Jinyu Li, Liangqian Li
Summary: The study reconstructed the evolutionary history of Clematis using plastome and nuclear ribosomal DNA sequences, revealing that the shrubby habit evolved independently in four lineages of Clematis in Asia and emerged since the very beginning of the Pliocene. Asian monsoon variation in the Pliocene and glacial period fluctuation in the Pleistocene were identified as driving forces for the origin and diversification of shrubby Clematis in Central Asia and adjacent dry areas.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Yujing Yan, Charles C. Davis, Dimitar Dimitrov, Zhiheng Wang, Carsten Rahbek, Michael Krabbe Borregaard
Summary: The tea family, Theaceae, exhibits a unique distribution pattern with species mainly found in East Asia and some in the Americas. By integrating fossil evidence and phylogenetic analysis, the study revealed the historical biogeography of Theaceae species and highlighted the significance of combining fossil and molecular data for improving the reliability of biogeographic inferences.
SYSTEMATIC BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Ya-Ping Chen, Fei Zhao, Alan J. Paton, Purayidathkandy Sunojkumar, Lian-Ming Gao, Chun-Lei Xiang
Summary: This study aimed to elucidate the phylogenetic relationships within Isodon, especially in Clade IV, using plastome sequences with a broad taxon sampling. Results showed congruent topologies among 12 data sets, recovering major lineages of Isodon but also revealing incongruences among data sets and single plastid loci. These incongruences are likely due to insufficient phylogenetic signal, hybridization, and plastid capture, highlighting the need for additional nuclear genome data to resolve relationships within Isodon.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Oriane Loiseau, Talita Mota Machado, Margot Paris, Darina Koubinova, Kyle G. Dexter, Leonardo M. Versieux, Christian Lexer, Nicolas Salamin
Summary: This study investigates hybridization in the hyperdiverse Bromeliaceae genus Vriesea, revealing evidence of hybridization in approximately 11% of species, which may contribute to the rapid diversification of Vriesea and potentially other genera in Tillandsioideae. Further genomic research is needed to fully understand the role of hybridization in the evolution of tropical plant diversity.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Zhi-Qiong Mo, Chao-Nan Fu, Ming-Shu Zhu, Richard Milne, Jun-Bo Yang, Jie Cai, Han-Tao Qin, Wei Zheng, Peter M. Hollingsworth, De-Zhu Li, Lian-Ming Gao
Summary: This study reconstructed the phylogeny of Rhododendron using plastid genomes with broad taxon sampling, revealing complex relationships within the genus. The research also uncovered the divergence times and diversification rates of different subgenera, as well as the ecological adaptability of species.
Article
Plant Sciences
Luxian Liu, Yonghua Zhang, Pan Li
Summary: This study analyzed phylogenetic relationships within the Celtis genus and developed genome resources using genome skimming data from five Celtis species. The plastomes of Celtis showed a relatively conserved content and structure, with no signs of gene loss, translocations, inversions, or genome rearrangement. Additionally, plastid hotspot regions, polymorphic nuclear SSRs, and low or single-copy gene fragments were identified within Celtis.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xiong-De Tu, Zhuang Zhao, Cheng-Yuan Zhou, Meng-Yao Zeng, Xu-Yong Gao, Ming-He Li, Zhong-Jian Liu, Shi-Pin Chen
Summary: In this study, the plastomes of Elsholtzieae were sequenced and compared, revealing variations at the gene level and potential molecular markers for taxonomic inquiries. The findings have important implications for species identification and DNA barcoding investigations in this tribe.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Sophia V. Yudina, Mikhail I. Schelkunov, Lars Nauheimer, Darren Crayn, Sahut Chantanaorrapint, Michal Hrones, Michal Sochor, Martin Dancak, Shek-Shing Mar, Hong Truong Luu, Maxim S. Nuraliev, Maria D. Logacheva
Summary: This study investigates a diversity of plastid genomes in closely related non-photosynthetic plants, illustrating how gradual gene loss shapes the miniaturized plastomes of these plants and revealing the process of reductive evolution in heterotrophic plants.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Xue Bai, Juan Peng, Yongyi Yang, Biao Xiong
Summary: Machilus chuanchienensis, an ecological tree found in southwestern China, is valued for its leaves which are used to make Hawk tea. In this study, the chloroplast genome of M. chuanchienensis was sequenced using next-generation sequencing technology, and a comprehensive comparative genome analysis was performed. The results provide insights into the structure and features of the cp genome of M. chuanchienensis, as well as its phylogenetic relationship with other related species.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ping Wang, Jiqing Bai, Xue Li, Tiantian Liu, Yumeng Yan, Yichang Yang, Huaizhu Li
Summary: In this study, the phylogeny of Chaihu germplasm in China was reconstructed using genome skimming, and potential molecular markers for origin authentication were identified. The results showed that the plastid genomes of Chaihu species were highly conserved, while the noncoding regions had high variability and could serve as promising DNA barcodes for Chaihu authentication. In addition, introgressive hybridization was observed among the Chaihu germplasms. These findings are important for phylogenetic investigation, germplasm authentication, and molecular breeding of Chaihu species.
Article
Plant Sciences
Ran Wei, Xian-Chun Zhang
Summary: The study explored the phylogenetic relationships within the Polypodiaceae family using plastid and nuclear genome data, revealing incongruences between some clades and along the backbone of the phylogeny. This discrepancy may be attributed to complex evolutionary histories within these clades, such as rapid radiation, incomplete lineage sorting, ancient hybridization, and recent introgression. Despite these challenges, the study identified nine major clades in Polypodiaceae that can be recognized as subfamilies, with support from both molecular and non-molecular features.
Article
Forestry
Qiqiang Guo, Huie Li, Zengqiang Qian, Jie Lu, Weilie Zheng
Summary: Five Larix species on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau have been studied in terms of their chloroplast genomes, showing conservative size, gene content, and arrangement. Phylogenetic analysis revealed close relationships among the species and with seven other species of the same genus. The discovery of 12 potential polymorphic cp DNA markers offers useful insights for future research on population genetics.
JOURNAL OF FORESTRY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zhuang Zhao, Meng-Yao Zeng, Yu-Wei Wu, Jin-Wei Li, Zhuang Zhou, Zhong-Jian Liu, Ming-He Li
Summary: Epidendrum, an important genus in the Orchidaceae family, has significant horticultural and ornamental value and serves as a valuable research model. By sequencing and assembling the plastomes of five Epidendrum species, the characteristics and phylogenetic relationships of this genus were explored.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Oriana B. Bhasin, Saskia Sergeant, Olivier J. Hardy
Summary: This study developed 24 polymorphic markers to study the genetic structure and gene flow patterns of Cylicodiscus gabunensis. These markers can assist in the development of sustainable forest management practices.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Pamela S. Soltis, Douglas E. Soltis
Summary: The study of plant genomes helps understand the evolutionary history of plants, guiding crop improvement, medicine discovery, and species conservation. Plant genomes show diversity and carry evolutionary history, but our knowledge of them is limited.
PLANTS PEOPLE PLANET
(2021)
Article
Mycology
Cony A. Decock, Leif Ryvarden, Mario Amalfi
Summary: A new polypore species, Niveoporofomes oboensis, was discovered during a survey in the montane forest of Sao Tome. The species was characterized by subglobose basidiospores and a brown rot. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed the placement and a new combination, N. widdringtoniae, was proposed. Additionally, a key to the species in Tropical Africa was provided.
MYCOLOGICAL PROGRESS
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Katarina Matvijev, Simon Dellicour, Esra Kaymak, Olivier J. Hardy
Summary: This study investigates the impact of Pleistocene climatic oscillations on the biodiversity of African tropical rain forests, particularly in the understudied Congo Basin. By studying a widespread tree species, the researchers reveal how these climatic oscillations shaped lowland tropical rain forests. They found contrasting patterns of expansion in different regions, suggesting past population fragmentation and changes in forest cover.
JOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Ting Shen, Richard T. Corlett, Flavien Collart, Thibault Kasprzyk, Xin-Lei Guo, Jairo Patino, Yang Su, Olivier J. Hardy, Wen-Zhang Ma, Jian Wang, Yu-Mei Wei, Lea Mouton, Yuan Li, Liang Song, Alain Vanderpoorten
Summary: Epiphytic communities provide insights into the factors influencing community structure at fine spatial scales. This study investigates the effects of environmental filters, biotic interactions, and dispersal limitation on epiphytic bryophyte communities in a tropical rainforest in Yunnan, China. The results demonstrate that variations in light, microclimatic conditions, and host tree size contribute to the composition and phylogenetic structure of epiphytic bryophyte communities, with microclimatic variation playing a crucial role.
JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Oriana B. Bhasin, Saskia Sergeant, Olivier J. Hardy
Summary: This study developed 24 polymorphic markers to study the genetic structure and gene flow patterns of Cylicodiscus gabunensis. These markers can assist in the development of sustainable forest management practices.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Ajaree Thonglim, Giovanni Bortolami, Sylvain Delzon, Maximilian Larter, Remko Offringa, Joost J. B. Keurentjes, Erik Smets, Salma Balazadeh, Frederic Lens
Summary: The synergy between drought-responsive traits across different organs is crucial in influencing drought resilience at the whole-plant level. This study investigated the response to drought in Arabidopsis thaliana genotypes by analyzing the stems and leaves. The findings reveal that anatomical, ecophysiological, and molecular adaptations across organs are intertwined and determine the drought response strategies.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Lea Mouton, Jairo Patino, Mark Carine, Fred Rumsey, Miguel Menezes de Sequeira, Juana Maria Gonzalez-Mancebo, Rosalina Maria de Almeida Gabriel, Olivier J. Hardy, Manuela Sim-Sim, J. Alfredo Reyes-Betancort, Flavien Collart, Alain Vanderpoorten
Summary: This study examined the influence of spatial, historical, and ecological processes on diversity patterns in island biogeography. The analysis revealed that species turnover increased with geographic scale, while nestedness remained relatively constant. Additionally, it was found that bryophytes and pteridophytes exhibited lower species turnover and higher nestedness compared to spermatophytes, suggesting differences in dispersal capacities and distribution ranges among land plants.
JOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Maurizio Mascarello, Olivier Lachenaud, Mario Amalfi, Erik Smets, Olivier J. Hardy, Hans Beeckman, Steven B. Janssens
Summary: Illegal logging poses a serious threat to forest ecosystems and biodiversity conservation in tropical Africa. Despite efforts to reduce illegal logging, a significant amount of timber is still harvested and traded illegally. To enforce international regulations, it is crucial to develop analytical tools for traceability and identification of wood and related products. This study focused on using DNA barcoding to identify plant species, specifically 17 valuable African timber species. The researchers characterized the genetic diversity of these species and developed novel species-specific genetic barcodes for identification.
Review
Plant Sciences
Julius Jeiter, Erik Smets
Summary: Comparative morphology has been the primary source of information for systematic studies, but with the molecular revolution, DNA-based classification has become the main approach. However, this paper highlights the importance of morphology in the era of molecular phylogenetics.
Article
Forestry
Samuel Vanden Abeele, Katarina Matvijev, Olivier J. Hardy, Dieu-Merci Assumani, Bhely Angoboy Ilondea, Hans Beeckman, Gael U. D. Bouka, Clay Archange Boupoya, Victor Deklerck, Jean-Francois Flot, Jean-Francois Gillet, Narcisse Guy Kamdem, Janvier Lisingo, Franck Monthe, Bonaventure Sonke, Steven B. Janssens
Summary: As destruction and degradation of natural ecosystems continue to cause global biodiversity loss, it becomes increasingly important to document species and population diversity. However, many species remain poorly understood, particularly in tropical African plants. This study aims to identify hidden species and differentiated populations in the widespread tropical African tree Staudtia kamerunensis, which exhibits high morphological diversity and a complex taxonomical history.
TREE GENETICS & GENOMES
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Claire Baudoux, Achille Biwole, Olivier J. Hardy, Bruce L. Webber, Patrick Heuret
Summary: Measuring the impacts of non-native species is challenging, but using multiple morphological markers can help recreate historical invasion dynamics and quantify the effects of invasion on native ecosystems. A study on the invasion of Cecropia peltata in Cameroon found that the non-native species exhibited sustained growth and early sexual maturity compared to its native counterpart, resulting in a lower density of the native tree species in the co-occurrence region.
BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Richa Kusuma Wati, Barbara Gravendeel, Rob Langelaan, Bertie Joan van Heuven, Jean Claessens, Jacques Kleynen, Erik F. Smets, Anton J. de Winter, Arie van der Meijden
Summary: This study investigated the effect of different types of trichomes on attachment of herbivorous land snails in three orchid species. The results showed that leaf sides covered with a high density of lignin filled epicuticular trichomes made snails detach easier, while the removal of glandular trichomes did not significantly affect the attachment forces. This study highlights the importance of studying micro-ornamentation in combination with performance for understanding the defense mechanisms of orchids against herbivorous snails.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Dewi Pramanik, Annette Becker, Clemens Roessner, Oliver Rupp, Diego Bogarin, Oscar Alejandro Perez-Escobar, Anita Dirks-Mulder, Kevin Droppert, Alexander Kocyan, Erik Smets, Barbara Gravendeel
Summary: This study analyzes the evolution and development of fruit dehiscence zones in orchids. Gene expression analysis reveals that orchids have different fruit dehiscence mechanisms compared to Arabidopsis thaliana. Genes involved in carpel, gynoecium, ovule development, and lipid biosynthesis may play a novel role in the formation of dehiscence zone tissues in orchids.
Article
Plant Sciences
Hye-Kyoung Moon, Suk-Pyo Hong, Erik Smets, Suzy Huysmans
Summary: This study investigated the nutlet morphology of the Mentheae tribe and its systematic value. The results showed significant variation in nutlet shape, scar morphology, trichome distribution, and surface sculpture. Nutlet characters proved to be phylogenetically informative, and incorporating them into molecular data improved the resolution and support values of the phylogenetic analysis.