Article
Plant Sciences
Thais Elias Almeida, Alexandre Salino, Jean-Yves Dubuisson, Sabine Hennequin
Summary: The epiphytic fern genus Microgramma, mainly found in the Neotropics, displays a wide range of variation in morphology and ecology not seen in closely related genera. Recent studies have revised the circumscription of Microgramma based on phylogenetic evidence, leading to the identification of five clades that do not align with previous infrageneric classification systems. Homoplastic traits, including leaf dimorphism, are found within the genus, along with ant-plant associations in two lineages, suggesting complex evolutionary patterns. Long-distance dispersal events are hypothesized to explain the distribution of certain species, such as Microgramma lycopodioides in the Neotropics and M. mauritiana in Africa, highlighting the importance of biogeography in the evolution of this lineage.
BOTANICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Weston L. Testo, Andre L. de Gasper, Sonia Molino, Jose Maria Gabriel y Galan, Alexandre Salino, Vinicius Antonio de Oliveira Dittrich, Emily B. Sessa
Summary: This study analyzed sequence data of the fern family Blechnaceae and found that the group originated in Eurasia in the late Cretaceous, and diversified mainly in the austral Pacific region during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum. Long-distance dispersal is frequent and asymmetrical, with Australia and tropical America being major source areas; climate-mediated vicariance shaped current distributions.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Daniel Hepenstrick, Niklaus Zemp, Alex Widmer, Rolf Holderegger
Summary: Erratic boulders in the calcareous Swiss lowlands serve as exclusive habitats for regionally critically endangered fern, various bryophyte species, and numerous lichens. Utilizing ddRAD technology, the study revealed lower multilocus genotype diversity for both Asplenium septentrionale and Hedwigia ciliata on boulders compared to mainland populations, suggesting rare successful colonization for the former due to intrinsic factors like long-distance dispersal and selfing.
CONSERVATION GENETICS
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Huimin Cai, Xing Liu, Wenqiao Wang, Zhonghui Ma, Bo Li, Gemma L. C. Bramley, Dianxiang Zhang
Summary: There are numerous species of Callicarpa in tropical to subtropical Asia and the New World, and the genus provides valuable insights into the amphi-Pacific disjunction pattern. This study improves the phylogenetic understanding of Callicarpa through inclusive taxonomic samplings and data analysis. The results reveal the origin and diversification patterns of Callicarpa, as well as the ancestral distribution and dispersal events.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Carmen Benitez-Benitez, Ana Otero, Kerry A. Ford, Pablo Garcia-Moro, Sabina Donadio, Modesto Luceno, Santiago Martin-Bravo, Pedro Jimenez-Mejias
Summary: Carex subgenus Psyllophorae is a fascinating study group with early diversification and disjunct distribution, showing the role of historical geo-climatic events in evolutionary history, particularly in South America. Divergence away from primary Gondwanan vicariance hypotheses and long-distance dispersal-mediated allopatric diversification are key aspects of the group's evolution. The trans-Pacific colonization event and niche conservatism in section Junciformes are also noteworthy findings.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Ting-Shen Han, Chih-Chieh Yu, Quan-Jing Zheng, Seisuke Kimura, Renske E. Onstein, Yao-Wu Xing
Summary: We investigated the biogeographical and speciation history of 17 diploids and 41 polyploids of Rorippa and demonstrated the role of polyploidy in the difference of dispersal rates using genetic variation data.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Amanda S. Santos, Erton M. Almeida, Paulo Aecyo, Lucas Costa, Artur Wanderley, Henrique Batalha-Filho, Magdalena Vaio, Mark W. Chase, Maarten J. M. Christenhusz, Leonardo P. Felix, Gustavo Souza
Summary: Ameroglossum is a rare plant genus endemic to northeastern Brazil, recently expanded to include eight new species and two related genera. Phylogenetic analysis shows that Ameroglossum is monophyletic with the inclusion of Catimbaua and Isa-belcristinia, and belongs to the family Linderniaceae. Biogeographic analysis suggests that Ameroglossum and related genus arrived in South America approximately 15 million years ago through long-distance dispersal. Ameroglossum has developed floral morphological specialization in rocky outcrop habitats, but no increase in speciation rate was detected.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Audrey C. Ragsac, Paige Fabre, Tiina Sarkinen, Richard G. Olmstead
Summary: Tecomeae, a nearly cosmopolitan clade of flowering plants, originated in South America and experienced dispersal events during the Eocene-Oligocene and Miocene, spreading from South America to the Old World, North America, Asia, and South America. The global distribution of Tecomeae is explained by intercontinental dispersal via land bridges, island hopping, and long distance dispersal.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Katie Kobara Sanbonmatsu, Daniel Spalink
Summary: The study on spatial patterns of moss phylogenetic assembly reveals that phylogenetic diversity is more robust than species richness, while global phylogenetic endemism is low. Future efforts for moss species collection, sequencing, and databasing should focus on the tropics, particularly Africa and Southeast Asia.
JOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Zheng Zhang, Guangyue Wen, Dexiao Bu, Guojun Sun, Sheng Qiang
Summary: Canada goldenrod is an invasive plant species that spreads rapidly through wind dispersal, traveling longer distances and in greater amounts in the downwind direction. The temperature and wind speed positively affect the dispersal amount, while relative humidity negatively affects it.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lisa Chamberland, Ingi Agnarsson, Iris L. Quayle, Tess Ruddy, James Starrett, Jason E. Bond
Summary: Net-casting spiders are a charismatic family of spiders, with Deinopis and Asianopis known for their giant eyes. Molecular phylogenetic studies show that Deinopis is not monophyletic, leading to the transfer of 24 species to Asianopis. The evolutionary history and biogeography of these spiders are unique.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rachel S. Welt, Christopher J. Raxworthy
Summary: The study found that the endemic lineage of iguanas on the isolated Indian Ocean island of Madagascar is closely related to the Leiosauridae in South America, suggesting a long-distance overwater dispersal of the Opluridae lineage. The divergence between Opluridae and Leiosauridae occurred between the late Cretaceous and mid-Paleogene, when Madagascar was already an isolated island from other Gondwanan landmasses.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Adam Lovas-Kiss, Victor Martin-Velez, Kane Brides, David M. Wilkinson, Larry R. Griffin, Andy J. Green
Summary: In this study, the potential of Pink-footed geese for long-distance dispersal (LDD) of flowering plants through gut passage of seeds (endozoochory) was investigated. It was found that these geese are LDD vectors for plants and can transport seeds over long distances, including across the ocean. This finding has important implications for understanding how plants can disperse and adapt to global change.
JOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Carme Blanco-Gavalda, Merce Galbany-Casals, Alfonso Susanna, Santiago Andres-Sanchez, Randall J. Bayer, Christian Brochmann, Glynis V. Cron, Nicola G. Bergh, Nuria Garcia-Jacas, Abel Gizaw, Martha Kandziora, Filip Kolar, Javier Lopez-Alvarado, Frederik Leliaert, Rokiman Letsara, Lucia D. Moreyra, Sylvain G. Razafimandimbison, Roswitha Schmickl, Cristina Roquet
Summary: The Afromontane and Afroalpine areas in Africa are important biodiversity hotspots with rich plant endemics. This study focused on the plant genus Helichrysum and revealed its southern African origin and repeated colonization of the Afromontane and Afroalpine areas. The timing of these events coincide with mountain uplift and glacial cycles, suggesting their role in speciation and gene flow in the evolution of the Afroalpine flora.
Article
Plant Sciences
Xin Yao, Yu Song, Jun-Bo Yang, Yun-Hong Tan, Richard T. Corlett
Summary: The study constructed a phylogeny of the holly genus based on nuclear genes, revealing its origins in subtropical Asia and colonization of various continents over time. The findings highlight the genus' adaptation to mesic climates and broader distribution before late Miocene global cooling, providing a framework for future research in comparative ecology and evolution.
JOURNAL OF SYSTEMATICS AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Yannis Robert, Hermann Thomas, Jean Maurice Tamon, Germinal Rouhan
Summary: A newly discovered fern species, Elaphoglossum multisquamosum, on La Reunion Island has been reinstated as a distinct species from the Malagasy endemic Elaphoglossum poolii. Morphologically similar to Elaphoglossum poolii, Elaphoglossum multisquamosum has now been fully described with critical distinguishing features provided, along with a comparative distribution map for both species in Madagascar and La Reunion. Additionally, the lectotype for Elaphoglossum multisquamosum has been determined.
Article
Plant Sciences
Germinal Rouhan, Vincent Boullet, Ashiley Field, Eric Schuettpelz
Article
Plant Sciences
Jean-Yves Dubuisson, Timothee Le Pechon, Sabine Hennequin, Germinal Rouhan, Alexandre Salino, Vincent Deblauwe, Vincent Droissart, Hanna Tuomisto, Samuli Lehtonen, Atsushi Ebihara
Summary: This study revealed a greater morphological diversity in the filmy fern genus Trichomanes than traditionally recognized, proposing a new subgenus Afrotrichomanes for the Afro-Malagasy taxa. The origins of Palaeotropical species in the genus are suggested to have occurred through both recent colonization from the Neotropics and a possible Mesozoic vicariance event. The low species diversity of the genus in the Afro-Malagasy region was discussed.
BOTANICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zhao-Jun Pan, Ya-Chi Nien, Yu-An Shih, Tsun-Ying Chen, Wen-Dar Lin, Wen-Hsi Kuo, Hao-Chun Hsu, Shih-Long Tu, Jen-Chih Chen, Chun-Neng Wang
Summary: The establishment of dorsal-ventral petal asymmetry in Sinningia speciosa is regulated by genes involved in flower symmetry, particularly CYCLOIDEA (SsCYC), and the auxin signaling pathway. The upregulation of these genes in dorsal petals correlates with a higher auxin level, cell expansion, and a purple color. However, SsCYC may not directly activate auxin regulation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Li Chang, Yuh Tzean, Kuan-Ting Hsin, Chia-Ying Lin, Chun-Neng Wang, Hsin-Hung Yeh
Summary: The study reveals that orchid SAPs play unique roles in antiviral immunity by activating both SA signaling and RNAi pathways, providing comprehensive protection against viruses.
Article
Plant Sciences
Iry Andrianjara, Marianne Bordenave-Jacquemin, Virginie Roy, Cecile Cabassa, Pierre Federici, David Carmignac, Yoan Marcangeli, Germinal Rouhan, Mathilde Renard, Francois Nold, Jean-Christophe Lata, Patricia Genet, Severine Planchais
Summary: The study aims to provide better knowledge on intra- and interspecific diversity of trees in urban areas for improved tree management. Identifying five species based on morphological characteristics and genetic profiling in Paris, the study highlights the importance of understanding genetic variability for mitigating disease risks and evaluating individual responses to environmental conditions. The research also emphasizes the role of tree nurseries in supplying trees with diverse genetics to reinforce diversity and improve ecosystem services in urban areas.
URBAN FORESTRY & URBAN GREENING
(2021)
Editorial Material
Plant Sciences
Jean-Yves Dubuisson, Adele Nivart, Bruno Senterre, Germinal Rouhan
Article
Plant Sciences
Jean-Yves Dubuisson, Elodie Boucheron-Dubuisson, Timothee Le Pechon, Pedro Bausero, Vincent Droissart, Vincent Deblauwe, Atsushi Ebihara, Sabine Hennequin, Germinal Rouhan
Summary: Through morphological, morphometric, and molecular phylogenetic analyses, it was found that V. collariata is distinct from other species, and that V. radicans, V. speciosa, V. gigantea, and the African specimens cannot be distinguished morphologically and morphometrically. The Neotropical specimens of V. radicans, V. speciosa, and V. gigantea are genetically distinct and are supported as distinct species. African specimens form a separate clade sister to V. gigantea and are described as a new species, Vandenboschia confusa, based on the presence of a well-developed wing on the stipe.
Article
Plant Sciences
Bing-Feng Ke, Goang-Jiun Wang, Paulo H. Labiak, Germinal Rouhan, Cheng-Wei Chen, Lara D. Shepherd, Daniel J. Ohlsen, Matthew A. M. Renner, Kenneth G. Karol, Fay-Wei Li, Li-Yaung Kuo
Summary: This study provides a comprehensive sampling of Schizaeaceae species diversity and reveals the plastid phylogeny and evolutionary history of this family. It shows that the loss of plastid genes is associated with the evolution of mycoheterotrophy in Schizaeaceae and proposes a revised classification for the genus Schizaea.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Obidjon A. Turdiboev, Germinal Rouhan, Akmal L. Allamurotov, Farrukhbek M. Madaminov, Feruz Akbarov, Komiljon Sh Tojibaev
Summary: This study comprehensively examined Guillaume Capus' botanical expeditions to Middle Asia, focusing on his collection of herbarium specimens. The taxonomy of the collected plants was updated, revealing a significant diversity consisting of 87 families, 375 genera, and 851 species. Additionally, the study identified seven new angiosperm species records for Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan. Furthermore, the study clarified the original collection localities and created a GIS-based distribution map, contributing to the understanding of Capus' botanical travel and forming a foundation for a gazetteer of Middle Asia.
Article
Plant Sciences
Jean-Yves Dubuisson, Lucie Bauret, Elodie Boucheron-Dubuisson, Germinal Rouhan
Summary: A new species of Abrodictyum genus, named Abrodictyum inexpectatum sp. nov., has been discovered in Madagascar through morphological and molecular phylogenetic analysis. This new species differs from its closely related species A. franceae in size, ultimate segment width, and leaf morphology.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
S. Veron, A. Bernard, E. Lebreton, C. Rodrigues-Vaz, M. Durand, L. Procopio, M. Helion, M. Gayot, G. Viscardi, G. A. Krupnick, C. M. S. Carrington, V. Boullet, B. Mallet, A. Dimassi, T. Pailler, J. Hivert, M. Lebouvier, P. Agnola, D. Bruy, G. Gateble, G. Lannuzel, S. Meyer, O. Gargominy, G. Gigot, V. Invernon, S. Leblond, M. Pignal, S. Tercerie, S. Muller, G. Rouhan
Summary: Assessment methods for estimating conservation status and building Red Lists are valuable tools, especially in French Overseas Territories where out-dated or absent Red Lists and anthropogenic pressures pose threats to endemic species. This study conducted a pre-assessment of conservation status for endemic plants in various territories, comparing different methods used and discussing adaptations for smaller territories. The Random Forest algorithm and range-size-based methods showed the highest accuracy in attributing conservation status, revealing that up to 60% of endemic flora in the FOTs is potentially threatened due to range restriction and anthropogenic pressures.
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kuan-Ting Hsin, Hao-Chih Kuo, Goro Kokubugata, Michael Moeller, Chun-Neng Wang, Yi-Sheng Cheng
Summary: The study examined the evolutionary history of Conandron ramondioides, an East Asian endemic ornamental plant, and found genetic differentiation among populations corresponding to different geographical regions. Corolla traits were correlated with geographical distributions, and restricted gene flow was detected among clades.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Sonia Molino, Irene Lafuente, Germinal Rouhan, Rafael Medina
Summary: Through morphological study and analysis of spore size, we found that the Madagascar variety of Parablechnum marginatum can be morphologically distinguished from the Mascarene variety, and there are statistically significant differences in spore size between them. Our results, consistent with phylogenetic data, support the recognition of these two taxa as separate species.
Article
Plant Sciences
Zhao-Jun Pan, Yu-Ling Hung, Tsun-Ying Chen, Yu-An Shih, Ying-Chung Jimmy Lin, Chun-Neng Wang
Summary: This study optimized a petal protoplast transformation protocol for Sinningia speciosa and successfully localized the key transcription factor SsCYC inside the nuclei. The transient overexpression of SsCYC was consistent with gene network expectations.
APPLICATIONS IN PLANT SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Markus Osaland Fjelde, Einar Timdal, Reidar Haugan, Mika Bendiksby
Summary: This study investigated the taxonomy of the crustose lichen genus Calvitimela using molecular phylogenetics and morphological observations. The results revealed evolutionarily old and deeply divergent lineages within Calvitimela, with overlapping morphological characters between different subgenera. Chemical characters were informative at the level of subgenera but often homoplastic at the species level. A practical taxonomy of Calvitimela was proposed based on these findings.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Bo-Yang Shi, Da Pan, Kang-Qin Zhang, Tian-Yu Gu, Darren C. J. Yeo, Peter K. L. Ng, Neil Cumberlidge, Hong-Ying Sun
Summary: This study investigates the evolutionary history and speciation mechanisms of montane potamids in the Hengduan Mountains Region. The results suggest that the vicariance events of these crabs are correlated with the emergence of sky islands due to the uplift of the mountains. The mountain ridges provided corridors for their dispersal and past climatic conditions played a crucial role in their evolutionary history. The mechanisms isolating sky islands are reinforced by the climatic features of dry-hot valleys and continue to affect local diversification.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Attila Nemeth, Edvard Mizsei, Levente Laczko, David Czaban, Zsolt Hegyeli, Szabolcs Lengyel, Gabor Csorba, Gabor Sramko
Summary: Species delimitation of European blind mole rats is challenging due to their small morphological differences and complex chromosomal evolution. This study provides a comprehensive framework to improve understanding of their evolutionary history and revise their taxonomy. The results reveal the presence of multiple superspecies and species, with distinct geographic patterns and rapid chromosomal evolution.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ying Qi, Zhaoyan Zhong, Xu Liu, Xing He, Yadong Zhou, Lili Zhang, Chong Chen, Katrin Linse, Jian-Wen Qiu, Jin Sun
Summary: This study investigates the phylogenetic relationships among patellogastropod families using mitochondrial and phylogenomic data. The results show that the mitochondrial phylogeny recovers monophyly of most families, but the relationships among families are still contentious. However, a more robust family-level topology consistent with morphology is achieved by phylogenomics. Additionally, the mainly deep-water families are found to be monophyletic, suggesting a single colonization of the deep water during the Jurassic.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yu-Jie Shi, Jin -Liang Huang, Jia-Xuan Mi, Jing Li, Fan-Yu Meng, Yu Zhong, Fang He, Fei -Fei Tian, Fan Zhang, Liang-Hua Chen, Han-Bo Yang, Hong-Lin Hu, Xue-Qin Wan
Summary: Despite numerous studies on hybrid speciation, our understanding of this process remains limited. In this study, we conducted an 18-year systematic investigation on Populus taxa on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and discovered three new taxa that originated from distant hybridization between two different sections. These hybrid taxa demonstrate greater ecological adaptability than their ancestral species due to heterosis. We propose a hybrid speciation process model that can explain important evolutionary concerns.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anna Cho, Denis Tikhonenkov, Gordon Lax, Kristina I. Prokina, Patrick J. Keeling
Summary: Unlike conspicuous ochrophytes, many small and overlooked flagellates belonging to basally branching stramenopiles remain poorly characterized at the cellular or genomic level. This study describes four new species, including two new genera, of sediment-dwelling MAST-6 and provides updated phylogenomic tree of stramenopiles. The characterization of these flagellates is important due to their phylogenetic diversity and abundance in various environments.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tian-Tian Xue, Steven B. Janssens, Bin-Bin Liu, Sheng-Xiang Yu
Summary: Phylogenomic conflicts are widespread among genomic data, with most previous studies primarily focusing on nuclear datasets instead of organellar genomes. In this study, we investigated the phylogenetic conflicts within and between plastid and mitochondrial genomes using Potentilla as a case study. We found that both plastid and mitochondrial genomes divided Potentilla into eight highly supported clades, with two newly identified clades. Our results demonstrate that mitochondrial genes can fully resolve phylogenetic relationships among major clades of Potentilla and are not always linked with plastomes in evolutionary history.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alexandra A. Grossi, Chunpo Tian, Mengjiao Ren, Fasheng Zou, Daniel R. Gustafsson
Summary: This study suggests that the coevolutionary relationships between chewing lice, endosymbiotic bacteria, and birds are not independent, but the patterns vary depending on the analysis method used. Additionally, louse host-switching does not seem to affect bacterial strains.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ingrid Olivares, Sergio Tusso, Maria Jose Sanin, Marylaure de La Harpe, Oriane Loiseau, Jonathan Rolland, Nicolas Salamin, Michael Kessler, Kentaro K. Shimizu, Margot Paris
Summary: Traditionally, differences between species have been associated with morphological variation. However, the discovery of cryptic diversity suggests that the evolution of distinct lineages can occur without morphological differences. Through genetic analysis, we found that a tropical montane plant lineage is composed of numerous unrecognized genetic groups that are not morphologically distinct. Geographic distance and topography play a crucial role in determining the genetic divergence of these groups.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2024)