The Eurasian harvest mouse (Micromys minutus) is a tiny rodent of the Palearctic and Indomalayan regions, with a distinct regional species status in Europe and irregularly varying local numbers. We analysed the population of M. minutus in Lithuania (Northern Europe) based on trapping data from 1975 to 2022 and owl pellet data from 1986 to 2009. Based on both datasets, the proportion of this species in the small mammal community was similar, 1.13% and 0.62%, respectively. The proportions have remained stable across all decades. Relative abundance was 1.19 ± 0.19 individuals per 1000 trap days, stable over the long term and across the country. Irregular fluctuations in abundance were observed in some of the sites surveyed. The highest average RA was recorded in open sedge habitats, meadows and marshes. The absolute highest RA was 88 individuals per 1000 trap days in floodplain meadows after a major flood. Although the negative impact of habitat anthropogenisation has been confirmed, M. minutus does not require special conservation measures in Lithuania.
{"title":"Long-Term Stability of Harvest Mouse Population","authors":"Linas Balčiauskas, Laima Balčiauskienė","doi":"10.3390/d15101102","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/d15101102","url":null,"abstract":"The Eurasian harvest mouse (Micromys minutus) is a tiny rodent of the Palearctic and Indomalayan regions, with a distinct regional species status in Europe and irregularly varying local numbers. We analysed the population of M. minutus in Lithuania (Northern Europe) based on trapping data from 1975 to 2022 and owl pellet data from 1986 to 2009. Based on both datasets, the proportion of this species in the small mammal community was similar, 1.13% and 0.62%, respectively. The proportions have remained stable across all decades. Relative abundance was 1.19 ± 0.19 individuals per 1000 trap days, stable over the long term and across the country. Irregular fluctuations in abundance were observed in some of the sites surveyed. The highest average RA was recorded in open sedge habitats, meadows and marshes. The absolute highest RA was 88 individuals per 1000 trap days in floodplain meadows after a major flood. Although the negative impact of habitat anthropogenisation has been confirmed, M. minutus does not require special conservation measures in Lithuania.","PeriodicalId":56006,"journal":{"name":"Diversity-Basel","volume":"SE-9 2","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135411497","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
María A. Pérez-Fernández, Irene Ariadna De-Lara-Del-Rey, Anathi Magadlela
Calicotome villosa is a eurioic legume with broad distribution in the south of Europe. It can grow in almost any type of soil as well as in humid and dry and nutrient-deficient ecosystems. The broad distribution and eurioic nature of C. villosa may be attributed to its ability to establish endophytic associations with plant-growth-promoting (PGP) bacteria housed in the nodules and rootlets. This study examined the legume–microbe interaction of C. villosa growing in two contrasting locations: a hilltop with high sun irradiance and drought, and a valley bottom with a low level of radiation and sufficient soil humidity for plant growth. Calicotome villosa adult plants established endophytic interactions with bacteria in six genera: Pseudomonas, Stenotrophomonas, Bacillus, Paenibacillus, Brevicacterium, and Rhizobium. Plants growing on the hilltop had associated lower bacterial richness than those grown on the valley bottom. All strains were drought-tolerant and produced siderophores, IAA, HCN, and NH3 that stimulated plant performance in C. villosa plants and the other four legumes commonly present in the understory of the shrub communities. The legumes’ capacity to selectively host symbiotic bacteria that enhance plant survival in harsh conditions partly accounts for the diverse partnerships between C. villosa plants and their symbionts, ultimately explaining the wide distribution of this plant species.
{"title":"Bacterial Products and Their Effect on the Shrubby Legume Calicotome villosa (Poir.) Link","authors":"María A. Pérez-Fernández, Irene Ariadna De-Lara-Del-Rey, Anathi Magadlela","doi":"10.3390/d15101101","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/d15101101","url":null,"abstract":"Calicotome villosa is a eurioic legume with broad distribution in the south of Europe. It can grow in almost any type of soil as well as in humid and dry and nutrient-deficient ecosystems. The broad distribution and eurioic nature of C. villosa may be attributed to its ability to establish endophytic associations with plant-growth-promoting (PGP) bacteria housed in the nodules and rootlets. This study examined the legume–microbe interaction of C. villosa growing in two contrasting locations: a hilltop with high sun irradiance and drought, and a valley bottom with a low level of radiation and sufficient soil humidity for plant growth. Calicotome villosa adult plants established endophytic interactions with bacteria in six genera: Pseudomonas, Stenotrophomonas, Bacillus, Paenibacillus, Brevicacterium, and Rhizobium. Plants growing on the hilltop had associated lower bacterial richness than those grown on the valley bottom. All strains were drought-tolerant and produced siderophores, IAA, HCN, and NH3 that stimulated plant performance in C. villosa plants and the other four legumes commonly present in the understory of the shrub communities. The legumes’ capacity to selectively host symbiotic bacteria that enhance plant survival in harsh conditions partly accounts for the diverse partnerships between C. villosa plants and their symbionts, ultimately explaining the wide distribution of this plant species.","PeriodicalId":56006,"journal":{"name":"Diversity-Basel","volume":"22 4","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135367702","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The extensive vegetation destruction in opencast mining regions has led to various environmental problems, including the loss of biodiversity. However, our understanding of biodiversity’s response to survival, as well as its interactions with soil characteristics and climate change, remains limited. To address this gap, we analyzed data from a long-term monitoring site in an opencast coal mine reclamation region, focusing on the effects of species diversity, soil properties, and climate factors on the survival of four key restored species at 17, 22, and 27 years after planting. Our findings indicate that increased plot diversity is associated with decreased overall survival, and significant variations in diversity levels were observed among different plots. We also found that soil properties influenced species’ survival response to diversity, and these responses varied with stand age. In the early stages of succession, soil and diversity primarily affect species survival, with diversity playing a more dominant role as stand age increases. Overall, our findings suggest that the interaction between species diversity and soil composition significantly influences the survival of species. Continuous monitoring is necessary to validate these conclusions, particularly considering the diverse planting patterns in mine reclamation areas that can result in varying feedbacks of biodiversity on species survival.
{"title":"Species Diversity and Soil Interconstraints Exert Significant Influences on Plant Survival during Ecological Restoration in Semi-Arid Mining Areas","authors":"Zeyu Shi, Zhongke Bai, Donggang Guo, Shuai Li, Meijing Chen","doi":"10.3390/d15101100","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/d15101100","url":null,"abstract":"The extensive vegetation destruction in opencast mining regions has led to various environmental problems, including the loss of biodiversity. However, our understanding of biodiversity’s response to survival, as well as its interactions with soil characteristics and climate change, remains limited. To address this gap, we analyzed data from a long-term monitoring site in an opencast coal mine reclamation region, focusing on the effects of species diversity, soil properties, and climate factors on the survival of four key restored species at 17, 22, and 27 years after planting. Our findings indicate that increased plot diversity is associated with decreased overall survival, and significant variations in diversity levels were observed among different plots. We also found that soil properties influenced species’ survival response to diversity, and these responses varied with stand age. In the early stages of succession, soil and diversity primarily affect species survival, with diversity playing a more dominant role as stand age increases. Overall, our findings suggest that the interaction between species diversity and soil composition significantly influences the survival of species. Continuous monitoring is necessary to validate these conclusions, particularly considering the diverse planting patterns in mine reclamation areas that can result in varying feedbacks of biodiversity on species survival.","PeriodicalId":56006,"journal":{"name":"Diversity-Basel","volume":"44 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135463053","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Xi Zhang, Mao Ye, Xiaoting Pan, Qingzhi He, Weilong Chen, Guoyan Zeng, Miaomiao Li
The change grassland plant communities demonstrate with elevation has been one of the hot issues in ecological research, and there remain many unsolved problems. In order to further elucidate the rules of grassland plant community change with elevation, this study took the Burqin forest area as a research object, using field survey, redundancy analysis and grey correlation analysis to comprehensively assess the characteristics of change in grassland plant communities with elevation and the relationship of this evolution with environmental factors. The results showed that (1) the numbers of species, community biomass, community cover and community densities of grassland plant communities showed an “M” pattern with the increase in elevation. There were significant changes in the importance values and dominance of plants at different elevations; with increasing elevation, grassland plants became primarily dominated by cold-tolerant and well-adapted perennials. (2) The similarity coefficients of grassland plant communities at different elevations ranged from 0.06 to 0.62, i.e., from very dissimilar to moderately similar. (3) As the elevation increased, the Margalef species richness index, Shannon–Wiener diversity index, Simpson dominance index and Alatalo evenness index all showed an “M” pattern trend. (4) The degrees of correlation between temperature and precipitation and community biomass and species diversity were at a high level, and these were the most important environmental factors affecting the biomass and species diversity of grassland plant communities in the Burqin forest area. The results of this study can provide a theoretical basis for the rational utilization of grassland resources and for the sustainable development of grassland ecosystems in the Burqin forest area.
{"title":"Characteristics of Grassland Plant Community Change with Elevation and Its Relationship with Environmental Factors in the Burqin Forest Region of the Altai Mountains","authors":"Xi Zhang, Mao Ye, Xiaoting Pan, Qingzhi He, Weilong Chen, Guoyan Zeng, Miaomiao Li","doi":"10.3390/d15101098","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/d15101098","url":null,"abstract":"The change grassland plant communities demonstrate with elevation has been one of the hot issues in ecological research, and there remain many unsolved problems. In order to further elucidate the rules of grassland plant community change with elevation, this study took the Burqin forest area as a research object, using field survey, redundancy analysis and grey correlation analysis to comprehensively assess the characteristics of change in grassland plant communities with elevation and the relationship of this evolution with environmental factors. The results showed that (1) the numbers of species, community biomass, community cover and community densities of grassland plant communities showed an “M” pattern with the increase in elevation. There were significant changes in the importance values and dominance of plants at different elevations; with increasing elevation, grassland plants became primarily dominated by cold-tolerant and well-adapted perennials. (2) The similarity coefficients of grassland plant communities at different elevations ranged from 0.06 to 0.62, i.e., from very dissimilar to moderately similar. (3) As the elevation increased, the Margalef species richness index, Shannon–Wiener diversity index, Simpson dominance index and Alatalo evenness index all showed an “M” pattern trend. (4) The degrees of correlation between temperature and precipitation and community biomass and species diversity were at a high level, and these were the most important environmental factors affecting the biomass and species diversity of grassland plant communities in the Burqin forest area. The results of this study can provide a theoretical basis for the rational utilization of grassland resources and for the sustainable development of grassland ecosystems in the Burqin forest area.","PeriodicalId":56006,"journal":{"name":"Diversity-Basel","volume":"33 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135461107","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Moira Buršić, Andrej Jaklin, Milvana Arko Pijevac, Branka Bruvo Mađarić, Lucija Neal, Emina Pustijanac, Petra Burić, Neven Iveša, Paolo Paliaga, Ljiljana Iveša
Available research on invertebrates in Corallina officinalis settlements shows a high level of biodiversity due to a complex habitat structure. Our aim was to examine seasonal changes in the invertebrate population, considering the algae’s growth patterns. Nine locations with over 90% algal coverage were selected in southern Istria, where quantitative sampling was performed using six replicates of 5 × 5 cm quadrats in each location. Results showed that 29,711 invertebrates were found during winter (maximum algae growth) and 22,292 during summer (minimum algae growth), with an extrapolated average density of 220,000 and 165,200 individuals per square meter, respectively. The total number of individuals showed a linear increase as the algae biomass increased. The highest density, 586,000 individuals, was recorded in the Premantura area during winter. Dominant groups such as amphipods, polychaetes, bivalves and gastropods made up over 80% of the invertebrates. Our study confirms high invertebrate richness in the C. officinalis settlements, with the maximum density being the highest when compared to previously published data.
{"title":"Seasonal Variations in Invertebrates Sheltered among Corallina officinalis (Plantae, Rodophyta) Turfs along the Southern Istrian Coast (Croatia, Adriatic Sea)","authors":"Moira Buršić, Andrej Jaklin, Milvana Arko Pijevac, Branka Bruvo Mađarić, Lucija Neal, Emina Pustijanac, Petra Burić, Neven Iveša, Paolo Paliaga, Ljiljana Iveša","doi":"10.3390/d15101099","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/d15101099","url":null,"abstract":"Available research on invertebrates in Corallina officinalis settlements shows a high level of biodiversity due to a complex habitat structure. Our aim was to examine seasonal changes in the invertebrate population, considering the algae’s growth patterns. Nine locations with over 90% algal coverage were selected in southern Istria, where quantitative sampling was performed using six replicates of 5 × 5 cm quadrats in each location. Results showed that 29,711 invertebrates were found during winter (maximum algae growth) and 22,292 during summer (minimum algae growth), with an extrapolated average density of 220,000 and 165,200 individuals per square meter, respectively. The total number of individuals showed a linear increase as the algae biomass increased. The highest density, 586,000 individuals, was recorded in the Premantura area during winter. Dominant groups such as amphipods, polychaetes, bivalves and gastropods made up over 80% of the invertebrates. Our study confirms high invertebrate richness in the C. officinalis settlements, with the maximum density being the highest when compared to previously published data.","PeriodicalId":56006,"journal":{"name":"Diversity-Basel","volume":"15 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135461547","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Diego Lang Burak, Thamyres Cardoso da Silveira, Luciana Ventura Machado, Eduardo de Sá Mendonça
The Atlantic Forest exhibits remarkable floristic diversity over short distances, and when combined with altitude, it results in variations in soil biological properties and hydrological dynamics. This study aimed to quantify the distribution pattern of soil biological properties along a small topographic gradient and identify how these properties are related to soil chemical, physical, and topographical attributes in an Atlantic Forest fragment in Brazil. Plots were established along hillslope positions varying from 100 to 180 m of altitude. Soil biological characterization was performed at a depth of 0.0–0.10 m in both summer and winter seasons. The lowland showed higher microbial biomass nitrogen in summer (57.28 ± 5.57 μg g−1 soil) and higher anaerobically mineralizable nitrogen in summer and winter (42.70 ± 2.14 mg kg−1 and 41.06 ± 3.37 mg kg−1, respectively). The midland showed lower microbial biomass carbon, enzymatic activity, and soil moisture in both seasons, and higher metabolic coefficients in summer. Soil chemical properties exerted a greater influence on the variability of biological properties in both seasons. The land slope conditioned lower microbial activity and organic cycling in the midland. Soil biological properties were affected by seasonality. Even a small altitudinal gradient (up to 100 m) in the Sea of Hills regions of the Atlantic Forest can lead to significant changes in soil biological and chemical attributes.
{"title":"Soil Biological Properties along a Topographic Gradient in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest Biome","authors":"Diego Lang Burak, Thamyres Cardoso da Silveira, Luciana Ventura Machado, Eduardo de Sá Mendonça","doi":"10.3390/d15101097","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/d15101097","url":null,"abstract":"The Atlantic Forest exhibits remarkable floristic diversity over short distances, and when combined with altitude, it results in variations in soil biological properties and hydrological dynamics. This study aimed to quantify the distribution pattern of soil biological properties along a small topographic gradient and identify how these properties are related to soil chemical, physical, and topographical attributes in an Atlantic Forest fragment in Brazil. Plots were established along hillslope positions varying from 100 to 180 m of altitude. Soil biological characterization was performed at a depth of 0.0–0.10 m in both summer and winter seasons. The lowland showed higher microbial biomass nitrogen in summer (57.28 ± 5.57 μg g−1 soil) and higher anaerobically mineralizable nitrogen in summer and winter (42.70 ± 2.14 mg kg−1 and 41.06 ± 3.37 mg kg−1, respectively). The midland showed lower microbial biomass carbon, enzymatic activity, and soil moisture in both seasons, and higher metabolic coefficients in summer. Soil chemical properties exerted a greater influence on the variability of biological properties in both seasons. The land slope conditioned lower microbial activity and organic cycling in the midland. Soil biological properties were affected by seasonality. Even a small altitudinal gradient (up to 100 m) in the Sea of Hills regions of the Atlantic Forest can lead to significant changes in soil biological and chemical attributes.","PeriodicalId":56006,"journal":{"name":"Diversity-Basel","volume":"53 2","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135511404","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Robert L. Bossard, Marcela Lareschi, Mara Urdapilleta, Cristina Cutillas, Antonio Zurita
This overview of extant Siphonaptera lists 19 families with major hosts and their general distribution, estimated numbers of genera, species, and subspecies, with a brief taxonomic and phylogenetic review. With around 10 new species described annually, extant flea fauna comprises an estimated 249 genera, 2215 species, and 714 subspecies globally, mostly mammal parasites, but 5% of species are on birds. Host specificity varies from euryxenous (i.e., infesting two or more host orders) (e.g., cat fleas, Ctenocephalides felis felis) to monoxenous (e.g., rabbit fleas, Spilopsyllus cuniculi). The largest family is the paraphyletic Hystrichopsyllidae, making up a third of all flea species. The largest monophyletic family, Ceratophyllidae (rodent and bird fleas), comprises another 20% and has dispersed to every continent, including Antarctica. Fleas descend from scorpionflies (Mecoptera), possibly snow scorpionflies (Boreidae) or Nannochoristidae, and even giant fossils found from the Mesozoic could be Siphonaptera. The diversification of fleas shows evidence of taxon cycles. “Relict” families, such as helmet fleas (Stephanocircidae), have a disjunct distribution reflecting the breakup of Gondwanaland 70 million years ago. “Niche specialists” include nest fleas (Anomiopsyllus), bat fleas (Ischnopsyllidae), and burrowing fleas, such as chigoes (Tungidae). By contrast, Ceratophyllidae fleas could be considered “great speciators”. Cat fleas and several other synanthropic flea species are invasive “supertramps”. Although those species are intensively studied, many flea species and their hosts require urgent surveys and conservation.
{"title":"Flea (Insecta: Siphonaptera) Family Diversity","authors":"Robert L. Bossard, Marcela Lareschi, Mara Urdapilleta, Cristina Cutillas, Antonio Zurita","doi":"10.3390/d15101096","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/d15101096","url":null,"abstract":"This overview of extant Siphonaptera lists 19 families with major hosts and their general distribution, estimated numbers of genera, species, and subspecies, with a brief taxonomic and phylogenetic review. With around 10 new species described annually, extant flea fauna comprises an estimated 249 genera, 2215 species, and 714 subspecies globally, mostly mammal parasites, but 5% of species are on birds. Host specificity varies from euryxenous (i.e., infesting two or more host orders) (e.g., cat fleas, Ctenocephalides felis felis) to monoxenous (e.g., rabbit fleas, Spilopsyllus cuniculi). The largest family is the paraphyletic Hystrichopsyllidae, making up a third of all flea species. The largest monophyletic family, Ceratophyllidae (rodent and bird fleas), comprises another 20% and has dispersed to every continent, including Antarctica. Fleas descend from scorpionflies (Mecoptera), possibly snow scorpionflies (Boreidae) or Nannochoristidae, and even giant fossils found from the Mesozoic could be Siphonaptera. The diversification of fleas shows evidence of taxon cycles. “Relict” families, such as helmet fleas (Stephanocircidae), have a disjunct distribution reflecting the breakup of Gondwanaland 70 million years ago. “Niche specialists” include nest fleas (Anomiopsyllus), bat fleas (Ischnopsyllidae), and burrowing fleas, such as chigoes (Tungidae). By contrast, Ceratophyllidae fleas could be considered “great speciators”. Cat fleas and several other synanthropic flea species are invasive “supertramps”. Although those species are intensively studied, many flea species and their hosts require urgent surveys and conservation.","PeriodicalId":56006,"journal":{"name":"Diversity-Basel","volume":"12 6","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135510750","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The research utilizes an interdisciplinary approach, combining geological, ecological, and historical methods. It delves into the environmental evolution of Lake Kolon over a span of 17,700 years, shedding light on the intricate interplay between geological processes and ecological changes. The historical, statistical (PCA, DCA), and palaeoecological analyses centers on a core sequence situated in the heart of the lake, building upon previous research endeavors (pollen, malacological, macrobotanical and sedimentological analyses with radiocarbon dating). Forest fires occurred at the end of the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM); the boreal forest–steppe environment changed into temperate deciduous forest at the Pleistocene–Holocene boundary; human-induced environmental change into open parkland occurred; and from medieval times, communities used the land as pasture. This type of reconstruction is crucial for understanding how ecosystems respond to climate change over time, which has broader implications for modern-day conservation efforts and managing ecosystems in the face of ongoing climate change.
{"title":"Reconstructing the Paleoenvironmental Evolution of Lake Kolon (Hungary) through Palaeoecological, Statistical and Historical Analyses","authors":"Tamás Zsolt Vári, Elemér Pál-Molnár, Pál Sümegi","doi":"10.3390/d15101095","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/d15101095","url":null,"abstract":"The research utilizes an interdisciplinary approach, combining geological, ecological, and historical methods. It delves into the environmental evolution of Lake Kolon over a span of 17,700 years, shedding light on the intricate interplay between geological processes and ecological changes. The historical, statistical (PCA, DCA), and palaeoecological analyses centers on a core sequence situated in the heart of the lake, building upon previous research endeavors (pollen, malacological, macrobotanical and sedimentological analyses with radiocarbon dating). Forest fires occurred at the end of the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM); the boreal forest–steppe environment changed into temperate deciduous forest at the Pleistocene–Holocene boundary; human-induced environmental change into open parkland occurred; and from medieval times, communities used the land as pasture. This type of reconstruction is crucial for understanding how ecosystems respond to climate change over time, which has broader implications for modern-day conservation efforts and managing ecosystems in the face of ongoing climate change.","PeriodicalId":56006,"journal":{"name":"Diversity-Basel","volume":"158 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135569254","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mangoes belong to Mangifera (Anacardiaceae), which contains 69 species, but only Mangifera indica is popularly cultivated and commercialized. Mango is one of the most important crops grown in China’s Yunnan Province and significantly contributes to the economic security of these locals. Endophytic fungi have been recognized as beneficial microbes that improve plant growth, productivity, and survivability under environmental stress. Nevertheless, many host plant-related endophytic fungi are yet to be identified, including the mango-related species. During this study, we recognized three different fungal species in the family Chaetomiaceae derived from healthy mango (Mangifera indica) leaves based on morphological examinations coupled with multi-gene phylogenetic analysis (ITS, LSU, rpb2, and tub2). These species are Dichotomopilus funicola (KUNCC23-13347) and Humicola wallefii (KUNCC22-10759, 23-13348), derived from new hosts, and a new species of Arcopilus hongheensis (KUNCC22-10767, 23-13346).
{"title":"Taxonomy and Phylogeny of Endophytic Fungi (Chaetomiaceae) Associated with Healthy Leaves of Mangifera indica in Yunnan, China","authors":"Er-Fu Yang, Samantha C. Karunarathna, Dong-Qin Dai, Alviti Kankanamalage Hasith Priyashantha, Itthayakorn Promputtha, Abdallah Elgorban, Saowaluck Tibpromma","doi":"10.3390/d15101094","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/d15101094","url":null,"abstract":"Mangoes belong to Mangifera (Anacardiaceae), which contains 69 species, but only Mangifera indica is popularly cultivated and commercialized. Mango is one of the most important crops grown in China’s Yunnan Province and significantly contributes to the economic security of these locals. Endophytic fungi have been recognized as beneficial microbes that improve plant growth, productivity, and survivability under environmental stress. Nevertheless, many host plant-related endophytic fungi are yet to be identified, including the mango-related species. During this study, we recognized three different fungal species in the family Chaetomiaceae derived from healthy mango (Mangifera indica) leaves based on morphological examinations coupled with multi-gene phylogenetic analysis (ITS, LSU, rpb2, and tub2). These species are Dichotomopilus funicola (KUNCC23-13347) and Humicola wallefii (KUNCC22-10759, 23-13348), derived from new hosts, and a new species of Arcopilus hongheensis (KUNCC22-10767, 23-13346).","PeriodicalId":56006,"journal":{"name":"Diversity-Basel","volume":"92 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135617133","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Florin Alexandru Rebrean, Adrian Fustos, Katalin Szabo, Tabita-Teodora Lisandru, Mihaela Simona Rebrean, Mircea Ioan Varga, Doru Pamfil
The genetic variability of five populations of Quercus petraea originating from the Transylvania and Maramureș regions of Romania was investigated in this study to provide insights into the species’ adaptability, population dynamics, and potential for preservation in the face of environmental challenges. To achieve this, sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) markers, in conjunction with a set of 18 primer combinations, were employed. The outcomes of the analysis revealed a range of polymorphisms spanning from 69.78% to 85.75%. Additionally, the assessment of genetic diversity using Shannon’s information index (I) yielded values ranging between 0.2887 and 0.3955, while Nei’s gene diversity (He) exhibited a spectrum from 0.1833 to 0.2582. The analysis of genetic variability, conducted via molecular variance (AMOVA), unveiled that 9% of the genetic variation was attributable to differences among the populations, while a substantial 91% resided within the populations. A further investigation of the population structure revealed that the construction of a UPGMA dendrogram based on Nei’s genetic distances elucidated the presence of two principal genetic clusters, a finding that was reinforced by a Principal Coordinate Analysis (PCoA). The genetic diversity revealed by Quercus petraea using SRAP molecular markers offers promising potential for upcoming breeding programs to identify optimal genitors, facilitating the development of well-adapted oak populations in the Transylvania and Maramureș regions.
{"title":"Genetic Diversity and Structure of Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl. Populations in Central and Northern Romania Revealed by SRAP Markers","authors":"Florin Alexandru Rebrean, Adrian Fustos, Katalin Szabo, Tabita-Teodora Lisandru, Mihaela Simona Rebrean, Mircea Ioan Varga, Doru Pamfil","doi":"10.3390/d15101093","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/d15101093","url":null,"abstract":"The genetic variability of five populations of Quercus petraea originating from the Transylvania and Maramureș regions of Romania was investigated in this study to provide insights into the species’ adaptability, population dynamics, and potential for preservation in the face of environmental challenges. To achieve this, sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) markers, in conjunction with a set of 18 primer combinations, were employed. The outcomes of the analysis revealed a range of polymorphisms spanning from 69.78% to 85.75%. Additionally, the assessment of genetic diversity using Shannon’s information index (I) yielded values ranging between 0.2887 and 0.3955, while Nei’s gene diversity (He) exhibited a spectrum from 0.1833 to 0.2582. The analysis of genetic variability, conducted via molecular variance (AMOVA), unveiled that 9% of the genetic variation was attributable to differences among the populations, while a substantial 91% resided within the populations. A further investigation of the population structure revealed that the construction of a UPGMA dendrogram based on Nei’s genetic distances elucidated the presence of two principal genetic clusters, a finding that was reinforced by a Principal Coordinate Analysis (PCoA). The genetic diversity revealed by Quercus petraea using SRAP molecular markers offers promising potential for upcoming breeding programs to identify optimal genitors, facilitating the development of well-adapted oak populations in the Transylvania and Maramureș regions.","PeriodicalId":56006,"journal":{"name":"Diversity-Basel","volume":"6 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135778720","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}