Goniolimon italicum is an endemic species to central Apennines (Italy). Here we provide the first report of heterostyly in this species. Two morphological types were identified: an S-morph with ...stamen filaments longer than gynoecia, stigmas with a papillate surface and finely reticulated pollen grains with very small spinules (Type B); and an L-morph with stamen filaments shorter than gynoecia, stigmas with a cob pattern and coarsely reticulated pollen grains with small spinules (Type A). Two new locations of G. italicum were found and are here reported.
Goniolimon italicum es una especie endémica del centro de los Apeninos (Italia) de la cual se da a conocer por primera vez la existencia de heterostilia. Se reconocen dos tipos mofológicos: el morfo S, con filamentos estaminales más largos que el gineceo, estigmas papilosos y granos de polen finamente reticulados con espínulas muy pequeñas (Type B); y el morfo L con filamentos estaminales más cortos que elgineceo, estigmas tipo mazorca (“cob”) y granos de polen provistos de retículos laxos con espínulas pequeñas (Type A). Se aporta, además, el hallazgo de G. italicum en dos nuevas localidades.
The aim of this paper is investigating the micromorphological properties of fruits and seeds in the food and medicinal plant Momordica charantia L. (Cucurbitaceae). A detailed anatomical description ...on cross-sections of immature fruits and seeds is reported for the first time. The fruit is characterized by a thin epicarp, a multi-layered mesocarp and by an inconspicuous endocarp. The seed-coat displays a pattern of organization in five tissues. These endomorphic features were compared and discussed with the results of previous investigations on other representatives of the genus Momordica. Since the structure of seed-coat is considered diacritical in the taxonomy of the genus, this report may offer a set of additional character useful for the characterization of the genus.
Biological invasions are a global threat to biodiversity. Since the spread of invasive alien plants may have many impacts, an integrated approach, assessing effects across various ecosystem ...components, is needed for a correct understanding of the invasion process and its consequences. The nitrogen-fixing tree Robinia pseudoacacia (black locust) is a major invasive species worldwide and is used in forestry production. While its effects on plant communities and soils are well known, there have been few studies on soil fauna and microbes.
We investigated the impacts of the tree on several ecosystem components, using a multi-trophic approach to combine evidence of soil chemical properties and soil microbial, nematode, microarthropod and plant communities. We sampled soil and vegetation in managed forests, comparing those dominated by black locust with native deciduous oak stands.
We found qualitative and quantitative changes in all components analysed, such as the well-known soil nitrification and acidification in stands invaded by black locust. Bacterial richness was the only component favoured by the invasion. On the contrary, abundance and richness of microarthropods, richness of nematodes, and richness and diversity of plant communities decreased significantly in invaded stands. The invasion process caused a compositional shift in all studied biotic communities and in relationships between the different ecosystem components.
We obtained clear insights into the effects of invasion of managed native forests by black locust. Our data confirms that the alien species transforms several ecosystem components, modifying the plant-soil community and affecting biodiversity at different levels. Correct management of this aggressive invader in temperate forests is urgently required.
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•We analysed the impacts of Robinia pseudoacacia invasion.•We analysed impacts on soil chemical properties, plant and soil biotic communities.•We found qualitative and quantitative changes in all components analysed.•We detected soil nitrification and acidification in stands invaded by black locust.•Changes (mostly biodiversity reduction) were observed in biotic communities.
Plants have developed a plethora of signals to interact with other organisms, finally building up a sophisticate language for communication. In this context, we investigated Salvia verticillata L. ...(Lamiaceae), with the primary goal to link secondary metabolites and actual biotic relationships. We specifically analysed the volatile organic compounds (VOC) spontaneously emitted by leaves and flowers and determined the composition of the essential oils obtained from the aerial parts across 2015 and 2016. We merged information of chemical analyses to a micromorphological investigation on the glandular indumentum and to focal observations on the pollinator assemblage.
The VOC profiles were highly variable, with the floral bouquet being the most complex. Flowers and leaves showed 37 and 20 exclusive compounds, dominated by 1,8-cineole (10.4%) and germacrene D (38.4%), respectively. Sesquiterpene hydrocarbons prevailed (83.3% leaves; 73.7% flowers) and 19 common compounds were detected.
The oil profiles proved to be consistent across the two years: sesquiterpene hydrocarbons invariably dominated, with germacrene D, bicyclogermacrene and β-caryophyllene as main compounds.
The whole plant epidermis is thickly covered by two types of glandular hairs: peltates and small capitates, both responsible for the synthesis of terpenes, finally resulting in the VOC emission and in the essential oil production.
S. verticillata attracted mainly bees belonging to two functional groups: medium-sized and large bees, notwithstanding the small size of its flowers. At the site, Apis mellifera and different Bombus species were recorded, mainly interested in feeding on nectar. The literature survey on the isolated volatile compounds confirmed the hypotheses on the seduction strategies towards Apoidea.
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•High phytochemical diversity was recorded between the vegetative and floral bouquets of Salvia verticillata.•The essential oil profiles from Italian samples displayed a high level of consistency over years.•Peltate and short-capitate trichomes are terpene producers.•The pollinator spectrum comprise exclusively members of Apoideae.•Our results are consistent with the high appeal potential towards Apis mellifera and Bombus sp.
Si presenta qui un secondo contributo per la realizzazione di una Checklist della flora esotica dell’Arcipelago Toscano. Per ogni taxon sono riportati lo status di naturalizzazione, sia per ciascuna ...isola che per l’intero Arcipelago, e i dati relativi alla distribuzione locale. Delle 31 specie elencate, 18 risultano nuove per il territorio dell’Arcipelago Toscano, tra le quali 4 nuove per l’intera Toscana; le restanti sono nuove per una o più isole.
Acacia dealbata Link (Fabaceae) is one of the most invasive species in the Mediterranean ecosystems of Europe, Africa and America, where it has been proved to exert strong effects on soil and plant ...communities. In Italy A. dealbata has been largely used for ornamental and forestry purpose and is nowadays spreading in several areas.
The present study was addressed to evaluate the impacts on soil chemical properties, soil microbial communities and understory plant communities and to assess the relationships among these compartments after the invasion of A. dealbata in a typical Mediterranean shrubland.
Towards these aims, a soil and vegetation sampling was performed in Elba Island where A. dealbata is invading the sclerophyllous native vegetation. Three levels of invasion status were differentiated according to the gradient from invaded, to transitional and non-invaded vegetation.
Quantitative and qualitative alterations of soil chemical properties and microbial communities (i.e. bacterial and fungal communities) and above-ground understory plant communities were found. In particular, the invaded soils had lower pH values than both the non-invaded and transitional ones. High differences were detected for both the total N and the inorganic fraction (NH4+ and NO3−) contents, which showed the ranking: invaded>transitional>non-invaded soils. TOC and C/N ratio showed respectively higher and lower values in invaded than in non-invaded soils. Total plant covers, species richness and diversity in both the non-invaded and transitional subplots were higher than those in the invaded ones. The contribution of the nitrophilous species was significantly different among the three invasion statuses, with a strong increase going from native to transitional and invaded subplots. All these data confirm that A. dealbata modifies several compartments of the invaded ecosystems, from soil chemical properties to soil and plant microbial communities determining strong changes in the local ecosystem processes.
•We analyzed the impacts of A. dealbata invasion on a Mediterranean ecosystem.•We analyzed impacts on soils, soil bacterial, fungal and plant communities.•Acidification, nitrification and a slight increase in C were detected for soils.•A compositional shift was detected for bacterial and fungal communities.•Lower richness and functional shift were detected for understory plant communities.
Phytochemistry of European Primula species Colombo, Paola S.; Flamini, Guido; Rodondi, Graziella ...
Phytochemistry (Oxford),
November 2017, 2017-Nov, 2017-11-00, 20171101, Letnik:
143
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
The genus Primula is the largest among the Primulaceae and is widespread mainly in the cold and temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere.
Since the beginning of the Twentieth century, several ...studies on the phytochemical composition of different species of Primula have been carried out. The main constituents examined were tissue and epicuticular flavonoids and saponins, which are of therapeutic significance. Only in recent years studies of the volatiles emitted by leaves and flowers have been carried out as well, but they are restricted to a small number of species. Only a few authors have documented the morphology and function of glandular trichomes in relation to the production of flavonoids and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
The use of Primula in folk medicine is described in the literature. Investigation of the biological and pharmacological activities of Primula are reported.
This study aims at providing a collection of publications on the genus Primula along with a critical revision of literature data. It focuses on the possible taxonomic significance of the secondary metabolites and on their ecological role as attractors for pollinators and deterrents against herbivores and parasites, in order to build the base for further studies.
The secondary metabolites of the European species belonging Primula genus are reviewed. The main chemicals are tissue and epicuticular flavonoids, saponins and VOCs. Folk medicine and biological activities are reported. Display omitted
•Presentation and sorting of data related to secondary metabolites from European species of Primula.•Flavonoids: researching compounds common to different species.•Phytochemistry: researching biological activities and ecological role of metabolites.
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