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Patten NN, Gaynor ML, Soltis DE, Soltis PS. Geographic And Taxonomic Occurrence R-based Scrubbing (gatoRs): An R package and workflow for processing biodiversity data. APPLICATIONS IN PLANT SCIENCES 2024; 12:e11575. [PMID: 38638614 PMCID: PMC11022233 DOI: 10.1002/aps3.11575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 01/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
Premise Digitized biodiversity data offer extensive information; however, obtaining and processing biodiversity data can be daunting. Complexities arise during data cleaning, such as identifying and removing problematic records. To address these issues, we created the R package Geographic And Taxonomic Occurrence R-based Scrubbing (gatoRs). Methods and Results The gatoRs workflow includes functions that streamline downloading records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) and Integrated Digitized Biocollections (iDigBio). We also created functions to clean downloaded specimen records. Unlike previous R packages, gatoRs accounts for differences in download structure between GBIF and iDigBio and allows for user control via interactive cleaning steps. Conclusions Our pipeline enables the scientific community to process biodiversity data efficiently and is accessible to the R coding novice. We anticipate that gatoRs will be useful for both established and beginning users. Furthermore, we expect our package will facilitate the introduction of biodiversity-related concepts into the classroom via the use of herbarium specimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie N. Patten
- Department of MathematicsUniversity of FloridaGainesville32611FloridaUSA
- Present address:
Department of MathematicsThe Ohio State UniversityColumbus43210OhioUSA
| | - Michelle L. Gaynor
- Florida Museum of Natural HistoryUniversity of FloridaGainesville32611FloridaUSA
- Department of BiologyUniversity of FloridaGainesville32611FloridaUSA
| | - Douglas E. Soltis
- Florida Museum of Natural HistoryUniversity of FloridaGainesville32611FloridaUSA
- Department of BiologyUniversity of FloridaGainesville32611FloridaUSA
| | - Pamela S. Soltis
- Florida Museum of Natural HistoryUniversity of FloridaGainesville32611FloridaUSA
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Koontz AC, Schumacher EK, Spence ES, Hoban SM. Ex situ conservation of two rare oak species using microsatellite and SNP markers. Evol Appl 2024; 17:e13650. [PMID: 38524684 PMCID: PMC10960078 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Plant collections held by botanic gardens and arboreta are key components of ex situ conservation. Maintaining genetic diversity in such collections allows them to be used as resources for supplementing wild populations. However, most recommended minimum sample sizes for sufficient ex situ genetic diversity are based on microsatellite markers, and it remains unknown whether these sample sizes remain valid in light of more recently developed next-generation sequencing (NGS) approaches. To address this knowledge gap, we examine how ex situ conservation status and sampling recommendations differ when derived from microsatellites and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in garden and wild samples of two threatened oak species. For Quercus acerifolia, SNPs show lower ex situ representation of wild allelic diversity and slightly lower minimum sample size estimates than microsatellites, while results for each marker are largely similar for Q. boyntonii. The application of missing data filters tends to lead to higher ex situ representation, while the impact of different SNP calling approaches is dependent on the species being analyzed. Measures of population differentiation within species are broadly similar between markers, but larger numbers of SNP loci allow for greater resolution of population structure and clearer assignment of ex situ individuals to wild source populations. Our results offer guidance for future ex situ conservation assessments utilizing SNP data, such as the application of missing data filters and the usage of a reference genome, and illustrate that both microsatellites and SNPs remain viable options for botanic gardens and arboreta seeking to ensure the genetic diversity of their collections.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Emma S. Spence
- Morton ArboretumCenter for Tree ScienceLisleIllinoisUSA
- Cornell UniversityDepartment of Public and Ecosystem HealthIthacaNew YorkUSA
| | - Sean M. Hoban
- Morton ArboretumCenter for Tree ScienceLisleIllinoisUSA
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De Luna-Bonilla OÁ, Valencia-Á S, Ibarra-Manríquez G, Morales-Saldaña S, Tovar-Sánchez E, González-Rodríguez A. Leaf morphometric analysis and potential distribution modelling contribute to taxonomic differentiation in the Quercus microphylla complex. JOURNAL OF PLANT RESEARCH 2024; 137:3-19. [PMID: 37740854 PMCID: PMC10764464 DOI: 10.1007/s10265-023-01495-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/25/2023]
Abstract
Mexico is a major center of evolutionary radiation for the genus Quercus, with oak species occurring across different habitat types and showing a wide variation in morphology and growth form. Despite representing about 20% of Mexican species, scrub oaks have received little attention and even basic aspects of their taxonomy and geographic distribution remain unresolved. In this study, we analyzed the morphological and climatic niche differentiation of scrub oak populations forming a complex constituted by six named species, Quercus cordifolia, Quercus frutex, Quercus intricata, Quercus microphylla, Quercus repanda, Quercus striatula and a distinct morphotype of Q. striatula identified during field and herbarium work (hereafter named Q. striatula II). Samples were obtained from 35 sites covering the geographic distribution of the complex in northern and central Mexico. Morphological differentiation was analyzed through geometric morphometrics of leaf shape and quantification of trichome traits. Our results indicated the presence of two main morphological groups with geographic concordance. The first was formed by Q. frutex, Q. microphylla, Q. repanda and Q. striatula, distributed in the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt, the Sierra Madre Occidental and a little portion of the south of the Mexican Altiplano (MA). The second group consists of Q. cordifola, Q. intricata and Q. striatula II, found in the Sierra Madre Oriental and the MA. Therefore, our evidence supports the distinctness of the Q. striatula II morphotype, indicating the need for a taxonomic revision. Within the two groups, morphological differentiation among taxa varied from very clear to low or inexistent (i.e. Q. microphylla-Q. striatula and Q. cordifolia-Q. striatula II) but niche comparisons revealed significant niche differentiation in all pairwise comparisons, highlighting the relevance of integrative approaches for the taxonomic resolution of complicated groups such as the one studied here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oscar Ángel De Luna-Bonilla
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 58190, Morelia, México
- Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas, Unidad de Posgrado, Edificio A, 1° Piso, Circuito de Posgrados, Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán, 04510, Ciudad de Mexico, México
| | - Susana Valencia-Á
- Herbario de la Facultad de Ciencias, Departamento de Biología Comparada, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Circuito Exterior, s.n, Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán, 04510, México City, México
| | - Guillermo Ibarra-Manríquez
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 58190, Morelia, México
| | - Saddan Morales-Saldaña
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 58190, Morelia, México
| | - Efraín Tovar-Sánchez
- Centro de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Conservación, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Av. Universidad 1001, Col. Chamilpa, CP, 62209, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Antonio González-Rodríguez
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 58190, Morelia, México.
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Corlett RT. Achieving zero extinction for land plants. TRENDS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 28:913-923. [PMID: 37142532 DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2023.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Despite the importance of plants for humans and the threats to their future, plant conservation receives far less support compared with vertebrate conservation. Plants are much cheaper and easier to conserve than are animals, but, although there are no technical reasons why any plant species should become extinct, inadequate funding and the shortage of skilled people has created barriers to their conservation. These barriers include the incomplete inventory, the low proportion of species with conservation status assessments, partial online data accessibility, varied data quality, and insufficient investment in both in and ex situ conservation. Machine learning, citizen science (CS), and new technologies could mitigate these problems, but we need to set national and global targets of zero plant extinction to attract greater support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard T Corlett
- Center for Integrative Conservation, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yunnan 666303, China; Center of Conservation Biology, Core Botanical Gardens, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yunnan 666303, China.
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