Postfire biodiversity database for eastern Iberia

In the summer of 2012, two fires affected Mediterranean ecosystems in the eastern Iberian Peninsula. The size of these fires was at the extreme of the historical variability (megafires). Animals are traditionally assumed to recolonize from source populations outside of the burned area (exogenous regeneration) while plants recover from endogenous regeneration (resprouting and seeding). However, there is increasing evidence of in situ fire survival in animals. To evaluate the effect of large-scale fires on biodiversity and the mechanism of recovery, in 2013, we set up 12 plots per fire, covering burned vegetation at different distances from the fire perimeter and unburned vegetation. In each plot, we followed the postfire recovery of arthropods, reptiles (including some of their parasites), and plants for 2 to 5 years. Here we present the resulting database (POSTDIV) of taxon abundance. POSTDIV totals 19,906 records for 457 arthropod taxa (113,681 individuals), 12 reptile taxa (503 individuals), 4 reptile parasites (234 individuals), and 518 plant taxa (cover-abundance). We provide examples in the R language to query the database.

Constitutive and Adaptive Traits of Environmental Stress Tolerance in the Threatened Halophyte Limonium angustebracteatum Erben (Plumbaginaceae)

Limonium angustebracteatum is a halophyte endemic to the E and SE Iberian Peninsula with interest in conservation. Salt glands represent an important adaptive trait in recretohalophytes like this and other Limonium species, as they allow the excretion of excess salts, reducing the concentration of toxic ions in foliar tissues. This study included the analysis of the salt gland structure, composed of 12 cells, 4 secretory and 8 accessory. Several anatomical, physiological and biochemical responses to stress were also analysed in adult plants subjected to one month of water stress, complete lack of irrigation, and salt stress, by watering with aqueous solutions of 200, 400, 600 and 800 mM NaCl. Plant growth was inhibited by the severe water deficit and, to a lesser extent, by high NaCl concentrations. A variation in the anatomical structure of the leaves was detected under conditions of salt and water stress; plants from the salt stress treatment showed salt glands sunken between epidermal cells, bordered by very large epidermal cells, whereas in those from the water stress treatment, the epidermal cells were heterogeneous in shape and size. In both, the palisade structure of the leaves was altered. Salt excretion is usually accompanied by the accumulation of salts in the foliar tissue. This was also found in L. angustebracteatum, in which the concentration of all ions analysed was higher in the leaves than in the roots. The increase of K⁺ in the roots of plants subjected to water stress was also remarkable. The multivariate analysis indicated differences in water and salt stress responses, such as the accumulation of Na and Cl, or proline, but K⁺ homeostasis played a relevant role in the mechanism of tolerance to both stressful conditions.

Demystifying Negative Connotations of Hybridization for Less Biased Conservation Policies

Interspecific hybridization is one of the most controversial—and usually neglected—issues in conservation due to its multiple evolutionary consequences that might include the origin and transfer of adaptations, the blur of distinctive lineages or the formation of maladaptive hybrids. However, despite different outcomes, most conservation laws do not offer any possibility of hybrids being protected since they are perceived as a threat to the survival of pure species. We assessed how much hybridization has contributed to species extinction considering all IUCN Red Data assessments. However, we found that it has been scarcely reported as a threat contributing to extinction: only 11 extinct species out of 120,369 assessments mentioned hybridization. Although the causes that contribute to species extinctions should be controlled, the reasons for not conserving hybrids seem subjective rather than empirically supported. In a genomic era where hybridization is being more frequently detected, the debate involving the conservation of hybrids should be re-opened. Should we conserve hybrids despite the possibility of gene flow with parental species? Should we protect only natural hybrids? The resolution of this debate goes to the heart of what we mean to conserve and the time scale of conservation. But hybridization is part of the evolutionary process and might even increase in the future due to human-induced changes. As such, it becomes clear that we need to move beyond the causes and instead tackle the consequences of hybridization to create environmental policies for the management of hybrids, considering both positive and negative consequences.

Seventeen 'extinct' plant species back to conservation attention in Europe

Seventeen European endemic plant species were considered extinct, but improved taxonomic and distribution knowledge as well as ex situ collecting activities brought them out of the extinct status. These species have now been reported into a conservation framework that may promote legal protection and in situ and ex situ conservation.

Integrated conservation of important plant taxa through the improvement of the original plant micro-reserve (PMR) approach: The intensive PMR monitoring case of Ophrys kotschyi

Developing a monitoring system and a conservation strategy against the negative impact of global change on threatened plant species, is nowadays the challenge for conservation experts. The Plant Micro-Reserve (PMR) approach became a highly effective approach in protecting plant species, since mild active management of vegetation plots and protection of plant populations takes place. The PMR has greatly evolved since its initial concept of managing a large network of PMRs, to having fewer protected areas subject to intensive scientific monitoring (e.g. Intensive Monitoring PMR; IM-PMR). This study further improved the IM-PMR approach by focusing on the threatened plant species of Ophrys kotschyi in Cyprus. The proposed IM-PMR enhances the available knowledge on the biology, physiology and ecology of the targeted plant species, through implementing an intensive monitoring system and assessing its genetic diversity. Within the framework of IM-PMR, the population size of O. kotschyi recorded statistically significant differentiation during the monitoring period, most likely due to the vegetative dormancy of the species. The subpopulation size and dormancy in O. kotschyi was correlated with precipitation and air temperature for specific months. In addition, the different local climatic conditions and the species dormancy between years seem to influence the flowers production among individuals, in the four monitoring years. Nevertheless, the low natural fecundity compared to the artificially pollinated plants and the absent correlation with any of the climatic parameters, might be closely related to the lack of pollinators at this site. The genetic diversity (H_T = 0.456) is higher compared to other endemic and short-lived perennial species, while the genetic differentiation among the subpopulations of O. kotschyi showed significant substructure (F_ST^FIS=0.5 = 0.097*). The subpopulation within IM-PMR showed relatively lower genetic diversity among the largest subpopulations of O. kotschyi, and the highest percentage of linked loci. Such observations support the non-random association of different loci in this subpopulation, and the ineffective pollen flow within this single subpopulation. The improvement of the original PMR approach in the current IM-PMR proposal denotes that different ecological aspects are taken into account towards gaining a holistic knowledge on a target species. The IM-PMR approach as implemented for O. kotschyi, could lead to the development of an integrated conservation approach for rare, threatened, or endangered species.

Micromeria rodriguezii (Lamiaceae) en la flora peninsular ibérica

Micromeria rodriguezii es una especie endémica de las Islas Baleares (Mediterráneo occidental). Una población de esta especie se ha encontrado en la provincia de Castellón (España), en el margen de un camino forestal. Se proporciona un estudio de la morfología de las plantas de esta población, así como su estado de conservación en la Comunidad Valenciana. Debido a que esta es la única población ibérica conocida hasta el momento, se debe elaborar un plan de manejo y conservación para garantizar su conservación.

Tipificación de dos nombres del género Verbascum incluidos en la subsect. Singuliflora (Scrophulariaceae)

Se designan los tipos nomenclaturales de Verbascum barnadesii y V. fontqueri (≡ Celsia valentina (Scrophulariaceae) a partir de especímenes conservados en los herbarios C y BC, respectivamente.

Insights on Salt Tolerance of Two Endemic Limonium Species from Spain

We have analysed the salt tolerance of two endemic halophytes of the genus Limonium, with high conservation value. In the present study, seed germination and growth parameters as well as different biomarkers-photosynthetic pigments, mono and divalent ion contents-associated to salt stress were evaluated in response to high levels of NaCl. The study was completed with an untargeted metabolomics analysis of the primary compounds including carbohydrates, phosphoric and organic acids, and amino acids, identified by using a gas chromatography and mass spectrometry platform. Limonium albuferae proved to be more salt-tolerant than L. doufourii, both at the germination stage and during vegetative growth. The degradation of photosynthetic pigments and the increase of Na+/K+ ratio under salt stress were more accentuated in the less tolerant second species. The metabolomics analysis unravelled several differences between the two species. The higher salt tolerance of L. albuferae may rely on its specific accumulation of fructose and glucose under high salinity conditions, the first considered as a major osmolyte in this genus. In addition, L. albuferae showed steady levels of citric and malic acids, whereas the glutamate family pathway was strongly activated under stress in both species, leading to the accumulation of proline (Pro) and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA).

Ethnopharmacology in the Upper Guadiana River area (Castile-La Mancha, Spain)

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Determining traditional remedies for human pathologies is relevant, when compared with the standard materia medica of the pharmacopoeias and dietary supplement databases, because we can assess the species and uses that have been previously studied and target understudied species for further pharmacological investigation.

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to systematically record and analyze medicinal uses of natural resources (Plantae, Animalia, Fungi and minerals), mostly local, in the territories adjoining the upper Guadiana River and its tributaries. We were particularly interested in recording resources and pathologies linked to wetland areas, especially in the National Parks Las Tablas de Daimiel and Cabañeros. Wetlands are interesting because they present a double face in relation with human health: Wetlands furnish hydration, safe water, nutrition, and medicinal resources; are places from which people derive their livelihood. However wetlands are also sites of exposure to pollution or toxicants, and infectious diseases; and sites of physical hazards. We wanted to identify procedures for preparation of medicinal formulae and routes of administration. We also intended to detect whether a geographical pattern exists or not in our records in relation to the use of local resources.

METHODS

We used semi-structured interviews with one-to-one informants or groups, from 1998 to 2018. Raw data were introduced in a Firebird database and analyzed. To identify ingredients and pathologies we consulted local floras and epidemiological literature. Finally, we compared documented pathologies, remedies and ingredients in the historical context of medicinal uses of natural resources in Castile-La Mancha and especially in Ciudad Real.

RESULTS

126 pathologies and 220 species furnishing ingredients have been recorded from the interviews. In total, 188 are plants and 20 animals. The most commonly used species include Malva sylvestris, Phlomis lychnitis, Genista tridentata and Thymus mastichina. Most records refer to flowers, or fruits, of locally available plant species, classified as Mediterranean, European or widespread that belong to the Lamiaceae, Compositae or Leguminosae. Ingredients which are collected in open shrublands, known as "garrigue", and dry grasslands furnish a relevant proportion of records while the imported ingredients remain marginal. The contribution of wetlands, riverine habitats and irrigated fields and gardens as a source of medicinal resources is 36% of the records. It is relatively high considering its limited presence in terms of total extension within the study area. The most frequently reported diseases are respiratory, gastrointestinal, dermatological and infectious or parasitic.

CONCLUSIONS

Along the Guadiana River in the Ciudad Real province exists a wide and deep knowledge of traditional remedies for the treatment of common pathologies, based fundamentally on the use of local flora, fauna and mineral resources. The uses and ingredients documented are useful for further pharmacological investigation to improve health care for a wide range of pathologies.

Precisiones sobre los tipos de varios nombres de plantas descritas por Candolle

Los respectivos “lectótipos” en el herbario G-BOIS designados por Burdet y colaboradores en 1983 para los nombres Bellis pappulosa, Carduncellus hispanicus, Centaurea bombycina, Erigeron frigidus y Senecio quinqueradiatus (Compositae) deben desestimarse ya que fueron designados en contra con lo dispuesto en el Art. 9.3 del Código Internacional de Nomenclatura. Estas especies fueron descritas por Augustin Pyramus de Candolle a patir de material recolectado por Edmond Boissier, en cuyos respectivos protólogos se especifica el material usado para las descripciones y el herbario donde está conservado. Especímenes conservados en el herbario G-DC deben considerarse como holótipos para cada uno de estos nombres.

Sobre el lectótipo de <em>Limonium aragonense (Plumbaginaceae)</em>

Se discute y clarifica la tipificación realizada por Erben en 1978 del nombre Statice aragonensis [≡ Limonium aragonense]

Acerca del híbrido <em>Sideritis ×pertegasii</em>, nothosp. nov. <em>(Labiatae)</em>

Se describe el híbrido Sideritis ×pertegasii recolectado por Pau, interpretando su origen como producto del cruzamiento entre S. spinulosa subsp. subspinosa y S. tragoriganum subsp. juryi (Labiatae). Se presenta una descripción morfológica, una tabla con los principales caracteres diagnósticos del híbrido frente a sus progenitores, una fotografía del pliego con el holotipo y dos ilustraciones con iconografía del híbrido y sus progenitores.

Tipificación de dos nombres en el género

Se discute la tipificación de dos nombres en el género Asperula, A. cynanchica subsp. pyrenaica y A. paui subsp. dianensis (Rubiaceae) aplicables a especies endémicas de la Península Ibérica y Francia. Especímenes de UPS (Herbario Burser, Universidad de Uppsala) y BC (Institut Botànic de Barcelona) son indicados y designados como lectotipos de A. pyrenaica and A. paui var. dianensis, respectivamente.

Plant micro-reserves in Valencia (E. Spain): A model to preserve threatened flora in China?

The Valencian Community (eastern Spain) was the pioneer territory establishing plant micro-reserves (PMRs). Its model to protect small sites for endemic and endangered plants has been exported to several countries around the globe. This paper highlights 1) the role of PMRs to complement the protection provided by large protected areas, 2) how the establishment of PMRs fosters the increase of floristic knowledge, and 3) the fact that continuous monitoring of PMRs also yields new records of endangered species found within the same PMRs. The flexibility of the PMR approach -it can be adapted to other national and regional legislations- allows its transfer to other rich-biodiversity regions and countries such as China.

<em>Centaurea inexpugnabilis</em>, una nueva especie de la sección <em>Acrocentron</em> para la flora ibérica

Se describe una nueva especie para el género Centaurea L. (sect. Acrocentron, Asteraceae): C. inexpugnabilis, sp. nov. Esta planta ha sido localizada al pie de los Mallos de Riglos (Riglos, Huesca) y su distribución se circunscribe por el momento al cuadrante nororiental de la península ibérica. Junto a su descripción y diagnosis, se aporta una lámina y varias tablas con los principales caracteres diagnósticos que la diferencian de las especies más próximas.

Molecular identification of black-pigmented bacteria from subgingival samples of cats suffering from periodontal disease

OBJECTIVES

To characterise the black-pigmented bacterial species found in the subgingival samples of cats with periodontal disease using molecular-based microbiological techniques.

METHODS

Sixty-five subgingival samples obtained from 50 cats with periodontal disease were analysed by polymerase chain reaction amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analysis and cloning and sequencing of the 16S rRNA genes.

RESULTS

Among the 65 subgingival samples, eight phylogenetic profiles were obtained, of which the most prevalent species were: Porphyromonas gulae (40%), P. gingivalis/P. gulae (36 · 9%), P. gulae/Porphyromonas sp. UQD 406 (9 · 2%), Odoribacter denticanis (6 · 2%), P. gulae/Porphyromonas sp. UQD 348 (1 · 5%) and P. circumdentaria (1 · 5%). When compared with the species resulting from biochemical diagnosis, the identification of P. gulae was congruent in 70% of the cases, while colonies identified as P. intermedia-like corresponded in 80% of cases to P. gulae.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

The use of molecular-based microbiological diagnostic techniques resulted in a predominance of Porphyromonas spp. in the subgingival plaque of cats suffering from periodontal disease. Further characterisation of these bacteria identified P. gulae, O. denticanis and P. circumdentaria. The more frequently detected phylogenetic profiles corresponded to P. gingivalis and P. gulae.

Precisiones nomenclaturales en <em>Phlomis</em> × <em>composita</em> Pau <em>(Lamiaceae)</em>

Se revisan algunos aspectos relacionados con la nomenclatura de Phlomis × composita. Se tipifica el nombre P. × composita Pau (Lamiaceae) a partir de material original de Pau, recolectado por Bourgeau en 1849 y conservado en el herbario del Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid. Se rechaza la anterior propuesta de tipificación de Mateu (1986) por ser incorrecta. Se propone un nuevo estatus taxonómico para el híbrido entre P. crinita subsp. crinita y P. lychnitis, bajo el rango de notosubespecie: P. × composita nothosubsp. trullenquei (Pau) P. P. Ferrer, Guara & E. Laguna, stat. nov.

Tipificación de dos nombres linneanos del género <em>Erigeron</em> L. (<em>Compositae</em>)

Se presenta la lectotipificación del nombre Erigeron glutinosus L., con una ilustración de Barrelier de 1714 y de E. tuberosus L., con un ejemplar del herbario UPS-BURSER.

<em>Limonium rosselloi (Plumbaginaceae),</em> nueva especie para la Península Ibérica

Se describe una nueva especie de Limonium Mill.: L. rosselloi P. P. Ferrer, R. Roselló & E. Laguna, sp. nov. (Plumbaginaceae), que crece en los substratos yesoso-salinos de la cuenca del río Cabriel, a su paso por el término de La Pesquera (Cuenca, Castilla-La Mancha, España). Se aporta una lámina y una tabla donde se comparan sus caracteres diagnósticos con otros táxones próximos morfológicamente.

[Paradoxical bradycardia and hemorrhagic shock]

We report two cases of paradoxical bradycardia associated with acute hemorrhage and hypotension in conscious patients who had no antecedents of myocardial disease. In some cases of massive and rapid hypovolemia the occurrence of bradycardia may constitute a protective reflex directed to improve ventricular filling. This reflex is probably mediated by a vagal mechanism which acts on a previously increased sympathetic nerve tone and tends to maintain systemic vascular resistances and keep a cerebral blood flow high enough to preserve conscience level. We discuss the differential diagnosis with vasovagal syncope which can also occur during the initial phases of acute hemorrhage and during the preterminal bradycardia that develops during the so called "irreversible phase" of shock. Paradoxical bradycardia during hemorrhagic shock is always a sign of important bleeding that requires a rapid reposition of volemia. Administration of vagolytic agents is contraindicated since they can favour the occurrence of severe cardiac arrhythmias.