Fire-released seed dormancy - a global synthesis

Seed dormancy varies greatly between species, clades, communities, and regions. We propose that fireprone ecosystems create ideal conditions for the selection of seed dormancy as fire provides a mechanism for dormancy release and postfire conditions are optimal for germination. Thus, fire‐released seed dormancy should vary in type and abundance under different fire regimes. To test these predictions, we compiled data from a wide range of fire‐related germination experiments for species in different ecosystems across the globe. We identified four dormancy syndromes: heat‐released (physical) dormancy, smoke‐released (physiological) dormancy, non‐fire‐released dormancy, and non‐dormancy. In fireprone ecosystems, fire, in the form of heat and/or chemical by‐products (collectively termed ‘smoke’), are the predominant stimuli for dormancy release and subsequent germination, with climate (cold or warm stratification) and light sometimes playing important secondary roles. Fire (heat or smoke)‐released dormancy is best expressed where woody vegetation is dense and fires are intense, i.e. in crown‐fire ecosystems. In such environments, seed dormancy allows shade‐intolerant species to take advantage of vegetation gaps created by fire and synchronize germination with optimal recruitment conditions. In grassy fireprone ecosystems (e.g. savannas), where fires are less intense but more frequent, seed dormancy is less common and dormancy release is often not directly related to fire (non‐fire‐released dormancy). Rates of germination, whether controls or postfire, are twice as fast in savannas than in mediterranean ecosystems. Fire‐released dormancy is rare to absent in arid ecosystems and rainforests. The seeds of many species with fire‐released dormancy also possess elaiosomes that promote ant dispersal. Burial by ants increases insulation of seeds from fires and places them in a suitable location for fire‐released dormancy. The distribution of these dormancy syndromes across seed plants is not random – certain dormancy types are associated with particular lineages (phylogenetic conservatism). Heat‐released dormancy can be traced back to fireprone floras in the ‘fiery’ mid‐Cretaceous, followed by smoke‐released dormancy, with loss of fire‐related dormancy among recent events associated with the advent of open savannas and non‐fireprone habitats. Anthropogenic influences are now modifying dormancy‐release mechanisms, usually decreasing the role of fire as exaptive effects. We conclude that contrasting fire regimes are a key driver of the evolution and maintenance of diverse seed dormancy types in many of the world's natural ecosystems.

Metabolic variation in Cistus monspeliensis L. ecotypes correlated to their plant-fungal interactions

The effect of environmental factors on the chemical composition of plants eventually resulting in plant growth regulation is an age-old issue in plant biology. Nowadays, the acceleration in changes in environmental conditions (e.g. global warming) can act as an incentive to investigate their correlation with metabolic changes. In this study, Cistus monspeliensis plants grown on the island of Sardinia (Italy) were used to explore the geographical-mediated metabolic variation and its repercussion on plant-fungus interactions. Samples of different ecotypes of C. monspeliensis were collected and chemically profiled by ¹H NMR and HPTLC-based metabolomics and the relationship between the variations of biological activity was examined by multivariate data analysis. The ecotypes, collected from different geographical zones and altitudes, exhibited clearly distinguishable chemical profiles, particularly in their terpene and phenolic contents. In particular, multivariate data analysis revealed several diterpenes of the labdane and clerodane series among the terpenes and methoxyflavonoids to be responsible for the differentiation. The antifungal activity of the plants was used to explore the correlation between chemical variation and biological activity. Results showed that there was a strong correlation between the metabolic profiles and the antifungal activity, revealing terpenes and methoxylated flavonoids as the main involved metabolites. This demonstrated that environmental factors can influence the chemical variation of plant ecotypes, resulting in the generation of chemotypes that are potentially adapted to their niche conditions including the plant-fungal interactions.

On-Line Screening, Isolation and Identification of Antioxidant Compounds of Helianthemum ruficomum

Many Helianthemum species (Cistaceae) are recognized for their various medicinal virtues. Helianthemum ruficomum is an endemic species to the septentrional Sahara on which no report is available so far. The purpose of this work was to investigate the chemical composition and the radical scavenging capacity of this species and its isolated components. Collected from Mougheul (south-west of Algeria), the aerial parts were macerated with 80% EtOH/H₂O, after evaporation, the remaining extract was diluted with H₂O and extracted with petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate and n-butanol. EtOAc and n-BuOH extracts were evaluated for their free radical scavenging capacity by on-line HPLC-ABTS^•+ assay. The obtained data which were confirmed by TEAC and ORAC assays, allowed guiding the fractionation of these extracts by CC, TLC and reverse phase HPLC. Among the components, 14 were isolated and identified by spectroscopic analyses: protocatechuic acid (1), trans-tiliroside (2), cis-tiliroside (3), astragalin (4), picein (7), vanillic acid 4-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (8), lavandoside (9), 4-hydroxybenzoic acid 4-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (10), nicotiflorin (11), rutin (12), vicenin-2 (13), narcissin (14) and stigmasterol (5) and β-sitosterol (6) as a mixture (71% and 29%, respectively). Compounds 5, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 14 were new for the genus Helianthemum. The antioxidant power of all the isolated compounds was also evaluated by HPLC-ABTS^•+, TEAC and ORAC assays. The results clearly indicated high antioxidant potential of the extracts and tested compounds of this species especially, compounds 1, 4, 8, 9, 10 and 12.

Polyphenol Diversity and Antioxidant Activity of European Cistus creticus L. (Cistaceae) Compared to Six Further, Partly Sympatric Cistus Species

This investigation focused on the qualitative and quantitative composition of polyphenolic compounds of Mediterranean northern shore Cistus creticus and six further, partly sympatric Cistus species (C. albidus, C. crispus, C. ladanifer, C. monspeliensis, C. parviflorus, C. salviifolius). Aqueous extracts of 1153 individual plants from 13 countries were analyzed via high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The extracts of C. creticus were primarily composed of two ellagitannins (punicalagin and punicalagin gallate) and nine flavonol glycosides (myricetin and quercetin glycosides, with m-3-O-rhamnoside as the dominant main compound). Differences in the proportions of punicalagin derivatives and flavonol glycosides allowed the classification into two chemovariants. Plants containing punicalagin derivatives and flavonol glycosides were especially abundant in the western and central Mediterranean areas and in Cyprus. From Albania eastwards, punicalagin and punicalagin gallate were of much lesser importance and the predominant chemovariant there was a nearly pure flavonol type. With its two chemovariants, C. creticus takes a central position between the flavonol-rich, purple-flowered clade (besides C. creticus, here represented by C. albidus and C. crispus) and the more ellagitannin-rich, white- or whitish-pink-flowered clade (here represented by C. ladanifer, C. monspeliensis, C. parviflorus and C. salviifolius). The median antioxidative capacity of C. creticus plant material was, with 166 mg Trolox equivalents/g dry wt, about half of the antioxidative capacity of C. ladanifer (301 mg te/g dry wt), the species with the highest antioxidative potential.

Germination responses to current and future temperatures of four seeder shrubs across a latitudinal gradient in western Iberia

PREMISE OF THE STUDY

Species differ in their temperature germination niche. Populations of a species may similarly differ across the distribution range of the species. Anticipating the impacts of climate variability and change requires understanding the differential sensitivity to germination temperature among and within species. Here we studied the germination responses of four hard-seeded Cistaceae seeders to a range of current and future temperatures.

METHODS

Seeds were collected at sites across the Iberian Peninsula and exposed or not exposed to a heat shock to break dormancy, then set to germinate under four temperature regimes. Temperatures were varied daily and seasonally, simulating the temperature range across the gradient, plus an increased temperature simulating future climate. Time to germination onset and cumulative germination at the end of each season were analyzed for the effects of temperature treatments, seasons, and local climate (temperature of the germination period, T_gp) at each site.

KEY RESULTS

T_gp was a significant covariate of germination in all species but Cistus populifolius. Temperature treatments significantly affected Cistus ladanifer, C. salviifolius, and Halimium ocymoides. Germination occurred in simulated autumn conditions, with little germination occurring at later seasons, except in unheated seeds of H. ocymoides. Exposure to a heat shock changed the sensitivity to temperature treatments and the relationships with T_gp.

CONCLUSIONS

Germination responses to temperature differ not only among species but also within species across their latitudinal range. The responses were idiosyncratic and related to the local climate of the population. This germination variability complicates generalizing the impacts of climate variability and climate change.

Beneficial native bacteria improve survival and mycorrhization of desert truffle mycorrhizal plants in nursery conditions

Sixty-four native bacterial colonies were isolated from mycorrhizal roots of Helianthemum almeriense colonized by Terfezia claveryi, mycorrhizosphere soil, and peridium of T. claveryi to evaluate their effect on mycorrhizal plant production. Based on the phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rDNA partial sequence, 45 different strains from 17 genera were gathered. The largest genera were Pseudomonas (40.8 % of the isolated strains), Bacillus (12.2 % of isolated strains), and Varivorax (8.2 % of isolated strains). All the bacteria were characterized phenotypically and by their plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) traits (auxin and siderophore production, phosphate solubilization, and ACC deaminase activity). Only bacterial combinations with several PGPR traits or Pseudomonas sp. strain 5, which presents three different PGPR traits, had a positive effect on plant survival and growth. Particularly relevant were the bacterial treatments involving auxin release, which significantly increased the root-shoot ratio and mycorrhizal colonization. Moreover, Pseudomonas mandelii strain 29 was able to considerably increase mycorrhizal colonization but not plant growth, and could be considered as mycorrhiza-helper bacteria. Therefore, the mycorrhizal roots, mycorrhizosphere soil, and peridium of desert truffles are environments enriched in bacteria which may be used to increase the survival and mycorrhization in the desert truffle plant production system at a semi-industrial scale.

Germination sensitivity to water stress in four shrubby species across the Mediterranean Basin

Mediterranean shrublands are generally water-limited and fire-driven ecosystems. Seed-based post-fire regeneration may be affected by varying rainfall patterns, depending on species sensitivity to germinate under water stress. In our study, we considered the germination response to water stress in four species from several sites across the Mediterranean Basin. Seeds of species with a hard coat (Cistus monspeliensis, C. salviifolius, Cistaceae, Calicotome villosa, Fabaceae) or soft coat (Erica arborea, Ericaceae), which were exposed or not to a heat shock and smoke (fire cues), were made to germinate under water stress. Final germination percentage, germination speed and viability of seeds were recorded. Germination was modelled using hydrotime analysis and correlated to the water balance characteristics of seed provenance. Water stress was found to decrease final germination in the three hard-seeded species, as well as reduce germination speed. Moreover, an interaction between fire cues and water stress was found, whereby fire cues increased sensitivity to water stress. Seed viability after germination under water stress also declined in two hard-seeded species. Conversely, E. arborea showed little sensitivity to water stress, independent of fire cues. Germination responses varied among populations of all species, and hydrotime parameters were not correlated to site water balance, except in E. arborea when not exposed to fire cues. In conclusion, the species studied differed in germination sensitivity to water stress; furthermore, fire cues increased this sensitivity in the three hard-seeded species, but not in E. arborea. Moreover, populations within species consistently differed among themselves, but these differences could only be related to the provenance locality in E. arborea in seeds not exposed to fire cues.

Fire and summer temperatures interact to shape seed dormancy thresholds

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

In Mediterranean ecosystems, the heat shock of wildfire disrupts physical seed dormancy in many plant species. This triggers germination in the post-fire environment where seedling establishment is optimal due to decreased competition and increased resource availability. However, to maintain the soil seed bank until a fire occurs, the minimum heat capable of breaking seed dormancy (i.e. the lower heat threshold) must be above the maximum temperatures typically observed in the soil during the summer. We therefore hypothesized that summer temperatures have shaped heat requirements for physical dormancy release. Specifically, we predicted that seeds from populations growing under warmer summers will have higher values of the lower heat threshold.

METHODS

To evaluate this prediction, we collected seeds from two Cistus species in 31 populations (20 Cistus albidus and 11 Cistus salviifolius) along a climate gradient of summer temperatures on the eastern coast of Spain. For each population, seeds were treated to 10 min heat shocks, from 30 to 120 °C in 5 °C increments (19 treatments), to simulate increasing heat doses from summer to fire-related temperatures. Seeds were then germinated in the lab.

KEY RESULTS

For all populations, maximum germination was observed when applying temperatures associated with fire. Lower heat thresholds varied among populations, with a positive relationship between summer temperatures at seed population origin and the heat dose required to break dormancy.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that fire drives maximum dormancy release for successful post-fire germination, while summer temperatures determine lower heat thresholds for ensuring inter-fire seed bank persistence. Significant among-population variation of thresholds also suggests that post-fire seeder species have some potential to modify their dormancy release requirements in response to changing climate.

Phylogeny determines flower size-dependent sex allocation at flowering in a hermaphroditic family

In animal-pollinated hermaphroditic plants, optimal floral allocation determines relative investment into sexes, which is ultimately dependent on flower size. Larger flowers disproportionally increase maleness whereas smaller and less rewarding flowers favour female function. Although floral traits are considered strongly conserved, phylogenetic relationships in the interspecific patterns of resource allocation to floral sex remain overlooked. We investigated these patterns in Cistaceae, a hermaphroditic family. We reconstructed phylogenetic relationships among Cistaceae species and quantified phylogenetic signal for flower size, dry mass and nutrient allocation to floral structures in 23 Mediterranean species using Blomberg's K-statistic. Lastly, phylogenetically-controlled correlational and regression analyses were applied to examine flower size-based allometry in resource allocation to floral structures. Sepals received the highest dry mass allocation, followed by petals, whereas sexual structures increased nutrient allocation. Flower size and resource allocation to floral structures, except for carpels, showed a strong phylogenetic signal. Larger-flowered species allometrically allocated more resources to maleness, by increasing allocation to corollas and stamens. Our results suggest a major role of phylogeny in determining interspecific changes in flower size and subsequent floral sex allocation. This implies that flower size balances the male-female function over the evolutionary history of Cistaceae. While allometric resource investment in maleness is inherited across species diversification, allocation to the female function seems a labile trait that varies among closely related species that have diversified into different ecological niches.

Electrophysiological responses of Philaenus spumarius and Neophilaenus campestris females to plant volatiles

The spittlebugs Philaenus spumarius and Neophilaenus campestris (Hemiptera: Aphrophoridae) are xylem-feeder insects that have been identified as vectors of Xylella fastidiosa in Europe. In the present study, we aim to identify volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that may act as semiochemicals for these species. Using the dynamic headspace technique, we collected VOCs from Olea europaea L. and Polygala myrtifolia L., highly susceptible plant species to X. fastidiosa, Pinus halepensis Mill., a common plant where N. campestris is found during summer, and from host plant species that are used as cover crops or exist as natural vegetation in olive orchards, such as Cistus creticus L., Medicago sativa L., Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers., Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) Darbysh., Apium graveolens L. and Petroselinum crispum (Mill.) Fuss. We tested the response of female antennae on those blends with Gas Chromatography-Electroantennographic Detection (GC-EAD). The chemical profile of C. creticus and P. halepensis was rich in terpenes, alcohols, aldehydes, and esters. In the O. europaea profile, the main compounds were terpenes. As for P. myrtifolia, the volatile profile consisted mostly of alkanes and their substitutes. In the volatile profile of M. sativa, C. dactylon and L. arundinaceum, common volatile compounds were detected. Petroselinum crispum and Apium graveolens chemical profiles were dominated by terpenes. Several compounds elicited a consistent response to the female antennae of both species. In total, 65 compounds elicited consistent EAD responses for P. spumarius and 16 compounds for N. campestris. α-pinene was found in all tested plants and elicited consistent EAD responses of P. spumarius in five plants. In addition, antennae of P. spumarius females responded to camphor, limonene, 4-methyl octane and sabinene. These compounds were found in the volatile profile of at least 5 out of 8 examined plant species. Behavioral bioassays using Y-tube olfactometry were performed on volatiles that elicited antennal responses during electrophysiological studies. Among the compounds tested in behavioral studies, namely (-)-α-pinene, (+)-α-pinene, sabinene, (-)-S-limonene and (1R)-(+)-camphor, only the last one elicited a significant attraction response by P. spumarius females. The results achieved shed light on the VOCs from selected host plant species of X. fastidiosa that are perceived by two important insect vectors and a non-host plant, P. crispum. The identification of semiochemicals for manipulating spittlebugs' behavior contribute to the development of efficient monitoring tools for X. fastidiosa vectors.

Exploring the Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Potential, Metabolite Composition and Inorganic Profile of Cistus monspeliensis L. Aerial Parts and Roots

This work focuses on Cistus monspeliensis L. aerial parts (AP) and roots (R) extracts, investigating the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potential of the two organs in comparison. At dosages between 1.56 and 6.25 µg/mL, both extracts showed a protective effect against LPS inflammatory stimulus on a macrophage cell line (RAW 264.7). Interestingly, only R was able to significantly reduce both IL-1β and IL-6 mRNA gene expression in the presence of LPS. Moreover, the treatment of a neuroblastoma cell line (SH-SY5Y) with AP and R at 6.25 µg/mL increased the cell survival rate by nearly 20% after H2O2 insult. However, only R promoted mitochondria survival, exhibited a significantly higher production of ATP and a higher activity of the enzyme catalase than the control. Both AP and R had similar primary metabolites; in particular, they both contained 1-O-methyl-epi-inositol. Labdane and methoxylated flavonoids were the most characteristic compounds of AP, while R contained mainly catechins, gallic acid, and pyrogallol derivatives. Considering the importance of elemental composition in plants, the inorganic profile of AP and R was also investigated and compared. No potentially toxic elements, such as Pb, were detected in any sample.

Monitoring within non-native ungulate exclosures documents the inherent size of Crocanthemum greenei (Cistaceae)

Crocanthemum greenei (B.L.Rob.) Sorrie (Cistaceae), a perennial sub-shrub, was measured as part of a demographic monitoring effort on Santa Catalina Island, California, USA (hereafter, Catalina). Introduced ungulate browsers remain present on Catalina. Consequently, many palatable plant taxa on the island are subject to and putatively limited by top-down browsing forces. Historically, introduced ungulates have also been present on each island throughout the range of Crocanthemum greenei. Habitat conservation work, resulting in the construction of ungulate exclosures on Catalina, has now allowed us to measure individuals in their mature, non-browsed form. The published value for Crocanthemum greenei stem (height) is usually 15-30 cm. While the original description hints at a greater potential size, recent descriptions appear to be influenced by observations made during the decades when plants would have been impacted by introduced ungulate herbivores. Here we present stem measurements of 81 adult individuals, with a median of 49 cm and an interquartile range of 42-56 cm. These measurements suggest an expanded stem (height) range of 15-60 cm better describes the taxon and shed light on the historical impacts of invasive ungulates across the islands and those continuing on Catalina.

Herbarium of the university of malaga (Spain): vascular plants collection

The herbarium of University of Málaga (MGC Herbarium) is formed by four biological collections. The vascular plants collection (MGC-Cormof) is the main collection of the herbarium. MGC-Cormof dataset aims to digitize and publish data associated with over 76.000 specimens deposited in the collection, of which 97.2% of the specimens are identified at species level. Since 2011, the University of Malaga's Central Research Service (SCAI) has been responsible for maintaining the herbariums and the dataset. The collection is growing continuously, with an annual intake of about 1.500 specimens. Nearly 96% of the collection is digitized, by Herbar v3.7.1 software (F. Pando et al. 1996-2011), making over 73.000 specimens accessible through the GBIF network (http://data.gbif.org/datasets/resource/8105/). At present, 247 families and 8.110 taxa, distributed in angiosperms (93.97%), ferns and fern allies (4.89%) and gymnosperms (1.14%), constitute the MGC-Cormof collection. The families and genera best represented in the collection are Compositae, Leguminosae, Gramineae, Labiatae, Caryophyllaceae, Teucrium, Silene, Asplenium, Linaria and Quercus. Most of the specimens are from the Western Mediterranean Region, fundamentally Southern Spain (Andalusia: 82% of specimens) and Northern Morocco (2.17%). Approximately, 63% of the specimens are georeferenced. The identification of the specimens in the collection has been carried out by the plant biology department at the University of Malaga and plus 40% of the specimens has been reviewed by experts. The MGC-Cormof dataset has been revised by DarwinTest v3.2 tool (Ortega-Maqueda and Pando 2008) before being published in GBIF. The data included in this database are important for conservation works, taxonomy, flora, cartography, phenology, palynology, among others. El Herbario de la Universidad de Málaga (Herbario MGC) está constituido por cuatro colecciones biológicas. La colección de plantas vasculares (MGC Cormof) es la colección principal del herbario. La base de datos MGC-Cormof tiene como objetivo la digitalización y publicación de los datos asociados con los más de 76.000 ejemplares depositados en la colección, de los cuales el 97,2% de las muestras se encuentran identificadas a nivel de especie. Desde 2011, los Servicios Centrales de Investigación (SCAI) de la Universidad de Málaga son responsables de mantener el herbario y sus respectivas bases de datos. Esta colección está en continuo crecimiento, con una incorporación anual de unos 1.500 ejemplares. Casi el 96% de la colección está digitalizada, a través del programa Herbar v3.7.1 (F. Pando et al. 1996-2011) por lo que más de 73.000 especímenes son accesibles a través de la red de GBIF (http://data.gbif.org/datasets/resource/8105/). Actualmente, la colección MGC-Cormof está constituida por 247 familias y 8.110 taxones, distribuidos en angiospermas (93,97%), helechos y plantas afines (4,89%) y gimnospermas (1,14%). Las familias y géneros mejor representados en la colección son Compositae, Leguminosae, Gramineae, Labiatae, Caryophyllaceae, Teucrium, Silene, Asplenium, Linaria y Quercus. La mayoría de los especímenes provienen de la región del Mediterráneo Occidental, fundamentalmente del sur de España (Andalucía: 82% de las muestras) y del norte de Marruecos (2,17%). Aproximadamente, el 63% de las muestras se encuentran georreferenciadas. La identificación de los ejemplares de la colección ha sido realizada por personal del departamento de biología vegetal de la Universidad de Málaga y además un 40% de los ejemplares ha sido revisado por especialistas. La base de datos MGC-Cormof ha sido revisada mediante la herramienta DarwinTest v3.2 (Ortega-Maqueda and Pando 2008) antes de ser publicada en GBIF. Los datos incluidos en esta base de datos son importantes para trabajos de conservación, taxonomía, flora, cartografía, fenología, palinología, entre otros.

Phytochemical Study and In Vitro Antioxidant Activity of Helianthemum cinereum Along with Antitumor Activity of the Isolated trans-Tiliroside and Luteolin 4'-O-β-Xyloside

Twelve compounds (1-12), kaempferol (1), luteolin (2), luteolin 4'-O-β-xyloside (3), luteolin 4'-O-β-glucoside (4), quercetin 4'-O-β-xyloside (5), kaempferol-3-O-[6″-O-(E)-p-coumaroyl]-β-D-glucoside (trans-tiliroside) (6), protocatechuic acid (7), gallic acid (8), methyl gallate (9), ethyl gallate (10), shikimic acid-3-O-gallate (11), and 3,3',4'-tri-O-methyl-ellagic acid 4-sulfate (12), were isolated and identified from the aerial parts of Helianthemum cinereum (Cav.) Pers (synonym: Helianthemum rubellum C. Presl. All compounds were isolated by applying different chromatographic procedures, such as silica gel, RP-18 and Sephadex LH-20 columns. The structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods, mainly nuclear magnetic resonance NMR 1D and 2D, and mass spectrometry, as well as by comparison with the reported spectroscopic data. The two organic extracts, ethyl acetate (EtOAc) and butanol (BuOH), were evaluated for their potent phenolic and flavonoid contents using the Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminum chloride colorimetric methods. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity of the two extracts was determined using the DPPH, FRAP, and ABTS methods. Pure trans-tiliroside (6), the main isolated compound, and luteolin 4'-O-β-xyloside (3) were evaluated for their antitumor activity against the lung cancer (A549), melanoma (A375) and pancreatic cancer (Mia PaCa-2 and Panc-1) cell lines by MTT assay.

Strong conservatism of floral morphology during the rapid diversification of the genus Helianthemum

PREMISE

Divergence of floral morphology and breeding systems are often expected to be linked to angiosperm diversification and environmental niche divergence. However, available evidence for such relationships is not generalizable due to different taxonomic, geographical and time scales. The Palearctic genus Helianthemum shows the highest diversity of the family Cistaceae in terms of breeding systems, floral traits, and environmental conditions as a result of three recent evolutionary radiations since the Late Miocene. Here, we investigated the tempo and mode of evolution of floral morphology in the genus and its link with species diversification and environmental niche divergence.

METHODS

We quantified 18 floral traits from 83 taxa and applied phylogenetic comparative methods using a robust phylogenetic framework based on genotyping-by-sequencing data.

RESULTS

We found three different floral morphologies, putatively related to three different breeding systems: type I, characterized by small flowers without herkogamy and low pollen to ovule ratio; type II, represented by large flowers with approach herkogamy and intermediate pollen to ovule ratio; and type III, featured by small flowers with reverse herkogamy and the highest pollen to ovule ratio. Each morphology has been highly conserved across each radiation and has evolved independently of species diversification and ecological niche divergence.

CONCLUSIONS

The combined results of trait, niche, and species diversification ultimately recovered a pattern of potentially non-adaptive radiations in Helianthemum and highlight the idea that evolutionary radiations can be decoupled from floral morphology evolution even in lineages that diversified in heterogeneous environments as the Mediterranean Basin.

Identification of bioactive components on antihemorrhoidal activity of Cistus laurifolius L. using RP-HPLC and LC-QTOF-MS

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Cistus laurifolius is widely used in folk medicine in Anatolia for the treatment of many ailments. The leaves of the plant are used in the form of tea in the treatment of hemorrhoids in the Western Black Sea Region and Central Anatolia.

AIMS OF THE STUDY

It was aimed at evaluating the anti-hemorrhoidal effects of C. laurifolus leaves in croton oil-induced hemorrhoid model in rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The methanolic and aqueous extracts of C. laurifolius were tested for in vivo anti-hemorrhoidal efficacy using an experimental hemorrhoid model, followed by histological and biochemical analysis. Hemorrhoid was created by using croton oil on the anal region of the rats. TNF-α and VEGF mRNA expression levels were assessed using real-time PCR detections. The extract was also tested for anti-inflammatory properties, which are based on the suppression of an increase in capillary permeability caused by acetic acid. LC-QTOF-MS and RP-HPLC were used for the phytochemical analysis.

RESULTS

In comparison to the control, histological and biochemical assessment showed that the methanolic extract of C. laurifolius is particularly effective against hemorrhoids. The same extract group's TNF-α mRNA expression was found to be the lowest. Additionally, the methanolic extract showed a strong inhibitory effect on the increase in capillary permeability resulted on by acetic acid. Three phenolic compounds were discovered in the extracts by phytochemical analyses, while more than eighteen compounds were found by LC-QTOF-MS analysis. Five of these compounds are phenolic acid derivatives, and flavonoids constitute the majority of the group.

CONCLUSION

This is the first evidence from the research that C. laurifolius possesses strong anti-inflammatory and anti-hemorrhoidal properties.

The Potential of Ectomycorrhizal Fungi to Modulate below and Aboveground Communities May Be Mediated by 1-Octen-3-ol

It is known that ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi can modulate below and aboveground communities. They are a key part of belowground communication as they produce a vast array of metabolites, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as 1-octen-3-ol. Here, we tested if the VOC 1-octen-3-ol may be involved in the ECM fungal mechanisms that modulate below and aboveground communities. For that, we conducted three in vitro assays with ECM fungi and the 1-octen-3-ol volatile to (i) explore the effects of mycelium growth of three ECM species, (ii) investigate the impact on the germination of six host Cistaceae species, and (iii) study the impact on host plant traits. The effects of 1-octen-3-ol on mycelium growth of the three ECM species depended on the dose and species: Boletus reticulatus was the most sensitive species to the low (VOC) dose, while T. leptoderma was the most tolerant. In general, the presence of the ECM fungi resulted in higher seed germination, while 1-octen-3-ol resulted in lower seed germination. The combined application of the ECM fungus and the volatile further inhibited seed germination, possibly due to the accumulation of 1-octen-3-ol above the plant species' threshold. Seed germination and plant development of Cistaceae species were influenced by ECM fungal volatiles, suggesting that 1-octen-3-ol may mediate changes in below and aboveground communities.