Anna Geraci

Assessing the genetic diversity of Centaurea parlatoris group (sect. Dissectae, Compositae) in Sicily using isozymes

Abstract The Centaurea parlatoris group belongs to sect. Dissectae and is one of the most taxonomically critical groups in Sicily. The taxa included in it inhabit dry slopes, pastures and rocky places. Some of them are narrow endemics to Sicily, and others to Italy. The great morphological variability at the intrapopulation level has not permitted the creation of an adequate taxonomic scheme. The recent proposal of two new species from Sicily confirms the insufficient knowledge of the taxonomic diversity. This study involves eight Sicilian populations of the C. parlatoris group. Seven loci from nine enzyme systems [isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH), malate dehydrogenase (MDH), 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6-PGD), phosphoglucomutase (PGM), alcohol deydrogenase (ADH), shikimate deydrogenase (SKD), leucine aminopeptidase (LAP), glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) and phosphoglucoisomerase (PGI)] were examined. A total of 23 alleles were identified; seven were fixed in different populations, others were rare. The allele frequencies and the genetic variability values for each population were calculated. The highest intrapopulation variability was found in the populations of Monte Occhio and San Martino (71.4%), as well as in C. giardinae and C. sicana (57.1%). The lowest values were registered in the population of Isnello. The obtained dendrogram reflects the recent taxonomic treatment of the group. The study can provide means for both assessment of the future impact of erosion on diversity and elaboration of effective conservation strategies for these endemic taxa.

Genetic diversity in the Centaurea cineraria group (Compositae) in Sicily using isozymes

Abstract The genetic diversity of seven taxa endemic to Sicily, C. cineraria, C. busambarensis, C. ucriae subsp. ucriae, C. ucriae subsp. umbrosa, C. todari, C. erycina and C. saccensis, from 11 localities was investigated using isozymes. Eight loci from five enzyme systems (IDH, MDH, PGD, PGM and PGI) were examined. A total of 19 alleles were identified, some rare and two of them exclusive to different populations. The allelic frequencies and the genetic variability values for each population were calculated. On the whole, the genetic diversity, i.e., average polymorphism (P) = 0.41, average number of alleles per locus (A) = 1.75, Neis gene diversity (H) = 0.18, is moderate, with the highest genetic variability found in the populations of C. todari. The dendrogram shows two major groups: the first consists of all Sicilian populations except those of C. todari; the second of C. cineraria from the region of Campania and C. todari.

Isozyme analysis of genetic diversity in wild Sicilian populations of Brassica sect. Brassica in view of genetic resources management

In Sicily and in the small surrounding islands the section Brassica of the genus Brassica comprises five species, B. insularis Moris, B. incana Ten., B. macrocarpa Guss., B. rupestris Raf. and B. villosa Biv. These taxa represent a genetic resource as relatives of kale crops but some populations are endangered or threatened, thus isozyme analyses were performed to assess the genetic diversity degree at population and species levels in order to assist the design of conservation management programs.Eleven loci from five enzyme systems (aconitase, leucine aminopeptidase, 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, phosphoglucoisomerase phosphoglucomutase) were analyzed in sixteen natural population (fifteen from Sicily, one from Calabria). Mean within-population genetic diversity was moderate (P = 41%, A = 1.54, H = 0.16). In some cases a great number of heterozygous individuals were detected, in other cases fixation index (F) deviated significantly from Hardy-Weinberg genotypic expectations.A total of 37 alleles was recognized, six of which resulted exclusive to single populations. The among-population component of the total genetic diversity (Gst mean values) for each species was 0.30–0.37, indicating genetic differentiation among populations.Among B. villosa and B. rupestris populations genetic distance values resulted rather low and they resulted high with B. incana and B. macrocarpa populations.The results are discussed with regard to the distribution of the genetic diversity level and the genetic resources management.

Neurotensin: dual effect on the motor activity of rat duodenum

The effects of neurotensin on mechanical activity of rat duodenum were investigated using an isometric-isovolumic preparation. Neurotensin (1 pM to 10 nM) induced a concentration-dependent, tetrodotoxin (TTX)-insensitive fall in both endoluminal pressure and isometric tension. At higher concentrations of neurotensin (1 nM to 1 microM) the relaxation was followed by a concentration-dependent TTX-insensitive contraction, detected only by an increase in endoluminal pressure. Different concentrations of neurotensin were required to desensitize the relaxant and the contractile actions of the neuropeptide. The relaxation was antagonized by apamin, while the contractile response was blocked by nifedipine. Neurotensin, when tested separately on longitudinal and circular muscular strips, caused relaxation of the longitudinal strips. Circular strips showed contractions in response to neurotensin, following an inhibitory phase, if the strips were spontaneously or pharmacologically activated. The results suggest the presence of two sets of neurotensin receptors with a differential localization between the two muscular layers in rat duodenum.

Essential oil components of orange peels and antimicrobial activity

Abstract In this study, the orange peel of 12 cultivars of Citrus sinensis from central-eastern Sicily was employed to obtain essential oils and extracts. The ones were extracted through steam distillation, the others through extraction in hexane. Chemical constituents were evaluated in terms of qualitative and quantitative analyses by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Fifty-four components were identified in the steam essential oils and 44 in the extracts. In all the cultivars, the main component is d-limonene (73.9–97%); discrete percentages of linalool, geraniol and nerol were also found. Cluster analysis based on essential oils composition showed a certain degree of affinity between cultivars of the same type. The antimicrobial activity was investigated against three micro-organisms (Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogens and Pseudomonas aeruginosa). ‘Sanguinello’ and ‘Solarino Moro’ essential oils are significantly active against L. monocytogenes, while ‘Valencia’ hexanic extract against all the tested micro-organisms.

Morphological and genetic diversity within Pilosella hoppeana aggr. (Asteraceae) in Italy and taxonomic implications

Morphological variation, ploidy level and genetic diversity have been studied on 10 populations of the Pilosella hoppeana aggr. from the Alps, Abruzzo, Calabria and Sicily. Chromosome counts showed that the plants from Abruzzo and those from Sicily are tetraploid (2n = 36); they are assigned to P. hoppeana subsp. macrantha. The plants from the Alps (P. hoppeana subsp. hoppeana) and those from Calabria are diploid. The Calabrian populations, previously included in P. hoppeana subsp. macrantha, are shown to belong to a separate species, P. leucopsilon. The principal component analysis, based on 25 morphological characters, allowed distinguishing clearly four groups. An allozyme study using 10 enzyme systems revealed 7 polymorphic loci with a total of 20 alleles, some of them exclusive at regional level, others shared between populations showing similar morphological features. The genetic differentiation between populations was relatively high. The obtained dendrogram supports recognition of the morphologically defined taxa.

Notes on the karyology, genetics and ecology of Genista sect. Voglera in Sicily

Abstract To investigate the biosystematic and genetic relationships among Sicilian species of Genista sect. Voglera, four populations of three species, Genista aristata C. Presl, Genista cupanii Guss., and Genista madoniensis Raimondo, have been studied. Genista madoniensis is tetraploid, with a chromosome number of 2n = 48, as are the other two species. An isozyme study showed that G. madoniensis is taxonomically closer to G. aristata than to G. cupanii, the latter possessing four unique alleles. The results are discussed in the context of the ecological characteristics of each species.

Endemismo e biodiversità floristica nelle isole circumsiciliane

Biogeographia vol. XXII - 2001 (Pubblicato il 1 ottobre 2001) Biogeografia degli ambienti costieri Endemismo e biodiversitei floristica nelle isole circumsiciliane PIETRO MAZZOLA, ANNA GERACI, FRANCESCO M. RAIMONDO Dzpartimento di Scienze Botzmicke, Uniz/ersirfz dz‘ Palermo, Via Arc/aimfi, 38 - L90123 Palermo {Inz/zkz) Key words: Sicily, surrounding islets, flora, biodiversity SUMMARY The plant biodiversity of the Sicilian Archipelago is analyzed here, taking into consideration the islets surrounding Sicily (excluding Sicily itself, its close islets and the Maltese ones as well). In particular, the Eolie, Ustica, Egacli, Pantelleria and Pelagie Islands are examined concerning the characteristics of their relevant floras with respect to life forms and chorological groups, especially endemics, in comparison to the main environmental factors such as substrata, distribution, territorial connections, and isolation. INTRODUZIONE Le isole circumsiciliane (Fig. 1), le Eolie, Ustica, le Egadi, Pantelleria, le Pelagic e diversi isolotti di estensione minore, incidono sensibilrnente sulla diversita e sulla ricchezza floristica del distretto floristico siculo ospitando su una superficie di un centesirno di quella dell’isola rnaggiore, ben 1.300 specie e taxa infraspecifici, corrispondenti a poco meno della meta della flora dell’intero arcipelago, esclusa la parte maltese. Si tratta di cifre di poco inferiori a quelle attinenti al patrimonio vegetale delle Madonie che su due centesimi del territorio siciliano ospitano tre quinti della flora dell’isola (Di Martino e Raimondo, 1979). Come per le Madonie, le cause di tale considerevole apporto sono imputabili all’isolamento e alle caratteristiche arnbientali e geografiche: nelle isole in questione, i principali fattori di diversita s’identificano nei substrati, calcarei o Vulcanici, e nella posizione geografica dei componenti dell’arcipelago che da una parte estende a nord e a sud i limiti del distretto floristico e dall’altra crea connessioni con le terre che s’affacciano sul Tirreno e con l’Africa settentrionale. Ripetutamente visitate a partire dal XIX secolo, le isole circumsiciliane rientrano fra le aree meglio conosciute dell’intero arcipelago per quanto attiene

Studies on the Sicilian populations of Anacolia webbii (Mont.) Schimp. (Bartramiaceae, Bryophyta), rare moss in Europe

New data on the distribution, biology, intra- and inter-population variability and conservation state of Sicilian populations of Anacolia webbii are provided. Two new localities are reported, so that total five fragmented populations occur in the island, all of them in a rather small area in the western part of the province of Palermo. They live on wet limestone or sandstone cliffs with base at 900–1200 m a.s.l. and N, N-NE aspect, within communities of Aceri campestris-Querco-ilicis sigmetum. The plants are particularly vigorous, but some data suggest a condition of vulnerability of the populations. In fact, in addition to specificity to a rare habitat on the island, a morphometric and allozyme analysis showed a very low genetic and morphological diversity. One population (Costa Lunga), showing small morphological differences with respect to the other populations, diverges from this pattern, showing the highest mean number of alleles per locus (1.5), the highest polymorphism (50%) and intra-population diversity (H = 0.249). In one of the larger populations (Mount Kumeta), moreover, a remarkable presence of sterile plants, a paucity of male plants as well as a low production of sporophytes and a high rate of aborted archegonia have been recorded.

The wild taxa utilized as vegetables in Sicily (Italy): A traditional component of the Mediterranean diet

BackgroundWild vegetables in the Mediterranean Basin are still often consumed as a part of the diet and, in particular, there is a great tradition regarding their use in Sicily.In this study, an ethnobotanical field investigation was carried out to (a) identify the wild native taxa traditionally gathered and consumed as vegetables in Sicily, comparing the collected ethnobotanical data with those of other countries that have nominated the Mediterranean diet for inclusion in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity and (b) highlight new culinary uses of these plants.MethodsInterviews were carried out in 187 towns and villages in Sicily between 2005 and 2015. A total of 980 people over the age of 50 were interviewed (mainly farmers, shepherds, and experts on local traditions).Plants recorded were usually collected in collaboration with the informants to confirm the correct identification of the plants. The frequencies of citation were calculated.ResultsTwo hundred fifty-three taxa (specific and intraspecific) belonging to 39 families, and 128 genera were recorded (26 were cited for the first time). The most represented families were Asteraceae, Brassicaceae, Apiaceae, Amaryllidaceae, Malvaceae, and Polygonaceae. Only 14 taxa were cited by 75% of the people interviewed.The aerial parts of wild plants, including leaves, tender shoots, and basal rosettes, are the main portions collected, while the subterranean parts are used to a lesser extent. For some vegetables, more parts are utilized. Most of the reported vegetables are consumed cooked.In addition to the widely known vegetables (Borago officinalis, Beta spp., Cichorium spp., Brassica spp., Carduus spp., etc.), the so-called ancient vegetables are included (Onopordum illyricum, Centaurea calcitrapa, Nasturtium officinale, Scolymus spp., Smyrnium rotundifolium), and some unique uses were described.Comparing the Sicilian findings to those from other countries, a very high number of vegetable taxa were detected, 72 of which are eaten only in Sicily, while 12 are consumed in all the Mediterranean countries examined.ConclusionsThe research shows a high level of Sicilian knowledge about using wild plants as a traditional food source. Wild vegetables are healthy and authentic ingredients for local and ancient recipes, which are fundamental to the revitalization of quality food strictly connected to traditional agroecosystems.