Jorge Capelo

Two chemotypes of Crithmum maritimum L. from Portugal

Essential oils were isolated from different parts of Crithmum maritimum L. at three stages of the life cycle (vegetative, flowering and fruiting) in the same population (central west Portuguese coast) and essential oils were also extracted from plants growing spontaneously in five parts of the Western coast of Portugal, at the three life cycle stages. GC and GC–MS analyses were carried out in order to determine the oil chemical composition. The major oil components were dillapiol, sabinene, γ-terpinene and thymol methyl ether. The higher phenological variations observed were in the components of the inflorescences essential oils. Gradual variations were found along the life-cycle stages in the oils from the aerial parts. The oil data obtained from the five populations were statistically processed and the results showed the presence of two possible chemotypes of C. maritimum with different dillapiol content. Copyright

Geographic variation among Iberian communities of the exotic halophyte Cotula coronopifolia

The exotic annual forb Cotula coronopifolia has locally invaded salt marsh communities naturally dominated by Spergularia marina along large parts of the Iberian coastline. While the floristic composition of C. coronopifolia dominated communities on the Atlantic coast of northern Portugal has already been described, this information was missing for the southern part of the country. We carried out a phytosociological study at 21 sites along the south-western and southern coast of mainland Portugal to determine the ecology and syntaxonomical status of these communities, and to compare them to the Atlantic ones. Plant communities co-dominated by C. coronopifolia and S. marina were generally found in the sub-halophilous inner part of salt marshes. They occupied gaps within taller perennial vegetation (Juncus maritimus formations), such as small pools temporarily inundated with brackish waters. Southern communities differed from the northern ones by the high abundance of Triglochin barrelieri and the absence of salt-intolerant species that are present in the Atlantic communities. This difference may result from the drier summer climate in southern regions, leading to intense water evaporation and thus, more saline conditions. We propose to classify the Mediterranean communities in a new association, the Cotulo coronopifoliae–Triglochinetum barrelieri. High abundance of Limonium diffusum further allowed the distinction of a new subassociation limonietosum diffusi for the southernmost part of Portugal. Results show that invasive exotic plants can form new phytosociological associations with a characteristic species composition, but that these community types, despite being dominated by the same invader, still show ecological and geographical differentiation.

European Red List of Habitats : Part 2. Terrestrial and freshwater habitats

The first ever European Red List of Habitats reviews the current status of all natural and semi-natural terrestrial, freshwater and marine habitats and highlights the pressures they face. Using a modified version of the IUCN Red List of Ecosystems categories and criteria, it covers the EU28, plus Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and the Balkan countries and their neighbouring seas. Over 230 terrestrial and freshwater habitats were assessed. The European Red List of Habitats provides an entirely new and all embracing tool to review commitments for environmental protection and restoration within the EU2020 Biodiversity Strategy. In addition to the assessment of threat, a unique set of information underlies the Red List for every habitat: from a full description to distribution maps, images, links to other classification systems, details of occurrence and trends in each country and lists of threats with information on restoration potential. All of this is publicly available in PDF and database format (see links below), so the Red List can be used for a wide range of analysis. The Red List complements the data collected on Annex I habitat types through Article 17 reporting as it covers a much wider set of habitats than those legally protected under the Habitats Directive.

Cryphonectria naterciae: a new species in the Cryphonectria-Endothia complex and diagnostic molecular markers based on microsatellite-primed PCR.

In a recent study intended to assess the distribution of Cryphonectria parasitica in Portugal, 22 morphologically atypical orange isolates were collected in the Midwestern regions. Eleven isolates were recovered from Castanea sativa, in areas severely affected by chestnut blight and eleven isolates from Quercus suber in areas with cork oak decline. These isolates were compared with known C. parasitica and Cryphonectria radicalis isolates using an integrated approach comprising morphological and molecular methods. Morphologically the atypical isolates were more similar to C. radicalis than to C. parasitica. Phylogenetic analyses based on internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and β-tubulin sequence data grouped the isolates in a well-supported clade separate from C. radicalis. Combining morphological, cultural, and molecular data Cryphonectria naterciae is newly described in the Cryphonectria-Endothia complex. Microsatellite-primed PCR fingerprinting with (GACA)(4) primer discriminated between C. naterciae, C. radicalis, and C. parasitica.

A global view on the riparian forests with Salix neotricha and Populus alba in the Iberian Peninsula (Portugal and Spain)

Abstract Forests dominated by Salix neotricha, and Populus alba found along the mesoeutrophic rivers in the Iberian Peninsula, were studied. We discuss the floristic circumscription, chorology, and community segregation based on the available relevés of all Iberian riparian communities included in Populenion albae. Eleven formerly described communities were analyzed and due to original floristic combination, habitat features, and biogeographic scope, a new willow and poplar forest type is proposed within a well-defined biogeographical unit (Sadensean-Dividing Portuguese Subprovince): Clematido campaniflorae-Salicetum neotrichae. This syntaxon is found under a semi-hyperoceanic thermomediterranean to lower mesomediterranean, subhumid to humid bioclimate. Cluster analysis including all Iberian communities of Populenion albae shows a clear floristic segregation within the suballiance and confirms the originality of the new association. Furthermore, chemical characteristics of the water along some of the Portuguese watercourses with Populenion albae were studied and compared to the oligotrophic rivers occupied by Osmundo-Alnion communities. This study suggests that floristic separation between the communities of Populenion and Osmundo-Alnion is accompanied by a differentiation of the water trophic level.

Plant communities of the lagoons of the Portuguese Coastal Superdistrict — a multivariate approach

The Portuguese Coastal Superdistrict (Western Portugal) is a transitional biogeographical unit between the Mediterranean and Eurosiberian Regions. Due to the multiple influences which impact on the region, a wealth of taxa are found there making large areas suited for biodiversity conservation. In this study, the flora and vegetation of the lagoons and the marshes of this Superdistrict are characterized, and the exotic weed taxa causing problems in natural communities are emphasised.

Comparative study of the aromas of Hypericum L. species from Portugal using olfactroscopy

The analysis of the aroma of Portuguese Hypericum L. species (Guttiferae) was performed using a sensor array detection device equipped with a multi-element array of 32 chemical sensors. Studies included the investigation of eight species (plant material and essential oils), sample preparation (drying, including lyophilization) and conservation procedures. A multivariate analysis (PCA and Sammon Mapping) of the data was carried out in order to summarize the sensor responses. Preliminary results suggest that the main differences occurring among groups of samples are due to sample preparation and to taxonomical identity. Although less powerful, results obtained by this method seem to be consistent with those of headspace and GC–MS. The importance of prior tests using this method of establishing gross patterns is emphasized. Classification of plant samples using sensor array detection prior to carrying out finer analytical methods (e.g. GC and GC–MS) was therefore found to be of advantage. Copyright

Corrección nomenclatural de los sintaxones basados en Hyparrhenia hirta del sector Divisorio portugués

La asociacion Carici depressae-Hyparrhenietum hirtae y la alianza Hyparrhenion hirtae , descritas de los sustratos calcareos del sector Divisorio Portugues, deben ser corregidas nomenclaturalmente debido a que el unico taxon de Hyparrhenia presente en dicho territorio es H. sinaica . Asimismo se designan los tipos nomenclaturales de ambos nombres.