Julià Molero

Reproductive biology, genetic variation and conservation of the rare endemic dysploid Delphinium bolosii (Ranunculaceae)

Abstract Delphinium bolosii C. Blanche and Molero (Ranunculaceae), is a very rare endemic plant known from only two populations in Catalonia, having fewer than 1500 individuals. A biological survey of this species included: (a) reproductive biology, comprising pollination ecology, breeding systems, seed set and pollen viability; and (b) enzyme electrophoresis to measure genetic variation within and between two populations. A trend to increasing self-pollination rates (up to 20%) and to low levels of genetic variation (1.6–1.7 alleles per locus), together with high rates of nectar robber visits are reported. The hypothetic evolutionary relationships (chromosomal changes and geographic isolation) of this species with its related widespread ancestor Delphinium fissum are also discussed. The main threats to this species are catastrophic events (especially as soil erosion), human impact activities (both agriculture and tourism) and decreasing pollination. The small populations and low genetic variation reinforce its endangered status. Some conservation measures are suggested, including in-situ and ex-situ strategies.

Conservation biology of the Pyrenean larkspur (Delphinium montanum): a case of conflict of plant versus animal conservation?

Abstract Delphinium montanum is a larkspur endemic to the Pyrenees. It has c. 4000 individuals and is classified as vulnerable following the IUCN categories. Pollination ecology results demonstrated that it is strictly dependent on pollinator activity (mainly bumblebees) to set seeds. Genetic diversity estimated by allozyme variation at 7 loci showed quite high levels of variation related to its polyploidy. Predation by Pyrenean chamois ( Rupicapra rupicapra pyrenaica ), first detected in 1993, caused a continuous loss of >90% of seed set in a protected area. The maintenance of high genetic diversity suggests the buffer effect of polyploidy and seed bank strategy to counter animal grazing, but long-term effects on conservation are expected. These results stressed: (1) the need for a plan to monitor this animal–plant interaction; and (2) the need to monitor closely the population number of individuals of certain protected animal species in Natural Reserves, particularly if ecological competition has been disturbed by human intervention.

Breeding systems in tribe Delphinieae (Ranunculaceae) in the western Mediterranean area

Summary The breeding system of 30 populations belonging to 20 species of Aconitum, Delphinium and Consolida ( Delphinieae, Ranunculaceae) in the western Mediterranean area was studied and its relation with life-span and systematic position is discussed. To assess the breeding system we measured seed set in response to different pollination treatments. We performed greenhouse tests for agamospermy, spontaneous self-pollination, induced self-pollination, geitonogamy, cross-pollination and, in some cases, insect exclusion tests in the field. Morphological characters like stamen number, pollen production, ovule production and pollen: ovule ratio (P/O) were quantified. Most species are facultative xenogamous and partially self-compatible. P/O ratios were rather consistent with the observed xenogamy, although there is no relation between P/O values and selfing rates. P/O ratio was positively correlated with seed weight, but is heavily influenced by one species. A trend towards increased autogamy in annuals, especially in subgenus Staphisagria, was detected. In these taxa xenogamy and insect pollination are evolutionary primitive, and autogamy is derived. Similar reproductive patterns in closely related taxa suggest that only slight differentiation occurred after primary strain diversification of this group.

Genetic diversity of mountain plants: Two migration episodes of Mediterranean Erodium (Geraniaceae)

This paper examines the phylogeny of Erodium subsect. Petraea, a group of six morphologically and genetically very similar species from the mountains of the western Mediterranean. Combined trnL-F-ITS analysis was unable to determine the phylogenetic relationships of these species owing to sequence similarity. AFLP fragment analysis showed different populations to cluster in six closely related phylogroups that partially coincided with morphological species. In the Iberian Peninsula, high temperatures during interstadial periods probably impeded the survival of these species at low altitudes, and their populations may have been forced to migrate northward within Iberia or remain isolated on high mountains. AFLP variation suggests that this might have led to their differentiation into groups and speciation during interglacials, but it probably also provided the basis for recurrent recolonisations and the mixing of neighbouring populations at the last glacial maxima. The genetic diversity of the two Erodium lineages suggests two migration episodes took place from southern Iberia towards the north, with one lineage migrating via western Iberia and the other via eastern Iberia. The patterns of genetic diversity observed in populations of 56 European species (27 genera) leads to the hypothesis that disparate proportions of unique polymorphic fragments are the result of the evolutionary histories of their mountain populations irrespective of the currently recognised species.

Natural hybrids in endemic Canarian dendroid spurges (Euphorbia subsect. Pachycladae)

Abstract Molero, J. & Rovira, A. M.: Natural hybrids in endemic Canarian dendroid spurges (Euphorbia subsect. Pachycladae). — Willdenowia 35:271–280. — ISSN 0511 -9618;

Bridging the micro‐ and macroevolutionary levels in phylogenomics: Hyb‐Seq solves relationships from populations to species and above

Reconstructing phylogenetic relationships at the micro- and macroevoutionary levels within the same tree is problematic because of the need to use different data types and analytical frameworks. We test the power of target enrichment to provide phylogenetic resolution based on DNA sequences from above species to within populations, using a large herbarium sampling and Euphorbia balsamifera (Euphorbiaceae) as a case study. Target enrichment with custom probes was combined with genome skimming (Hyb-Seq) to sequence 431 low-copy nuclear genes and partial plastome DNA. We used supermatrix, multispecies-coalescent approaches, and Bayesian dating to estimate phylogenetic relationships and divergence times. Euphorbia balsamifera, with a disjunct Rand Flora-type distribution at opposite sides of Africa, comprises three well-supported subspecies: western Sahelian sepium is sister to eastern African-southern Arabian adenensis and Macaronesian-southwest Moroccan balsamifera. Lineage divergence times support Late Miocene to Pleistocene diversification and climate-driven vicariance to explain the Rand Flora pattern. We show that probes designed using genomic resources from taxa not directly related to the focal group are effective in providing phylogenetic resolution at deep and shallow evolutionary levels. Low capture efficiency in herbarium samples increased the proportion of missing data but did not bias estimation of phylogenetic relationships or branch lengths.

Festuca dertosensis (Poaceae), an overlooked fescue from the NE Iberian Peninsula

Abstract: A new species of Festuca L. (Poaceae) is described from the southern mountains of Tarragona (Catalonia, Spain). The new taxon belongs to the F. rubra aggregate, and superficially resembles plants of the F. trichophylla group. Its leaf anatomy, however, suggests a closer relationship with F. rubra and, in particular, F. heterophylla. Although sharing some features with F. paucispicula, a sympatric taxon, there are sufficient differences to warrant its separation from this local endemic. A comparative table and key are provided to assist in the identification of this overlooked fescue, and its relationship to other species present in the area is discussed, with special attention paid to species sharing a similar distribution. Mitosis studies have been carried out to determine the chromosome number, and the results suggest a decaploid, with a chromosome number of 2n = c. 70. Citation: Pyke S., Sáez L., Molero J. & Garnatje T. 2016: Festuca dertosensis (Poaceae), an overlooked fescue from the NE Iberian Peninsula. — Willdenowia 46: 367–377. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.3372/wi.46.46305 Version of record first published online on 1 November 2016 ahead of inclusion in December 2016 issue.

Conservation Genetics of Dichoropetalum schottii (Apiaceae): Is the Legal Protection of Edge Populations Consistent with the Genetic Data?

Dichoropetalum schottii is a species that lives at low to medium altitudes in the southern European mountain ranges, from the Balkans (N Greece) to the Pyrenees. Its legal protection status is not homogeneous along its distribution range, as only some of its edge populations, in the Pyrenees, are protected. Here, by means of allozyme electrophoresis, we examine the genetic variability of populations representing four different regions within its distribution area (Pyrenees, Maritime Alps, Karst Plateau in the SW Slovenia—NE Italy border region, and Pindus Mountains in Greece). The species as a whole exhibits relatively high levels of genetic diversity, partly due to the occurrence of several duplications among the loci surveyed. Genetic differentiation among populations and regions was low, which could be interpreted as the result of recent allopatric fragmentation. We conclude that the species as a whole is not threatened, and that the currently protected populations are, paradoxically, the least valuable from the genetic point of view.