Pedro Sánchez-Gómez

Genetic variations and migration pathway of Juniperus thurifera L. (Cupressaceae) in the western Mediterranean region

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis and length variations in the chloroplast trnL-trnF intergenic spacer were used to analyze the geographic structure of Juniperus thurifera L. populations in Spain and North Africa. The chloroplast DNA analysis indicated three size classes of the spacer, but was uninformative of any geographic pattern. In contrast, the RAPD data based on 127 polymorphous bands clearly showed the existence of three population groups: (a) a group comprising two populations from northeastern Spain and two from southern Spain, (b) a group comprising the rest of the Spanish populations, and (c) a group which consisted of the two Moroccan populations. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed that 24% of the variation is found between groups of populations, 15% between populations within groups, and 61% within populations. The results are consistent with a hypothetical migration of J. thurifera starting from central Europe, passing through France and Spain, and finally reaching...

Identification of Pistacia×saportae Burnat (Anacardiaceae) by RAPD analysis and morphological characters

Abstract Pistacia × saportae (Anacardiaceae) is a hybrid between Pistacia lentiscus and Pistacia terebinthus . The plants are of vigorous growth and are important as possible rootstocks for the cultivation of Pistacia vera , since they offer resistance to Verticillium infections. However, for non-expert botanists they are difficult to identify. Therefore, a rapid and inexpensive test was developed to identify these plants reliably. Six RAPD primers were found that resulted in species-specific and fixed amplification products, most of which are shared with P .× saportae . The application of RAPD markers permits the rapid screening of a high number of plants in order to confirm their hybrid origin with a reasonable expenditure of both time and money.

Molecular taxonomy and genetic diversity of Moricandia moricandioides subsp. pseudofoetida compared to wild relatives

Abstract Moricandia moricandioides subsp. pseudofoetida is a taxon endemic to the southeast of the Iberian Peninsula, of which only one population is known. In this study, we used Inter Simple Sequence Repeat molecular markers to compare the taxons genetic diversity with that of populations with similar ecological characteristics belonging to Iberian endemic species of the genus Moricandia (M. moricandioides subsp. moricandioides and Moricandia foetida) and to the widely distributed Moricandia arvensis, in the context of the southeast of the Iberian Peninsula. The results indicated that M. moricandioides subsp. pseudofoetida has genetic diversity values similar to the two other endemic taxa, while M. arvensis has higher diversity values. We established a hypothesis concerning the origin of M. moricandioides subsp. pseudofoetida, since our results suggested that this taxon arose by reproductive isolation rather than hybridization between M. foetida and M. moricandioides. Our results might serve as a starting point to obtain a clear phylogenetic pattern for the genus. Finally, we proposed measures for the conservation of this rare taxon and recommendations for the collection of siliques to establish a seed bank.

Preliminary essay on the chorology of the Iberian gypsicolous flora: rarity and richness of the gypsum outcrops

Abstract The Iberian aljezares have been recognized as areas of high phyto—diversity and endemism as they harbour an extremely peculiar flora. Mining activities can endanger this flora. It is necessary to indicate the most important areas in order to conserve the biodiversity, so the chorology of 53 gypsophytes taxa have been developed where “1” was used for presences of every taxon and “0” for absences in UTM cells of 10 × 10 km2. This chorology is a complex dataset including numerous local endemics and high territorial differences (high β-diver- sity). In addition, the results indicate that the richest aljezares are present in the Central Iberian Meseta (plateau), while the highest values of rarity are situated in the semiarid South East of the Iberian Peninsula.

Regional Speciation or Taxonomic Inflation? The Status of Several Narrowly Distributed and Endangered Species of Narcissus Using ISSR and Nuclear Ribosomal ITS Markers

The mountains of the southeast Iberian Peninsula harbor several narrowly endemic species belonging to Narcissus section Pseudonarcissi (N. alcaracensis, N. bugei, N. enemeritoi, N. longispathus, N. nevadensis, N. segurensis, and N. yepesii) that are protected by regional Spanish laws. Most of these trumpet daffodils show a very similar overall morphology, and the correct identification of species is difficult unless the geographical origins of the accessions are known. ISSR (Inter-Simple Sequence Repeat) and nuclear ribosomal ITS sequences were used to assess patterns of genetic discontinuities present among the members of this section from southeast Spain. Species-specific ISSR bands were found in N. bugei, N. longispathus and N. nevadensis, but were absent in the other species. The multivariate ordination of the 288 ISSR-genotyped accessions showed that only N. longispathus and N. bugei were clearly differentiated, while the other species formed an unresolved group. ITS sequences of N. bugei were highly divergent from those retrieved from the remaining species, which were placed in a single largely unresolved clade in phylogenetic analysis. In conclusion, ISSR and ITS markers support the taxonomic distinction of N. bugei and N. longispathus. However, N. alcaracensis, N. segurensis, N. yepesii, N. enemeritoi, and N. nevadensis could be merged within a single species (N. nevadensis for nomenclatural priority).

Evaluation of genetic diversity in Pistacia lentiscus L. (Anacardiaceae) from the southern Iberian Peninsula and North Africa using RAPD assay. Implications for reafforestation policy

9 RAPD primers were used to investigate the genetic diversity of Pistacia lentiscus in populations from SE and S Spain and from Morocco. A total of 135 amplification products were obtained with 115 (85%) polymorphic bands. Dices similarity coefficient, UPGMA clustering, and analysis of the principal coordinates show that the Moroccan populations are genetically very distant from the Spanish populations (p <0.001). Plants from SE and S Spain are genetically similar (p <0.05). As a consequence, it is recommended that North African plants should be excluded from reafforestation projects in Spain in favor of autochthonous plants.

Helianthemum motae (Cistaceae), a New Species from Southeastern Spain

Helianthemum motae Sánchez-Gómez, J.F. Jiménez & J.B. Vera (Cistaceae) is described as a new species from southeastern Spain. It belongs to the section Lavandulaceum and appears to be close to H. syriacum. The diagnostic characters, a phylogenetic study as well as a full description, a dichotomic key, and illustrations are provided. Both macromorphological and micromorphological characters are discussed and compared with the morphologically related species. The conservational status of H. motae is discussed.

Areas of floristic relevance for the conservation of the biodiversity in the ecotone of the NE end of the Betic ranges and neighbouring areas (South of Spain)

Abstract The southern Iberian Peninsula is an area of great floristic interest. This paper deals with the transition area between the Baetic ranges, the Manchean high barren plateaus and the semiarid steppes. A variety of algorithms are applied to the endangered flora to elucidate the distribution patterns and the possible dependence on biogeographical and/or bioclimatic variables. The final objective is to evaluate the protection status to be awarded. The results indicate that the most important areas are located in the Baetic setion of the area under study. The suggested solution includes, however, sites belonging to all the biogeographical units and climatic zones. Chorological and climatic groups are almost coincidental. The results also confirm that the greater the environmental heterogeneity, the greater the importance for conservation purposes. The current networks of reserves present considerable gaps which could be filled to some extent by the SCIs.

Influence of water stress and storage time on preservation of the fresh volatile profile of three basil genotypes

The main goal of the present study was to describe the volatile profile of three different basil genotypes (Genovese and Green and Purple Iranian), and the impact that water stress (75% and 50% field capacity) and storage time (up to 7days) have under mild refrigerated conditions. The chromatographic profile pointed to three different chemotypes: linalool/eugenol, neral/geranial, and estragol, for Genovese, Green, and Purple genotypes, respectively. Water stress depleted the volatile profile of these three landraces, due to a reduction in the absolute concentrations of some of the components related to fresh aroma (linalool, nerol, geraniol and eugenol). The stability of the basil volatile profile during storage varied depending on the water stress that had been applied. Concentration reductions of close to 50% were quantified for most of the components identified in the Purple genotype.

Conceptual baseline for a global checklist of gypsophytes

espanolEl vinculo entre las plantas y los suelos de yeso (gipsofilia) puede remontarse hasta el siglo XIX. Durante los ultimos anos ha sido creciente el numero de articulos que se han ocupado, desde diferentes puntos de vista, de esta flora tan peculiar. La existencia de costras en el suelo, la xericidad y los desequilibrios nutricionales que afrontan estas plantas, algunas de ellas acumuladoras de ciertos minerales, las convierte en interesantes objetos de estudio a diferentes escalas, desde la molecular a la biogeografica y macroecologica. Estas plantas pueden representar un interesante modelo para el estudio de la evolucion y especiacion vegetal por el gran numero de endemismos que se concentran en los yesos, algunos de ellos muy locales y en no pocos casos seriamente amenazados. De hecho, la Directiva Habitats de la UE no solo incluye varias especies gipsofilas, sino que considera a los afloramientos de yeso un habitat prioritario. La creacion de un catalogo o checklist de gipsofitos a nivel global puede impulsar el conocimiento de esta interesante flora. Sin embargo, puesto que existen muchos territorios yesiferos repartidos por todas las regiones de la Tierra, la elaboracion de este listado requiere la participacion de un gran numero de investigadores y expertos locales. Para construir esa checklist, cuatro aspectos fueron considerados de interes en esta investigacion. En primer lugar la discusion en torno a si pueden ser considerados sinonimos “planta gipso-tolerante” (capaz de crecer sobre el yeso) y gipsofito, por analogia con “planta resistente a la salinidad” y halofito (o “tolerancia a la salinidad” y “halofilia”). Esta discusion se extenderia a los conceptos de gipso-tolerante y gipsofilia. En segundo lugar esta la cuestion terminologica que afecta sobre todo a las palabras derivadas de la raiz gyps- (gipsofilo, gipsicola, gypsovago,…), asi como a toda una serie de adjetivos complementarios (estricto, verdadero, preferente, extendido,…). En este caso la cuestion fundamental es si gipsofito y gipsofilo pueden emplearse indistintamente. La tercera cuestion esta relacionada con los suelos yesiferos o quizas sea mejor decir con los horizontes gipsicos ya que el contenido en yeso de los mismos puede ser critico a la hora de discriminar entre un gipsofito y una especie que no lo sea. El cuarto aspecto tiene que ver con la posibilidad de utilizar la composicion quimica o estequiometrica para distinguir a los gipsofitos de las plantas que no lo son o, al menos, para separar la estrategia acumuladora de otras estrategias nutricionales. Y quedaria un quinto, poner sobre la mesa aunque sea de forma somera, aquellos territorios (en este caso paises) de los que se tiene noticia que pueden tener una flora gipsofila. Tras examinar estas cuestiones a traves de la revision de 91 articulos obtenidos de una busqueda en Scopus, es evidente que no se pueden considera sinonimos la gipso-tolerancia y la gisofilia. Ademas, los gipsofitos, al menos de momento, no pueden definirse de otra manera que no sea recurriendo al criterio clasico o inductivo, i.e., plantas que crecen exclusivamente en el yeso. Por lo que respecta al suelo, el nivel de yeso que soporta la vegetacion gipsofila suele estar frecuentemente muy por encima del 50%. Por otra parte, aunque entre los gipsofitos es frecuente la estrategia acumuladora, en especial de Ca y S, no es un rasgo generalizable como tampoco lo es que esos minerales se concentren exclusivamente en las hojas. Las raices, al menos en el caso del Ca, tambien pueden acumular grandes cantidades. Hasta ahora la investigacion sobre la gipsofilia se ha concentrado en unos 10 paises, lo que contrasta con los 75 en los que se han encontrado referencias o indicios que pueden albergar flora gipsofila, circunstancia que pone de manifiesto el interes de elaborar una checklist para favorecer el conocimiento de este tipo de flora. EnglishThe link between plants and gypsum soil dates back to the 19th century. In recent years, an increasing number of articles have dealt with this very special type of flora from various perspectives. The existence of crusts on the soil, xericity and nutritional imbalances that these plants – some of which are mineral accumulators – are submitted to, have turned them into interesting subjects of study at different levels, from the molecular to the biogeographical and macroecological ones. These plants might represent a relevant model for research on vegetal evolution and specialization, due to the high number of endemisms that concentrate on gypsum, some of them very local and seriously endangered in many cases. As a matter of fact, the Habitats Directive in the E.U. does not only include several gypsophile species, but it also considers gypsum outcrops priority habitats. The creation of a global gypsophytes checklist may favour the possibility to increase knowledge about this interesting flora further. Nevertheless, as there are many gypsum territories in the world, the elaboration of such a list demands the participation of an ever growing number of researchers and local experts. Four aspects have been deemed of interest in this research for the creation of a checklist: Firstly, discussion about whether to consider “gypsum-tolerant plant” and “gypsophyte” (gypso- from the Greek, gypsum and –phyte, plant) as synonymous terms or not, as happens with “salt-tolerant plant” and “halophyte” (or “salt tolerance” and “halophily”). In the second place, there is the terminological question that affects all those words derived from the root gyps- (gypsophile, gypsicolous, gypsovag …) which should be standardized so as to facilitate scientific communication. The third question is related to the gypsiferous soils, or maybe it would better to call them gypsic horizons as the gypsum contents of these can be critical in order to discriminate between gypsophytes and plants that are not so. The fourth aspect deals with the possibility to use chemical composition or stoichiometry in order to discriminate between gypsophytes and the rest of plants, or at least, to discriminate between the accumulative strategy and other nutritional strategies. Finally, a fifth aspect remains to be discussed, highlighting, at least superficially, which territories (in this case, countries) are those where the putative existence of gypsophile flora is believed to appear. Having examined these questions through the revision of 91 papers resulting from a search on Scopus it is clear that gypsum-tolerance and gypsophily cannot be accepted as synonyms. In addition, gypsophytes, at least for the time being, cannot be defined in any other way but resorting to the classical or inductive criterion, i.e., plants growing exclusively on gypsum. As regards soils, the level of gypsum gypsophile vegetation can tolerate is frequently over 50%. Apart from that, although the accumulator strategy is common among gypsophytes, especially of Ca and S, this is not a trait that can be generalized, as is not the fact that these minerals should concentrate on leaves. Roots, at least in the case of Ca, can also accumulate large quantities. So far, research on gypsophily has focused on around ten countries, which is noteworthy when compared to the 75 where references or signs of gysophile flora have been found; this makes it even more interesting to elaborate a checklist that could broaden knowledge in this area.