Teresa Garnatje

The cardueae (Compositae) revisited : Insights from its, trnL-trnF, and matK nuclear and chloroplast DNA analysis

Abstract The new outline of relationships in basal branches of the family Compositae Giseke confirms that the sister group to the tribe Cardueae Cass. are not Mutisieae Cass., but rather a group of African genera now classified as the tribe Tarchonantheae Kostel. This change implies that the monophyly of the Cardueae must be reassessed on a molecular basis. Moreover, new collections in recent years allow us to extend our sampling to 70 of the 74 genera of the tribe. We performed a new molecular study of the tribe using one nuclear region (ITS) and two chloroplastic markers (trnL-trnF and matK) in addition to a more appropriate outgroup. Our results confirm that the Cardueae is a natural group but indicate some changes in subtribal delineation: the subtribe Cardopatiinae Less. is recognized and some genera are moved to other subtribes (Myopordon Boiss., Nikitinia Iljin, Syreitschikovia Pavlov, and the Xeranthemum L. group). A recapitulation of a number of interesting questions that remain unresolved in the classification of some large genera is presented.

Generic delimitation and phylogeny of the Carduncellus-Carthamus complex (Asteraceae) based on ITS sequences

Within the Mediterranean complexCarduncellus-Carthamus, taxonomic classification has proven problematic. Numerous attempts to clarify the relative systematic boundaries have included splittingCarduncellus andCarthamus into several genera, but none of these proposed classifications have been generally accepted. For a comprehensive resolution of the relationships within this group, we used sequences of the Internal Transcribed Spacers (ITS) of nuclear ribosomal DNA. The results indicate that the complex should be classified into four genera:Carduncellus, Carthamus, Femeniasia andPhonus. The relationship between the western group (Carduncellus, Femeniasia andPhonus) and the eastern genusCarthamus are not resolved by analysis of ITS sequences, but the two groups are probably not close relatives. The ITS classifications corresponded with biogeography and less with morphological characters, which have also been the main source of confusion in traditional classifications. Most of the unusual morphological features in theCarduncellus-Carthamus complex appear to be reversals to ancestral character states.

Genome size in Echinops L. and related genera (Asteraceae, Cardueae): karyological, ecological and phylogenetic implications.

Abstract Genome size was assessed by flow cytometry in 33 species belonging to seven genera of the tribe Cardueae (Asteraceae), which can be grouped in three taxonomic complexes. 2C nuclear DNA content ranged from 1.49 to 16.98 pg, which is more than elevenfold variation. Genome size correlated well with some karyological traits. Nuclear DNA amount variations also have systematic and evolutionary implications and/or are linked to adaptations to ecological conditions.

Molecular phylogeny ofCheirolophus (Asteraceae:Cardueae-Centaureinae) based on ITS sequences of nuclear ribosomal DNA

The genusCheirolophus has an interesting western Mediterranean and Macaronesian distribution. Here we investigate the delimitation of the genus and its exclusion from the large genusCentaurea, the systematic position of the related genusPaleocyanus, the delimitation of some species and the phylogeny of the group. We have carried out a phylogenetic analysis of the PCR-generated sequences of the internal transcribed spacers (ITS-1 and ITS-2) of the nuclear ribosomal DNA. The results suggest that the genus, includingPaleocyanus crassifolius is monophyletic; thus, a new combination of this species underCheirolophus is proposed. The Macaronesian group of species is also monophyletic, indicating a single colonization of the archipelago. The poor resolution of microspecies in the Macaronesian group reinforces the hypothesis of a very recent differentiation of the group.

Extensive ribosomal DNA (18S-5.8S-26S and 5S) colocalization in the North American endemic sagebrushes (subgenus Tridentatae, Artemisia, Asteraceae) revealed by FISH

Chromomycin A3 banding and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) have been performed for six Artemisia species with special emphasis on subgenus Tridentatae. Morphometrical data on karyotype characters were calculated and idiograms with the position of GC-rich regions and 18S-5.8S-26S and 5S sites of ribosomal DNA were constructed. These sites were all colocalized. To our knowledge, this is the first time in the large family Asteraceae, indeed in angiosperms in general, that colocalization of the two rDNA regions studied is found at every single marked locus. In addition, transcriptionally active nucleolar organizer regions were detected after silver nitrate staining. Tridentatae is a cytogenetically homogeneous subgenus, which suggests that evolution of these species has not been coupled with important karyotypic reorganization. However, a few species are taxonomically difficult and show substantial differences. A loss of rDNA loci has been detected in a tetraploid taxon with respect to the diploids studied. These data provide clarifying insight into interspecific relationships between the studied taxa and overall evolutionary and systematic relationships of the Tridentatae.

Gendered Homegardens: A Study in Three Mountain Areas of the Iberian Peninsula

Gendered Homegardens: A Study in Three Mountain Areas of the Iberian Peninsula. As an example of the importance of gender relations in the use of natural resources, several authors have analyzed the role of women in homegardens. Gendered differences in homegarden management have been difficult to disentangle due to the often–shared nature of gardening. Here, we use an innovative approach to analyze gendered differences in the characteristics and management of homegardens. Specifically, we use information on the prevalence of different household members in gardening activities to classify homegardens as women’s, men’s, or shared. Then, we compare several garden characteristics across the three types of homegardens. For the case study, we use data from homegardens in three rural areas of the Iberian Peninsula. We found that household members generally share homegarden responsibilities in these three regions and that many homegarden characteristics vary with the distribution of gardening tasks. Specifically, we discovered that gardens managed mainly by men were larger, more distant from the dwelling, and better exposed than gardens managed by women. Men and women also used different management techniques; organic fertilizers and traditional pest control management systems predominated in gardens managed by women. Men and women also differed in how they reportedly use garden products, with women favoring household consumption versus sale or gifting. Last, gardens managed mainly by women had a larger diversity of uses for species and a larger diversity of species per unit area. Cultural norms of what is considered appropriate behavior for men and women help explain differences in garden characteristics and their plant composition and structure.ResumenHuertos y género: Un estudio en tres regiones de montaña de la Península Ibérica. En un intento de entender la importancia de las relaciones de género en el uso de los recursos naturales, varios autores han analizado el papel de las mujeres en los huertos domésticos. Debido a que muchos huertos son gestionados por varios miembros del hogar, es difícil identificar las diferencias de género en el manejo de los huertos. En este artículo utilizamos un enfoque innovador para analizar diferencias de género en las características y manejo de los huertos. Específicamente, utilizamos información sobre el predominio de diferentes miembros del hogar en el cuidado del huerto para clasificar los huertos como de hombres, de mujeres, o compartidos. Luego comparamos las características de estos tres tipos de huertos. El estudio fue realizado en tres zonas rurales de montaña de la Península Ibérica. Hallamos que las responsabilidades del manejo de los huertos son a menudo compartidas y que muchas características de los huertos varían según la distribución de las tareas. Los huertos manejados por hombres principalmente son más grandes, más alejados de la casa, y tienen una mejor exposición que los manejados por mujeres. El género también influye en el predominio de técnicas de manejo; la fertilización orgánica y los métodos tradicionales de control de plagas predominan en los huertos de mujeres. También hallamos diferencias en el destino de los productos del huerto: las mujeres favorecen el consumo en el hogar en vez de la venta o el regalo. Por último, los huertos manejados principalmente por mujeres tienen una mayor diversidad de usos de especies y una mayor diversidad de especies por unidad de área. Las normas culturales que determinan el comportamiento culturalmente correcto para hombres y mujeres ayudan a explicar las diferencias en las características, la composición, y la estructura de los huertos caseros.

Delineation and phylogeny of Centaurea sect. Acrocentron based on DNA sequences: a restoration of the genus Crocodylium and indirect evidence of introgression

Abstract. The Mediterranean group Acrocentron of the genus Centaurea is defined mainly on the basis of pollen type, but also by achene characters and involucral bracts morphology. We have revised the delineation of the group by cladistically comparing the sequences of the ITS spacers of the nuclear ribosomal DNA. Our results confirm that the Acrocentron group is a natural one, with a different delimitation from the commonly accepted. The ITS phylogeny supports that Centaurea sect. Chamaecyanus and sect. Stephanochilus belong to the Acrocentron group and suggests that sect. Chamaecyanus should be merged in sect. Acrocentron as a subsection. Contrary, sect. Aegialophila and sect. Crocodylium form a natural group that cannot be placed in the Acrocentron group and should be considered a different genus. The inclusion of Centaurea crocodylium in Aegialophila makes that the prioritary name for the generic level is Crocodylium; thus, two new nomenclatural combinations are proposed: Crocodylium creticum and Crocodylium pumilum. The groups suggested by the ITS sequences are correlated to the main geographical centers of speciation of Acrocentron. However, support for internal nodes of the tree is extremely poor. The low support within the tree and the absence of correlation between karyology and molecular phylogeny suggest that hybridization has played an important role in the diversification of Acrocentron.

Plant rDNA database: ribosomal DNA loci information goes online

Number, position and structure of the 5S and 18S-5.8S-26S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) loci are important species characteristics. In recent decades, we have witnessed accumulation of rDNA data, and there is a need to compile, store and analyse this information, and to make it accessible to a broader scientific community. An online resource, accessible at www.plantrdnadatabase.com, has been developed to accomplish these goals. Current knowledge regarding chromosomal rDNA sites is provided for more than 1,000 plant species (including more than 1,400 different accessions). The data comes from fluorescent in situ hybridisation experiments (FISH) from more than 300 publications. Additional information is also displayed, such as ploidy level, mutual arrangement of rRNA genes, genome size and life cycle. The webpage is intuitive and user-friendly, including different search options, and currently holds information published (or in press) up until January 2011; frequent updates are planned. We expect this database to be used for data-mining, analysing rDNAs from different angles, unit organisation, distribution, evolution and linkage of rDNA patterns with phylogenetic relationships.

Karyological evolution and molecular phylogeny in Macaronesian dendroid spurges (Euphorbia subsect. Pachycladae)

Abstract. Euphorbia subsect. Pachycladae is a taxon of primarily Macaronesian distribution, defined by morphological and biogeographical criteria. On the basis of morphological data, it is a heterogeneous group within which at least three complexes of species can be distinguished. To ascertain whether it is a natural group and discover its phylogenetic relations, we performed a cladistic analysis of the sequences of ribosomal nuclear DNA and a karyological study. The results of the two studies are concordant and show that the sub-section is polyphyletic and includes three different groups. The first monophyletic group is made up of the Macaronesian endemics E. atropurpurea complex and E. lamarckii complex, which form a polytomy with E. dendroides as the basal species. The lauroid species E. longifolia and E. stygiana represent the second monophyletic group, which derive from Mediterranean forms of E. sect. Helioscopia Dumort. Both species are paleopolyploid (2n=44) with highly symmetrical karyotypes. Finally, E. balsamifera, with a Canarian, African and Arabian distribution, remains isolated in a basal position. Its karyotype, with 2n=20 chromosomes, differs from the Macaronesian model and displays analogies with African cactiform spurges. On the basis of the results, some hypotheses are formulated about speciation processes in the three groups.

Recent updates and developments to plant genome size databases

Two plant genome size databases have been recently updated and/or extended: the Plant DNA C-values database (http://data.kew.org/cvalues), and GSAD, the Genome Size in Asteraceae database (http://www.asteraceaegenomesize.com). While the first provides information on nuclear DNA contents across land plants and some algal groups, the second is focused on one of the largest and most economically important angiosperm families, Asteraceae. Genome size data have numerous applications: they can be used in comparative studies on genome evolution, or as a tool to appraise the cost of whole-genome sequencing programs. The growing interest in genome size and increasing rate of data accumulation has necessitated the continued update of these databases. Currently, the Plant DNA C-values database (Release 6.0, Dec. 2012) contains data for 8510 species, while GSAD has 1219 species (Release 2.0, June 2013), representing increases of 17 and 51%, respectively, in the number of species with genome size data, compared with previous releases. Here we provide overviews of the most recent releases of each database, and outline new features of GSAD. The latter include (i) a tool to visually compare genome size data between species, (ii) the option to export data and (iii) a webpage containing information about flow cytometry protocols.