:: S. MORIN, J. ROSEBERY, B. VAN DE VIJVER & B. SCHOEFS Advances in diatom biodiversity and ecology Paru dans Botany Letters, 2016, 163 (2), pp. 69-70. Anglais Abstract This issue contains, as part of a focus on diatoms, some of the contributions presented at the 34th Symposium of the Association des Diatomistes de Langue Française (ADLaF) held in Bordeaux. This French-speaking society, funded in 1980, promotes diatom research and facilitates, through its annual symposium and its website (http://adlaf.free.fr/), the exchange of information between diatom experts from diverse origins: academic research, water management and consultancy. In 2015, about 60 participants attended the ADLaF symposium, presenting a total of 38 communications (posters and lectures).
:: N. KANAVILLIL, C. CHANTLER, D. BALIKA & S. KURISSERY Influence of timing of space availability on the early development of natural biofilm communities Paru dans Botany Letters, 2016, 163 (2), pp. 71-82. Anglais Abstract Influence of timing of space availability (slide exposure) on the development of natural biofilm communities was studied in a shallow area of a temperate lake in Orillia, Ontario, Canada. Four sets of glass slides were suspended in the sub-surface waters and the biofilm growth was monitored with intermittent sampling for a maximum period of 120 h. One set each of the glass slides was exposed in the lake at 6am, 12pm, 6pm and 12am on the starting day. The microalgal species composition and density, and biofilm thickness were monitored. The results showed two major trends: (1) the species composition and biofilm thickness on slides with different times of initiation varied significantly and (2) the initial species composition significantly influenced the subsequent growth of biofilm communities. The results of this study provide better
understanding of the initial community dynamics in natural biofilms in inland waters.:: J. NEURY-ORMANNI, J. VEDRENNE & S. MORIN Who eats who in biofilms? Exploring the drivers of microalgal and micro-meiofaunal abundance Paru dans Botany Letters, 2016, 163 (2), pp. 83-92. Anglais Abstract A substantial amount of research has been dedicated to aquatic biofilms, but unlike the influence of macrograzers, that of microscopic herbivores (2 μm to 2 mm) has been largely disregarded. The selective pressure that they may exert remains unexplored, despite its potential impact on microbial community structure and ultimately, function. We performed in situ experiments to assess the abundance of microflora and micro-meiofauna in mature biofilms, in four rivers located in southwest France, stressing their quantitative importance (averaging 50% of the total number of organisms counted). We highlighted that the balance between microflora and micro-meiofauna depends on local environmental conditions, and specific taxon selection is likely to provide information on river pollution. Indeed, microalgae were directly favoured by nutrients and indirectly by biocides targeting micrograzers. In contrast, micro-meiofauna was predominant in sites where herbicides were found, in particular photosynthesis inhibitors (e.g. in the River Ponteils, 97% micro-meiofauna). Although the prey–predator relationships in the laboratory experiment appeared to depend on the initial pools of microorganisms during the first days, they reached stable states within a week. Then, all cultures stabilized around a ratio of 20 ± 6 : 1 prey/potential predator. Further research is required to better understand the abiotic (water quality, habitat) and biotic (traits of the organisms present) drivers governing the coexistence of microalgae and their predators across the microbial landscape, and its consequences on the structure and function of the aquatic ecosystem.
:: J. BERTRAND, C. COSTE, R. LE COHU, J.-P.RENON & L. ECTOR Étude préliminaire sur la présence de diatomées sur les lichens Preliminary study on the presence of diatoms on lichens Paru dans Botany Letters, 2016, 163 (2), pp. 93-115. Français Résumé Les lichens des genres Evernia, Ramalina, Cladonia et Usnea sont presque toujours colonisés par des diatomées. Celles-ci semblent être capturées par le mucus exsudé par les algues symbiotiques et/ou par le mycobionte. Elles sont enveloppées dans les sorédies par le mycélium, puis probablement digérées. Sur les 313 espèces de diatomées dénombrées dans 18 récoltes de lichens (9 Evernia, 3 Usnea, 3 Ramalina, 2 Cladonia, 1 Pseudevernia), 41% ne sont présentes que dans une seule récolte et 16,9% seulement des espèces sont communes à plus de 10 récoltes. Le nombre de taxons par récolte est très important; il varie de 39 à 105 (en moyenne 85). À titre de comparaison, nous avons seulement 29 à 35 espèces sur les écorces adjacentes portant les lichens
et en moyenne 37 espèces par récolte dans les rivières. L’abondance absolue est faible sur les lichens par rapport aux diatomées récoltées dans les sphaignes des tourbières. Dans les parties aériennes des lichens, 97% des diatomées sont mortes et seulement 3% ont été observées vivantes et libres. Certaines diatomées, principalement aérophiles, sont particulièrement abondantes dans certaines communautés: Pinnularia borealis (54%), Achnanthidium minutissimum (39%), Diadesmis gallica (31,5%), Hantzschia amphioxys (27%) et Luticola goeppertiana (24%). Ceci tendrait à démontrer leur possibilité de reproduction in situ, justifiée par la présence de cellules possédant encore des éléments vitaux (chloroplastes, gouttelettes lipidiques). L’apparition de peuplements de diatomées sur les lichens semble aléatoire, mais dans certains cas on peut parler d’opportunisme lorsque des diatomées aérophiles semblent pouvoir se développer et se multiplier avant d’être digérées par le lichen.Abstract Lichens are symbiotic relationships between fungal filaments (mycobiont) and either unicellular algae or (sometimes) cyanobacteria (phycobiont). Diatoms have shown the ability to colonize fruticose lichens via aerial dispersal, but these lichenicolous diatoms have been rarely studied. In the present work, 18 lichen samples from five genera (nine Evernia, three Usnea, three Ramalina, two Cladonia and one Pseudevernia) were collected from trees in diverse locations in France (Alps and Centre-Val de Loire regions). The lichen-inhabiting diatoms were quantified and identified. Lichens of the mentioned genera are almost always colonized by diatoms. Absolute diatom abundances were low on lichens, but species richness was quite high compared with other neighbouring micro-habitats (Populus and Acer bark, Sphagnum bogs, plankton). The number of taxa per sample ranged from 39 to 105 (mean 85), and high numbers of diatom genera (50) were found among the 313 diatom species identified. Comparatively, we found only 29–35 species on adjacent barks covered with lichens and 37 species on average per sample in rivers. Of the diatoms identified, 41% were present in only one sample and only 16.9% of species were common to more than 10 samples. Some diatoms, mainly aerophilic, were particularly abundant, and the community was generally dominated by one or two species, including: Pinnularia borealis (54%), Achnanthidium minutissimum (39%), Diadesmis gallica (31.5%), Hantzschia amphioxys (27%) and Luticola goeppertiana (24%). Diatom composition differed between the supporting lichen genera, and independent diatom colonization of lichens was shown. Species composition discriminated between sampling locations and was negatively correlated with distance to species sources such as ponds, lakes and rivers. These results suggest that aerial diatom dispersal from surrounding freshwaters by spray, wind and rainfall mostly contributes to colonization. Over shorter distances, soredia dispersed by the lichens may contribute to the local homogenization of the observed diatom flora. Ambient humidity appeared to favour diatom growth in situ, as evidenced by the presence of cells containing vital elements (chloroplasts, lipid droplets). Observation of fresh material also suggested that diatoms are likely to be captured by the mucus exuded by the symbiotic algae and/or by the mycobiont. In lichen aerial parts, 97% of diatoms were dead and only 3% were found alive and free. By covering them, soralia may limit desiccation and promote survival. On the other hand, the high number of dead diatoms and of fragmented valves could be interpreted as a result of mechanical pressure applied by the mycelium on the diatom cells, and subsequent digestion of their cell content. This work highlighted that lichens are commonly colonized by diatoms through aeolian dispersal. Altogether, the results obtained tend to indicate that the occurrence of diatom populations on lichens is random, but in some cases opportunism might occur when aerophilic diatoms grow and multiply before being digested by the lichen.
:: P. VINŠOVÁ, K. KOPALOVÁ & B. VAN DE VIJVER Morphological observations on Pseudoeunotia linearis Carter (Bacillariophyta) and its transfer to the genus Eunotia Paru dans Botany Letters, 2016, 163 (2), pp. 117-123. Anglais Abstract During a survey of the moss-inhabiting diatom flora of Gough Island (Tristan da Cunha archipelago, southern Atlantic Ocean), a large population of Pseudoeunotia linearis Carter has been observed. A detailed morphological analysis has been made using light and scanning electron microscopy to reveal its ultrastructure. The results show a eunotioid structure with short raphe branches, uniseriate striae with irregularly placed rimmed areolae, and marginal linking spines surrounding the valve face. Based on these features, the position of P. linearis within the genus Pseudoeunotia cannot be confirmed and a transfer to the genus Eunotia is therefore suggested.
:: G. FRIED Monographs on invasive plants in Europe. A new series for Botany Letters. Rationale and instructions Paru dans Botany Letters, 2016, 163 (2), pp. 125-125. Anglais Abstract As part of the new editorial policy of Botany Letters, announced in the Editorial of issue 1 this year, we are launching in this issue a new series of articles dedicated to Monographs about invasive plants in Europe.
:: G. FRIED, L. CAÑO, S. BRUNEL, E. BETETA, A. CHARPENTIER, M. HERRERA, U. STARFINGER & F. DANE PANETTA Monographs on Invasive Plants in Europe: Baccharis halimifolia L. Paru dans Botany Letters, 2016, 163 (2), pp. 127-153. Anglais Abstract This account presents information on all aspects of the biology and ecology of Baccharis halimifolia L. that are relevant to understanding its invasive behaviour. The main topics are presented within the framework of the new series of Botany Letters on Monographs on invasive plants in Europe: taxonomy, distribution, history of introduction and spread, ecology (including preferred climate and habitats, responses to abiotic and biotic factors, ecological interactions), biology (including physiology, phenology and reproductive biology), impacts and management. Baccharis halimifolia L. (Asteraceae), groundsel bush, is a broad-leaved shrub native to the coastal area of southeastern North America. Introduced for ornamental and amenity purposes during the nineteenth century, it has become naturalized in several coastal habitats, as well as in disturbed areas of western Europe. The shrub is now common on the Atlantic coast of Europe from northern Spain to Belgium and it is an emerging problem on the Mediterranean coast. Baccharis halimifolia is a light-demanding pioneer species that colonizes following disturbance but can then become dominant in natural habitats. The shrub can grow on a large range of soil types but prefers moist soils with high organic content and it is well adapted to poorly drained saline soils. In contrast to its native range, where it is in competition with other coastal shrubs, populations in the secondary range have almost no native analogues across most of its ecological niche except for Tamarix gallica in Mediterranean areas. Baccharis halimifolia reproduces sexually, but it has a high resprouting ability following mechanical damage or fire. Very high seed production, coupled with dispersal by wind and water, ensure a good colonization capacity of suitable habitats. The species shows a relatively high plasticity for both morphological and ecophysiological traits, which is probably the basis for its tolerance to a wide range of ecological conditions, including salinity and light availability. Baccharis halimifolia is host to a limited number of insects, both in the native and introduced ranges, but a number of highly specific agents have contributed to the control of this plant following its introduction to Australia. In Europe, B. halimifolia is considered an invasive non-indigenous plant and the shrub is the object of control programmes. Negative impacts include the addition of a new canopy layer in formerly open habitats (e.g. Juncus maritimus communities), which causes a strong decrease in species richness and herbaceous cover and poses a threat to some birds by modifying habitat quality, mainly in priority habitats and in many natural protected sites. Most efficient control methods are mechanical removal and herbicide application either on leaves or stumps. Due to the high cost of mechanical removal and the unintended effects of herbicide application on other species, alternative management methods such as controlled inundations and biological control could also be considered. The plant is legally prohibited in several countries and it is prelisted on EU Regulation 1143/2014.
:: E. DODINET Letter to the 21st century botanist: “What is a flower?” The social science perspective Paru dans Botany Letters, 2016, 163 (2), pp. 155-158. Anglais Abstract Taking over from our first feature “What is a flower?” (Nadot and Dodinet 2016), we aim in this article to focus on the social sciences side of the question. We do not pretend to cover exhaustively the topic of the flower from this point of view. We simply chose some features that may be of interest for botanists, as examples of the “polyphony of sciences” encapsulated in the concept of flower (Bazin and Louveau 2012, 12–13)
:: M. NOBIS, A. NOWAK, R. PIWOWARCZYK, A. L. EBEL, G. KIRÁLY, M. KUSHUNINA, A. P. SUKHORUKOV, O. D. CHERNOVA, L. M. KIPRIYANOVA, B. PASZKO, A. P. SEREGIN, J. ZALEWSKA-GAŁOSZ, M. DENYSENKO, P. NEJFELD, A. STEBEL & P. D. GUDKOVA Contribution to the flora of Asian and European countries: new national and regional vascular plant records, 5 Paru dans Botany Letters, 2016, 163 (2), pp. 159-174. Anglais Abstract The paper presents new records for 19 vascular plant species from 14 Eurasian countries. Two taxa (Siphonostegia chinensis and Utricularia macrorhiza) are reported from Russia, two (Achnatherum botschantzevii and Stipa zalesskii) from Kyrgyzstan, one (Allium petraeum) from Uzbekistan, three (Crambe orientalis, Eleocharis mamillata and Geranium pratense. subsp. sergievskajae) from Kazakhstan, two (Atriplex crassifolia and Petrosimonia brachyphylla) from China, one (Crambe orientalis) from Tajikistan, one (Stipa krylovii) from India, one (Agrostis lazica) from Iraq, two (Orobanche coerulescens and Orobanche zajaciorum) from Armenia, one (Phelipanche lavandulacea) from Montenegro, one (Panicum riparium) from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Romania and Sweden, one (Sporobolus vaginiflorus) from Bosnia and Herzegovina and two (Ranunculus penicillatus subsp. pseudofluitans and Scutellaria minor) from Poland. Three of the taxa presented (Crambe orientalis, Panicum riparium and Sporobolus vaginiflorus) are regarded as alien to the studied areas, whereas the remaining 16 are native elements to the flora of the countries. For each species, synonyms, general distribution, habitat preferences, taxonomy with remarks on recognition and differentiation of the species from the most similar taxa occurring in a given country, as well as a list of recorded localities (often far from the previously known areas) are presented.
:: J. MATHEW, REGY YOHANNAN & KADAKASSERIL VARGHESE GEORGE Phyllagathis Blume (Melastomataceae: Sonerileae), a new generic record for India with a new species Paru dans Botany Letters, 2016, 163 (2), pp. 175-179. Anglais Abstract Phyllagathis indica is described as a new taxon from the Kuttikkanam Hills, Kerala section of the southern Western Ghats, India. The genus is new to the flora of India and hence has much phytogeographical significance. The diagnostic morphological characters, distribution, conservation status and images of the new species are presented in this paper.
:: S. TÜTÜNCÜ KONYAR Occurrence of polytene chromosomes in the bicellular and mature pollen grains of endangered plant species Pancratium maritimum L. (Amaryllidaceae) Paru dans Botany Letters, 2016, 163 (2), pp. 181-190. Anglais Abstract Endoreduplication is a modified form of mitotic cycle in which repeated rounds of DNA replication occur without chromosome segregation and cell division, leading to formation of larger and thicker chromosomes called polytenics. In the present study, spontaneous formation of polytene chromosomes in the generative nuclei of pollen grains of Amaryllidaceae, and presumably in angiosperms, was described for the first time. For this purpose, microspores and
mature pollens of the endangered species Pancratium maritimum L. were examined by light and transmission electron microscopy with a special reference to the observation of polytenic nuclei. Polytene chromosomes were detected in most of the generative cells of young bicellular pollen grains and mature pollen grains found in some anther locules, but they were rare or absent in the other anther locules. Polytenization of chromosomes did not follow the same pattern in all of the pollen grains. Polytene structures found in the developing pollen grains of P. maritimum exhibited variation from a diffuse to a condensed state and from reticulate to cable-like structures with different degrees of bonding. In addition to cryptic polyteny, cable-like polytene chromosomes with bands resembling classic polytene chromosomes were also detected. However, some nuclei did not exhibit polytenic structure clearly. Morphological changes in polytene chromosomes that are caused by the formation of functional structures such as DNA amplification, puffing and looping were also recognized. Other reasons for morphological differences of polytene chromosomes are discussed in detail.Texte intégral PDF :: S. RHIZOPOULOU On the botanical content of Hypnerotomachia Poliphili Paru dans Botany Letters, 2016, 163 (2), pp. 191-201. Anglais Abstract This study focuses on botanical features gleaned from the literary source Hypnerotomachia Poliphili (1499); the analysis reveals that Hypnerotomachia Poliphili includes 285 botanical entities associated with 672 textual passages, which have not hitherto been reported. Roses, myrtle, pines, cypresses, laurel, acanthus, oaks, junipers, ivy, thyme, violets, sandalwoods and orange trees are the most frequently cited plants. Shrubs dominate with 43%, while herbs and trees follow with 28% and 26%, respectively. Arbutus, dittany, cypress, fig tree, labdanum, laurel, myrtle, oaks, oleander, wild and cultivated olive trees, oregano, pine, thyme, grapevines are associated with the diversity of Mediterranean ecosystems. In addition, numerous textual passages of Hypnerotomachia Poliphili mentioning flowering and fruiting plants reveal the seasonality of the Mediterranean region. Exotic plants, such as frankincense tree, myrrh, banana, pepper, sandalwood and jasmines are also included. Thorny plants, sharp thistles and cedars are cited in the text as occurring among ancient monuments and historical ruins. The botanical content of Hypnerotomachia Poliphili constitutes an alternate source of botanical observation, which includes historical, allegoric and symbolic information.
:: R. M. S. COSTA, P. PAVONE, R. A. CARBONARO & S. PULVIRENTI Francesco Cupani’s Panphyton Siculum. The rediscovery of a copy with handwritten corrections by his pupil Antonio Bonanno Paru dans Botany Letters, 2016, 163 (2), pp. 203-216. Anglais Abstract Francesco Cupani, a pre-Linnaean Sicilian botanist, would have liked to produce a volume of “Natural History” of Sicily. Since 1692 he had been preparing the drawings and the engravings that were destined to constitute the illustrations of Panphyton Siculum. This particularly ambitious work was not completed partly because of the author’s premature death. During the eighteenth century a number of attempts were made to complete and publish this work, but none succeeded. The various exemplars of these limited trial editions were made up of collections of variously collated printed papers with differences of layout and content. At present, few exemplars of Panphyton are known to exist. The aim of this article is to indicate the presence in the Civica and A. Ursino Recupero joint Libraries of Catania of a hitherto unregistered fourvolume copy, which reveals significant handwritten annotations. The comparison with the one volume edition, which is kept in the same library, with the one volume edition in the Palermo Municipal Library and with that of the Catania Regional University Library allows us to eliminate the uncertainties of the literature concerning a hypothetical Panphyton in four volumes. Moreover, it provides us with useful elements for reconstructing the history of the book after Cupani’s death. This copy is of particular importance in that it constitutes documentary proof of the re-elaboration of Cupani’s work on the part of Antonio Bonanno, his pupil, in an attempt to bring about its definitive publication.
:: R. R. MISHRA, A. R. SAHU, S. C. RATH & J. PANIGRAHI Genetic linkage mapping of loci conferring resistance to Blue butterfly (Lampides boeticus L.) and Plume moth (Exelastis atomosa Wals.) on chromosome 2 (CcLG02) in Pigeonpea Paru dans Botany Letters, 2016, 163 (2), pp. 217-230. Anglais Abstract Inheritance of host resistance to blue butterfly (PBB1) and plume moth (PPM1) in interspecific mapping populations (F2, F3 and BC1) derived from a cross involving Cajanus cajan (cv. ICP-26) × Cajanus scarabaeoides (acc. ICPW-94) appeared to be under monogenic control either by a single major gene or a cluster of tightly linked genes. Bulked segregant analysis using 237 [85 simple sequence repeats (SSR), 143 random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and nine inter simple sequence repeats (ISSR)] parental polymorphic primers led to the identification of 43 markers that distinguished the resistant and susceptible bulks alike to parents, and which were also segregating among F2 progenies. Linkage analysis of these markers along with interaction phenotype score for both traits generated a linkage group consisting of 11 markers (two SSR, seven RAPD and two ISSR) and two trait loci (PBB1 and PPM1). This linkage group distributed over 133.9 cM with an average marker interval of 10.3 cM. The PBB1 and PPM1 loci were linked to each other by 11.2 cM (rf 0.110), and were flanked by ISSR marker UBC8722000 (15.9 cM), and RAPD marker OPA09910 (15.3 cM), respectively. On the basis of sequence homology of linked marker OPA09910 these two loci were assigned to chromosome 2 (CcLG02). Composite interval mapping led to the detection of two major quantitative trait loci (qPBB2.1 and qPPM2.1) controlling blue butterfly and plume moth resistance, respectively and the quantitative trait locus peaks coinciding with PBB1 and PPM1 loci on the map.
:: ANONYMOUS Erratum Paru dans Botany Letters, 2016, 163 (2), pp. 231-231. Anglais Abstract Nobis, M., Nowak, A., Piwowarczyk, R., Ebel, A.L., Király, G., Kushunina, M., Sukhorukov, A.P., Chernova, O.D., Kipriyanova, L.M., Paszko, B., Seregin, A.P., Zalewska-Gałosz, J., Denysenko, M., Nejfeld, P., Stebel, A. and Gudkova, P.D. (2016) Contribution to the flora of Asian and European countries: new national and regional vascular plant records, 5. Botany Letters. When the above article was first published online, there was an error in the fourth line of the abstract. The fourth line previously read “… (Crambe orientalis, Eleocharis mamillata and Geranium pratense L. fater pratense. sergievskajae) …” and has now been corrected to “… (Crambe orientalis, Eleocharis mamillata and Geranium pratense subsp.
sergievskajae) …”.