Artículos (Biología Vegetal y Ecología)

URI permanente para esta colecciónhttps://hdl.handle.net/11441/10819

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Can a Non-Destructive Method Predict the Leaf Area of Species in the Caatinga Biome?
(Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI), 2025-03-26) Silva, Toshik Iarley da; Ribeiro, João Everthon da Silva; Santos, Thainan Sipriano dos; Correia, Marcos Roberto Santos; Ribeiro, Maria Carolina Borges de Oliveira; Mendonça, Allysson Jonhnny Torres; Silva, Antonio Gideilson Correia da; Oliveira, Pablo Henrique de Almeida; Coêlho, Ester dos Santos; Rubio Casal, Alfredo Emilio; Alexandre Maniçoba da Rosa Ferraz; Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Biología Vegetal y Ecología; São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP); National Council for Scientific and Technological Development
Understanding the leaf area is essential in plant physiology and ecological studies, as it directly influences photosynthesis, transpiration and plant productivity. This study aimed to develop non-destructive allometric models to estimate the leaf area of three species from the Caatinga biome: Cynophalla flexuosa, Libidibia ferrea and Tabebuia aurea. A total of 1293 leaves were collected from these species, scanned, and analysed using ImageJ software to obtain their length, width, and actual leaf area. In addition, the product of length and width was calculated. Linear, power and exponential regression models were used. The best equations were chosen based on the coefficient of determination, Pearson’s linear correlation coefficient, Willmott’s agreement index, mean squared error, root mean squared error, mean absolute error and mean absolute percentage error. The best equations for all species were constructed using linear and power models, which were indicated for accurate prediction of leaf area. These findings confirm the efficiency of allometric equations as a non-destructive method for predicting leaf area, providing an accessible and economical alternative for ecological studies in semi-arid environments.
Wild Species from the Family Apiaceae, Traditionally Used as Food in Some Mediterranean Countries
(MDPI, 2024-08-21) Kozuharova, Ekaterina; Malfa, Giuseppe Antonio; Acquaviva, Rosaria; Valdés Castrillón, Benito; Aleksanyan, Alla; Batovska, Daniela; Spadaro, Vivienne; Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Biología Vegetal y Ecología; NextGenerationEU; Gobierno de Bulgaria
Mediterranean countries are a cauldron of cultural exchange, with a strong emphasis on wild plants in cuisine traditions. Many of these plants belong to the family Apiaceae. The common climate determines the common range of distribution. While many plants have wide distribution, the range of distribution of others is restricted to Western Mediterranean or North Africa. This review investigates wild plants from the family Apiaceae traditionally used as food in 13 study sites—11 countries in the Mediterranean and adjacent territories—the mainland and 3 islands. The aim is to trace patterns of native distribution versus consumption. As a result, 81 wild umbellifers are listed, traditionally used as food. Their consumption and distribution patterns are described and discussed. Interestingly in 8 of the 13 study sites (61.5%) are recorded 50 plant taxa (66.7% of all wild umbellifers, traditionally used as food) which are consumed in only one particular country. These are as follows: 8 taxa in Morocco, 9 taxa in Spain, 2 taxa in Sicily, 3 taxa in Bulgaria 3 taxa in Crete, 8 taxa in Armenia, 14 taxa in Turkey, and 3 taxa in Jordan. However, these 50 restrictedly consumed plants are distributed in more than one country (except 15 taxa, which are endemics). Many of the plants that are used in certain countries are not consumed by the neighboring people. The results of the two statistical tests, namely Jaccard index and heatmap clustering (double dendrogram), are discussed. The presence of an outlier, such as Bulgaria, which shares borders, history, and culture with Greece and Turkey, emphasizes the importance of local climate for plant distribution and consumption over cultural interactions. The same was observed for some pairs of countries, such as Spain and Morrocco and Turkey and Armenia, although they had the highest number of common plants that are both distributed and consumed as food.
Seawater spray as a significant nitrogen source across coastal dune vegetation gradients
(Elsevier, 2024-09-19) Zunzunegui González, María; Esquivias Segura, María de la Paz; Álvarez Cansino, Leonor; Gallego Fernández, Juan Bautista; Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Biología Vegetal y Ecología; Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (MINECO). España
Background Nitrogen significantly influences plant performance and vegetation development in nutrient-poor ecosystems like coastal dunes. While various sources contribute nitrogen, including N2 fixation and marine inputs, the significance of seawater spray remains understudied. In this study, we aimed to assess the relevance of seawater spray as a source of nitrogen input and its potential role in plant community composition in dune ecosystems. Methods The δ15N, δ13C, N, and C content of leaves from the most abundant 21 species were measured in 6 positions across a beach inland gradient in a Mediterranean dune system in SW Spain. Soil samples at different depths were collected in each position and N, C, P, K, NH4+, NO3=, and organic matter were measured. Salt spray accumulation was determined on Achillea maritima leaves across the gradient. Results Leaf nitrogen content did not exhibit a beach-inland gradient, but δ15N decreased with distance from the sea. Species displayed three distinct N uptake strategies along the gradient: species from Upper Beach and Foredune communities showed high δ15N values, suggesting a marine origin; species distributed across the gradient exhibited decreasing δ15N patterns from the Upper Beach to the Inland, indicative of seawater spray influence; species farthest from the sea relied on non-marine nitrogen sources. Conclusions These results indicate the importance of seawater nitrogen income for the dune system vegetation and evidence that dune plant species exhibit varied N uptake strategies influenced by their position across the beach-inland gradient.
Taking sides? Aspect has limited influence on soil environment or litter decomposition in pan-European study of roadside verges
(Elsevier, 2024-01-16) Amstutz, A.; Firth, L. B.; Spicer, J. I.; De Frenne, P.; Gómez Aparicio, Lorena; Graae, B. J.; Rodríguez Sánchez, Francisco; Hanley, M. E.; Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Biología Vegetal y Ecología; Ministerio de Economia, Industria y Competitividad (MINECO). España
In addition to well-known effects on species ecophysiology, phenology, and distributions, climate change is widely predicted to impact essential ecosystem services such as decomposition and nutrient cycling. While temperature and soil moisture are thought to influence litter decomposition, elucidating consistent soil process responses to observed or predicted shifts in climate have proven difficult to evidence. Here we investigated how aspect (i.e., north-south orientation), a natural model for variation in soil temperature, influenced soil physico-chemical conditions and decomposition of two standardised litter types (Green tea and Rooibos teabags) in Pole-facing (PF) and Equator-facing (EF) roadside verges spanning a 3000 km and 27° latitudinal gradient across Europe. Despite average daily temperatures being 1.5 - 3.0 °C warmer on EF than PF slopes, there were only minor region-specific differences in initial soil physico-chemical conditions and short-term variation in litter decomposition (i.e., litter mass loss was higher in EF-verges for the first month of deployment only) associated with aspect. We conclude that previously observed differences in soil environments and the decomposition process associated with slope orientation, is largely litter or environment specific, although medium-term soil-decomposition in semi-natural grassland ecosystems may also be insensitive to the magnitude of temperature variation within the range predicted by the IPCC SSP1–2.6 emissions scenario. Nonetheless, consistent average and extreme temperature differences between adjacent PF- and EF-aspects along roadside verges provides a model system to explore exactly how resilient the soil environment and the micro-organisms responsible for decomposition, are to temperature variation.
Process optimization of the extraction of reducing sugars and total phenolic compounds from the invasive alga Rugulopteryx okamurae by response surface methodology (RSM)
(Elsevier, 2024-04-27) Lama Calvente, David de la; Fernández Rodríguez, María José; Garrido Fernández, Antonio; Borja, Rafael; Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Biología Vegetal y Ecología; Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICIN). España; Agencia Estatal de Investigación. España
The brown marine alga Rugulopteryx okamurae (R. okamurae) has quickly spread through the Mediterranean coasts since it was firstly spotted in the area in 2015. This alien species has already colonized a great part of the Mediterranean western coasts and displaced the local biota, disrupting the natural and autochthonous marine ecosystem. Moreover, the related ‘green’ tides also provoke environmental problems ashore that need to be addressed. Comprehending the potential of this unwanted biomass could be of vital importance to lessen its ecological impact. In this study, the ashore R. okamurae was assessed for its potential as raw material for the extraction of reducing sugars and polyphenolic compounds with antioxidant capacities. The extraction process was evaluated and optimized using the response to surface methodology (RSM) combined with a modified Box-Behnken design. Initially, 2 key operational factors were identified as the most influential parameters (i.e. drying temperature and milling time). However, the type of solvent and the use of zeolite were included in the design as factors that potentially could have a significant impact on the process. The analyzed responses were the extraction yields for total phenolic compounds (TPC) and reducing sugars (RS). For the extraction of TPC the optimized methodology was based on the use of ethanol as solvent, a drying temperature of 60 °C and a zeolite-assisted milling time of 60 s, reaching a maximum yield of 15.33 ggallic acid kg−1. For the extraction of RS the optimized methodology was based on the use of water as solvent, a drying temperature of 100 °C and a zeolite-absence milling time of 50s, reaching a maximum yield of 10.42 gglucose kg−1.
A novel approach to urban turtle sampling: Assessing Hookless Fishing with clip and two conventional methods
(ACAD Brasileira de Ciencias, 2024-08-05) Rocha, Sabine B.; Grou, Carlos Eduardo V.; Rouco Zufiaurre, Carlos; Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Biología Vegetal y Ecología
To address urban turtle sampling challenges, we presented Hookless fishing with clip, a cost-effective method for sampling this important group. Effectiveness, biases and potential advantages were analysed in comparison to two commonly used methods (funnel trap and hand capture). Fieldwork was conducted between August and November/2021 in four areas in Brazil, using the three methods simultaneously. A total of 195 turtles from four species (Phrynops geoffroanus, Hydromedusa tectifera, Trachemys dorbigni and T. scripta elegans) were captured. Funnel trap demonstrate a significantly higher capture than hand capture, while Hookless fishing showed no significant difference in captures compared to funnel trap. The highest catch per unit effort values were observed for the new method (0.37) and the funnel trap (0.34). Despite being widely used, funnel traps were the only method to exhibit male bias. Our findings revealed that Hookless fishing with clip exhibited remarkable capture efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and ease of transport and utilization; however, it requires operator presence. Nevertheless, the proposed method, both as the primary or auxiliary approach, appears efficient in enhancing captures and reducing costs and risks. This innovative method has the potential to assist researchers studying omnivorous and carnivores freshwater turtles in environments worldwide, especially in human settlements.
Environmental DNA and Hydroacoustic Surveys for Monitoring the Spread of the Invasive European Catfish (Silurus glanis Linnaeus, 1758) in the Guadalquivir River Basin, Spain
(Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI), 2025-01-20) Coya, Ruth; Rodríguez Ruiz, Amadora; Fueyo, Álvaro; Orduna, Carlos; Miralles, Laura; de Meo, Ilaria; Pérez, Trinidad; Cid, Juan Ramón; Fernández-Delgado, Carlos; Encina Encina, Lourdes; Borrell, Yaisel J.; Granado Lorencio, Carlos Antonio; Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Biología Vegetal y Ecología; Ministerio para la Transición Ecológica (MITECO). España; Universidad de Córdoba; Principado de Asturias
The European catfish (Silurus glanis Linnaeus, 1758) was introduced into the Ebro Basin in Spain in 1974 for recreational fishing. Since then, the species has spread throughout the country’s river basins, reaching the Iznájar Reservoir (Guadalquivir River Basin) in 2011. This area is of great ecological and economic relevance, especially as it includes the Doñana National Park, one of the most important nature reserves in Europe. Recently, the presence of catfish has been reported in the lower reaches of the river. In this work, we used non-invasive vertical and horizontal hydroacoustic surveys and environmental DNA river sampling to unravel the actual distribution and dispersal pattern of the species in the lower Guadalquivir River. The hydroacoustic profiles and the species-specific detections by real-time PCR (qPCR) and droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) showed that these non-invasive methods allow the detection and quantification of catfish and provide valuable information on the species’ presence. We have confirmed the presence of catfish in most of the study area, including downstream areas of the Guadalquivir Basin. The results suggest the possibility of other isolated introductions and/or human-mediated movements of specimens, and imply that a coordinated catfish prevention and mitigation strategy is therefore urgently needed.
A multiscale approach to understanding the shared blue-orange flower color polymorphism in two Lysimachia species
(2024-09-30) Sánchez Cabrera, María de las Mercedes; Narbona, Eduardo; Arista Palmero, Montserrat; Ortiz Ballesteros, Pedro Luis; Jiménez López, Francisco Javier; Fuller, Amelia A.; Whittall, Justen B.; Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Biología Vegetal y Ecología; Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (MICIU). España; Agencia Estatal de Investigación. España
Background Polymorphisms are common in nature, but they are rarely shared among closely related species. Polymorphisms could originate through convergence, ancestral polymorphism, or introgression. Although shared neutral genomic variation across species is commonplace, few examples of shared functional traits exist. The blueorange petal color polymorphisms in two closely related species, Lysimachia monelli and L. arvensis were investigated with UV-vis reflectance spectra, flavonoid biochemistry, and transcriptome comparisons followed by climate niche analysis. Results Similar color morphs between species have nearly identical reflectance spectra, flavonoid biochemistry, and ABP gene expression patterns. Transcriptome comparisons reveal two orange-specific genes directly involved in both blue-orange color polymorphisms: DFR-2 specificity redirects flux from the malvidin to the pelargonidin while BZ1-2 stabilizes the pelargonidin with glucose, producing the orange pelargonidin 3-glucoside. Moreover, a reduction of F3’5’H expression in orange petals also favors pelargonidin production. The climate niches for each color morph are the same between the two species for three temperature characteristics but differ for four precipitation variables. Conclusions The similarities in reflectance spectra, biochemistry, and ABP genes suggest that a single shift from blue-to-orange shared by both lineages is the most plausible explanation. Our evidence suggests that this persistent flower color polymorphism may represent an ancestrally polymorphic trait that has transcended speciation, yet future analyses are necessary to confidently reject the alternative hypotheses. Keywords Flower color polymorphism, Anthocyanin, Flavonoid, Lysimachia arvensis, Lysimachia monelli, Petal transcriptome
A comparison of interpolation methods to predict chill accumulation in a Mediterranean stone fruit production area ( Region de Murcia, SE Spain)
(Elsevier, 2024-08-12) Gómez Ramos, Inés; Caro, Manuel; López, Juan A.; Ruiz, David; Egea, José A.; Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Biología Vegetal y Ecología; Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (MICIU). España; European Union (UE). H2020
One of the most important agroclimatic variables for stone fruit production is winter chill accumulation. To estimate chill accumulation in locations where climatic data is not recorded, spatial interpolation is necessary. In this study, we compare different interpolation methods for mean and Safe Winter Chill (SWC) in a Mediterranean stone fruit production area (Region of Murcia, SE Spain) using data from 49 climatic stations. To choose the most accurate interpolation method, as its choice may substantially influence the prediction accuracy, the predictive capability of several interpolation methods with different parameterizations (for a total number of 32 instances) was compared through out-of-bag bootstrap cross-validation, concluding that the best ones were Radial Basis Functions applied on the altitude-dependent regression residuals for mean winter chill and the altitude+latitude linear regression for SWC. The incorporation of altitude in the interpolation increased greatly the accuracy of the estimation. In fact, most of the chill accumulation spatial dependency was explained through altitude. The accuracy of the interpolation was not homogeneous across the study area. Chill accumulation in warmer coastal localities was overestimated by all the methods, possibly due to the proximity to the sea, highlighting the importance of microclimatic variables at higher-resolution spatial interpolations. Differences between methods were more notable in higher locations, where distance-only based methods underestimated chill accumulation and methods that consider altitude slightly overestimated it. This study demonstrates the importance of comparing the performance of multiple spatial interpolation methods before applying any for chill accumulation data.
The Type VI Secretion System of Sinorhizobium fredii USDA257 Is Required for Successful Nodulation With Glycine max cv Pekin
(John Wiley & Sons Ltd, 2025-03-02) Reyes Pérez, Pedro José; Jiménez Guerrero, Irene; Sánchez Reina, Ana; Civantos Jiménez, Cristina; Moreno De Castro, Natalia; Ollero Márquez, Francisco Javier; Gandullo Tovar, Jacinto Manuel; Bernal Guzmán, Patricia; Pérez Montaño, Francisco de Asís; Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Microbiología; Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Biología Vegetal y Ecología; Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (MICIU). España
The symbiotic relationship between rhizobia and legumes is critical for sustainable agriculture and has important economic and environmental implications. In this intricate process, rhizobial bacteria colonise plant roots and induce the formation of specialised plant organs, the nodules. Within these structures, rhizobia fix environmental nitrogen into ammonia, significantly reducing the demand for synthetic fertilisers. Multiple bacterial secretion systems (TXSS, Type X Secretion System) are involved in establishing this symbiosis, with T3SS being the most studied. While the Type 6 Secretion System (T6SS) is known as a “nanoweapon” commonly used by diderm (formerly gram-negative) bacteria for inter-bacterial competition and potentially manipulating eukaryotic cells, its precise role in legume symbiosis remains unclear. Sinorhizobium fredii USDA257, a fast-growing rhizobial strain capable of nodulating diverse legume plants, possesses a single T6SS cluster containing genes encoding structural components and potential effectors that could target plant cells and/or act as effector-immunity pairs. Our research reveals that this T6SS can be induced in nutrient-limited conditions and, more importantly, is essential for successful nodulation and competitive colonisation of Glycine max cv Pekin. Although the system did not demonstrate effectiveness in eliminating competing bacteria in vitro, its active presence within root nodules suggests a sophisticated role in symbiotic interactions that extends beyond traditional interbacterial competition.
Long-term anthropogenic drivers of diet composition and niche breadth in an endangered avian scavenger: The scant role of sanitary regulations
(Elsevier, 2024-10) De Tena, C.; Donázar Aramendía, Iñigo Javier; Ceballos, O.; Arrondo, E.; Cortés Avizanda, Ainara; Donázar, J. A.; Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Biología Vegetal y Ecología; Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Zoología; Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (MICIU). España; Agencia Estatal de Investigación. España
The widespread and accelerated transformation experienced by our planet results in populations of endangered species having to survive in highly-altered environments and increasingly relying on resources provided by human subsidies. Presently, vultures rank among the most imperiled functional groups of large vertebrates globally, a situation that is largely attributed to the rapid intensification of agriculture and the subsequent transformation of farming practices and agro-grazing landscapes. Hence, documenting the long-term fluctuations in the vultures’ dietary patterns in response to environmental changes, particularly in livestock management, is of utmost significance. Here, by means of bulk stable isotope analysis (δ13C and δ15N), we examined long-term variations in diet composition and niche breadth in a population of the endangered Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus) in the north of the Iberian Peninsula. We specifically focused on the effect of European sanitary regulations enacted in 2014, which allow sheep farmers to abandon livestock remains for consumption by scavenging birds, except for pig carcasses. We found that the implementation of these new regulations did not cause a change in the diet of vultures. Changes were only detected in scrubland areas and were driven by an increase in the consumption of wild rabbit which, in turn, lead to expansion of the trophic niche. These results indicate that these endangered vultures are heavily dependent on food sources derived from intensive farming, mostly of pigs illegally disposed in the wild, and moreover, highlight the importance of carcasses of small vertebrates, often disregarded in conservation programs in favor of the contribution of livestock remains. Our research provides valuable insights into the spatiotemporal dynamics of trophic strategies among avian scavengers, specifically in the context of changes resulting from intensified human-pressures on agro-grazing Mediterranean landscapes.
Winter annuals not only escape but also withstand winter droughts: Results from a multi-trait, multi-species approach
(Elsevier, 2025-06) Kurze, Susanne; Engelbrecht, Bettina M. J.; Bilton, Mark C.; Tielbörger, Katja; Álvarez Cansino, Leonor; Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Biología Vegetal y Ecología; Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft / German Research Foundation (DFG)
Winter annual plants are a dominant life form in drylands. They evade seasonal drought through their life history, but are also exposed to drought within their growing season. Across species, winter annuals differ in traits allowing them to reproduce before a drought occurs (drought escape) as well as in traits minimizing tissue dehydration (drought avoidance) and/or maintaining functioning under drought (drought tolerance). It is yet uncertain how these traits are coordinated and influence winter annuals’ performance responses to drought within the growing season and their distribution along rainfall gradients. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial to predict global change impacts in drylands. We measured 22 traits hypothesized to influence whole-plant performance responses to drought in 29 winter annuals common in the Eastern Mediterranean Basin. We examined trait syndromes and linked species’ strengths of these trait syndromes with their fecundity responses to an experimental within-season drought, their maximum growth rates (in 18 species), and their distribution along a rainfall gradient. Four trait syndromes emerged: Two were largely consistent with drought avoidance and tolerance, while the other two consisted of traits considered to confer drought escape. Both escape syndromes were differently associated with plant size and therefore referred to as small and tall escape syndrome. Species with a pronounced small escape syndrome showed, albeit weakly, higher fecundity losses under experimental drought. Both species with a pronounced avoidance or tall escape syndrome exhibited higher growth rates, but only annuals with pronounced avoidance traits tended to occur in moister conditions. Our findings highlight that winter annuals, despite their common life history, exhibit several trait syndromes conferring them similar ability to cope with drought in the growing season. Consequently, increasing within-season drought with global change may hardly affect community composition of winter annuals.
Meta-analyses of reproductive changes in angiosperm populations in response to elevation reveal a lack of global patterns
(Oxford University Press, 2024-04-22) Rodrigues Novaes, Leticia; Cornelissen, Tatiana; Arroyo Marín, Juan; Simón Porcar, Violeta; Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Biología Vegetal y Ecología; Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICIN). España; European Union (UE)
Background and Aims: Elevation is a major factor shaping plant populations on a global scale. At the same time, reproductive traits play a major role in plant fitness. With increasing elevation and increasingly harsh conditions, decreases in pollinator visitation rates, sexual investment, seed set and heterozygosity (owing to increased selfing) are expected. In response, selection and/or phenotypic plasticity could lead to an increase in floral displays by plants to increase their attractiveness to pollinators and compensate for the negative fitness impacts of reduced pollinator activity. A large body of literature tests these hypotheses at the among-species level, but empirical evidence at the population level (i.e. wihin species), where adaptive change might occur, is still limited to species-specific studies. Unravelling the global patterns of change in the reproductive traits, flower visitation rates and heterozygosity of plant populations across variable environmental conditions, especially climate, can help us to understand how species are able to cope with shifting conditions associated with global change, particularly in mountains. Here, we adopted meta-analytical approaches to assess the reproductive changes of plant populations in response to elevation on a global scale. Methods: We used a data set with 243 paired populations of plants at 'lower' and 'higher' elevations, spanning an elevation range of 0-4380 m a.s.l. and taken from 121 angiosperm species and 115 published studies. We analysed changes in the number of flowers, their size and longevity, pollen production, flower visitation rate, seed set and expected heterozygosity. We then tested whether the observed patterns for each trait were dependent upon plant phylogeny and various ecogeographical factors and species traits. Key Results: We found no evidence of elevation having a global effect on the reproductive traits of angiosperm populations. This null global pattern was not affected by geography or phylogenetics. Conclusions: Our results suggest that changes in reproductive traits, flower visitation rates and heterozygosity in plant populations across elevations are specific to each species and ecosystem. Hence, macroevolutionary (across species) and macroecological patterns of elevation of plant reproduction reported previously are apparently not simply the outcome of microevolutionary changes (within species). This apparent specificity of response across plant species poses difficulties in predicting the effects of global changes and, specifically, climatic changes, on the fate of plant species, populations and communities.
FlowerMate: Multidimensional reciprocity and inaccuracy indices for style-polymorphic plant populations
(Wiley, 2024-10-11) Simón Porcar, Violeta; Muñoz Pajares, A. Jesús; Arroyo Marín, Juan; Johnson, Steven D.; Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Biología Vegetal y Ecología; European Union (UE); Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICIN). España
Premise Heterostyly in plants promotes pollen transfer between floral morphs, because female and male sex organs are located at roughly reciprocal heights within the flowers of each morph. Reciprocity indices, which assess the one-dimensional variation in the height of sex organs, are used to define the phenotypic structure of heterostyly in plant populations and to make inferences about selection. Other reciprocal stylar polymorphisms (e.g., enantiostyly) may function in a similar manner to heterostyly. In-depth assessment of their potential fit with pollinators requires accounting for the multidimensional variation in the location of sex organs. Methods and Results We have adapted the existing reciprocity indices used for heterostylous plant populations to incorporate multidimensional data. We illustrate the computation of the adapted and original indices in the freely available R package FlowerMate. Conclusions FlowerMate provides fast computation of reliable indices to facilitate understanding of the evolution and function of the full diversity of reciprocal polymorphisms.
Improving the water quality of a pond coupled with a vertical garden. Case study: ornamental symbiosis
(International Society for Horticultural Science, 2023) Martínez Millán, l.; Suárez Cáceres, Gina Patricia; Fernández Cañero, Rafael; Rossini Oliva, Sabina; Fernández Cabanás, Víctor Manuel; Pérez Urrestarazu, Luis; Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Agronomía; Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Biología Vegetal y Ecología; Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Ingeniería Aeroespacial y Mecánica de Fluidos
In cities, space is becoming increasingly scarce to establish new green areas. Therefore, vertical greening systems are a promising solution, due to their multiple benefits. Among them is the ability of vegetation to reduce air and water contamination (phytoremediation). The objective of this case study was to evaluate the performance of a vertical garden coupled to a small ornamental pond functioning as an aquaponic system. The vertical garden was composed by felt modules and planted with different plant species: Chlorophytum comosum (Thunb.) Jacques, Fatsia japonica (Thunberg) Decne. & Planch., Ficus pumila L., Hedera helix L., Philodendron hederaceum (Jacq.) Schott, Tradescantia pallida (Rose) D.R. Hunt and Tradescantia zebrina (Bosse). It was connected to an ornamental pond with Carassius auratus (Goldfish) through underground pipes that recirculated the water between both subsystems. An autonomous functioning of the system was observed, with a satisfactory development of plants and an improvement in the pond appearance, which was confirmed by the presence of other species: birds, frogs, and tadpoles (bio-indicators of water quality). The results showed that the connection between a vertical garden and a pond induces an ornamental symbiosis, by saving the use of water and fertilizers (taking advantage of the nutrients provided by the fish feces and food scraps), while improving the quality of the water returning to the pond, which is necessary for the wellbeing of fish.
Performance of a felt based living wall with greywater irrigation using different indoor ornamental species
(Elsevier, 2025-02) Fernández Cabanás, Víctor Manuel; Suárez Cáceres, Gina Patricia; Fernández Cañero, Rafael; Rossini Oliva, Sabina; Pérez Urrestarazu, Luis; Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Agronomía; Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Biología Vegetal y Ecología; Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Ingeniería Aeroespacial y Mecánica de Fluidos
Vertical greening systems are becoming popular nature-based solutions for including vegetation in the built environment. However, one of the main concerns regards to their water requirements. The use of greywater for their irrigation can be a solution. While several studies have proven that using living walls as a biofilter can improve the quality of the greywater applied for their irrigation, the effects on the vegetation of continuous irrigation with greywater are still unknown. The main objective of this work is the assessment of the vegetation performance using different plant species in indoor living walls exclusively irrigated with greywater. For that, three species (Philodendron hederaceum, Spathiphyllum wallisii and Nephrolepis exaltata) planted on felt-based living wall modules were tested for 30 weeks. Information regarding the main water quality parameters (pH, electrical conductivity (EC), concentration of major cation and anions, chemical oxygen demand (COD) and biological oxygen demand for an incubation period of 5 days (BOD5) were obtained and the development of the vegetation was monitored. The three species adapted well to the continuous irrigation with greywater, though S. wallisii showed a slight decrease in green cover at the end of the study. As the greywater was recirculated, EC increased with time, but no clear effects on growth and appearance were observed in the plants. This suggests the need of periodically replacing the greywater used for irrigation or including irrigation events with freshwater.
Rapid detection of RNase-based self-incompatibility in Lysimachia monelli (Primulaceae)
(John Wiley & Sons, 2025-01) Ramanauskas, Karolis; Jiménez López, Francisco Javier; Sánchez Cabrera, Mercedes; Escudero Lirio, Marcial; Ortiz Ballesteros, Pedro Luis; Arista Palmero, Montserrat; Igić, Boris; Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Biología Vegetal y Ecología; Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (MICINN). España; National Science Foundation (NSF). United States
Premise: Primroses famously employ a system that simultaneously expresses distyly and filters out self-pollen. Other species in the Primulaceae family, including Lysimachia monelli (blue pimpernel), also express self-incompatibility (SI), but involving a system with distinct features and an unknown molecular genetic basis. Methods: We utilize a candidate-based transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) approach, relying on candidate T2/S-RNase Class III and S-linked F-box-motif-containing genes and harnessing the unusual evolutionary and genetic features of SI, to examine whether an RNase-based mechanism underlies SI in L. monelli. We term this approach "SI detection with RNA-seq" (SIDR). Results: The results of sequencing, crossing, population genetics, and molecular evolutionary features each support a causal association linking the recovered genotypes with SI phenotypes. The finding of RNase-based SI in Primulaceae (Ericales) all but cements the long-held view that this mechanism was present in the ancestral pentapetal eudicot, whose descendants now comprise two-thirds of angiosperms. It also significantly narrows the plausible maximum age for the heterostyly evolution within the family. Conclusions: SIDR is powerful, flexible, inexpensive, and most critically enables work in often-neglected species. It may be used with or without candidate genes to close enormous gaps in understanding the genetic basis of SI and the history of breeding system evolution.
Changes to the functional traits of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase following hybridization in C-4 halophytes
(Wiley, 2019-11-29) Gallego Tévar, Blanca; Peinado Torrubia, Procopio; Álvarez Morales, Rosario; Gandullo Tovar, Jacinto Manuel; Grewell, Brenda J.; Figueroa Clemente, Manuel Enrique; Castillo Segura, Jesús Manuel; Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Biología Vegetal y Ecología
Hybridization is a relevant evolutionary mechanism linked to the invasiveness of plant species, but little is known about its effect on enzymatic activities in response to stress. We analyzed the effects of salinity on key mechanistic traits of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) enzyme for two hybrid taxa derived from native Spartina maritima (Curtis) Fernald and invasive Spartina densiflora Brongn. in comparison with their parental species. Parental species showed contrasted strategies at the PEPC level to cope with salinity. Spartina maritima showed its physiological optimum at 10 to 40 ppt salinity, with high PEPC activity (per unit leaf soluble protein), in contrast to the lower salinity optimum of 0.5 and 10 ppt for S. densiflora, where highest levels of PEPC apparent specific activity coincided with high light-induced activation of PEPC. Both hybrids showed constant PEPC apparent specific activity from fresh water to hypersalinity and exhibited higher net photosynthesis rates in fresh water than their parents. Spartina maritima × densiflora presented three transgressive PEPC-related traits, being the only taxon able to increase its PEPC activation in darkness at high salinity. Spartina densiflora × maritima showed most PEPC-related traits intermediate between its parents. Inheritance types operating differently in reciprocal hybrids determine key functional traits conditioning their ecological performance.
Isolation of plant-growth-promoting and metal-resistant cultivable bacteria from Arthrocnemum macrostachyum in the Odiel marshes with potential use in phytoremediation
(Elsevier, 2016-09-15) Navarro Torre, Salvadora; Mateos Naranjo, Enrique; Caviedes Formento, Miguel Ángel; Pajuelo Domínguez, Eloísa; Rodríguez Llorente, Ignacio David; Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología; Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Biología Vegetal y Ecología; Junta de Andalucía; Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA)
Arthrocnemum macrostachyum is a halophyte naturally growing in southwest coasts of Spain that can tolerate and accumulate heavy metals. A total of 48 bacteria (30 endophytes and 18 from the rhizosphere) were isolated from A. macrostachyum growing in the Odiel River marshes, an ecosystem with high levels of contamination. All the isolates exhibited plant-growth-promoting (PGP) properties and most of them were multiresistant to heavy metals. Although the presence of heavy metals reduced the capability of the isolates to exhibit PGP properties, several strains were able to maintain their properties or even enhance them in the presence of concrete metals. Two bacterial consortia with the best-performing endophytic or rhizospheric strains were selected for further experiments. Bacterial inoculation accelerated germination of A. macrostachyum seeds in both the absence and presence of heavy metals. These results suggest that inoculation of A. macrostachyum with the selected bacteria could ameliorate plant establishment and growth in contaminated marshes.
Ovarian self-incompatibility in Narcissus papyraceus (Amaryllidaceae) is the result of a pre-zygotic response
(Oxford Academic, 2015-03-17) Simón Porcar, Violeta; De Castro Mateo, Alejandra; Herrero, María; Arroyo Marín, Juan; Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Biología Vegetal y Ecología; Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (MINECO). España
Ovarian self-incompatibility, including pre- and post-zygotic reactions, is a complex mechanism for which we still lack many details relating to its function and significance. The joint presence of ovarian self-incompatibility with style polymorphism is a rare combination that is found in the genus Narcissus. Usually, style polymorphic species have heteromorphic (diallelic and linked to style length locus) incompatibility, which prevents fertilization between individuals of the same morph, thereby helping to maintain equal proportions of floral morphs in populations. However, when present, self-incompatibility in Narcissus is not linked to style polymorphism and cross-fertilization within each morph is possible. Hence, self-incompatibility in Narcissus is of particular interest when attempting to unravel the nature of the rejection reaction and aiming to assess possible cryptic differences in the fertilization process in intra- and inter-morph crosses, which might ultimately explain the wide variation of morph-ratio in the field. We examined the breeding system of Narcissus papyraceus, a style-dimorphic species that has biased morph ratios in most of its populations. We studied pollen-tube growth in the pistil and ovule fate after experimentally controlled hand pollinations. The growth of pollen tubes in self- and intra- and inter-morph crosses was similar up to the point of micropyle penetration in both morphs but, subsequently, a pre-zygotic failure appeared to affect male and female gametophytes in selfed pistils. A high proportion of ovules from self-pollinated flowers showed signs of collapse and self-pollen tubes were blocked or behaved abnormally before entering the embryo sac. Self-incompatibility was stronger in the long-styled morph than in the short-styled morph. We did not find any conclusive sign of differential functioning between intra- and inter-morph cross-pollinations in any morph. These results enable us to rule out the possible effects of pollen–pistil interactions in N. papyraceus as a cause of morph-ratio biases and confirm the exceptional nature of the self-incompatibility mechanism in this polymorphic species.

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