Artículos (Biología Vegetal y Ecología)

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

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Masting is uncommon in trees that depend on mutualist dispersers in the context of global climate and fertility gradients
(Nature Portfolio, 2023-06-23) Qiu, Tong; Aravena, Marie Claire; Ascoli, Davide; Bergeron, Yves; Bogdziewicz, Michal; Boivin, Thomas; Bonal, Raul; Caignard, Thomas; Rodríguez Sánchez, Francisco; Clark, James S.; Biología Vegetal y Ecología; National Science Foundation; Belmont Forum; NASA; Programme d’Investissement d’Avenir; Polish National Science Foundation; Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange; Junta de Andalucía
The benefits of masting (volatile, quasi-synchronous seed production at lagged intervals) include satiation of seed predators, but these benefits come with a cost to mutualist pollen and seed dispersers. If the evolution of masting represents a balance between these benefits and costs, we expect mast avoidance in species that are heavily reliant on mutualist dispersers. These effects play out in the context of variable climate and site fertility among species that vary widely in nutrient demand. Meta-analyses of published data have focused on variation at the population scale, thus omitting periodicity within trees and synchronicity between trees. From raw data on 12 million tree-years worldwide, we quantified three components of masting that have not previously been analysed together: (i) volatility, defined as the frequency-weighted year-to-year variation; (ii) periodicity, representing the lag between high-seed years; and (iii) synchronicity, indicating the tree-to-tree correlation. Results show that mast avoidance (low volatility and low synchronicity) by species dependent on mutualist dispersers explains more variation than any other effect. Nutrient-demanding species have low volatility, and species that are most common on nutrient-rich and warm/wet sites exhibit short periods. The prevalence of masting in cold/dry sites coincides with climatic conditions where dependence on vertebrate dispersers is less common than in the wet tropics. Mutualist dispersers neutralize the benefits of masting for predator satiation, further balancing the effects of climate, site fertility and nutrient demands.
Twenty-five years of Neobiota: building a community for invasion science in Europe and beyond
(Pensoft Publishers, 2026) Kowarik, Ingo; Novoa, Ana; Bosch-Guiu, Arnau; Brundu, Giuseppe; Essl, Franz; Gervazoni, Paula; Henke, Theresa; Kühn, Ingolf; Vilà, Montserrat; Pyšek, Petr; Biología Vegetal y Ecología; Agencia Estatal de Investigación. España; Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICIN). España; Academy of Sciences. Chezch Republic.
While the influential role of scientific associations in shaping research fields is well recognized, their impact within the domain of invasion science remains underexplored. This review combines qualitative narrative with quantitative metrics to trace the development of Neobiota, the first European non-profit and non-governmental scientific association dedicated to the study of biological invasions. Since its foundation in 1999, the Neobiota network has aimed to foster scientific exchange and collaboration, advance and integrate research across all dimensions of invasion science, and disseminate findings to support evidence-based policies. Evolving rapidly from a German working group into Europe’s leading network for invasion science, Neobiota has united researchers and practitioners across disciplines, taxa, and national boundaries. In contrast to many other associations, Neobiota operates with a low-threshold, non-bureaucratic governance model, promoting inclusivity and cross-border engagement. We document how its biennial conferences—hosted in 12 European countries between 2000 and 2024—have supported thematic diversity (ranging from molecular biology to socio-economy), increasing international participation (9–47 countries globally), and active policy outreach. Thematically, the focus of research presented at conferences has shifted over time from ecological patterns and species inventories to environmental impacts, predictive modeling, management strategies, and socio-political dimensions of invasions. Trends in equity reveal progress toward gender parity among keynote speakers and session chairs. Neobiota has also supported the dissemination of knowledge through two publication platforms: the Neobiota series (2000–2008) and the open-access, peer-reviewed journal NeoBiota launched in 2011. This journal currently operates under an Editorial Board with 75 subject editors and a team of five Co-Editors-in-Chief. We conclude that over the past 25 years, Neobiota has been instrumental in building a cohesive and inclusive scientific community globally, advancing and disseminating interdisciplinary research on biological invasions, and informing policy, particularly in support of legal frameworks to prevent and mitigate the negative impacts of non-native species.
Indirect effects shape species fitness in coevolved mutualistic networks
(Nature Portfolio, 2023-07-19) Cosmo, Leandro G.; Assis, Ana Paula A.; de Aguiar, Marcus A. M.; Pires, Mathias M.; Valido, Alfredo; Jordano Barbudo, Pedro D.; Thompson, John N.; Bascompte, Jordi; Guimaraes, Paulo R. Jr.; Biología Vegetal y Ecología; Brazil's Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq); São Paulo Research Foundation; Royal Society; Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (MICIU). España; Universidad de Sevilla
Ecological interactions are one of the main forces that sustain Earth’s biodiversity. A major challenge for studies of ecology and evolution is to determine how these interactions affect the fitness of species when we expand from studying isolated, pairwise interactions to include networks of interacting species1,2,3,4. In networks, chains of effects caused by a range of species have an indirect effect on other species they do not interact with directly, potentially affecting the fitness outcomes of a variety of ecological interactions (such as mutualism)5,6,7. Here we apply analytical techniques and numerical simulations to 186 empirical mutualistic networks and show how both direct and indirect effects alter the fitness of species coevolving in these networks. Although the fitness of species usually increased with the number of mutualistic partners, most of the fitness variation across species was driven by indirect effects. We found that these indirect effects prevent coevolving species from adapting to their mutualistic partners and to other sources of selection pressure in the environment, thereby decreasing their fitness. Such decreases are distributed in a predictable way within networks: peripheral species receive more indirect effects and experience higher reductions in fitness than central species. This topological effect was also evident when we analysed an empirical study of an invasion of pollination networks by honeybees. As honeybees became integrated as a central species within networks, they increased the contribution of indirect effects on several other species, reducing their fitness. Our study shows how and why indirect effects can govern the adaptive landscape of species-rich mutualistic assemblages.
Climatic niche shifts along the worldwide expansion of jimsonweed (Datura stramonium L.)
(Springer, 2026) Vaz-Jarnieu, Christine; Rodríguez Sánchez, Francisco; Arroyo Marín, Juan; Biología Vegetal y Ecología; Universidad de Sevilla; Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (MINECO). España
Biological invasions are one of the main drivers of global change. The European arrival to America in the late fifteenth century, and subsequent new trade routes, were critical events in the introduction of alien species, which have been increasing rapidly since the seventeenth century. In this study, we examine the global distribution and model the climatic niche of Datura stramonium, a cosmopolitan noxious weed. D. stramonium is of Mesoamerican origin and was introduced to Europe 450 years ago, thus is an illustrative case of the invasion associated with this colonization process. Analyzing D. stramonium occurrences and climatic data from global databases, we fit models in geographical and climatic space to determine if the species has undergone climatic niche shifts during its worldwide colonization process. We address the relationship between niche dynamics and residence time in D. stramonium, and we identify climatically suitable areas that show high risk of being colonized in the near future, which could help prevent invasion. In its non-native area, D. stramonium occupies climates similar to the native range (43% niche stability) but has also expanded remarkably into cooler climates (57% niche expansion). Niche unfilling is negligible (1%) when considering the non-native area globally. Low levels of niche unfilling in D. stramonium do not appear to be related to longer residence time but may instead be linked to a closer climate match between the native and non-native ranges. The large niche expansion towards cooler climates in three non-native ranges (Europe, North America and Asia) is associated with a remarkable increase in the frequency of low temperatures in the available climate compared to the native range. Despite a very long residence time, the species may still expand its distribution, notably in the warm zones in the non-native area.
A Global Analysis of the Distribution Patterns of Style-Length Polymorphisms Across Angiosperms
(Wiley, 2026) Rodrigues Novaes, Letícia; Simón Porcar, Violeta; Molina Venegas, Rafael; Arroyo Marín, Juan; Biología Vegetal y Ecología; Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (MICIU). España; Agencia Estatal de Investigación. España; European Union (UE); Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICIN). España
Unraveling the evolutionary and biogeographical factors that drive the widespread occurrence of outcrossing mechanisms in plants is key to understanding their prevalence. Style-length polymorphisms (SLP) are labile outcrossing traits that have evolved repeatedly in several angiosperm lineages sharing moderately specialized pollination features, reflecting a convergent strategy to optimize outcrossing efficiency. Notably, over 50% of known genera exhibiting SLP belong to the Rubiaceae family, which, beyond harboring floral architectures that promote pollination precision, is characterized by a predominantly tropical distribution and high species diversity. This fact suggests that the evolution and distribution of SLP could be associated with specialized pollinator interactions prevalent in tropical regions (tropicality-driven hypothesis) and with high species richness, potentially boosting the chance of random appearance of SLP (diversity-driven hypothesis). We examined the biogeographical correlates of SLP across all angiosperm genera on a global scale to test the tropicality- and diversity-driven hypotheses. We conducted phylogenetic logistic regression models to assess the prevalence of SLP genera in the tropics and biodiversity hotspots (areas of exceptional species richness), accounting for phylogenetic conservatism, genus-level species richness, and evaluating the role of the Rubiaceae family. Our analyses found no support for either the tropicality- or the diversity-driven hypotheses once phylogenetic relatedness was accounted for. Despite the occurrence of SLP being significantly associated with tropical habitats, this pattern relied on the Rubiaceae family. No positive association emerged between SLP and biodiversity hotspots. Instead, phylogenetic conservatism predominantly shaped SLP distribution. Also, there was a clear positive relationship between genus-level species richness and SLP. Our findings challenge tropicality- and diversity-driven hypotheses, suggesting that SLP distribution is primarily shaped by conserved evolution. Future studies should explore further the role of SLP in species richness by explicitly assessing its potential influence on diversification patterns.
Genome size evolution in Helianthemum (Cistaceae): Dynamic genomes within a conserved chromosomal framework
(Elsevier, 2026-08) Martín-Herranz, Sara; González Albaladejo, Rafael; Viruel, Juan; Matos, Rafael; Brito Lopes, Sara; Rubio, Encarnación; Castro, Mariana; Loureiro, João; Volkova, Polina; Aparicio Martínez, Abelardo; Biología Vegetal y Ecología; Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (MINECO). España; Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICIN). España
Genome size is a fundamental biological characteristic, yet its evolutionary dynamics remain insufficiently understood, partly because few plant groups offer the cytogenetic and phylogenomic data required for genus-level analyses. In this study, we estimated genome size (2C values) for 80 species (c, 75% of the genus), covering all infrageneric categories (three subgenera, ten sections). Genome-size evolution was examined within a newly generated, time-calibrated phylogenetic framework based on the Angiosperms353 target-capture probe set including 89% of the species in the genus, and integrated with updated karyotype descriptors including chromosome numbers, total haploid karyotype length (THL), interchromosomal coefficient of variation in chromosome length (CVCL), and intrachromosomal mean centromeric asymmetry (MCA). Genome size varied 6.5-fold across the genus, ranging from 1.65 to 10.60 pg (i.e., from very small to intermediate genomes). Phylogenetically informed regressions revealed a strong positive relationship between 2C values and THL, indicating that changes in nuclear DNA content are accommodated by proportional modifications in chromosome size. In contrast, genome size showed no significant association with chromosome number or karyotype asymmetry, suggesting that genome-size diversification has occurred largely independently of major chromosomal rearrangements. Chromosome-number reconstructions confirmed a highly conserved karyotype across the genus, with only a single abrupt shift and a small number of minor dysploid changes. Ancestral-state reconstruction and comparative evolutionary modelling revealed that genome-size diversification is strongly shaped by phylogenetic structure and characterised by repeated reductions from an intermediate ancestral genome. Overall, Helianthemum provides a powerful model for understanding how genome size evolves within a conserved chromosomal framework.
Functional trait trade-offs define plant population stability across different biomes
(The Royal Society, 2023-06-28) Conti, Luisa; Valencia, Enrique; Galland, Thomas; Götzenberger, Lars; Lepš, Jan; E-Vojtkó, Anna; Carmona, Carlos P.; Májeková, Maria; Rueda García, Marta; de Bello, Francesco; Biología Vegetal y Ecología; Czech Science Foundation; Czech Academy of Sciences; Agencia Estatal de Investigación. España; Estonian Research Council; Comunidad Autónoma de Madrid; North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC); U.S. National Science Foundation; Fundación Ramón Areces
Ecological theory posits that temporal stability patterns in plant populations are associated with differences in species' ecological strategies. However, empirical evidence is lacking about which traits, or trade-offs, underlie species stability, especially across different biomes. We compiled a worldwide collection of long-term permanent vegetation records (greater than 7000 plots from 78 datasets) from a large range of habitats which we combined with existing trait databases. We tested whether the observed inter-annual variability in species abundance (coefficient of variation) was related to multiple individual traits. We found that populations with greater leaf dry matter content and seed mass were more stable over time. Despite the variability explained by these traits being low, their effect was consistent across different datasets. Other traits played a significant, albeit weaker, role in species stability, and the inclusion of multi-variate axes or phylogeny did not substantially modify nor improve predictions. These results provide empirical evidence and highlight the relevance of specific ecological trade-offs, i.e. in different resource-use and dispersal strategies, for plant populations stability across multiple biomes. Further research is, however, necessary to integrate and evaluate the role of other specific traits, often not available in databases, and intraspecific trait variability in modulating species stability.
A comprehensive, multi-method dataset of plant-frugivore interactions in a Mediterranean hotspot
(Nature Research, 2026-02-16) Moracho , Eva; Arroyo, Juan Miguel; Arroyo Correa, Blanca; Calvo, Gemma; Homet, Pablo; Mendoza Sagrera, Irene; Quintero Borrero, Elena; Rodríguez Sánchez, Francisco; Rodríguez Sánchez, Francisco; Jordano Barbudo, Pedro D.; Biología Vegetal y Ecología; Agencia Estatal de Investigación. España; European Union (UE); Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICIN). España; Universidad de Sevilla
Mutualistic plant-animal interactions for seed dispersal are crucial for vegetation dynamics, benefiting over half of the world’s plant species. Beyond the tropics, the Mediterranean biome harbors the highest proportion of species adapted to endozoochory, yet major gaps remain in quantifying interaction diversity in these biodiversity-rich areas and their links to ecosystem functioning. High-resolution, quantitative interaction data are essential not only to fill these gaps but also to enable large-scale ecological modeling of species interactions across biomes. Here, we present the FRUGivory INTegration (FRUGINT) dataset — an extensive collection of quantitative frugivory interactions and associated species traits from a Mediterranean biodiversity hotspot in southwestern Spain. By integrating six complementary sampling methods (camera trapping, continuous-monitoring cameras, DNAbarcoding, mist-netting, direct observation and track records) across multiple years, the dataset overcomes limitations of sampling biases, variable effort and spatio-temporal heterogeneity, providing a comprehensive picture of plant-frugivore interactions across the region. Based on a total of 37,923 interaction records and 481 unique pairwise interactions, involving 26 fleshy-fruited plant species present in Doñana and 78 frugivorous vertebrate species, FRUGINT yields estimates of regional-scale plant-frugivore networks based on pairwise interaction probabilities. The dataset encompasses both common and numerous rare interactions, offering a valuable resource for advancing research on plantanimal interactions, network ecology, and biodiversity conservation.
Spatial occupancy patterns of the nursery pollinator Derelomus chamaeropis at its host plant, Chamaerops humilis (Arecaceae)
(Royal Botanical Soc Belgium, 2025-03-30) Moreno, Miguel; Jácome Flores, Miguel E.; Jordano Barbudo, Pedro D.; Calvo García, Gemma; Fedriani, Jose M.; Biología Vegetal y Ecología; Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (MICIU). España
Abstract—Pollination success is influenced by factors such as density and distance from neighbouring conspecifics. However, the pure neighbourhood effects of spatial patterns of interaction on pollination success remains poorly understood. In this study, we used techniques of spatial point pattern analysis (SPPA) to investigate the relationship between the spatial distribution of a specialist pollinator, the weevil Derelomus chamaeropis, and the fruiting success of its host plant, the dwarf palm Chamaerops humilis, within a nursery pollination system. We georeferenced a dwarf palm population in a 22-hectare plot (96 individuals: 41 females/ 55 males), located at the Doñana National Park (SW Spain). We quantified the abundance and spatial pattern of adult weevil occupancy, and their correlation with the spatial distribution of dwarf palms. Additionally, we analysed the spatial pattern of fruiting success and how palm traits (number of inflorescences and flowers, and sex) influenced adult weevil abundance and fruiting success. Our findings revealed that presence/abundance of D. chamaeropis depended on plant sex, with female inflorescences showing significantly higher adult weevil abundances. We found a significant, negative density-dependent response, where higher neighbourhood density of palms led to reduced local weevil abundance. In contrast, we observed positive density and distance dependence for fruiting success at small spatial scales (2-5 m and 5-15 m), suggesting enhanced pollination success in dense patches. Our results indicate that weevil distribution is shaped by local resource availability and competitive interactions rather than broader palm arrangement. Additionally, pollination efficiency and fruit set benefit from positive distance-density dependence in dense patches.
Temporal Dynamics and Turnover of Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus 2 (RHDV2/GI.2) in Wild Lagomorphs from Northeastern Spain
(Springer, 2026-03-21) Estruch, Josep; Almeida, Tereza; Serrano, Emmanuel; Pereira, Lorena; Rouco Zufiaurre, Carlos; Lavín, Santiago; Abrantes, Joana; Velarde, Roser; Lopes, Ana M.; Biología Vegetal y Ecología; Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT), Portugal; Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (MICIU). España; European Union (UE). H2020
In Mediterranean ecosystems, emerging lagoviruses, particularly rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus 2 (RHDV2/GI.2), have caused substantial mortality in European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and, sporadically, hares (Lepus spp.). Recombination is common among RNA viruses, including lagoviruses, and shapes their evolution, influencing pathogenicity, epidemiology, and host range. However, the viral dynamics of recombinant strains in wild populations remain largely unknown. In this work, we analyse RHDV2/GI.2 coding sequences from European rabbits (n=44), European brown hares (Lepus europaeus, n=21) and one Iberian hare (Lepus granatensis) collected in Catalonia (NE Spain) between 2014 and 2024, to characterise temporal patterns and turnover of the different recombinant lineages. All strains shared the GI.2 capsid backbone but with four distinct non-structural genomic profiles: GI.3P–GI.2, GI.1bP–GI.2, GI.4(p16)–GI.1bP–GI.2, and GI.4P–GI.2. The four recombinant strains were detected in European brown hares, whereas rabbits were infected by only three, with the same recombinant present in areas where both species coexist. The Iberian hare was infected by a GI.4PGI.2 recombinant, where rabbits showed the same lineage. Generalised additive models revealed significant interactions between recombinant type and year of detection, indicating contrasting turnover and temporal dynamics. Over the decade, GI.3P-GI.2 appeared transiently in 2014, GI.1bP-GI.2 strains dominated until 2019, and GI.4-related recombinants progressively replaced them, with GI.4P-GI.2 prevailing from 2020 onwards. Our findings suggest that recombinant strains may have been progressively replaced over time in leporid species from northeastern Iberia, involving variation in the non-structural genomic region that potentially contributes to differences in viral fitness, and supporting the role of recombination as a driver of viral dynamics and evolution.
Wood formation mechanisms of Cedrela fissilis Vell. in extreme years: Climatic, anatomical and chemical predictors
(Elsevier, 2025-08) Ortega-Rodriguez, Daigard Ricardo; Hevia Cabal, Andrea; Olmedo, Gabriela Morais; Hornink, Bruna; Roig, Fidel A.; Tomazello-Filho, Mario; Sánchez-Salguero, Raúl; Santini, Luiz; Yáñez-Espinosa, Laura; Biología Vegetal y Ecología; Wood Anatomy and Tree-Ring Laboratory (LAIM); Agencia Estatal de Investigación. España; Junta de Andalucía; Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (MICIU). España; Fundación de Apoyo a la Investigación del Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)
Extreme climatic events in the Amazon region open questions about how the interactions between exogenous and endogenous variables occur in the wood formation of widely distributed tree species such as Cedrela fissilis Vell. In this study, eleven mature-phase trees from a C. fissilis population growing on a non-flooded forest in the southern Amazon basin were selected to determine the interaction between climatic (precipitation, temperature, and moisture indicators: precipitation minus potential evapotranspiration - P-PET and standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index - SPEI), chemical (xylem concentrations of Al, P, S, Ca, K, Mn, Fe, Sr and their meaningful molar ratios) and anatomical (proportion of vessels – PV, fibres – PF, and parenchyma – PP) predictors to explain the variability of ring width (RW) and wood densities (average – RD, minimum – MND, and maximum – MXD). Decision tree regression was applied for understand this interaction in three datasets, values of narrow or less dense, complacent, and wide or dense rings. Narrow or wider rings vary manly associated to hydraulic tissues (PV) and SPEI. Less dense and complacent (in density values) rings vary manly associated to structural tissues (PF) and elements involved in soil-root interactions (Al) and resistance to water stress (Ca/Mn). Less dense MND vary associated to storage and transportation tissues (PP) and elements involved in soil-root interactions (Al and Mn), whereas dense MXD vary associated to structural (PF) and hydraulic (PV) tissues, precipitation and elements related to cambial activity (Ca and K/Ca). In the context of an increase in the frequency and intensity of droughts in the region, the formation of narrower and less dense rings in C. fissilis is expected. In this sense, our results suggest that higher values, which ensure the functionality of these variables under these extreme conditions, are associated with a higher proportion of structural tissues to the detriment of hydraulic ones, in addition to higher K, Mn, and Al storage in the xylem, which mediate cambial activity based on cell expansion, reduced vulnerability to water stress, and healthier root system conditions, respectively. Altogether, this study offers clues to understand variables combination associated with wood formation in the face of extreme water-availability stress that can lead hydraulic failure, carbon starvation, increasing vulnerability, and even specie´s dieback.
Spatial-seasonal dynamics of fish in a drought-stressed Mediterranean reservoir: An integrated hydroacoustic approach for adaptive management
(Elsevier, 2026-03-15) Encina Encina, Lourdes; Orduna, Carlos; Rodríguez Ruiz, Amadora; Granado Lorencio, Carlos Antonio; Cid Quintero, Juan Ramón; Meo, Ilaria de; Biología Vegetal y Ecología
Non-invasive fish monitoring is essential in Mediterranean reservoirs where drought and drawdown demand rapid, whole water-column assessments. We combined hydroacoustics and standardized netting to quantify spatial and seasonal variation in fish density and biomass, size structure, and species composition in Zahara-El Gastor Reservoir (SW Spain) and to evaluate an integrated monitoring approach. We conducted four seasonal surveys combining split-beam horizontal (0–4 m) and vertical echosounding with CEN standard multi-mesh gillnets and trammel nets across dam, central, and riverine zones of the reservoir. Acoustic data, analysed at 300 m Elementary Sampling Distance Units (ESDUs), revealed strong spatial and seasonal patterns: approximately 70% of acoustic detections occurred in the upper 4 m, where fish density peaked in summer at 122 ± 179 ind⋅10- 3 m- 3, with consistently higher values near the surface. Catches were numerically dominated by invasive bleak Alburnus alburnus (≈96.6% of individuals), while Andalusian barbel Luciobarbus sclateri accounted for ≈40% of biomass. Overall density was about five times higher than early post-impoundment surveys, consistent with bleak proliferation and reduced storage volume during drought. Size-class distributions showed no coherent seasonal shifts, indicating a lack of clear seasonal changes in community structure. Integrating horizontal and vertical hydroacoustics with minimal netting enables rapid, fish-friendly, and cost-effective monitoring under climate-driven water-level fluctuations, providing a practical basis for adaptive reservoir monitoring.
Seed co-occurrence caused by shared frugivores leaves a long-lasting signal in the spatial co-occurrence among plants
(John Wiley & Sons, 2026-03-04) Perea, Antonio; Quintero Borrero, Elena; Isla, Jorge; Acevedo Limón, Lucía; Arroyo Correa, Blanca; Calvo, Gemma; Homet, Pablo; Wiegand, Thorsten; Jordano Barbudo, Pedro D.; Biología Vegetal y Ecología; Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICIN). España
By dispersing seeds, frugivorous animals affect spatial co-occurrence of plants, ultimately influencing plant community dynamics. Frugivorous animals are intrinsically involved in plant community dynamics, by dispersing seeds of fleshy-fruited plants and influencing their spatial co-occurrence. Particularly, generalist avian frugivores forage on them, co-dispersing and co-disseminating their seeds. This dispersal process often promotes spatial clumping and sets the initial spatial template on which subsequent ecological processes operate. Despite this mutualism is key at the early stages of fleshy-fruited species, it remains unknown whether these co-dispersed and co-disseminated plant species maintain their initial pairwise seed co-occurrence along their demographic cycle. If so, this would reflect a lasting signal of these early mutualistic interactions in the plant community assembly. We investigated whether plant species that share avian seed dispersers also co-occur spatially across different life stages, from seed to adult individuals. We combined data on seed rain from nine fleshy-fruited species, dispersed by a community of 21 bird species identified through DNA-barcoding, with spatial co-occurrence patterns among these plant species at the sapling and adult stages, using point pattern analyses. From this, we built matrices showing: 1) the number of frugivore species shared between each pair of plant species, and 2) their spatial co-occurrence at different life stages: seeds (seed–seed), saplings (sapling–sapling and sapling–adult), and adults (adult–adult). We then used structural equation modelling to test whether the level of shared avian frugivores predicts the spatial co-occurrence among adult plants, while also assessing the indirect effects of processes occurring at intermediate demographic stages. Our results revealed both direct and indirect effects of frugivore sharing during the fruit removal and seed dissemination stage on the spatial assembly of established adult species. Specifically, we found that higher levels of shared frugivores increased the co-occurrence among plant species in seed rain (seed–seed), apparent facilitation (sapling–adult) and adult community (adult–adult), but not within the sapling bank (sapling–sapling). Frugivorous birds drive the co-occurrence among fleshy-fruited plant species, from seed to adult stages, although their influence decreases as the plant demographic cycle advances. However, the co-occurrence at adult stages is exclusively achieved when adults apparently facilitate sapling establishment. This reinforces the key role of the plant–plant facilitation in Mediterranean systems, and the deterministic role of mutualistic avian frugivores as drivers of spatial assembly in plant communities.
Genetic diversity of Oenothera drummondii (Onagraceae), a dune coastal herb: ecological and evolutionary implications
(Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 2023-03-19) Hernández-Espinosa, Raquel Aurora; González-Astorga, Jorge; Rico, Yessica; Gallego Fernández, Juan Bautista; Biología Vegetal y Ecología; Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (MINECO). España; European Union (UE)
We studied the diversity and genetic structure of Oenothera drummondii Hook. (Onagraceae), a dune plant with a mixed reproductive system, across 9 populations using 10 microsatellite markers. Plant genetic diversity is governed by intrinsic factors (i.e., reproductive system and dispersal) and extrinsic factors (i.e., population f luctuations and founder effects). We found moderate to low genetic diversity, with southern populations showing lower diversity, and northern populations higher. A separate study on self-compatibility revealed higher selfing in the south and lower in the north, suggesting a latitudinal gradient that may reduce genetic diversity in southern populations. Peripheral populations showed reduced diversity and greater differentiation, likely due to increased isolation and limited gene f low. Central populations near the Texas origin exhibited the highest diversity. Populations from Baja California (O. drummondii subsp. thalassaphila) formed a genetically distinct group, suggesting a separate species. Overall, genetic patterns in O. drummondii genetic diversity ref lect historical and ecological inf luences, including mating system variation, f loral traits, and pollinator dynamics. These findings support hypotheses such as center-periphery dynamics and climate-driven historical processes (e.g., post-glacial expansion), which may shape the species’ genetic landscape and suggest possible local adaptations to environmental changes.
A commented checklist and key for the genus Carex (Cyperaceae) in Peru
(Pensoft Publishers, 2026-02-26) Jiménez Mejías, Pedro; García Moro, Pablo; Camilo, Andrea A.; Mazzei, Piero M.; Escudero Lirio, Marcial; Martín Bravo, Santiago; Cano, Asunción; Biología Vegetal y Ecología; Comunidad Autónoma de Madrid; Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICIN). España
Carex is one of the most species-rich genera of vascular plants worldwide and it is a dominant element in cold and temperate regions. However, its diversity in South America is still less understood than in other areas of the World. In Peru, the genus is a key component of high Andean grasslands and wetlands, yet the last comprehensive taxonomic treatment dates back to 1936 when only 18 species were recognised. Subsequent checklists increased the number to 25, but current estimates remained incomplete and largely based on outdated identifications. Here, we present a taxonomic update of Carex in Peru, based on extensive fieldwork, herbarium studies across major Peruvian and international collections, literature review and complementary records from citizen-science platforms. Our study documents 56 species, including six strict endemics and three subendemics, with Cajamarca emerging as the richest Department (29 species). Four species are here confirmed for Peru for the first time. We provide an identification key in English and Spanish and updated distribution maps for all species, as well as a preliminary conservation assessment for 24 rare or endemic taxa using IUCN Criteria. Despite its ecological relevance, Carex remains understudied in Peru, with many species overlooked due to collecting biases, inconspicuous morphology and geographic barriers. Our findings call for integrative taxonomic, ecological and conservation studies to improve the knowledge on Andean Carex and secure their longterm preservation under accelerating climate change.
Uncovering ancient allopolyploidy through genomic evidence: A case study in Carex subgenus Uncinia
(Elsevier, 2026) García-Moro, Pablo; Jung, Se-Eun; Valdés Florido, Ana; Morel, Jérémie; Sanz-Arnal, María; Villaverde, Tamara; Naczi, Robert F.C.; Ford, Kerry; Kim, Sangtae; Márquez-Corro, José Ignacio; Biología Vegetal y Ecología; Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICIN). España; Agencia Estatal de Investigación. España; European Commission (EC). Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER); National Research Foundation of Korea
The signature of allopolyploidy becomes increasingly blurred through time, hindering evaluation of its evolutionary role, and ancient hybridization remains difficult to detect even with large-scale genomic data. Understanding these processes is critical for reconstructing plant diversification at deep time scales. We focus on the enigmatic Carex subg. Uncinia (Cyperaceae), which shows unusual genomic and morphological traits and whose phylogenetic placement has long been controversial. To address this, we combined phylogenomic reconstruction with genome size estimates, allele divergence and locus heterozygosity analyses, and ploidy-level inference, together with phylogenetic network approaches. Our framework explicitly integrates allele-aware analyses that are often overlooked in plant phylogenomics. We find that genome size in Uncinia is approximately threefold larger than in other Carex lineages, consistent with an ancient polyploidy event. Phylogenetic networks further suggest that subg. Uncinia was originated through a hybridization event between subgenera Euthyceras and Vignea during the Early Miocene. This signal is reinforced by allele phasing and paralog analyses, with Uncinia gene copies clustering with different parental clades and phased alleles frequently segregating into opposite lineages. These complementary approaches reveal that Uncinia originated through ancient hybridization and allopolyploidy, and that its conflicting placement in previous studies reflects a reticulate evolutionary history. More broadly, our study highlights the power of combining genome size, network analyses, and allele phasing to uncover hidden reticulate processes in plants and emphasizes the importance of explicitly accounting for such processes when investigating diversification in complex evolutionary lineages.
Optimization of passive acoustic bird surveys: a global assessment of BirdNET settings
(Wiley, 2026) Pérez‐Granados, Cristian; Funosas, David; Morant, Jon; Marín Gómez, Oscar H.; Mendoza Sagrera, Irene; Mohedano‐Munoz, Miguel A.; Santamaría, Eduardo; Bastianelli, Giulia; Márquez‐Rodríguez, Alba; Sebastián‐González, Esther; Biología Vegetal y Ecología
BirdNET is a popular machine learning tool for automated recognition of bird sounds. However, evidence on how to optimize its settings for accurate bird monitoring remains limited. Here, we evaluate how BirdNET settings influence model performance in identifying bird vocalizations and characterizing bird communities, using 4224 1-min recordings from 67 recording locations worldwide. Giving equal importance to recall and precision, a low confidence score threshold (0.1–0.3) appears optimal for detecting bird vocalizations, whereas higher thresholds (around 0.5) are more suitable for characterizing bird communities. Based on our findings, we recommend increasing the Overlap parameter from its default value of 0 to 2 s, as this consistently improves BirdNET performance in detecting both bird vocalizations and species presence. The effect of the Sensitivity parameter varied across regions. However, a value of 0.5 maximizes global performance for community-level analyses across all confidence thresholds, and a value of 1.5 generally yields better results for vocalization-level studies, particularly at low confidence thresholds. Our findings offer practical guidance for selecting BirdNET settings in passive acoustic bird surveys, enhancing both the identification of bird vocalizations and the characterization of bird communities.
Wild pears in peril: Does National Park protection ensure tree conservation?
(Elsevier, 2026) Fedriani, J.M.; Garrote, P.J; Morera, B.; Calvo, G.; Zywiec, M.; Ayllón, D.; Leiva Morales, María José; Wiegand, T.; Delibes, M.; Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICIN). España
Long-lived tree species can undergo decades of unnoticed demographic erosion before population collapse becomes evident, making it essential to evaluate whether protected areas effectively mitigate these processes. To assess this, we compared the demographic performance of the Iberian pear (Pyrus bourgaeana) across five populations located inside and outside Donana ˜ National Park (SW Spain). Using cross-sectional surveys and two decades of demographic monitoring, we quantified seedling emergence and mortality, sapling abundance and browsing, and adult survival. Seedling emergence occurred almost exclusively beneath adult trees, and 3-year survival was extremely low (<12%), driven mainly by herbivory (especially inside the Park) and by desiccation. Sapling browsing pressure was greater within (40–23%) than outside the Park (27–14%). Adult mortality varied sharply among sites, peaking in Matasgordas, a core Park location where over 60% of adults died within two decades, coinciding with severe groundwater decline and virtually no recruitment into reproductive stages. These findings expose a conservation paradox: while National Park status prevents land-use conversion, it simultaneously allows high ungulate densities and remains vulnerable to regional groundwater overexploitation and prolonged drought. Together, these pressures suppress regeneration and accelerate adult mortality, pushing populations toward local extinction despite formal protection. Our results indicate that current management is insufficient to ensure the persistence of the Iberian pear and likely other tree species in Donana's ˜ scrublands. Effective conservation will require securing sustainable groundwater use, regulating herbivore densities, and restoring functional dispersal processes, and should prompt a reassessment of the species' conservation status.
Epidemiological surveillance of myxoma virus in European hares (Lepus europaeus) in the Iberian Peninsula: first evidence of infection by the emerging ha-MYXV
(Elsevier, 2025-03) Cardoso, Beatriz; Castro-Scholten, Sabrina; Velarde, Roser; Rejón Segura, Salvador; Martínez, Remigio; Lopes, Ana M.; Pereira, Lorena; Dalton, Kevin P.; Rouco Zufiaurre, Carlos; García Bocanegra, Ignacio; Biología Vegetal y Ecología; Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICIN). España; Universidad de Córdoba; European Union (UE)
We investigated the circulation of myxoma viruses (MYXV) in European hare (Lepus europaeus) populations from Spain. A total of 140 individuals were sampled through passive and active surveillance from 2018 to 2024. Myxoma virus DNA was confirmed in two out of 114 (1.8%, CI 95%=0.2-6.2) hares analysed by PCR. One was infected with the classic MYXV strain, and the other with the recombinant ha-MYXV strain. This is the first report of ha-MYXV infection in a European hare. A commercial indirect ELISA detected antibodies against MYXV in 3.2% (4/126; CI 95%=0.9- 7.9) of animals tested. Both molecular and serological results suggest occasional transmissions of MYXV from sympatric European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and/or Iberian hares (Lepus granatensis) to European hares. These sporadic infections appear to be scattered across time and space, predominantly in areas where lagomorph species overlap. Because European hares appear to be immunologically naïve to MYXV, another recombination event could have a significant impact on populations, similar to what occurred with Iberian hares. This study highlights the importance of enhancing our understanding of MYXV epidemiology in wild lagomorph species through large-scale monitoring efforts.
Monitoring biodiversity in the global change era: The importance of herbaria and genetic diversity
(Elsevier, 2025-03-18) Viveiros-Moniz, Melissa; García-Muñoz, Ana; Matías Resina, Luis; Abdelaziz, Mohamed; Muñoz-Pajares, A. Jesús; Biología Vegetal y Ecología; Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICIN). España; European Commission (EC). Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER); Ministerio para la Transición Ecológica y el Reto Demográfico. España
Climate change is having far-reaching consequences on all living beings, altering ecosystems, habitats, and biodiversity worldwide. Species distributions are shifting or decreasing, with alpine plant species being particularly threatened. Natural population monitoring allows the assessment of the impact of human-induced global changes. However, traditional monitoring strategies based on individual counts may produce delayed signals of biodiversity loss. These approaches overlook the fact that genetic diversity is the fundamental basis for evolutionary processes, as it enables populations to adapt to environmental changes, including those caused by climate change. Here, we draw attention to the use of genetic diversity in monitoring schemes to anticipate negative trends in biodiversity and propose two fundamental methodologies: genomics and the use of herbarium specimens. Firstly, in contrast to genetic markers conventionally used to quantify genetic diversity, such as microsatellite markers, genomic approaches provide a vast amount of data that does not require previous knowledge of the studied organism, making them suitable for the study of non-model species. Secondly, herbaria worldwide serve as excellent sources of plant material for comparative studies across time with their precise chronologically recorded collection data. The accuracy of genetic diversity estimates increases with sample size, therefore a large number of vouchers is ideally required. However, the availability of specimens from the same species and populations in public herbaria is limited. Different strategies to quantify genetic diversity are proposed depending on the number of specimens available and their geographic distribution. Finally, we illustrate the potential of this approach in the most restrictive scenario, where only a few individuals are available, and there is no conspecific reference genome. Even in this restrictive scenario, there are signs of genetic depauperation in an alpine species with a narrow distribution, but not in a widely distributed congeneric.

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