Cicerbita alpina (L.) Wallroth and Peucedanum ostruthium W.D.J. Koch occur in megaphorb communities in alpine and subalpine areas; both species often share the same habitats. P. ostruthium is used as a spice for spirits, while young shoots of C. alpina are collected in the northeastern regions of Italy as a local delicacy. In the present study, we isolated eleven known coumarins and one chromone from subaerial parts of P. ostruthium; two furanocoumarins were found for the first time in this species. Using UHPLC-HRMS, we analyzed the furanocoumarin content of two P. ostruthium accessions, one commercially purchased and one collected in the wild. These samples were compared to six rootstock samples of Cicerbita alpina collected in the wild. Though the furanocoumarins imperatorin, isoimperatorin, oxypeucedanin, and ostruthol had been reported from C. alpina before, we were not able to detect any of these compounds in our samples of C. alpina. Therefore, and due to the occurrence of both taxa in the same habitat, we assume that the original report of furanocoumarins in C. alpina was based on a mixed collection of C. alpina and P. ostruthium. This hypothesis seems plausible, because furanocoumarins have not been reported from any other taxon of the Cichorieae tribe of the Asteraceae family.
Alchemilla alpina L. (Rosaceae), belongs to a genus well recognized in traditional medicine for treating gynecological disorders and hormonal imbalance; however, the specific bioactivity of A. alpina itself remains poorly characterized. This study aimed to elucidate the phenolic composition and the biological potential of the methanolic (MeOH) extract of A. alpina. LC-MS/MS analysis identified 39 phenolic compounds, with rutin, catechin, kaempferol-3-O-glucoside, and caffeic acid being the dominant constituents. The extract exhibited high total phenolic and flavonoid contents, consistent with strong antioxidant capacities. It demonstrated notable α-glucosidase and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities, indicating its potential relevance for metabolic and neurodegenerative disorders. The extract effectively reduced AAPH-induced ROS levels in MRC-5 fibroblasts, indicating cytoprotective and antioxidative effects. The cytotoxicity toward cervical cancer cells HeLa and ovarian cancer cells A2780 was moderate and concentration dependent. A yeast-based fluorescent screen revealed a strong and selective binding affinity toward estrogen receptor α (ERα) and selective inhibition of human recombinant AKR1C3 (59.5%), without affecting AKR1C4. Additionally, high COX-1/COX-2 inhibition (>70%) supported its anti-inflammatory potential. Collectively, these findings provide the first integrated evidence of A. alpina's phenolic richness and multifunctional bioactivity, scientifically supporting its potential in managing hormone-dependent and oxidative stress-related disorders.
Mortierella spp. is emerging as a potential biocontrol agent against soil borne diseases due to its antagonistic effects on pathogens and strong environmental adaptability. However, the mechanisms by which it restructures rhizosphere microbial communities to achieve sustained pathogen suppression remain largely unresolved. This study aimed to investigate whether exogenous application of Mortierella alpina could mitigate soil borne diseases through synergistic interactions with indigenous rhizosphere microbiota. To address this objective, we conducted a series of experiments to evaluate dual-season efficacy of M. alpina inoculation on root rot disease incidence, plant growth, and rhizosphere microbiome dynamics. High-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA and ITS amplicons was employed to characterize microbial community shifts, while network analysis was used to elucidate correlations between community composition and pathogen abundance. Critical functional validation was performed through in vitro antagonism assays and sequential inoculation pot trials to confirm the roles of M. alpina-enriched microbial taxa. Results showed that the introduction of M. alpina reduced the incidence of P. notoginseng root rot by 85.71 % in the first season and increased seedling survival to 82.58 % in the second. This biocontrol effect was associated with the enrichment of Trichoderma spp. and Pseudomonas spp., which suppressed Ilyonectria cyclaminicola by 71.74 % and 54.73 %. Further analysis supported a strong association between M. alpina-modulated microbial communities and the reduction in pathogen abundance and disease severity. Collectively, M. alpina functions as an effective biocontrol agent against P. notoginseng root rot primarily by reprogramming the rhizosphere microbiome. This microbiome-mediated strategy provides a sustainable avenue for enhancing plant health and productivity.
Flowering of perennial Arabis alpina is differentially regulated on primary and axillary shoots. Although contributions of vernalization and ageing pathways have been analysed, those of photoperiodic flowering genes CONSTANS (CO), FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT), and TWIN-SISTER OF FT (TSF) remain unexplored. CRISPR-Cas9 mutations in AaCO and AaFT/TWIN SISTER OF FT-LIKE (TSFL) were recovered. Aaco and Aaft/tsfl mutants in pep1 background were scored for flowering time, inflorescence branching, and floral phenotypes under long (LD) or short days (SD) and after vernalization. RNA-seq data on primary and axillary branches were compared. AaCO activates AaFT/TSFL transcription in leaves, and Aaco and Aaft tsfl mutations delay flowering under LDs. Axillary branches flowered in Aaco mutants but not in Aaft tsfl mutants. Both lacked inflorescence branches and flowers on the primary shoot under LDs. However, Aaft tsfl mutants produced some flowers after vernalization, and Aaco a few in SDs. RNA-seq identified genes responsive to AaFT, TSFL, and AaCO on the primary shoot and in axillary branches. Therefore, AaCO-AaFT promote flowering of A. alpina under LDs, but with distinct roles in axillary branch flowering. Both genes are required for inflorescence branching and flower formation on the primary shoot. The complex role of the CO-FT module in inflorescence architecture may underlie the polycarpic, perennial life history of A. alpina.
Eriocrania semipurpurella alpina Xu, 1990 is a leaf miner of birch trees in Qinghai Province, China. The complete mitogenome of E. semipurpurella alpina was reported in this study. The mitogenome contains 15,107 base pairs. Its nucleotide composition is 40.5% A, 8.1% G, 40.1% T, and 11.3% C. The genome encodes a set of 37 genes, including 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 tRNA genes, 2 rRNA genes, and one control region. Phylogenetic analysis supports the monophyly and primitive origin of Eriocraniidae.
Wood is a versatile material; however, it is susceptible to changes when exposed to extreme temperatures. This study investigated the physical, chemical, and mechanical properties of raulí (Nothofagus alpina) under different thermal stress conditions. The results showed that the moisture content at temperatures below 5 °C exhibited a significant reduction from 9.7% to 7.5% within the first 20 days. Conversely, under extreme cold (-20 °C), significant changes only occurred after 60 days, with an increase from 9.7% to 11%. At higher temperatures (50 °C, 95 °C, and 120 °C), moisture content dropped sharply after 40 days, nearing 0%. Additionally, analysis showed minor color changes in samples at low temperatures: RW2 (20 d; 5 °C, ΔE* = 3.46) and RW7 (40 d; 5 °C, ΔE* = 0.61); however, color changes were observed at higher temperatures (95-120 °C). RW15 (60 d; 120 °C, ΔE* = 37.16), indicating the degradation of cell wall polymers. Mechanical testing using three-point bending demonstrated that controlled heat treatments can improve the modulus of elasticity (MOE), modulus of rupture (MOR), and fracture energy. The most significant improvements were obtained at 120 °C for 60 days, with increases in MOE, MOR, and fracture energy of 22%, 60%, and 118%, respectively, compared to untreated wood.
Fisetin is a natural polyhydroxyl flavonoid with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective activities, but its application in foods and agriculture is limited by poor stability, low absorption, and low bioavailability. Glycosylation can effectively improve its physicochemical and biological properties. Enzymatic glycosylation is attractive owing to its green, efficient, and highly specific features. In this study, a novel glycosyltransferase AaUGT from Arabis alpina was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. It showed optimal activity at 45 °C and pH 7.5, strict 3-O regioselectivity, and high catalytic efficiency (Km = 0.37 mM, kcat/Km = 1884.18 M-1 s-1). By strengthening uridine diphosphate glucose (UDPG) supply via metabolic engineering, an efficient whole-cell system was constructed. Under optimized conditions, the titer of fisetin-3-O-glucoside reached 3.51 g/L with a conversion rate of 89.6%. This work supports the development of fisetin glycosides and provides a reference for flavonoid glycoside biosynthesis.
Colouration can affect predation risk through camouflage, signalling, or other mechanisms that shape predator perception and decision-making. The Rosalia longicorn (Rosalia alpina), a flagship longhorn beetle of European beech forests, has a bluish-grey exoskeleton with conspicuous black spots, yet the function of this colour pattern remains unclear. We tested whether its blue body colouration is consistent with background matching to beech bark and whether black spotting reduces predation risk beyond that provided by the blue body colouration alone. We measured reflectance spectra of the blue body colouration, black spots and beech bark, modelled chromatic contrasts under avian vision, and deployed plasticine beetle models in three colour variants: black, blue and a natural pattern with blue and black spots. Visual modelling showed that both beetle colours were chromatically distinguishable from beech bark, but black spots had lower chromatic contrast than blue body colouration, suggesting that the black component may match the bark background more closely than the blue component. In the field experiment, attack occurrence varied with colour, sampling session and their interaction. In September, blue and patterned models were less likely than black models to be attacked. Patterned models also received fewer marks than black models. By October, these colour differences had weakened or disappeared. These findings indicate that the blue body colouration and the natural colour pattern may reduce predation risk relative to an entirely black phenotype, particularly early in the season. However, we found no clear evidence that black spotting provides protection beyond that afforded by the blue body colouration alone. Alternative functions of the spots, including thermoregulation or signalling, remain plausible.
The demand for non-renewable chemical and material resources continues to rise as fossil fuel reserves dwindle. As the limitations of fossil fuel-driven industries become increasingly evident, there is an urgent need for sustainable alternatives. This study investigated the chemical composition of inner, middle, and outer internodal culm layers from 1-, 3-, and 5-year-old Oldeania alpina, which is cultivated in the Amhara region, Banja district, northwest Ethiopia. Culm samples were cleaned, separated into layers, dried, and ground to a 40–60 mesh size using a Wiley mill. Lignocellulose components (cellulose, lignin, and hemicellulose), extractives, ash, and moisture contents were quantified. Lignin and hemicellulose were determined according to ASTM standards, and cellulose was analysed using the Kurschner and Hoffer method. Significant variations in lignocellulosic composition, extractives, ash, and moisture were observed across culm ages and layers. The highest lignin (28.06%), alpha cellulose (58.54 ± 0.16%), and cellulose (59.25%) contents were recorded in the outer layer of 5-year-old culms, while hemicellulose (13.48%) peaked in the outer layer of 3-year-old culms. The inner layer of 1-year-old culms showed maximum extractives (18.64%), moisture (19.68%), and ash (5.16%). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first integrated report of age- and layer-dependent chemical variations in O. alpina. Overall, these results offer new insights into the sustainable exploitation of O. alpina as a renewable resource and underscore its potential as a valuable raw material for bioenergy and biochemicals.
The plant life cycle progresses through distinct phases defined by the morphology of the organs formed on the shoot. In Arabidopsis, age-dependent reduction in the related microRNAs miR156 and miR157 controls transitions from juvenile to adult vegetative phase and from adult to reproductive phase. However, whether these miRNA isoforms have specific contributions remains unclear. To compare their roles, we used Trans-kingdom, rapid, affordable Purification of RISCs (TraPR) for small RNA sequencing, CRISPR-Cas9, and confocal imaging. We show that in shoot apices, levels of miR156 in RNA-induced silencing complexes (RISCs) decline more rapidly than those of miR157, so that miR157 is more abundant than miR156 in RISCs of older plants undergoing floral transition and inflorescence development. Accordingly, confocal microscopy analysis showed that MIR156A and MIR156C are not detectably expressed in shoot apices of older plants, whereas at this stage MIR157C is expressed in upper stems, and MIR157D is expressed in axils of inflorescence leaves. Arabidopsis flowers much earlier under long days (LDs) than short days (SDs). CRISPR-induced mir157c mutations but not mir156ac mutations accelerated flowering under SDs, and altered inflorescence leaf morphology. Notably, mir157c mutations also caused early flowering in Arabis alpina, a perennial relative of Arabidopsis, indicating that the repression of flowering by this paralogue is evolutionarily conserved. SPL15 transcription factor promotes flowering under SDs and its mRNA is a target of miR156/miR157. SPL15 abundance was higher in apices of mir157 cd mutants under SDs, and spl15 mutations partially suppressed the early flowering of mir157c mutants and this effect was enhanced by spl4 mutation. We show by genetic analysis that the florigen FLOWERING LOCUS T overcomes the requirement for SPL15 in LDs but not SDs, contributing to the increased importance of the MIR157C-SPL15 module under SDs. We conclude that MIR157 genes have important evolutionarily conserved roles in repressing floral transition and modulating inflorescence development of older plants under SDs.
Gammaherpesviruses co-evolve with their hosts, resulting in species-specific associations and restricted host tropism. In lagomorphs, six herpesviruses (LeHV-1 to LeHV-6) have been identified, with LeHV-4 being associated with mortality in European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), while the others cause asymptomatic infections. LeHV-5 has been hypothesized to contribute to high morbidity and mortality in Iberian hares (Lepus granatensis) when in presence of concomitant infections such as myxomatosis. However, herpesvirus infections in wild and domestic lagomorphs remain poorly understood. Here, we conducted the first large-scale screening for herpesviruses in lagomorphs. Using a generalist PCR, we analyzed over 1,000 DNA samples from European rabbits, hares (Lepus spp.), cottontails (Sylvilagus spp.), pikas (Ochotona spp.), pygmy rabbits (Brachylagus idahoensis), volcano rabbits (Romerolagus diazi), Amami rabbits (Pentalagus furnessi), and riverine rabbits (Bunolagus monticularis). Herpesviruses were detected in 75 samples (7.24%), revealing a putative novel virus in pikas, with ~ 80% similarity to known gammaherpesviruses. We further show circulation of LeHV-5 in European and mountain hares for the first time. These findings expand the current knowledge of herpesvirus diversity in lagomorphs. Given their potential role in immunosuppression and disease interactions, particularly with myxoma virus, further research is needed to assess their impact on host health and population dynamics.
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1011799.].
The saproxylic beetles Lucanus cervus (Linnaeus, 1758), Morimus asper funereus Mulsant, 1862 and Rosalia alpina (Linnaeus, 1758), protected under the European Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC, became the subject of targeted surveys in Bulgaria after the country began establishing its national Natura 2000 network of protected areas. Significant data accumulation began after 2011, when the mapping of the Natura 2000 sites in Bulgaria started. Records of these easy-to-recognise beetles were collected for over 20 years (since 2004) as a result of scientific surveys and citizen scientists' posts in the Facebook group "The Insects and the Entomologists". Data have been merged into the SmartBirds platform and supplemented with data from iNaturalist available at GBIF. The database has been further enriched with historical records from literature and the National Museum of Natural History, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences collection, dating from 1897 to the present. The collated data (L. cervus - 1807 records; M. asper s.l. - 1148; R. alpina - 389) were summarised and analysed spatially and temporally. The present distributions of the three species by habitat type, altitude and Natura 2000 sites in Bulgaria are provided. A comparison is drawn between the data collated from both targeted monitoring surveys and amateur reports. The peaks in the seasonal dynamics of imago activity were in July for L. cervus (49% of the records from citizen science) and R. alpina (61%) and in May for M. asper s.l. (33%). A comparison of the record frequency before and after 2000 showed a shift to the earlier activity peak only in M. asper s.l. from June to May.
This study investigated the antioxidant capacity and enzyme inhibitory activities of different phenolics and phenolic acid extracts using n-hexane and methanol obtained from six taxa of Alyssum L. and Arabis L. The crude extract exhibited the highest total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid (TF) contents, and powerful antioxidant capacities and enzyme inhibitory activities, the highest being observed in Arabis alpina subsp. alpina and Arabis ionocalyx. Soluble free, ester-, and glycoside-conjugated phenolic acid forms exhibited significant enzyme inhibitory activities, including α-amylase and α-glucosidase, being comparable to or exceeding those of standard synthetic inhibitors. The major phenolic acids in the taxa were sinapic acid, ferulic acid, and p-coumaric acid, and their concentrations varied notably in all forms, particularly at high levels in ester-conjugated forms in A. alpina subsp. alpina. These findings highlighted the significant bioactive potential of the phenolics/phenolic acids of Alyssum and Arabis species, as natural sources of antioxidants and enzyme inhibitory activities, with promising applications in pharmacological and therapeutic fields.
The monophyletic lineage Phytoptidae s. str. (Acariformes, Eriophyoidea) comprises ~75 described species in 17 genera associated with angiosperms. Since the last keys to the world genera of Eriophyoidea were published in 2003, five new phytoptid genera have been described: Neoprothrix (Reis & Navia 2014), Borassia Chetverikov, Craemer 2017, Solenoplatilobus Chetverikov & Craemer 2016, Solenocristus Chetverikov et al. 2018, and Calventer Chetverikov 2025. Here, we provide an updated generic key for the tribe Sierraphytoptini (Phytoptidae), describe a new genus Nothofagicola, propose a new combination N. nothofagalisn. comb. (Chetverikov et al. 2018) (transferred from Solenocristus), report the first findings of N. cf nothofagalis from Nothofagus pumilio and No. antarctica from Southern Chile and describe three new species of Nothofagicola collected in Central Chile from stems of three Nothofagus species (Fagales: Nothofagaceae): N. alpinaen. sp. from No. alpina, N. bicristatan. sp. from No. alessandrii, and N. licanteniensisn. sp. from No. glauca. We also provide a corrigendum to our previous paper and state that the correct accession numbers for mitogenomic sequences of Leipothrix aegopodiae and L. cf knautiae are OR268621 and OR268622, respectively (vice versa in the paper).
Copy number variation (CNV) is a major source of genomic diversity that shapes gene family evolution and may contribute to ecological differentiation, yet its genome-wide ecological relevance remains poorly understood. Here, we analyzed CNV across four Brassicaceae species (Arabidopsis thaliana, A. lyrata, A. halleri, and Arabis alpina) to identify gene families undergoing rapid expansion or contraction. Using a birth-death model, we identified 231 rapidly evolving gene families spanning diverse functional categories. We then characterized CNV within populations of A. thaliana and A. lyrata using population-scale long-read assemblies. CNV exhibited strong heterogeneity across gene families and species, with contrasting evolutionary outcomes: A. thaliana showed greater retention of duplicated copies, whereas A. lyrata exhibited higher pseudogenization and turnover. CNV profiles were strongly structured geographically, reflecting known demographic and phylogeographic patterns in both species. Environmental association analyses revealed species-specific architectures: CNV in A. thaliana showed a diffuse, polygenic association with climate, whereas in A. lyrata associations were more strongly coupled to population structure. Despite the functional diversity of rapidly evolving families, environmentally associated CNVs were significantly enriched in defense- and stress-related functions. These results demonstrate that CNV-environment relationships emerge at the level of gene family networks and are shaped by genomic architecture and lineage history, highlighting CNV as a context-dependent driver of genome evolution and ecological differentiation.
Truffles are enclosed, hypogeous fruiting bodies that have evolved hundreds of times across different fungal groups. Truffles are particularly diverse within Pezizales, a large and diverse order of Ascomycota where truffle forms have evolved multiple times. The majority of truffle species are ectomycorrhizal symbionts of trees and rely on animals for dispersal. Because of their hypogeous nature, truffles remain understudied and many new taxa remain to be discovered. Due to their obligate symbiosis with host plants and their dependence on animal dispersal, ectomycorrhizal truffle species often show distinct host associations, are restricted to certain forest types, and have notable biogeographic distribution patterns. Here, we present morphological and phylogenetic evidence in support of two new truffle species associated with Nothofagaceae trees in southern South America, Geomorium nahuelbutense (Geomoriaceae) and Paragalactinia nothofagacearum (Pezizaceae). The closest described relatives of these species form aboveground, apothecial ascomata, suggesting that these taxa are derived from independent evolutionary events leading to the truffle morphology. Paragalactinia nothofagacearum is widespread in northern Patagonia and has been documented as an ectomycorrhizal associate of Lophozonia alpina (= Nothofagus nervosa) seedlings. In contrast, Geomorium nahuelbutense has only been found in a well-preserved coastal forest in Chile toward the northern extent of the range of Nothofagaceae in South America. This is a conservation priority area that has been heavily impacted by fires, deforestation, and other human activities. This species is known only from two modern collections from Parque Nacional Nahuelbuta and one preserved specimen collected by Roland Thaxter near Concepción, Chile, in 1906.
Understanding predator-prey interactions is crucial for correctly answering many fundamental research questions, given their behavioural, ecological and evolutionary consequences. Such interactions can result in the direct consumption of the prey, but also in behavioural responses such as changes in breeding phenology. Space use of predators and the associated predation risk is a dynamic process, resulting in constant adjustments by the prey at different spatiotemporal scales. In the Arctic, predator-prey interactions are expected to change owing to the ongoing climate change and the associated shifts in ecosystem composition. However, most studies investigating the impact of predation on ground-nesting birds use data from artificial nests that lack the behavioural component of incubation. Consequently, studies investigating the impact of predation risk on real nests are needed, especially in arctic ecosystems of relatively low productivity. Using nest data collected over 3 years in Northeast Greenland, we investigated how spatial variations in predation risk by arctic foxes (Vulpes lagopus) impacted daily nest survival rates and start of incubation dates of two sympatric species of sandpipers: the sanderling (Calidris alba) and the dunlin (Calidris alpina arctica). Fox spatial activity was estimated by calculating their Autocorrelated kernel Utilisation Distributions based on fine-scale GPS data. We found that both sandpiper species had higher daily nest survival rates in areas of low fox activity. However, sandpipers initiated their nests earlier in areas of high fox activity. Together, these results show that predation risk does not delay the breeding phenology of high-Arctic sandpipers, and that predation risk clearly translates into lower nest survival, as often claimed by previous studies using artificial nests.