After decades of intensive herbivory by Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus canadensis), many deciduous plant communities across Yellowstone National Park's Northern Range began to recover following the mid-1990s reintroduction of gray wolves (Canis lupus), a trophic cascade. However, since the early 2000s, foraging pressure by the Park's North American bison (Bison bison) population has greatly increased. During this period, we evaluated the effects of an increased bison population on riparian plant communities in the Lamar Valley, an area of high bison use in the eastern portion of the Park's Northern Range. Using measurements of seedlings, saplings and small trees, and overstory trees, as well as chronosequence photographs, we studied the valley's cottonwoods (Populus spp.) and quaking aspen (P. tremuloides), both long-lived keystone species. Results indicated that cottonwood seedling heights were being suppressed by bison herbivory, preventing the establishment and growth of new cottonwood forests. The horning and rubbing effects of bison-accessible saplings and small trees of cottonwood and aspen were found to cause high levels of bark damage and mortality. The proportion of mature Lamar Valley cottonwood trees with bark damage from bison horning and rubbing increased from 5-6% to nearly 50% between 2001 and 2023, a period during which nearly one-third of these overstory trees had died. Our findings highlight how a century of unnaturally high levels of ungulate use, initially elk and now bison, has dramatically transformed the valley's riverine ecosystem. A recent management decision by the Park Service indicates the agency will maintain large numbers of bison into the future, thus continuing the disruption of riparian plant communities and ecosystem functions within the Lamar Valley, as well as other locations of high bison use in the Northern Range.
The last decade has brought a worldwide surge of interest in rewilding-the repopulation of large herbivores and carnivores-as a strategy for conserving species and reviving ecosystem functions. Rewilding initiatives, if closely monitored, can provide unique insights into the ecology of the world's largest animals at otherwise impossible spatial and temporal scales. Capitalizing on these opportunities, and developing a knowledge base to guide future restoration efforts, requires the collection and dissemination of long-term data that document community reassembly. To date, such data are virtually nonexistent: most megafaunal restoration projects are nascent and/or have not been rigorously monitored. Since 2008, the Gorongosa Restoration Project, in Mozambique's Gorongosa National Park, has facilitated the recovery of megafauna populations that were severely depleted or extirpated during the country's civil war (1977-1992). For over a decade, we have monitored Gorongosa's large-herbivore populations to understand how animal behavior and trophic interactions change as communities reassemble. Here, we present spatiotemporally explicit data sets on the movements and diets of large herbivores in Gorongosa between 2013 and 2025, along with annual rainfall data. This period encompassed extremes of climate (including some of the driest and wettest years on record) and the reintroduction, starting in 2018, of locally extinct apex predators and scavengers: African wild dog (Lycaon pictus), leopard (Panthera pardus), spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta), and side-striped jackal (Lupulella adusta). We used GPS telemetry to monitor 277 herbivores of seven species (listed below with number of individuals collared, median duration of tracking, and median number of locations per individual): Cape bushbuck (Tragelaphus sylvaticus: 103 individuals; 280 days; 6646 fixes), nyala (T. angasii: 37 individuals; 306 days; 6789 fixes), greater kudu (T. strepsiceros: 80 individuals; 300 days; 17,365 fixes), common eland (T. oryx: 10 individuals; 334 days; 15,783 fixes), waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus: 22 individuals; 13 days; 2877 fixes), plains zebra (Equus quagga: 7 individuals; 212 days; 1171 fixes), and African savanna elephant (Loxodonta africana: 18 individuals; 706 days; 33,122 fixes). For 295 individuals that were immobilized during this work, we present morphological measurements (chest girth, body length, hind-foot length, weight), reproductive status and nutritional condition (ultrasound measurements, palpation scores), and fate (mortality date and cause, if known). For diet analysis, we used DNA metabarcoding to identify and quantify the relative abundances of plant taxa in 3785 fecal samples from 27 mammal species belonging to 11 families and 7 orders. In all, we recorded 516 food-plant taxa from at least 87 plant families and 39 orders. For Gorongosa's 15 most common large herbivores, the median sampling depth was 216 fecal samples per species (interquartile range 156-279); the overall median sampling depth was 92 samples per species (range 1-499). We include basic metadata collected in the field (e.g., date, time, GPS location, animal sex, and age) along with laboratory notes and information on plant taxonomic identification. These data are valuable not just as a window on one ecosystem's recovery from armed conflict, but also as a resource for macroecology, meta-analysis, and synthetic studies of animal movement, diet, and the dynamics of community reassembly. The data are freely available for use and this paper should be cited whenever data are reused; see Data S1: Metadata S1: Class III.B.4 for additional details.
The activity patterns and feeding habits of primates are altered in response to habitat degradation and fluctuations in food availability. Among the Old-World monkey species, the De Brazza's monkey (DM), Cercopithecus neglectus, is one of the understudied species in Africa. We evaluated the impact of habitat disturbance on activity patterns and diet of the DM in the three management focal zones (core, buffer and transition) of Bonga and Saja forests of the Kafa Biosphere Reserve. Data were collected using instantaneous scan sampling method from June 2022 to May 2023. Six groups of De Brazza's monkeys (DMs)- one group from each management zone of the two forests- were observed twice a month. The proportion of time spent on each activity was calculated by dividing the number of records for each activity by the total number of activity records. Slightly more behavioral activities were recorded during the dry season (50.07%, n = 3173) compared to the wet season (49.93%, n = 3163). Feeding was more prevalent in the buffer zone (34.9%, n = 713) compared to the transition zone (31.6%, n = 646). In contrast, moving was most common in the transition zone (38.9%, n = 441) and less frequent in the buffer zone (24.9%, n = 333). The study revealed that the diet of De Brazza's monkeys consists of 34 plant species, 27 at Bonga and 24 at Saja site, with 17 species common to both sites, while 10 were unique to Bonga and 7 species to Saja. Most of the feeding activity was relatively higher during the wet season (51.8%, n = 2,124). Majority (83.7%) of the feeding scans were scans on fruit bearing trees. More DM diet sources were recorded in transition zones of the two study sites. The findings indicate that moving was more frequent in disturbed zones than the others zones. Seasonality influences the behavior of De Brazza's monkeys, with a greater proportion of their activities observed during the dry season. An immediate conservation action is necessary to mitigate habitat degradation in the Biosphere.
Understanding the genome-wide diversity of jute mallow (Corchorus olitorius L.) is crucial for unlocking the potential of global genebank collections, enabling the discovery and use of traits that support climate resilience, improve nutrition, and increase productivity. Using 23,471 high-quality diversity array technology sequencing single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), this study assessed the genetic diversity, population structure, and linkage disequilibrium (LD) of 607 accessions. Moderate genetic diversity was detected with a total gene diversity of 0.28, an expected heterozygosity of 0.26, and a Shannon index of 0.42. Four distinct genetic clusters were identified, reflecting geographic patterns, where Cluster 1 (n = 62) and Cluster 4 (n = 354) were predominantly composed of West African accessions. An analysis of molecular variance revealed significant genetic structuring (p < 0.001), with most genetic variation occurring within countries (45.2%), followed by within individuals (32.5%), while differentiation among clusters accounted for 18.2% and variation among regions was minimal (2.9%). LD revealed low genome-wide r2 values (mean = 0.028; r2 90 = 0.067) and a very rapid decay (LD50 ≈ 1 bp), with only 4.2% of SNP pairs showing significant LD (r2 > 0.1, p < 0.05), indicating extensive historical recombination. The findings suggest that a significant portion of the existing genetic variation remains untapped in breeding. Strategic conservation of the unique genetic variants through core and mini-core collections, coupled with targeted crosses among diverse regional accessions, can broaden the genetic base and support the development of resilient, high-yielding, and nutrient-rich dual-purpose varieties (i.e., leafy vegetables and industrial fibers) across diverse environments. Jute mallow is a significant leafy vegetable and fiber crop across Africa and Asia, yet its improvement has been hindered by limited knowledge of the species’ genetic diversity. Developing resilient and high‐yielding varieties depends on understanding this diversity and how it is distributed across regions. We analyzed 607 jute mallow accessions using 23,471 genome‐wide DNA markers. Four major genetic groups were identified through ancestry analysis. Molecular variance analysis showed that most genetic variation occurs within countries rather than between regions. Rapid decay of linkage disequilibrium was observed, indicating high recombination, and hence, higher marker density is required for genome‐wide association studies. These findings help genebanks identify unique accessions, reduce redundancy, and emphasize conserving within‐country diversity, while enabling breeders to cross divergent groups to broaden the breeding base and enhance adaptation.
In this cohort, we explored the DNA methylation changes of 3 genes of the canonical Wnt/β-catenin and RANKL/OPG pathways related to bone homeostasis in cord blood at birth. Those mothers with poor sleep quality in the first trimester of pregnancy had 5.9 times higher odds of complete OPG methylation compared to those with good sleep (adjusted OR = 5.9; 95% CI 1.04-33.0; p = 0.045). Maternal lifestyle factors during pregnancy can influence fetal development through epigenetic mechanisms, potentially affecting neonatal skeletal programming and long-term bone health. Sleep quality is an important, modifiable maternal factor, but its role in shaping epigenetic regulation of bone development remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the association between maternal sleep quality during pregnancy and DNA methylation of key genes of the canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, Wnt Family Member 10B (WNT10B), β-catenin (CTNNB1), and osteoprotegerin (OPG or TNFRSF11B) in the offspring's cord blood samples at birth. A total of 300 pregnant women were recruited as a sub-study of the PERSIAN Birth Cohort-Isfahan. Maternal sleep patterns were assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Methylation at cytosine-guanine (CpG) dinucleotide sites within the promoters of WNT10B, β-catenin, and OPG was quantified in offspring's cord blood at birth, and associations with maternal sleep quality across all trimesters were assessed. Poor sleep quality in the first trimester was significantly associated with increased OPG methylation (adjusted OR = 1.40, 95% CI 1.05-1.8, p = 0.023). Mothers with poor sleep quality (PSQI ≥ 5) in the first trimester had 5.9 times higher odds of complete OPG methylation compared to those with good sleep quality (adjusted OR = 5.9, 95% CI 1.04-33.0, p = 0.045). However, associations with WNT10B and β-catenin were not statistically significant. Maternal sleep quality during early gestation may influence the DNA methylation and epigenetic programming of bone-related genes in neonatal cord blood, emphasizing the importance of maternal lifestyle as a modifiable factor shaping early-life bone health.
Several important milestones have been achieved in recent years in the area of slowing the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Consequently, additional facets of reducing quality of life (QoL) in CKD patients have emerged, including progressive cognitive impairment (CI) in up to 50% of patients. Accumulating evidence suggests that gut microbiome dysregulation may promote CI in a paradigm of kidney-brain-gut axis. Systemic inflammation, oxidative stress, uremic toxins and increased intestinal permeability ("leaky gut") are key components of the kidney-brain-gut axis dysfunction. Correcting this cross-stalk through dietary changes may improve brain function and prevent further kidney damage. Beneficial nutritional guidelines include plant-based (Mediterranean style) low-protein diet, substitution of animal protein with soy isolate, ketoanalogues of essential amino acids supplementation, modification of the gut microbiota through prebiotics, probiotics, synbiotics and metabiotics. Although being a subject of debate, there are many worthwhile areas for research in kidney-brain-gut axis dysfunction. In this review, we aimed to address knowledge gaps in studies of CI in CKD patients in the context of the kidney-brain-gut axis.
Cadmium (Cd) severely inhibits plant growth by disrupting ion homeostasis, impairing redox balance, and inhibiting photosynthesis. Although auxin has been demonstrated to alleviate Cd damage in plants, the downstream signaling mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) seedlings were used to investigate the role of melatonin (MT) in IAA-induced alleviation of Cd damage. exogenous IAA mitigated Cd-induced growth inhibition and decreased its accumulation. The alleviating effects of IAA were associated with increased contents of cell wall components and detoxification-related metabolites, including lignin, cellulose, hemicellulose, pectin, glutathione, and phytochelatins. In addition, IAA alleviated oxidative damage and photosynthetic impairment caused by Cd. Further analysis showed that IAA enhanced the Cd-induced expression of SlCOMT1 (caffeic acid O-methyltransferase 1), a key gene involved in MT biosynthesis, and promoted endogenous MT accumulation. Notably, pharmacological inhibition of MT biosynthesis by p-CPA (CPA) weakened the protective effect of IAA. Genetic evidence showed that SlCOMT1 overexpression enhanced the alleviating effect of IAA, whereas the slcomt1 mutant compromised this effect. Exogenous MT restored the responsiveness of slcomt1 plants to IAA. Together, these findings indicate that SlCOMT1-mediated MT biosynthesis is required for IAA to alleviate Cd toxicity, revealing a new mechanism of IAA-mediated Cd detoxification through MT signaling and providing a theoretical basis for reducing Cd accumulation in crops via genetic improvement or exogenous regulation of the MT pathway.
Climate change profoundly affects plant habitats and ecological niches, particularly among Tertiary relict flora-remnants of warm and humid climatic conditions that prevailed during the Tertiary period-which are recognized as highly climate-sensitive lineages. The genus Lindera (Lauraceae), a representative group of deciduous broad-leaved trees in East Asian temperate forests, provides an ideal model for examining shifts in habitat suitability and changes in predicted suitable environments under future climate change scenarios. In this study, we developed ensemble species distribution models (SDMs) using six algorithms to predict the distributions of four Lindera species-L. obtusiloba, L. glauca, L. erythrocarpa, and L. sericea-under three Shared Socioeconomic Pathway (SSP) scenarios (SSP1-2.6, SSP3-7.0, SSP5-8.5). Among the three categories of environmental variables, climatic factors exerted the greatest influence on habitat suitability, with temperature seasonality (bio4) and growing-season precipitation (gsp) identified as the primary determinants. With intensifying climate change, suitable habitats shifted northward and upward, accompanied by pronounced habitat losses across southern and central Korea. Despite its broad geographic range, L. obtusiloba exhibited an 81% reduction in suitable habitat, whereas L. sericea, due to its localized distribution, showed a 91% decrease and was identified as the most climate-vulnerable species. Ecological niche overlap (Schoener's D) declined across all scenarios, indicating increasing ecological differentiation among species. Although the four Lindera species exhibited distinct spatial responses, all consistently experienced range contractions and reduced overlap in predicted suitable environments, indicating high vulnerability to climate change. These results suggest that intrinsic ecological traits, climatic sensitivity, and niche stability-rather than current geographic range extent-are key determinants of species persistence. Accordingly, Lindera species in southern Korea should be considered climate-vulnerable taxa, and conservation strategies should integrate the protection of climatically stable refugia with complementary conservation measures beyond natural habitats to ensure long-term persistence under future climate change.
Plants are often exposed to rapidly changing irradiance and intermittent periods of reduced water availability. Efficient use of light for photosynthesis depends on the plant's ability to respond flexibly to dynamic environmental constraints. Our aim was to assess the impact of light quantity and dynamics on the induction of photoprotective mechanisms in wild-type A. thaliana and mutants impaired in NPQ mechanisms. Wild-type (wt) plants and mutants impaired in key NPQ components, npq1 and npq4, were grown under optimal watering (OW) or drought stress (DS) and exposed to constant low (LL), medium (ML), and high light (HL), or to variable light (VL). The results showed that both PsbS and zeaxanthin (Zx) were essential for full induction of energy-dependent quenching (qE) under HL and VL. Notably, qE in wt under ML, which had the same average photon flux density as VL, was lower than qE under VL, indicating that temporal light dynamics, and not only average irradiance, critically affected qE induction. Furthermore, both PsbS and Zx were important for limiting the accumulation of sustained, slowly relaxing quenching under DS and HL. In turn, alternating HL and LL phases during VL restricted the build-up of this residual quenching to levels closer to those observed under ML. Under combined VL and DS, wt plants accumulated Zx to levels comparable to those observed under constant HL. This response was markedly reduced in the npq4 mutant lacking PsbS. In contrast, under constant light conditions, Zx accumulation in npq4 was similar to that in wt, indicating that the contribution of PsbS to Zx accumulation becomes particularly important under dynamic light combined with DS. These findings demonstrate that effective photoprotection and acclimation to combined drought and variable light depend on the coordinated action of PsbS and Zx.
Anthropogenic activities have intensified soil degradation and disrupted essential ecological processes, underscoring the need for effective ecological restoration strategies. Terminalia argentea, a pioneer species of the Cerrado, has demonstrated potential for recovering degraded areas and facilitating arthropod recolonization. Arthropods are sensitive to environmental changes and are thus recognized as bioindicators. This study aimed to assess the recovery of a degraded area by evaluating insect and spider ecological indices, their interactions, and the plant biomass of T. argentea saplings over a two-year field establishment period. Saplings with greater biomass (e.g., more leaves/branch) supported a higher abundance and richness of tending ants. During the first year after planting, the leaves of T. argentea saplings exhibited higher numbers of chewing insects (e.g., Cerotoma sp.) and their ecological indices (e.g., diversity), spiders (e.g., Oxyopidae) and their species richness, bees (e.g., Trigona spinipes) and their abundance, and tending ants (e.g., Brachymyrmex sp.) and their diversity and richness of species. In contrast, saplings in the second year after planting hosted higher numbers of sap-sucking insects (e.g., Aphis spiraecola), their tending ant Camponotus sp., and their Dolichopodidae predators. Saplings with more sap-sucking insects (e.g., Phenacoccus sp.) also had more tending ants (e.g., Camponotus sp.). However, an increase in tending ants (e.g., Ectatomma sp.) was associated with a reduction in predators (e.g., Photinus sp.) and chewing insects (e.g., Lamprosoma sp.). The presence of spiders (e.g., Araneidae) was correlated with higher numbers of chewing insects (e.g., Cephalocoema sp.), while Mantis religiosa and Polybia sp. were more common on saplings with higher defoliation percentages, and Syrphus sp. was associated with Bemisia sp.. These results indicate that trophic interactions, mediated by both bottom-up and top-down mechanisms, structure the arthropod community on T. argentea, promoting the coexistence of functional groups and enhancing ecological indices. Future studies involving predator exclusion and leaf chemical analyses will be essential to deepen this understanding.
Meloidogyne spp. threatens diverse crops, but integrating biochemical resistance markers with agroecological practices and enhanced SSA research capacity is crucial for sustainable nematode management. Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) pose a major threat to global agriculture, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where smallholder farming systems predominate. Their impact is frequently underestimated due to difficulties in diagnostic challenges and symptom overlap with other stresses. This systematic review critically examines 30 experimental studies conducted across 17 countries, 25 from other regions and 5 from SSA, examining plant biochemical defence responses against Meloidogyne spp., with an emphasis on SSA while incorporating global data. Literature was sourced from PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and AGRIS using strict inclusion criteria. Findings show that among the SSA studies included in this review, enzymatic assays were commonly employed on staple crops like maize, yam, and tomato in controlled environments, whereas global studies apply chromatographic metabolite profiling and molecular or omics-based analyses. Resistance and tolerance were consistently linked to elevated peroxidase (POD) and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity, phenolic accumulation, and activation of key phytohormone pathways (salicylic acid, jasmonic acid, and ethylene). However, major limitations identified include methodological heterogeneity, limited field validation, and underrepresentation of indigenous crops in SSA. The review highlights the urgent need for standardised protocols and expanded molecular capacity. Integrating biochemical markers into breeding programmes may support the development of region-specific resistance screening, and future sustainable nematode management strategies through interdisciplinary collaboration is essential for sustainable nematode control, although further field validation remains necessary. This synthesis offers a foundation to guide future research, crop improvement, and policy decisions under climate stress.
Black goji (Lycium ruthenicum Murray) is a distinctive desert medicinal plant indigenous to western China. It is characterized by its high concentration of anthocyanins, which have antioxidant properties, and is recognized for its significant medicinal and health benefits. However, the mechanism by which salt stress promotes the formation of high-quality black goji is still unclear. This study investigated the effects of salt stress on growth and anthocyanin synthesis in black goji. Our results showed that salt stress inhibited the growth of black goji seedlings and promoted the synthesis and accumulation of anthocyanins. Moreover, salt stress enhanced the regulatory effect of the MBW complex on the promoters of anthocyanin synthesis genes. Interestingly, salt stress promoted the synthesis and accumulation of anthocyanins in the LrAN2 transgenic callus of black goji. Transcriptome and metabolome analyses indicated that LrAN2 promoted the expression of anthocyanin synthesis-related genes and the accumulation of metabolites, and this effect was further enhanced under salt stress. This study provides a basis for understanding the molecular mechanism of anthocyanin synthesis in black goji.
Phosphorus (P) is an essential macronutrient for plant growth and development, yet its availability in soils is frequently limited due to fixation and slow diffusion. To cope with phosphate (Pi) starvation, plants have evolved sophisticated signaling networks involving multiple phytohormones that coordinate morphological, physiological, and molecular responses. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the roles and mechanisms of major phytohormones, including auxin, cytokinin, ethylene, strigolactones, abscisic acid, jasmonic acid, gibberellins, and brassinosteroids, in regulating plant responses to Pi deficiency. We also highlight recent advances in understanding how phytohormone signaling is coordinated with PHR1, the key transcription factor governing plant Pi starvation responses, including mechanisms of translational regulation, post-translational modifications, and protein-protein interactions. Finally, we propose future research directions for developing crops with improved phosphorus use efficiency through hormonal manipulation.
Species occupying small habitat patches and exhibiting behavioral and ecological flexibility are more likely to persist in fragmented landscapes. However, when isolated populations are not self-sustaining in the long term, translocation may be required, making an understanding of their behavior critical. Howler monkeys (Alouatta spp.) show high tolerance to habitat restriction, which has been linked to a highly folivorous diet and the exploitation of non-tree plant and non-native species as food sources. We assessed how the size of the habitat patch influences home range size, day range, time spent feeding, young leaf and fruit consumption, and diet richness, the relationships between these behaviors, and the effect of group size and study length on them using Generalized Linear Mixed Models and full model averaging based on a dataset of 97 studies conducted at 62 locations on the behavior of 124 groups representing nine species. Habitat patch size predicted home range size, which showed a positive effect on fruit consumption. Diet richness increased with increasing mean day range. No variable predicted day range, feeding time, and young leaf consumption. The limited and uncertain predictive power of habitat patch size for most variables reflect the unpredictability of the behavioral and ecological responses of howler monkeys to varying conditions of habitat quality. Our findings are consistent with the possibility that the behavioral flexibility enabling howler groups to survive in small, isolated, low quality habitat patches could enhance their value in metapopulation management strategies aimed at promoting long-term persistence of the species in human-modified landscapes.
Monacha cartusiana (O. F. Müller, 1774), native to the Mediterranean region and Europe, is a terrestrial gastropod recognized as a highly destructive agricultural pest that causes significant damage to crop plants, fruit trees, vegetables, ornamentals, and natural ecosystems. Despite its broad geographic distribution, the evolutionary history and phylogeographic relationships of M. cartusiana populations remain globally unexplored. This study reports the first molecularly confirmed record of M. cartusiana in Pakistan and investigates its genetic diversity and phylogeographic structure within a global context using mitochondrial markers. After morphological identification, genomic DNA was extracted from collected specimens using the CTAB method, followed by amplification and sequencing of the mitochondrial COI and 16S rRNA genes. The resulting sequences were subsequently analyzed using DnaSP and PopART software to estimate genetic diversity, perform neutrality tests, and construct haplotype networks. Published sequences of M. cartusiana retrieved from GenBank were incorporated to provide a global comparative framework. The COI dataset (555 bp) revealed 52 haplotypes, whereas the 16S rRNA dataset (269 bp) identified 14 haplotypes across global populations. High haplotype diversity (Hd = 0.946 for COI; Hd = 0.831 for 16S rRNA) and moderate nucleotide diversity (π = 0.010 for COI; π = 0.01253 for 16S rRNA) indicated substantial genetic variability within the species. Neutrality tests produced negative and insignificant values for Tajima's D for COI and significant values for 16S rRNA (-1.428 for COI; -0.20586 for 16S rRNA) and Fu's Fs (-29.776 for COI; -1.263 for 16S rRNA), suggesting historical population expansion. Phylogenetic reconstruction and haplotype network analyses identified two major clades (Clade A and Clade B), reflecting genetic relationships among populations from different geographic regions. AMOVA based on COI and 16S rRNA sequences revealed significant population structuring, with 29.98-51.30% of the total genetic variation occurring among populations and high fixation indices (FST = 0.299-0.51398, p = 0.001), indicating pronounced genetic differentiation and restricted gene flow. Pairwise FST analyses indicated that the Pakistani population is most closely related to populations from Italy and Central Europe, suggesting a closer genetic affinity with Southern or Central European populations. However, FST alone does not allow definitive inference of introduction directionality, and additional analyses would be required to robustly identify the source population. Overall, this study provides the first comprehensive molecular and phylogeographic assessment of the M. cartusiana species from Pakistan within a global context. These findings contribute important baseline data for understanding the evolutionary dynamics, dispersal history, and population connectivity of this economically important pest species. The pronounced genetic differentiation among populations and the suggested genetic affinity of the Pakistani population with European lineages have direct implications for biosecurity monitoring, invasion pathway tracing, and targeted pest management strategies. Future research integrating nuclear markers with the mitochondrial data presented here will be essential for a more complete understanding of gene flow and local adaptation in this species.
TALENs and CRISPR/Cas have become routine tools for genome editing. During stable plant transformation, genes coding for editing enzymes, e.g., Cas9, guide RNAs (gRNA), and selectable or screenable markers are integrated into the nuclear genome. Identification of successful transformants relies on selectable or screenable markers, typically genes providing resistance to herbicides or antibiotics. Selectable markers use a substantial portion of the T-DNA, hence reducing transfer efficiency by limiting the effective number of TALENs or guide/pegRNAs that can be used. Marker genes are frequently subject to gene silencing. Here, we generated loss-of-function mutations in PUT/LAT-type polyamine transporter family genes to confer resistance to methylviologen (MV) in rice. As proof of concept, CRISPR/Cas9 constructs with gRNAs were generated to target three close homologs, namely OsLAT1, OsLAT5, and OsLAT7. Loss of OsLAT5 (also known as OsPUT3 or OsPAR1) function was sufficient to confer resistance to MV in rice seeds, seedlings and calli. Loss-of-function alleles generated by editing of LAT5 can serve as a selectable marker at the seed germination stage. We discuss the potential utility of rice lat5 loss of function variants as selectable markers for genome editing.
Limonium cordatum (L.) Mill. (Plumbaginaceae) is a halophilous plant. Due to the intense anthropic pressure that influenced its habitat, it is classified as Vulnerable (VU) according to the conservation status of all the Italian endemic vascular plants. Since micropropagation could ensure massive plants multiplication, in order to preserve and restore gene pool of rare and endangered species, this method was successfully applied in L. cordatum. The uses of two different light intensities and two levels of temperature were tested to promote better plant quality. BA at 0.2 mg/L ensured the highest multiplication rate (12 new shoots/explant/month). Single-rooted explants are the best material to obtain plants suitable for acclimatization activities.
Due to changes in temperature and precipitation patterns, aquatic and semi-aquatic plant species are seriously threatened by climate change. This study evaluated how Marsilea minuta L., a small aquatic fern found in tropical and subtropical wetlands, would be affected by climate change across geographic regions. Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) was used to simulate species distributions using 963 spatially filtered occurrence records and five bioclimatic variables (BIO1, BIO2, BIO6, BIO12, and BIO13), selected after a thorough multicollinearity analysis. The BCC-CSM1.1 general circulation model was used to anticipate future climate scenarios for 2050 and 2070 under Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP) 2.6 and 8.5. The model showed outstanding prediction ability (AUC = 0.91, TSS = 0.71). According to current distribution modeling, M. minuta has a limited climatic niche that is focused between 30°N and 30°S, with South Asia, Southeast Asia, and equatorial Africa providing the best habitat. The most significant predictor was found to be the annual mean temperature, which was followed by precipitation variables and the lowest temperature of the coldest month. With net habitat losses ranging from 7.3% under RCP 2.6 (2050) to 17.2% under RCP 8.5 (2070), future predictions showed progressive range contractions across all scenarios. The gains were limited to isolated areas at higher latitudes, whereas habitat losses were concentrated at range edges. According to limiting factor analysis, the minimum temperature of the coldest month limited 28.3% of areas, mostly at higher latitudes, whereas annual precipitation limited dispersion throughout 34.7% of the investigated areas. The Congo Basin and South Asia were found to be possible climate refugia that might sustain stable, favorable conditions in a variety of scenarios. According to response curve analysis, ideal conditions include low diurnal temperature ranges, frost-free winters, high wet-season precipitation surpassing 1200 mm, and an annual mean temperature of 20-25 °C. These findings emphasize M. minuta susceptibility to climate change and the necessity of proactive conservation measures, such as safeguarding recognized refugia. Improvement of wetland connectivity and incorporation of climate factors into more comprehensive wetland management initiatives. Because losses under high-emission scenarios significantly outweighed those under strict mitigation paths, the projected range reductions highlight the crucial relevance of greenhouse gas mitigation in limiting biodiversity consequences.
Stomata, specialized pores on leaf epidermis, regulate CO2 uptake and water evaporation in terrestrial plants. Since environmental and biochemical stimuli affect stomatal aperture, its regulation is strongly correlated with photosynthesis. Particularly in rice (Oryza sativa L.), it was demonstrated that stomatal conductance (gs) is a major determinant of photosynthetic rate under well-watered conditions. However, little is known about the impact of altered stomatal regulation under CO2 enrichment on rice leaf physiology and metabolism. In this study, we analyse the physiological and proteomic response of SLAC1-deficient rice plants (slac1) with a constitutive open-stomata phenotype, grown under ambient or elevated CO2 concentration (a[CO2]: 400 vs e[CO2]: 700 μmol mol-1). According to gas-exchange measurements, gs and intracellular [CO2] were higher in slac1 than in the Wt genotype, while the photosynthetic rate was lower at both [CO2]. Although Wt plants were capable to double their biomass under e[CO2], any change was observed in the slac1 genotype. This behaviour linked to a higher transpiration rate under e[CO2], and a down-regulation of different aquaporins and photosynthetic light reaction proteins, together with the overexpression of proteins related to stress and redox homeostasis, revealed that their inability to close stomata subjected slac1 plants to stressful growing conditions that avoid the CO2 fertilization effect. In summary, the current study showed that, regulation of stomatal opening is a target process with potential double effect (positive or negative) that has an important impact on leaf metabolism and responsiveness to changing environmental conditions.
Abiotic stresses significantly affect plant growth and development, and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as key regulators of plant stress responses. However, a systematic characterization of lncRNAs landscapes across multiple abiotic stresses in Medicago truncatula remains lacking. In particular, the coordinated roles of lncRNAs under diverse stress conditions and their potential regulatory relationships remain poorly understood. In this study, we analyzed 54 public RNA-seq datasets of Medicago truncatula under seven stress conditions and identified 6,449 lncRNAs, including 4,115 novel and 2,334 known lncRNAs. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and differential expression analysis revealed stress-responsive lncRNAs, including co-expressed lncRNAs in key modules and differentially expressed lncRNAs under cold, drought and salt stress. Functional enrichment analysis indicated that these were involved in intracellular components, cellular component biogenesis, and metabolic processes. Furthermore, we predicted that seven lncRNAs may serve as potential precursors of 20 miRNAs. Under cold stress, eight putative lncRNAs MtCIRs were predicted based on their expression levels and chromosomal locations relative to MtCBFs genes, among which MtCIR1 and MtCIR3-1 exhibited the highest sequence similarity. In summary, this study provides a comprehensive landscape of stress-responsive lncRNAs in M. truncatula and offers testable hypotheses as well as valuable resources for the future functional characterization of lncRNAs in legume stress adaptation.