|
| | 1. |
2008 Jan 22 |
Seed odor mediates an obligate ant-plant mutualism in Amazonian rainforests.
Youngsteadt E, Nojima S, Häberlein C, Schulz S, Schal C
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 2008 Mar 25;105(12):4571-5. Epub 2008 Jan 22.
Abstract
Seed dispersal mutualisms are essential for the survival of diverse plant species and communities worldwide. Among invertebrates, only ants have a major role in seed dispersal, and thousands of plant species produce seeds specialized for ant dispersal in "diffuse" multispecies interactions. An outstanding but poorly understood ant-seed mutualism occurs in the Amazonian rainforest, where arboreal ants collect seeds of several epiphyte species and cultivate them in nutrient-rich nests, forming abundant and conspicuous hanging gardens known as ant-gardens (AGs). AG ants and plants are dominant members of lowland Amazonian ecosystems, and their interaction is both specific and obligate, but the means by which ants locate, recognize, and accept their mutualist seeds while rejecting other seeds is unknown. Here we address the chemical and behavioral basis of the AG interaction. We show that workers of the AG ant Camponotus femoratus are attracted to odorants emanating from seeds of the AG plant Peperomia macrostachya, and that chemical cues also elicit seed-carrying behavior. We identify five compounds from P. macrostachya seeds that, as a blend, attract C. femoratus workers. This report of attractive odorants from ant-dispersed seeds illustrates the intimacy and complexity of the AG mutualism and begins to illuminate the chemical basis of this important and enigmatic interaction.
[Pubmed: 18212122]
| | 2. |
2009 May 13 |
Ants Sow the Seeds of Global Diversification in Flowering Plants
Lengyel, Gove, Latimer, Majer, Dunn
PLoS ONE 2009 May 13;4(5). published online before print
Abstract
The extraordinary diversification of angiosperm plants in the Cretaceous and Tertiary periods has produced an estimated 250,000–300,000 living angiosperm species and has fundamentally altered terrestrial ecosystems. Interactions with animals as pollinators or seed dispersers have long been suspected as drivers of angiosperm diversification, yet empirical examples remain sparse or inconclusive. Seed dispersal by ants (myrmecochory) may drive diversification as it can reduce extinction by providing selective advantages to plants and can increase speciation by enhancing geographical isolation by extremely limited dispersal distances.
[Pubmed: 19436714]
| | 3. |
2006 Aug |
Renal failure in a guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) following ingestion of oxalate containing plants
Holowaychuk
Can Vet J 2006 Aug;47(8):787-789.
Abstract
A 1-year-old guinea pig presented with anorexia, lethargy, and weight loss, 1 week
after ingesting a peace lily leaf. Laboratory findings were
suggestive of renal failure and included elevated blood urea nitrogen
and creatinine with concurrent isosthenuria. The guinea pig was euthanized 1 month
later due to worsening clinical signs.
[Pubmed: 16933558]
| | 4. |
2007 Feb |
Evolutionary Dynamics of Ralstonia solanacearum▿
Castillo, Greenberg
Appl Environ Microbiol 2007 Feb;73(4):1225-1238.
Abstract
We investigated the genetic diversity, extent of recombination, natural selection, and population divergence of Ralstonia solanacearum samples obtained from sources worldwide. This plant pathogen causes bacterial wilt in many crops and constitutes a serious threat to agricultural production due to its very wide host range and aggressiveness. Five housekeeping genes, dispersed around the chromosome, and three virulence-related genes, located on the megaplasmid, were sequenced from 58 strains belonging to the four major phylogenetic clusters (phylotypes). Whereas genetic variation is high and consistent for all housekeeping loci studied, virulence-related gene sequences are more diverse. Phylogenetic and statistical analyses suggest that this organism is a highly diverse bacterial species containing four major, deeply separated evolutionary lineages (phylotypes I to IV) and a weaker subdivision of phylotype II into two subgroups. Analysis of molecular variations showed that the geographic isolation and spatial distance have been the significant determinants of genetic variation between phylotypes. R. solanacearum displays high clonality for housekeeping genes in all phylotypes (except phylotype III) and significant levels of recombination for the virulence-related egl and hrpB genes, which are limited mainly to phylotype strains III and IV. Finally, genes essential for species survival are under purifying selection, and those directly involved in pathogenesis might be under diversifying selection.
[Pubmed: 17189443]
| | 5. |
2005 Jul |
Metabolic Engineering of Anthocyanin Biosynthesis in Escherichia coli
Yan, Chemler, Huang, Martens, Koffas
Appl Environ Microbiol 2005 Jul;71(7):3617-3623.
Abstract
Anthocyanins are red, purple, or blue plant pigments that belong to the family of polyphenolic compounds collectively called flavonoids. Their demonstrated antioxidant properties and economic importance to the dye, fruit, and cut-flower industries have driven intensive research into their metabolic biosynthetic pathways. In order to produce stable, glycosylated anthocyanins from colorless flavanones such as naringenin and eriodictyol, a four-step metabolic pathway was constructed that contained plant genes from heterologous origins: flavanone 3β-hydroxylase from Malus domestica, dihydroflavonol 4-reductase from Anthurium andraeanum, anthocyanidin synthase (ANS) also from M. domestica, and UDP-glucose:flavonoid 3-O-glucosyltransferase from Petunia hybrida. Using two rounds of PCR, each one of the four genes was first placed under the control of the trc promoter and its own bacterial ribosome-binding site and then cloned sequentially into vector pK184. Escherichia coli cells containing the recombinant plant pathway were able to take up either naringenin or eriodictyol and convert it to the corresponding glycosylated anthocyanin, pelargonidin 3-O-glucoside or cyanidin 3-O-glucoside. The produced anthocyanins were present at low concentrations, while most of the metabolites detected corresponded to their dihydroflavonol precursors, as well as the corresponding flavonols. The presence of side product flavonols is at least partly due to an alternate reaction catalyzed by ANS. This is the first time plant-specific anthocyanins have been produced from a microorganism and opens up the possibility of further production improvement by protein and pathway engineering.
[Pubmed: 16000769]
| | 6. |
2008 May 13 |
Centrosomal RNA correlates with intron-poor nuclear genes in Spisula oocytes
Alliegro, Alliegro
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2008 May 13;105(19):6993-6997.
Abstract
The evolutionary origin of centriole/kinetosomes, centrosomes, and other microtubule organizing centers (MTOCs), whether by direct filiation or symbiogenesis, has been controversial for >50 years. Centrioles, like mitochondria and chloroplasts, duplicate independently of the nucleus and constitute a heritable system independent of chromosomal DNA. Nucleic acids endogenous to the MTOC would support evolutionary origin by symbiogenesis. To date, most reports of centrosome-associated nucleic acids have used generalized reagents such as RNases and nucleic acid dyes. Here, from a library of RNAs extracted from isolated surf clam (Spisula solidissima) centrosomes, we describe a group of centrosome-associated transcripts representing a structurally unique intron-poor collection of nuclear genes skewed toward nucleic acid metabolism. Thus, we resolve the debate over the existence of centrosome-associated RNA (cnRNA). A subset of cnRNAs contain functional domains that are highly conserved across distant taxa, such as nucleotide polymerase motifs. In situ localization of cnRNA65, a molecule with an RNA polymerase domain, showed it is present in the intact oocyte nucleus (germinal vesicle). Its expression, therefore, precedes the appearance of γ-tubulin-containing centrosomes. At this stage, the in situ signal resembles the nucleolinus, a poorly understood organelle proposed to play a role in spindle formation. After oocyte activation and germinal vesicle breakdown, cnRNA65 persists as a cytoplasmic patch within which γ-tubulin-stained centrosomes can be seen. These observations provoke the question of whether cnRNAs and the nucleolinus serve as cytological progenitors of the centrosome and may support a symbiogenetic model for its evolution.
[Pubmed: 18458332]
| | 7. |
2006 Feb |
Specific Detection of Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. dieffenbachiae in Anthurium (Anthurium andreanum) Tissues by Nested PCR†
Robène-Soustrade, Laurent, Gagnevin, Jouen, Pruvost
Appl Environ Microbiol 2006 Feb;72(2):1072-1078.
Abstract
Efficient control of Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. dieffenbachiae, the causal agent of anthurium bacterial blight, requires a sensitive and reliable diagnostic tool. A nested PCR test was developed from a sequence-characterized amplified region marker identified by randomly amplified polymorphic DNA PCR for the detection of X. axonopodis pv. dieffenbachiae. Serological and pathogenicity tests were performed concurrently with the nested PCR test with a large collection of X. axonopodis pv. dieffenbachiae strains that were isolated worldwide and are pathogenic to anthurium and/or other aroids. The internal primer pair directed amplification of the expected product (785 bp) for all 70 X. axonopodis pv. dieffenbachiae strains pathogenic to anthurium tested and for isolates originating from syngonium and not pathogenic to anthurium. This finding is consistent with previous studies which indicated that there is a high level of relatedness between strains from anthurium and strains from syngonium. Strains originating from the two host genera can be distinguished by restriction analysis of the amplification product. No amplification product was obtained with 98 strains of unrelated phytopathogenic bacteria or saprophytic bacteria from the anthurium phyllosphere, except for a weak signal obtained for one X. axonopodis pv. allii strain. Nevertheless, restriction enzyme analysis permitted the two pathovars to be distinguished. The detection threshold obtained with pure cultures or plant extracts (103 CFU ml−1) allowed detection of the pathogen from symptomless contaminated plants. This test could be a useful diagnostic tool for screening propagation stock plant material and for monitoring international movement of X. axonopodis pv. dieffenbachiae.
[Pubmed: 16461651]
| | 8. |
2008 Sep 30 |
An efficient method for visualization and growth of fluorescent Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae in planta
Han, Park, Lee, Ronald
BMC Microbiol 2008 Sep 30;8:164. published online before print
Abstract
Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae, the causal agent of bacterial blight disease, is a serious pathogen of rice. Here we describe a fluorescent marker system to study virulence and pathogenicity of X. oryzae pv. oryzae.
[Pubmed: 18826644]
| | 9. |
2009 May 15 |
A new semi-selective medium for the isolation of Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. dieffenbachiae, the etiological agent of anthurium bacterial blight.
Laurent P, Chabirand A, Jouen E, Robène-Soustrade I, Gagnevin L, Hostachy B, Pruvost O
Lett. Appl. Microbiol. 2009 Aug;49(2):210-6. Epub 2009 May 15.
Abstract
AIMS: Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. dieffenbachiae causes anthurium blight, which is regarded as the most threatening disease for the anthurium industry worldwide. The bacterium is listed as a quarantine pathogen in several regions, including Europe. We evaluated the use of Neomycin-Cephalexin-Trimethoprime-pirMecillinam 4 (NCTM4) medium for its isolation. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 104 bacterial strains were inoculated onto NCTM4 and on the previously published Cellobiose-Starch (CS) and Esculin-Trehalose (ET) media. The strain collection included: the anthurium blight pathogen, Xanthomonas strains, for which false positive results are known to occur using serological identification-tests; other bacterial pathogens of anthurium; and representatives of bacteria that are commonly present in the anthurium phyllosphere. Media were evaluated following the ISO 16140 protocol for the validation of alternative methods. CONCLUSION: Growth of the anthurium blight pathogen was better on NCTM4 and ET media than on CS. NCTM4 provided a better repeatability. It also displayed a lower rate of false positive and false negative results when the pathogen was isolated from plant extracts. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study will lead to improved isolation protocols of the anthurium blight in official procedures. NCTM4 medium could also favourably be used in studies, which aim to further understanding of the biology and epidemiology of this pathogen.
[Pubmed: 19453949]
| | 10. |
2008 Nov 06 |
Reclassification of subspecies of Acidovorax avenae as A. Avenae (Manns 1905) emend., A. cattleyae (Pavarino, 1911) comb. nov., A. citrulli Schaad et al., 1978) comb. nov., and proposal of A. oryzae sp. nov.
Schaad NW, Postnikova E, Sechler A, Claflin LE, Vidaver AK, Jones JB, Agarkova I, Ignatov A, Dickstein E, Ramundo BA
Syst. Appl. Microbiol. 2008 Dec;31(6-8):434-46. Epub 2008 Nov 06.
Abstract
The bacterium Acidovorax avenae causes disease in a wide range of economically important monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous plants, including corn, rice, watermelon, anthurium, and orchids. Genotypic and phenotypic relatedness among strains of phytopathogenic A. avenae subsp. avenae, A. avenae subsp. citrulli, A. avenae subsp. cattleyae and A. konjaci, as well as all other Acidovorax species, including A. facilis, the type strain of Acidovorax, was determined. The 16s rDNA sequencing confirmed previous studies showing the environmental species to be very distant from the phytopathogenic species. DNA/DNA reassociation assays on the different strains of A. avenae revealed four (A, B, C, and D) distinct genotypes. Taxon A included six A. avenae subsp. avenae strains from corn that had a mean reciprocal similarity of 81%; taxon B included six A. avenae subsp. avenae strains from rice that had a mean reciprocal similarity of 97%; taxon C contained 11 A. avenae subsp. citrulli strains from cucurbits (cantaloupe, watermelon, and pumpkin) that had a mean reciprocal similarity of 88%, and taxon D contained four A. avenae subsp. cattleyae strains from orchids that had a mean similarity of 98%. The mean reciprocal relatedness between taxa A, B, C, and D was less than 70%. Sequence analysis of 16S rDNA and the 16S-23S rDNA internally transcribed spacer region, as well as AFLP analysis, revealed the same four taxa. All four were easily differentiated phenotypically from each other and from all other recognized Acidovorax species. Strains of A. avenae did not contain 3-hydroxyoctanoic acid, which was found in all other species. On the basis of these and previous genetic and phenotypic results, we propose an emendation of the species A. avenae. A. avenae subsp. citrulli (C strains) and A. avenae subsp. cattleyae (D strains) should be elevated to species rank as A. citrulli and A. cattleyae, respectively. We further propose a new taxon for the B strains, A. oryzae sp. nov. with FC-143T = ICPB 30003T = ICMP 3960T = ATCC 19882T as the type strain.
[Pubmed: 18993005]
| | 11. |
2008 Apr |
Genetic basis of resistance to systemic infection by Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. dieffenbachiae in Anthurium.
Elibox W, Umaharan P
Phytopathology. 2008 Apr;98(4):421-6.
Abstract
The genetic basis of systemic resistance to bacterial blight disease (blight) of anthurium (Anthurium andraeanum) caused by Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. dieffenbachiae was investigated in progenies of 53 crosses involving 31 parent cultivars using segregation analysis. Inoculation of parents and progenies was achieved by injecting the petiole base of the most recent fully expanded leaf with 100 microl of 10(9) colony forming units per ml of the blight pathogen (strain X4gfp) transformed with the green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene. The time to death and the presence or absence of GFP fluorescence on newly emerging leaves was monitored over a period of 30 weeks after inoculation (WAI), on an individual plant basis. The expected resistance to susceptible ratios based on a digenic model involving two dominant genes, designated A and B, interacting according to a duplicate recessive epistasis model fitted the observed segregation ratios in the crosses. Based on the segregation ratios obtained, the parental cultivars were assigned plausible genotypes. There were significant differences (P < 0.001) in time to death following inoculation between the various genotypic designations. Cultivars with genotypes AABB, AABb, AaBB, and AaBb died within 10 WAI and designated as susceptible; AAbb and aaBB died from 18.8 to 25.6 WAI and were designated as moderately resistant; and Aabb, aaBb, and aabb produced resistant phenotypes. There was also some evidence for dosage effect especially in the highly resistant category. Hence, (AABb = AaBB = AaBb) < (aaBB = AAbb) < Aabb = aaBb = aabb). An approach to fixing resistance to blight in anthurium is discussed.
[Pubmed: 18944190]
| | 12. |
2007 Aug 24 |
Ralstonia solanacearum strains from Martinique (French West Indies) exhibiting a new pathogenic potential.
Wicker E, Grassart L, Coranson-Beaudu R, Mian D, Guilbaud C, Fegan M, Prior P
Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 2007 Nov;73(21):6790-801. Epub 2007 Aug 24.
Abstract
We investigated a destructive pathogenic variant of the plant pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum that was consistently isolated in Martinique (French West Indies). Since the 1960s, bacterial wilt of solanaceous crops in Martinique has been caused primarily by strains of R. solanacearum that belong to either phylotype I or phylotype II. Since 1999, anthurium shade houses have been dramatically affected by uncharacterized phylotype II strains that also affected a wide range of species, such as Heliconia caribea, cucurbitaceous crops, and weeds. From 1989 to 2003, a total of 224 R. solanacearum isolates were collected and compared to 6 strains isolated in Martinique in the 1980s. The genetic diversity and phylogenetic position of selected strains from Martinique were assessed (multiplex PCRs, mutS and egl DNA sequence analysis) and compared to the genetic diversity and phylogenetic position of 32 reference strains covering the known diversity within the R. solanacearum species complex. Twenty-four representative isolates were tested for pathogenicity to Musa species (banana) and tomato, eggplant, and sweet pepper. Based upon both PCR and sequence analysis, 119 Martinique isolates from anthurium, members of the family Cucurbitaceae, Heliconia, and tomato, were determined to belong to a group termed phylotype II/sequevar 4 (II/4). While these strains cluster with the Moko disease-causing strains, they were not pathogenic to banana (NPB). The strains belonging to phylotype II/4NPB were highly pathogenic to tomato, eggplant, and pepper, were able to wilt the resistant tomato variety Hawaii7996, and may latently infect cooking banana. Phylotype II/4NPB constitutes a new pathogenic variant of R. solanacearum that has recently appeared in Martinique and may be latently prevalent throughout Caribbean and Central/South America.
[Pubmed: 17720825]
| | 13. |
2007 Sep |
Trigeminal sensory neuropathy and facial contact dermatitis due to Anthurium sp.
Twardowschy CA, Teive HA, Siquineli F, Ditzel Filho L, Entres M, Twardowschy A, Werneck LC
Arq Neuropsiquiatr. 2007 Sep;65(3B):822-5.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Trigeminal sensory neuropathy (TSN) describes a heterogeneous group of disorders manifesting as facial numbness. OBJECTIVE: We report the case of a patient who had TSN associated with contact dermatitis due to Anthurium sp. METHOD/RESULTS: A 21-year-old female patient developed left hemifacial contact dermatitis after exposure to the anthurium plant. The patient had paresthesias and pain in the V2 and V3 divisions of the left trigeminal nerve. Eight days after its onset the dermatitis resolved, but numbness developed in the V2 and V3 divisions of the left trigeminal nerve. Cranial CT scan and MRI, as well as CSF and extensive work-up exams, were normal. After one month the symptoms disappeared completely. CONCLUSION: Anthurium sp, an indoor ornamental plant that contains calcium oxalate crystals, and can causes contact dermatitis. To our knowledge, this is the first report associating TSN with contact dermatitis due to Anthurium sp.
[Pubmed: 17952288]
| | 14. |
2007 Mar |
Pollination of Anthurium (Araceae) by derelomine flower weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae).
Franz NM
Rev. Biol. Trop. 2007 Mar;55(1):269-77.
Abstract
Cyclanthura flower weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Derelomini) are identified for the first time as pollinators of multiple species of Anthurium (Araceae) in Costa Rica. The weevils are present on the inflorescences in small numbers during the pistillate and staminate phase of anthesis, and consume plant tissues and pollen. The individuals of one species of Cyclanthura can visit several Anthurium species within the same locality. They also engage in reproductive activities and are likely to oviposit into the flowers. The mating strategies suggest that sperm precedence selects males that are able to secure their position as the last partner prior to oviposition.
[Pubmed: 18457136]
| | 15. |
2005 Sep |
Effect of Conditioning Treatments on the Survival of Radopholus similis at High Temperatures.
Arcinas A, Sipes BS, Hara AH, Tsang MM
J. Nematol. 2005 Sep;37(3):250-3.
Abstract
Heat treatments are an environmentally safe method for eliminating quarantine pests from tropical foliage. Conditioning heat treatments can induce thermotolerance against subsequent and otherwise phytotoxic temperatures in tropical foliage, allowing heat treatments to be even more effective. However, if thermotolerance is also induced in nematodes of quarantine significance like Radopholus similis, heat treatments would be rendered ineffective. A lethal thermal death point (LT(99.9)) was established for R. similis by recording mortality at 25 (control temperature), 43 degrees C, 45 degrees C, 47 degrees C, or 49 degrees C after a 0, 1-, 2-, 4-, 6-, 8-, 10-, 12-, or 15-minute exposure. In a second experiment, nematodes were conditioned at 35, 40, or 45 degrees C for 0, 15, 30, 60, 120, and 180 minutes, allowed to rest for 3 hours, and then challenged at 47 degrees C for 5 minutes. No nematodes survived the challenge heat treatment; rather, nematode mortality was hastened by the conditioning treatment itself. In a third experiment, R. similis inside anthurium roots were conditioned at 25 degrees C or 40 degrees C for 15 minutes and then treated at 45 degrees C for up to 8 minutes. Mortality of conditioned and unconditioned nematodes was similar (P > 0.1). Conditioning treatments increase plant thermotolerance but do not induce thermotolerance in R. similis. Heat treatments have promise as disinfection protocols for quarantines.
[Pubmed: 19262868]
| | 16. |
2005 Jun |
Molecular characterisation of Xanthomonas strains isolated from aroids in Mauritius.
Khoodoo MH, Sahin F, Donmez MF, Fakim YJ
Syst. Appl. Microbiol. 2005 Jun;28(4):366-80.
Abstract
Mauritius is one of the largest world producers of Anthurium cut flowers but outbreaks of bacterial blight have never been reported on the island. This work was about the characterisation and identification of bacterial strains isolated from Anthurium andreanum, Dieffenbachia maculata and Aglaonema simplex in Mauritius. Fifteen strains, that showed the morphological properties of Xanthomonas on conventional media, were tested on two semi-selective media (Esculin-trehalose and cellobiose-starch). ELISA tests using a panel of monoclonal antibodies were carried out and three out of 15 strains reacted with a Xanthomonas-specific monoclonal antibody (MAb XII). Analysis using four sets of ribosomal primers revealed that the same three Mauritius strains shared conserved PCR products with reference xanthomonads including virulent strains of Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. dieffenbachiae (Xad). BIOLOG tests and the Sherlock Microbial Identification system (MIDI) identified these three new strains at the species level as X. axonopodis. The complementary tests that were carried out clearly confirmed that the three strains are xanthomonads and, moreover, a DNA probe which showed specificity to Xad strains suggested that the three Mauritius strains are non-virulent forms of the pathogen causing Anthurium blight.
[Pubmed: 15997710]
| | 17. |
2003 Feb |
In vitro propagation of three commercial cut flower cultivars of Anthurium andraeanum Hort.
Joseph D, Martin KP, Madassery J, Philip VJ
Indian J. Exp. Biol. 2003 Feb;41(2):154-9.
Abstract
In vitro propagation of Anthurium andraeanum Hort. cut flower cultivars viz. Lima White, Tropical White and Tropical Red through organogenesis using mature plant derived leaf explants was established on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium fortified with different growth regulators. Cultivar, stage and different regions of the source leaf, and type of growth regulators significantly influenced callus induction. Explants from folded brown leaves were superior in induction of callus. Half strength MS medium fortified with 0.88 microM of benzyiadenine (BA), 0.9 microM of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 0.46 microM of kinetin (Kn) at pH 5.5 was most effective for callus induction. Transfer of callus to medium with 0.54 microM of NAA in place of 2,4-D induced higher number of shoots. Subsequent cultures displayed enhanced rate of shoot initiation and multiplication. Transfer of shoots onto half strength MS medium supplemented with 0.54 microM of NAA favoured rooting of shoots. Cultivar Tropical White was superior in callus, shoot and root induction compared to Lima White and Tropical Red. Plantlets after acclimation in greenhouse were transferred to net-house, that exhibited ninety seven per cent survival. Plants flowered normally between 12 and 15 months and were morphologically similar to that of the mother plants.
[Pubmed: 15255608]
| | 18. |
2001 Aug |
Phenolic constituents and antioxidant activity of an extract of Anthuriumversicolor leaves.
Aquino R, Morelli S, Lauro MR, Abdo S, Saija A, Tomaino A
J. Nat. Prod. 2001 Aug;64(8):1019-23.
Abstract
Fractionation of a methanolic extract of the leaves of Anthurium versicolor has resulted in the isolation of two main fractions, I and II. Both the extract and the fractions were assayed for their radical-scavenging activity by means of an in vitro test (bleaching of the stable 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical) and showed a significant radical-scavenging effect. Subsequent chromatographic fractionation of the most active fraction, II, has led to the isolation and characterization, as major constituents, of four new flavone glycosides, acacetin 6-C-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->3)-beta-D-glucopyranoside] (1), acacetin 6-C-[beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside] (2), acacetin 6-C-[beta-D-apiofuranosyl-(1-->3)-beta-D-glucopyranoside] (3), and acacetin 8-C-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->3)-beta-D-glucopyranoside] (4), as well as vitexin (apigenin-8-C-beta-D-glucopyranoside) and rosmarinic acid. The structures of 1-4 were determined using spectroscopic methods.
[Pubmed: 11520218]
| | 19. |
2000 Jan |
Acidovorax anthurii sp. nov., a new phytopathogenic bacterium which causes bacterial leaf-spot of anthurium.
Gardan L, Dauga C, Prior P, Gillis M, Saddler GS
Int. J. Syst. Evol. Microbiol. 2000 Jan;50 Pt 1:235-46.
Abstract
The bacterial leaf-spot of anthurium emerged during the 1980s, in the French West Indies and Trinidad. This new bacterial disease is presently wide spread and constitutes a serious limiting factor for commercial anthurium production. Twenty-nine strains isolated from leaf-spots of naturally infected anthurium were characterized and compared with reference strains belonging to the Comamonadaceae family, the genera Ralstonia and Burkholderia, and representative fluorescent pseudomonads. From artificial inoculations 25 out of 29 strains were pathogenic on anthurium. Biochemical and physiological tests, fatty acid analysis, DNA-DNA hybridization, 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, DNA-16S RNA hybridization were performed. The 25 pathogenic strains on anthurium were clustered in one phenon closely related to phytopathogenic strains of the genus Acidovorax. Anthurium strains were 79-99% (deltaTm range 0.2-1.6) related to the strain CFBP 3232 and constituted a discrete DNA homology group indicating that they belong to the same species. DNA-rRNA hybridization, 16S rRNA sequence and fatty acid analysis confirmed that this new species belongs to the beta-subclass of Proteobacteria and to rRNA superfamily III, to the family of Comamonadaceae and to the genus Acidovorax. The name Acidovorax anthurii is proposed for this new phytopathogenic bacterium. The type strain has been deposited in the Collection Française des Bactéries Phytopathogènes as CFBP 3232T.
[Pubmed: 10826809]
| | 20. |
1999 Nov |
Effect of temperature on the incubation period and leaf colonization in bacterial blight of anthurium.
Fukui R, Fukui H, Alvarez AM
Phytopathology. 1999 Nov;89(11):1007-14.
Abstract
ABSTRACT Effect of temperature on leaf colonization in anthurium blight was studied using a bioluminescent strain of Xanthomonas campestris pv. dieffenbachiae. In a susceptible cultivar, colonization of leaf tissues (monitored by detection of bioluminescence) and symptom development (assessed visually) advanced rapidly at higher temperatures. For a susceptible cultivar, there was a linear relationship between degree-days and percent leaf area colonized by the pathogen, indicating that leaf colonization in a susceptible cultivar was a direct function of the cumulative effect of temperature. The degree-day intercept of the regression line represented the time from inoculation to detection of bioluminescence, and the slope indicated the increase of leaf colonization per degree-day. There also was a linear relationship between the logarithm of degree-days and the logarithm of percent leaf area showing visible symptoms in a susceptible cultivar. The degree-day intercept of this relationship represented the incubation period (about 500 degree-days). The degree-days required to detect bioluminescence was not considerably different between susceptible and resistant cultivars. However, the subsequent rates of leaf colonization were significantly lower for a resistant cultivar than for a susceptible cultivar in all temperature regimes. The results suggest that multiplication of the pathogen in the leaf tissues is optimized in the susceptible cultivar. In contrast, in the resistant cultivar, the defense mechanisms overshadow the temperature effect. The differential response to temperatures may be an additional indicator of cultivar susceptibility.
[Pubmed: 18944655]
| | 21. |
1999 May |
Comparisons of single versus multiple bacterial species on biological control of anthurium blight.
Fukui R, Fukui H, Alvarez AM
Phytopathology. 1999 May;89(5):366-73.
Abstract
ABSTRACT Effects of single versus multiple biological control agents (BCAs) on suppression of bacterial blight of anthurium were studied using a bioluminescent strain (V108LRUH1) of Xanthomonas campestris pv. dieffenbachiae. When five BCAs (GUT3, GUT4, GUT5, GUT6, and GUT9) were coinoculated in various combinations with V108LRUH1 into filter-sterilized guttation fluids of anthurium plants, a mixture of all five strains or four strains without GUT9 was most inhibitory to V108LRUH1. None of the individual BCAs inhibited V108LRUH1 in the guttation fluid. When BCAs were sprayed at congruent with10(8) CFU/ml on the foliage of a susceptible cultivar 1 day prior to inoculation with V108LRUH1, GUT6 alone and any mixtures containing GUT6 were highly effective in suppressing wound invasion and subsequent leaf infection by V108LRUH1. When tested on several cultivars that differed in susceptibility to the disease, the mixture of five strains or four strains without GUT9 consistently suppressed leaf infection regardless of the cultivars. In some cultivars, BCAs completely suppressed both wound and hydathode invasion by V108LRUH1, resulting in no infection in many leaves. These results indicate that application of bacterial mixtures provides anthurium cultivars with bacterial communities suppressive to X. campestris pv. dieffenbachiae. The results also suggest that selecting an effective mixture of BCAs first and then removing ineffective strains may be a better general approach to finding the most effective BCAs than finding individual strains and combining them.
[Pubmed: 18944748]
| | 22. |
1999 Mar |
Suppression of bacterial blight by a bacterial community isolated from the guttation fluids of anthuriums
Fukui R, Fukui H, Alvarez AM
Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 1999 Mar;65(3):1020-8.
Abstract
Growth and survival of Xanthomonas campestris pv. dieffenbachiae in guttation fluids (xylem sap exuded from leaf margins) of anthuriums were suppressed by several bacterial strains indigenous to leaves of various anthurium cultivars. Inhibition of growth was not observed in filter-sterilized guttation fluids and was restored to original levels only by reintroducing specific mixtures of bacteria into filter-sterilized guttation fluids. The inhibitory effect was related to the species in the bacterial community rather than to the total numbers of bacteria in the guttation fluids. One very effective bacterial community consisted of five species isolated from inhibitory guttation fluids of two susceptible anthurium cultivars. The individual strains in this community had no effect on the pathogen, but the mixture was inhibitory to X. campestris pv. dieffenbachiae in guttation fluids. The populations of the individual strains remained near the initial inoculum levels for at least 14 days. The effect of the five inhibitory strains on reducing disease in susceptible anthurium plants was tested by using a bioluminescent strain of X. campestris pv. dieffenbachiae to monitor the progression of disease in leaves nondestructively. Invasion of the pathogen through hydathodes at leaf margins was reduced by applying the strain mixture to the leaves. When the strain mixture was applied directly to wounds created on the leaf margins, the pathogen failed to invade through the wounds. This bacterial community has potential for biological control of anthurium blight.
[Pubmed: 10049858]
| | 23. |
1998 Jul |
Antiinflammatory activity of Anthurium cerrocampanense Croat in rats and mice.
Segura L, Vila R, Gupta MP, Espósito-Avella M, Adzet T, Cañigueral S
J Ethnopharmacol. 1998 Jul;61(3):243-8.
Abstract
Aqueous (AE), ethanol (EE) and dichloromethane (DE) extracts from the whole plant of Anthurium cerrocampanense Croat, endemic to Panama, were assayed for antiinflammatory activity by carrageenan-induced rat paw edema and croton oil-induced mouse ear edema tests. The extracts were administered i.p. and topically, respectively. The best antiinflammatory activity in the carrageenan-induced rat paw edema test, was shown by DE (31% inhibition), which did not show any irritant effect in the peritoneal examination 4 h after administration of the extracts. Furthermore, the highest activity in the croton oil-induced mouse ear edema test was also exhibited by DE (93% inhibition). Since DE was the most effective of the extracts in both tests, it's activity was assessed in various inflammation models in rats. At 100 mg/kg, DE markedly inhibited inflammation produced by dextran (66.6% inhibition) and decreased weakly the edema induced by zymosan A, carrageenan and C16-platelet activation factor (C16-PAF) (33.2, 31.6 and 23.8%, respectively). At 50 mg/kg, DE only significantly reduced the swelling caused by dextran (36.2%). No effect was observed at the same doses in arachidonic acid-induced edema. A clear dose-related antiinflammatory activity of DE was seen in the croton oil-induced mouse ear edema test, and ED50 calculated was found to be 25.5 microg/ear. which was much lower than ED50 obtained for indomethacin (56.1 microg/ear).
[Pubmed: 9705016]
| | 24. |
1996 Mar |
Relationship between Symptom Development and Actual Sites of Infection in Leaves of Anthurium Inoculated with a Bioluminescent Strain of Xanthomonas campestris pv. dieffenbachiae.
Fukui R, Fukui H, McElhaney R, Nelson SC, Alvarez AM
Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 1996 Mar;62(3):1021-1028.
Abstract
The infection process of bacterial blight of anthurium was monitored with a bioluminescent strain of Xanthomonas campestris pv. dieffenbachiae. The relationship between symptom expression on infected leaves (assessed visually) and the extent of bacterial movement within tissues (evaluated by bioluminescence emission) varied among anthurium cultivars. In several cultivars previously considered susceptible on the basis of symptom development alone, bacterial invasion of leaves extended far beyond the visually affected areas. In other cultivars previously considered resistant, bacterial invasion was restricted to areas with visible symptoms. In three cultivars previously considered resistant, leaves were extensively invaded by the bacterium, and yet few or no symptoms were seen on infected leaves. The pathogen was consistently recovered from leaf sections emitting bioluminescence but not from sections emitting no light. At an early stage of infection, no significant differences in the percentages of infected areas as determined by visual assessment were observed in any of the cultivars. However, differences among cultivars were detected by bioluminescence as the disease progressed, because bacterial invasion was not always accompanied by symptom expression. In susceptible cultivars, the advancing border of infection was 5 to 10 cm inward from the margins of the visible symptoms and often reached to the leaf petiole even when symptoms were visible in <10% of the total leaf area. Comparisons of anthurium cultivars in which a nondestructive method was used to quantify the severity of leaf infection by a bioluminescent pathogen have enabled us to evaluate susceptibility and resistance to bacterial blight accurately. Such evaluations will be of importance in breeding resistant cultivars for disease control.
[Pubmed: 16535253]
| | 25. |
2009 Aug 14 |
A «Repertoire for Repertoire» Hypothesis: Repertoires of Type Three Effectors are Candidate Determinants of Host Specificity in Xanthomonas
Hajri, Brin, Hunault, Lardeux, Lemaire, Manceau, Boureau, Poussier
PLoS One 2009 Aug 14;4(8). published online before print
Abstract
The genetic basis of host specificity for animal and plant pathogenic bacteria remains poorly understood. For plant pathogenic bacteria, host range is restricted to one or a few host plant species reflecting a tight adaptation to specific hosts.
[Pubmed: 19680562]
| | 26. |
2009 Sep |
Genetic Diversity and Host Range Variation of Ralstonia solanacearum Strains Entering North America.
Norman DJ, Zapata M, Gabriel DW, Duan YP, Yuen JM, Mangravita-Novo A, Donahoo RS
Phytopathology. 2009 Sep;99(9):1070-7.
Abstract
ABSTRACT Each year, large volumes of ornamental and food plant propagative stock are imported into the North America; occasionally, Ralstonia solanacearum is found systemically infecting this plant material. In this study, 107 new R. solanacearum strains were collected over a 10-year period from imported propagative stock and compared with 32 previously characterized R. solanacearum strains using repetitive polymerase chain reaction (rep-PCR) element (BOX, ERIC, and REP) primers. Additional strain comparisons were made by sequencing the endoglucanase and the cytochrome b561 genes. Using rep-PCR primers, populations could be distinguished by biovar and, to a limited extent, country of origin and original host. Similarity coefficients among rep-PCR clusters within biovars were relatively low in many cases, indicating that disease outbreaks over time may have been caused by different clonal populations. Similar population differentiations of R. solanacearum were obtained when comparing strain sequences using either the endoglucanase or cytochrome b561 genes. We found that most of the new biovar 1 strains of R. solanacearum entering the United States were genetically distinct from the biovar 1 strains currently found infecting vegetable production. These introduced biovar 1 strains also had a broader host range and could infect not only tomato, tobacco, and potato but also anthurium and pothos and cause symptoms on banana. All introductions into North America of race 3, biovar 2 strains in the last few years have been linked to geranium production and appeared to be clonal.
[Pubmed: 19671009]
| | 27. |
2009 Oct |
A polar extract of the Maya healing plant Anthurium schlechtendalii (Aracea) exhibits strong in vitro anticancer activity.
Stark N, Gridling M, Madlener S, Bauer S, Lackner A, Popescu R, Diaz R, Tut FM, Vo TP, Vonach C, Giessrigl B, Saiko P, Grusch M, Fritzer-Szekeres M, Szekeres T, Kopp B, Frisch R, Krupitza G
Int. J. Mol. Med. 2009 Oct;24(4):513-21.
Abstract
The Aracea Anthurium schlechtendalii and Syngonium podophyllum are traditional remedies for the treatment of severe and chronic inflammatory conditions. We cross-examined these plants regarding their anti-neoplastic properties, because several anti-inflammatory molecular targets are common for both pathologic conditions due to similar signalling pathways. Two malignant cell lines, HL-60 and MCF-7, were treated with increasing concentrations of plant extracts of increasing polarity. The potential of the extracts to inhibit the cell cycle and to induce cell death was investigated, because these are relevant endpoints to assess the anti-cancer potential in vitro and the protein expression and cell cycle distribution upon exposure to the strongest extract was analysed. Extracts from S. podophyllum were rather ineffective, but the freeze-dried (but not air-dried) roots of A. schlechtendalii exhibited strong growth inhibitory and apoptosis-inducing properties. In HL-60 cells 50% proliferation inhibition was achieved by 1.7 microg dichloromethane extract/ml medium and correlated with the activation of Chk2, down-regulation of Cdc25A, suppression of cyclin D1 level, and transient induction of p21. This extract efficiently triggered apoptosis, which was confirmed by caspase 3 activation. The polymerisation of alpha-tubulin and its subsequent degradation that depleted the cells from the G2/M contributed to apoptosis induction, because proper spindle-formation during mitosis is mandatory for survival. In conclusion, we demonstrated that A. schlechtendalii root extract specifically targeted carcinogenic mechanisms, because Cdc25A and cyclin D1 are oncogenes that are frequently overexpressed in a variety of cancer entities and further, this extract affected microtubule function reminiscent of taxol.
[Pubmed: 19724892]
| | 28. |
2008 Jun |
In Tropical Lowland Rain Forests Monocots have Tougher Leaves than Dicots, and Include a New Kind of Tough Leaf
Dominy, Grubb, Jackson, Lucas, Metcalfe, Svenning, Turner
Ann Bot (Lond) 2008 Jun;101(9):1363-1377.
Abstract
There has been little previous work on the toughness of the laminae of monocots in tropical lowland rain forest (TLRF) despite the potential importance of greater toughness in inhibiting herbivory by invertebrates. Of 15 monocot families with >100 species in TLRF, eight have notably high densities of fibres in the lamina so that high values for toughness are expected.
[Pubmed: 18387969]
| | 29. |
2007 Aug |
Do we Underestimate the Importance of Leaf Size in Plant Economics? Disproportional Scaling of Support Costs Within the Spectrum of Leaf Physiognomy
Niinemets, Portsmuth, Tena, Tobias, Matesanz, Valladares
Ann Bot (Lond) 2007 Aug;100(2):283-303.
Abstract
Broad scaling relationships between leaf size and function do not take into account that leaves of different size may contain different fractions of support in petiole and mid-rib.
[Pubmed: 17586597]
| | 30. |
2010 |
Micropropagation and Organogenesis of Anthurium andreanum Lind cv Rubrun.
Maira O, Alexander M, Vargas TE
Methods Mol. Biol. 2010;589:3-14.
Abstract
Tissue culture techniques are routinely used for mass propagation and the establishment of disease free stock material. Virtually all pot type Anthuriums available in the market today are produced by tissue culture. In this chapter, we describe an efficient protocol to obtain Anthurium andreanum cv Rubrun vitro plants through micropropagation and organogenesis. Seeds from plant spadixes were germinated on MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/L BA. Micro-cuttings from in vitro germinated seedlings were subcultured on MS medium containing 2 mg/L BA and 0.5 mg/L NAA. Four-week-old in vitro plants obtained from microcuttings, showed callus proliferation at the stem base. The development of shoots and plantlets was observed from callus tissue. We also describe a detailed method for the histological analysis of callus tissue and a vitro plants acclimatization protocol.
[Pubmed: 20099085]
| | 31. |
2009 |
Phylogenetic lineages in the Capnodiales
Crous, Schoch, Hyde, Wood, Gueidan, de Hoog, Groenewald
Stud Mycol 2009;64:17-47-S7.
Abstract
The Capnodiales incorporates plant and human pathogens,
endophytes, saprobes and epiphytes, with a wide range of nutritional modes.
Several species are lichenised, or occur as parasites on fungi, or animals.
The aim of the present study was to use DNA sequence data of the nuclear
ribosomal small and large subunit RNA genes to test the monophyly of the
Capnodiales, and resolve families within the order. We designed
primers to allow the amplification and sequencing of almost the complete
nuclear ribosomal small and large subunit RNA genes. Other than the
Capnodiaceae (sooty moulds), and the Davidiellaceae, which
contains saprobes and plant pathogens, the order presently incorporates
families of major plant pathological importance such as the
Mycosphaerellaceae, Teratosphaeriaceae and
Schizothyriaceae. The Piedraiaceae was not supported, but
resolves in the Teratosphaeriaceae. The Dissoconiaceae is
introduced as a new family to accommodate Dissoconium and
Ramichloridium. Lichenisation, as well as the ability to be saprobic
or plant pathogenic evolved more than once in several families, though the
taxa in the upper clades of the tree lead us to conclude that the strictly
plant pathogenic, nectrotrophic families evolved from saprobic ancestors
(Capnodiaceae), which is the more primitive state.
[Pubmed: 20169022]
| | 32. |
2009 Jun |
Phylogeny and taxonomy of obscure genera of microfungi
Crous, Braun, Wingfield, Wood, Shin, Summerell, Alfenas, Cumagun, Groenewald
Persoonia 2009 Jun;22:139-161.
Abstract
The recently generated molecular phylogeny for the kingdom Fungi, on which a new classification scheme is based, still suffers from an under representation of numerous apparently asexual genera of microfungi. In an attempt to populate the Fungal Tree of Life, fresh samples of 10 obscure genera of hyphomycetes were collected. These fungi were subsequently established in culture, and subjected to DNA sequence analysis of the ITS and LSU nrRNA genes to resolve species and generic questions related to these obscure genera. Brycekendrickomyces (Herpotrichiellaceae) is introduced as a new genus similar to, but distinct from Haplographium and Lauriomyces. Chalastospora is shown to be a genus in the Pleosporales, with two new species, C. ellipsoidea and C. obclavata, to which Alternaria malorum is added as an additional taxon under its oldest epithet, C. gossypii. Cyphellophora eugeniae is newly described in Cyphellophora (Herpotrichiellaceae), and distinguished from other taxa in the genus. Dictyosporium is placed in the Pleosporales, with one new species, D. streliziae. The genus Edenia, which was recently introduced for a sterile endophytic fungus isolated in Mexico, is shown to be a hyphomycete (Pleosporales) forming a pyronellea-like synanamorph in culture. Thedgonia is shown not to represent an anamorph of Mycosphaerella, but to belong to the Helotiales. Trochophora, however, clustered basal to the Pseudocercospora complex in the Mycosphaerellaceae, as did Verrucisporota. Vonarxia, a rather forgotten genus of hyphomycetes, is shown to belong to the Herpotrichiellaceae and Xenostigmina is confirmed as synanamorph of Mycopappus, and is shown to be allied to Seifertia in the Pleosporales. Dichotomous keys are provided for species in the various genera treated. Furthermore, several families are shown to be polyphyletic within some orders, especially in the Capnodiales, Chaetothyriales and Pleosporales.
[Pubmed: 20198145]
| | 33. |
2006 Dec |
Thysanoptera (thrips) within citrus orchards in Florida: species distribution, relative and seasonal abundance within trees, and species on vines and ground cover plants.
Childers CC, Nakahara S
J. Insect Sci. 2006 Dec;6(45):1-19.
Abstract
Abstract Seven citrus orchards on reduced to no pesticide spray programs were sampled for Thysanoptera in central and south central Florida. Inner and outer canopy leaves, fruits, twigs, trunk scrapings, vines and ground cover plants were sampled monthly between January 1995 and January 1996. Thirty-six species of thrips were identified from 2,979 specimens collected from within citrus tree canopies and 18,266 specimens from vines and ground cover plants within the seven citrus orchards. The thrips species included seven predators [Aleurodothrips fasciapennis (Franklin), Karnyothrips flavipes (Jones), K. melaleucus (Bagnall), Leptothrips cassiae (Watson), L. macroocellatus (Watson), L. pini (Watson), and Scolothrips sexmaculatus (Pergande)] 21 plant feeding species [Anaphothrips n. sp., Arorathrips mexicanus (Crawford), Aurantothrips orchidaceous (Bagnall), Baileyothrips limbatus (Hood), Chaetanaphothrips orchidii (Moulton), Danothrips trifasciatus (Sakimura), Echinothrips americanus (Morgan), Frankliniella bispinosa (Morgan), F. cephalica (Crawford), F. fusca (Hinds), F. gossypiana (Hood), Frankliniella sp. (runneri group), Haplothrips gowdeyi (Franklin), Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Bouché), Leucothrips piercei (Morgan), Microcephalothrips abdominalis (Crawford), Neohydatothrips floridanus (Watson), N. portoricensis (Morgan), Pseudothrips inequalis (Beach), Scirtothrips sp., and Thrips hawaiiensis (Morgan)]; and eight fungivorous feeding species [Adraneothrips decorus (Hood), Hoplandrothrips pergandei (Hinds), Idolothripinae sp., Merothrips floridensis (Watson), M. morgani (Hood), Neurothrips magnafemoralis (Hinds), Stephanothrips occidentalis Hood and Williams, and Symphyothrips sp.]. Only F. bispinosa, C. orchidii, D. trifasciatus, and H. haemorrhoidalis have been considered economic pests on Florida citrus. Scirtothrips sp. and T. hawaiiensis were recovered in low numbers within Florida citrus orchards. Both are potential pest species to citrus and possibly other crops in Florida. The five most abundant thrips species collected within citrus tree canopies were: A. fasciapennis, F. bispinosa, C. orchidii, K. flavipes, and D. trifasciatus. In comparison, the following five thrips species were most abundant on vines or ground cover plants: F. bispinosa, H. gowdeyi, F. cephalica, M. abdominalis, and F. gossypiana. Fifty-eight species of vines or ground cover plants in 26 families were infested with one or more of 27 species of thrips.
[Pubmed: 20233100]
| | 34. |
2010 Jul 1 |
Floral biology and reproductive isolation by floral scent in three sympatric aroid species in French Guiana.
Hentrich H, Kaiser R, Gottsberger G
Plant Biol (Stuttg). 2010 Jul 1;12(4):587-96.
Abstract
We studied the reproductive biology of three sympatric Araceae species, Anthurium sagittatum, A. thrinax and Spathiphyllum humboldtii in French Guiana. The plants flowered simultaneously and were visited by scent-collecting male euglossine bees, which were apparently their major pollinators. In total, each species was visited by 3-7 euglossine species, and 2-3 euglossine species accounted for at least 80% of all flower visits, with visits being plant species-specific. Floral scent consisted of 6-10 main compounds, which made up 76-94% of the total amount of volatiles and were specific in these high amounts to each plant species. We suggest that the different floral scents lead to clear separation of the main pollinating euglossine species, providing a directed and efficient intraspecific pollen flow that results in high reproductive success. Since the simple floral (inflorescence) morphology of the studied plants does not support any morphological mechanisms to exclude visitors, as for example in euglossine-pollinated perfume orchids, floral scent might be of major importance for the reproductive isolation and sympatric occurrence of these plants.
[Pubmed: 20636901]
| | 35. |
2010 Aug 13 |
Asháninka medicinal plants: a case study from the native community of Bajo Quimiriki, JunÃn, Peru
Luziatelli, Sørensen, Theilade, Mølgaard
J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 2010 Aug 13;6:21. published online before print
Abstract
The Asháninka Native Community Bajo Quimiriki, District Pichanaki, JunÃn, Peru, is located only 4 km from a larger urban area and is dissected by a major road. Therefore the loss of traditional knowledge is a main concern of the local headman and inhabitants. The present study assesses the state of traditional medicinal plant knowledge in the community and compares the local pharmacopoeia with the one from a related ethnic group.
[Pubmed: 20707893]
| | 36. |
2010 Dec 30 |
Divergent chemical cues elicit seed collecting by ants in an obligate multi-species mutualism in lowland amazonia.
Youngsteadt E, Guerra Bustios P, Schal C
PLoS ONE. 2010;5(12):e15822. Epub 2010 Dec 30.
Abstract
In lowland Amazonian rainforests, specific ants collect seeds of several plant species and cultivate them in arboreal carton nests, forming species-specific symbioses called ant-gardens (AGs). In this obligate mutualism, ants depend on the plants for nest stability and the plants depend on ant nests for substrate and nutrients. AG ants and plants are abundant, dominant members of lowland Amazonian ecosystems, but the cues ants use to recognize the seeds are poorly understood. To address the chemical basis of the ant-seed interaction, we surveyed seed chemistry in nine AG species and eight non-AG congeners. We detected seven phenolic and terpenoid volatiles common to seeds of all or most of the AG species, but a blend of the shared compounds was not attractive to the AG ant Camponotus femoratus. We also analyzed seeds of three AG species (Anthurium gracile, Codonanthe uleana, and Peperomia macrostachya) using behavior-guided fractionation. At least one chromatographic fraction of each seed extract elicited retrieval behavior in C. femoratus, but the active fractions of the three plant species differed in polarity and chemical composition, indicating that shared compounds alone did not explain seed-carrying behavior. We suggest that the various AG seed species must elicit seed-carrying with different chemical cues.
[Pubmed: 21209898]
| | 37. |
2011 |
Seeking a way to promote the use of constructed wetlands for domestic wastewater treatment in developing countries.
Zurita F, Belmont MA, De Anda J, White JR
Water Sci. Technol. 2011;63(4):654-9.
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the domestic wastewater treatment efficiency as well as the survivability of commercially valuable ornamental plants in subsurface flow wetlands (SSFW) for domestic wastewater (DWW) treatment in laboratory and pilot wetland studies. The laboratory scale study included five different species (Zantedeschia aethiopica, Strelitzia reginae, Anthurium andreanum, Canna hybrids and Hemmerocallis dumortieri) that were evaluated in horizontal flow subsurface treatment cells. All the plants survived during the 6-month experimental period demonstrating high wetland nutrient treatment efficiency. In order to validate and expand these preliminary results, a pilot-scale wetland study was carried out in SSFWs under two different flow regimes (horizontal and vertical flow). Four ornamental species were tested during a 1-year period: Zantedeschia aethiopica, Strelitzia reginae, Anthurium andreanum and Agapanthus africanus. The removal efficiencies were significantly higher in the vertical subsurface-flow constructed wetlands (VFCW) for all pollutants, except for nitrate (NO(3)-N), total nitrogen (TN) and total suspended solids (TSS). These results show that it is feasible to use select non-wetland plants with high market value in SSFWs without reducing the efficiency of the wastewater treatment system, although future work should continue in order to apply this technology in a large scale. The added value of floriculture in treatment wetlands can help to promote the use of constructed wetlands (CW) for domestic wastewater treatment in developing countries where economical resources are scarce and water pollution with DWW is common.
[Pubmed: 21330710]
| | 38. |
2008 Nov 07 |
Fossil Araceae from a Paleocene neotropical rainforest in Colombia.
Herrera FA, Jaramillo CA, Dilcher DL, Wing SL, Gómez-N C
Am. J. Bot. 2008 Dec;95(12):1569-83. Epub 2008 Nov 07.
Abstract
Both the fossil record and molecular data support a long evolutionary history for the Araceae. Although the family is diverse in tropical America today, most araceous fossils, however, have been recorded from middle and high latitudes. Here, we report fossil leaves of Araceae from the middle-late Paleocene of northern Colombia, and review fossil araceous pollen grains from the same interval. Two of the fossil leaf species are placed in the new fossil morphogenus Petrocardium Herrera, Jaramillo, Dilcher, Wing et Gomez-N gen. nov.; these fossils are very similar in leaf morphology to extant Anthurium; however, their relationship to the genus is still unresolved. A third fossil leaf type from Cerrejón is recognized as a species of the extant genus Montrichardia, the first fossil record for this genus. These fossils inhabited a coastal rainforest ∼60-58 million years ago with broadly similar habitat preferences to modern Araceae.
[Pubmed: 21628164]
| | 39. |
1998 Nov |
Zygotic embryogenesis in Anthurium (Araceae).
Matsumoto TK, Kuehnle AR, Webb DT
Am. J. Bot. 1998 Nov;85(11):1560-8.
Abstract
Morphological, anatomical, and histochemical aspects of zygotic embryogenesis by Anthurium andraeanum Lind. were investigated from 4 to 24 wk postpollination. Anatomical features were correlated with morphology of the spadix and capacity of embryos to germinate in vitro. Development from a single-cell zygote to fully mature seed takes 24 wk. The suspensor was two ranked and obvious during the early stages of embryogeny. It was apparent by week 8, substantial until week 14, and diminished rapidly until its absence by week 22. Differentiation of the shoot apex, cotyledon, and protoderm occurs at 14 wk. The embryo starts to derive nutrition from the endosperm at this time, and germination of cultured ovules reached 56%. By 20 wk the shoot apex had visible leaf primordia and the root apex was clearly defined. The cotyledon was well developed and surrounded the shoot tip. The storage of protein and starch was at its greatest in the endosperm and embryo. Furthermore, 100% germination of cultured ovules and embryos occurred at 20 wk and thereafter. Fully mature embryos at 24 wk are green and contain protoxylem elements.
[Pubmed: 21680314]
| | 40. |
2010 |
Molecular cloning and expression profiling of a chalcone synthase gene from hairy root cultures of Scutellaria viscidula Bunge
Lei, Tang, Luo, Sun
Genet Mol Biol 2010;33(2):285-291.
Abstract
A cDNA encoding chalcone synthase (CHS), the key enzyme in flavonoid biosynthesis, was isolated from hairy root cultures of Scutellaria viscidula Bunge by rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). The full-length cDNA of S. viscidula CHS, designated as Svchs (GenBank accession no. EU386767), was 1649 bp with a 1170 bp open reading frame (ORF) that corresponded to a deduced protein of 390 amino acid residues, a calculated molecular mass of 42.56 kDa and a theoretical isoelectric point (pI) of 5.79. Multiple sequence alignments showed that SvCHS shared high homology with CHS from other plants. Functional analysis in silico indicated that SvCHS was a hydrophilic protein most likely associated with intermediate metabolism. The active sites of the malonyl-CoA binding motif, coumaroyl pocket and cyclization pocket in CHS of Medicago sativa were also found in SvCHS. Molecular modeling indicated that the secondary structure of SvCHS contained mainly α-helixes and random coils. Phylogenetic analysis showed that SvCHS was most closely related to CHS from Scutellaria baicalensis. In agreement with its function as an elicitor-responsive gene, the expression of Svchs was induced and coordinated by methyl jasmonate. To our knowledge, this is the first report to describe the isolation and expression of a gene from S. viscidula.
[Pubmed: 21637484]
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