Correlated evolutionary rates across genomic compartments in Annonaceae.

The molecular clock hypothesis is an important concept in biology. Deviations from a constant rate of nucleotide substitution have been found widely among lineages, genomes, genes and individual sites. Phylogenetic research can accommodate for these differences in applying specific models of evolution. Lineage-specific rate heterogeneity however can generate bi- or multimodal distributions of substitution rates across the branches of a tree and this may mislead phylogenetic inferences with currently available models. The plant family Annonaceae is an excellent case to study lineage-specific rate heterogeneity. The two major sister subfamilies, Annonoideae and Malmeoideae, have shown great discrepancies in branch lengths. We used high-throughput sequencing data of 72 genes, 99 spacers and 16 introns from 24 chloroplast genomes and nuclear ribosomal DNA of 23 species to study the molecular rate of evolution in Annonaceae. In all analyses, longer branch lengths and/or higher substitution rates were found for the Annonoideae compared to the Malmeoideae. The Annonaceae had wide variability in chloroplast length, ranging from minimal 175,684bp to 201,723 for Annonoideae and minimal 152,357 to 170,985bp in Malmeoideae, mostly reflecting variation in inverted-repeat length. The Annonoideae showed a higher GC-content in the conserved parts of the chloroplast genome and higher omega (dN/dS)-ratios than the Malmeoideae, which could indicate less stringent purifying selection, a pattern that has been found in groups with small population sizes. This study generates new insights into the processes causing lineage-specific rate heterogeneity, which could lead to improved phylogenetic methods.

A new species of Thinouia (Paullinieae, Sapindaceae) from the Amazon and its phylogenetic placement.

Thinouia is a Neotropical genus of lianas with approximately 12 species and is the only genus in tribe Paullinieae with actinomorphic flowers. During a taxonomic revision of the genus and fieldwork in south-western Amazonia, we found a new species that appears similar to Thinouia trifoliata (ex Allosanthus) because of its racemiform inflorescence. However, before describing the new species, we had to confirm that Allosanthus was congeneric with Thinouia so we could place the new species in the correct genus. The results of the phylogenetic analysis, based on molecular data (trnL intron and ITS sequences), show that Allosanthus should be included in Thinouia. Thus, the new taxon is described here as Thinouia cazumbensis sp. nov. The new species is described, illustrated and phylogenetic trees showing relationships within supertribe Paulliniodae and Thinouia and the congeneric Allosanthus are given.

Searching for promising sources of grain protectors in extracts from neotropical annonaceae / Búsqueda de fuentes prometedoras de protectores de granos en extractos de anonaceas neotropicales

To investigate potential sources of novel grain protector compounds against Sitophilus zeamais (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), which is an important insect pest of stored cereals, this study evaluated the bioactivity of ethanolic extracts (66) prepared from 29 species belonging to 11 different genera of Neotropical Annonaceae. A screening assay demonstrated that the most pronounced bioactive effects on S. zeamais were caused by ethanolic extracts from Annona montana, A. mucosa, A. muricata, and A. sylvatica seeds, causing the death of all weevils exposed, almost complete inhibition of the F1 progeny and a drastic reduction in grain losses. Furthermore, the ethanolic extracts obtained from the leaves of A. montana, A. mucosa, A. muricata, and Duguetia lanceolata, especially A. montana and A. mucosa, demonstrated significant bioactive effects on the studied variables; however, the activity levels were less pronounced than in the seed extracts, and the response was dependent on the concentration used. This study is the first to report the activity of secondary metabolites from D. lanceolata on insects as well as the action of A. sylvatica on pests associated with stored grains.

Para investigar las posibles fuentes de nuevos compuestos protectores de granos contra Sitophilus zeamais (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), una importante plaga de los cereales almacenados, este estudio evaluó la bioactividad de los extractos etanólicos (66) preparados a partir de 29 especies pertenecientes a 11 géneros distintos de Anonaceas Neotropicales. Un ensayo de selección demostró que los efectos bioactivos más relevantes sobre S. zeamais fueron causados por los extractos etanólicos de las semillas de Annona montana, de A. mucosa, de A. muricata y de A. sylvatica, que causaron la muerte de todos los gorgojos expuestos, la inhibición parcial de la progenie F1 y una drástica reducción de las pérdidas de grano. Además, los extractos etanólicos obtenidos de las hojas de A. montana, de A. mucosa, de A. muricata y de Duguetia lanceolata, especialmente de A. montana y de A. mucosa, demostraron efectos bioactivos significativos sobre las variables estudiadas. Sin embargo, los niveles de bioactividad fueron menores en comparación con los extractos de semillas, y la respuesta fue dependiente de la concentración utilizada. Este estudio es el primer relato sobre la actividad de los metabolitos secundarios de D. lanceolata sobre insectos, así como la acción de A. sylvatica sobre plagas asociadas a los granos almacenados.