Abundance of the bat Sturnira lilium (Phyllostomidae) in relation Solanum mauritianum (Solanaceae) diaspores in an Atlantic Forest fragment of southern Brazil.

Frugivore bats are important seed dispersers in forests and their abundance are associated with the presence of zoochoric plants. In this context, the aim of our study was to investigate the association of the frugivore bat S. lilium with the diaspores of the zoochoric plant S. mauritianum, a common arboreal species present in forest fragments of southern Brazil. We also investigated the diet of the species based on seed content present in feces of individuals. Bats were mist-netted from November 2017 to April 2018 in a fragment of Atlantic Forest. The proportion of immature and mature diaspores of S. mauritianum was estimated in the same area where bats were sampled, and feces were sampled from captured individuals. In total, 61 individuals of S. lilium were captured, and 795 seeds were sampled from their feces. The abundance of S. lilium was significantly associated with the proportion of immature diaspores of S. mauritianum. We identified seeds of two botanical families: Solanaceae (89%) and Moraceae (11%) in the fecal samples. Our findings support the view that S. lilium is a legitimate disperser of S. mauritianum, and that its ecological function is probably a result of co-adaptation.

Dissimilar evolutionary histories of two resistance gene families in the genus Solanum.

Genomic analyses have shown that most genes in eukaryotic lineages belong to families. Gene families vary in terms of number of members, nucleotide similarity, gene integrity, expression, and function. Often, the members of gene families are arranged in clusters, which contribute to maintaining similarity among gene copies and also to generate duplicates through replication errors. Gene families offer us an opportunity to examine the forces involved in the evolution of the genomes and to study recombination events and genomic rearrangements. In this work, we focused on the evolution of two plant resistance gene families, Sw5 and Mi-1, and analyzed the completely sequenced nuclear genomes of potato and tomato. We first noticed that the potato genome carries larger resistance gene families than tomato, but all gene copies are pseudogenes. Second, phylogenetic analyses indicated that Sw5 and Mi-1 gene families had dissimilar evolutionary histories. In contrast to Sw5, Mi-1 homologues suffered repeated gene conversion events among the gene copies, particularly in the tomato genome.

Caracterização de perfilhos em relação à planta daninha no pasto de capim-braquiária / Effects of weed plants on tiller characteristics in brachiaria pasture

Objetivou-se avaliar os efeitos da planta daninha Solanum sisymbrifolium (joá-bravo) sobre o número e as características de perfilhos de Urochroa decumbens cv. Basilisk em pasto sob lotação contínua com bovinos. Foram avaliados dois locais do mesmo pasto, sendo um próximo, localizado a 0,5 m do caule principal da planta daninha, e outro distante, onde não havia ocorrência desta planta em 2,0 m de raio, por meio da quantificação do número, peso e morfologia dos perfilhos. O delineamento foi inteiramente ao acaso com três repetições. No local distante da planta daninha houve maior densidade populacional de perfilhos com desfolhação e sem o meristema apical. Os números de perfilhos basais e aéreos foram menores próximo da planta daninha. Este local também apresentou menores números de perfilhos vegetativos, reprodutivos, vivos, mortos e totais, quando comparado ao local distante da planta daninha. Os pesos de perfilhos vegetativos e reprodutivos foram maiores no local próximo do que no distante da planta daninha. Os perfilhos próximos da planta daninha apresentaram maiores comprimento do pseudocolmo e de lâmina foliar, superior número de folha viva e inferior número de folha pastejada em relação aos distantes. A ocorrência da planta S. sisymbrifolium ocasiona variabilidade espacial da vegetação no pasto de U. decumbens cv. Basilisk...

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the weed Solanum sisymbriifolium (sticky nightshade) on the number and characteristics of Urochloa decumbens cv. Basilisk tillers in pasture continuously stocked by cattle. Two sites of the same pasture were evaluated, one site located close (0.5 m) to the main stalk of the weed and the other located at a distance where no weed was growing within a radius of 2.0 m. The number, weight and morphology of the tillers were evaluated in a completely randomized design with three repetitions. At the site distant from the weed, a higher population density of defoliated tillers without apical meristem was observed. The number of basal and aerial tillers was smaller close to the weed plant. This site was also characterized by smaller numbers of vegetative, reproductive, live, dead and total tillers when compared to the site distant from the weed plant. The weight of vegetative and reproductive tillers was higher at the site close to the weed plant. Tillers close to the weed plant exhibited a greater length of the pseudostem and leaf blade, a larger number of live leaves, and fewer grazed leaves compared to distant tillers. The occurrence of S. sisymbriifolium results in spatial variability of vegetation in U. decumbens cv. Basilisk pasture...

Caracterização de perfilhos em relação à planta daninha no pasto de capim-braquiária / Effects of weed plants on tiller characteristics in brachiaria pasture

Objetivou-se avaliar os efeitos da planta daninha Solanum sisymbrifolium (joá-bravo) sobre o número e as características de perfilhos de Urochroa decumbens cv. Basilisk em pasto sob lotação contínua com bovinos. Foram avaliados dois locais do mesmo pasto, sendo um próximo, localizado a 0,5 m do caule principal da planta daninha, e outro distante, onde não havia ocorrência desta planta em 2,0 m de raio, por meio da quantificação do número, peso e morfologia dos perfilhos. O delineamento foi inteiramente ao acaso com três repetições. No local distante da planta daninha houve maior densidade populacional de perfilhos com desfolhação e sem o meristema apical. Os números de perfilhos basais e aéreos foram menores próximo da planta daninha. Este local também apresentou menores números de perfilhos vegetativos, reprodutivos, vivos, mortos e totais, quando comparado ao local distante da planta daninha. Os pesos de perfilhos vegetativos e reprodutivos foram maiores no local próximo do que no distante da planta daninha. Os perfilhos próximos da planta daninha apresentaram maiores comprimento do pseudocolmo e de lâmina foliar, superior número de folha viva e inferior número de folha pastejada em relação aos distantes. A ocorrência da planta S. sisymbrifolium ocasiona variabilidade espacial da vegetação no pasto de U. decumbens cv. Basilisk...(AU)

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the weed Solanum sisymbriifolium (sticky nightshade) on the number and characteristics of Urochloa decumbens cv. Basilisk tillers in pasture continuously stocked by cattle. Two sites of the same pasture were evaluated, one site located close (0.5 m) to the main stalk of the weed and the other located at a distance where no weed was growing within a radius of 2.0 m. The number, weight and morphology of the tillers were evaluated in a completely randomized design with three repetitions. At the site distant from the weed, a higher population density of defoliated tillers without apical meristem was observed. The number of basal and aerial tillers was smaller close to the weed plant. This site was also characterized by smaller numbers of vegetative, reproductive, live, dead and total tillers when compared to the site distant from the weed plant. The weight of vegetative and reproductive tillers was higher at the site close to the weed plant. Tillers close to the weed plant exhibited a greater length of the pseudostem and leaf blade, a larger number of live leaves, and fewer grazed leaves compared to distant tillers. The occurrence of S. sisymbriifolium results in spatial variability of vegetation in U. decumbens cv. Basilisk pasture...(AU)

Diversification and distinctive structural features of S-RNase alleles in the genus Solanum.

The multigenic and multiallelic S-locus in plants is responsible for the gametophytic self-incompatibility system, which is important to prevent the detrimental effects of self-fertilization and inbreeding depression. Several studies have discussed the importance of punctual mutations, recombination, and natural selection in the generation of allelic diversity in the S-locus. However, there has been no wide-ranging study correlating the molecular evolution and structural aspects of the corresponding proteins in Solanum. Therefore, we evaluated the molecular evolution of one gene in this locus and generated a statistically well-supported phylogenetic tree, as well as evidence of positive selection, helping us to understand the diversification of S alleles in Solanum. The three-dimensional structures of some of the proteins corresponding to the major clusters of the phylogenetic tree were constructed and subsequently submitted to molecular dynamics to stabilize the folding and obtain the native structure. The positively selected amino acid residues were predominantly located in the hyper variable regions and on the surface of the protein, which appears to be fundamental for allele specificity. One of the positively selected residues was identified adjacent to a conserved strand that is crucial for enzymatic catalysis. Additionally, we have shown significant differences in the electrostatic potential among the predicted molecular surfaces in S-RNases. The structural results indicate that local changes in the three-dimensional structure are present in some regions of the molecule, although the general structure seems to be conserved. No previous study has described such structural variations in S-RNases.

Population structure and genetic diversity of native and invasive populations of Solanum rostratum (Solanaceae).

AIMS: We investigate native and introduced populations of Solanum rostratum, an annual, self-compatible plant that has been introduced around the globe. This study is the first to compare the genetic diversity of Solanum rostratum between native and introduced populations. We aim to (1) determine the level of genetic diversity across the studied regions; (2) explore the likely origins of invasive populations in China; and (3) investigate whether there is the evidence of multiple introductions into China. METHODS: We genotyped 329 individuals at 10 microsatellite loci to determine the levels of genetic diversity and to investigate population structure of native and introduced populations of S. rostratum. We studied five populations in each of three regions across two continents: Mexico, the U.S.A. and China. IMPORTANT FINDINGS: We found the highest genetic diversity among Mexican populations of S. rostratum. Genetic diversity was significantly lower in Chinese and U.S.A. populations, but we found no regional difference in inbreeding coefficients (F IS) or population differentiation (F ST). Population structure analyses indicate that Chinese and U.S.A. populations are more closely related to each other than to sampled Mexican populations, revealing that introduced populations in China share an origin with the sampled U.S.A. populations. The distinctiveness between some introduced populations indicates multiple introductions of S. rostratum into China.

In vitro trypanocidal activity of solamargine and extracts from Solanum palinacanthum and Solanum lycocarpum of Brazilian cerrado.

The present investigation was to evaluate the potential trypanocidal activity of crude ethanolic extract of the fruits of Solanum palinacanthum, Solanum lycocarpum and the glycoalcaloid, solamargine. S. palinacanthum and S. lycocarpum fruit powders were submitted to exhaustively extraction with 96% ethanol and solamargine were isolated from the extract of S. palinacanthum. Both extracts and solamargine were analysed for trypanocidal activity by using MTT colorimetric assay. Extracts of S. palinacanthum showed to be more active (IC50 = 175.9 µg.ml-1) than S. lycocarpum (IC50 = 194.7 µg.ml-1). Solamargine presented a strong activity (IC50 = 15.3 µg.ml-1), which can explain the better activity of the both extracts. Benznidazol (IC50 = 9.0 µg.ml-1) is the only drug used to treat Chagas' disease. These findings demonstrate for the first time that ethanol extracts obtained from both fruits of S. palinacanthum and S. lycocarpum and also solamargine have a potential anti-trypanosomal activity.

Preservation of Solanum pimpinellifolium genomic fragments in recombinant genotypes improved the fruit quality of tomato.

Five recombinant inbred lines obtained from the F2 generation of an interspecific cross between cultivar, Caimanta (Cai, Solanum lycopersicum) and wild accession, LA722 (P, S. pimpinellifolium) were crossed to obtain the second cycle hybrids (SCH). Eleven fruit quality traits were assessed in evaluating phenotypic variability among genotypes P, Cai, F1 (Cai x P), five RILs, and 10 SCH. One of the five recombinant inbred lines and three SCH had higher values than P, as the best genotype for shelf life. Sequence-related amplified polymorphism was used as the molecular method for detecting polymorphism among these 18 genotypes. The percentage of polymorphism in RILs and SCH was 61% and 66% respectively. Moreover, some bands detected in P were present in SCH. Several multivariate analyses were performed to find agreement between the phenotypic variability observed for fruit quality traits and the polymorphism obtained from sequence-related amplified polymorphism markers. A general Procrustes analysis estimated that there was a consensus proportion of 75% between phenotypic and molecular data. There was considerable preservation of some bands from the wild genotype, which could increase the variability in fruit quality traits in populations where the genetic diversity is limited.

Molecular bases of the postzygotic barriers in interspecific crosses between the wild potato species Solanum acaule and Solanum commersonii.

To investigate the molecular bases of postzygotic hybridization barriers in tuber-bearing Solanums, the wild species Solanum commersonii Dunal ex Poir. (cmm, 2n = 2x = 24, 1EBN) and Solanum acaule Bitter (acl, 2n = 4x = 48, 2EBN) were crossed in intra- and interspecific genotypic combinations, and the transcriptome of immature seeds was analyzed by using the cDNA-AFLP technique. From a total of 423 analyzed cDNA fragments, 107 (25.3%) were differentially regulated in the compatible (acl × acl and cmm × cmm) versus incompatible (acl × cmm) crosses. DNA sequence data were obtained from 21 fragments and RT-PCR analyses were carried out with five fragments to validate the cDNA-AFLP differential pattern. Sequence analysis suggested a possible role for the differentially expressed sequences in cytokinesis, cell cycle, secondary and hormonal metabolism, biodegradation, and transport. In situ hybridization experiments with fragments encoding an ubiquitin-fold modifier 1 precursor and a possible vesicle transport protein revealed expression of these genes in the embryo and endosperm. The results suggest that the collapse of the embryo and endosperm in incompatible crosses may be related to alterations in cell cycle and cytokinesis.

Genomic in situ hybridization reveals both auto- and allopolyploid origins of different North and Central American hexaploid potato (Solanum sect. Petota) species.

Wild potato ( Solanum L. sect. Petota Dumort.) species contain diploids (2n = 2x = 24) to hexaploids (2n = 6x = 72). J.G. Hawkes classified all hexaploid Mexican species in series Demissa Bukasov and, according to a classic five-genome hypothesis of M. Matsubayashi in 1991, all members of series Demissa are allopolyploids. We investigated the genome composition of members of Hawkes's series Demissa with genomic in situ hybridization (GISH), using labeled DNA of their putative progenitors having diploid AA, BB, or PP genome species or with DNA of tetraploid species having AABB or AAA(a)A(a) genomes. GISH analyses support S. hougasii Correll as an allopolyploid with one AA component genome and another BB component genome. Our results also indicate that the third genome of S. hougasii is more closely related to P or a P genome-related species. Solanum demissum Lindl., in contrast, has all three chromosome sets related to the basic A genome, similar to the GISH results of polyploid species of series Acaulia Juz. Our results support a more recent taxonomic division of the Mexican hexaploid species into two groups: the allopolyploid Iopetala group containing S. hougasii, and an autopolyploid Acaulia group containing S. demissum with South American species S. acaule Bitter and S. albicans (Ochoa) Ochoa.

What's in a name; genetic structure in Solanum section Petota studied using population-genetic tools.

BACKGROUND: The taxonomy and systematic relationships among species of Solanum section Petota are complicated and the section seems overclassified. Many of the presumed (sub)species from South America are very similar and they are able to exchange genetic material. We applied a population genetic approach to evaluate support for subgroups within this material, using AFLP data. Our approach is based on the following assumptions: (i) accessions that may exchange genetic material can be analyzed as if they are part of one gene pool, and (ii) genetic differentiation among species is expected to be higher than within species. RESULTS: A dataset of 566 South-American accessions (encompassing 89 species and subspecies) was analyzed in two steps. First, with the program STRUCTURE 2.2 in an 'unsupervised' procedure, individual accessions were assigned to inferred clusters based on genetic similarity. The results showed that the South American members of section Petota could be arranged in 16 clusters of various size and composition. Next, the accessions within the clusters were grouped by maximizing the partitioning of genetic diversity among subgroups (i.e., maximizing Fst values) for all available individuals of the accessions (2767 genotypes). This two-step approach produced an optimal partitioning into 44 groups.Some of the species clustered as genetically distinct groups, either on their own, or combined with one or more other species. However, accessions of other species were distributed over more than one cluster, and did not form genetically distinct units. CONCLUSIONS: We could not find any support for 43 species (almost half of our dataset). For 28 species some level of support could be found varying from good to weak. For 18 species no conclusions could be drawn as the number of accessions included in our dataset was too low. These molecular data should be combined with data from morphological surveys, with geographical distribution data, and with information from crossing experiments to identify natural units at the species level. However, the data do indicate which taxa or combinations of taxa are clearly supported by a distinct set of molecular marker data, leaving other taxa unsupported. Therefore, the approach taken provides a general method to evaluate the taxonomic system in any species complex for which molecular data are available.

Four new vining species of Solanum (Dulcamaroid clade) from Montane habitats in tropical America.

BACKGROUND: Solanum (Solanaceae), with approximately 1500 species, is one of the largest genera of flowering plants, and has a centre of diversity in the New World tropics. The genus is divided into 13 major clades, of which two, the Dulcamaroid clade and the "African Non-Spiny" clade, exhibit vine morphology with twining petioles. I am currently preparing a worldwide monograph of these two groups, comprising some 70 species. METHODS: I formally describe here four new species of Solanum from montane Mexico and South America all belonging to the Dulcamaroid clade (including the traditionally recognised section Jasminosolanum Bitter). Descriptions, discussions of closely related species and preliminary conservation assessments are provided for all species; all species are illustrated. This paper is also a test case for the electronic publication of new names in flowering plants. CONCLUSIONS: These new species are all relatively rare, but not currently of conservation concern. Solanum aspersum sp. nov. is distributed in Colombia and Ecuador, S. luculentum sp. nov. in Colombia and Venezuela, S. sanchez-vegae sp. nov. is endemic to northern Peru and S. sousae sp. nov. to southern Mexico. Solanum luculentum has the morphology of a dioecious species; this is the first report of this breeding system in the Dulcamaroid clade.

Preliminary assessment of COSII gene diversity in lulo and a relative species: initial identification of genes potentially associated with domestication.

Among the Solanum genus, Solanum quitoense Lam. (lulo) is a promising species of Neotropical Solanaceae to become a premium crop in international markets. Wild relatives of S. quitoense are a source of desirable characteristics to be exploited for genetic improvement. To enhance the understanding of and access to the genetic diversity in landrace and wild relatives of lulo, we estimated the relative sequence diversity among them and their wild relative Solanum hirtum. With the use of COSII markers, we established that diversity of cultivated lulo (S. quitoense) is significantly lower than that of its wild relative S. hirtum. In the same way, we found that diversity of lulo is similar to that previously reported for tomato, while the diversity of S. hirtum is comparable to that of other wild relatives of cultivated plants. Our results suggest that high variability of some genes associated to abiotic stress response and pathogen resistance has been favored in wild and cultivated lulo plants.

The Tnt1 family member Retrosol copy number and structure disclose retrotransposon diversification in different Solanum species.

Eukaryotic genome expansion/retraction caused by LTR-retrotransposon activity is dependent on the expression of full length copies to trigger efficient transposition and recombination-driven events. The Tnt1 family of retrotransposons has served as a model to evaluate the diversity among closely related elements within Solanaceae species and found that members of the family vary mainly in their U3 region of the long terminal repeats (LTRs). Recovery of a full length genomic copy of Retrosol was performed through a PCR-based approach from wild potato, Solanum oplocense. Further characterization focusing on both LTR sequences of the amplified copy allowed estimating an approximate insertion time at 2 million years ago thus supporting the occurrence of transposition cycles after genus divergence. Copy number of Tnt1-like elements in Solanum species were determined through genomic quantitative PCR whereby results sustain that Retrosol in Solanum species is a low copy number retrotransposon (1-4 copies) while Retrolyc1 has an intermediate copy number (38 copies) in S. peruvianum. Comparative analysis of retrotransposon content revealed no correlation between genome size or ploidy level and Retrosol copy number. The tetraploid cultivated potato with a cellular genome size of 1,715 Mbp harbours similar copy number per monoploid genome than other diploid Solanum species (613-884 Mbp). Conversely, S. peruvianum genome (1,125 Mbp) has a higher copy number. These results point towards a lineage specific dynamic flux regarding the history of amplification/activity of Tnt1-like elements in the genome of Solanum species.

Overview of the phylogenetic relationships of some southern Brazilian species from section Torva and related sections of "spiny Solanum" (Solanum subgenus Leptostemonum, Solanaceae).

One of the major concerns of conservation biology is the knowledge on biodiversity. Many taxa have not yet been described and plant taxonomists are working hard to change this situation. This work presents a taxonomic overview of Solanum section Torva, from South Brazil, which still poorly understood. The section includes species known as "jurubeba" which are of considerable interest because of their pharmacological properties. Despite their higher economic value, it is difficult to identify the "jurubebas" correctly due to their taxonomic problems. A few questions on evolution concerning phylogenetic relationships in this section and other related sections of subgenus Leptostemonum were investigated to clarify the species circumscription and taxonomic issues. Eighty samples were analysed based on sequence variability of the internal transcribed spacers (ITS) of the nuclear ribosomal DNA, as well as the chloroplast intron trnL, trnL-trnF and trnS-trnG spacers. Five different matrixes were analyzed as the basis for a phylogenetic approach. The combined data from the chloroplast analyses formed well-supported trees. Solanum section Torva was proposed as a monophyletic group and it is close to S. melongena, S. jamaicense and S. sisymbriifolium.

Estrutura de populações naturais de Solanum lycocarpum St Hil (Solanaceae) / Natural population structure of the Solanum lycocarpum St Hil (Solanaceae)

Solanum lycocarpum St. Ril é uma Solanaceae, do Gênero Solanum, ao qual pertencem várias espécies longamente conhecidas e utilizadas, sobretudo, na alimentação humana, tais como a batata (Solanum tuberosum) e a berinjela (S. melongena). A S. lycocarpum é uma espécie diplóide (2n igual 24), predominantemente alógama e estudos anteriores sugerem que os cruzamentos entre parentes não são comuns. É uma planta nativa do Cerrado (a Savana brasileira, um Bioma rico em biodiversidade e em endemismo), mas sua ocorrência se dá especificamente em áreas abertas, de vegetação baixa e com maior incidência de luminosidade. A espécie apresenta um comportamento ruderal e é considerada pioneira, podendo ser utilizada para recuperação de áreas degradadas. Conhecida por fruta-do-lobo ou lobeira, é um componente fundamental da dieta de vários animais do Cerrado, especialmente do lobo-guará (Chrysocyon brachyurus), um importante dispersor da espécie. S. lycocarpum é considerada medicinal e aos seus compostos bioativos são atribuídas ações hipoglicemiantes e antiinflamatórias, entre outras. Da mesma maneira que outras espécies do Gênero Solanum, a S. lycocarpum, contém glicoalcalóides como a solasodina, um potencial precursor para a síntese de estrógenos e solamargina, cuja atividade demonstrou-se eficiente no tratamento de linhagens de células cancerígenas resistentes a quimioterápicos, relacionando-a com a interrupção da expressão de alguns oncogenes responsáveis pelo desenvolvimento desta resistência. Devido a sua potencial importância medicinal e a comprovada importância ambiental, a estrutura genética de populações de S. lycocarpum foi investigada utilizando­ -se marcadores moleculares microssatélites desenvolvidos exclusivamente para esta espécie.

Environmental biosafety and transgenic potato in a centre of diversity for this crop.

The Nuffield Council on Bioethics suggests that introgression of genetic material into related species in centres of crop biodiversity is an insufficient justification to bar the use of genetically modified crops in the developing world. They consider that a precautionary approach to forgo the possible benefits invokes the fallacy of thinking that doing nothing is itself without risk to the poor. Here we report findings relevant to this and other aspects of environmental biosafety for genetically modified potato in its main centre of biodiversity, the central Andes. We studied genetically modified potato clones that provide resistance to nematodes, principal pests of Andean potato crops. We show that there is no harm to many non-target organisms, but gene flow occurs to wild relatives growing near potato crops. If stable introgression were to result, the fitness of these wild species could be altered. We therefore transformed the male sterile cultivar Revolucion to provide a genetically modified nematode-resistant potato to evaluate the benefits that this provides until the possibility of stable introgression to wild relatives is determined. Thus, scientific progress is possible without compromise to the precautionary principle.