Gayana Botánica

Cultivation and biochemical composition of marine diatoms (Bacillariophyta) of Santa Lucía Bay, Acapulco, Mexico

Víctor A. Cervantes-Urieta — 2020-06-05

The objective of this study was to identify, isolate and cultivate three species of marine diatoms in discontinuous scaling systems: Eupyxidicula turris, Trieres mobiliensis and Biddulphia alternans, from the Santa Lucia Bay of Acapulco, México. Identification of species was performed with binocular optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Likewise, the development of three species through growth kinetics and quantification of proximal biochemical content (lipids, proteins, carbohydrates and ashes) was evaluated. The species showed a maximum growth of 2.1, 3.0, and 8.5 cells mL^-1, and a specific growth rate >0,50 days, at the end of the exponential phase of the third scale; and a dry biomass yield of 139.6; 163.3 and 219.9 mg to E. turris, T. mobiliensis and B. alternans, respectively. Lipids content (11.1 ± 0.31 to 11.5 ± 0.18%), proteins (8.2 ± 0.25 to 8.8 ± 0.35%) and carbohydrates (10 ± 0.22 to 30 ± 0.21%), were similar for the three species. Nevertheless, Biddulphia alternans recorded better cell growth (16 x 10³ daily cells) and higher biomass yield (219.9 mg L^-1); considering it a diatom species with potential for further researches with biotechnological purposes.

Catalogue of the culture collection of symbionts and pathogenic fungal species of insects and other arthropods from Argentina

Claudia C. López Lastra — 2020-06-05

This manuscript seeks to disclose the updated data and relevant information about the entomopathogenic fungi strains preserved at the Center for Parasitological and Vector Studies (CEPAVE) of the National Scientific and Technical Research Council and National University of La Plata (CONICET-UNLP), Argentina. The data provided here is the result of surveys of native isolates from the different phytogeographic regions of Argentina, specified as follows: acronym, substrate, host insect species, collection date, geographic coordinate references, and culture medium in which it was isolated; and the aim is to provide basic information about the organisms preserved in the afore mentioned microorganisms collection. This collection was developed for the purposes of research, teaching and technological associations with companies. It started in 1988, and it is registered in the Latin American Federation of Culture Collections (FELACC) as Institutional Partner: No. SI-06, and in the World Federation for Culture Collections (WFCC) (http://www.wfcc.info/). In accordance with the WFCC guidelines, this collection is incorporated as a partner to the World Data Centre for Microorganisms (WDCM, 973 CEP). The preservation methods used are sterile distilled water, paper, mineral oil, silica gel, freezer at -20 and -70 °C and lyophilization, quality and viability controls are carried out. So far, 40 % of the species have been identified by molecular techniques, and the study of the remaining isolated species is under development. The collection consists of more than 684 strains which belong mostly to the Beauveria, Metarhizium, Isaria, Lecanicillium genera, as well as some species of Entomophthorales.

Contribution to the knowledge of the lichen biota of Katalalixar National Reserve, Patagonia, Chile

Johana Villagra — 2020-06-05

Lichens are recognized as bioindicators of ecosystem processes associated with environmental disturbances. However, its evaluation in the time requires systematic records of biodiversity which are non-existent in the Katalalixar National Reserve. The aim of this study was to catalog the richness and distribution of lichen biota of Katalalixar National Reserve, not only by identifying the species but interpreting them in their ecological and biogeographic context. By random sampling in Nothofagus nitida, Pilgerodendron uviferum forests and peat bogs 70 species were identified, belonging to 32 families and 65 genera. A high number of endemism was found, with 34% of the species endemic to Southern South American and the Chilean endemic Pseudocyphellaria guzmanii constitutes a new record for the Aisen Region.

Structure and regeneration of Prumnopitis andina forests in the Andes of southern Chile

Rodrigo Vargas Gaete — 2020-06-05

Prumnopitys andina is a conifer tree species with a narrow distribution in Chile and Argentina. Despite its ecological importance, knowledge about the structure and dynamics of the forests where P. andina grows is limited. We aim to describe the structure and regeneration of forest with high presence of P. andina. Forests near Lonquimay (38°1' S, 71º3' W - 38°3'S, 71°3' W) were sampled by measuring trees, regeneration and vascular flora through 24 plots. We found that P. andina predominantly occurs in the upper canopy (15-18 m), usually in company of Nothofagus obliqua and/or Austrocedrus chilensis, in addition to Maytenus boaria and Lomatia hirsuta that occur in the mid-canopy (4-8 m). Based on forest structure, we identified three types of P. andina forests: open, secondary-mature, and pure. Pure P. andina forests reached basal areas among the largest reported for for temperate forests southern South America (230 m²/ha). P. andina regeneration ranged from 1,550 individuals/ha in open forests to 25,000 individuals/ha in pure forests. P. andina exhibited a continuous regeneration strategy, which in the absence of human disturbances, such as grazing by cattle or selective logging, suggests that its populations are self-sustaining.

Oportunidades y desafíos para investigaciones en la sistemática vegetal y evolución en America Latina

Tod F. Stuessy — 2020-06-05

The floras of countries of Latin America offer research opportunities on numerous significant themes, such as: adaptation in diverse habitats, island biogeography, speciation in high mountain ecosystems, evolution in lowland tropical zones, and impact from Pleistocene glaciation. Because these biological perspectives transgress country borders, collaboration among investigators is essential. Latin America contains approximately 110,000 native vascular plant species, or 29% of the world's flora. A more precise inventory is needed for construction of more predictive classifications and interpretation of macro- and microevolutionary processes. One solution for providing deeper inventorying would be employment of young and low-income parataxonomists on a massive scale, organized in a Cuerpo de Patrimonio Nacional within each country. Another priority is botanical monography, especially with a broad evolutionary focus. Literature accessibility and digital images of herbarium material from the Internet support monographic work more than ever before. Travel for monographic field work across borders is also most important so that relationships within entire natural plant groups can be revealed. The Internet offers opportunities for online publishing of monographs with deeper visual content and hence greater outreach for other sectors of society. Impact factors have become accepted world-wide for administrative evaluation of professional achievement, and it is recommended that strategies be adopted for maximizing their usefulness for career development. To stimulate cooperative work with scientists outside of Latin America, those within the region must become more proficient in English, including giving talks in this language at international meetings. English proficiency allows digestion of the international literature and opens doors to asking fundamental biological, rather than just regional, questions.

Karyotypic analysis of Famatina andina (Phil.) Ravenna (Amaryllidaceae): first record of South American Hippeastreae with secondary centromeric constrictions

Carlos Baeza — 2020-06-05

Bulbs were collected from a population of Famatina andina (Phil.) Ravenna in central Chile. Their chromosomes were analyzed and it was observed that the cariotypic formula and chromosomal number are identical to Famatina cisandina Ravenna. Secondary centromeric constrictions were also observed in chromosomes 1, 2 and 7, and the nucleolus organizing region (NOR) was not observed in the long arm of chromosome 7. This is the first report of secondary centromeric constrictions in South American Hippeastreae.

Record of Peridiniopsis borgei Lemmermann (Dinophyceae) in Peruvian inland waters

Enrique Ascencio — 2020-06-05

We reported the presence of Peridiniopsis borgei Lemmermann in La Encantada lake (Province of Huaura) and studied the specimens using optical and scanning electron microscopical techniques. The population of P. borgei showed a variation in the number and degree of development of the marginal ridges. This is the first illustrated report of the species in Perú.

New records of desert fungi from Nevado Tres Cruces and Pan de Azúcar national parks, Atacama Region, Chile

Sandra Troncoso — 2020-06-05

New records of fungi, forming two associations with contrasting fruiting body morphology and ecological preferences are reported from the Chilean desert, viz.: the agaricoid Conocybe cf. tenera and Coprinus comatus associated with riparian grassy environments in the high Andean Nevado Tres Cruces National Park and gasteroid Geastrum floriforme and Tulostoma spp. together with sequestrate Montagnea arenaria, all associated with xerophilic shrub vegetation on sand in the coastal fog zone of Pan de Azúcar National Park.