A target enrichment probe set for resolving phylogenetic relationships in the coffee family, Rubiaceae.

Premise: Rubiaceae is among the most species-rich plant families, as well as one of the most morphologically and geographically diverse. Currently available phylogenies have mostly relied on few genomic and plastid loci, as opposed to large-scale genomic data. Target enrichment provides the ability to generate sequence data for hundreds to thousands of phylogenetically informative, single-copy loci, which often leads to improved phylogenetic resolution at both shallow and deep taxonomic scales; however, a publicly accessible Rubiaceae-specific probe set that allows for comparable phylogenetic inference across clades is lacking.

Use of Herbarium Voucher Specimens To Investigate Phytochemical Composition in Poisonous Plant Research.

Poisonous plants cause large losses to the livestock industry through death, reduced production efficiency, reproductive dysfunction, and compromised harvesting of rangeland and pasture forages. Research investigating poisonous plants is complex because there are hundreds of genera of toxic plants representing thousands of species. To investigate the effects of poisonous plants on livestock, a clear understanding of the taxonomic identity of the plant and the ability to collect the plant in sufficient quantities for scientific studies is required.

Phylogenetic and geographic distribution of nickel hyperaccumulation in neotropical Psychotria.

Premise: Hyperaccumulation of heavy metals in plants has never been documented from Central America or Mexico. Psychotria grandis, P. costivenia, and P.

1,8-Substituted anthraquinones, anthrones and bianthrones as potential non-azole leads against fungal infections.

The synthesis of a variety of 1,8-substituted anthraquinones, anthrones and bianthrones and their potential as antifungal agents is evaluated. Preliminary screening against Schizosaccharomyces pombe (S. pombe), a fission yeast, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (S.

Sensor systems for bacterial reactors: A new flavin-phenol composite film for the in situ voltammetric measurement of pH.

Monitoring pH within microbial reactors has become an important requirement across a host of applications ranging from the production of functional foods (probiotics) to biofuel cell systems. An inexpensive and scalable composite sensor capable of monitoring the pH within the demanding environments posed by microbial reactors has been developed. A custom designed flavin derivative bearing an electropolymerisable phenol monomer was used to create a redox film sensitive to pH but free from the interferences that can impede conventional pH systems.

Amazon plant diversity revealed by a taxonomically verified species list.

Recent debates on the number of plant species in the vast lowland rain forests of the Amazon have been based largely on model estimates, neglecting published checklists based on verified voucher data. Here we collate taxonomically verified checklists to present a list of seed plant species from lowland Amazon rain forests. Our list comprises 14,003 species, of which 6,727 are trees.

Estimating species diversity and distribution in the era of Big Data: to what extent can we trust public databases?

Aim: Massive digitalization of natural history collections is now leading to a steep accumulation of publicly available species distribution data. However, taxonomic errors and geographical uncertainty of species occurrence records are now acknowledged by the scientific community - putting into question to what extent such data can be used to unveil correct patterns of biodiversity and distribution. We explore this question through quantitative and qualitative analyses of uncleaned versus manually verified datasets of species distribution records across different spatial scales.

Determination of toxicity in rabbits and corresponding detection of monofluoroacetate in four Palicourea (Rubiaceae) species from the Amazonas state, Brazil.

Numerous monofluoroacetate (MFA)-containing plants in Brazil cause sudden death syndrome precipitated by exercise in livestock, which is characterized by loss of balance, ataxia, labored breathing, muscle tremors, and recumbence leading to death. Four species of Palicourea collected at six farms were tested for the presence of MFA and their toxicity to rabbits. Palicourea longiflora and Palicourea barraensis contained MFA and caused sudden death in the rabbits.

Problematic specimens turn out to be two undescribed species of Bignonia (Bignoniaceae).

Bignonia comprises 29 species of lianas characterized by eight phloem wedges, leaves usually 2-foliolate, mostly simple tendrils and opaque seed wings. The analysis of herbarium specimens in preparation for a taxonomic revision of the genus led to the recognition of two new species: (i) Bignonia cararensis from Costa Rica, characterized by a thyrse with lateral compound dichasia and lack of interpetiolar ridge, and (ii) Bignonia sanctae-crucis from Bolivia and Brazil, distinguishable by its membranous leaflets, membranous calyx and small fruits. We provide detailed descriptions, illustrations, distribution maps, initial conservation status assessments, and comparisons of the newly described taxa with closely related species.

Phylogeny and generic limits in the sister tribes Psychotrieae and Palicoureeae (Rubiaceae): Evolution of schizocarps in Psychotria and origins of bacterial leaf nodules of the Malagasy species.

• Premise of the study: The pantropical, species-rich Psychotrieae and Palicoureeae are sister tribes of mostly drupe-bearing and nonbacterial leaf-nodulating species with problematic generic limits. This problem is more complicated in Psychotrieae due to the paraphyly of the genus Psychotria, the lack of diagnostic characters for some major lineages, and the poor sampling from some biodiversity hotspots. Schizocarps and bacterial leaf nodules have been used for recognizing formal groups in Psychotrieae, but their evolution and taxonomic value have not been studied using a robust phylogeny of the tribe.

Monofluoroacetate-containing plants that are potentially toxic to livestock.

Many plants worldwide contain monofluoroacetate and cause sudden death in livestock. These plants are primarily found in the southern continents of Africa, Australia, and South America, where they negatively affect livestock production. This review highlights past and current research investigating (1) the plants reported to contain monofluoroacetate and cause sudden death; (2) the mode of action, clinical signs, and pathology associated with poisoning by monofluoroacetate-containing plants; (3) chemical methods for the analysis of monofluoroacetate in plants; (4) the coevolution of native flora and fauna in Western Australia with respect to monofluoroacetate-containing plants; and (5) methods to mitigate livestock losses caused by monofluoroacetate-containing plants.

Detection of toxic monofluoroacetate in Palicourea species.

Numerous plant species worldwide including some Palicourea (Rubiaceae), Tanaecium (Bignoniaceae), and Amorimia (Malpighiaceae) species in Brazil cause sudden death and are known to contain monofluoroacetate (MFA). Two species of Palicourea, Palicourea aenofusca and Palicourea marcgravii, cause sudden death and are reported to contain MFA while other Palicourea species are reported to cause sudden death in livestock and are suspected to contain MFA due to the similarity in clinical signs. Using an HPLC-APCI-MS method to detect MFA, herbarium specimens representing 46 Palicourea taxa were screened for the presence of MFA.

Fine-scale niche structure of Neotropical forests reflects a legacy of the Great American Biotic Interchange.

The tendency of species to retain their ancestral niches may link processes that determine community assembly with biogeographic histories that span geological time scales. Biogeographic history is likely to have had a particularly strong impact on Neotropical forests because of the influence of the Great American Biotic Interchange, which followed emergence of a land connection between North and South America ~3 Ma. Here we examine the community structure, ancestral niches and ancestral distributions of the related, hyperdiverse woody plant genera Psychotria and Palicourea (Rubiaceae) in Panama.

Diagnostic performance of rapid diagnostic tests versus blood smears for malaria in US clinical practice.

Background: Approximately 4 million US travelers to developing countries are ill enough to seek health care, with 1500 malaria cases reported in the United States annually. The diagnosis of malaria is frequently delayed because of the time required to prepare malaria blood films and lack of technical expertise. An easy, reliable rapid diagnostic test (RDT) with high sensitivity and negative predictive value (NPV), particularly for Plasmodium falciparum, would be clinically useful.

Evolutionary time for dispersal limits the extent but not the occupancy of species' potential ranges in the tropical plant genus Psychotria (Rubiaceae).

Explaining the diversity in geographic range sizes among species is a central goal of ecological and evolutionary studies. We tested species age as an explanation of range size variation within a group of understory shrubs in the Neotropics (Psychotria subgenus Psychotria, Rubiaceae). We distinguish between range occupancy (filling an occupied area) and range extent (maximum distances dispersed).