Mitochondrial genomes of the European sardine (Sardina pilchardus) reveal Pliocene diversification, extensive gene flow and pervasive purifying selection.

The development of management strategies for the promotion of sustainable fisheries relies on a deep knowledge of ecological and evolutionary processes driving the diversification and genetic variation of marine organisms. Sustainability strategies are especially relevant for marine species such as the European sardine (Sardina pilchardus), a small pelagic fish with high ecological and socioeconomic importance, especially in Southern Europe, whose stock has declined since 2006, possibly due to environmental factors. Here, we generated sequences for 139 mitochondrial genomes from individuals from 19 different geographical locations across most of the species distribution range, which was used to assess genetic diversity, diversification history and genomic signatures of selection.

Transcriptomic Analyses Reveal That and Have More Complex Responses under Combined Heat and Drought than under Individual Stressors.

Increasing exposure to unfavorable temperatures and water deficit imposes major constraints on most crops worldwide. Despite several studies regarding coffee responses to abiotic stresses, transcriptome modulation due to simultaneous stresses remains poorly understood. This study unravels transcriptomic responses under the combined action of drought and temperature in leaves from the two most traded species: cv.

Ovule Transcriptome Analysis Discloses Deregulation of Genes and Pathways in Sexual and Apomictic Species (Plumbaginaceae).

The genus Mill. (sea lavenders) includes species with sexual and apomixis reproductive strategies, although the genes involved in these processes are unknown. To explore the mechanisms beyond these reproduction modes, transcriptome profiling of sexual, male sterile, and facultative apomictic species was carried out using ovules from different developmental stages.

A first look at sea-lavenders genomics - can genome wide SNP information tip the scales of controversy in the Limonium vulgare species complex?

Background: Sea-lavenders (Limonium Mill., Plumbaginaceae) are a cosmopolitan group of diploid and polyploid plants often adapted to extreme saline environments, with a mostly Tethyan distribution, occurring in the Mediterranean, Irano-Turanian, Euro-Siberian and in the New World. The halophylic Limonium vulgare polyploid complex in particular, presents a large distribution throughout extreme salt-marsh habitats and shows little morphological but high taximetric variation, frequently blurring species delimitation.

Integrative analysis reveals the divergence and speciation between sister Sooty Copper butterflies Lycaena bleusei and L. tityrus.

The comparison of closely related taxa is cornerstone in biology, as understanding mechanisms leading up to differentiation in relation to extant shared characters are powerful tools in interpreting the evolutionary process. Hotspots of biodiversity such as the west-Mediterranean, where many lineages meet are ideal grounds to study these processes. We set to explore the interesting example of Sooty Copper butterflies: widespread Eurasian Lycaena tityrus (Poda, 1761) comes into contact in Iberia with closely related and local endemic, L.

Testing drivers of acoustic divergence in cicadas (Cicadidae: Tettigettalna).

Divergence in acoustic signals may have a crucial role in the speciation process of animals that rely on sound for intra-specific recognition and mate attraction. The acoustic adaptation hypothesis (AAH) postulates that signals should diverge according to the physical properties of the signalling environment. To be efficient, signals should maximize transmission and decrease degradation.

Salt Stress Tolerance in : Insights from the Branchlets Transcriptome.

Climate change and the accelerated rate of population growth are imposing a progressive degradation of natural ecosystems worldwide. In this context, the use of pioneer trees represents a powerful approach to reverse the situation. Among others, N-fixing actinorhizal trees constitute important elements of plant communities and have been successfully used in land reclamation at a global scale.

Population structure in L. revealed by nuclear microsatellite markers.

L. is a sclerophyllous tree species native to the western Mediterranean, a region that is considered highly vulnerable to increased temperatures and severe dry conditions due to environmental changes. Understanding the population structure and demographics of is essential in order to anticipate whether populations at greater risk and the species as a whole have the genetic background and reproductive dynamics to enable rapid adaptation.

Worldwide Population Structure of the Coffee Rust Fungus Is Strongly Shaped by Local Adaptation and Breeding History.

The devastating disease coffee leaf rust, caused by , has been a major constraint to worldwide coffee production. Recently, populations were shown to be structured into three divergent genetic lineages with marked host specialization (C1, C2, and C3). However, there is yet no overall understanding of the population dynamics and adaptation of the most widespread and epidemiological relevant group (C3).

Global urban environmental change drives adaptation in white clover.

Urbanization transforms environments in ways that alter biological evolution. We examined whether urban environmental change drives parallel evolution by sampling 110,019 white clover plants from 6169 populations in 160 cities globally. Plants were assayed for a Mendelian antiherbivore defense that also affects tolerance to abiotic stressors.

Population structure, adaptation and divergence of the meadow spittlebug, (Hemiptera, Aphrophoridae), revealed by genomic and morphological data.

Understanding patterns of population differentiation and gene flow in insect vectors of plant diseases is crucial for the implementation of management programs of disease. We investigated morphological and genome-wide variation across the distribution range of the spittlebug (Linnaeus, 1758) (Hemiptera, Auchenorrhyncha, Aphrophoridae), presently the most important vector of the plant pathogenic bacterium Wells et al., 1987 in Europe.

A Transcriptomic Approach to Understanding the Combined Impacts of Supra-Optimal Temperatures and CO Revealed Different Responses in the Polyploid and Its Diploid Progenitor .

Understanding the effect of extreme temperatures and elevated air (CO) is crucial for mitigating the impacts of the coffee industry. In this work, leaf transcriptomic changes were evaluated in the diploid and its polyploid , grown at 25 °C and at two supra-optimal temperatures (37 °C, 42 °C), under ambient (aCO) or elevated air CO (eCO). Both species expressed fewer genes as temperature rose, although a high number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were observed, especially at 42 °C.

Transcriptomic Leaf Profiling Reveals Differential Responses of the Two Most Traded Coffee Species to Elevated [CO].

As atmospheric [CO] continues to rise to unprecedented levels, understanding its impact on plants is imperative to improve crop performance and sustainability under future climate conditions. In this context, transcriptional changes promoted by elevated CO (eCO) were studied in genotypes from the two major traded coffee species: the allopolyploid (Icatu) and its diploid parent, (CL153). While Icatu expressed more genes than CL153, a higher number of differentially expressed genes were found in CL153 as a response to eCO.

Correction to: Assessing genotype-phenotype associations in three dorsal colour morphs in the meadow spittlebug Philaenus spumarius (L.) (Hemiptera: Aphrophoridae) using genomic and transcriptomic resources.

Following publication of the original article [1], it has been brought to the authors' attention that in their paper (Rodrigues et al. 2016) they reported the genome size based on 2C values (diploid genome) when it is more common to present it as 1C value.

Highly regional population structure of Spondyliosoma cantharus depicted by nuclear and mitochondrial DNA data.

Resolution of population structure represents an effective way to define biological stocks and inform efficient fisheries management. In the present study, the phylogeography of the protogynous sparid Spondyliosoma cantharus, in the East Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea, was investigated with nuclear (S7) and mitochondrial (cytochrome b) DNA markers. Significant divergence of four regional genetic groups was observed: North Eastern Atlantic, Mediterranean Sea, Western African Transition (Cape Verde) and Gulf of Guinea (Angola).

Standardised inventories of spiders (Arachnida, Araneae) of Macaronesia II: The native forests and dry habitats of Madeira archipelago (Madeira and Porto Santo islands).

Background: Here we present the data obtained from the samples collected as part of a large research project (MACDIV) which aims at understanding the drivers of spider (Araneae) community assembly in Macaronesian islands. To obtain the data, we applied the sampling protocol COBRA (Conservation Oriented Biodiversity Rapid Assessment), in twelve 50 m x 50 m native forest plots and five dry habitat plots on the island of Madeiraand in 5 dry habitat plots on the island of Porto Santo. Through this publication, we contribute to the knowledge of the arachnofauna of the Madeiran archipelago.

Genome-Wide Signatures of Selection in Reveal Candidate Genes Potentially Involved in Pathogenicity and Aggressiveness.

Plants and their pathogens are engaged in continuous evolutionary battles, with pathogens evolving to circumvent plant defense mechanisms and plants responding through enhanced protection to prevent or mitigate damage induced by pathogen attack. Managed ecosystems are composed of genetically identical populations of crop plants with few changes from year to year. These environments are highly conducive to the emergence and dissemination of pathogens and they exert selective pressure for both qualitative virulence factors responsible for fungal pathogenicity, and quantitative traits linked to pathogen fitness, such as aggressiveness.

Shortcomings of Phylogenetic Studies on Recent Radiated Insular Groups: A Meta-Analysis Using Cabo Verde Biodiversity.

Over the previous decades, numerous studies focused on how oceanic islands have contributed to determine the phylogenetic relationships and times of origin and diversification of different endemic lineages. The Macaronesian Islands (i.e.

New insights into adaptation and population structure of cork oak using genotyping by sequencing.

Species respond to global climatic changes in a local context. Understanding this process, including its speed and intensity, is paramount due to the pace at which such changes are currently occurring. Tree species are particularly interesting to study in this regard due to their long generation times, sedentarism, and ecological and economic importance.