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Lentz DL, Hamilton TL, Meyers SA, Dunning NP, Reese-Taylor K, Hernández AA, Walker DS, Tepe EJ, Esquivel AF, Weiss AA. Psychoactive and other ceremonial plants from a 2,000-year-old Maya ritual deposit at Yaxnohcah, Mexico. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0301497. [PMID: 38669253 PMCID: PMC11051596 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0301497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
For millennia, healing and psychoactive plants have been part of the medicinal and ceremonial fabric of elaborate rituals and everyday religious practices throughout Mesoamerica. Despite the essential nature of these ritual practices to the societal framework of past cultures, a clear understanding of the ceremonial life of the ancient Maya remains stubbornly elusive. Here we record the discovery of a special ritual deposit, likely wrapped in a bundle, located beneath the end field of a Late Preclassic ballcourt in the Helena complex of the Maya city of Yaxnohcah. This discovery was made possible by the application of environmental DNA technology. Plants identified through this analytical process included Ipomoea corymbosa (xtabentun in Mayan), Capsicum sp. (chili pepper or ic in Mayan), Hampea trilobata (jool), and Oxandra lanceolata (chilcahuite). All four plants have recognized medicinal properties. Two of the plants, jool and chilcahuite, are involved in artifact manufacture that have ceremonial connections while chili peppers and xtabentun have been associated with divination rituals. Xtabentun (known to the Aztecs as ololiuhqui) produces highly efficacious hallucinogenic compounds and is reported here from Maya archaeological contexts for the first time.
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Affiliation(s)
- David L. Lentz
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Trinity L. Hamilton
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, Biotechnology Institute, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Stephanie A. Meyers
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Nicholas P. Dunning
- Department of Geography & GIS, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | | | | | - Debra S. Walker
- Florida Museum of Natural History (FLMNH), University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Eric J. Tepe
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Atasta Flores Esquivel
- Programa de Posgrado en Estudios Mesoamericanos, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Alison A. Weiss
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
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2
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Grele A, Massad TJ, Uckele KA, Dyer LA, Antonini Y, Braga L, Forister ML, Sulca L, Kato M, Lopez HG, Nascimento AR, Parchman T, Simbaña WR, Smilanich AM, Stireman JO, Tepe EJ, Walla T, Richards LA. Intra- and interspecific diversity in a tropical plant clade alter herbivory and ecosystem resilience. eLife 2024; 12:RP86988. [PMID: 38662411 PMCID: PMC11045218 DOI: 10.7554/elife.86988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Declines in biodiversity generated by anthropogenic stressors at both species and population levels can alter emergent processes instrumental to ecosystem function and resilience. As such, understanding the role of biodiversity in ecosystem function and its response to climate perturbation is increasingly important, especially in tropical systems where responses to changes in biodiversity are less predictable and more challenging to assess experimentally. Using large-scale transplant experiments conducted at five neotropical sites, we documented the impacts of changes in intraspecific and interspecific plant richness in the genus Piper on insect herbivory, insect richness, and ecosystem resilience to perturbations in water availability. We found that reductions of both intraspecific and interspecific Piper diversity had measurable and site-specific effects on herbivory, herbivorous insect richness, and plant mortality. The responses of these ecosystem-relevant processes to reduced intraspecific Piper richness were often similar in magnitude to the effects of reduced interspecific richness. Increased water availability reduced herbivory by 4.2% overall, and the response of herbivorous insect richness and herbivory to water availability were altered by both intra- and interspecific richness in a site-dependent manner. Our results underscore the role of intraspecific and interspecific richness as foundations of ecosystem function and the importance of community and location-specific contingencies in controlling function in complex tropical systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ari Grele
- Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology, Department of Biology, University of NevadaRenoUnited States
| | - Tara J Massad
- Department of Scientific Services, Gorongosa National ParkSofalaMozambique
| | - Kathryn A Uckele
- Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology, Department of Biology, University of NevadaRenoUnited States
| | - Lee A Dyer
- Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology, Department of Biology, University of NevadaRenoUnited States
- Hitchcock Center for Chemical Ecology, University of NevadaRenoUnited States
| | - Yasmine Antonini
- Lab. de Biodiversidade, Departamento de Biodiversidade, Evolução e Meio Ambiente, Instituto de Ciências Exatas e Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Ouro PretoOuro PretoBrazil
| | - Laura Braga
- Lab. de Biodiversidade, Departamento de Biodiversidade, Evolução e Meio Ambiente, Instituto de Ciências Exatas e Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Ouro PretoOuro PretoBrazil
| | - Matthew L Forister
- Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology, Department of Biology, University of NevadaRenoUnited States
- Hitchcock Center for Chemical Ecology, University of NevadaRenoUnited States
| | - Lidia Sulca
- Departamento de Entomología, Museo de Historia Natural, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San MarcosLimaPeru
| | - Massuo Kato
- Department of Fundamental Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of São PauloSão PauloBrazil
| | - Humberto G Lopez
- Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology, Department of Biology, University of NevadaRenoUnited States
| | | | - Thomas Parchman
- Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology, Department of Biology, University of NevadaRenoUnited States
- Department of Biology, University of NevadaRenoUnited States
| | | | - Angela M Smilanich
- Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology, Department of Biology, University of NevadaRenoUnited States
| | - John O Stireman
- Department of Biological Sciences, Wright State UniversityDaytonUnited States
| | - Eric J Tepe
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of CincinnatiCincinnatiUnited States
| | - Thomas Walla
- Department of Biology, Mesa State CollegeGrand JunctionUnited States
| | - Lora A Richards
- Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology, Department of Biology, University of NevadaRenoUnited States
- Hitchcock Center for Chemical Ecology, University of NevadaRenoUnited States
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3
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Lentz DL, Hamilton TL, Dunning NP, Jones JG, Reese-Taylor K, Anaya Hernández A, Walker DS, Tepe EJ, Carr C, Brewer JL, Ruhl T, Meyers SA, Vazquez M, Golden A, Weiss AA. Paleoecological Studies at the Ancient Maya Center of Yaxnohcah Using Analyses of Pollen, Environmental DNA, and Plant Macroremains. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.868033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Yaxnohcah was a major city of the ancient Maya world, especially during the Preclassic period (1000 BCE–200 CE). Data from excavations provide important insights into the interactions between the ancient inhabitants and its surrounding Neotropical forests, a topic that, as a whole, remains largely enigmatic. This study aspired to fill that void in understanding by using traditional paleoethnobotanical approaches and a powerful new technology, the analysis of environmental DNA. Our results enabled us to characterize the vegetation growing in association with the principal structures and the artificial reservoirs that provided the city’s water supply. Because the area is without access to permanent water sources, such as rivers or lakes, these reservoirs were key to the development and survival of the city. Our results indicate that although there were large areas cleared for agricultural purposes, a mosaic of mature upland and bajo forest remained throughout the Maya occupation. In addition, our studies reveal that there were incursions of pine savanna into the area that may have been a reflection of prevailing edaphic conditions, or alternatively, the result of frequent burning.
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Massad TJ, Richards LA, Philbin C, Fumiko Yamaguchi L, Kato MJ, Jeffrey CS, Oliveira C, Ochsenrider K, M de Moraes M, Tepe EJ, Cebrian Torrejon G, Sandivo M, Dyer LA. The chemical ecology of tropical forest diversity: Environmental variation, chemical similarity, herbivory, and richness. Ecology 2022; 103:e3762. [PMID: 35593436 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.3762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Revised: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Species richness in tropical forests is correlated with other dimensions of diversity, including the diversity of plant-herbivore interactions and the phytochemical diversity that influences those interactions. Understanding the complexity of plant chemistry and the importance of phytochemical diversity for plant-insect interactions and overall forest richness has been enhanced significantly by the application of metabolomics to natural systems. The present work used proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1 H-NMR) profiling of crude leaf extracts to study phytochemical similarity and diversity among Piper plants growing naturally in the Atlantic Rainforest of Brazil. Spectral profile similarity and chemical diversity were quantified to examine the relationship between metrics of phytochemical diversity, specialist and generalist herbivory, and understory plant richness. Herbivory increased with understory species richness, while generalist herbivory increased and specialist herbivory decreased with the diversity of Piper leaf material available. Specialist herbivory increased when conspecific host plants were more spectroscopically dissimilar. Spectral similarity was lower among individuals of common species, and they were also more spectrally diverse, indicating phytochemical diversity is beneficial to plants. Canopy openness and soil nutrients also influenced chemistry and herbivory. The complex relationships uncovered in this study add information to our growing understanding of the importance of phytochemical diversity for plant-insect interactions and tropical plant species richness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tara Joy Massad
- Department of Scientific Services, Gorongosa National Park, Sofala, Mozambique.,Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil
| | - Lora A Richards
- Department of Biology, Program in Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, USA.,Hitchcock Center for Chemical Ecology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, USA
| | - Casey Philbin
- Hitchcock Center for Chemical Ecology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, USA.,Department of Chemistry, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, USA
| | | | - Massuo J Kato
- Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil
| | - Christopher S Jeffrey
- Hitchcock Center for Chemical Ecology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, USA.,Department of Chemistry, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, USA
| | - Celso Oliveira
- Department of Chemistry, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, USA
| | | | - Marcílio M de Moraes
- Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Pernambuco, Pernambuco, Brasil
| | - Eric J Tepe
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | | | | | - Lee A Dyer
- Department of Biology, Program in Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, USA.,Hitchcock Center for Chemical Ecology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, USA
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5
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Uckele KA, Jahner JP, Tepe EJ, Richards LA, Dyer LA, Ochsenrider KM, Philbin CS, Kato MJ, Yamaguchi LF, Forister ML, Smilanich AM, Dodson CD, Jeffrey CS, Parchman TL. Phytochemistry reflects different evolutionary history in traditional classes versus specialized structural motifs. Sci Rep 2021; 11:17247. [PMID: 34446754 PMCID: PMC8390663 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-96431-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Foundational hypotheses addressing plant-insect codiversification and plant defense theory typically assume a macroevolutionary pattern whereby closely related plants have similar chemical profiles. However, numerous studies have documented variation in the degree of phytochemical trait lability, raising the possibility that phytochemical evolution is more nuanced than initially assumed. We utilize proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) data, chemical classification, and double digest restriction-site associated DNA sequencing (ddRADseq) to resolve evolutionary relationships and characterize the evolution of secondary chemistry in the Neotropical plant clade Radula (Piper; Piperaceae). Sequencing data substantially improved phylogenetic resolution relative to past studies, and spectroscopic characterization revealed the presence of 35 metabolite classes. Metabolite classes displayed phylogenetic signal, whereas the crude 1H NMR spectra featured little evidence of phylogenetic signal in multivariate tests of chemical resonances. Evolutionary correlations were detected in two pairs of compound classes (flavonoids with chalcones; p-alkenyl phenols with kavalactones), where the gain or loss of a class was dependent on the other's state. Overall, the evolution of secondary chemistry in Radula is characterized by strong phylogenetic signal of traditional compound classes and weak phylogenetic signal of specialized chemical motifs, consistent with both classic evolutionary hypotheses and recent examinations of phytochemical evolution in young lineages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn A Uckele
- Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, 89557, USA
- Department of Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, 89557, USA
- Hitchcock Center for Chemical Ecology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, 89557, USA
| | - Joshua P Jahner
- Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, 89557, USA.
- Department of Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, 89557, USA.
| | - Eric J Tepe
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, 45221, USA
| | - Lora A Richards
- Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, 89557, USA
- Department of Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, 89557, USA
- Hitchcock Center for Chemical Ecology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, 89557, USA
| | - Lee A Dyer
- Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, 89557, USA
- Department of Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, 89557, USA
- Hitchcock Center for Chemical Ecology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, 89557, USA
- Sección Invertebrados, Museo Ecuatoriano de Ciencias Naturales, Quito, Ecuador
| | | | - Casey S Philbin
- Hitchcock Center for Chemical Ecology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, 89557, USA
| | - Massuo J Kato
- Department of Fundamental Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lydia F Yamaguchi
- Department of Fundamental Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Matthew L Forister
- Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, 89557, USA
- Department of Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, 89557, USA
- Hitchcock Center for Chemical Ecology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, 89557, USA
| | - Angela M Smilanich
- Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, 89557, USA
- Department of Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, 89557, USA
| | - Craig D Dodson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, 89557, USA
| | - Christopher S Jeffrey
- Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, 89557, USA
- Hitchcock Center for Chemical Ecology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, 89557, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, 89557, USA
| | - Thomas L Parchman
- Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, 89557, USA
- Department of Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, 89557, USA
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6
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Lentz DL, Hamilton TL, Dunning NP, Tepe EJ, Scarborough VL, Meyers SA, Grazioso L, Weiss AA. Environmental DNA reveals arboreal cityscapes at the Ancient Maya Center of Tikal. Sci Rep 2021; 11:12725. [PMID: 34135357 PMCID: PMC8209062 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-91620-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Tikal, a major city of the ancient Maya world, has been the focus of archaeological research for over a century, yet the interactions between the Maya and the surrounding Neotropical forests remain largely enigmatic. This study aimed to help fill that void by using a powerful new technology, environmental DNA analysis, that enabled us to characterize the site core vegetation growing in association with the artificial reservoirs that provided the city water supply. Because the area has no permanent water sources, such as lakes or rivers, these reservoirs were key to the survival of the city, especially during the population expansion of the Classic period (250-850 CE). In the absence of specific evidence, the nature of the vegetation surrounding the reservoirs has been the subject of scientific hypotheses and artistic renderings for decades. To address these hypotheses we captured homologous sequences of vascular plant DNA extracted from reservoir sediments by using a targeted enrichment approach involving 120-bp genetic probes. Our samples encompassed the time before, during and after the occupation of Tikal (1000 BCE-900 CE). Results indicate that the banks of the ancient reservoirs were primarily fringed with native tropical forest vegetation rather than domesticated species during the Maya occupation.
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Affiliation(s)
- David L Lentz
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, 45221, USA.
| | - Trinity L Hamilton
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology and the BioTechnology Institute, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, 55108, USA
| | - Nicholas P Dunning
- Department of Geography and GIS, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, 45221, USA
| | - Eric J Tepe
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, 45221, USA
| | - Vernon L Scarborough
- Department of Anthropology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, 45221, USA
| | - Stephanie A Meyers
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, 45221, USA
| | - Liwy Grazioso
- Department of Archaeology, Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala, Ciudad Universitaria, 01012, Guatemala, Guatemala
| | - Alison A Weiss
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA.
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Campos‐Moreno DF, Dyer LA, Salcido D, Massad TJ, Pérez‐Lachaud G, Tepe EJ, Whitfield JB, Pozo C. Importance of interaction rewiring in determining spatial and temporal turnover of tritrophic (
Piper
‐caterpillar‐parasitoid) metanetworks in the Yucatán Península, México. Biotropica 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/btp.12946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Diego F. Campos‐Moreno
- Departamento de Conservación de la Biodiversidad El Colegio de la Frontera Sur (ECOSUR) Chetumal Quintana Roo México
| | - Lee A. Dyer
- EECB and Biology Department University of Nevada, Reno Reno NV USA
| | - Danielle Salcido
- EECB and Biology Department University of Nevada, Reno Reno NV USA
| | - Tara Joy Massad
- Department of Scientific Services Gorongosa National Park Sofala Mozambique
| | - Gabriela Pérez‐Lachaud
- Departamento de Conservación de la Biodiversidad El Colegio de la Frontera Sur (ECOSUR) Chetumal Quintana Roo México
| | - Eric J. Tepe
- Department of Biological Sciences University of Cincinnati Cincinnati OH USA
| | | | - Carmen Pozo
- Departamento de Conservación de la Biodiversidad El Colegio de la Frontera Sur (ECOSUR) Chetumal Quintana Roo México
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8
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Amazonas DR, Oliveira C, Barata LES, Tepe EJ, Kato MJ, Mourão RHV, Yamaguchi LF. Chemical and Genotypic Variations in Aniba rosiodora from the Brazilian Amazon Forest. Molecules 2020; 26:molecules26010069. [PMID: 33375652 PMCID: PMC7794742 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26010069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Aniba rosiodora has been exploited since the end of the nineteenth century for its essential oil, a valuable ingredient in the perfumery industry. This species occurs mainly in Northern South America, and the morphological similarity among different Aniba species often leads to misidentification, which impacts the consistency of products obtained from these plants. Hence, we compared the profiles of volatile organic compounds (essential oils) and non-volatile organic compounds (methanolic extracts) of two populations of A. rosiodora from the RESEX and FLONA conservation units, which are separated by the Tapajós River in Western Pará State. The phytochemical profile indicated a substantial difference between the two populations: samples from RESEX present α-phellandrene (22.8%) and linalool (39.6%) in their essential oil composition, while samples from FLONA contain mainly linalool (83.7%). The comparison between phytochemical profiles and phylogenetic data indicates a clear difference, implying genetic distinction between these populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana R. Amazonas
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Recursos Naturais da Amazônia, Universidade Federal do Oeste do Pará, Santarém 68040-255, PA, Brazil; (D.R.A.); (L.E.S.B.)
| | - Celso Oliveira
- Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, SP, Brazil; (C.O.); (M.J.K.)
| | - Lauro E. S. Barata
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Recursos Naturais da Amazônia, Universidade Federal do Oeste do Pará, Santarém 68040-255, PA, Brazil; (D.R.A.); (L.E.S.B.)
| | - Eric J. Tepe
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA;
| | - Massuo J. Kato
- Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, SP, Brazil; (C.O.); (M.J.K.)
| | - Rosa H. V. Mourão
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Recursos Naturais da Amazônia, Universidade Federal do Oeste do Pará, Santarém 68040-255, PA, Brazil; (D.R.A.); (L.E.S.B.)
- Correspondence: (R.H.V.M.); (L.F.Y.); Tel.: +55-93-21014943 (R.H.V.M.); +55-11-996209275 (L.F.Y.)
| | - Lydia F. Yamaguchi
- Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, SP, Brazil; (C.O.); (M.J.K.)
- Correspondence: (R.H.V.M.); (L.F.Y.); Tel.: +55-93-21014943 (R.H.V.M.); +55-11-996209275 (L.F.Y.)
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9
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Egydio Brandão APM, Yamaguchi LF, Tepe EJ, Salatino A, Kato MJ. Evaluation of DNA markers for molecular identification of three Piper species from Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0239056. [PMID: 33075070 PMCID: PMC7571689 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0239056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Piper is one of two large genera in the Piperaceae, and with ca. 2600 species, is one of the largest plant genera in the world. Species delimitation and evaluation of genetic diversity among populations are important requisites for conservation and adequate exploitation of economically important species. DNA barcoding has been used as a powerful tool and a practical method for species characterization and delimitation. The present work aims to evaluate molecular markers for barcoding three Piper species native to Brazil: P. gaudichaudianum (“jaborandi” or “pariparoba”), P. malacophyllum (“pariparoba-murta”) and P. regnellii (“caapeba” or “pariparoba”). A reference DNA barcode library was developed using sequences of three candidate regions: ITS2, trnH-psbA and rbcL. Transferability of the microsatellite (SSR) primers Psol 3, Psol 6 and Psol 10, designed originally for Piper solmsianum, to the three Piper species was also evaluated. The discriminatory power of the markers was based on the determination of inter- and intraspecific distances, phylogenetic reconstruction, and clustering analysis, as well as BLASTn comparison. Sequences of ITS2 enabled efficient species identification by means of the BLASTn procedure. Based on these sequences, intraspecific divergence was lower than interspecific variation. Maximum Parsimony analyses based on ITS2 sequences provided three resolved clades, each corresponding to one of the three analysed species. Sequences of trnH-psbA and rbcL had lower discriminatory value. Analyses combining sequences of these regions were less effective toward the attainment of resolved and strongly supported clades of all species. In summary, robustly supported clades of P. regnellii were obtained in most of the analyses, based either on isolated or combined sequences. The SSRs primers Psol 3, Psol 6 and Psol 10 were shown to be transferable to P. gaudichaudianum and P. regnellii, but not to P. malacophyllum. Preliminary cluster analyses based on the polymorphism of the amplified products suggested that Psol 3 has lower potential than Psol 6 and Psol 10 for discrimination of Piper species.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lydia F. Yamaguchi
- Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Eric J. Tepe
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Antonio Salatino
- Department of Botany, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Massuo J. Kato
- Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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10
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Lentz DL, Hamilton TL, Dunning NP, Scarborough VL, Luxton TP, Vonderheide A, Tepe EJ, Perfetta CJ, Brunemann J, Grazioso L, Valdez F, Tankersley KB, Weiss AA. Molecular genetic and geochemical assays reveal severe contamination of drinking water reservoirs at the ancient Maya city of Tikal. Sci Rep 2020; 10:10316. [PMID: 32587274 PMCID: PMC7316703 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-67044-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding civilizations of the past and how they emerge and eventually falter is a primary research focus of archaeological investigations because these provocative data sets offer critical insights into long-term human behavior patterns, especially in regard to land use practices and sustainable environmental interactions. The ancient Maya serve as an intriguing example of this research focus, yet the details of their spectacular emergence in a tropical forest environment followed by their eventual demise have remained enigmatic. Tikal, one of the foremost of the ancient Maya cities, plays a central role in this discussion because of its sharp population decline followed by abandonment during the late 9th century CE. Our results, based on geochemical and molecular genetic assays on sediments from four of the main reservoirs, reveal that two of the largest reservoirs at Tikal, essential for the survival of the city during the dry seasons, were contaminated with high levels of mercury, phosphate and cyanobacteria known to produce deadly toxins. Our observations demonstrate severe pollution problems at a time when episodes of climatic aridity were prevalent. This combination of catastrophic events clearly threatened the sustainability of the city and likely contributed to its abandonment.
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Affiliation(s)
- David L Lentz
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, 45221, USA.
| | - Trinity L Hamilton
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology and the BioTechnology Institute, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, 55108, USA
| | - Nicholas P Dunning
- Department of Geography, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, 45221, USA
| | - Vernon L Scarborough
- Department of Anthropology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, 45221, USA
| | - Todd P Luxton
- National Risk Management Research Laboratory, US Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH, 45224, USA
| | - Anne Vonderheide
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, 45221, USA
| | - Eric J Tepe
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, 45221, USA
| | - Cory J Perfetta
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, 45221, USA
| | - James Brunemann
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, 45221, USA
| | - Liwy Grazioso
- Museo Miraflores, 7 Calle 21-55, Guatemala City, Guatemala
| | - Fred Valdez
- Department of Anthropology, University of Texas, Austin, TX, 78212, USA
| | - Kenneth B Tankersley
- Department of Anthropology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, 45221, USA
| | - Alison A Weiss
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA
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Tepe EJ. A series of unfortunate events: the forgotten botanist and the misattribution of a type collection. PhytoKeys 2018; 109:33-39. [PMID: 30275738 PMCID: PMC6160851 DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.109.28144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2018] [Accepted: 08/12/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
In 1777, Spain sent The Royal Expedition to Peru and Chile, commonly referred to as the "Ruiz and Pavón Expedition", to document the flora of this richly diverse part of its colonies. The Expedition was active in the New World for 38 years and was led by Hipólito Ruiz and José Pavón, who collected in Peru and Chile for the first 11 years before returning to Spain to work on publication of the Flora Peruviana, et Chilensis. Work on the ground for the reminder of the project in Peru and later Ecuador, was continued by Juan Tafalla and Juan Manzanilla. With few exceptions, all collections from the Expedition including types, have conventionally been attributed to Ruiz and Pavón despite the fact that Tafalla and Manzanilla were responsible for a large part of the collections. The purpose of this note is to bring to light the important but often overlooked figure of Juan Tafalla, to highlight his accomplishments as a collector and to increase precision in botanical nomenclature by giving him due credit by correctly attributing collections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric J. Tepe
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio 45221, USAUniversity of CincinnatiCincinnatiUnited States of America
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Jahner JP, Forister ML, Parchman TL, Smilanich AM, Miller JS, Wilson JS, Walla TR, Tepe EJ, Richards LA, Quijano‐Abril MA, Glassmire AE, Dyer LA. Host conservatism, geography, and elevation in the evolution of a Neotropical moth radiation. Evolution 2017; 71:2885-2900. [DOI: 10.1111/evo.13377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2017] [Revised: 09/12/2017] [Accepted: 09/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Joshua P. Jahner
- Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology, Department of Biology University of Nevada Reno Nevada 89557
| | - Matthew L. Forister
- Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology, Department of Biology University of Nevada Reno Nevada 89557
| | - Thomas L. Parchman
- Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology, Department of Biology University of Nevada Reno Nevada 89557
| | - Angela M. Smilanich
- Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology, Department of Biology University of Nevada Reno Nevada 89557
| | - James S. Miller
- Division of Invertebrate Zoology American Museum of Natural History New York New York 10024
| | | | - Thomas R. Walla
- Department of Biology Colorado Mesa University Grand Junction Colorado 81507
- Seccion Invertebrados Museo Ecuatoriano de Ciencias Naturales Quito Ecuador
| | - Eric J. Tepe
- Department of Biological Sciences University of Cincinnati Cincinnati Ohio 45221
| | - Lora A. Richards
- Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology, Department of Biology University of Nevada Reno Nevada 89557
| | | | - Andrea E. Glassmire
- Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology, Department of Biology University of Nevada Reno Nevada 89557
| | - Lee A. Dyer
- Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology, Department of Biology University of Nevada Reno Nevada 89557
- Seccion Invertebrados Museo Ecuatoriano de Ciencias Naturales Quito Ecuador
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13
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Glassmire AE, Jeffrey CS, Forister ML, Parchman TL, Nice CC, Jahner JP, Wilson JS, Walla TR, Richards LA, Smilanich AM, Leonard MD, Morrison CR, Simbaña W, Salagaje LA, Dodson CD, Miller JS, Tepe EJ, Villamarin-Cortez S, Dyer LA. Intraspecific phytochemical variation shapes community and population structure for specialist caterpillars. New Phytol 2016; 212:208-19. [PMID: 27279551 PMCID: PMC5089596 DOI: 10.1111/nph.14038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2016] [Accepted: 04/26/2016] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Chemically mediated plant-herbivore interactions contribute to the diversity of terrestrial communities and the diversification of plants and insects. While our understanding of the processes affecting community structure and evolutionary diversification has grown, few studies have investigated how trait variation shapes genetic and species diversity simultaneously in a tropical ecosystem. We investigated secondary metabolite variation among subpopulations of a single plant species, Piper kelleyi (Piperaceae), using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), to understand associations between plant phytochemistry and host-specialized caterpillars in the genus Eois (Geometridae: Larentiinae) and associated parasitoid wasps and flies. In addition, we used a genotyping-by-sequencing approach to examine the genetic structure of one abundant caterpillar species, Eois encina, in relation to host phytochemical variation. We found substantive concentration differences among three major secondary metabolites, and these differences in chemistry predicted caterpillar and parasitoid community structure among host plant populations. Furthermore, E. encina populations located at high elevations were genetically different from other populations. They fed on plants containing high concentrations of prenylated benzoic acid. Thus, phytochemistry potentially shapes caterpillar and wasp community composition and geographic variation in species interactions, both of which can contribute to diversification of plants and insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea E Glassmire
- Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology, University of Nevada, 1664 N. Virginia St, Reno, NV, 89557, USA
| | - Christopher S Jeffrey
- Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology, University of Nevada, 1664 N. Virginia St, Reno, NV, 89557, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Nevada, 1664 N. Virginia St, Reno, NV, 89557, USA
| | - Matthew L Forister
- Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology, University of Nevada, 1664 N. Virginia St, Reno, NV, 89557, USA
| | - Thomas L Parchman
- Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology, University of Nevada, 1664 N. Virginia St, Reno, NV, 89557, USA
| | - Chris C Nice
- Department of Biology, Texas State University, 601 University Dr., San Marcos, TX, 78666, USA
| | - Joshua P Jahner
- Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology, University of Nevada, 1664 N. Virginia St, Reno, NV, 89557, USA
| | - Joseph S Wilson
- Department of Biology, Utah State University Tooele, 1021 W Vine St, Toole, UT, 84074, USA
| | - Thomas R Walla
- Department of Biology, Colorado Mesa University, 1100 N. Ave, Grand Junction, CO, 81501, USA
- Museo Ecuatoriano de Ciencias Naturales del Instituto Nacional de Biodiversidad Ecuador, Rumipamba 341 y Av. Shyris., Quito, Ecuador
| | - Lora A Richards
- Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology, University of Nevada, 1664 N. Virginia St, Reno, NV, 89557, USA
| | - Angela M Smilanich
- Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology, University of Nevada, 1664 N. Virginia St, Reno, NV, 89557, USA
| | - Michael D Leonard
- Department of Chemistry, University of Nevada, 1664 N. Virginia St, Reno, NV, 89557, USA
| | - Colin R Morrison
- Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology, University of Nevada, 1664 N. Virginia St, Reno, NV, 89557, USA
| | - Wilmer Simbaña
- Yanayacu Biological Station, Cosanga, Napo Province, Ecuador
| | - Luis A Salagaje
- Yanayacu Biological Station, Cosanga, Napo Province, Ecuador
| | - Craig D Dodson
- Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology, University of Nevada, 1664 N. Virginia St, Reno, NV, 89557, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Nevada, 1664 N. Virginia St, Reno, NV, 89557, USA
| | - Jim S Miller
- Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology, University of Nevada, 1664 N. Virginia St, Reno, NV, 89557, USA
| | - Eric J Tepe
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, 318 College Dr, Cincinnati, OH, 45221, USA
| | - Santiago Villamarin-Cortez
- Museo Ecuatoriano de Ciencias Naturales del Instituto Nacional de Biodiversidad Ecuador, Rumipamba 341 y Av. Shyris., Quito, Ecuador
| | - Lee A Dyer
- Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology, University of Nevada, 1664 N. Virginia St, Reno, NV, 89557, USA
- Museo Ecuatoriano de Ciencias Naturales del Instituto Nacional de Biodiversidad Ecuador, Rumipamba 341 y Av. Shyris., Quito, Ecuador
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Wilson JS, Forister ML, Dyer LA, O'Connor JM, Burls K, Feldman CR, Jaramillo MA, Miller JS, Rodríguez-Castañeda G, Tepe EJ, Whitfield JB, Young B. Host conservatism, host shifts and diversification across three trophic levels in two Neotropical forests. J Evol Biol 2012; 25:532-46. [PMID: 22268676 DOI: 10.1111/j.1420-9101.2011.02446.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Host-parasite systems have been models for understanding the connection between shifts in resource use and diversification. Despite theoretical expectations, ambiguity remains regarding the frequency and importance of host switches as drivers of speciation in herbivorous insects and their parasitoids. We examine phylogenetic patterns with multiple genetic markers across three trophic levels using a diverse lineage of geometrid moths (Eois), specialist braconid parasitoids (Parapanteles) and plants in the genus Piper. Host-parasite associations are mapped onto phylogenies, and levels of cospeciation are assessed. We find nonrandom patterns of host use within both the moth and wasp phylogenies. The moth-plant associations in particular are characterized by small radiations of moths associated with unique host plants in the same geographic area (i.e. closely related moths using the same host plant species). We suggest a model of diversification that emphasizes an interplay of factors including host shifts, vicariance and adaptation to intraspecific variation within hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- J S Wilson
- Program in Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Biology, Department of Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557, USA
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Tepe EJ, Ridley G, Bohs L. A new species of Solanum named for Jeanne Baret, an overlooked contributor to the history of botany. PhytoKeys 2012; 8:37-47. [PMID: 22287929 PMCID: PMC3254248 DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.8.2101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2011] [Accepted: 11/22/2011] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
We describe Solanum baretiaesp. nov., a new species of Solanum section Anarrhichomenum, named in honor of Jeanne Baret, who sailed as the assistant to botanist Philibert Commerson on Louis Antoine de Bougainville's global circumnavigation (1766-1769). The species is similar to Solanum chimborazense, but differs in having larger flowers, more flowers per inflorescence, and different patterns of pubescence on the filaments (pubescent adaxially and glabrous abaxially) and style (papillose to sparsely pubescent). A description, illustration, photos, and comparisons to similar species are included. Also included is a preliminary conservation assessment, along with a brief account of the important role played by Baret during the expedition. The new species appears to be restricted to the Amotape-Huancabamba zone, an area of southern Ecuador and northern Peru known for its exceptional biodiversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric J Tepe
- Department of Biology, University of Utah, 257 South 1400 East, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA
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16
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Sanchez-Puerta MV, Abbona CC, Zhuo S, Tepe EJ, Bohs L, Olmstead RG, Palmer JD. Multiple recent horizontal transfers of the cox1 intron in Solanaceae and extended co-conversion of flanking exons. BMC Evol Biol 2011; 11:277. [PMID: 21943226 PMCID: PMC3192709 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2148-11-277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2011] [Accepted: 09/27/2011] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The most frequent case of horizontal transfer in plants involves a group I intron in the mitochondrial gene cox1, which has been acquired via some 80 separate plant-to-plant transfer events among 833 diverse angiosperms examined. This homing intron encodes an endonuclease thought to promote the intron's promiscuous behavior. A promising experimental approach to study endonuclease activity and intron transmission involves somatic cell hybridization, which in plants leads to mitochondrial fusion and genome recombination. However, the cox1 intron has not yet been found in the ideal group for plant somatic genetics - the Solanaceae. We therefore undertook an extensive survey of this family to find members with the intron and to learn more about the evolutionary history of this exceptionally mobile genetic element. Results Although 409 of the 426 species of Solanaceae examined lack the cox1 intron, it is uniformly present in three phylogenetically disjunct clades. Despite strong overall incongruence of cox1 intron phylogeny with angiosperm phylogeny, two of these clades possess nearly identical intron sequences and are monophyletic in intron phylogeny. These two clades, and possibly the third also, contain a co-conversion tract (CCT) downstream of the intron that is extended relative to all previously recognized CCTs in angiosperm cox1. Re-examination of all published cox1 genes uncovered additional cases of extended co-conversion and identified a rare case of putative intron loss, accompanied by full retention of the CCT. Conclusions We infer that the cox1 intron was separately and recently acquired by at least three different lineages of Solanaceae. The striking identity of the intron and CCT from two of these lineages suggests that one of these three intron captures may have occurred by a within-family transfer event. This is consistent with previous evidence that horizontal transfer in plants is biased towards phylogenetically local events. The discovery of extended co-conversion suggests that other cox1 conversions may be longer than realized but obscured by the exceptional conservation of plant mitochondrial sequences. Our findings provide further support for the rampant-transfer model of cox1 intron evolution and recommend the Solanaceae as a model system for the experimental analysis of cox1 intron transfer in plants.
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Tepe EJ, Farruggia FT, Bohs L. A 10-gene phylogeny of Solanum section Herpystichum (Solanaceae) and a comparison of phylogenetic methods. Am J Bot 2011; 98:1356-65. [PMID: 21795733 DOI: 10.3732/ajb.1000516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
PREMISE OF THE STUDY Solanum section Herpystichum is a lineage that comprises both widespread and very narrowly distributed species. This study investigates the phylogenetic relationships of sect. Herpystichum and evaluates several phylogenetic methods for analysis of multiple sequences. METHODS Sequence data from seven nuclear (ITS, GBSSI, and five COSII) and three plastid (psbA-trnH, trnT-trnF, and trnS-trnG) regions were concatenated and analyzed under maximum parsimony and Bayesian criteria. In addition, we used two analytical methods that take into account differences in topologies resulting from the analyses of the individual markers: Bayesian Estimation of Species Trees (BEST) and supertree analysis. KEY RESULTS The monophyletic Solanum sect. Herpystichum was resolved with moderate support in the concatenated maximum parsimony and Bayesian analyses and the supertree analysis, and relationships within the section were well-resolved and strongly supported. The BEST topology, however, was poorly resolved. Also, because of how BEST deals with missing sequences, >25% of our accessions, including two species, had to be excluded from the analyses. Our results indicate a progenitor-descendent relationship with two species nested within the widespread S. evolvulifolium. CONCLUSIONS Analytical methods that consider individual topologies are important for studies based on multiple molecular markers. On the basis of analyses in this study, BEST had the serious shortcoming that taxa with missing sequences must be removed from the analysis or they can produce spurious topologies. Supertree analysis provided a good alternative for our data by allowing the inclusion of all 10 species of sect. Herpystichum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric J Tepe
- Department of Biology, 257 South 1400 East, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA.
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Rodríguez-Castañeda G, Forkner RE, Tepe EJ, Gentry GL, Dyer LA. Weighing Defensive and Nutritive Roles of Ant Mutualists Across a Tropical Altitudinal Gradient. Biotropica 2010. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1744-7429.2010.00700.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Pelser PB, Kennedy AH, Tepe EJ, Shidler JB, Nordenstam B, Kadereit JW, Watson LE. Patterns and causes of incongruence between plastid and nuclear Senecioneae (Asteraceae) phylogenies. Am J Bot 2010; 97:856-73. [PMID: 21622451 DOI: 10.3732/ajb.0900287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
One of the longstanding questions in phylogenetic systematics is how to address incongruence among phylogenies obtained from multiple markers and how to determine the causes. This study presents a detailed analysis of incongruent patterns between plastid and ITS/ETS phylogenies of Tribe Senecioneae (Asteraceae). This approach revealed widespread and strongly supported incongruence, which complicates conclusions about evolutionary relationships at all taxonomic levels. The patterns of incongruence that were resolved suggest that incomplete lineage sorting (ILS) and/or ancient hybridization are the most likely explanations. These phenomena are, however, extremely difficult to distinguish because they may result in similar phylogenetic patterns. We present a novel approach to evaluate whether ILS can be excluded as an explanation for incongruent patterns. This coalescence-based method uses molecular dating estimates of the duration of the putative ILS events to determine if invoking ILS as an explanation for incongruence would require unrealistically high effective population sizes. For four of the incongruent patterns identified within the Senecioneae, this approach indicates that ILS cannot be invoked to explain the observed incongruence. Alternatively, these patterns are more realistically explained by ancient hybridization events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pieter B Pelser
- University of Canterbury, School of Biological Sciences, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch 8140 New Zealand
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Tepe EJ, Kelley WA, Rodriguez-Castañeda G, Dyer LA. Characterizing the cauline domatia of two newly discovered ecuadorian ant plants in piper: an example of convergent evolution. J Insect Sci 2009; 9:27. [PMID: 19613856 PMCID: PMC3011874 DOI: 10.1673/031.009.2701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2008] [Accepted: 06/17/2008] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The stems of some myrmecophytes in Piper are used as domatia by resident ant colonies. Hollow, ant-occupied stems were previously known only in four species of southern Central American Piper, all members of Section Macrostachys. Here we present two additional, unrelated, hollow-stemmed myrmecophytes from Ecuador: P. immutatum and P. pterocladum (members of sections Radula and Peltobryon, respectively). Although similar superficially, stem cavities of the Ecuadorian Piper species differ morphologically and developmentally from those of Central American taxa. The stem cavities of P. immutatum, and possibly P. pterocladum, are formed during stem development, and begin forming only a few millimeters behind the apical meristem. This mode of cavity formation differs markedly from myrmecophytes in section Macrostachys, where the stems remain solid unless excavated by the specialized ant partner Pheidole bicornis. The stems of P. immutatum and P. pterocladum do not produce wound-response tissue around the cavity, unlike the stems in section Macrostachys. The entrance holes in stems of P. immutatum are formed through apoptotic processes and are located at each node below the petiole, whereas those in section Macrostachys are excavated by the ants in the leaf axil. This study documents convergent evolution of ant-plant associations in Piper, and emphasizes the need for careful comparison of apparently homologous, ant-associated structures in specialized myrmecophytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric J. Tepe
- Department of Biology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
| | | | | | - Lee A. Dyer
- Biology Department, University of Nevada, Reno, NV
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Tepe EJ, Vincent MA, Watson LE. Stem diversity, cauline domatia, and the evolution of ant-plant associations in Piper sect. Macrostachys (Piperaceae). Am J Bot 2007; 94:1-11. [PMID: 21642202 DOI: 10.3732/ajb.94.1.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Plants possess a variety of structures that harbor ant nests, and the morphology of these domatia determines the nature of ant-plant mutualisms in a given plant species. In this study, we report on the differences in anatomy between myrmecophytes of Piper, which are regularly excavated by an obligate ant mutualist (Pheidole bicornis) and nonmyrmecophytes of Piper, which consistently have solid stems. Stems of excavated plant species lacked outward evidence of modification; however, striking anatomical differences were apparent between hollow-stemmed species before excavation and the remainder of the solid-stemmed species studied. Prior to excavation by ants, stems of myrmecophytes were characterized by strongly heterogeneous piths in which a large, central area had relatively large cells lacking intracellular crystals with a periphery of smaller cells containing numerous crystals. The domatium excavated by the ants was restricted to the large-celled region. This is the first report of the absence of crystals in ant-excavated portions of stems of myrmecophytes. Cauline domatia became lined with 3-8 cell layers of suberized wound tissue, which may have an impact on nutrient absorption by Piper myrmecophytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric J Tepe
- Department of Botany, 316 Pearson Hall, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio 45056 USA
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