A 15-year study has revealed astonishing cryptic diversity in the New Zealand kanuka genus Kunzea, with 10 new species identified. The discovery challenges a long-held assumption that a single species was mistakenly merged with Australian relatives.
Researchers link tree height to climate conditions, finding hydraulic limitation constrains maximum tree height under drier conditions, while resource allocation constrains it in moist areas. The study, led by University of Wisconsin-Madison professor Thomas Givnish, examined Eucalyptus species in Victoria state, Australia.
A new statistical model predicts the performance of hybrid rice, revolutionizing hybrid breeding in agriculture. The UC Riverside-led research uses genomic prediction to identify high-performance hybrids, increasing grain production and achieving global food security.
Researchers have identified two groups of ancient bacteria as the source of a critical amino acid pathway used by plants to create essential compounds. This breakthrough sheds light on the complex evolution of plant chemical pathways and may lead to increased production of valuable nutrients and medicinal compounds.
A new study published in PNAS suggests that migratory birds evolved from species that lived year-round in North America. Researchers created a model to analyze the evolutionary changes of migratory bird species and found that most species originated from temperate regions before migrating to tropical areas.
A study by conservation biologists highlights the lack of accessible information on fracking fluid chemistry and spill data, raising concerns about chemical contamination and its impact on plants and wildlife. The authors call for increased transparency and cooperation to minimize environmental damage.
A 2°C rise in temperature could improve photosynthesis and antioxidant protection in plants like Stylosanthes capitata Vogel. Leaf area index increased by 32%, aboveground biomass production by 16%.
Scientists applied a new method to Australia's Acacia genus, revealing biologically important but currently unprotected areas. The study confirmed the Wet Tropics rainforests' importance and identified places of 'super-endemism', where old and new species co-exist.
A team of scientists monitored 14 developmental stages of Arabidopsis thaliana flowers using micro-computed tomography and mass spectrometry, revealing distinct metabolic profiles for each stage. These findings provide new insights into the interaction between developmental processes and metabolism in plant development.
Researchers found that birds consume the male reproductive organs while visiting Axinaea flowers, which are attracted by sugar-rich stamen-appendages. This unique mechanism involves a complex 'bellows' organ for pollen dispersal and differs from known bird pollination systems.
A new study at LMU Munich finds that day-length, rather than temperature, determines the timing of leaf emergence in many plant species. This adaptation helps plants avoid late frosts and allows them to thrive in warmer climates.
A two-year project aims to improve Ugandans' diets by increasing high-quality mushroom spawn availability. Researchers will develop a breeding program and indigenous germplasm bank, addressing concerns of soil contamination and introducing spent mushroom compost evaluation.
Scientists have completed the eucalyptus genome sequence, revealing insights into plant growth rate, wood hardness, and flowering. This breakthrough enables researchers to enhance or suppress traits in the tree for improved biomass yield and stress tolerance.
Researchers from Oregon State University have identified the ancestral home of Phytophthora infestans, a costly and deadly plant disease that causes potato late blight. The discovery provides new avenues to discover resistance genes and helps explain the mechanisms of repeated emergence of this disease.
The researchers identified the molecular structure of a protein complex that plays an important role in regulating the circadian rhythm. The complex contains a zinc ion, which stabilizes it and may play a key role in regulating metabolic processes.
The University of California, Riverside has received a five-year, $2.4 million grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute to support STEM education and increase retention rates among underrepresented groups. The grant will provide lower division science students with early research immersion and career exploration opportunities.
Recent research emphasizes the significance of gene flow in plant populations, counteracting forces of mutation, genetic drift, and selection. Gene flow between populations can be surprisingly far-reaching, even among stationary individuals, with some studies detecting alleles from hundreds to thousands of meters away.
The National Institutes of Health has awarded $600,000 to the University of California, Riverside to expand its data storage capacity. This grant will enable researchers to process vast amounts of high-throughput data generated in various fields, including genome biology and biomedical sciences.
A study published in the Journal of Ecology found that between 45-48% of the world's plants are woody, contradicting initial assumptions and expert opinions. The researchers developed a statistical method to account for sampling bias and made their data and methods openly available.
A genomic investigation by University of British Columbia researchers has revealed that a lethal parasite infecting a wide range of insects originated from pond scum. The parasite, Helicosporidium, has shed its green past on its evolutionary journey, losing almost all its genes except those required for photosynthesis.
A new study revisits the evolution of pollen development in flowering plants, finding that both bi- and tricellular lineages gave rise to each other, debunking the long-standing assumption of one-way evolution. Tricellular lineages are slower-evolving but still advantageous in certain lifestyles.
A graduate student at UC Berkeley is using a new technique to recreate the appearance of ancient plants, shedding light on their evolution. The study, led by Jeff Benca, uses fossil fragments to create lifelike images of extinct plant species, including Leclercqia scolopendra, a centipede clubmoss from the Devonian Period.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison discovered that calcium waves can transmit information in plant cells, allowing them to respond quickly to environmental stressors. The team found that these waves are involved in processing information and sending rapid signals to help plants adapt to changing conditions.
A study published in PLOS ONE reveals that bighorn sheep became extinct on Tiburón Island in the Gulf of California between the 6th and 19th centuries. The research uses ancient DNA analysis to confirm the extinction, challenging conventional wisdom about the species' presence on the island.
A new study reveals that UK gardens with diverse global plant species support a range of pollinating insects, including threatened bumblebees. The research found that long-tongued bees prefer plants from the UK and Europe, while other species visit plants in proportion to flower availability.
The American Journal of Botany celebrates its centennial anniversary, tracing the journal's founding to socio-politics, personalities, and institutions. The journal has remained at the forefront of botanical research, with F.C. Newcombe playing a crucial role in its establishment.
Researchers at UC Riverside have discovered a new auxin sensing and signaling system localized on the plant cell surface, which explains how leaf epidermal cells form their distinctive jigsaw puzzle-piece shapes. This breakthrough discovery sheds light on the molecular mechanisms underlying various auxin-modulated developmental processes.
Recent research on serpentine ecosystems sheds light on the mechanisms of adaptation, natural selection, and endemism. Kruckeberg's seminal paper (1951) has influenced subsequent research on local adaptation, evolutionary pathways, and climate-soil relationships.
A new species of Stone Oak has been discovered in the Ton Pariwat Wildlife Sanctuary in Thailand. The species, Lithocarpus orbicarpus, is a medium to small tree with unique spherical acorns covered in dense scales.
Multicellularity has evolved in at least 25 plant and animal lineages, with different developmental pathways and mechanisms. The critical point is that natural selection acts on functional traits, allowing for multiple evolutions of multicellular organisms via various cellular biology aspects.
A South American tree species, Embothrium coccineum, has adapted to form cluster roots to access limited phosphorus in volcanic soils. Cluster root formation is stimulated by low soil nitrogen levels, enabling small seedlings to maintain adequate foliar P levels.
Scientists confirm that the mlo gene, which provides resistance to powdery mildew, also increases susceptibility to Ramularia leaf spot. The research found that this trade-off is most significant in spring barley and can be mitigated by breeding lines resistant to both diseases.
Paleobotanists discover complete fossil remains of Agathis trees from Australia to South America across Antarctica, revealing its vast range and adaptability. The findings provide insights into climate change's impact on the tree's distribution.
Researchers found that desert winter annuals outperform each other based on their water use efficiency and growth rate. In wet environments, plants with higher water-use efficiency thrive, while those with faster growth rates dominate in dry years.
A 115- to 125-million-year-old flowering plant fossil, named Potomacapnos apeleutheron, has been discovered in a Virginia canal bank where freed slaves were forced to dig a canal. The find raises questions about the evolution of flowering plants and pollen.
A team at the University of Geneva has generated a transgenic plant that constantly detects and responds to UV-B rays, producing high levels of antioxidants and flavonoids. This plant is equipped with an UVR8 mutated receptor, which remains active even without UV exposure.
Researchers found that thicker leaves have larger cells in all tissues except vascular tissue, and cell walls are proportionally thicker. The team developed new mathematical equations to predict internal anatomy from leaf thickness, providing insights into leaf function and design.
Alpine plants show genetic differences in appearance and features due to Ice Age climate changes, highlighting their adaptability to environmental conditions. The study discovered variations within species are partly driven by natural selection, with plants adapting to shorter growing seasons.
Research by UBC evolutionary ecologist Rob Colautti found that invasive plants can rapidly evolve to local climates, increasing reproduction and fitness. This adaptation allows them to thrive in northern Ontario and potentially respond to climate change.
The MGC Herbarium is a vital repository for Mediterranean plant diversity, containing over 76,000 vascular plant species, with 63% georeferenced and 97% taxonomically identified. The herbarium's data is accessible through the GBIF portal, supporting biodiversity research and conservation efforts.
Researchers analyzed Neogene plant fossils to understand how plants respond to climate change. The study found that stomatal density increased during the present epoch and decreased during the late Pliocene, indicating an inverse relationship with atmospheric CO2 concentrations.
Researchers used a special microscope to reveal how nanostructures contain damage within microscopic cavities, allowing trees to seal off damaged cells. The bordered pits are filled with a mesh membrane of nanofibrils that radiate from a thickened central region, controlling sap flow and protecting trees.
Researchers have closed the genetic map of the fungal kingdom by sequencing the genome of Pyronema confluens, a basal filamentous ascomycete. The study reveals key differences between this species and higher ascomycetes, shedding light on the evolution of mating type genes and light-activated processes.
The root microbiome plays a vital role in plant functions and ecosystem well-being, influencing genetic structure, health, and interactions with other plants. Microbial organisms associated with plant roots have far-flung global influences, from regulating plant performance to facilitating crop production in harsh climates.
Researchers have identified the ancient ancestor of the tulip tree line, which diverged from magnolias over 100 million years ago. The discovery sheds light on the evolution of this iconic Eastern North American species.
Researchers found that positive selection often act on residues adjacent to critical active sites, allowing for the acquisition of new functions without disrupting native folding structure. This mechanism may be a general pathway for functional diversification of enzyme families.
A study published in Botany reveals that the genetic diversity of the Branched Bartonia plant in Ontario is greater than initially thought. The research found that the Muskoka population is genetically distinct from a core population in New York State, highlighting the importance of considering genetic novelty in conservation policies.
Researchers found that plants can eavesdrop on herbivore cues, including snail slime, to mount a defensive response before being attacked. The study shows plants can use generalist herbivore cues in a sophisticated way to trigger defense mechanisms.
Researchers have uncovered the evolutionary past of psychedelic mushrooms by studying their molecular and morphological traits. The study classifies 'magic' mushrooms into different families based on shared secondary metabolites, indicating a complex history of evolution and adaptation.
A new series of articles in the American Journal of Botany explores how plants respond to climate change, providing insights into plant biology, ecology, and evolution. The studies reveal complex relationships between plants and wide-scale biological changes.
Tiny parasites, known as Mikrocytos mackini, have been found to infect Pacific oysters, causing unsightly green lesions and death. The discovery sheds light on the parasites' reduced metabolism and unique relationship with their host.
Research shows that selective grazing by slugs can prevent key grassland species from taking hold and reduce overall plant diversity. The team found that some of the most ecologically important species, such as red clover, are particularly tasty to slugs, which may hinder restoration efforts.
For the first time, a large complex of proteins and RNA has been identified in chloroplasts, which cuts non-coding regions out of messenger RNA to create a protein blueprint. The study reveals that this splicing complex contains 23 different proteins encoded in the cell nucleus.
The UNEX Herbarium has synthesized a comprehensive dataset of 36451 specimens, covering regions including Spain, Portugal, Africa, and Brazil. The dataset is now accessible through the GBIF portal, providing valuable information for researchers and students.
Renowned geneticist Susan Wessler has been elected a member of the American Philosophical Society (APS), a prestigious organization established in 1743. The election recognizes her extraordinary contributions to plant genetics and her commitment to scientific engagement and knowledge promotion.
A new checklist of Cucurbitaceae from India brings up-to-date information on the family's evolution, diversity, and distribution. The list includes 94 species, 79% of which have DNA sequences available in GenBank.
Scientists assembled the transcriptome and genome of the noxious weed Brachypodium sylvaticum, providing insights into its invasive capabilities and adaptation to new environments. The study offers a model for studying ecological and evolutionary aspects of invasion.
Researchers found that floral morphologies are less reliable than other traits in determining the relationships of papilionoid species and genera. Other morphological characteristics may indicate relationships more reliably, according to the study published in the American Journal of Botany.
A study published in Science reveals a significant decline in bee species in West Central Illinois since the late 1800s. Charles Robertson's records from the 19th century provided valuable insights into wild bee interactions, which are still relevant today.
A 10-year study found that diverse ecosystems are less likely to collapse after disturbances like climate change or pest invasion. Researchers suggest encouraging more types of plants in fields and woods to mitigate ecosystem damage.