Search results for "plant species"
showing 10 items of 66 documents
Plant guttation provides nutrient-rich food for insects
2020
Plant guttation is a fluid from xylem and phloem sap secreted at the margins of leaves from many plant species. All previous studies have considered guttation as a water source for insects. Here, we hypothesized that plant guttation serves as a reliable and nutrient-rich food source for insects with effects on their communities. Using highbush blueberries as a study system, we demonstrate that guttation droplets contain carbohydrates and proteins. Insects from three feeding lifestyles, a herbivore, a parasitic wasp and a predator, increased their longevity and fecundity when fed on these guttation droplets compared to those fed on control water. Our results also show that guttation droplets…
Influences on plant nutritional variation and their potential effects on hominin diet selection
2018
The selection of foods in any environment depends on a variety of factors, including the nutrient availability and antifeedant loads in the component habitats. How these nutritional properties vary and covary in time and space is not well known, particularly among wild plant species. We collected plant samples from several habitats within the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site in South Africa, and measured their macronutrient and antifeedant properties in order to explore how season, habitat, plant type, and plant organ affected the quality of these potential plant foods. Our results have implications for early hominin use of similar habitats.
Syntaxonomy, diversity and distribution of the vegetation of rock crevices, clefts and ledges in the colline and montane belts of Central Pamir-Alai …
2021
Mountain areas are very often considered to be biodiversity hotspots. Rocks are one of the most unique habitats and serve as a suitable biotope for many endemic and specialized plant species. Here we present the results of the vegetation studies conducted in central and eastern Pamir-Alai and the south-western Tian Shan mountains in 2013‒2019. Based on 334 phytosociological relevés we propose a synopsis of the rock communities of the montane and colline zones of eastern Middle Asia. As a result of our research, we distinguish 17 communities defined into five groups of petrophytic vegetation within the Caricion koshewnikowii alliance. We describe 11 new associations: Feruletum bucharicae, Sc…
Essential oil counterfeit identification through middle infrared spectroscopy
2018
Abstract Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) has been employed for a fast quality control of commercial essential oils from different plant species. 47 samples were obtained from Algerian and Spanish market and directly measured, without any previous treatment, by attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform Infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), in the wavenumber region between 4000 and 550 cm−1. Pure essential oils were obtained by hydro- and steam-distillation extraction methods and their ATR spectra obtained. Results found evidenced the presence of solvents in some commercial formulations and permitted a rapid authentication of pure essential oils correctly extracted from those diluted. The propo…
Ethnobotanical research in Cava de' Tirreni area, Southern Italy
2019
Abstract Background To best of our knowledge, this is the first quantitative ethnobotanical study with the aim of documenting the local knowledge and practices of using plants for curing diseases in the Cava de’ Tirreni area, Salerno Province, Campania Region, Italy. The present ethnobotanical field study, carried out during 2016–2017, documents the local uses of 119 plant species for medicinal, food and domestic purposes. Methods Ethnobotanical data were documented from 70 informants: field data were collected and information on the uses of plants was gathered through semi-structured and structured interviews with persons who still retain traditional ethnobotanical knowledge. Documented da…
Phytochemical profile and insecticidal activity of Drimia pancration (Asparagaceae) against adults of Stegobium paniceum (Anobiidae)
2020
Chemical and spectroscopic investigation of the bulbs of Drimia pancration resulted in the isolation of one known flavonol (1), never isolated from this plant species, and of three previously described steroidal saponins (2–4), but whose configuration at their stereogenic centres was not clearly determined. By mean of 1H NMR, 13C NMR, nuclear overhauser effects (NOE) and two-dimensional NMR spectra the full stereochemical structures of compounds 2–4 were proved and all the 1H and 13C signals were assigned. Furthermore, the methanol and butanol extracts of D. pancration were tested against adults of Stegobium paniceum beetles. Despite the non-significant results regarding the repellent activ…
The species-specific monitoring protocols for plant species of Community interest in Italy
2017
The results of a project for the identification of species-specific monitoring protocols for the Italian plant species protected under the Habitats Directive (Annexes II/IV/V) are presented. The project led to the development of 118 monitoring factsheets, providing an operational guidance for 107 vascular taxa, 10 bryophytes and 1 lichen taxon. Each factsheet includes information on the species (distribution, biology, ecology, conservation status, threats, etc.) and the description of field methodologies for the detection of the two main reporting parameters, i.e. population size and habitat quality. Practical information to plan field activities are also given. Protocols were designed to a…
Mapping floristic diversity: a case study in Sicily
2021
This paper presents an operational methodology to map and analyze the floristic richness of “target species” in Natura 2000 sites, making use of G.I.S. tools and procedures. A Floristic diversity map (scale 1:50,000), covering an area of 612 km2, was produced by a team of experts as part of the management plans of “Madonie Mountains” Sites of Community Importance (SCIs), located in Sicily (Italy). The primary grid map represents the richness of “target species”, which include species of Community interests, taxa on the National Red List, endemic and threatened, species protected under International Conventions, taxa of phytogeographic importance. Secondary data frames include a three-dimens…
The role of intact oleosin for stabilization and function of oleosomes.
2013
Lipid storage in plants is achieved among all plant species by formation of oleosomes, enclosing oil (triacylglycerides) in small subcellular droplets. Seeds are rich in this pre-emulsified oil to provide a sufficient energy reservoir for growing. The triacylglyceride core of the oleosomes is surrounded by a phospholipid monolayer containing densely packed proteins called oleosins. They are anchored in the triacylglycerides core with a hydrophobic domain, while the hydrophilic termini remain on the surface. These specialized proteins are expressed during seed development and maturation. Particularly, they play a major role in the stabilization and function of oleosomes. To better understand…
Data on medicinal plants in the records of Latvian folk medicine from the 19th century
2019
Abstract The data presented in this article is in support of the research paper “Medicinal plants and their uses recorded in the Archives of Latvian Folklore from the 19th century” [1]. This article provides the list of plant species and disorders treated with medicinal plants mentioned in the records of Latvian folk medicine and used by indigenous people of Latvia in the 19th century. In total, the data include 211 genera belonging to 71 plant families. The accepted scientific names of plant species, plant parts used, dosage forms of herbal medicines, and routes of administration are reported in the table. Plant uses are grouped into one of the 17 categories based on the body systems and p…