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Degrees: i) Forestry and ii) Landscape Architecture Research Interests: Conservation and restoration of historic gardens; Urban ecosystems; Biotic and abiotic interactions within historical gardens and heritage sites; Vegetation dynamics in urban areas; Environmental plant science; Evolutionary and ecological responses to environmental stress factors; Mediterranean Ecosystems; Conservation of genetic resources.
DNA barcoding has rapidly become a useful complementary tool in floristic investigations particularly for identifying specimens that lack diagnostic characters. Here, we assess the capability of three DNA barcode markers (chloroplast rpoB, accD and nuclear ITS) for correct species assignment in a floristic survey on the Caucasus. We focused on two herbal groups with potential for ornamental applications, namely orchids and asterids. On these two plant groups, we tested whether our selection of barcode markers allows identification of the “barcoding gap” in sequence identity and to distinguish between monophyletic species when employing distance-based methods. All markers successfully amplified most specimens, but we found that the rate of species-level resolution amongst selected markers largely varied in the two plant groups. Overall, for both lineages, plastid markers had a species-level assignment success rate lower than the nuclear ITS marker. The latter confirmed, in orchids, both the existence of a barcoding gap and that all accessions of the same species clustered together in monophyletic groups. Further, it also allowed the detection of a phylogeographic signal.The ITS marker resulted in its being the best performing barcode for asterids; however, none of the three tested markers showed high discriminatory ability. Even if ITS were revealed as the most promising plant barcode marker, we argue that the ability of this barcode for species assignment is strongly dependent on the evolutionary history of the investigated plant lineage.
Parvin Aghayeva; Salvatore Cozzolino; Donata Cafasso; Valida Ali-Zade; Silvia Fineschi; Dilzara Aghayeva. DNA barcoding of native Caucasus herbal plants: potentials and limitations in complex groups and implications for phylogeographic patterns. Biodiversity Data Journal 2021, 9, e61333 .
AMA StyleParvin Aghayeva, Salvatore Cozzolino, Donata Cafasso, Valida Ali-Zade, Silvia Fineschi, Dilzara Aghayeva. DNA barcoding of native Caucasus herbal plants: potentials and limitations in complex groups and implications for phylogeographic patterns. Biodiversity Data Journal. 2021; 9 ():e61333.
Chicago/Turabian StyleParvin Aghayeva; Salvatore Cozzolino; Donata Cafasso; Valida Ali-Zade; Silvia Fineschi; Dilzara Aghayeva. 2021. "DNA barcoding of native Caucasus herbal plants: potentials and limitations in complex groups and implications for phylogeographic patterns." Biodiversity Data Journal 9, no. : e61333.
Only few woody species of North Africa have been the subject of biogeographical studies, despite the importance of this region, in the Mediterranean area, for the presence of hotspots of endemism and biodiversity, and of refugia. Here, we present research on the Afro-Mediterranean Cupressus spp., which have a discontinuous and fragmented distribution, resulting from population dynamics experienced during their life history. We aim to retrace their demographic history, by combining Bayesian clustering and approximate Bayesian computation (ABC) methods. The fragmentation of the cypress gene pool dates back to Pliocene, when the Mediterranean and the North African lineages separated from a common ancestor. The separation of C. atlantica and C. dupreziana dates back to the Pleistocene, when the history of C. dupreziana as relic species started. Finally, C. sempervirens var. numidica is likely endemic of Tunisia, belonging to the cypress gene pool of the central Mediterranean since the Pleistocene.
F. Bagnoli; G. Della Rocca; I. Spanu; S. Fineschi; G.G. Vendramin. The origin of the Afro-Mediterranean cypresses: Evidence from genetic analysis. Perspectives in Plant Ecology, Evolution and Systematics 2020, 46, 125564 .
AMA StyleF. Bagnoli, G. Della Rocca, I. Spanu, S. Fineschi, G.G. Vendramin. The origin of the Afro-Mediterranean cypresses: Evidence from genetic analysis. Perspectives in Plant Ecology, Evolution and Systematics. 2020; 46 ():125564.
Chicago/Turabian StyleF. Bagnoli; G. Della Rocca; I. Spanu; S. Fineschi; G.G. Vendramin. 2020. "The origin of the Afro-Mediterranean cypresses: Evidence from genetic analysis." Perspectives in Plant Ecology, Evolution and Systematics 46, no. : 125564.
Wild roses store and emit a large array of fragrant monoterpenes from their petals. Maximisation of fragrance coincides with floral maturation in many angiosperms, which enhances pollination efficiency, reduces floral predation, and improves plant fitness. We hypothesized that petal monoterpenes serve additional lifelong functions such as limiting metabolic damage from reactive oxygen species (ROS), and altering isoprenoid hormonal abundance to increase floral lifespan. Petal monoterpenes were quantified at three floral life-stages (unopened bud, open mature, and senescent) in 57 rose species and 16 subspecies originating from Asia, America, and Europe, and relationships among monoterpene richness, petal colour, ROS, hormones, and floral lifespan were analysed within a phylogenetic context. Three distinct types of petal monoterpene profiles, revealing significant developmental and functional differences, were identified: Type A, species where monoterpene abundance peaked in open mature flowers depleting thereafter; Type B, where monoterpenes peaked in senescing flowers increasing from bud stage, and a rare Type C (8 species) where monoterpenes depleted from bud stage to senescence. Cyclic monoterpenes peaked during early floral development, whereas acyclic monoterpenes (dominated by geraniol and its derivatives, often 100-fold more abundant than other monoterpenes) peaked during floral maturation in Type A and B roses. Early-diverging roses were geraniol-poor (often Type C) and white-petalled. Lifetime changes in hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) revealed a significant negative regression with the levels of petal geraniol at all floral life-stages. Geraniol-poor Type C roses also showed higher cytokinins (in buds) and abscisic acid (in mature petals), and significantly shorter floral lifespan compared with geraniol-rich Type A and B roses. We conclude that geraniol enrichment, intensification of petal colour, and lower potential for H2O2-related oxidative damage characterise and likely contribute to longer floral lifespan in monoterpene-rich wild roses.
K. G. Srikanta Dani; Silvia Fineschi; Marco Michelozzi; Alice Trivellini; Susanna Pollastri; Francesco Loreto. Diversification of petal monoterpene profiles during floral development and senescence in wild roses: relationships among geraniol content, petal colour, and floral lifespan. Oecologia 2020, 1 -13.
AMA StyleK. G. Srikanta Dani, Silvia Fineschi, Marco Michelozzi, Alice Trivellini, Susanna Pollastri, Francesco Loreto. Diversification of petal monoterpene profiles during floral development and senescence in wild roses: relationships among geraniol content, petal colour, and floral lifespan. Oecologia. 2020; ():1-13.
Chicago/Turabian StyleK. G. Srikanta Dani; Silvia Fineschi; Marco Michelozzi; Alice Trivellini; Susanna Pollastri; Francesco Loreto. 2020. "Diversification of petal monoterpene profiles during floral development and senescence in wild roses: relationships among geraniol content, petal colour, and floral lifespan." Oecologia , no. : 1-13.
It is well-acknowledged that plants in urban areas provide multiple ecosystem services. They contribute improving ambient quality and mitigating negative impacts of human presence, beautifying the anthropic environment, and promoting place identity and cultural heritage. However, the existence of plants in general, and trees in particular, cannot be considered independent on urban activities and infrastructures. Release of plant volatile compounds is profoundly affected in urban environments, in turn modifying plant relationships with other living organisms, both plants and animals, and affecting air chemistry and quality. Plants also interfere with stone artifacts, cultural and historical heritage. Plant-human coexistence requires precise and adequate managing measures, which have often been ignored in cities' government and planning. Plants and humans (and human infrastructures) are frequently considered as independent from each other and plant requirements are often disregarded, thus causing difficult or erroneous management and/or environmental damage. We review some of the most important ecosystem services provided by plants in urban environment, and also focus on possible negative effects of plants that may become relevant if urban vegetation is improperly managed and unintegrated in proper city planning, both of historical centers and of new towns or suburbs.
Silvia Fineschi; Francesco Loreto. A Survey of Multiple Interactions Between Plants and the Urban Environment. Frontiers in Forests and Global Change 2020, 3, 1 .
AMA StyleSilvia Fineschi, Francesco Loreto. A Survey of Multiple Interactions Between Plants and the Urban Environment. Frontiers in Forests and Global Change. 2020; 3 ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSilvia Fineschi; Francesco Loreto. 2020. "A Survey of Multiple Interactions Between Plants and the Urban Environment." Frontiers in Forests and Global Change 3, no. : 1.
BACKGROUND Consumer preference today is for the consumption of functional food and the reduction of chemical preservatives. Moreover, the antimicrobial properties and health‐promoting qualities of plant secondary metabolites are well known. Due to forecasted climate changes and increasing human population, agricultural practices for saving water have become a concern. In the present study, the physiological responses of curly kale Brassica oleracea L. convar. Acephala (DC) var. sabellica to drought stress and the impact of water limitation on the concentration of selected secondary metabolites were investigated under laboratory‐controlled conditions. RESULTS Results indicated that drought stress increased the content of trans‐2‐hexenal, phytol and δ‐tocopherol, and decreased chlorophyll content. Moreover, drought stress increased antioxidant capacity and the expression of AOP2, a gene associated with the biosynthesis of aliphatic alkenyl glucosinolates, and of three genes – TGG1, TGGE and PEN2 – encoding for myrosinases, the enzymes involved in glucosinolate breakdown. CONCLUSION The present study shows that water limitation during the growing phase might be exploited as a sustainable practice for producing curly kale with a high concentration of nutritionally important health‐promoting bioactive metabolites. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Alessandra Podda; Susanna Pollastri; Paola Bartolini; Claudia Pisuttu; Elisa Pellegrini; Cristina Nali; Gabriele Cencetti; Marco Michelozzi; Stefania Frassinetti; Lucia Giorgetti; Silvia Fineschi; Renata Del Carratore; Biancaelena Maserti. Drought stress modulates secondary metabolites in Brassica oleracea L. convar. acephala (DC) Alef, var. sabellica L. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 2019, 99, 5533 -5540.
AMA StyleAlessandra Podda, Susanna Pollastri, Paola Bartolini, Claudia Pisuttu, Elisa Pellegrini, Cristina Nali, Gabriele Cencetti, Marco Michelozzi, Stefania Frassinetti, Lucia Giorgetti, Silvia Fineschi, Renata Del Carratore, Biancaelena Maserti. Drought stress modulates secondary metabolites in Brassica oleracea L. convar. acephala (DC) Alef, var. sabellica L. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture. 2019; 99 (12):5533-5540.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAlessandra Podda; Susanna Pollastri; Paola Bartolini; Claudia Pisuttu; Elisa Pellegrini; Cristina Nali; Gabriele Cencetti; Marco Michelozzi; Stefania Frassinetti; Lucia Giorgetti; Silvia Fineschi; Renata Del Carratore; Biancaelena Maserti. 2019. "Drought stress modulates secondary metabolites in Brassica oleracea L. convar. acephala (DC) Alef, var. sabellica L." Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 99, no. 12: 5533-5540.
The distribution of plant species around the Mediterranean basin is a product of the influence of both geographical barriers and of climatic changes experienced during the Tertiary, with the transition from a warm to cool periods. Several species, once largely distributed across the Northern Hemisphere, retracted to refugial areas in southern Europe where they are described as Tertiary relicts. Platanus orientalis is a typical representative of Tertiary flora in southwest Eurasia; its distribution spreads from the Caucasus to the Mediterranean, with its western border in Southern Italy and Sicily. We analysed genetic diversity and differentiation in the centre and western part of its distribution range using nuclear microsatellites and compared genetic parameters between core and western populations. We found an overall decrease in genetic diversity estimates (heterozygosity, private allelic richness) from central towards western populations, with those from Southern Italy and Sicily showing the lowest values. The low level of genetic diversity probably results from historic range fragmentation experienced by P. orientalis in its westernmost distribution as confirmed by high level genetic isolation of these populations. Ornamental hybrids were genetically distinguished from P. orientalis as contained private alleles, indicating that gene flow with natural populations is rare. Population assignment and neighbour-joining (NJ) analysis of populations identified four groups belonging to two main phyletic groups (the Southern Italian-Sicilian-Balkan and Cretan-Bulgarian-Turkish lineages) that seem to have different biogeographic origin and also excluded an artificial origin for southern Italian and Sicilian populations as previously suggested. These results show that quantifying the genetic variation of a Tertiary relict in a geographical context, and the potential effect of hybridization with introduced ornamental hybrids, can provide useful insights on factors influencing population genetic structure. Such information is crucial to predict how such taxa will respond to increasing anthropogenic influence on the environment.
Rosita Rinaldi; Donata Cafasso; Sandro Strumia; Antonietta Cristaudo; Federico Sebastiani; Silvia Fineschi. The influence of a relict distribution on genetic structure and variation in the Mediterranean tree,Platanus orientalis. AoB PLANTS 2019, 11, plz002 .
AMA StyleRosita Rinaldi, Donata Cafasso, Sandro Strumia, Antonietta Cristaudo, Federico Sebastiani, Silvia Fineschi. The influence of a relict distribution on genetic structure and variation in the Mediterranean tree,Platanus orientalis. AoB PLANTS. 2019; 11 (1):plz002.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRosita Rinaldi; Donata Cafasso; Sandro Strumia; Antonietta Cristaudo; Federico Sebastiani; Silvia Fineschi. 2019. "The influence of a relict distribution on genetic structure and variation in the Mediterranean tree,Platanus orientalis." AoB PLANTS 11, no. 1: plz002.
The effect of different light qualities on growth, photosynthesis, leaf anatomy and isoprenoid emission was studied in two different fast-growing plant systems: a herbaceous crop, tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), and a tree, oriental plane (Platanus orientalis L.). Both plant species were subjected to three different light quality regimes: RGB (Red 33%, Green 33%, Blue 33%) and RB (Red 66%, Blue 33%), provided by light emitting diodes (LED); and white light (WL), considered as a control and provided by white fluorescent lamps. Compared to WL, RGB and RB reduced plant height, plant biomass and leaf area. The CO2 assimilation rate (A) was lower in tomato grown under WL than RGB and RB, while A was similar in oriental plane leaves exposed to the three light regimes. In tomato, stomatal (gs) and mesophyll (gm) conductance were higher under RGB and RB compared to WL. In plane, gs was also higher under RGB and RB, while gm was not significantly influenced by different light qualities. In both species, leaf lamina thickness (LT) and stomata size were the anatomical traits most affected by the different light regimes. In tomato, LT was significantly reduced in RGB and RB leaves, whereas in oriental plane LT was significantly higher in RGB and RB than in WL leaves. In both species, RB leaves showed higher stomata size than WL and RGB leaves. Light quality also affected photosynthesis-dependent volatile isoprenoids. In tomato, β-phellandrene was lower under RB and RGB compared to WL. However, RGB and RB stimulated α-pinene, carene and α-terpinene emissions. Oriental plane released about 14 nmol m-2 s-1 isoprene when growing at WL, while the emission was reduced under RGB and even more under RB. In summary, photosynthetic performance, leaf anatomy, biomass production, and volatile isoprenoids are affected by light quality differently in tomato and plane plants. Light quality control may have important applications to modulate plant productivity and increase biosynthesis of useful biochemical compounds
Carmen Arena; Tsonko Tsonev; D. Doneva; V. De Micco; M. Michelozzi; C. Brunetti; M. Centritto; S. Fineschi; Violeta Velikova; Francesco Loreto. The effect of light quality on growth, photosynthesis, leaf anatomy and volatile isoprenoids of a monoterpene-emitting herbaceous species (Solanum lycopersicum L.) and an isoprene-emitting tree (Platanus orientalis L.). Environmental and Experimental Botany 2016, 130, 122 -132.
AMA StyleCarmen Arena, Tsonko Tsonev, D. Doneva, V. De Micco, M. Michelozzi, C. Brunetti, M. Centritto, S. Fineschi, Violeta Velikova, Francesco Loreto. The effect of light quality on growth, photosynthesis, leaf anatomy and volatile isoprenoids of a monoterpene-emitting herbaceous species (Solanum lycopersicum L.) and an isoprene-emitting tree (Platanus orientalis L.). Environmental and Experimental Botany. 2016; 130 ():122-132.
Chicago/Turabian StyleCarmen Arena; Tsonko Tsonev; D. Doneva; V. De Micco; M. Michelozzi; C. Brunetti; M. Centritto; S. Fineschi; Violeta Velikova; Francesco Loreto. 2016. "The effect of light quality on growth, photosynthesis, leaf anatomy and volatile isoprenoids of a monoterpene-emitting herbaceous species (Solanum lycopersicum L.) and an isoprene-emitting tree (Platanus orientalis L.)." Environmental and Experimental Botany 130, no. : 122-132.
Ageing and senescence in plants are complex phenomena that often transcend human perception. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are key factors influencing senescence, and photosynthetic electron transport within chloroplasts is a major source of ROS. Degradation of chloroplast genomes by ROS activity is a key aspect of leaf senescence. The chloroplast localized methylerythritol phosphate (MEP) pathway produces many de novo phytohormones, volatile isoprenoids and pigments that act as efficient antioxidants and photo-protectants in photosynthetic tissues. Volatile isoprenoids control ROS and help plants maintaining homeostasis under abiotic stresses. Cytokinins and carotenoids are key players in regulation of ageing and senescence in leaves. We analyse the MEP pathway as a set of two biochemical modules and discuss trade-offs and ontogenic trends in foliar levels of MEP end-products. We hypothesize that high in vivo cytokinin content, high volatile isoprenoid emission and high carotenoid content have synergistic functions in maintaining the integrity of photosystems and chloroplast genomes, and thus in preventing leaf senescence. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Kaidala Ganesha Srikanta Dani; Silvia Fineschi; Marco Michelozzi; Francesco Loreto. Do cytokinins, volatile isoprenoids and carotenoids synergically delay leaf senescence? Plant, Cell & Environment 2016, 39, 1103 -1111.
AMA StyleKaidala Ganesha Srikanta Dani, Silvia Fineschi, Marco Michelozzi, Francesco Loreto. Do cytokinins, volatile isoprenoids and carotenoids synergically delay leaf senescence? Plant, Cell & Environment. 2016; 39 (5):1103-1111.
Chicago/Turabian StyleKaidala Ganesha Srikanta Dani; Silvia Fineschi; Marco Michelozzi; Francesco Loreto. 2016. "Do cytokinins, volatile isoprenoids and carotenoids synergically delay leaf senescence?" Plant, Cell & Environment 39, no. 5: 1103-1111.
Phylogeographical studies of Eastern Mediterranean species are rare. We aim to fill a gap in the current understanding of the role of Eastern Mediterranean glacial refugia, and their connections with other refugia across Europe. To this end, we studied the genetic diversity distribution and genetic structure of the modern population of Quercus cerris in relation to its Quaternary demographic history and to more ancient events. Mediterranean Basin; Italian, Balkan, Anatolian peninsulas. A total of 192 populations were genotyped with six polymorphic chloroplast microsatellites, and the genetic diversity and differentiation of the populations were evaluated. The geographical structure of genetic variation was analysed with a Bayesian clustering method using baps 5.2. The demographic history of Q. cerris was explored by an approximate Bayesian computation procedure using diyabc 2.0. To reconstruct the past distribution of Q. cerris, we also considered the chronology and geographical distribution of fossil records. Thirty-five haplotypes were found, three of which (together) were found in 71.82% of individuals. Bayesian analysis resulted in three genetically and geographically distinct clusters: a Western group, a Central group, and an Eastern group. The approximate Bayesian computation analysis, together with fossil data, showed a possible bottleneck leading to the divergence of the Eastern and Central populations in the Early Pleistocene (Gelasian). The split into two groups of populations in the Italian and Balkan Peninsulas, respectively, was probably caused by a marked population contraction during a glacial phase of the Middle Pleistocene. This study provides information on the potential role of Eastern Europe and the Near East as refugia and as a source for ancient westward range expansions in the Mediterranean region. Our study covers a remarkable gap in European oak phylogeography, showing a putative eastern origin of Q. cerris and the presence of large amounts of genetic diversity in this region.
F. Bagnoli; Y. Tsuda; S. Fineschi; Piero Bruschi; Donatella Magri; Peter Zhelev; Ladislav Paule; M. C. Simeone; Santiago C Gonzalez-Martinez; G. G. Vendramin. Combining molecular and fossil data to infer demographic history of Quercus cerris : insights on European eastern glacial refugia. Journal of Biogeography 2015, 43, 679 -690.
AMA StyleF. Bagnoli, Y. Tsuda, S. Fineschi, Piero Bruschi, Donatella Magri, Peter Zhelev, Ladislav Paule, M. C. Simeone, Santiago C Gonzalez-Martinez, G. G. Vendramin. Combining molecular and fossil data to infer demographic history of Quercus cerris : insights on European eastern glacial refugia. Journal of Biogeography. 2015; 43 (4):679-690.
Chicago/Turabian StyleF. Bagnoli; Y. Tsuda; S. Fineschi; Piero Bruschi; Donatella Magri; Peter Zhelev; Ladislav Paule; M. C. Simeone; Santiago C Gonzalez-Martinez; G. G. Vendramin. 2015. "Combining molecular and fossil data to infer demographic history of Quercus cerris : insights on European eastern glacial refugia." Journal of Biogeography 43, no. 4: 679-690.
Maria Litto; Giovanni Scopece; Silvia Fineschi; Florian P. Schiestl; Salvatore Cozzolino. Herbivory affects male and female reproductive success differently in dioeciousSilene latifolia. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 2015, 157, 60 -67.
AMA StyleMaria Litto, Giovanni Scopece, Silvia Fineschi, Florian P. Schiestl, Salvatore Cozzolino. Herbivory affects male and female reproductive success differently in dioeciousSilene latifolia. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata. 2015; 157 (1):60-67.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMaria Litto; Giovanni Scopece; Silvia Fineschi; Florian P. Schiestl; Salvatore Cozzolino. 2015. "Herbivory affects male and female reproductive success differently in dioeciousSilene latifolia." Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 157, no. 1: 60-67.
Although the effect of herbivory on plant reproduction has been investigated in some detail, little is known about how herbivores affect floral signalling. Here, we investigated the effect of foliar herbivory by the African Cotton Leafworm (Spodoptera littoralis) on floral signalling and fruit set in the White Campion (Silene latifolia). We found no effects of herbivory on floral traits involved in visual signalling (flower number, corolla diameter, calyx length, petal length) or in amount of nectar produced. However, Spodoptera-infested plants emitted higher amounts of the two floral volatiles, (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate and β-ocimene, than control plants. Open pollinated, infested plants also were found to produce more fruits than control plants, but only with nocturnal pollinators. Experimental addition of the two induced floral volatiles to non-infested Silene flowers also led to the production of more fruits with nocturnal pollination. This suggests that higher fruit production in herbivore-infested plants was caused by increased nocturnal pollinator attraction, mediated by the induced floral emission of these two volatiles. Our results show that the effects of herbivory on plant reproductive success are not necessarily detrimental, as plants can compensate herbivory with increased investment in pollinator attraction
Salvatore Cozzolino; Silvia Fineschi; Maria Litto; Giovanni Scopece; Judith Trunschke; Florian Schiestl. Herbivory Increases Fruit Set in Silene latifolia: A Consequence of Induced Pollinator-Attracting Floral Volatiles? Journal of Chemical Ecology 2015, 41, 622 -630.
AMA StyleSalvatore Cozzolino, Silvia Fineschi, Maria Litto, Giovanni Scopece, Judith Trunschke, Florian Schiestl. Herbivory Increases Fruit Set in Silene latifolia: A Consequence of Induced Pollinator-Attracting Floral Volatiles? Journal of Chemical Ecology. 2015; 41 (7):622-630.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSalvatore Cozzolino; Silvia Fineschi; Maria Litto; Giovanni Scopece; Judith Trunschke; Florian Schiestl. 2015. "Herbivory Increases Fruit Set in Silene latifolia: A Consequence of Induced Pollinator-Attracting Floral Volatiles?" Journal of Chemical Ecology 41, no. 7: 622-630.
Compilation and analysis of existing inventories reveal that isoprene is emitted by c. 20% of the perennial vegetation of tropical and temperate regions of the world. Isoprene emitters are found across different plant families without any clear phylogenetic thread. However, by critically appraising information in inventories, several ecological patterns of isoprene emission can be highlighted, including absence of emission from C4 and annual plants, and widespread emission from perennial and deciduous plants of temperate environments. Based on this analysis, and on available information on biochemistry, ecology and functional roles of isoprene, it is suggested that isoprene may not have evolved to help plants face heavy or prolonged stresses, but rather assists C3 plants to run efficient photosynthesis and to overcome transient and mild stresses, especially during periods of active plant growth in warm seasons. When the stress status persists, or when evergreen leaves cope with multiple and repeated stresses, isoprene biosynthesis is replaced by the synthesis of less volatile secondary compounds, in part produced by the same biochemical pathway, thus indicating causal determinism in the evolution of isoprene-emitting plants in response to the environment.
Francesco Loreto; Silvia Fineschi. Reconciling functions and evolution of isoprene emission in higher plants. New Phytologist 2014, 206, 578 -582.
AMA StyleFrancesco Loreto, Silvia Fineschi. Reconciling functions and evolution of isoprene emission in higher plants. New Phytologist. 2014; 206 (2):578-582.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFrancesco Loreto; Silvia Fineschi. 2014. "Reconciling functions and evolution of isoprene emission in higher plants." New Phytologist 206, no. 2: 578-582.
Quercus pubescens Willd., a species distributed from Spain to southwest Asia, ranks high for drought tolerance among European oaks. Q. pubescens performs a role of outstanding significance in most Mediterranean forest ecosystems, but few mechanistic studies have been conducted to explore its response to environmental constrains, due to the lack of genomic resources. In our study, we performed a deep transcriptomic sequencing in Q. pubescens leaves, including de novo assembly, functional annotation and the identification of new molecular markers. Our results are a pre-requisite for undertaking molecular functional studies, and may give support in population and association genetic studies. 254,265,700 clean reads were generated by the Illumina HiSeq 2000 platform, with an average length of 98 bp. De novo assembly, using CLC Genomics, produced 96,006 contigs, having a mean length of 618 bp. Sequence similarity analyses against seven public databases (Uniprot, NR, RefSeq and KOGs at NCBI, Pfam, InterPro and KEGG) resulted in 83,065 transcripts annotated with gene descriptions, conserved protein domains, or gene ontology terms. These annotations and local BLAST allowed identify genes specifically associated with mechanisms of drought avoidance. Finally, 14,202 microsatellite markers and 18,425 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were, in silico, discovered in assembled and annotated sequences. We completed a successful global analysis of the Q. pubescens leaf transcriptome using RNA-seq. The assembled and annotated sequences together with newly discovered molecular markers provide genomic information for functional genomic studies in Q. pubescens, with special emphasis to response mechanisms to severe constrain of the Mediterranean climate. Our tools enable comparative genomics studies on other Quercus species taking advantage of large intra-specific ecophysiological differences.
Sara Torre; Massimiliano Tattini; Cecilia Brunetti; Silvia Fineschi; Alessio Fini; Francesco Ferrini; Federico Sebastiani. RNA-Seq Analysis of Quercus pubescens Leaves: De Novo Transcriptome Assembly, Annotation and Functional Markers Development. PLoS ONE 2014, 9, e112487 -e112487.
AMA StyleSara Torre, Massimiliano Tattini, Cecilia Brunetti, Silvia Fineschi, Alessio Fini, Francesco Ferrini, Federico Sebastiani. RNA-Seq Analysis of Quercus pubescens Leaves: De Novo Transcriptome Assembly, Annotation and Functional Markers Development. PLoS ONE. 2014; 9 (11):e112487-e112487.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSara Torre; Massimiliano Tattini; Cecilia Brunetti; Silvia Fineschi; Alessio Fini; Francesco Ferrini; Federico Sebastiani. 2014. "RNA-Seq Analysis of Quercus pubescens Leaves: De Novo Transcriptome Assembly, Annotation and Functional Markers Development." PLoS ONE 9, no. 11: e112487-e112487.
Francesco Loreto; Susanna Pollastri; Silvia Fineschi; Violeta Velikova. Volatile isoprenoids and their importance for protection against environmental constraints in the Mediterranean area. Environmental and Experimental Botany 2014, 103, 99 -106.
AMA StyleFrancesco Loreto, Susanna Pollastri, Silvia Fineschi, Violeta Velikova. Volatile isoprenoids and their importance for protection against environmental constraints in the Mediterranean area. Environmental and Experimental Botany. 2014; 103 ():99-106.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFrancesco Loreto; Susanna Pollastri; Silvia Fineschi; Violeta Velikova. 2014. "Volatile isoprenoids and their importance for protection against environmental constraints in the Mediterranean area." Environmental and Experimental Botany 103, no. : 99-106.
Isoprene strengthens thylakoid membranes and scavenges stress‐induced oxidative species. The idea that isoprene production might also influence isoprenoid and phenylpropanoid pathways under stress conditions was tested. We used transgenic tobacco to compare physiological and biochemical traits of isoprene‐emitting (IE) and non‐emitting (NE) plants exposed to severe drought and subsequent re‐watering. Photosynthesis was less affected by drought in IE than in NE plants, and higher rates were also observed in IE than in NE plants recovering from drought. Isoprene emission was stimulated by mild drought. Under severe drought, isoprene emission declined, and levels of non‐volatile isoprenoids, specifically de‐epoxidated xanthophylls and abscisic acid (ABA), were higher in IE than in NE plants. Soluble sugars and phenylpropanoids were also higher in IE plants. After re‐watering, IE plants maintained higher levels of metabolites, but isoprene emission was again higher than in unstressed plants. We suggest that isoprene production in transgenic tobacco triggered different responses, depending upon drought severity. Under drought, the observed trade‐off between isoprene and non‐volatile isoprenoids suggests that in IE plants isoprene acts as a short‐term protectant, whereas non‐volatile isoprenoids protect against severe, long‐term damage. After drought, it is suggested that the capacity to emit isoprene might up‐regulate production of non‐volatile isoprenoids and phenylpropanoids, which may further protect IE leaves.
Massimiliano Tattini; Violeta Velikova; Claudia Vickers; Cecilia Brunetti; Martina Di Ferdinando; Alice Trivellini; Silvia Fineschi; Giovanni Agati; Francesco Ferrini; Francesco Loreto. Isoprene production in transgenic tobacco alters isoprenoid, non-structural carbohydrate and phenylpropanoid metabolism, and protects photosynthesis from drought stress. Plant, Cell & Environment 2014, 37, 1950 -1964.
AMA StyleMassimiliano Tattini, Violeta Velikova, Claudia Vickers, Cecilia Brunetti, Martina Di Ferdinando, Alice Trivellini, Silvia Fineschi, Giovanni Agati, Francesco Ferrini, Francesco Loreto. Isoprene production in transgenic tobacco alters isoprenoid, non-structural carbohydrate and phenylpropanoid metabolism, and protects photosynthesis from drought stress. Plant, Cell & Environment. 2014; 37 (8):1950-1964.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMassimiliano Tattini; Violeta Velikova; Claudia Vickers; Cecilia Brunetti; Martina Di Ferdinando; Alice Trivellini; Silvia Fineschi; Giovanni Agati; Francesco Ferrini; Francesco Loreto. 2014. "Isoprene production in transgenic tobacco alters isoprenoid, non-structural carbohydrate and phenylpropanoid metabolism, and protects photosynthesis from drought stress." Plant, Cell & Environment 37, no. 8: 1950-1964.
Sophie Gerber; Joã«L ChadåUf; Felix Gugerli; Martin Lascoux; Joukje Buiteveld; Joan Cottrell; Aikaterini Dounavi; Silvia Fineschi; Laura Forrest; Johan Fogelqvist; Pablo G. Goicoechea; Jan Svejgaard Jensen; Daniela Salvini; Giovanni G. Vendramin; Antoine Kremer. Correction: High Rates of Gene Flow by Pollen and Seed in Oak Populations across Europe. PLoS ONE 2014, 9, 1 .
AMA StyleSophie Gerber, Joã«L ChadåUf, Felix Gugerli, Martin Lascoux, Joukje Buiteveld, Joan Cottrell, Aikaterini Dounavi, Silvia Fineschi, Laura Forrest, Johan Fogelqvist, Pablo G. Goicoechea, Jan Svejgaard Jensen, Daniela Salvini, Giovanni G. Vendramin, Antoine Kremer. Correction: High Rates of Gene Flow by Pollen and Seed in Oak Populations across Europe. PLoS ONE. 2014; 9 (1):1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSophie Gerber; Joã«L ChadåUf; Felix Gugerli; Martin Lascoux; Joukje Buiteveld; Joan Cottrell; Aikaterini Dounavi; Silvia Fineschi; Laura Forrest; Johan Fogelqvist; Pablo G. Goicoechea; Jan Svejgaard Jensen; Daniela Salvini; Giovanni G. Vendramin; Antoine Kremer. 2014. "Correction: High Rates of Gene Flow by Pollen and Seed in Oak Populations across Europe." PLoS ONE 9, no. 1: 1.
Gene flow is a key factor in the evolution of species, influencing effective population size, hybridisation and local adaptation. We analysed local gene flow in eight stands of white oak (mostly Quercus petraea and Q. robur, but also Q. pubescens and Q. faginea) distributed across Europe. Adult trees within a given area in each stand were exhaustively sampled (range [239, 754], mean 423), mapped, and acorns were collected ([17,147], 51) from several mother trees ([3], [47], 23). Seedlings ([65,387], 178) were harvested and geo-referenced in six of the eight stands. Genetic information was obtained from screening distinct molecular markers spread across the genome, genotyping each tree, acorn or seedling. All samples were thus genotyped at 5–8 nuclear microsatellite loci. Fathers/parents were assigned to acorns and seedlings using likelihood methods. Mating success of male and female parents, pollen and seed dispersal curves, and also hybridisation rates were estimated in each stand and compared on a continental scale. On average, the percentage of the wind-borne pollen from outside the stand was 60%, with large variation among stands (21–88%). Mean seed immigration into the stand was 40%, a high value for oaks that are generally considered to have limited seed dispersal. However, this estimate varied greatly among stands (20–66%). Gene flow was mostly intraspecific, with large variation, as some trees and stands showed particularly high rates of hybridisation. Our results show that mating success was unevenly distributed among trees. The high levels of gene flow suggest that geographically remote oak stands are unlikely to be genetically isolated, questioning the static definition of gene reserves and seed stands.
Sophie Gerber; Joël Chadœuf; Felix Gugerli; Martin Lascoux; Joukje Buiteveld; Joan Cottrell; Aikaterini Dounavi; Silvia Fineschi; Laura Forrest; Johan Fogelqvist; Pablo G. Goicoechea; Jan Svejgaard Jensen; Daniela Salvini; Giovanni G. Vendramin; Antoine Kremer. High Rates of Gene Flow by Pollen and Seed in Oak Populations across Europe. PLOS ONE 2014, 9, e85130 .
AMA StyleSophie Gerber, Joël Chadœuf, Felix Gugerli, Martin Lascoux, Joukje Buiteveld, Joan Cottrell, Aikaterini Dounavi, Silvia Fineschi, Laura Forrest, Johan Fogelqvist, Pablo G. Goicoechea, Jan Svejgaard Jensen, Daniela Salvini, Giovanni G. Vendramin, Antoine Kremer. High Rates of Gene Flow by Pollen and Seed in Oak Populations across Europe. PLOS ONE. 2014; 9 (1):e85130.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSophie Gerber; Joël Chadœuf; Felix Gugerli; Martin Lascoux; Joukje Buiteveld; Joan Cottrell; Aikaterini Dounavi; Silvia Fineschi; Laura Forrest; Johan Fogelqvist; Pablo G. Goicoechea; Jan Svejgaard Jensen; Daniela Salvini; Giovanni G. Vendramin; Antoine Kremer. 2014. "High Rates of Gene Flow by Pollen and Seed in Oak Populations across Europe." PLOS ONE 9, no. 1: e85130.
Francesco Loreto; Francesca Bagnoli; Carlo Calfapietra; Donata Cafasso; Manuela De Lillis; Goffredo Filibeck; Silvia Fineschi; Gabriele Guidolotti; Gábor Sramkó; Jácint Tökölyi; Carlo Ricotta. Isoprenoid emission in hygrophyte and xerophyte European woody flora: ecological and evolutionary implications. Global Ecology and Biogeography 2013, 23, 334 -345.
AMA StyleFrancesco Loreto, Francesca Bagnoli, Carlo Calfapietra, Donata Cafasso, Manuela De Lillis, Goffredo Filibeck, Silvia Fineschi, Gabriele Guidolotti, Gábor Sramkó, Jácint Tökölyi, Carlo Ricotta. Isoprenoid emission in hygrophyte and xerophyte European woody flora: ecological and evolutionary implications. Global Ecology and Biogeography. 2013; 23 (3):334-345.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFrancesco Loreto; Francesca Bagnoli; Carlo Calfapietra; Donata Cafasso; Manuela De Lillis; Goffredo Filibeck; Silvia Fineschi; Gabriele Guidolotti; Gábor Sramkó; Jácint Tökölyi; Carlo Ricotta. 2013. "Isoprenoid emission in hygrophyte and xerophyte European woody flora: ecological and evolutionary implications." Global Ecology and Biogeography 23, no. 3: 334-345.
Current knowledge on the ecological impact of the emission of volatile isoprenoids by plants is reviewed. This trait is common to many terrestrial species but is scattered across different taxonomic groups; it appears to be related to other ecological traits rather than to phylogenetic relationships. Plants invest high resources to produce volatile isoprenoids, which are likely to play multiple roles in the defence against biotic and abiotic stressors. We describe how constitutive and induced volatile isoprenoids may directly or indirectly defend plants, and briefly address how indirect defence may involve communication with other trophic levels beyond the simple plant-herbivory interaction. It is discussed that, as metabolically costly defensive mechanisms are only activated after attacks, induced volatile isoprenoids may also prime other biochemical pathways that are involved in stress resistance responses. It is also surmised that attacked plants may also use volatiles as an airborne communication to signal the attack to other leaves or other plant organs, or even other plants, eliciting defence responses.
S. Fineschi; Francesco Loreto. Leaf volatile isoprenoids: an important defensive armament in forest tree species. iForest - Biogeosciences and Forestry 2012, 5, 13 -17.
AMA StyleS. Fineschi, Francesco Loreto. Leaf volatile isoprenoids: an important defensive armament in forest tree species. iForest - Biogeosciences and Forestry. 2012; 5 (1):13-17.
Chicago/Turabian StyleS. Fineschi; Francesco Loreto. 2012. "Leaf volatile isoprenoids: an important defensive armament in forest tree species." iForest - Biogeosciences and Forestry 5, no. 1: 13-17.
The Azores provide an excellent field test for research activities aimed at developing conservation strategies for endangered tree species. In this work, the urgency to promote conservation programs addressed (a) insights into the biotaxonomy of the species (including an evaluation of its origin and relationships with the only congeneric species of : from the Canary and Madeira islands) and (b) the evaluation of genetic diversity. Plastid DNA sequence analysis and molecular markers (RFLP and SSR) were used for this purpose. Phylogenetic data suggest the monophyly of and support a late Miocene divergence of the two species. Three polymorphic cpSSR loci allowed the identification of five different haplotypes in . Uniqueness and relictuality of lineages are presented and discussed. intra-specific diversity patterns revealed low genetic diversity and a weak genetic structure, which could result from long-lasting ecological stability and efficient inter-island seed movement that have been severely affected in recent times. The species survival is at risk, and we suggest management practices focusing on and in situ conservation units based on eco-genetic data. Additional measures contributing to mild erosion of the genepool and to remove barriers to seed dispersal are indicated.
Raquel C. Ferreira; Roberta Piredda; Francesca Bagnoli; Rosanna Bellarosa; Marcella Attimonelli; Silvia Fineschi; Bartolomeo Schirone; Marco C. Simeone. Phylogeography and conservation perspectives of an endangered macaronesian endemic: Picconia azorica (Tutin) Knobl. (Oleaceae). European Journal of Forest Research 2010, 130, 181 -195.
AMA StyleRaquel C. Ferreira, Roberta Piredda, Francesca Bagnoli, Rosanna Bellarosa, Marcella Attimonelli, Silvia Fineschi, Bartolomeo Schirone, Marco C. Simeone. Phylogeography and conservation perspectives of an endangered macaronesian endemic: Picconia azorica (Tutin) Knobl. (Oleaceae). European Journal of Forest Research. 2010; 130 (2):181-195.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRaquel C. Ferreira; Roberta Piredda; Francesca Bagnoli; Rosanna Bellarosa; Marcella Attimonelli; Silvia Fineschi; Bartolomeo Schirone; Marco C. Simeone. 2010. "Phylogeography and conservation perspectives of an endangered macaronesian endemic: Picconia azorica (Tutin) Knobl. (Oleaceae)." European Journal of Forest Research 130, no. 2: 181-195.