Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences

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Publications

Mitogenomic phylogeny and fossil-calibrated mutation rates for all F- And M-type mtDNA genes of the largest freshwater mussel family, the Unionidae (Bivalvia)

Publication . Zieritz, Alexandra; Froufe, Elsa; Bolotov, Ivan N.; Gonçalves, Duarte V.; Aldridge, David C.; Bogan, Arthur E.; Gan, Han Ming; Gomes-dos-Santos, André; Sousa, Ronaldo; Teixeira, Amílcar; Varandas, Simone; Zanatta, David; Lopes-Lima, Manuel

The Unionidae represent an excellent model taxon for unravelling the drivers of freshwater diversity, but, phylogeographic studies on Southeast Asian taxa are hampered by lack of a comprehensive phylogeny and mutation rates for this fauna. We present complete female- (F) and male-type (M) mitogenomes of four genera of the Southeast Asian clade Contradentini+Rectidentini. We calculate substitution rates for the mitogenome, the 13 protein-coding genes, the two ribosomal units and three commonly used fragments (co1, nd1 and 16S) of both F- and M-mtDNA, based on a fossil-calibrated, mitogenomic phylogeny of the Unionidae. Phylogenetic analyses, including an M+F concatenated dataset, consistently recovers a monophyletic Gonideinae. Subfamily-level topology is congruent with that of a previous nuclear genomic study and with patterns in mitochondrial gene order, suggesting Unionidae F-type 2 as a synapomorphy of the Gonideinae. Our phylogeny indicates that the clades Contradentini+Rectidentini and Lamprotulini+Pseudodontini+Gonideini split in the early Cretaceous (~125 Mya), and that the crown group of Contradentini+Rectidentini originated in the late Cretaceous (~79 Mya). Most gonideine tribes originated during the early Palaeogene. Substitution rates were comparable to those previously published for F-type co1 and 16S for certain Unionidae and Margaritiferidae species (pairs).

2021Journal article

Open access

Farmland abandonment decreases the fire regulation capacity and the fire protection ecosystem service in mountain landscapes

Publication . Sil, Ângelo Filipe; Fernandes, Paulo M.; Rodrigues, Ana Paula; Alonso, Joaquim; Honrado, João P.; Perera, Ajith H.; Azevedo, João

This study explored and applied the concepts of Fire Regulation Capacity (FRC) and Fire Protection Ecosystem Service (FPES) in the assessment of the effects of landscape change in a mountain fire-prone landscape in Portugal. We adopted a modeling and simulation approach using BFOLDS-FRM with landscape data for years 1990 and 2006 (observed) and with three landscape scenarios for 2020. Proxy indicators for FRC (burned area and fire intensity) and for economic damage by fire (loss of provisioning ES) were used to establish trends in the supply and value of FPES. We found decreased FRC to restrain simulated fires burning over 100 ha from 1990 on and to regulate Very High and Extreme fire intensity levels, particularly under our 2020 scenario of Forest expansion. FPES is also expected to decrease, as indicated by higher fire-related damages, particularly if fuel hazard increases in the landscape. However, there were differences among scenarios, suggesting potential tradeoffs between FPES and the supply of provisioning ES. Planning and management in this and similar areas experiencing farmland abandonment must consider fire trends and patterns, since landscape change is a major driver affecting FRC and FPES, which may further be decreased by future climatic conditions.

2019Journal article

Open access

Bioactive properties of Sanguisorba minor L. cultivated in central Greece under different fertilization regimes

Publication . Finimundy, Tiane C.; Karkanis, Anestis; Fernandes, Ângela; Petropoulos, Spyridon Α.; Calhelha, Ricardo C.; Petrović, Jovana; Soković, Marina; Rosa, Eduardo; Barros, Lillian; Ferreira, Isabel C.F.R.

In this study, the chemical characterization and bioactive properties of S. minor cultivated under different fertilization rates (control, half rate and full rate) were evaluated. Twenty-two phenolic compounds were identified, including five phenolic acids, seven flavonoids and ten tannins. Hydrolysable tannins were prevalent, namely Sanguiin H-10, especially in leaves without fertilization (control). Roots of full-rate fertilizer (660 Kg/ha) presented the highest flavonoid content, mainly catechin and its isomers, whereas half-rate fertilizer (330 Kg/ha), presented the highest content of total phenolic compounds, due to the higher amount of ellagitannins (lambertianin C: 84 ± 1 mg/g of dry extract). Antimicrobial activities were also promising, especially against Salmonella typhimurium (MBC = 0.44 mg/mL). Moreover, root samples revealed activity against all tested cell lines regardless of fertilization rate, whereas leaves were effective only against HeLa cell line. In conclusion, S. minor could be a source of natural bioactive compounds, while fertilization could increase phenolic compounds content.

2020Journal article

Open access

Antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of aqueous extracts of Lentinula edodes var Donko and Koshin