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A phylogenetic study of Uebelmannia investigates the relationships of a newly discovered taxon in this enigmatic, early‐diverging genus that is sister to all the other c. 460 species of tribe Cereeae. Here we present a coalescent‐based phylogenetic tree inferred with nuclear genes captured by the Cactaceae591 probe set encompassing all Uebelmannia species. The new taxon U. nuda is sister to U. pectinifera, while U. gummifera and U. buiningii form another pair of closely related species. The unusual characteristics of the new cactus (semi‐subterranean/geophytic habit, turbinate stem, naked areoles) distinguish it from all other Uebelmannia species. The definition of the relationships within this early‐derived genus endemic to the campo rupestre of Minas Gerais State became more evident, and this new find adds to the importance of this biogeographic province for the evolution of tribe Cereeae. The new species is described, and a preliminary conservation assessment is presented. Additionally, a key for all taxa of the genus is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the main cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica)-producing region in the State of Mexico, fruit production occupies the largest cultivated area with 15,800 ha, while 900 ha are cultivated for edible young Opuntia pads ("nopalitos") which are consumed as vegetables. Two composite samples consisting of cladodes of plants for fruit production (n = 6) and another of "nopalitos" (n = 6) showing virus-like symptoms were collected. Both sample sets were subjected to high-throughput sequencing (HTS) to identify the viruses and viroids. The HTS results were verified using RT-PCR and Sanger sequencing. Subsequently, 86 samples including cladodes from "nopalitos", plants for fruit production, xoconostles, and some wild Opuntia were analyzed via RT-PCR with specific primers for the viruses and viroids previously detected via HTS. Three viruses were discovered [Opuntia virus 2 (OV2), cactus carlavirus 1 (CCV-1), and Opuntia potexvirus A (OPV-A)], along with a previously reported viroid [Opuntia viroid 1 (OVd-1)]. Additionally, two new viroids were identified, provisionally named the Mexican opuntia viroid (MOVd, genus Pospiviroid) and Opuntia viroid 2 (OVd-2, genus Apscaviroid). A phylogenetic analysis, pairwise identity comparison, and conserved structural elements analysis confirmed the classification of these two viroids as new species within the Pospiviroidae family. This is the first report of a pospiviroid and two apscaviroids infecting cactus pears in the world. Overall, this study enhances our understanding of the virome associated with cactus pears in Mexico. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cacti are a distinguished group of plants that stand out for their great nutritional values, diverse uses, and unique morphology, allowing them to grow and thrive under different conditions such as dry, xeric, and even low‐temperature environments. The world is going through significant climate changes that are affecting the agriculture system. Therefore, sustainable and multifunctional crops, as many species of the Cactaceae family are, might be a good alternative in the near future. In this work, the uses of cacti in human food were analyzed through a scientific prospection from the point of view of their temporal and spatial distribution and potential uses. Brazil is the country with more publications related to the scope of this work, followed by Mexico. The presence of cacti in these countries can influence their interest in these species, which might reflect the results encountered in this study. The uses and ethnobotanical applications of cacti vary in different countries worldwide. Cactus is consumed fresh (in salads), in preparations (jams and sweets), and juices, being also present in traditional dishes in countries like Mexico. This study emphasizes cacti's importance in people's diets and ongoing world changes. Their ability to thrive even in hot environments with low water resources will lead to a greater focus on these species in the upcoming years. Furthermore, these plants have great flavor and contain several beneficial chemical compounds with desirable nutritional and health properties. Therefore, knowledge dissemination combined with technological innovations will allow greater use of these multifunctional species for human consumption. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mountaintops of eastern Brazil harbor the highest rates of plant endemism in South America. However, local biodiversity faces constant threats due to habitat loss and mining activities. About 89 rare and endangered species are exclusive to this region, including the threatened species Arthrocereus glaziovii. This study aims to evaluate the potential distribution of A. glaziovii based on abiotic variables and soil elements and to characterize the distribution of mineral titles that may restrict the species' occurrence areas. We used the Bioclim, Domain, MaxEnt, GLM, and Random Forest algorithms to model this ecological niche under future climatic scenarios, in addition to modeling the layers of mineral titles corresponding to areas already mined and those slated for future mining projects. Our predictions indicate an expansion in the future distribution of A. glaziovii. Nevertheless, the future predicted occurrence areas of the species are already compromised due to mining. According to our findings, we emphasize the looming threat of the predicted extinction of this species. Therefore, implementing conservation strategies to ensure the survival of A. glaziovii is imperative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seeds maintained on seed banks are submitted to two conditions of light during discontinuous hydration: presence or absence. We aimed to investigate the influence of light during discontinuous hydration and its relationship with the establishment of the cacti species. We raised two hypotheses: discontinuous hydration increases the longevity of seeds, and the presence and the absence of light during hydration/dehydration cycles (HD cycles) present different benefits in maintaining their viability in the soil seed bank for a longer time. We subjected seeds to HD cycles in the presence and absence of light. After that, we established a soil seed bank and analyzed the germinative behavior and biochemical compounds at intervals of 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15 months. HD cycles prolonged seed longevity, confirming our first hypothesis. Treatments of HD cycles in the darkness provided the maintenance of seed viability for a period longer than 9 months, which corroborates our second hypothesis. HD cycles in the presence of light only favor the germination behavior of fresh seeds. Reducing sugars are consumed during the first months in seeds buried in the soil. However, protein concentration remains higher in seeds not submitted to HD cycles after 12 months. Our study proposes the existence of a "seed dark hydration memory" related to seed longevity and a "seed light hydration memory" related to the germination of fresh seeds. Thus, the response to light incidence during discontinuous hydration represents an important strategy for the reproductive success of positive photoblastic species in their natural environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resource allocation in plants is a fundamental aspect of life history theory. In Cactaceae, the specific trade‐off between sexual reproduction and vegetative growth has still not been studied. The aim of this work was to assess if there is a trade‐off between growth and reproduction, and to analyse whether both growth and allocation to reproduction depend on size of the individual.In this study, we used Gymnocalycium monvillei, a globose cactus endemic to the mountains of central Argentina, as a model species. Specifically, we analysed the relationship of growth (percentage increase in diameter) and size of individuals (diameter) to seed production, seed mass, germination, and mean germination time. To relativize the effect of size on seed production, two variables were calculated: the ratio of seed production to plant size (RSPS), and the ratio of total seed mass to plant size (RSMS).We found that both seed production and total seed mass were significantly related to cactus size. However, growth was not related to seed mass or to seed production, even when they were relativized. Germination and mean germination time were not related to plant size or growth.In the studied species, a slow‐growing globose cactus, we did not find a trade‐off between growth and reproduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant phenology reflects the reproductive responses of plants to seasonal cycles and climate change. Herbarium collections can be valuable tools for filling in gaps in phenological studies. We investigated the seasonality of the reproductive phenology of Xiquexique species using circular statistics, estimated their flowering and fruiting periods by interpolation via inverse distance weighting based on herbarium specimens (n = 290), and analyzed the relationships among phenophases, temperature, and precipitation using generalized linear models. Xiquexique species flowered and fruited throughout the year, with X. gounellei exhibiting peak flowering in February and peak fruiting in March, while X. tuberculatus exhibited those peaks in August–October and August, respectively, with decreased intensity during the austral winter. The maps produced through interpolation showed higher probabilities of flowering and fruiting between February and August at sites with mean annual rainfall rates between 500 and 800 mm. Temperature and precipitation were positively correlated with flowering. Xiquexique tuberculatus is important for providing continuous resources to pollinators and seed dispersers in the Caatinga. Herbarium collections and interpolation methods for filling in gaps concerning the reproductive ecology of Cactaceae can aid in better understanding altered phenological patterns resulting from environmental changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Brazilian Journal of Agricultural Sciences / Revista Brasileira de Ciências Agrárias is the property of Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of PhytoKeys is the property of Pensoft Publishers and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Nativa is the property of Revista Nativa and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Fendler's hedgehog cactus (Echinocereus fendleri) is a morphologically variable species distributed across four U.S. states (AZ, CO, NM, TX) and the Mexican states of Sonora and Chihuahua. Some authors recognize a single, variable species, while others recognize up to four intraspecific taxa. This uncertainty carries conservation implications for E. fendleri var. kuenzleri (Kuenzler's hedgehog cactus), which is listed as Federally threatened. The goal of the study was to examine genomic and morphological variation in Echinocereus fendleri to determine relationships among the three varieties primarily distributed in the United States, specifically focusing on the status of Kuenzler's hedgehog cactus. Analyses of a double-digest restriction site-associated DNA sequence (ddRADseq) dataset indicated a well-supported E. fendleri clade. Within this clade, populations of E. fendleri var. rectispinus form a paraphyletic grade, with some sister to a well-supported clade containing all E. fendleri var. fendleri and E. fendleri var. kuenzleri. Three subclades are apparent within the E. fendleri var. fendleri/kuenzleri clade- a northern clade comprising E. fendleri var. fendleri, a central clade comprising E. fendleri var. fendleri and E. fendleri var. kuenzleri from Lincoln Co., NM, and a southeastern clade comprising two populations of E. fendleri var. kuenzleri. Trivariate analyses of morphological data establish three relatively distinct clusters of populations that correspond to the three focal varieties. These results establish that although each E. fendleri variety is morphologically distinct, none of them correspond to a single evolutionary lineage. The approach to conservation of E. fendleri var. kuenzleri should be re-evaluated, and three alternatives are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lack of water and salinity are common problems in many parts of the world. Therefore, some types of cacti can present as promising crops. Therefore, the ability of cactus species to survive and adapt under natural stress conditions should be evaluated. The experiment was aimed at evaluating the effect of salt stress on germination and emergence of pitaya seeds obtained from different species (Hyloceresu undatus (Haw.) Britton and Rose and Hylocereus polyrhizus (Lem.) Britton and Rose), priming with plant growth regulators, namely salicylic acid (SA), oxalic acid (OA) and mepiquat chloride (MC). The experiment had a completely randomized design with a 2 × 4 × 3 factorial scheme corresponding to two pitaya cultivars (white- and red-fleshed), four NaCl concentrations (0, 2500, 5000 and 10,000 ppm), and three PGRs (150 ppm/MC, SA, OC). According to the results, the maternal environment of the seed was important in salt stress resistance, while seeds matured in the environment with red fruit flesh were more tolerant to salt stress. Although Pitaya species are relatively salt-tolerant, growth (about 30%) was significantly reduced above 2500 ppm and germination (about 45%) above 5000 ppm. Germination percentage stood out as the most important trait determining seed quality and had positive effects on the germination stress tolerance index (r: 0.63), seedling length (r: 0.74) and fresh seedling weight (r: 0.56). This is the first study of how maternal environment affects germination and seedling quality under saline conditions in Hylocereus. The results obtained may contribute to pitaya cultivation and breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims Cactaceae are succulent plants, quasi-endemic to the American continent, and one of the most endangered plant groups in the world. Molecular phylogenies have been key to unravelling phylogenetic relationships among major cactus groups, previously hampered by high levels of morphological convergence. Phylogenetic studies using plastid markers have not provided adequate resolution for determining generic relationships within cactus groups. This is the case for the tribe Cereeae s.l. , a highly diverse group from tropical America. Here we aimed to reconstruct a well-resolved phylogenetic tree of tribe Cereeae and update the circumscription of suprageneric and generic groups in this tribe. Methods We integrated sequence data from public gene and genomic databases with new target sequences (generated using the customized Cactaceae591 probe set) across representatives of this tribe, with a denser taxon sampling of the subtribe Cereinae. We inferred concatenated and coalescent phylogenetic trees and compared the performance of both approaches. Key Results Six well-supported suprageneric clades were identified using different datasets. However, only genomic datasets, especially the Cactaceae591, were able to resolve the contentious relationships within the subtribe Cereinae. Conclusions We propose a new taxonomic classification within Cereeae based on well-resolved clades, including new subtribes (Aylosterinae subtr. nov. Uebelmanniinae subtr. nov. and Gymnocalyciinae subtr. nov.) and revised subtribes (Trichocereinae, Rebutiinae and Cereinae). We emphasize the importance of using genomic datasets allied with coalescent inference to investigate evolutionary patterns within the tribe Cereeae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Premise: Cacti are characteristic elements of the Neotropical flora and of major interest for biogeographic, evolutionary, and ecological studies. We tested global biogeographic boundaries for Neotropical Cactaceae using specimen‐based occurrences, coupled with data from visual observations, as a means to tackle the known collection biases in the family. Methods: Species richness and record density were assessed for preserved specimens and human observations, and a bioregional scheme tailored to Cactaceae was produced using the interactive web application Infomap Bioregions, based on data from 261,272 point records cleaned through automated and manual steps. Results: We found that areas in Mexico and southwestern USA, in eastern Brazil, and along the Andean region have the greatest density of records and the highest species richness. Human observations complement information from preserved specimens substantially, especially along the Andes. We propose 24 cactus bioregions, among which the most species‐rich are northern Mexico/southwestern USA, central Mexico, southern central Mexico, Central America, Mexican Pacific coast, central and southern Andes, northwestern Mexico/extreme southwestern USA, southwestern Bolivia, northeastern Brazil, and Mexico/Baja California. Conclusions: The bioregionalization proposed shows biogeographic boundaries specific to cacti and can thereby aid further evolutionary, biogeographic, and ecological studies by providing a validated framework for further analyses. This classification builds upon, and is distinctive from, other expert‐derived regionalization schemes for other taxa. Our results showcase how observation data, including citizen‐science records, can complement traditional specimen‐based data for biogeographic research, particularly for taxa with specific specimen collection and preservation challenges and those that are threatened or internationally protected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Plastid genomes (plastomes) have long been recognized as highly conserved in their overall structure, size, gene arrangement and content among land plants. However, recent studies have shown that some lineages present unusual variations in some of these features. Members of the cactus family are one of these lineages, with distinct plastome structures reported across disparate lineages, including gene losses, inversions, boundary movements or loss of the canonical inverted repeat (IR) region. However, only a small fraction of cactus diversity has been analysed so far. Methods Here, we investigated plastome features of the tribe Opuntieae, the remarkable prickly pear cacti, which represent one of the most diverse and important lineages of Cactaceae. We assembled de novo the plastome of 43 species, representing a comprehensive sampling of the tribe, including all seven genera, and analysed their evolution in a phylogenetic comparative framework. Phylogenomic analyses with different datasets (full plastome sequences and genes only) were performed, followed by congruence analyses to assess signals underlying contentious nodes. Key Results Plastomes varied considerably in length, from 121 to 162 kbp, with striking differences in the content and size of the IR region (contraction and expansion events), including a lack of the canonical IR in some lineages and the pseudogenization or loss of some genes. Overall, nine different types of plastomes were reported, deviating in the presence of the IR region or the genes contained in the IR. Overall, plastome sequences resolved phylogenetic relationships within major clades of Opuntieae with high bootstrap values but presented some contentious nodes depending on the dataset analysed (e.g. whole plastome vs. genes only). Congruence analyses revealed that most plastidial regions lack phylogenetic resolution, while few markers are supporting the most likely topology. Likewise, alternative topologies are driven by a handful of plastome markers, suggesting recalcitrant nodes in the phylogeny. Conclusions Our study reveals a dynamic nature of plastome evolution across closely related lineages, shedding light on peculiar features of plastomes. Variation of plastome types across Opuntieae is remarkable in size, structure and content and can be important for the recognition of species in some major clades. Unravelling connections between the causes of plastome variation and the consequences for species biology, physiology, ecology, diversification and adaptation is a promising and ambitious endeavour in cactus research. Although plastome data resolved major phylogenetic relationships, the generation of nuclear genomic data is necessary to confront these hypotheses and assess the recalcitrant nodes further. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The geographical dichotomy hypothesis (GDH) states several flowering plant groups have specialized pollination systems in tropical areas where resources are more reliable and pollinator communities tend to be more stable, than in extratropical areas. Our main goal was to understand the scope of the GDH and/or gradual environmental variation considering the evolutionary history of the pollination traits. Location: Neotropical tropics and adjacent extratropics. Major taxa studied: Columnar cacti. Methods: Using a database composed of ~54 columnar cacti species (31.7% of the global columnar cactus species), four complex traits were analysed: pollination syndromes, reproductive systems, type of anthesis, and duration of anthesis. We conducted generalized linear models (GLMs), phylogenetic regressions, evolutionary trait optimization, and multivariate models with 19 bioclimatic variables and potential evapotranspiration. Results: Weak phylogenetic signal was detected for all traits, giving consistent results between GLMs and phylogenetic regression analysis. The pollination syndrome and duration of anthesis varied with latitude, in contrast to the reproductive system and the type of anthesis. In the Southern Hemisphere, the pollinators were more diverse and the duration of anthesis was longer. Different evolutionary paths between hemispheres were detected and optimization showed a complex pattern in the evolution of traits, suggesting high homoplasy with multiple transformations by convergence and/or parallelism. The environmental models showed thermic seasonality may be at the core of the latitudinal variation of the pollination system. Main conclusions: We did not detect a geographical dichotomy in pollination systems of the cacti, but rather a gradual change in different pollination attributes. Therefore, instead of a GDH, we propose an environmental gradient hypothesis (EGH). Environmental variables may be explaining the variation detected in pollination system traits by conditioning floral properties (morphology, phenology), diversity and distribution of pollinators, and/or coevolution occurrence. The complexity implied in these traits is consistent with high homoplasy levels and a differential evolutionary history between the hemispheres. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Lilloa is the property of Fundacion Miguel Lillo and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Brazil is one of the centers of diversity of Cactaceae, yet studies addressing both pollination biology and the breeding system in Brazilian cacti are scarce. We herein present a detailed analysis of two native species with economic relevance: Cereus hildmannianus and Pereskia aculeata. The first species produce edible, sweet, spineless fruits and the second species produces leaves with high protein content. Pollination studies were undertaken through fieldwork observations in three localities of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, over two flowering seasons, totaling over 130 observation hours. Breeding systems were elucidated utilizing controlled pollinations. Cereus hildmannianus is solely pollinated by nectar-gathering species of Sphingidae hawk moths. In contrast, the flowers of P. aculeata are pollinated by predominantly native Hymenoptera but also by Coleoptera and Diptera, which gather pollen and/or nectar. Both cacti species are pollinator-dependent; neither intact nor emasculated flowers turn into fruit, yet whereas C. hildmannianus is self-incompatible, P. aculeata is fully self-compatible. In sum, C. hildmannianus is more restrictive and specialized regarding its pollination and breeding system, whereas P. aculeata is more generalist. Understanding the pollination needs of these species is a necessary starting point towards their conservation but also for their proper management and eventual domestication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Premise: Pilosocereus (Cactaceae) is an important dry forest element in all subregions and transitional zones of the neotropics, with the highest diversity in eastern Brazil. The genus is subdivided into informal taxonomic groups; however, most of these are not supported by recent molecular phylogenetic inferences. This lack of confidence is probably due to the use of an insufficient number of loci and the complexity of cactus diversification. Here, we explored the species relationships in Pilosocereus in more detail, integrating multilocus phylogenetic approaches with the assessment of the ancestral range and the effect of geography on diversification shifts. Methods: We used 28 nuclear, plastid, and mitochondrial loci from 54 plant samples of 31 Pilosocereus species for phylogenetic analyses. We used concatenated and coalescent phylogenetic trees and Bayesian models to estimate the most likely ancestral range and diversification shifts. Results: All Pilosocereus species were clustered in the same branch, except P. bohlei. The phylogenetic relationships were more associated with the geographic distribution than taxonomic affinities among taxa. The genus began diversifying during the Plio‐Pleistocene transition in the Caatinga domain and experienced an increased diversification rate during the Calabrian age. Conclusions: We recovered a well‐supported multispecies coalescent phylogeny. Our results refine the pattern of rapid diversification of Pilosocereus species across neotropical drylands during the Pleistocene and highlight the need for taxonomic rearrangements in the genus. We recovered a pulse of diversification during the Pleistocene that was likely driven by multiple dispersal and vicariance events within and among the Caatinga, Cerrado, and Atlantic Forest domains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blue Diamond cholla (Cylindropuntia multigeniculata (Clokey) Blackb. [Cactaceae]) is a rare cactus of the Mojave Desert. We explored whether cultivation from joint cuttings is a viable method for supporting threatened populations. Terminal joints were collected from adult plants at the type locality and grown in a shade house: We tested whether 2 soil mixes that varied in the ratio of inorganic and organic components (50:50 compared to 85:15) and 2 watering frequencies (250 ml every 5 d compared to 500 ml every 10 d) promote root growth important to outplanting survival. Plants grown from joint cuttings in the 50:50 soil had greater shoot and root biomass, produced more joint segments, and had higher initial and final survivorship over the 5-mo study. Neither soil nor watering treatments shifted biomass allocation to roots as hypothesized, but frequent watering produced longer roots, which may benefit reintroduced plants by assisting root access to deep soil moisture. Despite their vigor during collection, freshly cut joints rapidly declined in condition, resulting in approximately 50% mortality during the first month of the study. Initial mortality was not explained by the identity, condition, or size of the maternal plant. Prior-year weather patterns and collection procedures may influence quality and durability of joint cuttings and require further study. While larger plants were produced from the 50:50 mix, and root length was increased by frequent watering, reintroduction of nursery-grown plants will indicate whether such treatments aid establishment in the dry habitat where this species occurs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Desert ecosystems are currently threatened by human activities resulting in the rapid decline of xerophytic plants and specialized fauna. In South America, the demise of cactus species already resulted in the population decline of > 30% of the iconic giant columnar cactus Trichocereus terscheckii. The increasing vulnerability of these keystone species could trigger a cascade of secondary extinctions in highly dependent organisms. Thus, necrotic cacti constitute an important habitat for desert arthropods, yet little is known on the hidden diversity of this neglected niche. We used DNA barcode techniques to survey the diversity of arthropods in a threatened cactus forest dominated by T. terscheckii in northwestern Argentina. We obtained a total of 542 mitochondrial barcode sequences, resulting in 323 Molecular Taxonomic Units (MOTUs) associated to the xerophytic forest and 21 MOTUs exclusive to the giant cactus necrosis. Our results indicated that the area is a biodiversity hotspot within the harsh Andean desert and suggests that nearly 30 species could occur in the decaying cactus, representing the highest richness of cactophilic arthropods recorded in any cactus on the continent to date (6 orders and 16 families). The community structure of cactophilic arthropods showed a phylogenetic clustering pattern, suggesting the coexistence of closely related species. Overall, our study indicates that the giant cactus necrosis sustains a particular phylogenetic diversity of desert arthropods, while demonstrating the efficacy of DNA barcodes for biodiversity assessments in complex and poorly understood ecological systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phenolic compounds have been scientifically recognized as beneficial to intestinal health. The cactus Nopalea cochenillifera, used as anti-inflammatory in traditional medicine, is a rich source of these bioactive compounds. The present study aimed to investigate the phytochemical profile of N. cochenillifera extract and evaluate its acute toxicity and anti-inflammatory effect on 2,4-dinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (DNBS)-induced colitis in rats. The total phenolic content per gram of dry extract was 67.85 mg. Through HPLC-IES-MSn, a total of 25 compounds such as saccharides, organic acids, phenolic acids and flavonoids were characterized. The dose of 2000 mg/kg of extract by an oral route showed no signs of toxicity, mortality or significant changes in biochemical and hematological parameters. Regarding intestinal anti-inflammatory effects, animals were treated with three different doses of extract or sulfasalazine. Macroscopic analysis of the colon indicated that the extract decreased the disease activity index. Levels of IL-1β and TNF-α decreased, IL-10 increased and MDA and MPO enzyme levels decreased when compared with the control group. In addition, a down-regulation of MAPK1/ERK2 and NF-κB p65 pathway markers in colon tissue was observed. The epithelial integrity was improved according to histopathological and immunohistological analysis. Thus, the extract provided strong preclinical evidence of being effective in maintaining the remission of colitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Caatinga is the property of Revista Caatinga and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista Caatinga is the property of Revista Caatinga and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Biotic interactions are said to be more specialized in the tropics, and this was also proposed for the pollination systems of columnar cacti from North America. However, this has not yet been tested for a wider set of cactus species. Here, we use the available information about pollination in the Cactaceae to explore the geographic patterns of this mutualistic interaction, and test if there is a latitudinal gradient in its degree of specialization.We performed a bibliographic search of all publications on the pollination of cacti species and summarized the information to build a database. We used generalized linear models to evaluate if the degree of specialization in cacti pollination systems is affected by latitude, using two different measures: the number of pollinator guilds (functional specialization) and the number of pollinator species (ecological specialization).Our database contained information about the pollination of 148 species. The most frequent pollinator guilds were bees, birds, moths and bats. There was no apparent effect of latitude on the number of guilds that pollinate a cactus species. However, latitude had a small but significant effect on the number of pollinator species that service a given cactus species.Bees are found as pollinators of most cactus species, along a wide latitudinal gradient. Bat and bird pollination is more common in the tropics than in the extra‐tropics. The available information suggests that cacti pollination systems are slightly more ecologically specialized in the tropics, but it does not support any trend with regard to functional specialization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of different proportions of cactus pear mucilage as a moistening additive on chemical composition, ammonia nitrogen, volatile fatty acids, microbial dynamics, fermentation losses, pH, and aerobic stability of corn grains in the form of silage throughout storage periods. The study was carried out in a completely randomized design with a factorial arrangement (5×2), with four replications. The factors corresponded to five forms of moistening for corn grain silage, 0, 5, 10, 20, and 40% of cactus pear mucilage (MA) associated or not with urea (U) in the level of 1.5% of DM. The lowest DM content was found in the silage moistened with 40% of cactus pear mucilage, and the greatest CP content was found in the same treatment but when urea was added. Lower contents of propionic and butyric acids were observed in the silages moistened with 5 and 10% of cactus pear without and with the addition of urea. Dry matter recovery was higher in the treatments with water and 10% of cactus pear. The use of urea affected the LAB population only at 15 d of silo opening, providing a bigger population (6.58 logs CFU g -1 ) when compared to silages without urea (6.27 logs CFU g -1 ). The lower concentrations of propionic and butyric acids observed in the silage moistened with 5 and 10% of cactus pear mucilage, regardless of the addition of urea. However, it is recommended to use 10% of cactus pear mucilage without the addition of urea, as it provides better indicators of good-quality silage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe a new endemic densely spined Mammillaria from San Luis Potosí, Mexico. The new species, named M. morentiniana, is distinctive by the presence of a globose to shortly cylindric stem with several glabrous, reddish central spines, radial spines that protrude from the plant like white needle-bristles, and small flowers with pale yellow, lanceolate tepals. We compare it with similar and sympatric species of M. ser. Stylothelae. We include data about habitat and the preliminary status of conservation of the new taxon. Citation: González-Zamora P., Aquino D., Mohl J. & Sánchez D. 2022: A new endemic species of Mammillaria (Cactaceae) fromSan Luis Potosí, Mexico. – Willdenowia 52: 359–372. Version of record first published online on 12 December 2022 ahead of inclusion in December 2022 issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cellulose is the main polymer that gives strength to the cell wall and is located in the primary and secondary cell walls of plants. In Cactaceae, there are no studies on the composition of cellulose. The objective of this work was to analyze the crystallinity composition and anatomical distribution of cellulose in Cactaceae vascular tissue. Twenty-five species of Cactaceae were collected, dried, and milled. Cellulose was purified and analyzed with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, the crystallinity indexes were calculated, and statistical analyzes were performed. Stem sections were fixed, cut, and stained with safranin O/fast green, for observation with epifluorescence microscopy. The crystalline cellulose ratios had statistical differences between Echinocereus pectinatus and Coryphantha pallida. All cacti species presented a higher proportion of crystalline cellulose. The fluorescence emission of the cellulose was red in color and distributed in the primary wall of non-fibrous species; while in the fibrous species, the distribution was in the pits. The high percentages of crystalline cellulose may be related to its distribution in the non-lignified parenchyma and primary walls of tracheary elements with helical or annular thickenings of non-fibrous species, possibly offering structural rigidity and forming part of the defense system against pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mexico is a center of diversification for the Cactaceae family, with 69% of the species recorded as endemic. Certain members of the Cactaceae family have been chemically analyzed to relate their medicinal use with their phytochemistry. Here, the phytochemistry and bioactivity of ethanol extracts of Ferocactus echidne, F. latispinus, and Mammillaria geminispina were evaluated. A preliminary phytochemical analysis was performed, detecting the presence of saponins, tannins, cardiotonic glycosides, and sesquiterpene lactones. The presence of nicotinic acid in F. echidne and F. latispinus was identified by GC-MS. Other compounds found in the extracts of these three species were gentisic acid, diosmetin, chlorogenic acid, N-methyltyramide, and hordenine. The antioxidant activity was estimated with the DPPH free radical scavenging test. To determine the toxicity of the extracts, the in vivo model of Artemia spp. was used. In addition, the cytotoxicity of the extract was tested on C6, HaCaT, THP-1, and U937 cell lines, while the inflammatory activity was tested by measuring the secretion of cytokines using macrophage cells. The three species showed different bioactivities, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, cytotoxic, and anti-inflammatory activities. To the best of our knowledge, the results presented here are the first described for these species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Guihaia is the property of Guihaia Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Although morphological plasticity has been widely known in various cactus genera, few studies have investigated the origin and molecular relationship between morphological variants from cacti. Morphological variants are relevant specimens because atypical, exotic and generally unique forms are preferred by cactus traders and collectors. The current study investigates the molecular relationship between the tortuosus and monstruosus ornamental variants of Cereus peruvianus used in landscapes. Polymorphisms in loci of simple-sequence repeats in DNA were used as molecular markers. The variants tortuosus and monstruosus , and plants with typically columnar and erect shoots cultivated in southern Brazil were retrieved from public parks and home gardens. High polymorphism, an indicative of vegetative propagation, and a moderate genetic divergence were detected at the molecular level in monstruosus and tortuosus plants. Artificial selection and vegetative propagation of the ornamental variants of Cereus may be inducing a moderate genetic divergence and formation of two heterologous groups with conservative genetic diversity. Polymorphism in Cereus variants revealed groups with contrasting genes among the variants tortuosus and monstruosus which may be useful for breeding to generate new and different new variants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To know the variables of the reproductive component of materials for manual cross-pollination purposes, for which the search for sexual synchrony is emphasized. Design/methodology/approach: Four materials were analyzed, two with white pulp and two with red pulp, about which it is unknown if they present sexual self-incompatibility, and the synchrony in flowering is also unknown. The flowering phase and the variables that can shed light on its reproductive behavior were analyzed Results: It was found that the red materials present strong hercogamy, they cannot self-fertilize. There is also no floral synchrony, but there is closeness between the date of anthesis in a pitahaya with white pulp and a red one, which would allow promoting cross-pollination. Study limitations/implications: Hylocereus spp. is consumed in a large part of the world and has acquired a very strong importance since the industrial demand is increasing; however, several of the genotypes used in commercial production in Mexico show low fruit set compared to high floral emission, which is considered self-incompatibility. Findings/conclusions: The presence of hercogamy, stronger in the red-fleshed materials, indicates the existence of sexual self-incompatibility, explaining the fact that the materials emit a large number of flowers, but do not achieve fruit setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long‐lived and large flowers signify high floral maintenance costs. Species of arid/semiarid climates with large flowers are expected to have short flower life spans and pollination‐induced flower longevity in order to curb high floral water and other maintenance costs. We explored the context‐dependent large flower/short flower longevity hypothesis in Eriosyce curvispina (Cactaceae), a large‐flowered species of the semiarid central Chilean Andes. We determined breeding system, flower visitation rates, and open‐pollination fruit set and quantified floral water content. In a temperature‐controlled field manipulative experiment, we measured potential flower longevity and tested for the presence of pollination‐induced floral senescence. We measured the time span of the complete flower cycle defined as from when the flowers began to open to when they were totally closed, and the time span of fully open flowers defined as from when they were totally open until they began to close. The potential flower life span averaged 2.8 days (complete flower cycle) to 2.3 days (fully open flower). The complete flower cycle lasted 21.5 h, but flowers were fully open for only 10.1 h across days. Flower longevity in days was far shorter than reported for a large sample of species in the area. No evidence was found for pollination‐induced flower senescence as a complementary means for reducing floral maintenance costs. Eriosyce curvispina is self‐incompatible and abundantly pollinated by two megachilid bees. The level of pollen limitation (L = 0.36) was lower than the average reported for self‐incompatible angiosperms. Thus, the short flower life span in E. curvispina is not an impediment for high fruit set. Flowers contain >5 g of water of which >2 reside in >40 petaloid tepals. The amount of water is far higher than in another large‐flowered, non‐cactus species in the area, but only about 15% of that reported in the giant saguaro cactus which has larger flowers than E. curvispina. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cacti are one of the most significant and diversified groups of angiosperms, distributed and cultivated globally, mostly in semi-arid, arid, and the Mediterranean climate regions. Conventionally, they are propagated by seeds or through vegetative propagation via rooted offshoots or grafting. However, these multiplication procedures remain insufficient for mass propagation. In vitro culture techniques are utilized to mass propagate endangered and commercial cacti species. These include somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration through indirect or direct organogenesis. The latter is a promising tool for commercial clonal propagation of high-value species and has been successfully implemented for several species, such as Mammillaria, Hylocereus, Cereus, Echinocereus, and Ariocarpus. However, its success depends on explant type, basal nutrient formulation of culture medium, and types and concentrations of plant growth regulators. This study aimed to assess the potential of in vitro propagation methods applied to cacti species and discuss the different factors affecting the success of these methods. This study has also highlighted the insufficient work on Opuntia species for mass propagation through axillary buds' proliferation. The development of an efficient micropropagation protocol is thus needed to meet the supply of increasing demand of Opuntia species for human consumption as fruit, animal feed, and ecological restoration in semi-arid and arid zones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Verde de Agroecologia e Desenvolvimento Sustentável is the property of Revista Verde de Agroecologia e Desenvolvimento Sustentavel and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista de Investigación Desarrollo e Innovación is the property of Universidad Pedagogica y Tecnologica de Colombia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas is the property of Journal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Cereus insularis (Cereeae, Cactaceae) is an insular endemic and dominant element of the vegetation of Fernando de Noronha Islands (FNI), a Neotropical archipelago 350 km from mainland Brazil. Here, we estimate the levels of genetic diversity for C. insularis and investigate its genetic relationship with the closely allied C. fernambucensis , which is widespread along the Brazilian coast. We genotyped and analysed 112 individuals for ten nuclear microsatellite markers to understand genetic connectivity between insular and mainland populations. The levels of genetic diversity for this species indicate an absence of genetic erosion. Furthermore, the expected heterozygosity in C. insularis is consistent with a long-term colonization process of FNI. We identify signatures of recent and bilateral gene flow among mainland and insular populations. We explain our results taking into consideration the biogeographic hypothesis to explain the peripatric origin of C. insularis. Overall, this is a case study suggesting that the generalizations of genetic conservation principles in oceanic islands, such as low levels of genetic diversity, are not always the case. Rather than challenge these principles, we stress that island dynamism throughout time should be an important factor in explaining levels of genetic diversity in insular species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cereus hildmannianus is a cactus exhibiting morphological and physiological adaptation of its cladodes which ensuring growth in climatic and soil conditions unfavourable for many plant species. Currently, limited water resources and increasing demand for renewable energy make cacti a biomass source for the production of biofuels. Somaclones regenerated from callus in vitro can be a source of new raw material in useful plants. The objective of this work was to determine if the regenerated plants showing two different morphologies present polysaccharide composition different from the wild plant. Somaclones aqueous extraction shows the absence of soluble polysaccharides as mucilage. The alkaline extraction of in vivo cultivated plant showed the presence of starch, type I arabinogalactan, and arabinoxylan and the somaclones showed type I arabinogalactan and arabinoxylan in both morphologies. Hemicelluloses found in the somaclones are not different from in vivo cultivated plants, but somaclones not almost biosynthesize mucilage and starch. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are about 2200 cactus species, and most of them occur in fire‐prone ecosystems. Nevertheless, there is scarce information about fire effects on the ecology of cactus species. In this study, we assessed the effects of a wildfire on the survival and growth of coexisting globose cactus species and their relation with microenvironment conditions in rocky outcrops from the Córdoba Mountains, central Argentina. A fire event occurred in spring 2011, and measurements were recorded in the first subsequent growing season, in winter. We selected 26 rocky outcrops and established three 3 × 1 m plots per outcrop. In each plot, we quantified all cactus individuals of the four species present in the area: Echinopsis aurea, Gymnocalycium bruchii, G. mostii and Parodia submammulosa. We also recorded if each individual cactus was dead or alive, and measured its size and post‐fire growth. In addition, we measured the relative cover of rocks and bare soil, and the size of the rocks within a radius of 30 cm of each individual. Individual cactus survival (70–80%) did not vary among species. The highest post‐fire growth was recorded in G. bruchii. For E. aurea, P. submammulosa and G. mostii, post‐fire growth was negatively related to pre‐fire size, suggesting that smaller individuals recovered faster than larger ones. Microenvironment characteristics did not affect post‐fire growth in any of the species. Our results provide a preliminary insight into possible fire tolerance of globose cacti in the Córdoba Mountains, supported by their relatively high survival and growth after a fire event. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infections by Fusarium and Fusarium-like species on cacti and other succulent plants cause the syndrome known as Fusarium dry rot and soft rot. There are only few records of Fusarium species as pathogens of cacti and other succulent plants from Iran. The objective of this study was the identification and characterization of fusarioid species recovered from ornamental succulents in Shiraz County, Iran. Three fusarioid species, including F. oxysporum, F. proliferatum, and Neocosmospora falciformis (formerly F. falciforme), were recovered from 29 diverse species of cacti and other succulents with symptoms of Fusarium dry rot and soft rot. The three fungal species were identified on the basis of morphological characters and the phylogenetic analysis of the translation elongation factor1-α (tef1) nuclear gene. The F. oxysporum isolates were identified as F. oxysporum f. sp. opuntiarum. The pathogenicity of the three fusarioid species was tested on a range of economically important ornamental succulents, mostly in the Cactaceae family. The three species showed a broad host spectrum and induced different types of symptoms on inoculated plants, including soft and dry rot, chlorosis, necrotic spots, wilt, drying, root and crown rot. This is the first report of N. falciformis as a pathogen of succulent plants worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Diversitas Journal is the property of Diversitas Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In angiosperms, huge advances in massive DNA sequencing technologies have impacted phylogenetic studies. Probe sets have been developed with the purpose of recovering hundreds of orthologous loci of targeted DNA sequences (TDS) across different plant lineages. We tested in silico the effectiveness of two universal probe sets in the whole available genomes of Caryophyllids, emphasizing phylogenetic issues in cacti species. A total of 870 TDS (517 TDS from Angiosperm v.1 and 353 from Angiosperms353) were individually tested in nine cacti species and Amaranthus hypochondriacus (external group) with ≥17 Gbp of available DNA data. The effectiveness was measured by the total number of orthologous loci recovered and their length, the percentage of loci discarded by paralogy, and the proportion of informative sites (PIS) in the alignments. The results showed that, on average, Angiosperms353 was better than Angiosperm v.1 for cacti species, since the former obtained an average of 275.6 loci that represent 123,687 bp, 2.48% of paralogous loci, and 4.32% of PIS in alignments, whereas the latter recovered 148.4 loci (37,683 bp), 10.38% of paralogous loci, and 3.49% of PIS. We recommend the use of predesigned universal probe sets for Caryophyllids, since these recover a high number of orthologous loci that resolve phylogenetic relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, we present a review of the studies of evolutionary genetics (phylogenetics, population genetics, and phylogeography) using genetic data as well as genome scale assemblies in Cactaceae (Caryophyllales, Angiosperms), a major lineage of succulent plants with astonishing diversity on the American continent. To this end, we performed a literature survey (1992–2021) to obtain detailed information regarding key aspects of studies investigating cactus evolution. Specifically, we summarize the advances in the following aspects: molecular markers, species delimitation, phylogenetics, hybridization, biogeography, and genome assemblies. In brief, we observed substantial growth in the studies conducted with molecular markers in the past two decades. However, we found biases in taxonomic/geographic sampling and the use of traditional markers and statistical approaches. We discuss some methodological and social challenges for engaging the cactus community in genomic research. We also stressed the importance of integrative approaches, coalescent methods, and international collaboration to advance the understanding of cactus evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Premise of research. It is known that cacti in subfamily Cactoideae produce three kinds of modified leaves: (1) reduced foliage leaves on long-shoots (the cactus body), (2) modified leaves (spines) on short-shoots (axillary buds), and (3) leaves modified into extrafloral nectaries. It was noticed that some also produce large green foliage leaves on shoots that subtend flowers. The anatomy of these flowering-shoot leaves was studied to further explain variation of leaf morphogenesis within cacti. Methodology. Flowering-shoot leaves were measured for length, width, and thickness and were then preserved, microtomed, and studied by light microscopy. Pivotal results. Each leaf was long and wide (up to 109 mm long, 20 mm wide, and 4080 mm2 in surface area); none were compound or petiolate. Together, leaves of a single flowering-shoot could provide as much as 107,219 mm2 of photosynthetic and transpirational surface area. Distal leaves died after the flower closed; proximal leaves remained alive as the fruit matured. All flowering-shoot leaves had tissues typical of eudicot leaves without any anomalous features or unusual combinations of characters. All had abaxial stomata; adaxial stomata were less abundant or were absent. Venation was in a network of collateral vascular bundles located in a single plane close to the adaxial surface. Most leaves had some characters typical of a midrib in their central region: extra vascular bundles, larger bundles, or bundles with phloem lateral or adaxial to the xylem. In no leaf was mesophyll differentiated into palisade and spongy mesophyll. Fibers were absent in all. Conclusions. When healthy enough to flower, these cacti increase their photosynthetic and transpirational surface area significantly by producing large foliage leaves. When flowers wither or fruits abscise, these leaves are lost and plants return to a low surface-to-volume ratio. In these cacti, four types of morphogenesis are possible, as follows: long-shoot leaves, short-shoot leaves, extrafloral nectaries, and flowering-shoot leaves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study is the first report on the distribution of Rhipsalis baccifera (J.S.Muell) Stearn in Bandung, West Java, Indonesia. R. baccifera is an epiphyte cactus that generally grows on the vertical substrate of tree barks. The distribution of R. baccifera was examined by tagging the tree hosts using a global positioning system (GPS). Additionally, the organs and growth stages of the cactus, as well as the interactions of the cactus with the host plants, were photographed. The results show that R. baccifera is distributed unevenly in Bandung, as the population density is higher in the northern area of the city than in the south. This uneven distribution suggests that frugivorous birds and human activities in the area play an important role in the distribution of R. baccifera. The cactus has spines during its early stage, which is greatly reduced upon reaching its mature stage. However, within the same region, the cactus appears to selectively grow on specific hosts, mainly on trees with rough barks or grown by moss. In Bandung, the cactus is mostly found growing on mahogany trees (Swietenia macrophylla King). Not all trees adjacent to the host trees have the cactus growing on them, which further suggests the cactus' preference for specific host trees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dynamics of plant populations are often limited by the early stages in their life cycles. However, information regarding seed bank dynamics and how these may influence the whole life cycle of plant species is remarkably scarce or not considered explicitly. This lack of knowledge is due mainly to the challenges in quantifying seed vital rates. Studies of arid land plant species have historically been focused on the drivers of sporadic recruitment. However, little attention has been given to the demographic consequences of early developmental stages, and how seed banks affect their dynamics. Here, we evaluate the effects of seed bank survival and seedling recruitment vital rates on the population dynamics and viability of 12 columnar cacti species. Recent evidence suggests that cacti seeds may remain viable for the short‐term. We assess how changes in the vital rates of these processes and the inclusion of a seed bank affect population growth rate (λ). We found that a seed bank in the examined matrix population models significantly increased λ as well as the vital rate elasticities of λ to growth and fecundity, whereas that of overall survival decreased. Our numerical simulations showed that seed survival had a more considerable effect on λ than seedling recruitment and establishment. We suggest that the seed bank may explain the structure and population dynamics. Thus, we reconsider that this early stage in demographic models will generate more informed decisions on the conservation and management of columnar cacti. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]