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The authors of the present work analyze the evolution of the procedural regulations of the domain of judicial expertise in the Republic of Moldova and Romania in the first decades of the 21st century. It is stated that nowadays in Romania the judicial expertise is part of the forensic science, while in the Republic of Moldova it is treated as an independent domain, whose purpose is to interpret theoretically the processes that take place in the practical activity of different types, classes and varieties of judicial expertise.

We report three rare dodders (Cuscuta L.) from Quebec: Buttonbush Dodder (Cuscuta cephalanthi Engelmann), Hazel Dodder (Cuscuta coryli Engelmann), and Smartweed Dodder (Cuscuta polygonorum Engelmann). Detailed descriptions of their morphological characteristics, ecology, and host range are discussed. The genus Cuscuta is severely under-collected in Quebec and elsewhere, and targetted fieldwork is needed to better assess the distribution and conservation status of the three rare (or overlooked) species reported here. An identification key to all Cuscuta species from Quebec is provided to aid botanists in accurately identifying these challenging species.

Social and economic barriers that students face during their studies can impact severely on their attainment and can be due to many factors. This study investigated how different socio-economic factors, with a focus on digital poverty and workspace availability may have affected students' attainment (during October 2021 - March 2022) at university post-COVID-19. Quantitative data collected during the first teaching block of the 2021-2022 academic year using specific questions in a paper-based questionnaire indicated that a good proportion of life science students did not have access to a home internet source (35%) or proper workspace facilities (34%) and had the requirement to work alongside their degree in order to fund their studies. In contrast to the lack of internet students experienced, many of the surveyed students did have access to a personal computer within their household. Possible reasons for some of the findings, and the implications of the findings, are discussed here.

—Cuscuta californica complex (sensu lato, s. l.) is a western North American group of species in which the infrastaminal scales are reduced, making the morphological delimitation of species particularly challenging. A revision of this group was prompted by the discovery of an apparent new species from central California based primarily on molecular means. Driven by this finding, the morphological limits of C. californica s. l. species were comprehensively re-evaluated through a morphometric study. DNA sequences from plastid (trnL‐F region and rbcL), nuclear ribosomal ITS and 26S rDNA, as well as a low-copy nuclear pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) gene were used to reconstruct evolutionary relationships among taxa. Last but not least, the host range of relevant taxa was determined using herbarium specimens. Molecular results strongly supported the new species, C. difficilis, which was found to be morphologically separated from C. brachycalyx only by subtle calyx lobe and corolla tube shape differences. Despite sharing some of the hosts, all the members of C. californica s. l. exhibited a differentiation of their host ranges. An identification key and description of the new species were provided together with a discussion on the systematics and host range of C. californica s. l.. Hybridization, accompanied by plastid capture, was suggested as a possible mechanism of speciation for C. brachycalyx.

Cuscuta is a cytogenetically diverse genus, with karyotypes varying 18-fold in chromosome number and 127-fold in genome size. Each of its four subgenera also presents particular chromosomal features, such as bimodal karyotypes in Pachystigma. We used low coverage sequencing of the Cuscuta nitida genome (subgenus Pachystigma), as well as chromosome banding and molecular cytogenetics of three subgenus representatives, to understand the origin of bimodal karyotypes. All three species, C. nitida, C. africana (2n = 28) and C. angulata (2n = 30), showed heterochromatic bands mainly in the largest chromosome pairs. Eighteen satellite DNAs were identified in C. nitida genome, two showing similarity to mobile elements. The most abundant were present at the largest pairs, as well as the highly abundant ribosomal DNAs. The most abundant Ty1/Copia and Ty3/Gypsy elements were also highly enriched in the largest pairs, except for the Ty3/Gypsy CRM, which also labelled the pericentromeric regions of the smallest chromosomes. This accumulation of repetitive DNA in the larger pairs indicates that these sequences are largely responsible for the formation of bimodal karyotypes in the subgenus Pachystigma. The repetitive DNA fraction is directly linked to karyotype evolution in Cuscuta.

Karyotypes are characterized by traits such as chromosome number, which can change through whole-genome duplication and dysploidy. In the parasitic plant genus

Interspecific hybridization and genome duplication to form allopolyploids are major evolutionary events in angiosperms. In the parasitic genus Cuscuta (Convolvulaceae), molecular data suggested the existence of species of hybrid origin. One of them, C. veatchii, has been proposed as a hybrid between C. denticulata and C. nevadensis, both included in sect. Denticulatae. To test this hypothesis, a cytogenetic analysis was performed with CMA/DAPI staining and fluorescent in situ hybridization using 5S and 35S rDNA and genomic probes. Chromosomes of C. denticulata were small with a well-defined centromeric region, whereas C. nevadensis had larger, densely stained chromosomes, and less CMA+heterochromatic bands. Cuscuta veatchii had 2n = 60 chromosomes, about 30 of them similar to those of C. denticulata and the remaining to C. nevadensis. GISH analysis confirmed the presence of both subgenomes in the allotetraploid C. veatchii. However, the number of rDNA sites and the haploid karyotype length in C. veatchii were not additive. The diploid parentals had already diverged in their chromosomes structure, whereas the reduction in the number of rDNA sites more probably occurred after hybridization. As phylogenetic data suggested a recent divergence of the progenitors, these species should have a high rate of karyotype evolution.

Cuscuta is a cytogenetically diverse genus, with karyotypes varying 18-fold in chromosome number and 89-fold in genome size. Each of its four subgenera also presents particular chromosomal features, such as bimodal karyotypes in Pachystigma. We used low coverage sequencing of the Cuscuta nitida genome (subgenus Pachystigma), as well as chromosome banding and molecular cytogenetics of three subgenus representatives, to understand the origin of bimodal karyotypes. All three species, C. nitida, C. africana (2n = 28) and C. angulata (2n = 30), showed heterochromatic bands mainly in the largest chromosome pairs. Eighteen satellite DNAs were identified in C. nitida genome, two showing similarity to mobile elements. The most abundant were present at the largest pairs, as well as the highly abundant ribosomal DNAs. The most abundant Ty1/Copia and Ty3/Gypsy elements were also highly enriched in the largest pairs, except for the Ty3/Gypsy CRM, which also labelled the pericentromeric regions of the smallest chromosomes. This accumulation of repetitive DNA in the larger pairs indicates that these sequences are largely responsible for the formation of bimodal karyotypes in the subgenus Pachystigma. The repetitive DNA fraction is directly linked to karyotype evolution in Cuscuta.HighlightsCuscuta subgenus Pachystigma contains species with strikingly bimodal karyotypes. The emergence of these karyotypes is linked to the enrichment of varied repetitive sequences in the largest chromosomal pairs.

A sense of belonging within higher education (HE) enhances educational engagement and attainment. The rapid shift to online provision has implications for reducing students’ sense of belonging at university. We have previously shown that students consider belonging in HE to be important and that their personal sense of belonging was high. We also found that sense of belonging had elements of people and place: relationships with peers and staff were influential and the physical campus facilitated social relationships. In the first lockdown, we showed that sense of belonging in both staff and students at our large widening-participation London university was reduced. In this paper, we report on a continuing project to explore the impact of sustained provision of learning online, focusing on qualitative interviews carried out with forty-three students and twenty-three staff. Both groups identified advantages and disadvantages of online provision. Advantages included flexibility and accessibility, with savings – financial and time – owing to reduced commuting. However, both groups identified a negative impact on social relationships, student motivation and engagement. Future development of blended learning should be planned, supported and structured to optimise the benefits.

As traditionally circumscribed, Cuscuta sect. Denticulatae is a group of three parasitic plant species native to the deserts of Western USA (Cuscuta denticulata, Cuscuta nevadensis) and the central region of Baja California, Mexico (Cuscuta veatchii). Molecular phylogenetic studies confirmed the monophyly of this group and suggested that the disjunct C. veatchii is a hybrid between the other two species. However, the limited sampling left the possibility of alternative biological and methodological explanations. We expanded our sampling to multiple individuals of all the species collected from across their entire geographical ranges. Sequence data from the nuclear and plastid regions were used to reconstruct the phylogeny and find out if the topological conflict was maintained. We obtained karyotype information from multiple individuals, investigated the morphological variation of the group thorough morphometric analyses, and compiled data on ecology, host range, and geographical distribution. Our results confirmed that C. veatchii is an allotetraploid. Furthermore, we found previously unknown autotetraploid population of C. denticulata, and we describe a new hybrid species, Cuscuta psorothamnensis. We suggest that this newly discovered natural hybrid is resulting from an independent (and probably more recent) hybridization event between the same diploid parental species as those of C. veatchii. All the polyploids showed host shift associated with hybridization and/or polyploidy and are found growing on hosts that are rarely or never frequented by their diploid progenitors. The great potential of this group as a model to study host shift in parasitic plants associated with recurrent allopolyploidy is discussed. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s13127-018-0383-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

This paper focuses on determining the current state of adoption of new information and communication technologies by the population of EU countries from the Central and Eastern parts of Europe (referred in the paper as CEE-EU countries). We have conducted a detailed analysis between Romania and Bulgaria because there are historical, geographical, political and economic similarities between these two neighbouring countries. In order to objectively reflect the results of the comparative analysis at the regional level, we have used the data provided by the World Economic Forum through the Competitiveness Index, the International Institute for Management Development through the Competitiveness Yearbook and the International Telecommunication Union through the ICT Development Index. The results of the comparative analysis reflect many regional disparities. At the same time, it can be noticed that both Romania and Bulgaria are the countries with the weakest results regarding the penetration rate of Internet accessibility in their populations, a fact which leads to a low degree of adaptability of the human capital to new information technologies and, implicitly, a low rate of adoption of the Internet in the sphere of business and public services. This is explained by the insufficient development of ICT infrastructure in the rural area, caused by numerous factors such as insufficient economic development and the low purchasing power of the population, but also by the relatively low level of education in ICT use. Although the influx of information and communication technologies occurred after the 1990s, namely at a time when even countries like Romania or Bulgaria were already part of the free market economy, the gaps recorded during the communist regime (economic, but especially socio-cultural), were apparently difficult to recover in the years to come, therefore this upsurge in information technology has been somewhat delayed in the South-Eastern area of Europe.

Cuscuta (dodder) is one of the few angiosperm genera characterised by multiple fruit indehiscence/dehiscence modes. Dodder fruit is a capsule with thin pericarp and contains one to four seeds. In some species fruits open at the base (circumscissile dehiscence; DE) while in others they remain closed (indehiscent; IN). IN has evolved multiple times from DE, and is most common in the North American clades of subgenus Grammica. In addition, different forms of “irregular dehiscence” have been anecdotally reported. To determine fruit types and assess homology, we explored fruit development, structure and ultrastructure together with a comparative morphology and character evolution study of other fruit traits. Because it is commonly assumed that IN is associated with a loss of dispersal capability when diaspores contain several seeds, we studied the geographical distribution of species with DE and IN fruits in North America to ascertain whether the latter are less widely distributed than DE species. To determine the putative dispersal advantage(s) of IN we studied the floatability of both capsules and seeds of C. gronovii, a species with IN fruits. Also, in this species we examined the effects of the fruit on seed germination. Pericarp structure/ultrastructure revealed three distinct fruit types: DE, with an abscission zone (AZ); IN without an AZ, and irregularly dehiscent capsules (IrA) which lack an AZ but open because of the thin endocarp cell walls at the fruit base. A fourth functional fruit type, the irregularly dehiscent type B capsules (IrB) was noted, in which dehiscence apparently occurs because of mechanical pressures created among ripening IN fruits within the dense infructescences of the same plant. IrA fruits were posited to be an intermediate evolutionary step between DE and IN fruits; IrA and IrB fruits are not homologous. The only statistically significant fruit trait associated with the dehiscence mode is the size of the interstylar aperture which is larger in IN fruits than in DE capsules. Although not statistically significant, species with IN fruits appear to be more widely distributed in N America that species with DE capsules suggesting an enhanced dispersal capability of IN fruits. Also, species with IN fruits possess a significantly higher northern latitudinal limit in North America. Capsules of C. gronovii were capable of floating for at least one week longer than their seeds indicating that long-distance dispersal by water is possible under certain conditions. Seeds of C. gronovii not removed from their IN fruits exhibited a delayed germination pattern compared to removed seeds, which heightened germination bet hedging and may prevent sibling competition for the same host plants.

After the fall of communism, Romanian tourism was considered a sector which, by with relatively modest efforts, could be quickly restarted with the capacity to have a positive influence over the entire economic relaunch process. Although it has been more than 27 years, an economic revival through tourism has not yet occurred. Moreover, in recent decades, Romanian tourism has steadily lost some competitiveness in relation to other tourist destinations in the region. In this context, through this study, we tried to show that a major cause of the low level of competitiveness is represented by the significant deficiencies recorded in terms of the general transport infrastructure. The availability of a secure and fast transport network by road, air and water to the most important tourist centers of a country is vital. Without a general infrastructure no tourist resource, no matter how important, can be put forward in an efficient manner. Thus, we can unequivocally say that the absence or an insufficient development of infrastructure in Romania is the prime factor of the lack of development of tourism activity and of the serious deficiencies recorded when it comes to enhancement of the national tourism offer. This conclusion is supported by the analysis of the data provided by the World Economic Forum (through the Tourism Competitiveness Index) and EUROSTAT. To reflect Romania's position in the general picture of the competitiveness of the transport network, we performed a comparative analysis considering the results achieved by ten other EU countries in Central and Eastern Europe (hereinafter referred to as CEE-EU countries).

Preparing Comparative Materials in Order to Require a Graphic Expertise of the Signature The author of the present work analyses issues regarding the preparatory means that are necessary when the investigation officer requires a graphological expertise, especially collecting comparative specimens. He proposes various sources, these samples can be taken from, tactical and organisational procedures of obtaining free, conventionally-free and experimental comparative specimens. &nbsp

Interspecific hybridization and genome duplication to form allopolyploids are major evolutionary events in angiosperms. In the parasitic genus

A new species, Echeveria pistioides (Crassulaceae) is described from south of Morelia in the State of Michoacan, Mexico. The species belongs to Echeveria ser. Gibbiflorae due to its short or acaulescent stems inconspicuous among the large basal leaves of rosettes, paniculiform inflorescence, conical-urceolate corolla, and tricolpate pollen grains. Within Echeveria ser. Gibbiflorae, the closest morphological affinities of E. pistioides are with E. marianae from which it differs in the glaucous leaves with a different shape and size, fewer cincinni, smaller flowers, and the absence of corolla appendages at the base of staminal filaments. The species grows on steep, humid slopes with E, W, or NWexposure and the general type of vegetation consists of oak and pine forest with mesophyllous elements.

This research compares tourism competitiveness of two neighboring countries, Romania and Bulgaria, which have many similarities economically as well as from a geopolitical and historical perspective. Despite these similarities, immediately after the 1990s, which marked the fall of the communist regime, the tourism phenomenon in the two countries had divergent evolutions. As the tourism industry in Bulgaria, especially its seaside tourism, underwent unprecedented development, the tourism activity in Romania systematically lost its competitiveness. The factors affecting the appearance and increase of such a difference are of interest to the Romanian seaside tourism. To generate the answer to this problem, we perform a series of comparative analyses with data from the World Economic Forum, in terms of the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report (2011-2015), `the National Authority for Tourism of Romania, and the National Institute of Statistics from Romania and Bulgaria. We identified a series of constitutive elements relating to the success of the Bulgarian seaside tourism and a sequence of deficiencies in the strategic and organizational maneuvers of the tourism activity at the Romanian seaside.

In the context of a general increase in tourism activity and in the number of trips, and given that the consumption preferences of tourists are changing rapidly, the need for information becomes urgent and there is a concomitant development of public and private organizations involved in providing the necessary information to tourists who reach for the first time a tourist destination. This category includes tourist information centers (TICs), tourism promotion associations and tourism clubs.Being intensively based on information, the activity of informative tourism organizations suffers multiple changes, often radical, proving to be a favorable environment for the implementation of new information technologies due to their role in terms of providing and sharing information. In this sense, Facebook has special implications, being considered one of the fastest and most effective tools of Social Media, especially regarding the distribution of information and the promotion of products and services.The major objective of this research aims to highlight the stage of development of informative tourism organizations in Romania through the filter of Facebook visibility and communication. In this regard, we analysed the current state of presence and communication on Facebook of 109 tourism entities from 25 different counties of Romania: 43 tourist information centers, 44 entities with the name of association (tourism promotion association, ecotourism associations etc.), 18 travel clubs and 4 tourist information point/offices.

Premise of the study Dispersal of parasitic Cuscuta species (dodders) worldwide has been assumed to be largely anthropomorphic because their seeds do not match any previously known dispersal syndrome and no natural dispersal vectors have been reliably documented. However, the genus has a subcosmopolitan distribution and recent phylogeographic results have indicated that at least18 historical cases of long-distance dispersal (LDD) have occurred during its evolution. The objective of this study is to report the first LDD biological vector for Cuscuta seeds. Methods Twelve northern pintails (Anas acuta) were collected from Suisun Marsh, California and the contents of their lowest part of the large intestine (rectum) were extracted and analyzed. Seed identification was done both morphologically and using a molecular approach. Extracted seeds were tested for germination and compared to seeds not subjected to gut passage to determine the extent of structural changes caused to the seed coat by passing through the digestive tract. Key results Four hundred and twenty dodder seeds were found in the rectum of four northern pintails. From these, 411 seeds were identified as Cuscuta campestris and nine as most likely C. pacifica. The germination rate of C. campestris seeds after gut passage was 55%. Structural changes caused by the gut passage in both species were similar to those caused by an acid scarification. Conclusions Endozoochory by waterbirds may explain the historical LDD cases in the evolution of Cuscuta. This also suggests that current border quarantine measures may be insufficient to stopping spreading of dodder pests along migratory flyways.

The genome size varies widely among angiosperms but only a few clades present huge variation at a low phylogenetic level. Among diploid species of the genus Cuscuta the genome size increased enormously in at least two independent lineages: in species of subgenus Monogynella and in at least one species (C. indecora) of the subgenus Grammica. Curiously, the independent events lead to similar karyotypes, with 2n = 30 mostly metacentric chromosomes. In this paper we compared the patterns of heterochromatic bands and rDNA sites of C. indecora and C. monogyna, aiming to evaluate the role of these repetitive fractions in these karyotypes. We found out that the large genomes of these species were incremented by a huge number of small heterochromatic CMA+ and DAPI+ bands and 5S and 35 rDNA sites, most of them clearly colocalized with CMA+ bands. Silver nitrate impregnation revealed that the maximum number of nucleoli per nucleus was low in both species, suggesting that some of these sites may be inactive. Noteworthy, the tandem repeats did not generate large bands or sites but rather dozens of small blocks dispersed throughout the chromosomes, apparently contributing to conserve the original karyotype symmetry.

POACEAE Paspalum almum Chase, 2n = 12; Argentina, Corrientes, H & D 1703 (MNES), H & D 1704 (MNES).Paspalum conspersum Schrad., 2n = 60; Argentina, Misiones, H & D 1119 (MNES), H & D 1143 (MNES).Paspalum equitans Mez, 2n = 20; Argentina, Misiones, H & D 1447 (MNES).Paspalum fasciculatum Wild. ex Flüggé, 2n = 20; Argentina, Formosa, R 307 (BAA).Paspalum glaucescens Hack., 2n = 40; Argentina, Misiones, H & D 109 (MNES).Paspalum ionanthum Chase, n = 20; Paraguay, Cordillera, H & D 1177 (MNES).Paspalum maculosum Trin., 2n = 20, 40; Argentina, Misiones, H & D 1445 (MNES).Paspalum malacophyllum Trin., 2n = 40; Argentina, Salta, H & D 1448 (MNES).Paspalum notatum var. saurae Parodi, 2n = 20; Argentina, Santa Fe, H & D 1453 (MNES).Paspalum notatum Flüggé var. notatum, 2n = 40; Argentina, Misiones, H 220 (CTES, MNES); Argentina, Santa Fe, H & D 1304 (MNES); Argentina, Misiones, H & D 1603 (MNES).Paspalum pauciciliatum (Parodi) Herter, 2n = 40; Argentina, Misiones, H & D 465 (CTES, MNES).Paspalum paucifolium Swallen, 2n = 40; Paraguay, Paraguarí, H & D 1294 (MNES).Paspalum quarinii Morrone & Zuloaga, 2n = 20; Argentina, Misiones, H & D 1190 (CTES, MNES, SI).Paspalum regnellii Mez, 2n = 40; Argentina, Misiones, H & D 1118 (MNES). Fil: Marhold, Karol. Academia de Ciencias; Eslovaquia Fil: Kurĕera, Jaromír. Academia de Ciencias; Eslovaquia Fil: Aguiar-Melo, Camila. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul; Brasil Fil: Almeida, Erton Mendonça de. Universidade Estadual da Paraiba; Brasil Fil: Alves, Lânia Isis Ferreira. Universidade Estadual da Paraiba; Brasil Fil: An'kova, Tatyana V.. Jardin botánico de Siberia Central; Rusia Fil: Bered, Fernanda. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul; Brasil Fil: Bonifácio, Kallyne. Universidade Estadual da Paraiba; Brasil Fil: Carvalho, Luana. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul; Brasil Fil: Chiarini, Franco Ezequiel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; Argentina Fil: Cordeiro, Joel M. P.. Universidade Estadual da Paraiba; Brasil Fil: Costea, Mihai. Wilfrid Laurier School Of Business; Canadá Fil: Daviña, Julio Rubén. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Posadas | Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Posadas; Argentina Fil: Ebel, Aleksandr L.. Tomsk State University; Rusia Fil: Souto, Allan Falconi. Universidad Federal do Abc; Brasil Fil: Felix, Cattleya M. P.. Universidade Estadual da Paraiba; Brasil Fil: Felix, Leonardo P.. Universidade Estadual da Paraiba; Brasil Fil: Fernandez, Aveliano. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Botánica del Nordeste. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Instituto de Botánica del Nordeste; Argentina Fil: García, Miguel Ángel. University of Toronto; Canadá. Royal Botanic Gardens; Reino Unido Fil: García Ruiz, Ignacio. Instituto Politécnico Nacional. Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados. Departamento de Física; México Fil: Gil, André dos Santos Bragança. Museu Paraense Emilio Goeldi; Brasil Fil: Guerra, Marcelo. Universidade Federal de Pernambuco; Brasil Fil: Hirsch, Luiza Domingues. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul; Brasil Fil: Honfi, Ana Isabel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Posadas | Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Posadas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Misiones; Argentina Fil: Kaltchuk Santos, Eliane. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul; Brasil Fil: Knapp, Sandra. Natural History Museum; Reino Unido Fil: Kumar, Rohit. Punjabi University; India Fil: Kumari, Vandna. Punjabi University; India Fil: Lovo, Juliana. Instituto Tecnológico Vale. Departamento de Bioinformatica y Genomica Ambiental.; Brasil Fil: Lucena, Reinaldo F. P.. Universidade Estadual da Paraiba; Brasil Fil: Medeiros Neto, Enoque. Universidade Estadual da Paraiba; Brasil Fil: Moraes, Ana Paula. Universidad Federal do Abc; Brasil Fil: Nascimento, Rodrigo Garcia Silva. Universidade Estadual da Paraiba; Brasil Fil: Neves, José Achilles Lima. Universidade Estadual da Paraiba; Brasil Fil: Nollet, Felipe. Universidad Federal Rural Pernambuco; Brasil Fil: Oliveira, Regina Célia de. Universidade do Brasília; Brasil Fil: Orejuela, Andrés. Royal Botanic Gardens; Reino Unido Fil: Pozzobon, Marisa Toniolo. Ministerio da Agricultura Pecuaria e Abastecimento de Brasil. Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuaria; Brasil Fil: Reutemann, Anna Verena. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Botánica del Nordeste. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Instituto de Botánica del Nordeste; Argentina Fil: Oliveira Ribeiro, André Rodolfo de. Universidade do Brasília; Brasil. Universidade Estadual do Ceará; Brasil Fil: Rua, Gabriel Hugo. Universidad de Buenos Aires; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Santos, Angeline M. S.. Universidade Estadual da Paraiba; Brasil Fil: Silva, Anádria Stéphanie da. Universidade do Brasília; Brasil Fil: Silva, Rosemere. Universidade Estadual da Paraiba; Brasil Fil: Silva, Ronimeire Torres da. Universidade Estadual da Paraiba; Brasil Fil: Singhal, Vijay Kumar. Punjabi University; India Fil: Souza Chies, Tatiana T.. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul; Brasil Fil: Stefanović, Saša. University of Toronto; Canadá Fil: Valls, José Francisco Montenegro. Ministerio da Agricultura Pecuaria e Abastecimento de Brasil. Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuaria; Brasil. Universidade do Brasília; Brasil Fil: Welker, Cassiano A. D.. Universidade Federal de Uberlandia; Brasil Fil: Zykova, Elena. Jardin botánico de Siberia Central; Rusia

The widely accepted “endozoochory syndrome” is assigned to angiosperm diaspores with a fleshy, attractive tissue and implies the existence of adaptations for protection against digestion during gut passage. This syndrome has led diaspore fleshiness to be emphasized as the exclusive indicator of endozoochory in much of the ecology and biogeography research. Crucially, however, endozoochory in nature is not limited to frugivory, and diaspores without “external flesh” are commonly dispersed, often over long distances, via birds and mammals by granivory. A key question is: are such diaspores somehow less prepared from an architectural point of view to survive gut passage than fleshy diaspores? To answer this question, we selected 11 European angiosperm taxa that fall outside the classical endozoochory syndrome yet are known to be dispersed via endozoochory. We studied their seed coat/pericarp morphology and anatomy both before and after gut passage through granivorous waterfowl, and determined their seed survival and germinability. We found no fundamental differences in the mechanical architecture of the seed coat and pericarp between these plants dispersed by granivory and others dispersed by frugivory. Neither diaspore traits per se, nor dormancy type, were strong predictors of diaspore survival or degree of damage during gut passage through granivores, or of the influence of gut passage on germinability. Among our 11 taxa, survival of gut passage is enabled by the thick cuticle of the exotesta or epicarp; one or several lignified cell layers; and diverse combinations of other architectural elements. These protection structures are ubiquitous in angiosperms, and likely to have evolved in gymnosperms. Hence, many angiosperm diaspores, dry or fleshy, may be pre-adapted to endozoochory, but with differing degrees of specialization and adaptation to dispersal mechanisms such as frugivory and granivory. Our findings underline the broad ecological importance of “non-classical endozoochory” of diaspores that lack “external flesh”.

Seedlings of parasitic Cuscuta species are autotrophic but can survive only a short period of time, during which they must locate and attach to a suitable host. They have an ephemeral root-like organ considered not a "true" root by most studies. In the present study, two species with contrasting ecology were examined: Cuscuta gronovii, a North American riparian species, and Cuscuta campestris, an invasive dodder that thrives in disturbed habitats. The morphology, structure, and absorptive capability of their root-like organ were compared, their potential for colonization by two species of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) was assessed, and the effect of the AMF on seedling growth and survival was determined. The root of both species absorbed water and interacted with AMF, but the two species exhibited dissimilar growth and survival patterns depending on the colonization level of their seedlings. The extensively colonized seedlings of C. gronovii grew more and survived longer than non-colonized seedlings. In contrast, the scarce colonization of C. campestris seedlings did not increase their growth or longevity. The differential growth responses of the AMF-colonized and non-colonized Cuscuta species suggest a mycorrhizal relationship and reflect their ecology. While C. gronovii roots have retained a higher ability to interact with AMF and are likely to take advantage of fungal communities in riparian habitats, the invasive C. campestris has largely lost this ability possibly as an adaptation to disturbed ecosystems. These results indicate that dodders have a true root, even if much reduced and ephemeral, that can interact with AMF.

Cuscuta includes ca. 200 species of functionally holoparasitic plants grouped in four subgenera: Monogynella, Cuscuta, Pachystigma, and Grammica. Multicellular structures with stomata in Cuscuta are represented by extrafloral nectaries (ENs), reported from the stems of one Monogynella species, and stomatiferous protuberances (SPs), which are non-secretory. These latter structures had been noted on the stems of three Grammica species more than a century ago but entirely forgotten until recently when similar, non-secretory SPs were reported on the flowers of several new Grammica species. Here we study for the first time: (1) the extent of occurrence, diversity and evolution of secretory (ENs) and non-secretory (SPs) multicellular structures in Cuscuta, and (2) the function of SPs. We undertook a character evolution study of ENs and SPs on the stems and flowers of 136 Cuscuta taxa, and examined the structure/ultrastructure of SPs. ENs are inferred as primitive and characterize subg. Monogynella. SPs are derived in the remaining subgenera; they are ubiquitous on the flowers of Cuscuta and Pachystigma, but absent on their stems. Subgenus Grammica species develop two functional types of stems during their life cycle: vegetative, exploratory stems with very low stomatal densities (and no SPs), and reproductive, haustorial stems with numerous SPs. Moreover, 24 species from nine clades of subg. Grammica have evolved morphologically diverse floral SPs with systematic significance. To preliminarily ascertain SP function, we determined in the field the water uptake of Tithonia tubiformis plants parasitized or not by Cuscuta costaricensis, a species with both stem and floral SPs, and the stomatal conductance of dodder stems and flowers, as well as host leaves. Water uptake of parasitized hosts was significantly higher compared to non-parasitized plants, even after host leaves were removed, both during the day and night. The increased water uptake of parasitized hosts and stomatal conductance values suggest a transpiration role for the SPs, which is also confirmed by their lacunar structure. Grammica species with floral SPs grow in arid areas or characterized by a pronounced dry season during flowering/fruiting, which suggests that SPs may have evolved to stimulate the host water uptake during these phenophases.

Cuscuta tinctoria clade, the second largest infrageneric group of subgenus Grammica, includes 14 species that are centered in Mexico and adjacent regions, but also two species that are found in Australia, presumably as a result of long-distance dispersal. Flowers, pollen, and stigmas are among the largest in Cuscuta, with plants being xenogamous or facultatively xenogamous. In this clade, the convergent evolution of morphological traits, especially those associated with the calyx and gynoecium/ capsule, has obscured the identity of some species and has hindered previous efforts to determine their limits. Basic morphology, scanning electron microscopy and sequence data from the nuclear internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and the plastid trnL-F region were used to reconstruct the phylogeny, gain a better understanding of the evolutionary history, and determine species boundaries. Overall, species were grouped in five subclades, Based on their morphological and molecular similarity, C. tinctoria, C. a...