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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]

This research aimed to evaluate growth responses of three globular cacti species: Astrophytum asterias (Zucc.) Lem., Gymnocalycium anisitsii subsp. multiproliferum (P.J. Braun) P.J. Braun & Esteves e Frailea grahliana (F. Haage) Britton & Rosee cultivated in four organic substrates. The species were chosen based in their comercial value and availability of acquisition. The experimental design used was completely randomized, with 15 individuals of each species per treatment, as follows: SUB 1 (brazilian nut crushed seed coat), SUB 2 (cupuaçu fruit chushed bark), SUB 3 (brazilian nut crushed fruit bark) and SUB 4 (mixed tree barks chushed). Chemical anlysis of each material revealed importante diferences in pH values. The brazilian nut crushed seed coat provided the best results in height and diameter incremente for all species tested, being the most suitable material for use, both pure or added to Other materials in media composition recipes. Considering the physical properties and nutritional contentes, all materials have potential to be used as media to the tested species, however, it is recommended to use the cupuaçu bark and the mixed tree barks with Other componentes so that the pH can be balanced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The taxonomic identification of species through analysis of the variation of orthologous DNA sequences, complement the information obtained with morphological characters. Cytogenetic studies indicate that polyploid taxa occur in the subfamily Opuntioideae, Opuntia ficus-indica, contributing to morphological variability in the individuals of a population, and influencing the correct identification of species. However, the lengths of the sequences in Opuntioideae are affected by the extraction of pure DNA. Different extraction methods were evaluated and modified, and a procedure was established to obtain good quality DNA, free of inhibitors for gene amplification by polymerase chain reaction. The ratio A260/A280 and A260/A230 ranged from 1.6 to 2.1, revealing absence of contamination with the modified protocol for DNA extraction from cotton leaves. This method is inexpensive compared to those of commercial manufacturers and, therefore, can be applied in studies with limited resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The endemic and threatened species Echinocactus parryi, native to the municipality of Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico, presents important limitations for its reproduction and natural propagation. It is hypothesized that initial seed weight and scarification would affect the percentage of seed germination of this species. The objective was to compare the effect of initial seed weight (two levels) and scarification treatments (four levels) on in vitro germination of E. parryi. The morphology of seedlings grown for 12 months was also described. Four hundred seeds were divided into two groups of 200 seeds each: first group, seeds of 35 to 45 mg; and second group, seeds of 46 to 55 mg. The scarification treatments were a control (intact seeds), mechanical scarification, application of 25 % sulfuric acid and Murashige and Skoog growing medium added with 2 mg L-1 of gibberellic acid. Fifty seeds per treatment were placed for each weight group. Treatments were distributed in a completely randomized experiment with factorial arrangement. Data were subjected to analysis of variance and means were compared by Tukey's test (p = 0.05). Results showed significance in the interaction of seed weight and mechanical scarification treatment by obtaining 93.2±3.6 % germination in seeds of 35 to 45 mg and 96.0±3.3 % in seeds of 46 to 55 mg at 30 d of in vitro culture. The morphological description of the seedlings provided information on the development of E. parryi in juvenile stages, which differs from the adult stage. Results on germination and the morphological description of the seedlings represent an important advance for propagation and conservation purposes. To our knowledge, this is the first report on scarification treatment in seeds of different weights and the influence on germination, that also recorded the seedling morphology of E. parryi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the influence of the plant part (peel and pulp) on the phenolic compounds, antioxidant activities, and principal component analysis (PCA) of five cactus fruits from the Caatinga, an exclusively Brazilian biome. All species evaluated presented a high total phenolic content (TPC), mainly in their peels. The antioxidant potentials were measured using in vitro assays (2–2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazil radical (DPPH·), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and β-carotene-linoleic acid assay). The results showed significant differences among the species and among the fruit parts. Pilosocereus gounellei species peel showed the best antioxidant activity both for DPPH and FRAP. However, moderate inhibiting action was found for β-carotene-linoleic acid assay. The species were characterized by the predominance of benzoic acid derivatives bearing a phenol group (salicylic, hydroxybenzoic, and protocatechuic acids), as well as flavonoids (catechin, myricetin and quercetin). Using PCA, it was possible to group the extracts of the cactus peels and pulps to evaluate the relationships between the samples. In most of the cases, the peel represented the main source of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity. Therefore, the peel of the cacti can be an important by-product for the extraction of antioxidants for industrial purposes. [Display omitted] • Pilosocereus gounellei is an excellent source of natural antioxidants. • The phenolic profile of the fruits of five species of cacti have been described. • The phenol acids and flavonoids are predominant in cacti species. • The peels of cacti species contained highest antioxidant activities. • The phytochemicals of Cactaceae fruit were chemometrically determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A neotype for the name Echinocactus fossulatus is here designated and the first record of Thelocactus hexaedrophorus, an endemic species to Mexico, for Aguascalientes is reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Opuntia spp. (Cactaceae) were used as food resources, folk medicine for centuries for its valuable nutritional properties and health benefits in some diseases, specifically diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to investigate the impact of environmental factors on the qualitative and quantitative nutritional composition of the plant. Physical and chemical soil analyses were performed using Particle Size Analysis, Inductively Coupled Argon Plasma, Flame Photometer and titration methods. The quantitative nutritional assessments for each cladode and fruit were performed using standard Association of Official Analytical Chemists methods. While determinations of amino acids, lipids, sugars have been studied using Amino Acid Analyzer, GC\MS and TLC; respectively. Seasonal variations in ash, crude fiber, carbohydrate, nitrogen, protein and lipid were observed to adapt the changes in climate. Cladodes and fruits contained 17 and 16 protein amino acids, respectively; the major was glutamic acid in both. The GC-MS chromatogram of the petroleum ether extract of the cladode showed the existence of 26 compounds dominated by Undecan and 34 compounds in fruit dominated by linoleic acid. Meanwhile, the TLC sugar profile revealed the presence of 8 free and 6 combined sugars in cladode, 9 free and 5 combined sugars in fruit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During field work carried out in northeastern Algeria between 2016 and 2021, a population of Austrocylindropuntia cylindrica (Lam.) Backeb. was discovered, a casual species not reported before from Algeria. We also report, for the first time, further data on the naturalization of Austrocylindropuntia subulata (Muehlenpf.) Backeb. in Algeria, a species already reported by the first author in 2019. We present a map of the current distribution of the two species in Algeria, field photographs, as well as information concerning their habitat and their biological characteristics, in particular their mode of reproduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natriuretic plant peptides (PNPs) are biomolecules with hormonal function that lead to homeostasis of solutes and water in plant cells and are involved in the opening and closing of stomata. In this study, an Opuntia ficus-indica PNP gene was identified and was characterized. It was called OfPNPA and its sequence was deposited in the NCBI database with the accession number KF649980. OfPNPA gene has a similarity greater than 90% with other PNPs sequences. The amino acid sequence obtained by virtual translation presented a double-psi β barrel structural domain (DPBB), two conserved cysteines and the KVVD and LSRDAFRVI motifs. The phylogenetic analysis showed two branches, in one was grouped OfPNPA with other PNPs and with endoglucanases, and in the other branch with expansins proteins. Opuntia ficus-indica has only one copy of PNP gene. In situ hybridization analysis revealed that PNP gene is expressed in stomatal guard cells. The Real-Time quantitative reverse transcriptional PCR analysis showed that PNP gene expression from ex-vitro grown plants was maximum when the analyzed samples were taken in the dark, while it was minimum in the samples taken during the day. The expression pattern changed in plants grown in vitro. However, in both cases the PNP expression was higher when stomata must be open. In addition, the immunolocation technique revealed the presence of PNPs receptors in O. ficus-indica stomata cells. This is the first report of PNPs in cacti and contribute to understand the role of PNPs in stomatal opening related to acid metabolism of crassulaceae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The use of environmental variables to explain the evolution of lineages has gained relevance in recent studies. Additionally, it has allowed the recognition of species by adding more characters to morphological and molecular information. This study focuses on identifying environmental and landscape variables that have acted as barriers that could have influenced the evolution of Epithelantha species and its close genera. Our results show that soil pH, isothermality, temperature seasonality, and annual precipitation have a significant phylogenetic signal for Epithelantha. Soil type and landforms are also relevant as ecological barriers that maintain the identity of Epithelantha species. The variables associated with the soil (pH) have influenced the evolution of Epithelantha and probably in other genera of Cactaceae. Additionally, Epithelantha is frequent in the piedmont and haplic kastanozems. Bioclimatic variables reinforce the recognition of E. micromeris, and E. cryptica as independent species. Therefore, ecology can be considered as a factor to explain the high level of endemism in Cactaceae.

Cactus is a highly resistant crop, and offers benefits in its mucilage for the industry due to its physicochemical properties. This study aimed to analyze the effect of irrigation managements, harvest time, cladode size and citric acid addition during the processing on the agro-industrial yield and physicochemical properties of mucilage extracted from cladodes of Nopalea cochenillifera Miúda clone cultivated under rainfed and irrigated conditions. The yield, soluble solids content, titratable acidity, pH, K+ and Na+ contents, and the electrical conductivity were measured in the mucilage. The management practices in the field resulted in changes in the studied phytochemicals. For the rainfed cultivation, the night harvest of the biggest cladodes increased the K+and soluble solids contents. The addition of citric acid to the mucilage extraction resulted in higher amounts of soluble solids, titratable acidity and electrical conductivity and lower pH values. The highest water availability promoted higher mucilage yields.

In Mexico, plants with crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) are part of the Mexican culture, have different uses and are even emblematic. Unfortunately, only a small fraction of the Mexican CAM plants has been studied physiologically. For this review, the following questions were considered: What ecophysiological studies have been conducted with CAM species native to Mexico? What ecophysiological processes in Mexican CAM plants are the most studied? What type of ecophysiological studies with CAM plants are still needed? A database of scientific studies on CAM plant species from Mexico was documented, including field and laboratory works for species widely distributed, and those studies made outside Mexico with Mexican species. Physiological processes were grouped as germination, photosynthesis, and water relations. Most studies were done for CAM species of Cactaceae, Bromeliaceae, Asparagaceae and Orchidaceae, andmost ecophysiological studies have been done on germination of cacti. Field and laboratory studies on photosynthesis and water relations were mostly for terrestrial cacti and epiphytic bromeliads. There were few physiological studies with CAM seedlings in Mexico and few studies using stable isotopes of water and carbon of CAM plants in the field. More field and laboratory studies of physiological responses and plasticity of CAM plants to multiple stress factors are required to model plant responses to global climate change. In general, more physiological studies are essential for all CAM species and for species of the genus Clusia, with C3-CAM and CAM members, which can become ecologically important under some climate change scenarios.

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.

Nopal is a cactus plant widely consumed in Mexico that has been used in traditional medicine to aid in the treatment of type-2 diabetes. We previously showed that chronic consumption of dehydrated nopal ameliorated hepatic steatosis in obese (fa/fa) rats; however, description of the effects on other tissues is sparse. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of nopal cladode consumption on intestinal physiology, microbial community structure, adipose tissue, and serum biochemistry in diet-induced obese rats. Rats were fed either a normal fat (NF) diet or a HF diet containing 4% of dietary fiber from either nopal or cellulose for 6 weeks. Consumption of nopal counteracted HF-induced adiposity and adipocyte hypertrophy, and induced profound changes in intestinal physiology. Nopal consumption reduced biomarkers of intestinal inflammation (mRNA expression of IL-6) and oxidative stress (ROS), modfied gut microbiota composition, increasing microbial diversity and cecal fermentation (SCFA), and altered the serum metabolome. Interestingly, metabolomic analysis of dehydrated nopal revealed a high choline content, which appeared to generate high levels of serum betaine, that correlated negatively with hepatic triglyceride (TAG) levels. A parallel decrease in some of the taxa associated with the production of trimethylamine, suggest an increase in choline absorption and bioavailability with transformation to betaine. The latter may partially explain the previously observed effect of nopal on the development of hepatic steatosis. In conclusion, this study provides new evidence on the effects of nopal consumption on normal and HF-diet induced changes in the intestine, the liver and systemic metabolism.

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]

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]

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]

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]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the nycterohemeral patterns of ingestive behavior at 24, 48, and 72 h (Trial I) of sheep fed different roughages and the palatability index (Trial II) for sheep and goats fed different roughages used in a semiarid region. In the study, five sources of roughage were evaluated, namely: (1) Nopalea cochenillifera (L.) Salm-Dyck cladodes + urea + sugarcane bagasse (NUB); (2) Opuntia stricta (Haw.) Haw cladodes + urea + sugarcane bagasse (OUB); (3) Tifton hay; (4) corn silage; and (5) sorghum silage. Five Soinga sheep were used and arranged in a 5 × 5 Latin square design in Trial I. Six female Santa Ines sheep and six female Saanen goats were used to study the preferences for different roughages in Trial II, and three tests were carried out to determine the palatability index, comparing two roughage types at a time: test 1 — corn silage versus Nopalea cladodes + urea + sugarcane bagasse (NUB); test 2 — corn silage versus Opuntia cladodes + urea + sugarcane bagasse (OUB); and test 3 — NUB versus OUB. The highest dry matter (DM) intake was for diets composed by NUB. Feeding time (min/d) was higher for sorghum silage (291 min d−1), while rumination time was higher (P < 0.05) for corn silage (604.0 min d−1), sorghum silage (561.7 min d−1), and Tifton hay (529.7 min d−1). No difference (P > 0.05) was observed for feeding, rumination, and idleness time between species (sheep and goats), and there was no roughage × species interaction (P > 0.05). The palatability indexes were 76 and 77% (tests 1 and 2) for NUB and OUB, respectively. Sheep fed with roughage containing cactus cladodes associated with urea and sugarcane bagasse spent less time on ingestion and rumination activities. The ingestive behavior can be evaluated in a period of 48 h, using instantaneous scanning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Protected areas are one of the main strategies of biodiversity conservation. However, if these areas do not coincide spatially with priority areas for conservation, they may not fully achieve their objective. Cactaceae is one of the most frequent plant families in the drylands of the neotropical region, but also one of the most threatened. Our objective was to understand whether the protected areas in the Brazilian semiarid region (Caatinga) include hotspots of the Cactaceae family. For this, we used distribution models of 81 species to calculate the corrected weighted endemism index (CWEI) and compared it with the size and location of 160 protected areas that currently exist in the region. Our results show that 4.7% of the area with the highest CWEI occur within protected areas, especially in those with fully protected status (the highest protection level according to Brazilian legislation, which is equivalent to IUCN categories I to III). However, 99.3% (75,758 km²) of the summed protected areas have a low or very low CWEI, and only 0.7% (532 km²) have a high or very high CWEI. These results suggest the importance of reassessing priority areas for in situ conservation of Cactaceae in the Caatinga region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Tephrocactus is a genus of Cactaceae belonging to the Opuntioideae subfamily, with most of its species endemic to Argentina. It comprises bushes with lax branches formed by globose joints, which are often fragile and detach generating new plants. Clonal reproduction is associated with the occurrence of high ploidy levels in the genus. The aim of this work was to compare morpho-anatomical traits of the epidermis and underlying tissues of Tephrocactus taxa with different ploidy levels (2n = 22, 44, 77, 88, 242 and 319) and to evaluate them in a phylogenetic context. M&M: The epidermis and underlying tissues of specimens were studied by means of classical histological techniques. The morpho-anatomical variables were statistically compared and mapped on the phylogeny of the genus. Results: The stomatal frequency, the frequency of ordinary epidermal cells, the stomatal index, and the stomata length were determined and the underlying tissues (hypodermis) were analyzed with special reference to the shape, frequency and arrangement of druses. All the variables studied showed statistically significant differences among taxa. A positive relationship was found between ploidy levels and size of all types of epidermal cells and druses. Conclusions: The common ancestor of the group would have small stomata, an intermediate frequency of ordinary epidermal cells, and druses in their hypodermis. The characteristics of the epidermis and underlying tissues correlate with the level of ploidy in the Tephrocactus taxa studied. [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]

Main conclusion: The plastome of Melocactus glaucescens shows unique rearrangements, IR expansion, and unprecedented gene losses in Cactaceae. Our data indicate tRNA import from the cytosol to the plastids in this species. Cactaceae represents one of the richest families in keystone species of arid and semiarid biomes. This family shows various specific features comprehending morphology, anatomy, and metabolism, which allow them to grow under unfavorable environmental conditions. The subfamily Cactoideae contains the most divergence of species, which are highly variable in growth habit and morphology. This subfamily includes the endangered species Melocactus glaucescens (tribe Cereeae), which is a cactus endemic to the biome Caatinga in Brazil. Aiming to analyze the plastid evolution and develop molecular markers, we sequenced and analyzed in detail the plastome of M. glaucescens. Our analyses revealed that the M. glaucescens plastome is the most divergent among the species of the family Cactaceae sequenced so far. We characterized here unique rearrangements, expanded IRs containing an unusual set of genes, and several gene losses. Some genes related to the ndh complex were lost during the plastome evolution, while others have lost their functionality. Additionally, the loss of three tRNA genes (trnA-UGC, trnV-UAC, and trnV-GAC) suggests tRNA import from the cytosol to the plastids in M. glaucescens. Moreover, we identified high gene divergence, several putative positive signatures, and possible unique RNA-editing sites. Furthermore, we mapped 169 SSRs in the plastome of M. glaucescens, which are helpful to access the genetic diversity of natural populations and conservation strategies. Finally, our data provide new insights into the evolution of plastids in Cactaceae, which is an outstanding lineage adapted to extreme environmental conditions and a notorious example of the atypical evolution of plastomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change modifies geographic ranges, phenology, and biological interactions—key components of species ecological niche. Alterations in distribution ranges could decrease the size of the populations and thus threaten the persistence of the species. Here, we seek to test the Eltonian Noise Hypotheses (ENH), which states that biotic interactions do not affect species distribution at large geographical scales, using Tacinga palmadora (Cactaceae), an endemic species to the Caatinga dry forest in Brazil, as the case study. We first modeled the current distribution of T. palmadora and its pollinators, the hummingbird Chlorostilbon lucidus and the stingless bee Trigona spinipes, separately using only climatic variables. Then, we modeled T. palmadora current distribution using C. lucidus and T. spinipes distributions as input layers alongside the climatic variables. Afterwards, we projected the model to the future to predict climatic conditions for the year 2070 (average for 2061–2080), using optimistic (RCP4.5) and pessimistic (RCP8.5) greenhouse gas emission scenarios. We analyzed model performance and determined habitat suitability of the species for all models. In general, biotic interactions did not increase model performance and the best-supported models were the ones considering climatic variables only. We found that T. palmadora suitable habitats are most likely to be reduced by climate change. In this sense, our results supported the ENH and showed that T. palmadora may lose a part of its climatic envelope, already restricted by its endemism, generating negative cascade effects on the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Pitaya (Hylocereus undatus and H. costaricensis) is found in the group of exotic fruits and its cultivation in Brazil is expanding, especially in the semi-arid region of the Northeast. In this region, the problems of water quantity and quality usually cause environmental stresses which limit the survival of plants, especially during germination and seedling establishment. Thus, the objective was to evaluate the mitigating action of pre-germination treatments in pitaya seeds under salt stress. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design, in a 2 × 6 factorial scheme, corresponding to two species of pitaya (H. undatus and H. costaricensis) and six pre-germination treatments (T1 = 0.0 MPa (control); T2 = salt stress (-0.4 MPa); T3 = hydropriming + salt stress; T4 = gibberellic acid + salt stress; T5 = salicylic acid + salt stress; T6 = thiamethoxam + salt stress). After 20 days of sowing, germination, germination speed index, shoot length, primary root length, total dry mass, total soluble sugars and total free amino acids were analyzed. H. costaricensis was more tolerant to salinity than H. undatus. Salicylic acid stimulated the germination and growth of H. undatus, besides increasing the soluble sugar content in H. costaricensis. Seed hydropriming attenuated salt stress during germination of H. undatus and favored dry mass gain. Gibberellic acid stimulated the germination of H. undatus and the growth of H. undatus and H. costaricensis seedlings, in addition to increasing the levels of soluble sugars in H. undatus.

Abstract Red pitaya (Hylocereus costaricensis) is a promising species, with high cultivation potential due to the organoleptic and functional qualities of its fruits. However, irrigation water salinity can affect the crop yield. Therefore, materials rich in organic substances can minimize the damage caused by excess salts in soil and/or water. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of organic matter sources as attenuators of salt stress on the production and biochemical responses of red pitaya seedlings. A completely randomized design in 4 × 5 factorial scheme, with five sources of organic matter (humus, sheep manure, biofertilizer, organic compost and sand + soil) and four salinities (0.6, 2.6, 4.6 and 6.6 dS m-1) with four replicates and two plants per plot was used. The shoot length, root length, cladode diameter, number of cladodes, number of sprotus, root volume, shoot dry mass, root dry mass and total dry mass, root and shoot dry mass ratio, chlorophyll a, b and total, amino acids and soluble sugars were evaluated at 120 days after the treatments began to be applied. Red pitaya is moderately tolerant to salinity (ECw from 4.0 to 6.0 dS m-1). Organic compost and sheep manure attenuate the harmful effects of salinity on red pitaya seedlings. Under salt stress conditions, red pitaya plants increase their levels of proline, amino acids and total sugars.

Aim of study: The objective of this study was to evaluate the intake, digestibility, performance, carcass yield, and meat quality parameters in Santa Inês lambs fed cactus pear and bean meal. Area of study: NW Brazil Material and methods: 32 intact Santa Inês male lambs were distributed in a completely randomized design with 4 treatments (diets): control diet (concentrated feed containing corn and soybean meal as energy and protein ingredients); diet containing bean meal as a protein source; diet containing cactus pear as an energy source and; diet containing bean meal and/or cactus pear), using 8 animals per treatment. At the end of the experimental period, lambs were slaughtered with an average body weight of 32.78 kg. Main results: Animal fed cactus pear and bean meal/cactus pear had a higher intake and digestibility for non-fibrous carbohydrates (p0.05). Bean meal can be used as a source of protein concentrate in combination with cactus pear promoting a reduction in the use of corn and soybean in diets for small ruminants. The use of cactus pear in the diets promoted a water supply to the animals. Research highlights: Diets containing cactus pear and bean meal/cactus pear provided higher non-fibrous carbohydrates intake.

El autor describe dos especies del género Opuntia: O. colubrina Castell. nov. sp. y O. salagria Castell. nov. sp. Además hace el sinónimo O. ruiz-lealii Castell. = O. clavarioides Link et Otto.

En el subgénero Tephrocactus del género Opuntia (Cactaceae), el autor cambia el rango jerárquico de las cuatro series de Britton y Rose: Weberianae, Floccosae, Glomeratae y Pentlandiae, así como muchas otras secciones, y funda una nueva a la que denomina Punae, a la que pertenece O. subterranea Fries y O. ruiz-lealii Castell. n. sp. descritas en este trabajo.

In this work the author comments in detail on the original publication of Echinocactus Link et Otto and Malacocarpus Salm-Dyck. It is shown that the genus Echinocactus, as originally conceived by Link et Otto, is a confusing group that includes unrelated North and South American species. The determination of the type of Echinocactus is presented and the criterion of Schumann and Britton and Rose is preserved, in order not to disturb the existing nomenclature. As a result of this, Echinocactus is excluded from the flora of South America. Echinocactus platyacanthus Link et Otto, considered by Britton and Rose as a lectotype of Echinocactus and admitted by them as a doubtful species, becomes a synonym of E. latispina (Haw.) Hemel., and as a result of this identification Ferocactus Britt. et Rose passes to the synonymy of Echinocactus. Contrary to Index Kewensis, it is denied that Berger ever published Notocactus as a genus.

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.

In this era of a global biodiversity crisis, vascular plants are facing unprecedented extinction rates. We conducted an assessment of the extinction risk of 32 species and 7 subspecies of Copiapoa, a genus endemic to Chile's fog-dependent coastal Atacama Desert. We applied the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List Categories and Criteria enhanced by expert insights and knowledge. Our primary aim was to analyze the impact of trade and poaching on their extinction risk. We employed machine learning models, including multinomial logistic regression (MLR), decision tree (DT), and random forest (RF), to analyze the relationships between conservation status and various factors. These factors encompassed trade and poaching activities, landscape condition, human footprint, monthly cloud frequency, and biological traits such as evolutionary distinctiveness and maximum diameter. Seven taxa had an area of occupancy (AOO) of <10 km 2 , 10 additional taxa had an AOO of <20 km 2 , and 16 taxa had an AOO of ≤100 km 2 . This reassessment exposed a critical level of extinction risk for the genus; 92% of the taxa were classified as threatened, 41% as critically endangered, 41% as endangered, and 10% as vulnerable. MLR, DT, and RF exhibited accuracies of 0.784, 0.730, and 0.598, respectively, and identified trade and poaching pressure and landscape condition as the primary drivers of extinction risk. Our assessment of Copiapoa showed trade, poaching, habitat degradation, and their synergic impacts as the main drivers of the genus' extinction risk. Our results highlight the urgent need for nations to develop and enforce strategies to monitor and control trade and poaching pressure because these factors are crucial for the long-term persistence of desert plants., (© 2024 The Author(s). Conservation Biology published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society for Conservation Biology.)

Cactaceae represents one of the most species-rich families of succulent plants native to arid and semi-arid ecosystems, yet the associations Cacti establish with microorganisms and the rules governing microbial community assembly remain poorly understood. We analyzed the composition, diversity, and factors influencing above- and below-ground bacterial, archaeal, and fungal communities associated with two native and sympatric Cacti species: Myrtillocactus geometrizans and Opuntia robusta. Phylogenetic profiling showed that the composition and assembly of microbial communities associated with Cacti were primarily influenced by the plant compartment; plant species, site, and season played only a minor role. Remarkably, bacterial, and archaeal diversity was higher in the phyllosphere than in the rhizosphere of Cacti, while the opposite was true for fungi. Semi-arid soils exhibited the highest levels of microbial diversity whereas the stem endosphere the lowest. Despite their taxonomic distance, M. geometrizans and O. robusta shared most microbial taxa in all analyzed compartments. Influence of the plant host did only play a larger role in the fungal communities of the stem endosphere. These results suggest that fungi establish specific interactions with their host plant inside the stem, whereas microbial communities in the other plant compartments may play similar functional roles in these two species. Biochemical and molecular characterization of seed-borne bacteria of Cacti supports the idea that these microbial symbionts may be vertically inherited and could promote plant growth and drought tolerance for the fitness of the Cacti holobiont. We envision this knowledge will help improve and sustain agriculture in arid and semi-arid regions of the world.

Introducción y objetivos: Tephrocactus es un género de Cactaceae perteneciente a la subfamilia Opuntioideae, con la mayoría de las especies endémicas de Argentina. Comprende matas con ramas laxas, formadas por artejos globosos, que muchas veces se desprenden fácilmente y generan nuevas plantas. La reproducción clonal está asociada a la ocurrencia de altos niveles de ploidía en el género. El objetivo de este trabajo fue comparar caracteres morfo-anatómicos de la epidermis y tejidos subyacentes de taxones de Tephrocactus con distintos niveles de ploidía (2n = 22, 44, 77, 88, 242 y 319) y evaluar dichos caracteres en un contexto filogenético. M&M: Se estudiaron la epidermis y tejidos subyacentes de taxones de Tephrocactus mediante el uso de técnicas histológicas clásicas. Se compararon estadísticamente las variables morfo-anatómicas y se mapearon en la filogenia del género. Resultados: Se determinaron la frecuencia estomática, la frecuencia de células epidérmicas propiamente dichas, el índice estomático, la longitud de los estomas y se analizaron los tejidos subyacentes con especial referencia a la forma, frecuencia y disposición de drusas. Todas las variables estudiadas mostraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los taxones. Se observó una relación positiva entre niveles de ploidía y tamaño de todos los tipos de células epidérmicas y de las drusas. Conclusiones: El ancestro común del grupo tendría estomas pequeños, una frecuencia de células epidérmicas propiamente dichas intermedia y drusas en su hipodermis. Las características de la epidermis y tejidos subyacentes se correlacionan con el nivel de ploidía en los taxones de Tephrocactus estudiados.

Objective. The objective was to evaluate the effect of rainfall variability on the chemical composition, in vitro degradability and gas production of cacti in Semiarid region. Materials and methods. A completely randomized experimental design in a factorial arrangement of 2 rainfall periods (high and low rainfall) x 5 cactus species, with 5 replications was adopted. Cacti evaluated were Pilosocereus gounellei (Weber ex K. Schum). Bly ex Rowl, Cereus jamacaru DC., Opuntia ficus indica Mill, Nopalea cochenillifera Salm. Dyck and Opuntia stricta (Haw.) Haw, all fresh. Results. There was an interaction between rainfall variation and cactus species for dry matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber (p

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]

Cactaceae is one of the most threatened plant families, in part as a result of the illegal extraction of plants for ornamental use. However, reports of the seizure and reintroduction of cacti are scarce and do not include species of Melocactus, the genus of Cactaceae in Brazil that has the highest number of threatened species. The coroa-de-frade Melocactus violaceus is endemic to Brazil and categorized as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. We report the seizure of 37 individuals of coroa-de-frade extracted illegally from their natural habitat, the results of their reintroduction to Paulo César Vinha State Park, in Espírito Santo state, Brazil, and provide information for environmental monitoring agencies regarding how to proceed in seizure cases, with the goal of minimizing the impacts of this illegal practice on the species. After seizure, 25 individuals were cultivated in a greenhouse and 12 were reintroduced in restinga, the natural area of occurrence of the species. After 6 months, survival was 76% for those individuals cultivated in the greenhouse and 84% for those planted in restinga, showing that rapid reintroduction of species with ornamental appeal, preferentially in their natural habitat, can reduce the impacts of illegal extraction. This reintroduction protocol can be used by managers of conservation units, contributing to the maintenance of threatened cactus species in their natural habitat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Opuntia species from arid and semiarid environments have dormant seeds. The objective of this study was to evaluate how the soil influences seed germination of the cactus O. dejecta. We hypothesized that O. dejecta seeds in the basaltic rocky soil will show lower seed germination than seeds in a site with alluvial soil from the coastal plain. An experiment of partial reciprocal transplant was performed, placing seeds from basaltic soil (San Ignacio population) in pots containing alluvial soil from Puente Nacional population and in slabs from basaltic soil, and placing them on two greenhouses, in San Ignacio population and Puente Nacional population. We found that seed germination (%) was lower in San Ignacio site (with basaltic soil) than in Puente Nacional site (with alluvial soil), and that alluvial soil showed higher seed germination than basaltic soil, as well as higher seed germination in Puente Nacional than in San Ignacio. The results suggest that seed dormancy for the population situated in the rocky condition is a trait locally adapted, and the basaltic soil can be considered as a selection factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ariocarpus retusus is an endemic species of Mexico subject to special protection by the Mexican government due to its vulnerability to habitat disturbance. Previous studies have reported secondary metabolites in A. retusus with interesting biological activity. However, the use of these secondary metabolites has limitations. The aim of this study was to establish protocols for obtaining friable callus and cell suspension cultures that allow the subsequent development of strategies for obtaining secondary metabolites. Seedlings were obtained from seeds which were exposed to different concentrations of auxins and cytokinins to induce callogenesis. The callus generated was subcultured in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with modifications in the content of ammonium nitrate and potassium nitrate, and incubated in different photoperiod conditions (16:8 h light: dark and continuous darkness). Likewise, cell suspensions were established and characterized by friable callus. The MS medium supplemented with 2 mg L-1 of 2,4-D, 2 mg L-1 of BAP, and 3 mg L-1 of KIN allowed the development of vigorous callus. Callus friability was enhanced by decreasing ammonium nitrate (410 mg L-1) and increasing potassium nitrate (2850 mg L-1). The absence of light during incubation induced friable callus. The addition of myo-inositol (3 mg L-1) significantly (p = 0.000) influenced the increase in biomass of cell suspensions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acta Scientiarum Polonorum. Agricultura is the property of University of Technology & Life Sciences 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.)

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]

Copyright of Revista Colombiana de Ciencia Animal - RECIA is the property of Revista Colombiana de Ciencia Animal - RECIA 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 Agricultural Research in the Tropics / Pesquisa Agropecuária Tropical is the property of Pesquisa Agropecuaria Tropical 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.)

Hybridization plays a fundamental role in plant evolution and diversification, promoting gene flow, morphological novelties, and plant speciation. Here, we integrated fieldwork, collections-based research, morphological observations, molecular systematics, and cytogenetic data to investigate the identity of a previously unidentified taxon of Opuntia (the prickly pear cacti) observed in the north-east region of Argentina, southern South America. Our analyses revealed a cytonuclear phylogenetic discordance among nuclear and plastid genomes, as well as a polyploid nature of the studied taxon. Combining our molecular phylogenetic and cytogenetic analyses with morphological observations, we suggest that hybridization events between the native Opuntia rioplatensis and the North American introduced species, O. ficus-indica, likely produced the taxon here described as O. × cristalensis. Opuntia is the most widespread genus of Cactaceae, and many species have been introduced worldwide for an array of different purposes. Our report proposes the putative first hybridization event in Opuntia between a North American species with a southern South American lineage, which may shed light on more complex evolutionary scenarios, speciation within the group, and the impacts of species introduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effective seed dispersal is essential to plant reproductive success. In this study, we evaluated the fruiting phenology, fruit traits, and seed dispersal of the endangered globose cactus Melocactus lanssensianus in the Brazilian Caatinga over 1-year period. We carried out monthly phenological monitoring, focal observations, and germination experiments, to identify the effective seed dispersers of this cactus. M. lanssensianus exhibited a continuous, non-seasonal fruiting pattern, with peaks during both the dry and rainy seasons. We observed seed dispersal by Tropidurus semitaeniatus and T. hispidus lizards. In 116 h of focal observations, lizards made 76 visits during different times of day, with a mean dispersal distance of 5 m. Both lizard species showed more frugivory interactions in the dry season, with peak visits in water-stressed months. We collected 132 intact and viable seeds from 29 fecal samples, specifically from T. semitaeniatus (N = 20 scats; 122 seeds) and from T. hispidus (N = 9 scats; 10 seeds). Germination experiments with seeds consumed by T. semitaeniatus, washed seeds and control seeds revealed that 85% of seeds found in T. semitaeniatus feces germinated compared to 41% of the control seeds. Frequency, pattern of visits and germination rates indicate T. semitaeniatus is an effective seed disperser of M. lanssensianus. Continuous production of fleshy fruits and environmental conditions of the Caatinga ecosystem favor the close dependent mutualistic interaction reported here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pereskia aculeata is a non-conventional vegetable belonging to the family Cactaceae, native to the Americas. The leaves are very appreciated in cooking in some Brazilian regions, specially Minas Gerais. Plants of P. aculeata showing severe leaf spot diseases and stem rot were observed in Viçosa, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Colletotrichum sp. was observed on the diseased plant tissue and since no records of this fungus (and anthracnose disease) are reported for this host, the present study has aimed to identify the Colletotrichum sp. associated to P. aculeata and elucidate the etiology of the anthracnose disease. Based on the analyses of morphological characters combined with phylogenetic data from ITS, GAPDH, CHS-1, HIS3, ACT, and TUB2, a new species, namely Colletotrichum pereskiae sp. nov., is proposed, which belongs to the C. orchidearum species complex. A representative isolate was inoculated on healthy P. aculeata plants and reproduced the severe symptoms observed in the field. Colletotrichum pereskiae is the etiological agent of anthracnose on Pereskia aculeata in Brazil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]