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Abstract Onopordum is one of the extremely armed genus of the family of Asteraceae which is native to the Mediterranean and Irano-Turanian regions. This genus comprises 7 species that are distributed in most parts of the country. In spite of 12% of Onopordum species are found in Iran, but few taxonomic studies have been carried out and it seems that there are still unknown species of this genus. For taxonomic study of the genus Onopordum, extensive collection of distribution areas of genus was conducted in Iran. Plant specimens were collected by conventional methods and identified based on reliable sources. As a observations, O. cinereum is reported as a new record from the flora of Iran. It is easily distinguished form the other species of genus in Iran by having densely tomentose-arachnoid-whitish indumentum in throughout the plant especially in the capitula. Finally, a key identification to all species of the genus Onopordum in Iran is presented.

Jordan's flora is known for its rich diversity, with a grand sum of 2978 plant species that span 142 families and 868 genera across four different zones. Eight genera belonging to four different plant families have been recognized for their potential natural medicinal properties within the Mediterranean region. These genera include Chrysanthemum L., Onopordum Vaill. Ex. L., Phagnalon Cass., and Senecio L. from the Asteraceae family, in addition to Clematis L. and Ranunculus L. from the Ranunculaceae family, Anchusa L. from the Boraginaceae family, and Eryngium L. from the Apiaceae family. The selected genera show a wide variety of secondary metabolites with encouraging pharmacological characteristics including antioxidant, antibacterial, cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, anti-ulcer, and neuroprotective actions. Further research on these genera and their extracts will potentially result in the formulation of novel and potent natural pharmaceuticals. Overall, Jordan's rich flora provides a valuable resource for exploring and discovering new plant-based medicines.

Objective: Cynarin is a derivative of hydroxycinnamic acid presented in various medicinal plants, such as Cynara scolymus L. and Onopordum illyricum L. To date, the antioxidant and antihypertensive activities of cynarin have been reported. However, whether cynarin has a therapeutic impact on ulcerative colitis (UC) is unclear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the potential effect of cynarin on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced acute colitis in vivo and on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/interferon-γ (IFN-γ)-induced RAW264.7 and J774A.1 cellular inflammation model in vitro ., Methods and Results: In this study, we investigated that cynarin alleviated clinical symptoms in animal models, including disease activity index (DAI) and histological damage. Furthermore, cynarin can attenuate colon inflammation through decreasing the proportion of neutrophils in peripheral blood, reducing the infiltration of neutrophils, and macrophages in colon tissue, inhibiting the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and suppressing the expression of STAT3 and p65. In cellular inflammation models, cynarin inhibited the expression of M1 macrophage markers, such as TNF-α, IL-1β, and iNOS. Besides, cynarin suppressed the expression of STAT3 and p65 as well as the phosphorylation of STAT3, p65. Cynarin inhibited the polarization of RAW264.7 and J774A.1 cells toward M1 and alleviated LPS/IFN-γ-induced cellular inflammation., Conclusion: Considering these results, we conclude that cynarin mitigates experimental UC partially through inhibiting the STAT3/NF-кB signaling pathways and macrophage polarization toward M1. Accordingly, cynarin might be a potential and effective therapy for UC.

Thistles from the genus Onopordum (Asteraceae) are of Mediterranean and Eurasian origin. They are very common in the south of Syria, in particular in Damascus and Al Suwayda, and are found in fallow fields, pastures, roadsides and neglected areas. In 2015–2017, several sites with large populations of Onopordum spp. were identified. Weekly surveys of some of the sites, mainly in the regions of Damascus and Al Suwayda, revealed a significant diversity of phytophagous insect species, some of which had a very high population density. A total of 29 insect species were detected, belonging to four orders and 21 families. The most abundant species were from the order Coleoptera. These were observed to be feeding on different plant parts of Onopordum spp. Purely endophagous species comprised 38% of the species observed on Onopordum spp., ectophagous species comprised 45% with 17% of species mixed ectophagous and endophagous. Species that only fed on Onopordum spp. represented 34% of all the species observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Onopordum jordanicolum is a Jordanian native medicinal plant with poorly investigated anti-inflammatory properties. The current study aimed to explore the anti-inflammatory effect of Onopordum jordanicolum in in vitro cell models of human lung fibroblast non-cancer MRC-5 and prostate cancer PC3 cells through measuring lipopolysaccharideinduced interleukine-6 secretion. The cells were treated with the plant water and methanol extracts for 72 hrs prior to lipopolysaccharide exposure for 24hrs. The cytotoxicity of the plant extracts was measured using the viability assay water-soluble tetrazolium (WST-1). We observed that the plant water and methanol extracts did not decrease lipopolysaccharide-induced interleukine-6 secretion in fibroblast non-cancer MRC-5 and prostate cancer PC3 cells. However, 15.6μM plant water extract showed an anti-inflammatory trend in both cell lines. The plant water and methanol extracts were not associated with toxic effect in the investigated cells. In conclusion, Onopordum jordanicolum did not have anti-inflammatory effects in non-cancerous fibroblasts and prostate cancer PC3 cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was the chemical, microbiological, textural, and sensory characterization of pilot-scale prototypes of an Italian ewe's raw milk cheese (Caciofiore) curdled with commercial Cynara cardunculus rennet, used as a control, and crude extracts obtained from flowers of either spontaneous or cultivated Onopordum tauricum. Hence, the control and experimental cheese prototypes produced in two rounds of cheesemaking trials were assayed, at the end of their 60-day maturation, for the following features: pH, titratable acidity, dry matter, fat, total and soluble nitrogen (TN and SN, respectively), ash, salt, protein, lactose, viable plate counts and composition of the bacterial and fungal populations, color, texture, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and olfactory attributes by sensory analysis (the latter for the sole prototypes curdled with the commercial rennet and the extract obtained from cultivated O. tauricum). The data overall collected showed a very low impact of the type of thistle rennet on the analyzed cheese traits, with significant differences being exclusively found for SN/TN%, titratable acidity, color, and adhesiveness. By contrast, a higher impact of the cheesemaking round was seen, with significant differences being observed for salt content, load of presumptive lactobacilli, thermophilic cocci, and Escherichia coli, and levels of the following VOCs: 2,3-butanedione, 2-pentanone, 1-butanol, 2-heptanone, 3-methyl-1-butanol, 2-heptanol, 2-nonanone, dimethyl trisulfide, 2-methyl propanoic acid, butanoic acid, and 3-methyl butanoic acid. Sensory analysis revealed a strong ewe's cheese odor, accompanied by other olfactory notes, such as pungent, sour curd, sweet, and Parmesan cheese-like notes, in all the analysed cheese prototypes. Moreover, key odor active compounds, including butanoic acid, ethyl butanoate, 2,3-butanedione, 1-octen-3-one, and dimethyl trisulfide, were identified by GC-olfactometry analysis. Regarding the odor attributes as determined by sensory analysis, again the type of rennet had an almost negligible impact, with significant differences being only perceived for 1 or 2 out of 20 odor attributes, depending on the analytical conditions applied. Although some aspects deserve further investigation, the results herein collected confirm that O. tauricum can be regarded as an alternative source of thistle rennet for the manufacture of Caciofiore cheese, and more in general, Mediterranean ewe's milk cheeses., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Currently, many attempts have been made worldwide to isolate compounds from plants that could prevent transmission of HIV and offer new treatments. In this study, the methanolic extract of Onopordum illyricum aerial parts was evaluated for the inhibition of the HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) ribonuclease H (RNase H), an attractive target for the identification of new antiretroviral inhibitors. Using an HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT)-associated RNase H inhibition assay, the bio-guided fractionation of the extract led to the isolation of seven compounds (luteolin, apigenin, hispidulin, arctiin, 1,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, and two germacranes, 8α-(5-hydroxy)-angeloylsalonitenolide and onopordopicrin). Among them, luteolin was the most effective on RNase H RT-associated function (IC50 of 12.8 μM), followed by 1,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid and apigenin with IC50 values of 16.9 and 59.6 μM, respectively. Pure compounds were then assayed for their effects also on HIV-1 integrase (IN). 1,5-Dicaffeoylquinic acid, arctiin, onopordopicrin, and luteolin exhibited the most potent inhibition with IC50 values ranging from 0.50 to 22.5 μM. 1,5-Dicaffeoylquinic acid was also able to inhibit the early stages of HIV-1 replication in cell-based assays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Onopordum is one of the extremely armed genus of the family of Asteraceae which is native to the Mediterranean and Irano-Turanian regions. This genus comprises 7 species that are distributed in most parts of the country. In spite of 12% of Onopordum species are found in Iran, but few taxonomic studies have been carried out and it seems that there are still unknown species of this genus. For taxonomic study of the genus Onopordum, extensive collection of distribution areas of genus was conducted in Iran. Plant specimens were collected by conventional methods and identified based on reliable sources. As a observations, O. cinereum is reported as a new record from the flora of Iran. It is easily distinguished form the other species of genus in Iran by having densely tomentose-arachnoidwhitish indumentum in throughout the plant especially in the capitula. Finally, a key identification to all species of the genus Onopordum in Iran is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was performed to determine the flora of Trakya University Balkan Campus. The study material included plant specimens collected during field studies carried out between 2013 and 2014 and herbarium specimens collected from 1986 to 2013 and deposited in EDTU Herbarium. 428 taxa belonging to 77 families and 250 genera were determined in the study area. Amont the 428 taxa, Onopordum acanthium L. is a new record for flora of Thrace Region and 53 taxa are new records for flora of Edirne. The families with the highest number of taxa are Asteraceae (15.88%), Fabaceae (10.51%) and Rosaceae (7%). Among the determined taxa, 298 plants were unknown phytogeographical region data, 59 plants as Euro-Siberian elements, 50 as Mediterranean elements, 14 as East Mediterranean elements, 4 as cosmopolitans, 2 as Irano-Turanian elements and 1 plant as element Mediterranean-Irano-Turanian element. The number of endemic plant species is 4. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnopharmacological relevance Thistles species (Family: Compositae) are traditionally used in the Mediterranean area, particularly in Sardinia. They are usually gathered from the wild and used for both food and therapeutic purposes, including gastrointestinal disorders. Aim of the study This work aims to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of eight wild thistles from Sardinia, in an in vitro model of gastric inflammation, and to identify the major active compounds in the extracts. Materials and methods The hydro-alcoholic extract of the aerial part of each species was prepared. After the induction of inflammation by the addition of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) (10 ng/mL), AGS cells were treated with extracts/pure compounds under study. The inhibition of interleukin-8 (IL-8) release, IL-8 and NF-κB promoter activities and NF-κB nuclear translocation were evaluated. Extracts main components were identified by HPLC-PDA-MS/MS. Results Only Onopordum horridum Viv. and Onopordum illyricum L. hydro-alcoholic extracts reduced, in a concentration-dependent fashion, the IL-8 release and promoter activity in human gastric epithelial cells AGS. The effect was partially due to the NF-κB pathway impairment. Onopordum hydro-alcoholic extracts were also chemically profiled, and caffeoylquinic acid derivatives were the main compounds identified in the extract. Further investigations showed that 3,5 dicaffeoylquinic acid highly inhibited IL-8 secretion in AGS cells (IC 50 0.65 μM), thus suggesting that this compound contributed, at least in part, to the anti-inflammatory activity elicited by O. illyricum extracts. Conclusions Our results suggest that Onopordum species may exert beneficial effects against gastric inflammatory diseases. Thus, these wild plants deserve further investigations as preventive or co-adjuvant agents in gastric diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two taxon names in the genus Onopordum are lectotypified: O. heteracanthum var. carmanicum Bornm. and O. myriacanthum Boiss. Images of the type specimens are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study Onopordum carduiforme (Asteraceae) is recorded for the first time from South Anatolia region (Hatay) of Turkey. The diagnostic characters of Onopordum carduiforme are given. Besides to description of the new record, photograph of the general habitus in nature is provided. Geographical distribution is mapped, and also IUCN threat category of the species at the regional scale is proposed as VU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Onopordum acanthium is a medicinal plant with many important properties, such as antibacterial, anticancer, and anti-hypotensive properties. Although various studies reported the biological activities of O. acanthium , there is no study on its nano-phyto-drug formulation. The aim of this study is to develop a candidate nano-drug based on phytotherapeutic constituents and evaluate its efficiency in vitro and in silico . In this context, poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) of O. acanthium extract (OAE) were synthesized and characterized. It was determined that the average particle size of OAE-PLGA-NPs was 214.9 ± 6.77 nm, and the zeta potential was -8.03 ± 0.85 mV, and PdI value was 0.064 ± 0.013. The encapsulation efficiency of OAE-PLGA-NPs was calculated as 91%, and the loading capacity as 75.83%. The in vitro drug release study showed that OAE was released from the PLGA NPs with 99.39% over the 6 days. Furthermore, the mutagenic and cytotoxic activity of free OAE and OAE-PLGA-NPs were evaluated by the Ames test and MTT test, respectively. Although 0.75 and 0.37 mg/mL free OAE concentrations caused both frameshift mutation and base pair substitution ( p < 0.05), the administered OAE-PLGA NP concentrations were not mutagenic. It was determined with the MTT analysis that the doses of 0.75 and 1.5 mg/mL of free OAE had a cytotoxic effect on the L929 fibroblast cell line ( p < 0.05), and OAE-PLGA-NPs had no cytotoxic effect. Moreover, the interaction between the OAE and S. aureus was also investigated using the molecular docking analysis method. The molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) results were implemented to elucidate the S. aureus MurE inhibition potential of OAE. It was shown that quercetin in the OAE content interacted significantly with the substantial residues in the catalytic pocket of the S. aureus MurE enzyme, and quercetin performed four hydrogen bond interactions corresponding to a low binding energy of -6.77 kcal/mol with catalytic pocket binding residues, which are crucial for the inhibition mechanism of S. aureus MurE. Finally, the bacterial inhibition values of free OAE and OAE-PLGA NPs were determined against S. aureus using a microdilution method. The antibacterial results showed that the inhibition value of the OAE-PLGA NPs was 69%. In conclusion, from the in vitro and in silico results of the nano-sized OAE-PLGA NP formulation produced in this study, it was evaluated that the formulation may be recommended as a safe and effective nano-phyto-drug candidate against S. aureus ., Competing Interests: Cigdem Cetin-Aluc is employed by Abdi Ibrahim Pharmaceuticals., (© 2023 Budama-Kilinc et al.)

The carbohydrate composition (inulin and sugars) and antioxidant potential of 95% ethanol and subsequent water extracts from flower heads of Carduus acanthoides L. and Onopordum tauricum Willd. grown in Bulgaria were investigated. The total fructans content in both thistle species was analyzed by ketose-specific assay, while individual inulin and sugars content was defined by HPLC-RID method. The total phenolic content and the antioxidant capacity of the studied extracts were also examined as the antioxidant potential was determined by four in vitro assays (DPPH, ABTS, FRAP and CUPRAC). O. tauricum Willd. flower heads were evaluated for the first time as a rich source of prebiotics and total phenols. Higher fructans content was found in the water extracts, while the ethanol extracts possessed better antioxidant activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cynarin is a derivative of hydroxycinnamic acid and it has biologically active functional groups constituent of some plants and food. We elucidated the antioxidant activity of cynarin by using differentin vitrocondition bioanalytical antioxidant assays like DMPD•+, ABTS•+,, DPPH•and H2O2scavenging effects, the total antioxidant influence, reducing capabilities, Fe2+chelating and anticholinergic activities. Cynarin demonstrated 87.72% inhibition of linoleic acid lipid peroxidation at 30 µg/mL concentration. Conversely, some standard antioxidants like trolox, α-tocopherol, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), and butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) exhibited inhibitions of 90.32, 75.26, 97.61, 87.30%, and opponent peroxidation of linoleic acid emulsion at the identical concentration, seriatim. Also, cynarin exhibited effective DMPD•+, ABTS•+,, DPPH•, and H2O2scavenging effects, reducing capabilities and Fe2+chelating effects. On the contrary, IC50andKiparameters of cynarin for acetylcholinesterase enzyme inhibition were determined as 243.67 nM (r2: 0.9444) and 39.34 ± 13.88 nM, respectively. This study clearly showed that cynarin had marked antioxidant, anticholinergic, reducing ability, radical-scavenging, and metal-binding activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: Methanolic extract from Onopordum acanthium L. leaves (MEOAL) has been discovered to treat diabetic complications. The objective of this study is to evaluate the ameliorative role of MEOAL on pancreatic islet injury and myocardial inflammation in diabetic rats., Methods: Forty male Wister albino rats were allocated into five groups of eight rats each. Group A was the negative control group. Single intraperitoneal injection of streptozocin (50mg/kg) were used for the four experimental groups. Group B served as the positive control group. The rats in Groups C, D, and E received glibenclamide (5mg/kg), MEOAL (200, and 400 mg/kg) respectively, for eight weeks. Group C served as the standard drug group. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH) assays for antioxidant activity were conducted in MEOAL. In silico study, calculation of molecular binding energy (DG), and inhibition constant (pKi) of bioactive constituents in MEOAL were performed., Results: Administration of MEOAL significantly increases insulin content in β-cells with a marked enhancement of pancreatic islet structure, resulting in a significant reduction of blood glucose level and body weight loss. MEOAL treatment suppressed the increase of inflammatory cell score in myocardial tissue with an elevation of M2 -like macrophage. The phytochemical studies recorded the presence of six polyphenols, including catechin, kaempferol, syringic acid, p-coumaric acid, epicatechin and gallic acid in MEOAL. Moreover, the antioxidant activity of the extract was greater than that of standard ascorbic acid. The docking studies of the ligands Catechin, kaempferol and epicatechin with proteins showed high affinities with various targets related in β-Cells and cardiac inflammation., Conclusions: The attenuation of pancreatic β-Cells damage and cardiac inflammation by MEOAL could be attributed to the presence of Catechin, kaempferol and epicatechin which have high affinities with the receptors namely pancreatic alpha-amylase, glucokinase, COX-2, and COX-1., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright: © 2023 Sharef et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

Hybridization is known to have a creative role in plant evolution. However, it can also have negative effects on parental species. Onopordum is a large genus whose species frequently hybridize. In the Southwest Iberian Peninsula, the rare O. hinojense co-occurs with the widely distributed O. nervosum, and hybrids between these two taxa have been described as O. × onubense., In this study we determine the extinction risk in a hybrid zone, both for hybrids and parentals, using analyses of morphological and cytogenetic traits as well as genetic markers and demographic models. To investigate the introgression process we used amplified fragment length polymorphism ( AFLP) markers, Bayesian analyses and genome scan methods., Morphology, genome size and molecular markers confirmed homoploid hybridization and also indicated unidirectional backcrossing of F1 hybrids with O. nervosum, which is likely to swamp O. hinojense, the parental with lower pollen size and a very low fruit set (8%). Genome scan methods revealed several loci significantly deviating from neutrality. Finally, our demographic modeling indicated that the higher fitness of O. nervosum threats the survival of O. hinojense by demographic swamping., Our study provides strong new evidence for a scenario of rapid extinction by unidirectional introgression and demographic swamping. The multifaceted approach used here sheds new light on the role of introgression in plant extinctions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Milled Onopordum heteracanthum stalks were converted to liquid products in organic solvents (methanol, ethanol and acetone) with (KOH and ZnCl2) and without catalyst in an autoclave at temperatures of 523, 543 and 563 K. Effects of liquefaction parameters such as catalyst and solvent were investigated. The percentage yields from supercritical methanol, ethanol and acetone conversions were 48.2, 50.4 and 66.2 at 563 K in the non-catalytic runs, respectively. In the catalytic run with ZnCl2, the highest conversion (70.2%) was obtained in acetone at the same temperature. The obtained liquid products at 563 K were analyzed and characterized by elemental, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. 106 different compounds have been identified by GC–MS in the liquid products obtained in methanol at 563 K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pollen grains are complex three-dimensional structures, and are identified using specific distinctive morphological characteristics. An efficient automatic system for the accurate and rapid identification of pollen grains would significantly enhance the consistency, objectivity, speed and perhaps accuracy of pollen analysis. This study describes the development and testing of an expert system for the identification of pollen grains based on their respective morphologies. The extreme learning machine (ELM) is a type of artificial neural network, and has been used for automatic pollen identification. To test the equipment and the method, pollen grains from 10 species ofOnopordum(a thistle genus) from Turkey were used. In total, 30 different images were acquired for each of the 10 species studied. The images were then used to measure 11 morphological parameters; these were the colpus length, the colpus width, the equatorial axis (E), the polar axis (P), the P/E ratio, the columellae length, the echinae length, and the thicknesses of the exine, intine, nexine and tectum. Pollen recognition was performed using the ELM for the 50–50%, 70–30% and 80–20% training-test partitions of the overall dataset. The classification accuracies of these three training-test partitions of were 84.67%, 91.11% and 95.00%, respectively. Therefore, the ELM exhibited a very high success rate for identifying the pollen types considered here. The use of computer-based systems for pollen recognition has great potential in all areas of palynology for the accurate and rapid accumulation of data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Onopordum hasankeyfense Pınar & Behçet (Asteraceae: Cardueae) from south-eastern Anatolia, Turkey, is described. This species grows on the rocky slopes beneath the Hasankeyf castle in the Hasankeyf District (C8, Batman province). Morphologically, the new species is related to Onopordum anatolicum (Boiss.) Boiss. & Heldr. ex Eig, a species endemic to central and western Anatolia, and O. acanthium L. This new species differs from the others in its indumentum, capitulum shape, phyllary colour and shape, unequal corolla lobes, and pappus. The ecology and phenology of the new species, as well as its etymology and diagnostic features, are presented and discussed. Images of the new species are provided and compared with O. anatolicum and O. acanthium. In addition, the pollen characteristics and achene features of the species were examined using both light and scanning electron microscopy. The conservation status of O. hasankeyfense was assessed according to IUCN criteria. A distribution map of O. hasankeyfense and related species is also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, pollen micromorphological structure, leaf and stem anatomy structure of six species of Onopordum (O. acanthium L., O. armenum Grossh., O. carduchorum Bornm. & Beauv., O. carmanicum (Bornm.) Bornm., O. heteracanthum C. A. Mey and O. leptolepis DC) were examined with different repetitions. About 17 qualitative anatomical features were statistically analyzed. Glandular trichome, cortex fiber tissue, embowed in subsidiary vascular, its fiber tissue and vascular sheath extensions, adaxial collenchyma tissue and types of adaxial and abaxial stomata were distinct characters in separating of the species. In palynologic studies based on P/E ratio, 2 types of pollen grains were observed: oblate- spheroidal and suboblate. SEM study of the exine showed echinate, reticulate and perforate sculpturing in all six species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Campanula aktascii Aytaç & H.Duman (Campanulaceae) has been described as a new species. The diagnostic characters of C. aktascii were compared and discussed with its resembling species and the ecology and phenology of the new species were presented. Onopordum rhodense Boiss. ex Rech.f. (Asteraceae) and Daucus conchitae W.Greuter (Apiaceae) have been reported as a new records from Antalya (South Anatolia) for Turkey. The distribution map and Red List categories of these taxa according to the IUCN were also given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Abstract: Although pollen grains have a complicated 3-dimensional structure, they can be distinguished from one another by their specific and distinctive characteristics. Using microscopic differences between the pollen grains, it may be possible to identify them by family or even at the genus level. However for the identification of pollen grains at the taxon level, we require expert computer systems. For this purpose, we used 20 different pollen types, obtained from the genus Onopordum L. (Asteraceae). For each pollen grain, 30 different images were photographed by microscope system and 11 different characteristic features (polar axis, equatorial axis, P/E ratio, colpus length, colpus weight, exine, intine, tectum, nexine, columellea, and echinae length) were measured for the analysis. The data set was formed from 600 samples, obtained from 20 different taxa, with 30 different images. The 440 samples were used for training and the remaining 160 samples were used for testing. The proposed method, a rough set-based expert system, has properly identified 145 of 160 pollen grains correctly. The success of the method for the identification of pollen grains was obtained at 90.625% (145/160). We can expect to achieve more efficient results with different genuses and families, considering the successful results in the same genus. Moreover, using computer-based systems in revision studies will lead us to more accurate and efficient results, and will identify which characters will be more effective for pollen identification. According to the literature, this is the first study for the identification and comparison of pollen of the same genus by using the measurements of distinctive characteristics with computer systems. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In Western and Central Mediterranean countries proteases from wild herbaceous perennial plants commonly known as "thistles" have been used as milk coagulants in cheese-making for centuries. For the first time, the technological and biochemical traits of proteases from cultivated Onopordum tauricum Willd. (Taurian thistle, bull cottonthistle) were assessed. The optimal conditions for minimizing the clotting time and the non-specific proteolytic activity were estimated at the highest (T = 43-45 °C; [Ca 2+ ] = 11-13 mM) and the lowest (T = 35-39 °C; [Ca 2+ ] = 5 mM) temperature and calcium ion levels in the explored range respectively, thus highlighting the difficulty to set the best operative compromise in the first step of cheesemaking. In the conditions adopted in common cheesemaking practice (T = 37 °C; pH = 6.5) 1 mL of reconstituted extract from cultivated thistles coagulated 10 mL of ewe's and goat's milk in 114-146 and 129-167 s, respectively, and 1 mL of reconstituted extract from spontaneous thistles coagulated 10 mL of ewe's and goat's milk in 232-294 and 428-621 s, respectively, while no significant differences in the non-specific proteolytic activity between cultivated and spontaneous O. tauricum extracts were observed. The purified enzyme (tauricosin) was identified as an aspartic protease made up of two sub-units with molecular weights of 32 and 9.6 kDa, respectively. Experimental data encouraged the exploitation of O. tauricum as a new and sustainable non-food crop in marginal and rainfed lands of Mediterranean countries, thus reducing the potential biodiversity losses due to wild collection., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The highly oligophagous tephritid Chaetostomella cylindrica infests the flower heads of six genera and ten species of thistles in Lebanon. It predominantly utilizes two hosts occurring in sympatry, Notobasis syriaca and Onopordum illyricum. Previous work showed that adult flies emerging from N. syriaca fit more closely the description of the species, particularly with respect to the colour and pattern on the mesonotum; furthermore, significant differences were observed between the aculeus shape and length. This study investigates the biology of the immatures and compares adults from the two host races behaviourally and genetically. Larvae of both races fed in a similar way, with each larva destroying 3-10 achenes; however, the oviposition behaviour of females differed. Females of the Onopordumassociated flies laid an average of three eggs per head, and deposited the eggs glued to each others in a cluster, while females of the Notobasis-associated flies deposited their eggs unattached, usually with one egg per head. Subtle differences were also observed in the post-mating behaviour of adult males. DNA sequencing of an amplified fragment of the mitochondrial NADH-dehydrogenase subunit 1 gene revealed 44 single nucleotide polymorphisms in 622 base pairs. A PCR-RFLP method was developed to distinguish the two host-associated populations. Together with previously published morphometric studies, our data show that C. cylindrica consists of distinct host races, which seem to be reproductively isolated as two separate genetic lineages were observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The limits of the genera that compose the Onopordumgroup of the Cardueae–Carduinae are difficult to establish. There are two main life forms; one is exemplified in the genus Onopordum, which includes only biennial colonisers in the Mediterranean region and temperate Eurasia; the second life form is exemplified in the group of perennial herbs of the genera Alfredia, Ancathia, Lamyropappus, Olgaea, Synurus, Syreitschikoviaand Xanthopappus, all of them growing in the mountains of central Asia. We explored relationships among the genera of the complex by using Bayesian and parsimony analyses of a combined dataset of nuclear and plastid DNA sequences. Our results confirmed that the group is natural and the two life forms correspond to well defined entities. Generic limits within the eight central Asian genera are, however, very difficult to establish. Our results suggested that the present genus circumscription is artificial, especially for the largest genus, Olgaea, which appears paraphyletic. Some solutions are suggested. The most preferable might be lumping all small genera together in a broadly redefined genus Alfredia, and assigning sectional rank to the natural groups that result from correlating morphology with our molecular results. However, none of the possible solutions is free of problems because morphological characters and molecular phylogeny are not fully congruent. Some considerations on the origin and peculiar adaptations for becoming a successful coloniser shown by Onopordumare also offered, finding parallels to these adaptations in other examples of biennial colonisers within subtribe Carduinae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Between 1993 and 1999 a biological control program focused on the establishment and redistribution of the stem boring weevil Lixus cardui on its host Onopordum thistles in south-eastern Australia. Three release strategies (caged, free-release and stem release) were assessed as a part of a redistribution process that involved engagement with community members, with an overall establishment rate of 97%. Long-term monitoring of seven sites between 1998 and 2004 showed that L. cardui densities fluctuated by up to 30-fold among sites and 12-fold among seasons, driven largely by climatic effects on host plant size and with no measurable effect of plant density. During 2002 a comparison was made of plant performance at seven release sites with L. cardui present and six matched control sites without L. cardui. Plant size and L. cardui density varied between release sites and, on average, L. cardui reduced plant height by 33% and seed production by 65%. A second agent, the seed weevil Larinus latus, directly destroyed 56% of the seed produced at the sites, leading to a mean overall reduction of 84% in seed added to the soil during 2002 (ranging from 37% to 99% across sites). The significant reductions in seed rain that are being accrued by these two agents augur well for the long-term success of this project. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

An existing method to induce systemic rust infections in creeping thistles (Cirsium arvense) using an insect vector, the weevil Ceratapion onopordi, was successfully applied in the field. Urediniospores of Puccinia punctiformis were experimentally transmitted to naturally grown thistles, to our knowledge for the first time resulting in systemically infected shoots in an established thistle population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because weevils are used as biocontrol agents against thistles, it is important to document and understand host shifts and the evolution of host-specificity in these insects. Furthermore, such host shifts are of fundamental interest to mechanisms of speciation. The mediterranean weevil Larinus cynarae normally parasitizes either one of two thistle genera, Onopordum and Cynara, being locally monophagous. In Sardinia, however, both host genera are used. We used three types of data to help understand this complex host use: (i) weevil attack rates on the two host genera among 53 different populations in Sardinia and nearby Corsica, (ii) host preference in a lab setting, and (iii) genetic (allozyme) differentiation among weevil populations exploiting the same or different hosts. Using a subset of populations from northern Sardinia, we attempted to relate interpopulation differences in host preference to gene flow among populations by comparing pairwise differences in oviposition preference ( Qst) and in allozyme frequencies ( Fst). Overall, Qst and Fst were positively correlated. Fst was positively correlated with geographic distance among pairs of populations using the same host, but not among different-host population pairs. As mating occurs on the hosts, this result suggests reinforcement. Genetic evidence indicates Cynara as the ancestral host of the weevils from both islands and our current studies suggest repeated attempts to colonize Onopordum, with a successful shift in Corsica and a partial shift in Sardinia. This scenario would explain why in Sardinia the level of attack was higher on Cynara than on Onopordum and why, when given a choice in the laboratory, Sardinian weevils preferred Cynara even when sampled from Onopordum. The lability of host shifts in L. cynarae supports caution in using these or related weevils as biocontrol agents of exotic thistles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chaetostomella cylindrica is a highly oligophagous tephritid infesting the flower heads of six genera and 10 species of thistles in Lebanon, and is predominant on two hosts in sympatry, Notobasis syriaca and Onopordum illyricum. Adult flies emerging from N. syriaca fit more closely the description of the species with respect to the colour and pattern on the mesonotum. This study compares morphometrically and morphologically the host races associated with N. syriaca and O. illyricum. Immatures of both races were similar, but all stages of the Onopordum-associated race were significantly larger. Morphometric studies, based on two head and five wing measurements, using canonical discriminant analysis, allowed for the differentiation of the host races with more than 70% accuracy. The aculeus shape and length differed significantly between females of both races. The holotype of Trypeta lurida Loew 1844 was examined and appeared closer to the Onopordum host race. Chaetostomella cylindrica appears to be a complex of cryptic and reproductively isolated species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]