Gayana Botanica

Calceolaria chasmophila (Calceolariaceae), a new species endemic to the chilean flora

2024-05-22T22:13:50-04:00

A new species of Calceolaria L., endemic to an Andean sector of Central Chile, in the administrative Region of Valparaíso, is described on the basis of morphological characters. Belonging to Section Cheiloncos Wettst. and within this, to Group B proposed by Ehrhart for the Chilean species, it is distinguished from the other taxa in this Group by its open corolla and its long and exserted stamens. Photographs of the species and its habitat, a map of its location, information on its distribution and ecology, a proposed conservation category according to IUCN criteria, and a taxonomic key for the species of the genus present in the area are provided.

Ecological factors affecting the distribution of the Amanita genus (poisonous mushrooms) in the Central Highlands, Vietnam

2025-05-06T13:19:53-04:00

The Amanita genus, a member of the Amanitaceae family, thrives in Vietnam’s Central Highlands and exhibits remarkable diversity and abundance. These Amanita fungi species predominantly inhabit pine forests, mixed forests, and grassy areas. Because most species in this genus are toxic, the impact of ecological factors on their emergence and development must be understood. This study aims to build the correlation between ecological factors, namely light, humidity, altitude, temperature, and habitat. Our findings reveal that fungi within this genus primarily inhabit higher-altitude zones (ranging from 500 to 800 m). Their optimal growth temperature lies between 19 and 22 °C, with a light intensity of 800-1000 lux and relatively high humidity levels, ranging from 85% to 90%. These factors significantly influence the frequency of these fungi’s occurrence. These insights serve as a foundation for identifying the distribution area of these toxic mushrooms and improving their recognition. This research enhances our understanding of Amanita biodiversity in this region and provides valuable insights into the specific environmental conditions that support their growth and conservation.

Contribution of Altos de Chicauma to the Protection of Phylogenetic Diversity of the Flora in the Metropolitan Region of Santiago, Chile

2025-07-18T16:01:53-04:00

Protected areas play a key role in safeguarding biodiversity, particularly species richness and endemism. However, they often overlook evolutionary contributions. Phylogenetic Diversity (PD) incorporates the accumulated evolutionary history of species, allowing the identification of areas that preserve a broader range of evolutionary attributes. The Chilean Mediterranean hotspot stands out for its high PD and species richness. Within this hotspot, the Metropolitan Region of Santiago (RM) contains several protected areas, mainly in the Andes. On the western edge of the RM, in the Coastal Range, lies “Altos de Chicauma,” part of one of the 23 Priority Sites for Conservation, recognized for their biogeographic and bioclimatic importance. This study quantified the contribution of Altos de Chicauma to the protection of PD for the vascular flora of the RM in the Coastal Range. We compiled floristic information from the site and compared it with the complete flora of the RM, from which a baseline phylogeny was constructed. We also identified the conservation status and origin of the species in the study area. Altos de Chicauma, with 506 vascular plant species and covering 0.52% of the RM, protects 46.8% of the region’s PD, 55.0% of the PD of endemic species, and 43.5% of the PD of species of conservation concern. Our results indicate that Altos de Chicauma is a highly valuable area for safeguarding the PD and species richness of the RM.

Effects of alternate temperatures on seed germination of high Andean species from central Chile

2025-09-23T09:10:56-03:00

High-Andean ecosystems are among the most climatically extreme environments on Earth, characterized by low temperatures, short growing seasons, and frequent frost events. Seed germination, a critical life stage for plant recruitment, is particularly sensitive to temperature, making it a key process to understand under current climate change scenarios. Despite its importance, little is known about the thermal requirements for germination in high-Andean species from the Chilean Andes, where warming trends and reduced snow cover may profoundly alter recruitment dynamics. This study evaluated the effect of temperature on seed germination in 12 high-Andean species from the central Chilean Andes. Seeds collected were between 3200-3600 m a.s.l. and then cold-stratified for three months. Then seeds were exposed to four day/night temperature regimes (15/10°C, 20/10°C, 25/10°C, 30/10°C). Final germination percentage (%FG), germination speed (VG), and residual viability were assessed. Eight species germinated under experimental conditions, with responses varying among taxa. Erigeron andicola showed high %FG (~84%) across all treatments, indicating broad thermal tolerance. Montiopsis potentilloides displayed an optimum at 25/10°C (78%), while Chaetanthera linearis and Taraxacum officinale exhibited strong declines in germination and viability at 30/10°C, suggesting heat sensitivity. Cerastium arvense and Thlaspi magellanicum maintained low germination (<10%) regardless of temperature, with high residual viability (>80%), indicating persistent dormancy rather than loss of viability. Results highlight temperature as a key, but species-specific, driver of germination. Warming may benefit species with higher optima but hinder recruitment in heat-sensitive taxa. These findings provide a foundation for predicting species-specific vulnerabilities and for developing conservation strategies, that consider thermal requirements and projected climate shifts in high-Andean ecosystems.

Phylogenetic relationships and pathogenicity of Agrobacterium in Cinnamomum camphora

2025-04-15T10:49:44-04:00

Camphor trees (Cinnamomum camphora) are renowned for their natural resistance to bacterial diseases resulting from their production of camphor, a bioactive compound with antimicrobial properties. Despite extensive research on Agrobacterium as a soil-borne plant pathogen, its association with camphor trees has not been previously documented. To address this research gap, we investigated the potential interactions between Agrobacterium and camphor trees by isolating Agrobacterium strains using a copper-containing medium screening method. A molecular phylogenetic analysis of 16S rDNA sequences was employed to identify and characterize the isolates. The Agrobacterium strains formed a distinct phylogenetic cluster closely related to Agrobacterium cavarae derived from maize (Zea mays L.) roots and Agrobacterium larrymoorei derived from Ficus benjamina. These findings provide the first evidence of Agrobacterium in association with camphor trees, thereby expanding our understanding of plant-microbe interactions and highlighting a potentially unexplored aspect of Agrobacterium ecology. This work underscores the importance of investigating plant-associated microbial communities, particularly in species with unique antimicrobial traits.

Nicolás Pacheco: guardaparque con una fructífera labor naturalista por más de medio siglo

2026-01-09T03:11:46-03:00

Normalmente los homenajes editoriales en revistas científicas se hacen de forma tardía y principalmente destacan a científicas y científicos con una larga trayectoria académica, como parte del reconocimiento de sus pares. Sin embargo, no solo desde la academia se realizan aportes significativos, particularmente sobre el conocimiento naturalista. Los guardaparques constituyen una fuente invaluable de conocimiento sobre la naturaleza y una interfase entre el conocimiento científico naturalista y el público general.

Malva multiflora (cav.) Soldano, Banfi & Galasso (Malvaceae), a new alien species for Chile

2025-05-19T13:20:03-04:00

Malva multiflora, known in the literature as Lavatera cretica, is hereby announced as a new alien species for Chile. Currently, the species is known from the Valparaíso Region, including the towns of Valparaíso, Viña del Mar, and Concón. A description of the species, photographs, and a key to identifying the Malva species found along the coast of the Valparaíso Region are provided.

The complete plastome of the endemic and endangered species Chorizanthe novoana (Polygonaceae)

2025-06-09T09:51:03-04:00

This study presents the complete sequence of the plastid genome of the Chilean endemic and endangered Chorizanthe novoana (Polygonaceae). The total sequence length was 157,451 bp, with LSC, SSC and two IR regions of 87,239 bp, 18,076 bp, and 26,068 bp length, respectively. The GC content was 36.1% and 132 genes were identified: 90 are protein coding, 38 tRNA and 8 rRNA. 56 microsatellites were found, mostly mononucleotides. Phylogenetic analyses confirm the position of Chorizanthe in the subfamily Eriogonoideae.

The fundamental karyotype of Alstroemeria spathulata C. Presl (Alstroemeriaceae), and endemic Chilean species

2025-08-01T12:17:30-04:00

A study is made of the chromosomes of a population of Alstroemeria spathulata C. Presl, endemic to Chile, and a 2n = 2x = 16 chromosomes is reported, with a chromosome formula consisting of four metacentric, one submetacentric, one subtelocentric and two telocentric chromosomes. These characteristics are compared with a previously reported population of the same species, and many similarities are found between them. These data allow us to verify and affirm the enormous stability in the karyotype in wild species of Alstroemeria.

Back to the future: a call for scientific and technical writing in times of digital immediacy

2025-08-01T12:54:19-04:00

Although scientific-technical documents remain essential in the professional practice, our technology-saturated world, which prioritizes speed and immediacy, has made writing less prevalent. Furthermore, recent generations of professionals receive limited exposure to scientific-technical writing. Here, we propose a structured framework of sections and practical recommendations for crafting such documents. While cautioning that overreliance on digital tools may compromise rigour, it is emphasized that ethics and integrity are pivotal.