Search Results (251)

Botanical gardens serve as vital centers for ex situ conservation, maintaining diverse plant species under controlled conditions. Terrestrial orchids, despite their wide diversity and distribution, often occur in small and declining populations, making their conservation increasingly urgent. This study aimed to examine the potential for establishing the first specialized orchidarium in Serbia, focusing on the native orchid species of the Fruška Gora region. A SWOT analysis, combined with site assessment data, was employed to identify key strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, informing the development of a functional zoning plan. The results indicate that such an orchidarium would offer a threefold benefit: strengthening ex situ conservation, advancing scientific research and environmental education, and promoting sustainable tourism. The proposed design consists of eight distinct zones, three of which reflect natural habitats of selected orchid species. The planned integration of a seed gene bank in the central zone, along with living plant collections and a nearby in vitro culture laboratory, establishes a comprehensive framework for the sustainable management of orchid genetic resources in the region, forming a foundation for future research and preservation. Full article

The conservation of small and genetically vulnerable brown bear populations, such as the Cantabrian subpopulation in Spain, depends on developing species-specific assisted reproductive technologies and genetic resource banks. However, the lack of standardized sperm collection and cryopreservation protocols hinders their application. This study provides the first comparative analysis of sperm quality and proteomic profiles from three different origins: epididymal, pre-ejaculated, and ejaculated. Sperm quality parameters —motility and kinetic, viability, apoptosis, and oxidative stress— and protein expression were assessed. Although yields were similar, marked differences were observed in sperm quality and protein profiles. Sixty-three proteins involved in metabolism, stress response, and oxidative balance were differentially expressed depending on sperm origin. Epididymal sperm showed the highest viability and motility, lowest apoptosis, and a proteomic profile indicative of active spermatogenesis and enhanced oxidative stress defense. In contrast, ejaculated sperm had increased oxidative stress and reduced expression of metabolic proteins, while pre-ejaculated sperm exhibited lower motility, likely due to urine contamination and mitochondrial protein alterations, despite comparable viability and apoptosis. These findings offer novel insights into brown bear sperm biology and highlight the importance of sperm origin in developing optimized assisted reproduction strategies, ultimately supporting ex situ conservation efforts for this species. Full article

The aim of this study was to determine the intraspecific variability among 11 wild-growing populations of wormwood (Artemisia absinthium L.) originating from Central Europe and preserved in the Polish Genebank Collection. The populations were introduced into ex situ conditions, and assessed in terms of selected developmental and chemical traits (essential oil, phenolic acids, polyphenols, and tannins content). Developmental observations and harvest of raw materials were carried out in the second year of plant vegetation, at the beginning of flowering. The populations exhibited significant differences. The greatest variability was observed in the number of shoots per plant (38–51) and dry mass of herb per plant (0.83–1.60 kg). Essential oil (EO) content ranged from 0.75 to 1.69 g/100 g dry weight (DW). A total of 41 compounds were identified in the EOs, with oxygenated monoterpenes (such as sabinyl acetate, cis-chrysanthenol, chrysantenyl acetate, 1,8-cineole, α- and β-thujone) as dominants, showing considerable variation among populations. Based on the EO profiles, several chemotypes were distinguished, mainly (1) a pure sabinyl acetate chemotype; (2) mixed chemotypes with sabinyl acetate accompanied by β-myrcene, cis-chrysanthenol, chrysanthenyl acetate, or 1,8-cineole; and (3) a thujone chemotype. The total content of phenolic acids (expressed as caffeic acid equivalent), tannins, and polyphenols (as pyrogallol equivalent) varied significantly, too (0.37–0.50; 0.10–0.26; 0.58–0.79%, respectively). The results confirm a high level of intraspecific variability in both developmental and chemical traits of A. absinthium populations originating from Poland. This diversity may be valuable for future breeding programs and for the selection of populations with desired phytochemical profiles for medicinal, food, and agricultural applications. It is worth noting that the floristic diversity among populations indicates the habitat heterogeneity, ranging from natural or semi-natural (populations 1, 6) to more anthropogenically influenced ones (populations 2, 4, 5, 7–11). Full article

Food-based environmental enrichment (EE) is a valuable strategy for stimulating foraging behaviour in fish under human care, as it increases the challenge of food acquisition and encourages prolonged engagement in this activity. Curimbas (Prochilodus argenteus) and pacus (Myleus micans) are fish species for which ex situ maintenance has become an important conservation measure. In this context, providing EE is essential to ensure high welfare standards. This study aimed to assess the effects of food enrichment on the behaviour of these two endemic species from the São Francisco River basin in Brazil. Behavioural data were collected across three experimental phases, including baseline, enrichment, and post-enrichment. Slow-dissolving food items known as “acorns” were introduced during the enrichment phase. Both species exhibited a marked reduction in inactivity throughout the study. For curimbas, the enrichment phase was associated with increased foraging, elevated agonistic interactions, and greater use of specific tank areas. Among pacus, inactivity significantly declined during the enrichment period. Additionally, the presence of visitors influenced behavioural patterns, promoting foraging activity while reducing inactivity and interactions with the enrichment device. These findings reinforce the value of incorporating environmental enrichment to promote the welfare of freshwater fish in public aquariums. Full article

Perkinsiodendron macgregorii, an endangered Chinese endemic tree with high ornamental and ecological value, faces extinction threats due to its poor natural regeneration and habitat degradation. Despite the urgent need for its conservation, the genetic architecture and population differentiation mechanisms of this taxon remain poorly understood, hindering science-based protection strategies. We conducted comprehensive chloroplast genomic analyses of 134 individuals from 13 natural populations to inform science-based conservation. The chloroplast genome (158,538–158,641 bp) exhibited conserved quadripartite organization, with 113 functional genes and elevated GC contents in IR regions (42.99–43.02%). Population-level screening identified 741 SNPs and 678 indels, predominantly in non-coding regions (89.8%), with three distinct phylogeographic clades revealing north-to-south genetic stratification. The northern clade (Clade A) demonstrates the highest haplotype diversity and nucleotide diversity, followed by the southern clade (Clade C), while the central clade (Clade B) exhibits signals of genetic erosion (Tajima’s D > 3.43). Based on the genetic diversity distribution and phylogenetic tree of extant P. macgregorii, we inferred that the northern populations represent ancestral groups, while the Wuyi Mountains region and Nanling Mountains region served as glacial refugia. It is imperative to implement in situ conservation in these two regions. Additionally, ex situ conservation should involve collecting seed from representative populations across all three clades and establishing isolated cultivation lines for each clade. These findings establish a genomic framework for conserving endangered plants. Full article

Muehlenbeckia tuggeranong is an endangered subshrub with an estimated seven individuals remaining in its native habitat, and twelve held in an ex situ living collection in the Australian National Botanic Gardens, Canberra. We conducted a genetic analysis on all known individuals of the species both in situ and ex situ to inform the conservation management of one of the rarest plants in Australia, certainly the rarest in the Australian Capital Territory. We found recent seedlings did not result from hybridisation with M. axillaris but resulted from sexual reproduction within the ex situ collection, leading to greater genetic diversity ex situ than in situ. However, low genetic diversity across the species indicates a high risk of extinction. Through simulations we identified the optimal breeding pairs to minimise further genetic diversity loss and increase the number of available genotypes for future reintroduction. Our work highlights the need to incorporate genetically informed breeding programs into living collections management of endangered plant species, particular those with unique life history traits. Full article

Although the usage of genetic data for the conservation management of threatened species is growing rapidly, the assessment of the trajectory and persistence of ex situ and in situ populations suffers from a lack of monitoring of genetic indicators. To fill this gap, we conducted a comparative analysis of the genetic structure ex situ and its source population of Cochlearia polonica to improve conservation outcomes for this species. C. polonica, as a range-restricted endemic species in Poland, exists in the wild in a single reintroduced population, which was the source for establishing an ex situ population in the botanical garden, and both populations have been well studied in abundance time series until the extinction of artificial populations due to genetic constraints. We collected AFLP data from individuals sampled after the peak recovery phase following the founder effect in the ex situ population, as well as from the source population, to assess the genetic consequences of long-term cultivation. The genetic profile of both populations suggested their strong differentiation. The genetic variation in the ex situ population expressed by Shannon’s Information Index and expected heterozygosity (He) was approximately half that of the source population. While ex situ population growth was high, the gene pool was homogenised, and genetic diversity waned, leading to its extinction across merely 5–6 generations. Thus, the only reintroduced population of C. polonica left in the wild is more threatened with extinction than previously thought, and conservation action should be taken immediately. Full article

Aim: Despite a persistent presence in periodontitis, calculus remains a paradox. This narrative review reevaluates the role of calculus in periodontitis based on in situ, ex vivo, and in vitro studies published over the last two decades. Review: Results from multiple studies argue for the reconsideration of calculus as an independent risk factor in periodontitis. The results of a human study suggest that calculus contributes more to inflammation than simply serving as a substrate for biofilm accumulation. Ultrastructure studies have revealed residual calculus embedded in cementum following scaling and root planing (SRP). In vitro studies show that calculus particles can stimulate IL-1β secretion via the NLRP3 inflammasome in human and mouse phagocytes, and the crystalline structure is partially responsible for the activation. Other studies indicate that calculus particles may promote bone resorption via IL-1β induction in patients with periodontitis. Further, heat-treated calculus particles and hydroxyapatite crystals induce cell death in epithelial cell lines, suggesting that calculus plays a role in the breakdown of pocket epithelial integrity. Conclusions: Studies have shown that particles of microscopic calculus persist following traditional SRP. In vitro studies report that sterile and calcined calculus particles free of proteinaceous material are cytotoxic to cultured oral epithelial cells. Collectively, these studies suggest that residual microscopic calculus may be a potential risk factor for the failure of periodontal therapy. Full article

Studies of positional (=locomotor and postural) behavior are central to understanding how animals interact with the challenges imposed by their environment and are crucial for conservation management. The present study investigates, for the first time, the positional behavior and substrate use of the endangered southern pygmy slow loris Xanthonycticebus pygmaeus. Despite their very specialized morphology and ecology, the positional behavior of lorises is understudied. Behavioral data were collected using 30-s scan instant sampling on seven captive animals housed in a large, enriched enclosure of the Poznań Nowe Zoo (Poland) during February–June 2013. Pygmy slow lorises were almost exclusively arboreal and most activities occurred on multiple substrates (82.93%). Small (57.91%) and large (28.28%) substrates were extensively used. Horizontal (42.11%) and oblique (38.47%) substrates dominated. Clamber (39.39%), quadrupedalism (33.77%), and vertical climb (17.62%) were the main locomotor modes. Standing was the dominant posture (47.23%), followed by hanging (27.32%) and clinging (11.31%). Our results concur with the limited observations available on other lorisines; pygmy slow lorises employed a diverse and flexible positional repertoire as an adaptation to the exploitation of the continuous forest layers with intertwined small substrates of various inclinations. Consequently, protecting and managing these habitats, supported by ex situ reintroduction programs, can effectively contribute to the conservation of the species’ populations. Full article

Pedicularis hallaisanensis is a strictly biennial, hemiparasitic herb endemic to Republic of Korea and listed as an endangered species. Its populations are limited to high-altitude habitats, with recent surveys confirming survival only in Gayasan. This study aimed to assess the population size and ecological traits of P. hallaisanensis to inform conservation strategies. We established 23 quadrats at 1400–1410 m above sea level and collected microhabitat data (air temperature, soil moisture, electroconductivity, vegetation cover, and species richness) from 2022 to 2024. Flora composition and pollinator species were surveyed, with bumblebees (Bombus ignitus, B. hypocrita sapporoensis) identified as the most frequent pollinators. General linear mixed models and Pearson’s correlation analysis showed a strong positive relationship between species richness and population size and between vegetation cover and stem height. The study area’s average temperature was 6.3 °C below Republic of Korea’s national average, suggesting that climate change could disrupt the microclimatic conditions necessary for this species’ survival. The findings highlight the importance of maintaining plant diversity and controlling invasive woody species to sustain P. hallaisanensis populations. Targeted conservation measures, including habitat management and ex situ propagation, are recommended to safeguard this vulnerable species. Full article

The loss of plant species, especially endangered and endemic ones, poses a significant threat to global biodiversity. These species cannot easily be replaced when their populations decline or become extinct, which makes their loss particularly devastating. This study focuses on the geobotanical study of nine Rosaceae species (Cotoneaster karatavicus, Crataegus ambigua, Malus niedzwetzkyana, Malus sieversii, Prunus tenella, Prunus ulmifolia, Sibiraea laevigata, Sorbus persica, and Spiraeanthus schrenkianus) and the development of ex situ approaches for the conservation of Rosaceae species listed in the Red Book of Kazakhstan. The geobotanical study revealed an alarming trend of biodiversity loss in five regions of Kazakhstan. This loss is driven by threats from diseases and pests, as well as the aging of plants, small population sizes, weak in situ fruiting, and other factors, such as climate change. We have established an in vitro collection for the short- and medium-term conservation of seeds, embryos and shoots taken either directly from field-grown plants or from budwood cuttings forced indoors. We also use long-term sexual conservation methods, such as the cryopreservation of seed and embryonic axes, alongside conventional seed banking at −20 °C. Ex situ conservation efforts that use multiple propagules and storage methods for the same species are well-suited to a diverse genebank facility. These efforts enable future generations to use this valuable reservoir of genetic diversity for crop improvement and may also serve as a basis for propagating planting material to restore degraded populations. Full article

Amberboa moschata (L.) DC. (Asteraceae) is an endangered species, listed in the Red Book of Plants of the Republic of Armenia. The restricted extent of occurrence and habitat degradation necessitate conservation measures of this species, not only in the wild but also through ex situ cultivation. This study examines the comprehensive morpho-phenological, karyological, palynological, eco-physiological, and ornamental characteristics of A. moschata in the context of ex situ conservation. A. moschata plants cultivated ex situ demonstrated high adaptive traits, undergoing a full development cycle and experiencing less water stress compared to wild populations. The diploid cytotype has been found for the species to be 2n = 32, the karyotype is asymmetric, with chromosomes, 0.77–1.91 µm in size. The average pollen fertility of A. moschata is high, 96.7–96.9% in both natural and cultivated samples. A scale of decorativeness was developed, which includes 15 characteristics of the plant, providing an objective means to assess its visual appeal. The scale can be useful for integrating A. moschata into various landscaping schemes. Under cultivation, the total ornamental period lasts approximately 98 days, with the peak ornamental effect observed during the flowering phase, which spans 68–70 days. The study recommends A. moschata for inclusion in living collections in botanical gardens and for use in ornamental gardening and landscaping as part of its ex situ conservation strategy. A map, original photographs, and tables illustrate the article. Full article

The aim of this research is to investigate the potential of Raman and FT-IR spectroscopy as well as mathematical linear and non-linear models as a tool for the discrimination of different seed varieties of paprika, tomato, and lettuce species. After visual inspection of spectra, pre-processing was applied in the following combinations: (1) smoothing + linear baseline correction + unit vector normalization; (2) smoothing + linear baseline correction + unit vector normalization + full multiplicative scatter correction; (3) smoothing + baseline correction + unit vector normalization + second-order derivative. Pre-processing was followed by Principal Component Analysis (PCA), and several classification methods were applied after that: the Support Vector Machines (SVM) algorithm, Partial Least Square Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA), and Principal Component Analysis-Quadratic Discriminant Analysis (PCA-QDA). SVM showed the best classification power in both Raman (100.00, 99.37, and 92.71% for lettuce, paprika, and tomato varieties, respectively) and FT-IR spectroscopy (99.37, 92.50, and 97.50% for lettuce, paprika, and tomato varieties, respectively). Moreover, our novel approach of merging Raman and FT-IR spectra significantly contributed to the accuracy of some models, giving results of 100.00, 100.00, and 95.00% for lettuce, tomato, and paprika varieties, respectively. Our results indicate that Raman and FT-IR spectroscopy coupled with machine learning could be a promising tool for the rapid and rational evaluation and management of genetic resources in ex situ and in situ seed collections. Full article

Araucaria araucana is an emblematic native conifer from Chile and Argentina that has been classified as threatened due to anthropogenic activities. Somatic embryogenesis (SE) is a biotechnological tool used for both the preservation of genetic material and the propagation of valuable genotypes. The present study investigates the effects of explant source and culture medium on SE induction in A. araucana genotypes from three wild plant populations. Immature strobili were collected from different geographical provenances: a coastal area (Villa Araucarias, “VA”), Cordillera de Nahuelbuta (Trongol Alto, “TR”), and the Andes Mountains (Malalcahuello, “MA”). SE induction was observed after 45 days in a basal medium (BM) supplemented with 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA—11 µM), 6-benzylaminopurine (6-BA—2.8 µM), and Kinetin (Kin—2.8 µM). The highest induction rate (75%) was achieved for seeds from VA. Embryogenic cell line (ECL) proliferation requires auxins but is genotype-dependent, as not all genotypes survive. Cytochemical analysis revealed the presence of pro-embryogenic masses (PEMs) in the ECLs, indicating an efficient SE induction protocol. The progression of PEMs to early embryos was observed in the presence of maltose (3% w/v), polyethylene glycol 3350 (PEG—7% w/v), and abscisic acid (ABA—68 µM). Our results establish a baseline for the establishment of in vitro cultures for a diverse range of A. araucana genotypes, enabling the initiation of ex situ preservation programs and further investigation into embryo maturation. Full article

In vitro shoot culture and cryopreservation (CP) are techniques essential for the ex situ preservation of genetic resources and the production of plant propagation material of clonally propagated horticultural crops. Changes in plant-associated microbiota diversity and composition induced by in vitro cultivation and CP treatment could have a negative effect on the growth and ex vitro adaptation of the in vitro propagated shoots. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to assess changes in endophytic bacteria diversity in domestic apple tissues induced by in vitro cultivation and CP treatment and to investigate the potential of the bacterial inoculum to improve the rooting and ex vitro acclimatisation of the propagated shoots. Metataxonomic analysis revealed a variation in the endophytic bacteria diversity and taxonomic composition between the field-grown tree dormant bud and the in vitro propagated or CP-treated shoot samples of apple cv. Gala. Whereas Sphingobacteriaceae, Sphingomonadaceae, Pseudomonadaceae, and Beijerinckiaceae families were the most prevalent families in the bud samples, Enterobacteriaceae, Bacillaceae, and Lactobacillaceae were dominant in the in vitro shoots. The bacterial inoculum effect on rooting and ex vitro acclimatisation was assessed using four isolates selected by screening the endophytic isolate collection. Bacillus sp. L3.4, B. toyonensis Nt18, or a combined inoculum resulted in a 21%, 36%, and 59% increase in cumulative root length and a 41%, 46%, and 35% increase in the biomass accumulation of ex vitro acclimatised plantlets, respectively. Root zone microbiota functional diversity analysis implied that growth stimulation was not related to improved nutrient uptake but could involve a pathogen-suppressing effect. The results demonstrate that the application of plant growth-promoting bacteria can potentially improve the performance of the in vitro propagated germplasm. Full article