scholarly journals Conservation in the wake of myrtle rust – a case study on two critically endangered Australian rainforest plants

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 218
Author(s):  
K. D. Sommerville ◽  
P. Cuneo ◽  
G. Errington ◽  
R. O. Makinson ◽  
S. Pederson ◽  
...  

We investigated ex situ conservation options for two Australian rainforest species severely affected by myrtle rust in the wild – Rhodamnia rubescens (Benth.) Miq. and Rhodomyrtus psidioides (G.Don) Benth. Both species were successfully initiated into tissue culture though the rate of contamination was high and not significantly improved by the disinfection techniques tested. Explants surviving initiation grew well on Murashige and Skoog medium (MS; pH 6.0) with 30gL−1 sucrose, 1 µm benzyl adenine and 0.2 µm indole-3-butyric acid. Culture of R. rubescens for eight weeks on MS with 0, 5, 10 or 20 µm indole-3-butyric acid resulted in root production for some plantlets, and successful transfer to potting mix; no significant differences in root production among treatments were detected. Both species were successfully propagated by semi-hardwood cuttings with strike rates of 0–67% for R. rubescens and 0–75% for R. psidioides. For R. rubescens, pretreatment of cuttings with Zaleton® and incubation in Preforma® plugs reduced the time to root development and significantly improved the strike rate (P=0.001). R. rubescens seed proved to be orthodox and suitable for standard seedbanking; R. psidioides seed proved to be freezing sensitive but suitable for storage at 4°C. As the two species now produce few viable seeds in the wild, however, conservation by seedbanking will first require the establishment of a seed orchard from vegetatively propagated plants. We recommend swift action to conserve species in the Pacific similarly affected by myrtle rust before their growth and reproductive capacity are seriously diminished.

2018 ◽  
Vol 98 (3) ◽  
pp. 762-770 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed Salama ◽  
Mukund R. Shukla ◽  
Elena Popova ◽  
Nathan S. Fisk ◽  
Maxwell P. Jones ◽  
...  

Golden paintbrush (Castilleja levisecta Greenm.) is a hemiparasitic herbaceous perennial native to the Pacific Northwest of North America and is considered critically imperilled with only 11 populations remaining in the wild. The main objective of this study was to develop ex situ and in situ conservation through micropropagation and field plantings. In vitro cultures were initiated using nodal explants from two plants raised from seeds collected from a natural population. Shoots were then multiplied on Murashige and Skoog basal medium with 2.0 μmol L−1 6-benzylaminopurine (BA), 3.0 μmol L−1 kinetin (Kn), 2.2 g L−1 phytagel, and 3% sucrose. Explant position on source plants, culture vessel design, and application of different plant growth regulator levels for BA, Kn, and thiadiazuron (TDZ) were tested to optimize micropropagation protocols. Clones from the plants showed differences in plant height and number of nodes in response to various BA and TDZ concentrations. In vitro shoots were successfully rooted under ex vitro conditions using commercial rooting powder (0.8% indole-3-butyric acid) with an average of ∼17 roots per shoot and acclimatized in the greenhouse with 100% survival rate. Two-month-old plants were transferred to a Parks Canada restoration site at Fort Rodd Hill, Victoria, BC, with 7.5% survival. The use of micropropagation in combination with reintroduction efforts offers an excellent opportunity for conserving endangered plant biodiversity in vitro and facilitating in situ conservation efforts by providing plants for reintroduction.


2014 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-47
Author(s):  
Farah Fazwa Md Ariff ◽  
Norhayati Saffie ◽  
Syafiqah Nabilah Samsul Bahari ◽  
Mohamad Zaki Abdullah ◽  
Mohd Asri Lias

Labisia pumila or locally known as Kacip Fatimah of the family Myrsinaceae is one of the popular herbal species in Malaysia. The leaves or the whole plant are being traditionally used to treat women internal problem and health. Other medicinal uses of the plant are as a treatment for dysentery, flatulence, dysmenorrhoea and gonorrhoea. The increasing demand of the plants for those usages has lead to the over-exploitation in the wild and might endanger the species if no conservation activities are being carried out. Beside the danger of extinction, the species also experience severe genetic loss and shortage of raw materials. Realizing to this, Plant Improvement Programme of Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) has taken an initiative to ex-situ conserve the species through the establishment of germplasm and development of breeding strategy. The purpose is to avoid extinction of the species and to produce high quality planting materials for commercial production. This paper discusses the collection, selection, propagation and establishment of clonal bank/germplasm of the species. It is anticipated that with the initiative, the sustainability of the species can be ensured to support the industries demand in the future.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yupi ISNAINI ◽  
Titien Ngatinem Praptosuwiryo

Abstract. Isnaini Y, Praptosuwiryo TNg. 2020. In vitro spore germination and early gametophyte development of Cibotium barometz (L.) J. Sm. in different media. Biodiversitas 21: 5373-5381. Cibotium barometz (L.) J. Sm. is known as the golden chicken fern and included in Appendix II of CITES. It is an important export commodity for traditional and modern medicine. Globally, populations of this species are under significant pressure due to overexploitation in the wild. In vitro culture is one of the technologies used for ex-situ propagation and conservation of rare and endangered ferns and lycophytes. This study’s objectives were: (i) to observe in vitro spore germination and early gametophyte development of C. barometz, and (ii) to determine the best culture medium for rapid spore germination and early development of the gametophytes. The sterilized spores were sown in half-strength Murashige & Skoog (½MS) basal medium supplemented with combinations of 6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP) and α-Naphthalene acetic acid (NAA). A factorial combination of four BAP concentrations (0, 2, 4, and 6 mg L-1) with four concentrations of NAA (0; 0.01; 0.03 and 0.05 mg L-1) created 16 treatments replicated in a Completely Randomized Design. Spore germination of C. barometz was observed to be Vittaria-type, and its prothallial development was Drynaria-type. Spore germination started 7-14 days after sowing. Young heart-shape gametophytes consisting of 110-240 cells were formed in 45-61 days after sowing. The two best spore culture media for rapid spore germination and development of C. barometz gametophytes were ½ MS with or without 2 mg L-1 BAP.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Seyyed Saeed Hosseinian Yousefkhani

Abstract Paradactylodon persicus gorganensis is a critically endangered salamander found in northeastern Iran which faces increasing major anthropogenic threats such as agriculture, industry and mining. The aim of the current study is to identify key environmental variables associated with the species’ presence. Also, measuring and comparing the water quality parameters in habitats where P. p. gorganensis is present and absent are the other aims of the study. The results indicate that high pH and dissolved oxygen values have a negative effect on the species’ presence, while its presence was strongly correlated with low mean water temperatures. The species’ range in response to the climate change will shift to the south and east, where areas of high elevation occur, because the species favors cold habitats. This study indicates that it will be particularly important to evaluate the whole range where P. p. gorganensis exists when preparing conservation action plans. It is recommended that ex-situ conservation programs are incorporated into conservation planning for the species, because the number of individuals in the wild is so low and their future viability is fragile.


2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 313-315
Author(s):  
Jibankumar S. KHURAIJAM ◽  
Rup K. ROY

Ex-situ conservation is an important key in the management of rare, endangered and threatened (RET) plant species and its effectiveness depends on several factors. Maintenance of viable germplasm and its subsequent propagation plays an important role in long term conservation of many RET species. Nepenthes khasiana is a rare and gravely threatened species in the wild due to over-collection and other threats. The species needs urgent in-situ and ex-situ conservation. Development of easy to propagate techniques would pave faster multiplication for its use of educational, medicinal and horticultural purpose. In the present paper, successful propagation technique of Nepenthes khasiana through seeds is demonstrated along with detailed information on precautions to be taken during the adoption of the techniques.


2007 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 1187-1192 ◽  
Author(s):  
WANSUK SENANAN ◽  
NONGNUD TANGKROCK-OLAN ◽  
SUWANNA PANUTRAKUL ◽  
PRAPARSIRI BARNETTE ◽  
CHARAN WONGWIWATANAWUTE ◽  
...  

2013 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 292-302 ◽  
Author(s):  
María Luisa Vera ◽  
Teresa Fernández-Teruel ◽  
Antonio Quesada

AbstractThe Maritime Antarctic is one of the regions where regional climate change is most intense and the reproductive performance of plants may be enhanced. Reporting the distribution of Deschampsia antarctica and Colobanthus quitensis on Byers Peninsula (Livingston Island, South Shetland Islands), our results confirm that D. antarctica is more widespread than C. quitensis. Flower and seed development of both species varied between sites. Deschampsia antarctica produced more viable seeds than C. quitensis, although fully developed seeds were not found at all locations. Seed production in C. quitensis was low in comparison with other Antarctic locations. The largest cushions of Colobanthus observed in 2002 were 15 cm in diameter, suggesting that the populations may have established at least 50 years ago. Deschampsia antarctica tussocks were very often 20 cm in diameter, although turf areas up to 1.5 m across were also observed, probably due to coalesced aggregates of individuals. This study shows that, although seed production is low, the presence of seedlings and young individuals suggests an expansion process.


HortScience ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 84-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Milorad Vujičić ◽  
Aneta Sabovljević ◽  
Jasmina Šinžar-Sekulić ◽  
Marijana Skorić ◽  
Marko Sabovljević

The high mountain pottioid moss Molendoa hornschuchiana (Hook) Lindb. ex Limpr. is a very rare and critically endangered bryophyte species in Europe in need for ex situ conservation. A 25-year-old herbarium sample was used to revive and propagate this species for further reintroduction and introduction to potential natural habitats. The reviving of “dead” herbarium specimen was achieved by disposing of axenical organisms as well as adjusting condition for developing secondary protonema, bud inductions, and optimization of gametophyte propagation in vitro condition.The influence of exogenously added growth regulators on the morphogenesis of this species was studied. The plants were cultured in the two basic types of media, viz., BCD and half-strength Murashige and Skoog (MS) supplemented with different concentrations (0.01–0.3 μM) of indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and N6-benzyladenine (BA) under a 16-h photoperiod. The influence of growth regulators on gametophores multiplication in vitro as well as on protonemal diameter was recorded. Well-developed gametophores were obtained on BCD medium, whereas on half-strength MS medium, secondary protonema was produced, both on hormone-free and supplemented substrate exclusively. Based on multiplication index in vitro, maximum development of gametophores was realized on BCD medium supplemented with 0.3 μM IBA and 0.1 μM BA. However, the widest diameter of secondary protonema was obtained on BCD medium enriched with low concentration of both BA (0.01 and 0.03 μM) and constant concentration of IBA (0.03 μM). Chemical names used: indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), N6-benzyladenine (BA), Murashige and Skoog medium (MS).


2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (101) ◽  
pp. 124-132
Author(s):  
O. V. Burlakova ◽  
V. Y. Stefanyk

Mostly all feral cats are listed in the IUCN International Red Book. This fact is caused by the negative impact of civilization on the ecosystem, including fauna. This trend applies equally to feral cats from the family Felidae (tigers, jaguars, leopards, snow leopards) and the family Felinae (caracal, serval, ocelot, etc.). The low population size of domestic species, namely lynx and forest cat in Ukraine, is alarming. The use of innovative biotechnological techniques in reproduction can have a positive effect on the conservation of endangered carnivorous species. These auxiliary methods are aimed at improving the technique of obtaining and cryopreservation of sperm, oocytes, in vitro fertilization, artificial insemination, embryo transplantation, as well as synchronization and regulation of the sexual cycle. This last element is key in ex situ conservation programs in zoos. Under physiological course, feline reproductive cycle is unique, as the physiology of the body as a whole. The wild cat family is the pinnacle of predator evolution. Today there are 39 species of this family in the world, including the domestic cat. Most feral cats are endangered. The main reasons for the decline in wild cat populations in the wild are habitat loss, fragmentation, human-animal conflict, and for some species, poaching for fur and medicine. Therefore, many scientists in the world face the issue of increasing reproductive capacity, improving methods of monitoring reproductive function and endocrine status, as different species of cats have significant differences in the sexual cycle. The main purpose of the work is to improve the reproductive properties in the reproduction of wild cats using non-invasive diagnostic methods. Reproduction is a key success factor, so understanding the basics of the reproduction function will help develop strategies to conserve and influence populations of different feline species.


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