1. Morphological and molecular characterization of Micromeria croatica (Lamiaceae), an endemic and potentially valuable horticultural species of the Dinaric AlpsZlatko Liber, Ivan Radosavljević, Zlatko Šatović, Marija Hodja, Vesna Židovec, Faruk Bogunić, Dalibor Ballian, Danijela Stešević, Sven D. Jelaska, Dario Kremer, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: Due to climate extremes and limited natural resources, especially water, we can expect increased demand in the future for species that can better tolerate climate extremes such as drought. One potentially valuable horticultural species is the endemic species of the Dinaride Mountains Micromeria croatica (Pers.) Schott (family Lamiaceae). It grows in the crevices of carbonate rocks, extending from an altitude of 150 m to more than 2000 m. This study aims to provide additional insight into the genetic and morphological diversity of this endemic species, focusing on valuable horticultural traits. To achieve this goal, morphological and molecular analyses were performed on ten natural populations. Through STRUCTURE and PCoA analyses, ten M. croatica populations were placed into western and eastern genetic groups, with several individuals from western populations assigned to the eastern group and vice versa. These atypical individuals assigned to the new genetic group by BAPS analysis indicate gene flow between western and eastern populations. Similarly, an analysis of molecular variance revealed fewer genetic differences than within studied populations. Both PCA and CANDISC analysis based on eleven morphological traits largely confirmed the existence of two slightly different genetic groups. Two populations containing plants with the most flowers per shoot, one with white-flowered individuals, one with the roundest leaves, and one with the narrowest leaves proved to be the most horticulturally valuable. The genetic and morphological variability found should be a sufficient basis for the potential selection of M. croatica populations and individuals for horticultural purposes.
Keywords: morphological characterization, molecular characterization, Micromeria croatica (Lamiaceae), Dinaric Alps
Published in DiRROS: 19.03.2024; Views: 129; Downloads: 77
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2. Species interactions : next-level citizen scienceQuentin Groom, Nadja Pernat, Tim Adriaens, Maarten De Groot, Sven D. Jelaska, Diana Marčiulyniene, Angeliki F. Martinou, Jiří Skuhrovec, Elena Tricarico, Ernst C. Wit, Helen E. Roy, 2021, original scientific article Abstract: We envisage a future research environment where digital data on species interactions are easily accessible and comprehensively cover all species, life stages and habitats. To achieve this goal, we need data from many sources, including the largely untapped potential of citizen science for mobilising and utilising existing information on species interactions. Traditionally volunteers contributing information on the occurrence of species have focused on single-species observations from within one target taxon. We make recommendations on how to improve the gathering of species interaction data through citizen science, which data should be collected and how it can be motivated. These recommendations include providing feedback in the form of network visualisations, leveraging a wide variety of other data sources and eliciting an emotional connection to the species in question. There are many uses for these data, but in the context of biological invasions, information on species interactions will increase understanding of the effects of invasive alien species on recipient communities and ecosystems. We believe that the inclusion of ecological networks as a concept within citizen science, not only for initiatives focussed on biological invasions but also across other ecological themes, will not only enrich scientific knowledge on species interactions but also deepen the experience and enjoyment of citizens themselves.
Keywords: alien species, biological invasions, citizen science
Published in DiRROS: 29.10.2021; Views: 1040; Downloads: 640
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