A5026669002- Botany, Ecology, and Taxonomy Studies
- Botany and Plant Ecology Studies
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Plant and animal studies
- Plant Diversity and Evolution
- Rangeland and Wildlife Management
- Plant Taxonomy and Phylogenetics
- Plant Ecology and Taxonomy Studies
- African Botany and Ecology Studies
- Plant and Fungal Species Descriptions
- Ethnobotanical and Medicinal Plants Studies
- Legume Nitrogen Fixing Symbiosis
- Plant Parasitism and Resistance
- Aquatic Ecosystems and Biodiversity
- Agronomic Practices and Intercropping Systems
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Agricultural pest management studies
- Botanical Research and Chemistry
- Botanical Studies and Applications
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Botanical Research and Applications
- Nematode management and characterization studies
- Plant nutrient uptake and metabolism
- Coastal wetland ecosystem dynamics
- Archaeology and Natural History
University of Cape Town
2016-2025
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
1998-2021
Stellenbosch University
2015
National Museums of Kenya
1995-2007
KU Leuven
2004-2007
Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Botany
2006
Leiden University
2006
Yahoo (United Kingdom)
2004
The origin of fire-adapted lineages is a long-standing question in ecology. Although phylogeny can provide significant contribution to the ongoing debate, its use has been precluded by lack comprehensive DNA data. Here, we focus on 'underground trees' (=geoxyles) southern Africa, one most distinctive growth forms characteristic fire-prone savannas. We placed geoxyles within dated for regional flora comprising over 1400 woody species. Using this phylogeny, tested whether African evolved...
In the last decade, efforts to reconstruct suprageneric phylogeny of Cyperaceae have intensified. We present an analysis 262 taxa representing 93 genera in 15 tribes, sequenced for plastid rbcL and trnL-F (intron intergenic spacer). are monophyletic resolved into two clades, here recognised as Mapanioideae Cyperoideae, overall topology is similar results from previous studies. Within Trilepideae sister rest whereas Cryptangieae, Bisboeckelerieae Sclerieae within Schoeneae. Cladium...
C4 photosynthesis is an adaptive trait conferring advantage in warm and open habitats. It originated multiple times currently reported 18 plant families. has been recently shown that phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC), a key enzyme of the pathway, evolved through numerous independent but convergent genetic changes grasses (Poaceae). To compare genetics origins on broader scale, we reconstructed evolutionary history pathway sedges (Cyperaceae), second most species-rich family. A sedge...
Significance Africa hosts contrasting communities of mammal browsers and is, thus, the ideal background for testing their effect on plant evolution. In this study at continental scale, we reveal which are most closely associated with spiny trees. We then show a remarkable convergence between evolutionary histories these (the bovids) plants. Over last 16 My, plants from unrelated lineages developed spines 55 times. These convergent patterns evolution suggest that arrival diversification...
Poales represents more than one-third of all monocotyledons (c. 20 000 species in 16 families) and constitutes a microcosm the angiosperms. The extreme variation richness among families is still not understood: Poaceae includes ∼10 species, whereas six have fewer ten species. Here, using largest phylogenetic analysis to date, molecular dating, ancestral reconstructions diversification analyses, we develop macro-evolutionary macro-ecological approach seek correlates for changing patterns. We...
Rubisco is responsible for the fixation of CO2 into organic compounds through photosynthesis and thus has a great agronomic importance. It well established that this enzyme suffers from slow catalysis, its low specificity results photorespiration, which considered as an energy waste plant. However, natural variations exist, some lineages, such in C4 plants, exhibit higher catalytic efficiencies coupled to lower specificities. These kinetics could have evolved adaptation concentration present...
Rhizobial diversity and host preferences were assessed in 65 native Fynbos legumes of the papilionoid legume tribes Astragaleae, Crotalarieae, Genisteae, Indigofereae, Millettieae, Phaseoleae, Podalyrieae, Psoraleeae Sesbanieae. Sequence analyses chromosomal 16S rRNA, recA, atpD symbiosis-related nodA, nifH genes parallel with immunogold labelling assays identified symbionts as alpha- (Azorhizobium, Bradyrhizobium, Ensifer, Mesorhizobium Rhizobium) beta-rhizobial (Burkholderia) lineages...
Abstract Cyperaceae (sedges) are the third largest monocot family and of considerable economic ecological importance. Sedges represent an ideal model to study evolutionary biology due their species richness, global distribution, large discrepancies in lineage diversity, broad range preferences, adaptations including multiple origins C 4 photosynthesis holocentric chromosomes. Goetghebeur′s seminal work on published 1998 provided most recent complete classification at tribal generic level,...
The land use and cover (LULC) changes driven by the growing demands of mankind have a considerable effect on ecosystem services functions. study was carried out in north-eastern highlands Ethiopia to (1) analyze LULC between 1984 2021 (2) assess spatiotemporal variations service values (ESVs) elasticity response changes. Using Landsat imageries from 2021, were evaluated with supervised image classification using maximum likelihood algorithm ArcGIS software. Six types subsequently...
The fundamental value of universal nomenclatural systems in biology is that they enable unambiguous scientific communication. However, the stability these threatened by recent discussions asking for a fairer nomenclature, raising possibility bulk revision processes "inappropriate" names. It evident such proposals come from very deep feelings, but we show how can irreparably damage foundation biological communication and, turn, sciences depend on it. There are four essential consequences...
Since the Monocots II meeting in 1998, significant new data have been published that enhance our systematic knowledge of Cyperaceae. Phylogenetic studies family also progressed steadily. For this study, a parsimony analysis was carried out using all rbcL sequences currently available for Cyperaceae, including two genera. One four subfamilies (Caricoideae) and seven 14 tribes (Bisboeckelereae, Cariceae, Cryptangieae, Dulichieae, Eleocharideae, Sclerieae, Trilepideae) are monophyletic....
Maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference analyses of nuclear ribosomal DNA (ETS1f) plastid (rpl32-trnL, trnH-psbA) sequence data are presented for 'C4Cyperus' (Cyperaceae). The term encompasses all species Cyperus s.l. that use C4 photosynthesis linked with chlorocyperoid vegetative anatomy. Sampling comprises 107 specimens 104 different taxa, including many the subdivisions C4Cyperus s.s. segregate genera (Alinula, Ascolepis, Kyllinga, Lipocarpha, Pycreus, Queenslandiella, Remirea,...
Abstract Background Mistletoes are the most successful group of obligatory hemi-parasitic flowering plants that attach to host via haustorium for obtaining water and minerals. This review aims assess current knowledge on mistletoes plant recognition, formation, water/minerals acquisition, plants’ defense signaling responses against mistletoe attack. Results Some host-specific while others generalists occurring a wide range vascular plants. The nitrogen (N) content, parasite–host chemical...
Poales are one of the most species-rich, ecologically and economically important orders plants often characterise open habitats, enabled by unique suites traits. We test six hypotheses regarding evolution assembly in closed habitats throughout world, examine whether diversification patterns demonstrate parallel evolution. sampled 42% species obtained taxonomic biogeographic data from World Checklist Vascular Plants database, which was combined with open/closed habitat scored experts. A dated...
Cyperaceae are the third largest monocotyledon family, with considerable economic and conservation importance. In subfamily Mapanioideae there is particular specialization of inflorescence into units termed spicoids. The structural homology spicoid difficult to interpret, making determination intrafamilial relationships problematic. To address this, pollen from eight species in was investigated using light microscopy scanning transmission electron microscopy. Pollen development also examined...
Abstract Loboi Swamp is a 1·5 km 2 freshwater wetland situated near the equator in Kenya Rift Valley. The climate semi‐arid: precipitation ≈ 700 mm year −1 , and evapotranspiration 2500 . Some of water currently used for irrigation. An interdisciplinary study was conducted on geology, hydrology, pedology biology to determine its origin history assess longevity under present hydrological conditions. Sedimentary records from two piston cores (1·8 4 m long) indicate that developed during late...
Maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses of nrDNA (ETS1f) plastid DNA (rpl32-trnL, trnH-psbA) sequence data are presented for 'C3Cyperus' (Cyperaceae). The term indicates all species Cyperus s.l. that use C3 photosynthesis linked with eucyperoid vegetative anatomy. Sampling comprises 77 specimens 61 different taxa, representing nearly previously recognized subdivisions C3Cyperus the segregate genera Courtoisina, Kyllingiella Oxycaryum. According to our results, clade is divided in six...
The rapid loss of biodiversity, coupled with difficulties in species identification, call for innovative approaches to assess biodiversity. Insects make up a substantial proportion extant diversity and play fundamental roles any given ecosystem. To complement morphological new techniques such as metabarcoding it possible quantify insect insect-ecosystem interactions through DNA sequencing. Here we examine the potential bulk samples (i.e., containing many non-sorted specimens) prokaryote...
ABSTRACT Rhizobia of the genus Burkholderia have large-scale distribution ranges and are usually associated with South African papilionoid American mimosoid legumes, yet little is known about their genetic structuring at either local or global geographic scales. To understand variation different spatial scales, from individual legumes in fynbos (South Africa) to a context, we analyzed chromosomal (16S rRNA, recA ) symbiosis ( nifH , nodA nodC gene sequences. We showed that diversity...
Abstract Indigofera L. is the most diverse genus in tribe Indigofereae and third largest Fabaceae with over 750 species distributed tropical to temperate areas of world. The centre diversity lies on African continent, accounting for two-thirds its global diversity. Diversification Indigofer a’s four main clades began Early Miocene, Tethyan Cape Clades having slightly older crown ages than Pantropical Paleotropical Clades. Using biogeographical models under a newly assembled, more...