Global sequencing of genomes severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has continued to reveal new genetic variants that are the key unraveling its early evolutionary history and tracking global spread over time. Here we present heretofore cryptic mutational spatiotemporal dynamics SARS-CoV-2 from an analysis thousands high-quality genomes. We report likely most recent common ancestor SARS-CoV-2, reconstructed through a novel application advancement computational methods...

The extensive forests over limestone of the Samar Island Natural Park (SINP) on Island, Philippines harbour a rich variety unique species. In this contribution, we describe and illustrate new Loranthaceous mistletoe, endemic to named Decaisninatomentosa, representing 12th member genus reported Philippines.This species is similar D.confertiflora (Merr.) Barlow with respect presence shortly densely off-white tomentose inflorescence 6-merous flowers. However, it amongst congeners in having...

The enigmatic ‘Spectacled Flowerpecker’—a probable new bird species from the island of Borneo—was first sighted in Danum Valley Sabah, Malaysia 2009. However, absence a holotype specimen has prevented its formal scientific description. Since then only handful reports widely disparate localities across have emerged, all lowland sites and often close association with fruiting mistletoe. Here, we report long-awaited capture this putative confirm morphological molecular distinctiveness as novel...

Premise of the Study The fossil record Agathis historically has been restricted to Australasia. Recently described fossils from Eocene Patagonian Argentina showed a broader distribution than found previously, which is reinforced here with new early Paleocene species Patagonia. No previous phylogenetic analyses have included species. Methods We describe macrofossils Patagonia vegetative and reproductive organs Danian, as well leaves affinities latest Maastrichtian. A total evidence analysis...

Abstract We report the likely most recent common ancestor of SARS-CoV-2 – coronavirus that causes COVID-19. This progenitor genome was recovered through a novel application and advancement computational methods initially developed to reconstruct mutational history tumor cells in patient. The differs from earliest coronaviruses sampled China by three variants, implying none patients represent index case or gave rise all human infections. However, multiple infections USA harbored genetic...

Abstract Motivation Building reliable phylogenies from very large collections of sequences with a limited number phylogenetically informative sites is challenging because sequencing errors and recurrent/backward mutations interfere the phylogenetic signal, confounding true evolutionary relationships. Massive global efforts genomes reconstructing phylogeny severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) strains exemplify these difficulties since there are only hundreds but...

Abstract: Pollinator visits to flowers of self-incompatible tropical trees are critical for plant fecundity. However, few studies have examined how much the variance in tree fecundity is explained by individual attributes (e.g. number flowers), and due contextual variables such as distances nearest flowering neighbours. Using multiple regressions we relative contributions these factors pollination Goetzea elegans , a mainly endemic Puerto Rico. We studied largest wild population species...

Summary The interplay between dispersal and adaptation to local environments ultimately determines the distribution of plant species, but their relative contribution remains little understood. Tropical mistletoes provide opportunity dissect these contributions adaptation, because as hemiparasitic plants, they are typically adapted grow on a handful species within diverse tropical communities non‐randomly dispersed by mutualistic frugivorous birds. Here we hypothesized that primary...

Dracocephalum heterophyllum (Lamiaceae: tribe Mentheae) is an annual aromatic herb native to East Asia with a long record of human uses, including medicinal, alimentary, and ornamental values. However, no information available about its molecular biology, genomic study has been performed on D. heterophyllum. Here, we report the complete chloroplast (cp) genome series comparative analyses between this closely related species Lamiaceae. Results indicated that cp typical circular structure...

Cassytha is the sole genus of hemiparasitic vines (ca. 20 spp.) belonging to Cassytheae tribe Lauraceae family. It extensively distributed in tropical and subtropical regions. In this study, we determined complete plastid genome sequences C. filiformis larsenii , which do not possess typical quadripartite structure. The length plastomes ranged from 114,215 114,618 bp, whereas that 114,900 114,988 bp. Comparative genomic analysis revealed 1,013 mutation sites, four large intragenomic...

Biological aspects of haustorial parasitism have significant effects on the configuration plastid genome. Approximately half diversity parasites belongs to order Santalales, where a clearer picture plastome evolution in relation is starting emerge. However, previous studies there still notable under-representation members from non-parasitic and deep-branching hemiparasitic lineages, limiting evolutionary inference around time transition parasitic lifestyle. To expand taxon sampling relevant...

The impact of introduced species on native organisms is one the main conservation concerns around world. To fully understand effect pollinators plants, it important to know reproductive biology focal species, especially its pollination biology. In this study we examined breeding system endangered tree Goetzea elegans (Solanaceae), and compared effectiveness two floral visitors, Coereba flaveola (an avian nectarivore), Apis mellifera (the European Honeybee). We assessed G. by applying several...

In this paper, we describe two endemic tree species of Pisonia (Caryophyllales: Nyctaginaceae) from Puerto Rico that were erroneously catalogued under the single name subcordata var. typica f. gigantophylla, misidentified as P. albida or subcordata, and informally named "P. borinquena" woodburyana". The here horneae is a rare to locally occasional low elevations in Northern Karst Sierra de Cayey. other species, roqueae, common mid high Central Mountain Range Luquillo Mountains. We provide an...

The dispersal and survival of seeds are two the main factors limiting forest regeneration in tropical pastures anthropogenic origin. Here we report on quantity, diversity, predation rates dispersed by birds a pasture northern Puerto Rico. From May through August 2009, sampled bird-generated seed rain under isolated trees shrubs using traps. was adjacent to fragment secondary that served as source seeds. traps collected 3,844 (including pieces) belonging 28 plant species, with five species...

Eugenia fragrans var.? fajardensis was described in 1895 and raised to species status 1923 as E. fajardensis. In 1925, it relegated the synonymy of Anamomis (Myrcianthes fragrans). Since 2001, we have re-discovered wild plants herbarium specimens, including a previously unidentified isotype fajardensis, supporting validity this species. Here designate lectotype an epitype for addition, provide: 1) extended description unknown flowers fruits, illustration, photographs live plants, 2) key 24...

Two new species of Dendrophthora Eichler (Viscaceae) from northwestern Venezuela are described and illustrated. Both mistletoes, D. apiculata Canelón et al., sp. nov. coronata , confined to subpáramo páramo ecosystems the Venezuelan Andes are, at present, only known Guaramacal National Park (Portuguesa Trujillo states). Ecological aspects possible taxonomic affinities discussed. A distribution map also is presented.

Several genera of Nyctaginaceae, currently merged under Pisonia , have been described for the Indo-Pacific region. Results from a recent molecular phylogenetic study tribe Pisonieae showed that is non-monophyletic and comprises three well-supported lineages: one including typical allies ( s.str.), clade species which corresponds to original description Ceodes third lineage whose single representative was formerly treated monotypic genus Rockia . Thus, as part an effort achieve natural...

On 25 November 1885 German botanist Paul Ernst Emil Sintenis collected a species of mistletoe in coffee plantation Aibonito, municipality located the central mountain range Puerto Rico (Sintenis 2856, GOET). Ignatius Urban examined specimen and name it Dendropemon sintenisii Krug & (Urban 1897: 25) honor its collector. After description D. remained unknown and, although was included all major floristic treatments island, taxonomic ghost known only from type (Liogier 1985, Liogier...

In this contribution the rediscovery of lianas Arrabidaea chica (Bignoniaceae) and Entada polystachya var. polyphylla (Fabaceae-Mimosoideae) in Puerto Rico is reported. These species were first collected during 1880s subsequently considered extirpated. Their current status discussed, recommendations for their conservation are offered.

Schismatoglottis minuta (Araceae) is described as a new species and illustrated based on accessions collected from Samar Island, Philippines. The species, belonging to the Calyptrata clade sensu Hay Yuzammi distinct previously reported taxa. Due its habitat preferences low (<100) estimated number of mature individuals, we recommend that this noteworthy should be considered critically endangered.