Papers by Romina Vidal-Russell
Boletín de la Sociedad Argentina de Botánica
Introducción y objetivos: Las prácticas de manejo de especies no-nativas e invasoras es tema prio... more Introducción y objetivos: Las prácticas de manejo de especies no-nativas e invasoras es tema prioritario en áreas protegidas, en especial en estadios tempranos de invasión, porque facilita la recuperación de sistemas nativos. Aquí presentamos una metodología para el control de una planta trepadora invasora, Hedera helix (Araliaceae). M&M: Se realizó remoción manual y la disposición de los residuos se compostó en bolsas en el lugar. Luego se monitoreó la regeneración natural del bosque nativo. La propuesta incluye la convocatoria de voluntarios, enmarcados en un proyecto de investigación y extensión de la Universidad Nacional Comahue Bariloche con la colaboración de la Administración de Parques Nacionales. Resultados: Desde 2019 participaron 47 voluntarios, se extrajeron 870 kg (peso húmedo) de material de cinco de los seis sitios identificados. Dos de los cinco sitios intervenidos se encuentran en la etapa de monitoreo de especies nativas. Conclusión: La participación de voluntar...
Nitella sonderi A.Braun (Charales, Charophyceae) – a New Record for South America, and First Record from Outside Australia
Cryptogamie, Algologie
Evidencia morfológica e isoenzimática de hibridación natural entre Nothofagus antarctica y N. pumilio en el noroeste patagónico Morphological and isozyme evidence of natural hybridization between Nothofagus antarctica and N. pumilio in northwestern Patagonia
Conservation planning requires setting priorities at the same spatial scale at which decision-mak... more Conservation planning requires setting priorities at the same spatial scale at which decision-making processes are undertaken considering all levels of biodiversity, but current methods for identifying biodiversity hotspots ignore its genetic component. We developed a fine-scale approach based on the definition of genetic hotspots, which have high genetic diversity and unique variants that represent their evolutionary potential and evolutionary novelties. Our hypothesis is that wide-ranging taxa with similar ecological tolerances, yet of phylogenetically independent lineages, have been and currently are shaped by ecological and evolutionary forces that result in geographically concordant genetic patterns. We mapped previously published genetic diversity and unique variants of biparentally inherited markers and chloroplast sequences for 9 species from 188 and 275 populations, respectively, of the 4 woody dominant families of the austral temperate forest, an area considered a biodiver...
Boletin de la Sociedad Argentina de Botanica, Feb 15, 2023
Background and aims: Inventories in protected areas are essential for planning conservation actio... more Background and aims: Inventories in protected areas are essential for planning conservation actions. We aim to: provide a database of the vascular plant species of the National Parks of northwestern Patagonia, Argentina; highlight the singularity of these Parks; and analyze the incidence of exotic species in the protected areas of this region. M&M: We generated a database of the species of Lanín, Nahuel Huapi (including PN Los Arrayanes), Lago Puelo and Los Alerces National Parks. For each species, the following variables were recorded: botanical family, scientific name, common name, native or exotic character for Argentina, habit and environment. The presence of each species was supported by a reference herbarium specimen. The richness and taxonomic composition of native and exotic species, and of native species exclusive to each Park and of exotic species present in all of them were analyzed. Species richness by habit and environment was also determined. Results: A total of 1304 species, subspecies and varieties were recorded, 975 are native to Argentina and 329 are exotics. The percentage of exotic species ranged from 17% (Lanín) to 31% (Lago Puelo). Conclusions: The Parks analyzed have a diverse and unique native flora and their biodiversity can be strongly threatened by the high percentage of exotic plant species. The database generated is a fundamental tool for planning conservation and management policies in these Parks.
Exploring local morphological and molecular variation in parasitic species <i>Gaiadendron punctatum</i> (Loranthaceae) from Northwestern Andes of Colombia
<i>Gaiadendron punctatum</i> (Ruiz &amp; Pav.) G. Don. exhibits a wide morphologi... more <i>Gaiadendron punctatum</i> (Ruiz &amp; Pav.) G. Don. exhibits a wide morphological variation and geographical distribution, ranging from Nicaragua to Bolivia. Reported polymorphism and the existence of more than 20 synonyms for <i>Gaiadendron punctatum</i> might indicate that there is either a cryptic complex, or that this species shows great variation. Populations from Northwestern Colombia were sampled to evaluate if local morphological variation was reflected in molecular variation. Two chloroplast regions were used, and haplotype networks were performed for each region. Also, reproductive and vegetative characters were compared between populations. Three different morphotypes were observed according to examined variables. DNA sequences showed some nucleotide substitutions and indels that characterized some of the morphotypes. Network analyses group together individuals of the same morphotype for both regions. We found evidence that the three different morphotypes here described showed some degree of genetic identity. Further work is needed for sampling along the whole distribution range of this species, to propose hypotheses about different entities or the existence of a single polymorphic taxon with altitudinal ecotypes.
Plantas carnívoras en Puerto Blest : invasiones biológicas y conservación
Desde la patagonia. Difundiendo saberes, 2019
La presencia de una planta carnívora exótica, que podría afectar negativamente a la única carnívo... more La presencia de una planta carnívora exótica, que podría afectar negativamente a la única carnívora nativa de la turbera, requirió de un trabajo de investigación en conjunto y de acciones de conservación concretas. Las plantas carnívoras son una rareza botánica y en Patagonia hay cinco especies nativas. En una turbera del Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi se detectó una planta carnívora no habitual. Se identificó como Drosera rotundifolia, especie distribuida principalmente en regiones templadas y frías del Hemisferio Norte, lo que suscitó acciones de control concretas. Esta es la primera especie exótica de Drosera que se encuentra creciendo en estado silvestre en el sur de Sudamérica
Plantas carnívoras en Puerto Blest : invasiones biológicas y conservación
Desde la patagonia. Difundiendo saberes, 2019
La presencia de una planta carnívora exótica, que podría afectar negativamente a la única carnívo... more La presencia de una planta carnívora exótica, que podría afectar negativamente a la única carnívora nativa de la turbera, requirió de un trabajo de investigación en conjunto y de acciones de conservación concretas. Las plantas carnívoras son una rareza botánica y en Patagonia hay cinco especies nativas. En una turbera del Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi se detectó una planta carnívora no habitual. Se identificó como Drosera rotundifolia, especie distribuida principalmente en regiones templadas y frías del Hemisferio Norte, lo que suscitó acciones de control concretas. Esta es la primera especie exótica de Drosera que se encuentra creciendo en estado silvestre en el sur de Sudamérica
Exploring local morphological and molecular variation in parasitic species Gaiadendron punctatum (Loranthaceae) from Northwestern Andes of Colombia
Neotropical Biodiversity, 2021
Gaiadendron punctatum (Ruiz & Pav.) G. Don. exhibits a wide morphological variation and geographi... more Gaiadendron punctatum (Ruiz & Pav.) G. Don. exhibits a wide morphological variation and geographical distribution, ranging from Nicaragua to Bolivia. Reported polymorphism and the existence of more than 20 synonyms for Gaiadendron punctatum might indicate that there is either a cryptic complex, or that this species shows great variation. Populations from Northwestern Colombia were sampled to evaluate if local morphological variation was reflected in molecular variation. Two chloroplast regions were used, and haplotype networks were performed for each region. Also, reproductive and vegetative characters were compared between populations. Three different morphotypes were observed according to examined variables. DNA sequences showed some nucleotide substitutions and indels that characterized some of the morphotypes. Network analyses group together individuals of the same morphotype for both regions. We found evidence that the three different morphotypes here described showed some degr...
Phylogenies can provide valuable information on biotic and abiotic factors associated with specia... more Phylogenies can provide valuable information on biotic and abiotic factors associated with speciation. We examined species relationships in Tristerix (Loranthaceae), a genus of 11 species with an Andean distribution from Colombia to Chile. A previous classification divided Tristerix into subgenera Tristerix (two species) and Metastachys (nine species). We tested this classification by generating a molecular phylogeny of the genus using nuclear ribosomal DNA ITS and chloroplast atpB-rbcL intergenic spacer and trnL-F regions. All partitions generally gave congruent trees, thus a combined analysis was conducted. Tristerix was composed of a northern clade (six species) and a southern clade (four species). Tristerix verticillatus and T. penduliflorus (Metastachys) were strongly supported as members of the (southern) subgenus Tristerix clade. Speciation appears to be correlated with the emergence of matorral and cloud forest biomes and is driven by interactions with pollinators and seed d...
Host range dynamics at different scales: host use by a hemiparasite across its geographic distribution
Plant Biology, 2021
The complexity of natural communities is the result of interactions among species that coexist wi... more The complexity of natural communities is the result of interactions among species that coexist within them. Parasitic interactions are among the most common species interaction types, and analysis of parasite-host ranges can advance understanding of how host-parasite pairs structure community interactions across their geographic distributions. Using network analysis and host preference relative index we analyzed host-use by the South American mistletoe, Tristerix corymbosus (Loranthaceae), in 22 localities among two biomes: Chilean matorral and temperate forest. The total number of host species recorded was 27, and 40% of species were non-native. The non-native species Populus sp. was shared between biomes. There was a positive relationship between host range and potential host species richness at the studied localities. On average, the mistletoe parasites each host species relative to its abundance. However, some host species in some localities are more parasitized than expected. Network structure showed a differentiable host use between the two biomes, Aristotelia chilensis was central in the temperate forest while Populus sp. in the Chilean matorral. Host use intensity in the Chilean matorral was higher for non-native species. Tristerix corymbosus has a wide host range and could be considered as a generalist parasite across its full geographic distribution, but at local scales, host preferences differed among localities and are related to host coverage. Alterations in community composition, due to natural events or human activities, can modify the availability of possible hosts. Hence, the mistletoe with the described characteristics may be able to change its infection preference maintaining the interaction functionality.
Molecular phylogenetics and evolution, Jul 1, 2018
Coadaptation between mistletoes and birds captured the attention of Charles Darwin over 150 years... more Coadaptation between mistletoes and birds captured the attention of Charles Darwin over 150 years ago, stimulating considerable scientific research. Here we used Loranthaceae, a speciose and ecologically important mistletoe family, to obtain new insights into the interrelationships among its hosts and dispersers. Phylogenetic analyses of Loranthaceae were based on a dataset of nuclear and chloroplast DNA sequences. Divergence time estimation, ancestral area reconstruction, and diversification rate analyses were employed to examine historical biogeography. The crown group of Loranthaceae was estimated to originate in Australasian Gondwana during the Paleocene to early Eocene (59 Ma, 95% HPD: 53-66 Ma), and rapidly diversified, converting from root parasitic to aerial parasitic trophic mode ca. 50 Ma during the Eocene climatic optimum. Subsequently, Loranthaceae were inferred to be widespread in Australasia and South America but absent in Africa. The African and European members were ...
Austral Ecology, 2017
The dispersal process in plants links adults and their offspring. For frugivore-dispersed plants,... more The dispersal process in plants links adults and their offspring. For frugivore-dispersed plants, animal behaviour can have a strong effect on plant fitness. Many mistletoes are totally dependent on animals that deposit seeds on suitable hosts and particular branch diameters. We characterised the seed dispersal and seedling establishment of the mistletoe Tristerix corymbosus, which at our study site, is exclusively dispersed by the marsupial Dromiciops gliroides. Mistletoes' fruits have a viscous pulp that remains in the seed even after dispersal. This substance adheres the seed to the host branch. We estimated host branch availability in the forest and seed deposition (faeces) by the marsupial in the study area. Specifically, the branch suitability factors we assessed were host identity, branch status (alive or dead), branch diameter, height, and canopy cover. Lodged faeces were individually marked and the number of seed deposited within these droppings was counted, and we recorded the number of seedlings with true leaves that had established after 1 year to estimate the probability of seedling establishment. Branch diameter and canopy cover had a significant positive effect on seed deposition probability. Seedling establishment probability decreased with the number of seeds deposited per faeces and with canopy cover. In general, the marsupial deposited mistletoe seeds in microsites that increase the chance of seedling establishment. Thus, the movement behaviour of the marsupial has a positive effect on the regeneration process of this mistletoe species.
Symbiosis, 2016
Lichen symbioses are defined as a symbiotic relationship between a mycobiont (generally an ascomy... more Lichen symbioses are defined as a symbiotic relationship between a mycobiont (generally an ascomycete) and one or more photobionts (green algae or/and cyanobacteria). It was proposed that cephalodia emancipation is an evolutionary driver for photobiont switch from chlorophyte to cyanobacteria. In this study we want to test the monophyly of cyanolichens and to measure the phylogenetic signal of the symbiotic relationship between cyanobacteria and a mycobiont partner in the lichen genus Pseudocyphellaria. This genus includes some species that have a chlorophyte as primary photobiont (and Nostoc in internal cephalodia), while others have only cyanobacteria. In a phylogenetic framework we measure the phylogenetic signal (or phylogenetic dispersion) as well as mapped photobiont switches performing stochastic character mapping. Results show that having cyanobacteria as main photobiont has a strong phylogenetic signal that follows a Brownian motion model. Seven clades in the phylogeny had an ancestor with cyanobacteria. Reversal to a green algae photobiont is rare. Several switches were estimated through evolutionary time suggesting that there was some flexibility in these traits along the phylogeny; however, close relatives retained cyanobacteria as main photobiont throughout the cyanolichen's history. Photobiont switches from green algae to cyanobacteria might enhance ecotypical differentiation. These ecotypes could lead to several speciation events in the new lineage resulting in the phylogenetic signal found in this study. We give insights into the origin of lichen diversity exploring the photobiont switch in a phylogenetic context in Pseudocyphellaria s. l. as a model genus.
Evolutionary importance of the relationship between cytogeography and climate: New insights on creosote bushes from North and South America
Plant Diversity
The first aerial parasites in the sandalwood order (Santalales): Molecular phylogenetic and biogeographic investigations
Mistletoes are plants in the sandalwood order (Santalales) that parasitize stems of other plants.... more Mistletoes are plants in the sandalwood order (Santalales) that parasitize stems of other plants. Aerial parasites in Santalales are represented in four families: Misodendraceae, Loranthaceae, Santalaceae and Viscaceae. A matrix of DNA sequences from 39 taxa ...
New records on distribution and nesting of white-throated hawk ( Buteo albigula ) in Argentine Patagonia
Presentamos nuevos datos acerca de la distribucion del Aguilucho Andino (Buteo albigula) en el no... more Presentamos nuevos datos acerca de la distribucion del Aguilucho Andino (Buteo albigula) en el noroeste de la Patagonia y de la densidad de parejas reproductivas en las cercanias de la ciudad de San Carlos de Bariloche, Rio Negro. Reportamos 15 registros nuevos con fechas de avistaje para la region. Encontramos cuatro territorios reproductivos en un area de aproximadamente 8500 ha. Todos los territorios se encontraban en bosques de Nothofagus spp. La especie siempre fue registrada entre septiembre y abril, lo que confirma su caracter migratorio.
Boletín de la Sociedad Argentina de Botánica
El género Quinchamalium comprende hierbas hemiparásitas y es endémico de Sudamérica. Su distribuc... more El género Quinchamalium comprende hierbas hemiparásitas y es endémico de Sudamérica. Su distribución abarca los Andes desde el norte del Perú hasta el sur de la Patagonia. Los límites morfológicos pocos claros y la escasez de caracteres diagnósticos para la correcta identificación de las especies actualmente aceptadas revelan la necesidad de una revisión de la taxonomía del género. La información morfológica y biogeográfica junto con los análisis morfométricos publicados recientemente señalan la existencia de una sola especie polimórfica: Q. chilense. Como resultado, se presenta un tratamiento taxonómico del género monoespecífico Quinchamalium. Para la única especie del género se provee nueva sinonimia, descripción de características morfológicas vegetativas y reproductivas, y distribución geográfica. En este trabajo, 28 nombres de especies o de taxones infraespecíficos son reducidos a la sinonimia de Q. chilense por primera vez. Además, se lectotipifican 13 nombres y uno se neotipi...
Boletín de la Sociedad Argentina de Botánica
As part of long term studies focused in the lichenized mycobiota diversity from southern Argentin... more As part of long term studies focused in the lichenized mycobiota diversity from southern Argentina, two species of the family Lobariaceae (Peltigerales), Pseudocyphellaria pluvialis and Sticta longipes, are registered for the first time in Argentina. These species were previously reported as endemic from southern Chile. Brief descriptions, illustrations and information about the distribution and ecology of the species are provided.
Cryptic species in the Andean hemiparasite Quinchamalium chilense (Schoepfiaceae: Santalales)
Systematics and Biodiversity
The integration of different characters (e.g. morphological, ecological, and molecular) is now re... more The integration of different characters (e.g. morphological, ecological, and molecular) is now recognized as important in species delimitation. In particular, genetic distances between homologous genes have been suggested as one of the main tools to identify species, especially in the case of cryptic species. Quinchamalium is morphologically variable and occupies a diverse set of biomes across its distribution in the Southern Andes. Recent work based on morphology has synonymized the entire genus as a single morphospecies, Quinchamalium chilense. This widely distributed taxon presents the opportunity to find potential cryptic species. The main objective of this study was to test the existence of cryptic species, based mainly on phylogenetic gene trees, genetic distances, and geographic patterns of haplotypes from molecular markers of the nuclear (ITS) and chloroplast (trnL-F) genomes, considering climatic and morphological characteristics. The ITS phylogeny and corresponding haplotype network resulted in three lineages with strong genetic differentiation and distinct geographic patterns. These lineages were informally named Desert, Matorral, and Mountain, based on their geographic distribution in different biomes. The trnL-F chloroplast phylogeny did not distinguish Desert from Matorral, and the haplotype network showed overlap between these last two lineages. Overall, we hypothesize the existence of two cryptic species within Quinchamalium chilense (Mountain and Matorral–Desert) that correspond to genetic, climatic, and morphological differences.
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Papers by Romina Vidal-Russell