The Experts below are selected from a list of 2049 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
G.v. Cron - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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biogeography rarity and endemism in Cineraria asteraceae senecioneae
Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009Co-Authors: G.v. Cron, K Balkwill, Eric B. KnoxAbstract:The biogeography of Cineraria (Asteraceae, Senecioneae) is assessed using a chorological approach in terms of its distribution, centres of diversity and endemism. Rare species are identified and categorised according to Rabinowitz's criteria and causes for rarity in the genus are investigated. The conservation status of the species is assessed according to IUCN criteria for Red List categories and compared to levels of rarity. The main phytogeographic affinity of Cineraria is Afromontane in association with seven recognised centres of endemism in South Africa, four in tropical Africa, in Ethiopia and in Madagascar. Fifteen species are endemic and six are near-endemic to a specific centre of endemism or mountain range. Seventy four percent of Cineraria spp. are endemic to southern Africa with the centre of diversity in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, South Africa. The rarest species number 11; of these eight are endangered or vulnerable according to IUCN Red Data Criteria and three are data deficient. Causes of rarity in Cineraria are related to narrow habitat specificity, notably soil or rock type and/or altitudinal range. Paired comparisons of the 11 rarest and commonest species reveal no convincing causal links to morphological, reproductive or life history strategy attributes in Cineraria. © 2009 University of the Witwatersrand, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 160, 130–148.
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Biogeography, rarity and endemism in Cineraria (Asteraceae–Senecioneae)
Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009Co-Authors: G.v. Cron, Kevin Balkwill, Eric B. KnoxAbstract:The biogeography of Cineraria (Asteraceae, Senecioneae) is assessed using a chorological approach in terms of its distribution, centres of diversity and endemism. Rare species are identified and categorised according to Rabinowitz's criteria and causes for rarity in the genus are investigated. The conservation status of the species is assessed according to IUCN criteria for Red List categories and compared to levels of rarity. The main phytogeographic affinity of Cineraria is Afromontane in association with seven recognised centres of endemism in South Africa, four in tropical Africa, in Ethiopia and in Madagascar. Fifteen species are endemic and six are near-endemic to a specific centre of endemism or mountain range. Seventy four percent of Cineraria spp. are endemic to southern Africa with the centre of diversity in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, South Africa. The rarest species number 11; of these eight are endangered or vulnerable according to IUCN Red Data Criteria and three are data deficient. Causes of rarity in Cineraria are related to narrow habitat specificity, notably soil or rock type and/or altitudinal range. Paired comparisons of the 11 rarest and commonest species reveal no convincing causal links to morphological, reproductive or life history strategy attributes in Cineraria. © 2009 University of the Witwatersrand, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 160, 130–148.
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Phylogenetic evidence for the generic circumscription of Cineraria L. (Asteraceae-Senecioneae)
TAXON, 2008Co-Authors: G.v. Cron, Kevin Balkwill, Eric B. KnoxAbstract:Phylogenetic analyses of separate and combined plastid trnL-trnF and nuclear ITS DNA sequences were used to investigate the delimitation of Cineraria with respect to five species previously included in Ciner a ria, its infrageneric structure, and to contribute to knowledge regarding its relationships in the tribe Senecioneae (Asteraceae). The molecular phylogenetic study (corroborated by morphological evidence) has resulted in a revised generic concept/circumscription for Cineraria with the removal of anomalous species from the genus and the recognition of two new genera: Bolandia and Oresbia. Bolandia comprises two South African species (B. argillacea, B. pedunculosa) previously included in Cineraria. The monotypic Oresbia heterocarpa (syn.: C. tomentosa) has unique morphological features and exhibits strongly incongruent placement with Kleinia galpinii versus Dendrosenecio kilimanjari in the trnL-trnF and ITS datasets, respectively. Two other species previously placed in Cineraria are reinstated as Senecio cordifolius (syn.: C. mitellifolia) or reassigned as S. hederiformis (syn.: C. hederifolia) because of their close relationships to species currently placed in Senecio s.l. in a clade that also includes Pericallis. Cineraria now has a coherent morphological concept as plants with palmately veined leaves, radiate, calyculate capitula, obtuse/penicillate style apices and obovate, compressed cypselae with two distinct margins or wings and a substantial carpopodium. The species-level comparisons within Cineraria show surprisingly limited amounts of DNA variation that nonetheless have striking points of incongruence between the trnL-trnF and ITS datasets. Cineraria evidently experienced a rapid biogeographic and morphological diversification periodically punctuated by bouts of reticulate evolution. Investigations into relationships within the Senecioneae concur with previous reports that Cineraria is related to Pericallis and Dendrosenecio, and our increased taxonomic sampling identifies Bolandia as a putative sister-genus to Cineraria.
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Multivariate analysis of morphological variation in Cineraria deltoidea (Asteraceae, Senecioneae)
Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2007Co-Authors: G.v. Cron, Kevin Balkwill, Eric B. KnoxAbstract:Cluster analysis and principal coordinates analysis were used to investigate phenetic variation in Cineraria deltoidea, a species that ranges from near sea level in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, to 4300 m a.s.l. on the mountains of East Africa and Ethiopia. Earlier taxonomic revisions reduced nine previously recognized species to synonyms of C. deltoidea. Two closely related species, C. decipiens and C. atriplicifolia, were also included in the analyses. Thirty-six morphological characters were examined on 111 specimens. Phenograms and scattergrams show partial clusters of specimens of C. deltoidea from individual mountains or geographical regions, but no groups are sufficiently distinct to warrant formal recognition at any rank. The East African specimens from 3000 m a.s.l. and higher tend to cluster together. Growth at high altitude in East Africa is correlated with fewer, larger capitula on longer peduncles, and an absence of a cobwebby indumentum comprising long, narrow-based trichomes. Cineraria deltoidea is thus a highly variable species with geographical and clinal variation evident throughout its range. Cineraria atriplicifolia and C. decipiens are maintained as distinct species, distinguished from C. deltoidea by their growth form, life span and auricle shape. © 2007 University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. Journal compilation © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2007, 154, 497–521.
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Two new species of Cineraria (Senecioneae, Asteraceae) from KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
South African Journal of Botany, 2006Co-Authors: G.v. Cron, Kevin Balkwill, Eric B. KnoxAbstract:Abstract Two new species of Cineraria L. (Senecioneae) are described: Cineraria glandulosa Cron, endemic to KwaZulu-Natal, and Cineraria dryogeton Cron from the Umtamvuna Nature Reserve on the border of KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape. Both species are narrow endemics, restricted to specific habitats and geological formations, and are therefore vulnerable to human-induced disturbance and the threat of extinction. However, both species occur in nature reserves, which reduce the threat of extinction.
Eric B. Knox - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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biogeography rarity and endemism in Cineraria asteraceae senecioneae
Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009Co-Authors: G.v. Cron, K Balkwill, Eric B. KnoxAbstract:The biogeography of Cineraria (Asteraceae, Senecioneae) is assessed using a chorological approach in terms of its distribution, centres of diversity and endemism. Rare species are identified and categorised according to Rabinowitz's criteria and causes for rarity in the genus are investigated. The conservation status of the species is assessed according to IUCN criteria for Red List categories and compared to levels of rarity. The main phytogeographic affinity of Cineraria is Afromontane in association with seven recognised centres of endemism in South Africa, four in tropical Africa, in Ethiopia and in Madagascar. Fifteen species are endemic and six are near-endemic to a specific centre of endemism or mountain range. Seventy four percent of Cineraria spp. are endemic to southern Africa with the centre of diversity in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, South Africa. The rarest species number 11; of these eight are endangered or vulnerable according to IUCN Red Data Criteria and three are data deficient. Causes of rarity in Cineraria are related to narrow habitat specificity, notably soil or rock type and/or altitudinal range. Paired comparisons of the 11 rarest and commonest species reveal no convincing causal links to morphological, reproductive or life history strategy attributes in Cineraria. © 2009 University of the Witwatersrand, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 160, 130–148.
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Biogeography, rarity and endemism in Cineraria (Asteraceae–Senecioneae)
Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009Co-Authors: G.v. Cron, Kevin Balkwill, Eric B. KnoxAbstract:The biogeography of Cineraria (Asteraceae, Senecioneae) is assessed using a chorological approach in terms of its distribution, centres of diversity and endemism. Rare species are identified and categorised according to Rabinowitz's criteria and causes for rarity in the genus are investigated. The conservation status of the species is assessed according to IUCN criteria for Red List categories and compared to levels of rarity. The main phytogeographic affinity of Cineraria is Afromontane in association with seven recognised centres of endemism in South Africa, four in tropical Africa, in Ethiopia and in Madagascar. Fifteen species are endemic and six are near-endemic to a specific centre of endemism or mountain range. Seventy four percent of Cineraria spp. are endemic to southern Africa with the centre of diversity in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, South Africa. The rarest species number 11; of these eight are endangered or vulnerable according to IUCN Red Data Criteria and three are data deficient. Causes of rarity in Cineraria are related to narrow habitat specificity, notably soil or rock type and/or altitudinal range. Paired comparisons of the 11 rarest and commonest species reveal no convincing causal links to morphological, reproductive or life history strategy attributes in Cineraria. © 2009 University of the Witwatersrand, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 160, 130–148.
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Phylogenetic evidence for the generic circumscription of Cineraria L. (Asteraceae-Senecioneae)
TAXON, 2008Co-Authors: G.v. Cron, Kevin Balkwill, Eric B. KnoxAbstract:Phylogenetic analyses of separate and combined plastid trnL-trnF and nuclear ITS DNA sequences were used to investigate the delimitation of Cineraria with respect to five species previously included in Ciner a ria, its infrageneric structure, and to contribute to knowledge regarding its relationships in the tribe Senecioneae (Asteraceae). The molecular phylogenetic study (corroborated by morphological evidence) has resulted in a revised generic concept/circumscription for Cineraria with the removal of anomalous species from the genus and the recognition of two new genera: Bolandia and Oresbia. Bolandia comprises two South African species (B. argillacea, B. pedunculosa) previously included in Cineraria. The monotypic Oresbia heterocarpa (syn.: C. tomentosa) has unique morphological features and exhibits strongly incongruent placement with Kleinia galpinii versus Dendrosenecio kilimanjari in the trnL-trnF and ITS datasets, respectively. Two other species previously placed in Cineraria are reinstated as Senecio cordifolius (syn.: C. mitellifolia) or reassigned as S. hederiformis (syn.: C. hederifolia) because of their close relationships to species currently placed in Senecio s.l. in a clade that also includes Pericallis. Cineraria now has a coherent morphological concept as plants with palmately veined leaves, radiate, calyculate capitula, obtuse/penicillate style apices and obovate, compressed cypselae with two distinct margins or wings and a substantial carpopodium. The species-level comparisons within Cineraria show surprisingly limited amounts of DNA variation that nonetheless have striking points of incongruence between the trnL-trnF and ITS datasets. Cineraria evidently experienced a rapid biogeographic and morphological diversification periodically punctuated by bouts of reticulate evolution. Investigations into relationships within the Senecioneae concur with previous reports that Cineraria is related to Pericallis and Dendrosenecio, and our increased taxonomic sampling identifies Bolandia as a putative sister-genus to Cineraria.
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Multivariate analysis of morphological variation in Cineraria deltoidea (Asteraceae, Senecioneae)
Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2007Co-Authors: G.v. Cron, Kevin Balkwill, Eric B. KnoxAbstract:Cluster analysis and principal coordinates analysis were used to investigate phenetic variation in Cineraria deltoidea, a species that ranges from near sea level in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, to 4300 m a.s.l. on the mountains of East Africa and Ethiopia. Earlier taxonomic revisions reduced nine previously recognized species to synonyms of C. deltoidea. Two closely related species, C. decipiens and C. atriplicifolia, were also included in the analyses. Thirty-six morphological characters were examined on 111 specimens. Phenograms and scattergrams show partial clusters of specimens of C. deltoidea from individual mountains or geographical regions, but no groups are sufficiently distinct to warrant formal recognition at any rank. The East African specimens from 3000 m a.s.l. and higher tend to cluster together. Growth at high altitude in East Africa is correlated with fewer, larger capitula on longer peduncles, and an absence of a cobwebby indumentum comprising long, narrow-based trichomes. Cineraria deltoidea is thus a highly variable species with geographical and clinal variation evident throughout its range. Cineraria atriplicifolia and C. decipiens are maintained as distinct species, distinguished from C. deltoidea by their growth form, life span and auricle shape. © 2007 University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. Journal compilation © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2007, 154, 497–521.
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Two new species of Cineraria (Senecioneae, Asteraceae) from KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
South African Journal of Botany, 2006Co-Authors: G.v. Cron, Kevin Balkwill, Eric B. KnoxAbstract:Abstract Two new species of Cineraria L. (Senecioneae) are described: Cineraria glandulosa Cron, endemic to KwaZulu-Natal, and Cineraria dryogeton Cron from the Umtamvuna Nature Reserve on the border of KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape. Both species are narrow endemics, restricted to specific habitats and geological formations, and are therefore vulnerable to human-induced disturbance and the threat of extinction. However, both species occur in nature reserves, which reduce the threat of extinction.
Kevin Balkwill - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Biogeography, rarity and endemism in Cineraria (Asteraceae–Senecioneae)
Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009Co-Authors: G.v. Cron, Kevin Balkwill, Eric B. KnoxAbstract:The biogeography of Cineraria (Asteraceae, Senecioneae) is assessed using a chorological approach in terms of its distribution, centres of diversity and endemism. Rare species are identified and categorised according to Rabinowitz's criteria and causes for rarity in the genus are investigated. The conservation status of the species is assessed according to IUCN criteria for Red List categories and compared to levels of rarity. The main phytogeographic affinity of Cineraria is Afromontane in association with seven recognised centres of endemism in South Africa, four in tropical Africa, in Ethiopia and in Madagascar. Fifteen species are endemic and six are near-endemic to a specific centre of endemism or mountain range. Seventy four percent of Cineraria spp. are endemic to southern Africa with the centre of diversity in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, South Africa. The rarest species number 11; of these eight are endangered or vulnerable according to IUCN Red Data Criteria and three are data deficient. Causes of rarity in Cineraria are related to narrow habitat specificity, notably soil or rock type and/or altitudinal range. Paired comparisons of the 11 rarest and commonest species reveal no convincing causal links to morphological, reproductive or life history strategy attributes in Cineraria. © 2009 University of the Witwatersrand, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 160, 130–148.
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Phylogenetic evidence for the generic circumscription of Cineraria L. (Asteraceae-Senecioneae)
TAXON, 2008Co-Authors: G.v. Cron, Kevin Balkwill, Eric B. KnoxAbstract:Phylogenetic analyses of separate and combined plastid trnL-trnF and nuclear ITS DNA sequences were used to investigate the delimitation of Cineraria with respect to five species previously included in Ciner a ria, its infrageneric structure, and to contribute to knowledge regarding its relationships in the tribe Senecioneae (Asteraceae). The molecular phylogenetic study (corroborated by morphological evidence) has resulted in a revised generic concept/circumscription for Cineraria with the removal of anomalous species from the genus and the recognition of two new genera: Bolandia and Oresbia. Bolandia comprises two South African species (B. argillacea, B. pedunculosa) previously included in Cineraria. The monotypic Oresbia heterocarpa (syn.: C. tomentosa) has unique morphological features and exhibits strongly incongruent placement with Kleinia galpinii versus Dendrosenecio kilimanjari in the trnL-trnF and ITS datasets, respectively. Two other species previously placed in Cineraria are reinstated as Senecio cordifolius (syn.: C. mitellifolia) or reassigned as S. hederiformis (syn.: C. hederifolia) because of their close relationships to species currently placed in Senecio s.l. in a clade that also includes Pericallis. Cineraria now has a coherent morphological concept as plants with palmately veined leaves, radiate, calyculate capitula, obtuse/penicillate style apices and obovate, compressed cypselae with two distinct margins or wings and a substantial carpopodium. The species-level comparisons within Cineraria show surprisingly limited amounts of DNA variation that nonetheless have striking points of incongruence between the trnL-trnF and ITS datasets. Cineraria evidently experienced a rapid biogeographic and morphological diversification periodically punctuated by bouts of reticulate evolution. Investigations into relationships within the Senecioneae concur with previous reports that Cineraria is related to Pericallis and Dendrosenecio, and our increased taxonomic sampling identifies Bolandia as a putative sister-genus to Cineraria.
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Multivariate analysis of morphological variation in Cineraria deltoidea (Asteraceae, Senecioneae)
Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2007Co-Authors: G.v. Cron, Kevin Balkwill, Eric B. KnoxAbstract:Cluster analysis and principal coordinates analysis were used to investigate phenetic variation in Cineraria deltoidea, a species that ranges from near sea level in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, to 4300 m a.s.l. on the mountains of East Africa and Ethiopia. Earlier taxonomic revisions reduced nine previously recognized species to synonyms of C. deltoidea. Two closely related species, C. decipiens and C. atriplicifolia, were also included in the analyses. Thirty-six morphological characters were examined on 111 specimens. Phenograms and scattergrams show partial clusters of specimens of C. deltoidea from individual mountains or geographical regions, but no groups are sufficiently distinct to warrant formal recognition at any rank. The East African specimens from 3000 m a.s.l. and higher tend to cluster together. Growth at high altitude in East Africa is correlated with fewer, larger capitula on longer peduncles, and an absence of a cobwebby indumentum comprising long, narrow-based trichomes. Cineraria deltoidea is thus a highly variable species with geographical and clinal variation evident throughout its range. Cineraria atriplicifolia and C. decipiens are maintained as distinct species, distinguished from C. deltoidea by their growth form, life span and auricle shape. © 2007 University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. Journal compilation © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2007, 154, 497–521.
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Two new species of Cineraria (Senecioneae, Asteraceae) from KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
South African Journal of Botany, 2006Co-Authors: G.v. Cron, Kevin Balkwill, Eric B. KnoxAbstract:Abstract Two new species of Cineraria L. (Senecioneae) are described: Cineraria glandulosa Cron, endemic to KwaZulu-Natal, and Cineraria dryogeton Cron from the Umtamvuna Nature Reserve on the border of KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape. Both species are narrow endemics, restricted to specific habitats and geological formations, and are therefore vulnerable to human-induced disturbance and the threat of extinction. However, both species occur in nature reserves, which reduce the threat of extinction.
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Cineraria lyratiformis (Senecioneae, Asteraceae), a new name for Cineraria lyrata
South African Journal of Botany, 1999Co-Authors: G.v. Cron, Kevin Balkwill, E.b. KnoxAbstract:A new nqame, Cineraria Iyratiformis G. Cron, is provided for the illegitimate C. Iyrata DC. C. Iyratiformis extends from the Northern Cape to the Free State, Lesotho, KwaZulu-Natal, the North West and Mpumalanga. It is distinguished from most species in the genus, including C. parvifolia Burtt Davy with which it has been confused in the past, by the very broad wing on its cypselae. The distinct fringes of trichomes on the broad wings of the cypselae of C. platycarpa DC and C. vallis-pacis Dinter ex Merx. distinguish these two species from C Iyratiformis . Distribution maps are provided for the relevant taxa.
N. S. Shekhawat - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Genomic and biotechnological interventions in Prosopis Cineraria: current status, challenges and opportunities
Trees, 2021Co-Authors: Manoj K. Rai, Jatan K. Shekhawat, Vinod Kataria, Mahendra Phulwaria, N. S. ShekhawatAbstract:Key message The present review illustrates an inclusive overview on the progress made in the area of genomics, population genetics, phylogenetics, non-GM biotechnology and genomic resource development in Prosopis Cineraria and also suggests how genomic and biotechnological research will accelerate gene discovery, molecular breeding and crop improvement program in P. Cineraria . Abstract In the era of global climate change, plant resources able to tolerate adverse stressful environments particularly drought, heat, cold and salt stresses have immense importance. The adaptation of plants towards different abiotic stresses depend on the coordination and regulation of multiple stress-responsive genes. The tree species vital to arid environments possess a gene pool representing useful characteristics related to abiotic stresses. Utilization and characterization of genetic resources of plants of arid regions can lead to an increase in our knowledge of the genes that are linked to abiotic stress related traits. Prosopis Cineraria is an important tree of Indian Thar desert and is able to survive in adverse environmental conditions. Genomics and identification of genomic resources of this important tree species may be useful in determination of its adaptive evolution under adverse environmental conditions. Little progress has been made for this tree species in the area of population genetics, genomic and genetic resources development in the form of transcriptome sequencing, generation of ESTs against the heat and drought stresses, and identification of genomic SSRs. The feasibility of micropropagation as a non-GM biotechnology has also been demonstrated in P. Cineraria . In this review, we also compared the genomic resource development in P. Cineraria with other Prosopis species and some other model forest tree species like Populus , Eucalyptus , Quercus , Pinus , Picea , Castanea . However, genomic resource developed in P. Cineraria is almost negligible comparatively to other model plants and still considered as less studied species. Although, many stress-responsive genes have been identified in a number of model plants, the native plant species grown naturally under harsh environment are rich source of novel abiotic stress-tolerant genes. More efforts are therefore needed to characterise this tree species using most modern genomic, genetic and biotechnological tools. More genomic research would accelerate gene discovery and molecular breeding in P. Cineraria and increase its acceptability as classical tree species at global level for abiotic stress tolerance.
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de novo assembly of leaf transcriptome functional annotation and genomic resources development in prosopis Cineraria a multipurpose tree of indian thar desert
Plant Gene, 2017Co-Authors: Manoj K. Rai, Jatan K. Shekhawat, Vinod Kataria, N. S. ShekhawatAbstract:Abstract Prosopis Cineraria (L.) Druce, which belongs to the family Fabaceae, is a key component and one of the most valued trees of the Indian Thar Desert. The genetic improvement of P. Cineraria has been hindered owing to very limited availability of genomic or transcriptomic resources. In this study, we present first transcriptome analysis of P. Cineraria using RNA-Seq technology. The sequencing output of leaf transcriptome generated > 10 million high quality sequence reads, which assembled de novo in 1,42,711 unigenes. A total 60,583 CDS were predicted from unigenes with maximum and mean CDS length of 15,279 and 904 bp, respectively. Based on the similarity searches against plant non-redundant protein database, 57,249 CDS were annotated. The top-hit species distribution revealed that highest similarity was found to be against the species Glycine max (15,372). Based on sequence homology, 24,424 CDS were assigned GO terms. A total of 18,901 (31%) CDS were annotated with biological process, 12,930 (21%) with cellular components and 19,756 (32%) with molecular function. Annotation of transcripts using KEGG database revealed that 7945 CDSs were enriched in 33 different functional pathway categories including five major pathways i.e. metabolism, genetic information processing, environmental information processing, cellular process and organismal systems. The expression of CDSs ranged from 0 to 41,295.83 RPKM, while 950 CDSs had a high expression level of > 100 RPKM. Transcription factor analysis showed 12,128 unique transcripts belonging to the 79 transcription factor families. In addition, a total of 15,878 SSRs were identified in 13,655 unigenes. The transcriptome data set reported in the current study will serve as an important public information platform for comparative and functional genomic as well as gene expression studies in P. Cineraria and other closely related species.
Manoj K. Rai - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Genomic and biotechnological interventions in Prosopis Cineraria: current status, challenges and opportunities
Trees, 2021Co-Authors: Manoj K. Rai, Jatan K. Shekhawat, Vinod Kataria, Mahendra Phulwaria, N. S. ShekhawatAbstract:Key message The present review illustrates an inclusive overview on the progress made in the area of genomics, population genetics, phylogenetics, non-GM biotechnology and genomic resource development in Prosopis Cineraria and also suggests how genomic and biotechnological research will accelerate gene discovery, molecular breeding and crop improvement program in P. Cineraria . Abstract In the era of global climate change, plant resources able to tolerate adverse stressful environments particularly drought, heat, cold and salt stresses have immense importance. The adaptation of plants towards different abiotic stresses depend on the coordination and regulation of multiple stress-responsive genes. The tree species vital to arid environments possess a gene pool representing useful characteristics related to abiotic stresses. Utilization and characterization of genetic resources of plants of arid regions can lead to an increase in our knowledge of the genes that are linked to abiotic stress related traits. Prosopis Cineraria is an important tree of Indian Thar desert and is able to survive in adverse environmental conditions. Genomics and identification of genomic resources of this important tree species may be useful in determination of its adaptive evolution under adverse environmental conditions. Little progress has been made for this tree species in the area of population genetics, genomic and genetic resources development in the form of transcriptome sequencing, generation of ESTs against the heat and drought stresses, and identification of genomic SSRs. The feasibility of micropropagation as a non-GM biotechnology has also been demonstrated in P. Cineraria . In this review, we also compared the genomic resource development in P. Cineraria with other Prosopis species and some other model forest tree species like Populus , Eucalyptus , Quercus , Pinus , Picea , Castanea . However, genomic resource developed in P. Cineraria is almost negligible comparatively to other model plants and still considered as less studied species. Although, many stress-responsive genes have been identified in a number of model plants, the native plant species grown naturally under harsh environment are rich source of novel abiotic stress-tolerant genes. More efforts are therefore needed to characterise this tree species using most modern genomic, genetic and biotechnological tools. More genomic research would accelerate gene discovery and molecular breeding in P. Cineraria and increase its acceptability as classical tree species at global level for abiotic stress tolerance.
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de novo assembly of leaf transcriptome functional annotation and genomic resources development in prosopis Cineraria a multipurpose tree of indian thar desert
Plant Gene, 2017Co-Authors: Manoj K. Rai, Jatan K. Shekhawat, Vinod Kataria, N. S. ShekhawatAbstract:Abstract Prosopis Cineraria (L.) Druce, which belongs to the family Fabaceae, is a key component and one of the most valued trees of the Indian Thar Desert. The genetic improvement of P. Cineraria has been hindered owing to very limited availability of genomic or transcriptomic resources. In this study, we present first transcriptome analysis of P. Cineraria using RNA-Seq technology. The sequencing output of leaf transcriptome generated > 10 million high quality sequence reads, which assembled de novo in 1,42,711 unigenes. A total 60,583 CDS were predicted from unigenes with maximum and mean CDS length of 15,279 and 904 bp, respectively. Based on the similarity searches against plant non-redundant protein database, 57,249 CDS were annotated. The top-hit species distribution revealed that highest similarity was found to be against the species Glycine max (15,372). Based on sequence homology, 24,424 CDS were assigned GO terms. A total of 18,901 (31%) CDS were annotated with biological process, 12,930 (21%) with cellular components and 19,756 (32%) with molecular function. Annotation of transcripts using KEGG database revealed that 7945 CDSs were enriched in 33 different functional pathway categories including five major pathways i.e. metabolism, genetic information processing, environmental information processing, cellular process and organismal systems. The expression of CDSs ranged from 0 to 41,295.83 RPKM, while 950 CDSs had a high expression level of > 100 RPKM. Transcription factor analysis showed 12,128 unique transcripts belonging to the 79 transcription factor families. In addition, a total of 15,878 SSRs were identified in 13,655 unigenes. The transcriptome data set reported in the current study will serve as an important public information platform for comparative and functional genomic as well as gene expression studies in P. Cineraria and other closely related species.
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Cross species transferability and characterization of microsatellite markers in Prosopis Cineraria, a multipurpose tree species of Indian Thar Desert
Arid Land Research and Management, 2017Co-Authors: Manoj K. Rai, Jatan K. Shekhawat, Vinod Kataria, Narpat S. ShekhawatAbstract:ABSTRACTProsopis Cineraria (L.) Druce, family Fabaceae, is an important multipurpose tree species of the Indian Thar Desert. It is an extremely drought and heat tolerant plant and has ability to survive in highly alkaline and saline environments. Considering the commercial, horticultural and ecological importance of P. Cineraria, there is a great need to develop genomic resources in the form of microsatellite markers for the genetic enhancement of this crop. We identified and characterized 10 microsatellite markers in P. Cineraria by cross species amplification. Total 18 Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) primer pairs developed in P. chilensis, P. alba, and P. flexuosa were used to amplify SSR loci in P. Cineraria. Out of eighteen SSR markers tested, ten (55.5%) amplified recognizable amplicons. The number of alleles detected at each locus ranged from one to four, a total of 24 with an average of 2.4 alleles. Observed heterozygosity (Ho) and expected heterozygosity (He) values varied from 0.14 to 0.85 and 0.21 ...