Abstract Introduction: Studies on the microsporogenesis of Rubus glaucus are non-existent and little is known about the ultrastructure of the pollen grains. Objectives: To describe the microsporogenesis process, and ultrastructural aspects of the pollen grains in Rubus glaucus. Methods: Flowers at different developmental stages were embedded in paraffin. Sections were stained with Safranin-Alcian Blue, PAS-Amidoblack and Lacmoid or included in resin and stained with toluidine blue. Ultrathin sections were examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). For scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation, the material was fixed and dehydrated in 2.2 dimethoxypropane, then with Hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS), and the samples were coated with gold. Results: Anthers are differentiated by a cellular mass at the ends distal to the staminal filaments. During development, the anther wall presents several cellular layers and at maturity, they are reduced to the epidermis and the endothecium. Microsporocytes undergo simultaneous meiosis and form tetrahedral tetrads. The tapetum develops secretory activity until pollen grains are released, then the cellular content undergoes autolysis. During sporodermis formation, the exine is first deposited and then the intine in a centripetal form. The pollen grains are tricolporate, isopolar, oblate to peroblate, with radial simetry, circular in outline with blunt apices in polar view, ellipsoidal in equatorial view. The exine is thick, tectated, striate perforate. The sporodermis presents an ectexine formed by a tectum interrupted by perforations and thick columellae. Colpus membrane presents small exine granules and orbicules on the surface. The intine develops known structural patterns. Pollenkitt is inconspicuous. Conclusion: Anthers structure and development follows the known patterns of angiosperms. Simultaneous microsporogenesis and centripetal deposition of the sporodermis, as well as ornamentation patterns, have been previously described for the Rosaceae Family.

Resumen Introducción: Los estudios sobre la microsporogénesis de Rubus glaucus son inexistentes y poco es conocido sobre la ultraestructura del polen. Objetivos: Describir la microsporogénesis, y la ultraestructura de los granos de polen en Rubus glaucus. Métodos: Flores en diferentes etapas de desarrollo fueron incluidas en parafina o en resina. Las secciones se tiñeron con Safranin-Alcian Blue, PAS-Amidoblack y Lacmoid o incluidas en resina y teñidas con Azul de Toluidina. Secciones ultrafinas fueron observadas mediante microscopía electrónica de transmisión (MET). Para la observación con microscopía electrónica de barrido (MEB), el material se fijó y se deshidrató en 2.2 dimetoxipropano, luego se usó hexametildisilazano (HMDS) y las muestras se recubrieron con oro. Resultados: Las anteras se diferencian a partir de una masa celular en los extremos distales de los filamentos estaminales. Inicialmente, la pared de las anteras presenta varias capas celulares y al madurar se reducen a la epidermis y al endotecio. Los microsporocitos experimentan meiosis simultánea y forman tétradas tetraédricas. El tapete desarrolla actividad secretora hasta que se liberan los granos de polen, luego el contenido celular se desorganiza y experimenta autólisis. Al formarse la esporodermis, primero se deposita la exina y luego la intina en forma centrípeta. Los granos de polen son tricolporados, isopolares, oblados a peroblados, con simetría radial, de contorno circular con ápices romos en vista polar, elipsoidales en vista ecuatorial. La exina es gruesa, tectada, perforada estriada. La ectexina está formada por un tectum interrumpido por perforaciones y gruesas columelas. La membrana del colpo posee pequeños gránulos como restos de exina y orbículas en la superficie. La intina desarrolla patrones estructurales conocidos. El polenkit es inconspicuo. Conclusión: El desarrollo de las anteras sigue los patrones de las angiospermas. La microsporogénesis simultánea, el depósito centrípeto de la esporodermis, y los patrones de ornamentación observados han sido descritos previamente para la Familia Rosaceae.

Abstract Background: The Myrtaceae family represents one of the most diverse groups in South America. Yet, there are few studies on their reproductive characteristics. Among the species with limited information on their reproductive behavior are Myrceugenia euosma (O. Berg) D. Legrand and Siphoneugena reitzii D. Legrand. Questions: What are the floral attractions and resources of M. euosma and S. reitzii for pollinators? Who are the pollinators of these species? What is the predominant reproductive system in both species? Studied species: M. euosma and S. reitzii, two sympatric Myrtaceae from southern Brazil. Study site and dates: Urubici, Painel, and Rio Rufino, Santa Catarina state, southern Brazil. November 2021 - February 2022. Methods: Information was obtained on morphological aspects, anthesis time, stigmatic viability, floral resources, structures attractive to visitors, olfactory testing, observation and identification of floral visitors, and reproductive system testing. Results: The flowers of M. euosma opens between 11 am and 17 pm (- 20 pm), with full opening occurring mostly at night; S. reitzii flowers open between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m., with a highest peak by 8 a.m. Flowers of both species have receptive stigmas until senescence. Pollen is the primary floral reward and the scent coming from the anthers combined with the floral display attract native bees and Apis mellifera, legitimate pollinators of both species. The lack of fruit development in the self-pollination tests support cross reproduction in both taxa. Conclusions: Both species exhibit traits consistent with melittophily syndrome and potential self-incompatibility. These results are essential for conservation efforts.

Resumen Antecedentes: La familia Myrtaceae es una de las más diversas en América del Sur, pero sus características reproductivas están poco estudiadas. Myrceugenia euosma (O. Berg) D. Legrand y Siphoneugena reitzii D. Legrand son dos especies con información limitada sobre su comportamiento reproductivo. Preguntas: ¿Cuáles son las atracciones florales y los recursos de M. euosma y S. reitzii para los polinizadores? ¿Quiénes son los polinizadores de estas especies? ¿Cuál es el sistema reproductivo predominante en ambas especies? Especies estudiadas: M. euosma y S. reitzii, dos Myrtaceae simpátricas del sur de Brasil. Sitio y años de estudio: Urubici, Painel y Río Rufino, Santa Catarina, Sur de Brasil. Noviembre de 2021 - febrero de 2022. Métodos: Se analizaron aspectos morfológicos, tiempo de antesis, viabilidad estigmática, recursos florales, estructuras atractivas para visitantes florales, pruebas olfativas, identificación de visitantes florales y ensayos del sistema reproductivo. Resultados: Las flores de M. euosma se abren entre las 11 am y las 5 pm (completamente durante la noche), y las de S. reitzii entre las 4 am y las 8 am. Ambas especies tienen estigmas receptivos hasta la senescencia. El polen es la principal recompensa floral, y el aroma de las anteras, junto con la visualización floral, atrae a abejas nativas y Apis mellifera, sus polinizadores legítimos. La autopolinización no resultó en frutos, lo que sugiere la predominancia de la reproducción cruzada en ambas especies. Conclusiones: M. euosma y S. reitzii muestran características de melitofilia y potencial autoincompatibilidad, lo que es crucial para su conservación.

Resumen Antecedentes: Las especies de la familia Podostemaceae poseen rasgos inusuales en angiospermas. Crecen sumergidas en ríos de corriente fuerte y su ciclo de vida está ligado a la estacionalidad. Debido a su estructura floral reducida, el análisis de las etapas de desarrollo y eventos como la antesis o la receptividad del estigma ha sido complicado. Pregunta: ¿Cuál es la relación entre la morfología, el desarrollo y la receptividad del estigma en diferentes etapas del desarrollo de la flor de Marathrum rubrum? Especie de estudio: Marathrum rubrum Novelo & C. T. Philbrick. Sitio y años de estudio: Río Horcones, Jalisco, México. Enero 2014 y 2015. Métodos: Se realizó un análisis in situ y en laboratorio de la morfología floral de M. rubrum para evaluar la relación entre la morfología y desarrollo floral, y la receptividad del estigma en distintas etapas. Resultados: Cuando las flores emergen de la espatela, los óvulos y el polen están completamente desarrollados, por ello, la esporogénesis y la gametogénesis ocurren dentro del tallo, estando las plantas aún sumergidas. Conclusiones: Los cambios morfológicos observados en las flores de M. rubrum durante las etapas analizadas se relacionan únicamente con eventos asociados con la fecundación y el desarrollo del fruto. Las observaciones detalladas de la biología reproductiva de M. rubrum en el ambiente aéreo tienen importantes implicaciones para el conocimiento básico de la biología de las plantas de esta familia, la estructura genética de las poblaciones, el éxito reproductivo y la biología de la conservación en ambientes amenazados.

Abstract Background: Podostemaceae is the largest family of strictly aquatic angiosperms. Species of this family possess unusual morphological and reproductive characters, grow attached to rocks in rivers with strong currents, and have a life cycle tightly linked to seasonality. Due to its reduced floral structures, which characterizes most species, the analysis of developmental stages and events such as anthesis or stigma receptivity has proven difficult. Question: How floral morphology, floral development and stigma receptivity of different stages of flower development of Marathrum rubrum Novelo & C. T. Philbrick are related among them? Studied species: Marathrum rubrum Novelo & C. T. Philbrick. Study site and dates: Horcones River, Jalisco, Mexico. January, 2014 and 2015. Methods: We made an in situ and lab analyses of flower morphology to assess the relationships between flower morphology, stages of development, reproductive structures, and stigma receptivity, during different stages of flower development. Results: When flowers emerge from the spathella, both the ovules and pollen grains are fully developed, implying that sporogenesis and gametogenesis take place within the stem while the plant is still submerged. Conclusions: The morphological changes observed in the flowers of M. rubrum during the analyzed stages are related only to events associated with fertilization and fruit development. The time-course of morphological changes in the flowers, from anthesis to fruit formation, lasts 20 to 30 days. The detailed observation of the aerial reproductive biology of M. rubrum bears important implications to the genetic structure of populations, plant fitness and conservation biology in threatened environments.

ABSTRACT Exposure to airborne pollen allergens is an important environmental factor in triggering respiratory allergic diseases, such as rhinitis and asthma. These diseases lead to a reduction in patients’ quality of life and an increase in socioeconomic costs throughout Europe, including Portugal. One of the most common information available to patients with pollinosis and their clinicians is the concentration of pollen grains present in the atmosphere of outdoor environments, bioaerosols whose temporal distribution is contained in the pollen calendars. Another fundamental instrument is the Pollen Bulletin, which provides pollen forecasts. Given the scientific evidence of the relationship between pollen concentrations and allergic symptoms, such information and prevention tools have been essential for the general population and the medical community assisting in these pathologies. The aeropalynological information disclosed is only possible with the continuous environmental monitoring carried out by the Portuguese Aerobiology Network for more than two decades in Portugal. The Pollen incidence maps presented here, constructed based on the information that gave rise to the pollen calendars, show the incidence of the main allergenic pollen types to which the populations of each region of the country are exposed and shall constitute an essential tool in the clinical practice in the allergic disease field in Portugal.

RESUMO A exposição a aeroalergénios polínicos é um importante fator ambiental desencadeante de doenças alérgicas respiratórias, tais como a rinite e a asma. Estas patologias conduzem a uma redução da qualidade de vida dos doentes e a um aumento dos custos socioeconómicos por toda a Europa, incluindo em Portugal. Uma das informações mais comuns disponíveis para os doentes com polinose e seus clínicos é a concentração de grãos de pólen presentes na atmosfera dos ambientes exteriores, bioaerossóis cuja distribuição temporal se encontra contida nos calendários polínicos. Outro instrumento fundamental é o “Boletim Polínico”, instrumento que informa as previsões de grãos de pólen na atmosfera. Dada a evidência cientificamente comprovada da relação entre concentrações de pólen e sintomatologia alérgica, tais ferramentas de informação e de prevenção têm sido imprescindíveis quer para a população em geral, quer para a comunidade médica que a assiste nestas patologias. As informações aeropalinológicas divulgadas só são possíveis com a monitorização ambiental contínua que tem sido feita pela Rede Portuguesa de Aerobiologia há mais de duas décadas em Portugal. Os mapas de incidência polínica aqui apresentados, construídos com base na informação que deu origem aos calendários polínicos, mostram a incidência dos principais tipos polínicos alergizantes a que as populações de cada região do país estão expostas e constituirão um instrumento essencial na prática clínica no domínio da doença alérgica em Portugal.

Summary Background and aims: In the Atacama Desert certain plant species can be found in small and isolated areas, limited to regions with water availability. The degree of connectivity within and between these natural populations depends on their pollen and seed dispersal abilities, as well as on the barriers imposed by the landscape. Prosopis flexuosa is a species of high economic and ecological importance included in the algarrobo Conservation and Management program. The main objective of this work is to analyze the genetic variability and mating system of P. flexuosa in the Atacama Desert. M&M: Genetic diversity parameters as well as the mating system were evaluated in a natural population (Quillagua) based on microsatellite molecular markers. The hierarchical distribution of genetic variance and kinship coefficients were analyzed. Results: The results indicate high levels of genetic diversity (HE = 0.67-0.65; Ar = 3.83.7), high outcrossing rates (tm = 0.97, ts = 0.85), low biparental inbreeding (11.6%) and multiple paternity. The proportion of full sibs decreases when considering seeds from the same or different pods (89[PRESERVECIRC]16%). Only the variance between families is significant (p < 0.001) and mean kinships estimated show that progenies within families are not only constituted by half sibs. Conclusions: The results are discussed and related to the limited pollen and seed dispersal and their implication for the management of this resource. The study of the mating system parameters of this Chilean desert population suggests that the low population density and the environment fragmentation would not be influencing their mating capacity.

Resumen Introducción y Objetivos: En el desierto de Atacama ciertas plantas viven aisladas y acotadas a regiones con disponibilidad de agua. La conectividad dentro y entre poblaciones depende de las barreras impuestas por el paisaje y de su capacidad de dispersión. Prosopis flexuosa es una especie con alta importancia económica y ecológica incluida en el Programa de Conservación y Manejo del algarrobo. El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar la variabilidad genética y sistema de fecundación de P. flexuosa en el Desierto de Atacama. M&M: Se evaluó la diversidad genética y el sistema de fecundación sobre la base de marcadores moleculares microsatélites en una población natural (Quillagua). Se analizó la distribución jerárquica de la varianza genética y los niveles de las coancestrías. Resultados: Los resultados indican altos niveles de diversidad genética (HE = 0,67-0,65; Ar = 3,8-3,7), fecundación principalmente cruzada (tm = 0,97, ts = 0,85), baja endogamia biparental (11,6%) y paternidad múltiple. La proporción de hermanos completos disminuye cuando se consideran semillas del mismo o diferente fruto (89[PRESERVECIRC]16%). Solamente la varianza entre familias resulta significativa (p < 0,001) y las coancestrías promedio estimadas dan cuenta que las progenies familiares no están conformadas solamente por medios hermanos. Conclusiones: Los resultados son discutidos y relacionados con la dispersión limitada del polen y semillas y su implicancia para el manejo. El estudio del sistema de fecundación de esta población del desierto chileno sugiere que la baja densidad poblacional y la fragmentación del ambiente no influirían en su capacidad de apareamiento.

Summary Backgrounds and aims: Previous studies on the botanical resources providers of néctar and pollen stored in nests of stingless bees in the Chaco forest showed that they include a high number of pollen types but a few are dominant among the samples. The aim was to identify the pollen types implied in the overlapping and partitioning of the food niche between Geotrigona argentina, Tetragonisca angustula fiebrigi, and Melipona orbignyi in the "palosantal" forest of the Chaco Seco eco-region. M&M: Pollen types from 135 microscopic slides of honey and stored pollen from 20 wild nests of three Meliponini bee taxa were identified and quantified. The degree of food niche overlapping between the bees was calculated. Microphotographs of pollen grains were made using light microscope. Results: The abundant pollen types shared by the three taxa were Neltuma (Fabaceae), Cynophalla retusa (Capparaceae) and type Maytenus (Celastraceae), while by taxa pairs were Sarcomphalus mistol (Rhamnaceae), Anisocapparis speciosa (Capparaceae), type Schinopsis (Anacardiaceae), Sideroxylon obtusifolium (Sapotaceae), and Gonopterodendron sarmientoi (Zygophyllaceae). The resources composing the niche partitioning of each bee (those temporally exclusive) were also detected. Conclusions: Attributes, importance, and possible causes of the floral resources involved in the food niche overlapping and partitioning were discussed.

Resumen Introducción y objetivos: Previos estudios acerca de los recursos botánicos proveedores de néctar y polen almacenados en nidos de "abejas sin aguijón" en el bosque chaqueño mostraron que éstos incluyen un elevado número de tipos polínicos pero que pocos son dominantes en las muestras. El objetivo fue identificar los tipos polínicos implicados en la superposición y partición del nicho alimentario entre Geotrigona argentina, Tetragonisca angustula fiebrigi y Melipona orbignyi en el bosque de "palosantal" de la ecorregión Chaco Seco. M&M: Se identificaron y cuantificaron los tipos polínicos de 135 preparados microscópicos de miel y polen almacenado de 20 nidos silvestres de tres taxa de abejas Meliponini. Se calculó el grado de superposición de nicho alimentario entre las abejas. Las microfotografías de los granos de polen se realizaron utilizando microscopio óptico. Resultados: Los tipos polínicos abundantes compartidos por los tres taxa fueron Neltuma (Fabaceae), Cynophalla retusa (Capparaceae) y tipo Maytenus (Celastraceae), mientras que por pares de taxa fueron Sarcomphalus mistol (Rhamnaceae), Anisocapparis speciosa (Capparaceae), tipo Schinopsis (Anacardiaceae), Sideroxylon obtusifolium (Sapotaceae) y Gonopterodendron sarmientoi (Zygophyllaceae). Se detectaron también recursos que formaron parte de la partición del nicho de cada abeja (aquellos temporariamente exclusivos). Conclusiones: Se discuten las características, importancia y posibles causas de los recursos florales involucrados en la superposición y partición del nicho alimentario.

Abstract Coprolites/paleofeces are mineralised or dehydrated feces and their study allows us to reconstruct part of the environmental scenarios of the past. A few years ago, our research group began to analyze coprolites by studying different elements contained within them, such as pollen, plant remains, and silicophytoliths. Additionally, different methodological strategies were evaluated to recover as many elements as possible. The aim of this paper is to present a review of different case studies based on the multiproxy analysis of coprolites of herbivorous and omnivorous organisms found in archaeological sites in Santa Cruz northwest, Argentina. The results showed that the multiproxy approach allows for improvement in taxonomic resolution compared to other cases where a single proxy is analyzed. In addition, it emphasizes the importance of generating actualistic models for interpreting findings in coprolites. The good preservation of proxies enables us to identify plant taxa that were available to the hunter-gatherers inhabiting the northwest of Santa Cruz during the Holocene. The identified taxa from the Poaceae and Asteraceae families were recorded as dominant, providing direct evidence that these taxa were the main dietary items of the fauna accompanying the hunter-gatherers.

Resumen Los coprolitos, heces mineralizadas o deshidratadas, brindan evidencias que contribuyen a la reconstrucción de los ambientes del pasado. En nuestro grupo de investigación, hace unos años iniciamos el análisis de coprolitos mediante la exploración de diversos elementos contenidos en su interior, como polen, fragmentos vegetales y silicofitolitos. Asimismo, comenzamos a desarrollar y evaluar distintas estrategias metodológicas para maximizar la recuperación de estos elementos. El objetivo de este trabajo es presentar una revisión de distintos casos de estudio realizados por los autores, enfocados en el análisis multiproxy de coprolitos de herbívoros y omnívoros hallados en sitios arqueológicos del noroeste de Santa Cruz, Argentina. Esta revisión muestra que este abordaje permite alcanzar niveles de resolución taxonómica más precisos que cuando se analiza un solo proxy. Asimismo, destaca la importancia de la generación de modelos actualísticos para la interpretación de los hallazgos en coprolitos. En los coprolitos estudiados con una buena preservación de los proxies, se observó la predominancia de taxones de las familias Poaceae y Asteraceae, lo que evidencia directamente los principales elementos de la dieta de la fauna que acompañaba a los cazadores-recolectores. Asimismo, se logró identificar taxones vegetales que estaban disponibles para los cazadores-recolectores que habitaron en el noroeste de Santa Cruz durante el Holoceno.

ABSTRACT Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni (Asteraceae) is a diploid species (2n=2x=22) with sexual and asexual reproduction. The sexual propagules are seeds produced by cross-pollination (allogamy) whereas the asexual propagules are either vegetative shoots or apomictic seeds. Various authors have reported that allogamy in this species is promoted by the expression of a sporophytic self-incompatibility (SSI) system. To introduce the cultivation of S. rebaudiana as a production alternative in Tucumán, Argentina, a germplasm collection of this species was established with accessions from four Argentinian provinces in the Famaillá Agropecuarian Experimental Station (EEA Famaillá), National Institute of Agropecuarian Technology (INTA). The reproductive biology of the collection was studied between 2014 and 2021 to develop strategies for breeding and conservation of these genetic resources. Fifty-six genotypes were analyzed, all of them were 2n=2x=22. Pollen viability was high (69.4 to 99.6%) in all the genotypes except in four of them, which exhibited low viability (36.0 to 51.5%) in 2015 and 2017. Forty-eight genotypic combinations were obtained by manual controlled crosses. In 12 of these combinations, one pollen tube was observed in the style zone and, in four of them, one pollen tube was observed in the embryo sac; these observations indicate, respectively, incompatible and compatible pollen-pistil relationships. Normal plump seeds were obtained in all compatible genotypic combinations. The observed incompatibility might be due to the functioning of the sporophytic homomorphic system and/or a cross-incompatibility system. The observed compatibility will allow the planification of controlled crosses within and between accessions of different geographical origins to generate genetically variable progenies for breeding purposes.

RESUMEN Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni (Asteraceae) es una especie diploide (2n=2x=22) con reproducción sexual y asexual. Los propágulos sexuales son semillas producidas por polinización cruzada (alogamia), mientras que los propágulos asexuales son brotes vegetativos y semillas apomםcticas. Varios autores han seסalado que la alogamia en esta especie se ve favorecida por la expresión de un sistema de autoincompatibilidad esporofםtica (SSI). Para introducir el cultivo de S. rebaudiana como alternativa productiva en Tucumán, Argentina, se estableció una colección de germoplasma de esta especie proveniente de cuatro provincias de la Argentina en la Estación Experimental Agropecuaria (EEA) Famaillá, Instituto Nacional de Tecnologםa Agropecuaria (INTA). Se estudió la biología reproductiva de la colección entre 2014 y 2021 para desarrollar estrategias de mejoramiento y conservación de estos recursos genéticos. Se analizaron 56 genotipos, que fueron 2n=2x=22. La viabilidad del polen fue alta (69,4 a 99,6%) excepto en cuatro de ellos que exhibieron baja viabilidad (36,0 a 51,5%) en 2015 y 2017. Se obtuvieron 48 combinaciones genotópicas mediante cruzamientos controlados manuales. En 12 de estas combinaciones, se observó un tubo polםnico en la zona estilar y, en cuatro de ellas, un tubo polםnico en el saco embrionario; estas observaciones indican, respectivamente, relaciones polen-pistilo incompatibles y compatibles. Se obtuvieron semillas rellenas normales en todas las combinaciones genotópicas compatibles. La incompatibilidad observada podría deberse al funcionamiento del sistema de autoincompatibilidad homomórfica esporofítica, un sistema de incompatibilidad cruzada, o ambos. La compatibilidad observada permitirá la planificación de cruzamientos controlados dentro y entre introducciones de diferentes orígenes geográficos para generar progenies genéticamente variables con fines de mejoramiento genético.

Abstract Beekeepers need to identify melliferous flora (MF) in those areas where apiaries are established because bees (Apis mellifera) depend on these floral resources for food and honey production. The objective of the study was to analyze the socio-ecological aspects of beekeeping, considering the knowledge of the melliferous flora by the producers in the Costa Chica region of Guerrero (GCC), Mexico. A non-probabilistic convenience sampling was carried out. The final sample consisted of 75 surveyed beekeepers. Descriptive statistics and cross-tabulations were used for data analysis; botanical collections were made to identify the species cited. Beekeeping is traditional (5-50 hives), the average age was 48 yr, with 10 years of schooling and 12 yr of experience. Producers mentioned 33 MF species (26 native and seven cultivated) belonging to 16 botanical families. In addition, they classified them by their use as nectapolliniferous (14 species), polliniferous (10), and nectariferous (9). It was recorded that native species flower during the winter (herbaceous) and spring (trees), coinciding with the honey harvest season, while cultivated species flower during the rainy season (summer) and are an important resource during the post-harvest season. GCC beekeepers registered low knowledge of the vegetation surrounding their apiaries, but have a high knowledge of the main MF species, finding that the older they are, the more knowledge they have about the MF species that bees use in their food (nectar or pollen).

Resumen La identificación de flora melífera (FM) en las áreas donde se establecen apiarios es necesaria para los apicultores, debido a que las abejas (Apis mellifera) dependen de estos recursos florales para su alimentación y producción de miel. El objetivo del estudio fue analizar los aspectos socio-ecológicos de la apicultura, considerando los conocimientos de la flora melífera de los productores en la Costa Chica de Guerrero (CCG), México. Se realizó un muestreo no probabilístico por conveniencia. La muestra final fue de 75 apicultores encuestados. Para el análisis de los datos se utilizó estadística descriptiva y tablas cruzadas; se realizaron recolectas botánicas para identificar las especies citadas. La apicultura es tradicional (5-50 colmenas), la edad promedio fue 48 años, con 10 años de escolaridad y 12 años de experiencia. Los productores mencionaron 33 especies de FM (26 nativas y siete cultivadas), pertenecientes a 16 familias botánicas. Además, por su uso, las clasificaron en nectapoliníferas (14 especies), poliníferas (10) y nectaríferas (9). Se registró que las especies nativas florecen durante el invierno (herbáceas) y primavera (árboles), lo que coincide con la época de cosecha de miel, mientras que las especies cultivadas florecen en épocas de lluvias (verano) y son un recurso importante en épocas de postcosecha. Los apicultores de la CCG registraron bajo conocimiento de la vegetación circundante a sus apiarios, pero tienen un alto conocimiento de las principales especies de FM, encontrándose que, a mayor edad, mayor conocimiento sobre las especies de FM que las abejas utilizan en su alimentación (néctar o polen).

RESUMEN Con el objetivo de evaluar la morfología del polen en especies melíferas del bosque seco tropical del recinto Quimis, se seleccionaron cinco apiarios distribuidos en dicha formación vegetal, se recolectaron las cargas de polen obtenidas directamente de los apiarios y se registró la flora apícola de acuerdo al tiempo de floración. Los resultados revelaron 21 especies melíferas pertenecientes a 13 familias y 21 géneros, Convolvulus arvensis, Eriotheca ruizii, Ceiba trischistandra y Prosopis pallida las especies más frecuentes y la familia más abundante fue la Fabaceae. En relación con las unidades de polen, el 0,95 % corresponde al tipo mónada y referente a la simetría, el 0,67 % se caracteriza por ser de tipo radiosimétrico, mientras que el 0,48 % presenta aberturas tricolporadas. Con respecto a la forma de la exina, el 0,43 % exhibe una forma psilada, y el 0,38 % mostró forma esferoidal. Los meses de mayor floración coincidieron con junio, julio y agosto, que corresponden a la temporada seca. La gran mayoría de las especies nectaríferas y poliníferas resultaron ser dominantes, con la excepción de Bonellia sprucei, Caesalpinia paipai y Trema micrantha, Muntingia calabura, Cojoba arborea, Sarcomphalus thyrsiflorus, Bursera graveolens, las cuales solo proporcionan polen y Cordia lutea y Cynophalla sclerophylla, que son productoras de néctar.

RESUMO Com o objetivo de avaliar a morfologia polínica de espécies melíferas na floresta tropical seca do Recinto dos Quimis, foram selecionados cinco apiários distribuídos nessa formação vegetal, coletadas cargas de pólen obtidas diretamente dos apiários e registrada a flora apícola de acordo com a época de floração. Os resultados revelaram 21 espécies melíferas pertencentes a 13 famílias e 21 gêneros, sendo que Convolvulus arvensis, Eriotheca ruizii, Ceiba trischistandra e Prosopis pallida foram as espécies mais frequentes e a família mais abundante foi Fabaceae. Em relação às unidades polínicas, 0,95% corresponde ao tipo mônada e, com relação à simetria, 0,67% é caracterizado pelo tipo radiossimétrico, enquanto 0,48% tem aberturas tricolporadas. Com relação à forma da exina, 0,43% exibiu uma forma psilada e 0,38% uma forma esferoidal. Os meses de pico de floração coincidiram com junho, julho e agosto, que correspondem à estação seca. A grande maioria das espécies produtoras de néctar e poliníferas foi considerada dominante, com exceção de Bonellia sprucei, Caesalpinia paipai e Trema micrantha, Muntingia calabura, Cojoba arborea, Sarcomphalus thyrsiflorus, Bursera graveolens, que fornecem apenas pólen, e Cordia lutea e Cynophalla sclerophylla, que são produtoras de néctar.

ABSTRACT With the objective of evaluating the morphology of pollen in honey species from the tropical dry forest of the Quimis enclosure, five apiaries distributed in said plant formation were selected, the pollen loads obtained directly from the apiaries were collected and the bee flora was recorded according to the flowering time. The results revealed 21 honey species belonging to 13 families and 21 genera, being Convolvulus arvensis, Eriotheca ruizii, Ceiba trischistandra and Prosopis pallida the most common species and the most abundant family was Fabaceae. In relation to the pollen units, 0.95% corresponds to the monad type and referring to symmetry, 0.67% is characterized by being of the radiosymmetric type, while 0.48% has tricolporate openings. Regarding the shape of the exine, 0.43% exhibited a psyllate shape, and 0.38% showed a spheroidal shape. The months of greatest flowering coincided with June, July and August, which correspond to the dry season. The vast majority of nectariferous and polliniferous species were dominant, with the exception of Bonellia sprucei, Caesalpinia paipai and Trema micrantha, Muntingia calabura, Cojoba arborea, Sarcomphalus thyrsiflorus, Bursera graveolens, which only provide pollen and Cordia lutea and Cynophalla sclerophylla, which are nectar producers.

Abstract Background: Conservation and breeding programs for forest species require efficient pollen quality monitoring strategies to maximize collection, storage and pollination efforts. Question: Can the ImageJ image analysis software be implemented to efficiently monitor pollen viability and germinability for quality testing? Studied species: Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco Methods: Tetrazolium staining and germination on 10 % Brewback media was used to test Douglas fir pollen quality. Two macros for automated counting were developed with ImageJ free software using digitized microscopic images, and were tested to evaluate provenances, germination in different media, dehydration/rehydration and freeze-storage treatments, and finally to compare pollen quality between mature trees and GA-induced strobili from juvenile trees. Results: Automated monitoring of pollen quality was feasible because the software suitably distinguishes viable from non-viable pollen grains due to differential tetrazolium staining that translates into pixel density, whereas germinability was assayed based on pollen size and circularity. This tool was used to guide the selection of appropriate pollen handling conditions and compare pollen production in adult and GA-induced juvenile trees. Pollen flash-freezing and storage at -80 °C showed recovery between 74 and 98 % of its initial germinability after rehydration; however, viability detected by tetrazolium is reduced, suggesting that handling and storage affect the reliability of the test. Conclusions: The flexibility of the Fiji software allowed the development of an efficient and accurate macro for monitoring P. menziesii pollen quality, reducing invested time and effort involved, which supports future research on its conservation physiology and its successful application for germplasm production.

Resumen Antecedentes: Los programas de conservación y producción de semilla en especies forestales requieren estrategias eficientes para el monitoreo de polen que maximicen los esfuerzos de recolección, almacenamiento y polinización. Pregunta: ¿Puede implementarse el software de análisis de imágenes Image J para monitorear eficientemente la viabilidad y germinabilidad del polen? Especie de estudio: Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco Métodos: Se utilizó tinción por tetrazolio y el medio Brewback 10 % para evaluar la calidad de polen. Se desarrollaron macros para la automatización del conteo mediante el software libre Image J usando imágenes digitalizadas. Se comparó el polen de distintas procedencias, madurez de árboles, medios de germinación, deshidratación/rehidratación y almacenamiento por congelación. Resultados: El software distingue adecuadamente polen viable del no viable mediante la tinción diferencial que se traduce en densidad de pixeles, mientras que para germinación se consideró el tamaño y circularidad. La herramienta permitió guiar la selección de condiciones apropiadas para el manejo de polen, así como comparar la producción de árboles adultos y juveniles inducidos con GA. El congelamiento de polen permitió recuperar entre 74 y 98 % de la germinación después de la rehidratación; aunque la detección de viabilidad por tetrazolio disminuyó, mostrando que el manejo y almacenamiento afectan la confiabilidad de la prueba. Conclusiones: La flexibilidad del software Fiji permitió el desarrollo de macros eficientes y precisas para monitorear la calidad del polen de P. menziesii, al reducir el tiempo y esfuerzo implicados. Esto apoya investigaciones futuras sobre la fisiología de su conservación y aplicación exitosa para la producción de germoplasma.

Abstract The widespread loss of biodiversity in agricultural landscapes and ecosystems is a global concern. This loss is related to the intensification of agricultural practices, the inappropriate use of agrochemicals and the fragmentation of natural habitats. All of this affects plant diversity and has an impact on the functioning of the ecosystem, limiting ecosystem services. Promoting greater functional diversity in the margins of our crops is an achievable goal through the management of the resources offered by the weed flora. In particular, species of the Brassicaceae Burnett family (hereinafter referred to as cruciferous), play a fundamental role in agrosystems by attracting natural enemies of pests and providing nectar and pollen to pollinators. The objective of this study was to detect and estimate the floral resources offered by cruciferous plants in the presence of other weed species. To this end, an experiment was designed at the “La Poveda” farm (CSIC, Madrid) in 2023, in which up to 4 flights were carried out with a drone over the floral margins where three cruciferous plants of interest were found: Diplotaxis tenuifolia, Eruca vesicaria and Moricandia arvensis. These species represent some of the key functional traits of crucifers that are often present in our agrosystems. The detection of these species was carried out through the analysis of images captured by the drone and the implementation of convolutional neural network architectures. In this work, we present the first results of the models we are developing.

Resumen La pérdida generalizada de biodiversidad en los paisajes y ecosistemas agrarios es una preocupación a nivel global. Esta pérdida se relaciona con la intensificación de las prácticas agrícolas, el uso inadecuado de agroquímicos y la fragmentación de hábitats naturales. Todo esto afecta la diversidad vegetal y tiene un impacto en el funcionamiento del ecosistema, limitando los servicios ecosistémicos. Promover una mayor diversidad funcional en los márgenes de nuestros cultivos es una meta alcanzable mediante el manejo de los recursos que nos ofrece la flora arvense. En particular, las especies de la familia Brassicaceae Burnett (en adelante, crucíferas), desempeñan un papel fundamental en los agrosistemas al atraer enemigos naturales de plagas y proporcionar néctar y polen a los polinizadores. El objetivo de este estudio era detectar y estimar los recursos florales ofrecidos por las crucíferas en presencia de otras especies arvenses. Para ello, se diseñó un experimento en la finca “La Poveda” (CSIC, Madrid) en 2023, en el que se llevaron a cabo hasta 4 vuelos con un dron sobre los márgenes florales donde se encontraban tres crucíferas de interés: Diplotaxis tenuifolia, Eruca vesicaria y Moricandia arvensis. Estas especies representan algunos de los rasgos funcionales clave de las crucíferas que suelen estar presentes en nuestros agrosistemas. La detección de estas especies se realizó mediante el análisis de imágenes capturadas por el dron y la implementación de arquitecturas de redes neuronales convolucionales. En este trabajo, presentamos los primeros resultados de los modelos que estamos desarrollando.

Abstract Supporting sustainable strategies to promote functional biodiversity in agroforestry systems is a priority for increasing biological conservation protection against enemies of existing crops and forest species. For the Conservation biological control, it is important to implement management practices that maintain and contribute to enhancing the reproduction, survival and efficiency of both pollinators and beneficial entomofauna that regulate the population of crop enemies. Plant species suitable for promoting increased population levels of these natural enemies and pollinators, ensuring their food needs (e.g. pollen, nectar, honeydew) and shelter (alternative hosts), are fundamental. In this context, regarding pollinating insects and, in particular, the domestic bee, Apis mellifera iberiensis, this work aims to contribute to the knowledge of the flora that meet these requirements, and at the same time, contribute to increasing the value of the domestic bee for the Ecosystem Services.

Resumo Apoiar estratégias sustentáveis para o fomento da biodiversidade funcional nos sistemas agroflorestais é uma prioridade para o incremento da proteção biológica de conservação contra os inimigos das culturas e espécies florestais existentes. Para o controlo biológico de conservação, é importante a implementação de práticas de gestão que mantenham e contribuam para potenciar a reprodução, sobrevivência e eficiência, tanto dos polinizadores quanto da entomofauna benéfica que regula a população dos inimigos das culturas. As espécies de plantas adequadas para fomentar o aumento dos níveis populacionais destes inimigos naturais e dos polinizadores, garantindo as suas necessidades alimentares (por exemplo, pólen, néctar, melada) e abrigo (hospedeiros alternativos), são fundamentais. Neste contexto, relativamente a insetos polinizadores e, em particular à abelha doméstica, Apis mellifera iberiensis, pretende-se, com este trabalho, contribuir para um melhor conhecimento sobre a flora associada e, ao mesmo tempo, contribuir para incrementar o valor da abelha doméstica nos Serviços dos Ecossistemas.

Resumo A identificação da flora com potencial meliponícola é fundamental para a preservação das abelhas, além de possibilitar o desenvolvimento de programas de manejo de polinizadores e reflorestamento. Nesse contexto, este estudo teve como objetivo investigar os tipos de pólen encontrados nos potes de mel e pólen da abelha Melipona fasciculata em Arari-Ma, durante o período de agosto de 2022 a julho de 2023. Foram identificados 40 tipos de pólen distribuídos em 18 famílias botânicas, com destaque para Fabaceae (46,15% nos potes de pólen e 37,86% nos potes de mel), Myrtaceae (11,53% em pólen e 13,51% em mel) e Rubiaceae com 7,69% em pólen e 5,40% em mel. Sapindaceae, nos potes de mel, representou 5,40%. As demais famílias apresentaram percentuais menores, sendo 3,84% nos potes de pólen e 2,70% nos potes de mel. Quanto à similaridade, tanto nos potes de pólen quanto nos de mel, foram observados dois grupos distintos. Nos potes de pólen, o grupo A (mai-jun ~ 97%) e o grupo B (fev-mar ~ 99%) se destacaram, enquanto nos potes de mel, o grupo A (mar-abr ~ 98%) e o grupo B (jun-jul-set ~ 98%) apresentaram maiores percentuais. Essas descobertas ressaltam a ampla gama de recursos utilizados pela espécie M. fasciculata, bem como sua preferência por Fabaceae e Myrtaceae, devido à diversidade e disponibilidade dos recursos tróficos. A compreensão da flora meliponícola é fundamental para embasar estratégias eficazes de conservação, que visam não apenas garantir a sobrevivência das abelhas, mas também assegurar a continuidade da produção de mel, um recurso de grande importância para as comunidades locais. abelhas reflorestamento contexto ArariMa, ArariMa Arari Ma, Ma Arari-Ma 202 2023 4 1 botânicas 46,15% 4615 46 15 (46,15 3786 37 86 37,86 , 11,53% 1153 11 53 (11,53 1351 13 51 13,51 769 7 69 7,69 540 5 5,40 Sapindaceae menores 384 3 84 3,84 270 2 70 2,70 similaridade distintos maijun mai jun 97% 97 fevmar fev mar 99% 99 destacaram marabr abr 98% 98 junjulset jul set M tróficos conservação locais 20 46,15 461 (46,1 378 8 37,8 11,53 115 (11,5 135 13,5 76 6 7,6 54 5,4 38 3,8 27 2,7 9 46,1 (46, 37, 11,5 (11, 13, 7, 5, 3, 2, 46, (46 11, (11 (4 (1 (

Abstract The identification of meliponicultural flora is fundamental for the preservation of bees, as well as enabling the development of pollinator management and reforestation programs. In this context, this study aimed to investigate the types of pollen found in the honey and pollen pots of the Melipona fasciculata bee in Arari, State of Maranhão, between August 2022 and July 2023. 40 types of pollen were identified, distributed among 18 botanical families, with Fabaceae standing out (46.15% in pollen pots and 37.86% in honey pots), Myrtaceae (11.53% in pollen and 13.51% in honey) and Rubiaceae (7.69% in pollen and 5.40% in honey). Sapindaceae, in the honey pots, accounted for 5.40%. The other families showed lower percentages, 3.84% in the pollen pots and 2.70% in the honey pots. In terms of similarity, two distinct groups were observed in both the pollen and honey pots. In the pollen pots, group A (May-June ~ 97%) and group B (Feb-Mar ~ 99%) stood out, while in the honey pots, group A (Mar-Apr ~ 98%) and group B (Jun-Jul-Sept ~ 98%) showed the highest percentages. These findings highlight the wide range of resources used by the M. fasciculata species, as well asits preference for Fabaceae and Myrtaceae, due to the diversity and availability of trophic resources. An understanding of the meliponicultural flora is essential to support effective conservation strategies, which aim not only to guarantee the survival of the bees, but also to ensure the continued production of honey, a resource of great importance to local communities. bees programs context Arari Maranhão 202 2023 4 identified 1 46.15% 4615 46 15 (46.15 3786 37 86 37.86 , pots) 11.53% 1153 11 53 (11.53 1351 13 51 13.51 7.69% 769 7 69 (7.69 540 5 5.40 honey. . Sapindaceae percentages 384 3 84 3.84 270 2 70 2.70 similarity MayJune May June 97% 97 FebMar Feb Mar 99% 99 MarApr Apr 98% 98 JunJulSept Jun Jul Sept M species strategies communities 20 46.15 461 (46.1 378 8 37.8 11.53 115 (11.5 135 13.5 7.69 76 6 (7.6 54 5.4 38 3.8 27 2.7 9 46.1 (46. 37. 11.5 (11. 13. 7.6 (7. 5. 3. 2. 46. (46 11. (11 7. (7 (4 (1 (

Resumo O maracujá-amarelo pertence à família Passifloraceae e tem grande importância econômica, nutricional e social na Colômbia. Apresenta uma grande diversidade fenotípica e genotípica que ainda não foi explorada ou utilizada em programas de melhoramento genético. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a diversidade genética de 84 cultivares de Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa de nove fazendas do município de Miraflores, Boyacá, Colômbia, utilizando oito marcadores microssatélites (SSR). Com base nessas informações, foram determinadas estimativas de parâmetros de diversidade genética, análise de variância molecular (AMOVA), distâncias genéticas e conjuntos de cultivares. Baixos níveis de diferenciação genética entre cultivares foram observados na análise Bayesiana pelo software Structure, bem como ausência de correlação entre distâncias genéticas e geográficas. A heterozigosidade observada (0,50) foi maior que a esperada (0,43), sugerindo um número significativo de indivíduos heterozigotos. O número de alelos por locus variou de 2 a 4, com média de 2,88. Em geral, os SSR foram classificados como informativos (0,36). O valor médio do Índice de Shannon foi de 0,71, o que demonstra variabilidade moderada nesta cultivar. AMOVA apresentou maior diversidade dentro das cultivares (98%). O fluxo gênico (Nm=28,4) foi moderado e isso pode ser explicado pelo fluxo de pólen entre as diferentes cultivares, pelo sistema de reprodução da espécie, pela autoincompatibilidade e pela introdução de genótipos de outros locais pelos agricultores. A diversidade genética identificada neste estudo é suficiente para iniciar programas de melhoramento visando identificar cultivares com maiores produtividades. maracujáamarelo maracujá amarelo econômica Colômbia genético 8 f Miraflores Boyacá SSR. . (SSR) informações AMOVA, , (AMOVA) Structure geográficas 0,50 050 0 50 (0,50 0,43, 043 0,43 43 (0,43) heterozigotos 4 288 88 2,88 geral 0,36. 036 0,36 36 (0,36) 071 71 0,71 cultivar 98%. 98 98% (98%) Nm=28,4 Nm284 Nm 28 (Nm=28,4 espécie agricultores produtividades (SSR (AMOVA 0,5 05 5 (0,5 04 0,4 (0,43 2,8 03 0,3 3 (0,36 07 7 0,7 9 (98% Nm=28, Nm28 (Nm=28, 0, (0, (0,4 2, (0,3 (98 Nm=28 Nm2 (Nm=28 (0 (9 Nm=2 (Nm=2 ( Nm= (Nm= (Nm

Abstract The Yellow passion fruit belongs to the Passifloraceae family with great economic, nutritional and social importance in Colombia. It presents a great phenotypic and genotypic diversity, which has not yet been explored or used in genetic improvement programs. The objective of this study was to evaluate the genetic diversity of 84 cultivars of Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa from nine farms in the municipality of Miraflores, Boyacá, using eight microsatellite markers (SSR). On the basis of this information, estimates of genetic diversity parameters, molecular variance analysis (AMOVA), genetic distances, and cluster of cultivars were obtained. Low levels of genetic differentiation between cultivars were observed in the Bayesian analysis using Structure software, as well as the absence of correlation between genetic and geographic distances. The observed heterozygosity (0.50) was greater than the expected heterozygosity (0.43), suggesting a significant number of heterozygous individuals. The number of alleles per locus varied from 2 to 4, with a mean 2.88. In general, SSR were classified as informative (0.36). The average value of the Shannon Index was 0.71, which shows moderate variability in this cultivar. AMOVA showed higher diversity within cultivars (98%). The gene flow (Nm=28.4) was moderate, this can be explained by the flow of pollen between the different cultivars, the reproduction system of the species, self-incompatibility and the introduction of genotypes from other sites by farmers. The genetic diversity identified in this study is sufficient to initiate breeding programs aimed at identifying cultivars with higher yields. economic Colombia 8 f Miraflores Boyacá SSR. . (SSR) information parameters AMOVA, , (AMOVA) distances obtained software 0.50 050 0 50 (0.50 0.43, 043 0.43 43 (0.43) individuals 4 288 88 2.88 general 0.36. 036 0.36 36 (0.36) 071 71 0.71 cultivar 98%. 98 98% (98%) Nm=28.4 Nm284 Nm 28 (Nm=28.4 species selfincompatibility self incompatibility farmers yields (SSR (AMOVA 0.5 05 5 (0.5 04 0.4 (0.43 2.8 03 0.3 3 (0.36 07 7 0.7 9 (98% Nm=28. Nm28 (Nm=28. 0. (0. (0.4 2. (0.3 (98 Nm=28 Nm2 (Nm=28 (0 (9 Nm=2 (Nm=2 ( Nm= (Nm= (Nm