ABSTRACT In the microwave-radiofrequency spectrum, Wi-Fi is a short-range wireless broadband technology, which transmits at a frequency of 2.5 GHz. This type of technology has been positioned itself as one of the most widely used technological advances in recent years. It has been reported that direct exposition to radiofrequencies can induce physiological changes in different animals and plants species. One of the degenerative effects that Wi-Fi can cause is the production of reactive oxygen species, inducing tissue damage and DNA alterations. In fungi, the effect of exposure to electromagnetic radiation in the UV spectrum has been extensively studied, the physiological effect to radiofrequencies such as Wi-Fi is unknown. In that sense, the aim of this study was to detect the main changes in metabolism of some acid fatty and ergosterol of the fungus Serpula himantioides, using gas chromatography - mass spectrometry (GC–MS), and evaluate the antioxidant activity of metabolites obtained from in vitro cultures of S. himantioides exposed to Wi-Fi at 2.5 GHz. The results showed an increment in the content of some the fatty acids and ergosterol, in total extracts from the fungus mycelium. Antioxidant analysis revealed that the total extracts of S. himantioides culture medium showed antioxidant capacity associated with an increment in the content of phenolic compounds. Our results suggest that direct exposition to Wi-Fi radiation produces oxidative damage by modifying cellular components in the fungus S. himantioides.

ABSTRACT Wasps that belong to the genus Ophelimus develop galls on Eucalyptus spp., and E. globulus is considered among the most susceptible species. In 2003, a new species of Ophelimus was detected in Chile. This species forms galls on E. globulus and E. camaldulensis, and it was recently considered as Ophelimus migdanorum nov sp. The present study was carried out 16 yr after its detection and it was aimed to determine the presence of Ophelimus in plantations of E. globulus located in Maule, Biobío and La Araucanía Regions, which represent 76% of the area covered with this species in the country. Between August and September 2017, a total of 165 sampling forest farms were established in stands of E. globulus, located in these regions of the country. In each farm, twigs were collected that represented formation of galls and maintained in laboratory conditions until the emergence of adults. These were identified according to their external morphological characteristics. The presence of O. migdanorum and Closterocerus chamaeleon was determined. Both species emerged together in all the regions considered in the study, 92.1% and 46.7% of the evaluated forest farms, respectively. Then Ophelimus migdanorum is widely distributed in Maule, Biobío and La Araucanía Regions, in Chile

RESUMO. O morango chileno [Fragaria chiloensis (L.) Mill.] é o progenitor materno do morangueiro comercial (Fragaria ( ananassa Duch.), caracterizado por frutos com alta qualidade organoléptica, sendo uma cultura bem adequada para áreas caracterizadas pela seca e a salinidade. Neste trabalho, foram examinados os padrões de desequilíbrio de ligação, diversidade genética e estrutura da populacional em 54 acessos de F. chiloensis, com o intuito de avaliar a base genética da espécie. Utilizou-se um conjunto de marcadores de microssatélites (n = 95) obtidos do mapa de ligação consenso do morango comercial. A taxa de transferibilidade foi de 82,1% (78/95). Dos marcadores transferidos, 38 foram selecionados e usados neste estudo, os quais produziram um total de 259 alelos, que variaram entre 112 e 342 pb. Encontrou-se uma menor diversidade genética ao nível da espécie (HE = 0,17, índice de Shannon = 0,28), em comparação com estudos prévios com a espécie. Não foi observado padrão de região climática para a diversidade genética. A análise da estrutura sugere que os acessos são agrupados em três grupos significativamente diferenciados. As estimativas de pares de φST indicaram baixo grau de diferenciação entre os três grupos genéticos (φST = 0,023 a 0,06). Esses grupos estão em concordância com os potenciais refúgios glaciários na região, sendo muitas adições uma mistura deles.

ABSTRACT. The Chilean strawberry [Fragaria chiloensis (L.) Mill.] is the maternal progenitor of the commercial strawberry (Fragaria ( ananassa Duch.), which is characterized by fruits with high organoleptic quality and is well-suited to areas where drought and salinity represent a constraint on crop growth and productivity. We examined the patterns of linkage disequilibrium, genetic diversity and population structure among 54 accessions of F. chiloensis to understand the genetic basis of this species. We used a core microsatellite marker set (n = 95) from a consensus linkage map of strawberry. A transferability rate of 82.1% (78/95) was found, and 38 markers were selected for this study. The SSR primers produced a total of 259 alleles, which varied between 112 and 342 bp. Lower genetic diversity at the species level (HE = 0.17, Shannon’s index = 0.28) was found compared to previous studies of this species. No climatic region pattern for SSR diversity was observed. Structure analysis suggests that the accessions are grouped into three significantly differentiated clusters. Pairwise estimates of φST indicated a low degree of differentiation between the three genetic groups (φST = 0.023 to 0.06). These groups are in concordance with potential glacial refugia in the region, with many accessions being an admixture of them.

ABSTRACT Taxonomic and genetic diversity are among the components of biodiversity. Both components need to be taken in consideration to establish management and conservation strategies in high-priority areas for conservation. Pedro del Rio Zañartu park in the peninsula of Hualpen, contains one of the last relicts of the coastal forest of the Bio-Bio Region, mainly concentrated in the Terrestrial Biological Station (EBT) assigned to the University of Concepcion near to the city of Concepcion. In this study, we evaluated both taxonomic and genetic diversity of the peninsula to establish conservation strategies and future management plans in the area. We quantified the number of species along 20 transects within the park and in the surrounding areas. In addition, we measured the genetic diversity in five phylogenetically unrelated species, using AFLP markers. A total of 90 species were recorded, 78 % native and 22 % non-native. The highest species richness was found in the EBT area, having significance difference with the rest of the sampling sites. The genetic analysis showed similar values of genetic diversity than previously reported for species with similar biological traits and for the same studied species, in different zones of their distribution. Therefore, high levels of species richness and genetic diversity were found in the EBT. This could be as a result of the management and protection by the university. Considering the presence of endangered species within the EBT and the spatial distribution of species richness in the area, we recommend that the park Pedro del Rio Zañartu and surrounding areas need to be part of the areas protected by the government.

RESUMEN Dentro de los componentes de la diversidad biológica se encuentran la diversidad taxonómica y genética. El análisis de ambos resulta indispensable para la elaboración de estrategias de manejo y conservación de áreas prioritarias para la conservación. La península de Hualpén alberga uno de los últimos relictos de bosque costero de la Región del Bío-Bío, concentrado en la Estación de Biología Terrestre (EBT) cedida en comodato a la Universidad de Concepción, por parte de la gobernación de Concepción. En este estudio se evaluó la variabilidad taxonómica y genética de la península con el fin de contribuir al desarrollo de estrategias de conservación y futuro desarrollo de planes de manejo en esta. Para ello se cuantificó la riqueza de especies a lo largo de 20 transectos, localizados dentro de la península. A su vez, se evaluó la diversidad genética con marcadores AFLP para cinco especies no relacionadas filogenéticamente. Se encontró un total de 90 especies, donde el 78% son nativas y el 22% son especies introducidas. La riqueza de especies nativas se concentró en la EBT, presentando diferencias significativas con el resto de los sitios muestreados. El análisis de los marcadores moleculares mostró valores de diversidad genética congruentes con los reportados para especies de similares características biológicas. Además, los resultados de diversidad genética para las especies estudiadas concuerdan con los reportados en otros sitios de su distribución geográfica. Por lo tanto, la EBT concentra altos valores de diversidad específica y genética. Esto podría ser el reflejo de la protección del sitio por parte de la entidad administradora. Considerando la presencia de especies en peligro dentro de la estación biológica y la riqueza de especies en el área, se aconseja incluir a la EBT y algunos lugares aledaños en el sistema de áreas protegidas por el Estado.

ABSTRACT The present work explores in vivo physiological, morphological and chemical features during full hydration, desiccation and rehydration of the filmy fern Hymenophyllum dentatum with two main objectives: 1) to get further insight about the mechanisms underlying its desiccation tolerance, and 2) to understand how this plant manages mechanical stress induced by water loss and recovery. With these purposes, physiological (relative water content and F /F chlorophyll fluorescence parameter), morphological (Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy and 3D reconstruction) and chemical (FT- IR microspectroscopy) data were obtained and compared between fully hydrated, desiccated and rehydrated tissues of H. dentatum. Remarkable changes in cell architecture and chemical composition were observed in vivo in desiccated leaves. Cells were smaller, showed a collapsed general appearance, and were delimitated by apparently folded cell walls. Marked changes in chloroplasts location and decrease in the number of active chloroplasts were also evidenced. Chemical experiments showed that changes in the secondary structure of proteins and in the polysaccharide composition of the cell wall occur in desiccated cells. All changes were rapidly reversed upon rehydration. This study shows that H. dentatum presents an extreme case of desiccation tolerance, able to withdraw severe, rapid and consecutive dehydration/rehydration induced stress by the function of constitutive systems of protection and reparation, in which cell wall folding plays a relevant role as a protective system against mechanical and oxidative stress. Besides, H. dentatum is proposed as an excellent plant model for the study of dissection tolerance such as one cell layer fern, auto-fluorescence of cellular compartments, and simple long term storage under laboratory conditions, among others.

RESUMEN El presente trabajo muestra una exploración in vivo de los rasgos fisiológicos, morfológicos y químicos que caracterizan a los estados de hidratación completa, desecación y rehidratación del helecho película Hymenophyllum dentatum, que persigue 2 objetivos principales: 1) Adquirir conocimientos sobre los mecanismos que subyacen a la tolerancia a la desecación, y 2) entender cómo estas plantas manejan el estrés mecánico inducido por la pérdida y recuperación de agua. Con estos propósitos se obtuvo datos fisiológicos (contenido relativo de agua y parámetro de fluorescencia de clorofila Fv/Fm), morfológicos (microscopía confocal de escaneo laser en 3 D) y químicos (microespectroscopía FT-IR), en los tejidos de H. dentatum en los estados completamente hidratado, desecado y rehidratado. Notorios cambios en la arquitectura celular y la composición química fueron observados in vivo en las hojas desecadas. Las células eran de menos tamaño, presentaron una apariencia general colapsada, y delimitadas por una pared celular con apariencia plegada. También se evidenciaron marcados cambios en la localización y una disminución en el número de cloroplastos activos durante la desecación. Los ensayos químicos mostraron que en las células en desecación ocurren cambios en la estructura secundaria de una proteína citoplasmática muy abundante y en los polisacáridos que componen la pared celular. Todos estos cambios revierten al estado inicial tras la rehidratación de los tejidos. Este estudio muestra que H. dentatum es un caso extremo de tolerancia a la desecación, capaz de sobreponerse tras el estrés inducido por ciclos de alternancia entre desecación y rehidratación, mediante el funcionamiento de sistemas constitutivos de protección y reparación, entre los cuales el plegamiento de la pared celular parece jugar un rol clave como protector contra el daño mecánico y el estrés oxidativo. Además, H. dentatum es propuesto como una excelente planta modelo para el estudio de la tolerancia a la desecación porque posee características como tener hojas constituidas por una sola capa de células, poseer estructuras internas auto-fluorescentes, resistencia en condiciones simples de almacenamiento en el laboratorio, entre otras.

Gomortega keule is an endemic woody species to Chile and the only member of the Gomortegaceae family. It is currently an endangered species and is of great scientific interest due to its small area of distribution. The aim of this research was to estimate genetic diversity of 24 individuals of G. keule selected from three isolated relict populations from the province of Concepción using AFLP (Amplified fragment length polymorphism) for future conservation issue. Sixteen combinations of primers for AFLP were tested and three combinations of them were selected as the most informative, revealing differences between individuals. These primer combinations generated 156 fragments, of which 62 % were polymorphic. The relict population with the highest percentage of polymorphisms was located in Cerro Neuque with 84.6 %, followed by Coroney and Hualqui with 59.6 and 42.3 %, respectively. The analysis of molecular variance detected 73 % variation within populations and 27 % variation amoung populations. This study supported that AFLP can be used in G. keule as a fast and reliable test to identified remaining populations of the species. Thus, this technique can be used to support ex situ or in situ conservation of G. keule.

Gomortega keule, especie arbórea endémica de Chile y única representante de la familia Gomortegaceae, se encuentra catalogada en peligro de extinción y despierta gran interés científico por su restringida área de distribución. El objetivo de este trabajo fue estimar la variabilidad genética de 24 individuos de G. keule ubicados en tres relictos de la provincia de Concepción, mediante marcadores AFLP (polimorfismos en la longitud de los fragmentos amplificados) para futuros estudios de conservación. Se probaron 16 combinaciones de partidores y se eligieron las tres combinaciones más informativas para detectar diferencias entre individuos. Estas combinaciones generaron un total de 156 fragmentos, siendo un 62 % de ellos polimórficos. El sitio con mayor porcentaje de polimorfismos correspondió a Cerro Neuque, con un 84,6 %, seguido por Coroney y Hualqui con 59,6 y 42,3 %, respectivamente. El análisis de varianza molecular detectó un 73 % de variación dentro de las poblaciones y un 27 % de variación entre ellas. El estudio muestra que la técnica de AFLP puede ser utilizada en G. keule de forma rápida y confiable para identificar poblaciones remanentes y apoyar su conservación tanto ex situ como in situ.

Pinus radiata is a conifer of recognized economic value. Studies at genetic and molecular level to support breeding programs of radiata pine have been conducted with difficulty due to its large and complex genome. The development of molecular markers has allowed performing studies on genetic variation, identification of clones and construction of linkage maps. In order to increase the genetic molecular markers in P. radiata, two inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers and twelve selective amplifications of microsatellite polymorphic loci (SAMPL) primer combinations were tested, using a first-generation full-sib family of 86 individuals. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products were visualized by capillary electrophoresis and polymorphism was detected by presence or absence of a particular fragment in one P. radiata parental. A total of 18 polymorphic fragments were found for two ISSR primers tested, with an average segregation distortion of 33 %. SAMPL markers yielded 85 polymorphic fragments with eight primer combinations, with an average of 22.3 % segregation distortion. Both methodologies showed a good reproducibility, with easy implementation and useful for genetic analysis on P. radiata.

Pinus radiata es una conífera de reconocido valor económico, en la cual los estudios a nivel genético y molecular, han sido conducidos con dificultad en programas de mejoramiento debido a su genoma complejo y de gran tamaño. El desarrollo de marcadores moleculares ha permitido realizar estudios de variación genética, validar clones y construir mapas de ligamiento. Para lograr incrementar la disponibilidad de marcadores moleculares en P. radiata, se examinaron dos marcadores ISSR (inter simple sequence repeat) y 12 combinaciones de partidores SAMPL (selective amplification of microsatellite polymorphic loci), usando una familia F1 de 86 hermanos completos de primera generación. Los productos de PCR (polymerase chain reaction) se visualizaron mediante electroforesis capilar y la selección de fragmentos polimórficos se efectuó a base de la presencia o ausencia de un fragmento en uno de los parentales de la familia de P. radiata. Un total de 18 fragmentos polimórficos fueron encontrados para los dos partidores ISSR, con una distorsión de segregación promedio de 33 %. Los marcadores SAMPL generaron 85 fragmentos polimórfcos empleando ocho combinaciones, con un promedio de 22,3 % de distorsión de segregación. Ambas metodologías mostraron buena reproducibilidad, fácil implementación y utilidad para análisis genético en P. radiata.