Alonso García, Marta

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Alonso García, Marta

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Biología Vegetal

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Open Access
Bacterial community of reindeer lichens differs between northern and southern lichen woodlands
(Canadian Science Publishing, 2022-01-18) Villarreal A., Juan Carlos; Alonso García, Marta; Biología Vegetal
Lichens cover nearly 7% of the earth’s surface, and in eastern Canada, lichen woodlands occupy over 300 000 km2. Reindeer lichens (genus Cladonia) are the main component of lichen woodlands and they play a crucial role in boreal forest ecology. We study, for the first time, the bacterial community of four species of reindeer lichens from eastern North America’s boreal forests. Using the 16S rRNA gene, we characterize the bacterial community of 189 lichen samples. We aim to analyse the effect of geography and host identity in the bacterial community composition and structure, verify the presence of a common core bacteria, and identify the most abundant core taxa. Our results suggest that host-lichen identity does not determine bacterial community composition and structure in reindeer lichens, but we confirm the influence of geography in shaping the diversity and abundance of bacteria associated with Cladonia stellaris. We also reveal that reindeer lichens share a reduced common core bacteria composed exclusively by Alphaproteobacteria. Northern lichen woodlands exhibit a significantly higher diversity and abundance of bacteria associated with C. stellaris than southern lichen woodlands do. The presence of the species Methylorosula polaris in the core bacteria is evident and may have a particular importance for reindeer lichens.
Embargo
A new species of Chionoloma (Pottiaceae) from Central and South America with a key to Neotropical species of the genus
(BioOne Digital Library, 2017-09-05) Alonso García, Marta; Cano Bernabé, María Jesús; Jiménez Fernández, Juan Antonio; Biología Vegetal
A new species of Chionoloma Dixon, C. fractum M.Alonso, M.J.Cano & J.A.Jiménez, is described from Central and South America (Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Peru and Venezuela). The species is distinguished morphologically by lanceolate or linear leaves, with apices usually broken, leaf margins strongly sinuous, basal marginal cells forming a V-shaped pattern, dorsal surface cells of the costa quadrate-round and papillose toward apex, costa percurrent or excurrent in a short mucro and central strand present. Drawings and light microscope photographs of the new species are provided. Moreover, the principal distinctive characters that separate it from the nearest species of Chionoloma are discussed and a key to Neotropical species of the genus is provided.
Embargo
Pseudosymblepharis perlongifolia (Bryophyta, Pottiaceae), a neglected species from Malaysia new for América
(Magnolia Press, 2014-08-27) Alonso García, Marta; Cano Bernabé, María Jesús; Jiménez Fernández, Juan Antonio; Biología Vegetal
The Asian moss Pseudosymblepharis perlongifolia, previously known only from Malaysia, is reported for the first time for America on the basis of several collections from Maricao (Puerto Rico). The principal distinctive characters that separate it from the nearest species of Pseudosymblepharis and related genera are discussed. The species is described and illustrated.
Open Access
Population genomics of a reindeer lichen species from North American lichen woodlands
(Wiley, 2021-01-29) Grewe, Felix; Payette, Serge; Villarreal A., Juan Carlos; Alonso García, Marta; Biología Vegetal
PREMISE: Lichens are one of the main structural components of plant communities in the North American boreal biome. They play a pivotal role in lichen woodlands, a large ecosystem situated north of the closed-crown forest zone, and south of the forest–tundra zone. In Eastern Canada (Quebec), there is a remnant LW found 500 km south of its usual distribution range, in the Parc National des Grands-Jardins, originated mainly because of wildfires. We inferred the origin of the lichen Cladonia stellaris from this LW and assessed its genetic diversity in a postfire succession. METHODS: We genotyped 122 individuals collected across a latitudinal gradient in Quebec. Using the software Stacks, we compared four different approaches of locus selection and single-nucleotide polymorphism calling. We identified the best fitting approach to investigate population structure and estimate genetic diversity of C. stellaris. RESULTS: Populations in southern Quebec are not genetically different from those of northern LWs. The species consists of at least four phylogenetic lineages with elevated levels of genetic diversity and low co-ancestry. In Parc National des Grands-Jardins, we reported high values of genetic diversity not related with time since fire disturbance and low genetic differentiation among populations with different fire histories. CONCLUSIONS: This first population genomic study of C. stellaris is an important step forward to understand the origin and biogeographic patterns of lichen woodlands in North America. Our findings also contribute to the understanding of the effect of postfire succession on the genetic structure of the species.
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New synonyms and typifications in Chionoloma tenuirostre (Pottiaceae, Bryophyta)
(Magnolia Press, 2018-10-24) Alonso García, Marta; Cano Bernabé, María Jesús; Jiménez Fernández, Juan Antonio; Biología Vegetal
Names within Chionoloma tenuirostre are evaluated for proper taxonomic position. A total of 20 names are treated as synonyms, among them, 10 are here synonymised for the first time (Hyophila acutiuscula, Leptodontium subintegrum, Oxystegus cylindricus var. filifer, Trichostomum angustifolium, T. fallax, T. fallax f. minutum, T. fragilifolium, T. prionodon, T. siamense and T. uncinifolium) and three names are excluded from the synonymy (Barbula wollei, Tortula cylindrotheca and Trichostomum burmense). In order to maintain nomenclatural stability, the typification of 12 names is discussed and lectotypes are designated.
Open Access
The genera Chionoloma, Oxystegus, Pachyneuropsis and Pseudosymblepharis (Pottiaceae, Bryophyta) : taxonomy and phylogenetic relationships
(Universidad de Murcia, 2019-06-06) Alonso García, Marta; Cano Bernabé, María Jesús; Jiménez Fernández, Juan Antonio; Facultad de Biología
Resumen. La familia Pottiaceae incluye el mayor número de especies de musgos y su taxonomía es una de las más complejas dentro de los briófitos. La circunscripción de sus géneros ha generado controversia desde la descripción de la familia. En esta tesis se estudian cuatro géneros de las Pottiaceae pertenecientes a la subfamilia Trichostomoideae: Chionoloma Dixon, Oxystegus (Limpr.) Hilp., Pachyneuropsis H.A. Mill. y Pseudosymblepharis Broth. Los principales objetivos son (i) resolver las relaciones filogenéticas entre los cuatro géneros reconocidos a partir de marcadores nucleares y cloroplásticos; (ii) aportar una síntesis taxonómica de las especies de Chionoloma, Oxystegus, Pachyneuropsis y Pseudosymblepharis en todo el mundo y (iii) buscar nuevos marcadores moleculares de utilidad filogenética mediante el ensamblaje de los genomas cloroplásticos y mitocondriales de dos especies de estos géneros, Oxystegus tenuirostris var. tenuirostris (Hook. & Taylor) A.J.E. Sm. y Pseudosymblepharis schlimii M. Alonso, M.J. Cano & J.A. Jiménez. Con el fin de cumplir el primer objetivo se lleva a cabo una filogenia a partir de los marcadores nrITS, atpB-rbcL, trnG and trnL-F. La monofila de estos cuatro géneros se investiga usando análisis de máxima verosimilitud e inferencia bayesiana. La reconstrucción de caracteres ancestrales muestra un alto nivel de homoplasia en los caracteres morfológicos tradicionalmente usados para separar estos cuatro géneros. Según estos resultados, se sugiere que Chionoloma, Oxystegus y Pseudosymblepharis deberían unirse en un solo género, siendo Chionoloma el nombre prioritario. La posición taxonómica de Pachyneuropsis requiere de más estudios para poder ser clarificada. La revisión taxonómica se basa en más de 2.600 especímenes depositados en diferentes herbarios o recolectados durante campañas de muestreo. Se han identificado un total de 131 nombres y se han examinado sus correspondientes tipos nomenclaturales, lectotipificando 69 nombres. Como resultado de esta revisión se aportan claves dicotómicas, descripciones, dibujos, fotografías y datos de distribución de cada una de las especies reconocidas. Tras el estudio taxonómico se concluye que el género Chionoloma está compuesto por 22 especies y una variedad. De estas especies, 18 se proponen como nuevas combinaciones y se describe e ilustra una especie nueva para la ciencia. Además, 56 nombres son sinonimizados y se aportan 87 nuevas citas para varios países. Por su parte, los resultados relativos al género Pachyneuropsis muestran que éste consta de dos especies, una de ellas combinada en este trabajo, y se consideran dos nuevos sinónimos. La búsqueda de nuevos marcadores moleculares se basa en estudios genómicos centrados en completar los genomas de los orgánulos de dos especies de este grupo. Únicamente el genoma mitocondrial de la especies Chionoloma tenuirostre var. tenuirostre ha sido ensamblado y anotado. El genoma está formado por 105.001 pb, con un contenido en GC de 39,2%, incluyendo 40 genes que codifican proteínas, 24 tARN y 3 rARN. Se hallan presentes todos los intrones, excepto uno, que no se ha documentado en musgos con perístoma, y no se han encontrado regiones repetidas de 50 pb. El contenido en genes y su orden es idéntico al de la mayoría de los musgos, recalcando que el genoma mitocondrial es estable no sólo a lo largo de los distintos linajes vegetales, sino también específicamente dentro del clado de los musgos. Un árbol filogenético es inferido a partir del genoma de 16 especies de musgos para validar la secuencia de C. tenuirostre var. tenuirostre, confirmando que comparte ancestro común con Syntrichia Brid. En resumen, esta tesis constituye no solo el primer trabajo filogenético de los géneros Chionoloma, Oxystegus, Pachyneuropsis y Pseudosymblepharis, sino también la primera revisión taxonómica del grupo a nivel mundial y uno de los pocos estudios de genómica de briófitos llevados a cabo hasta el momento. Abstract. Pottiaceae is the largest known moss family, with one of the most complex taxonomies among the bryophytes. The circumscription of genera within the Pottiaceae is challenging and it has been a matter of dispute ever since the establishment of the family. In this thesis, four related genera belonging to the Pottiaceae subfamily Trichostomoideae are studied: Chionoloma Dixon, Oxystegus (Limpr.) Hilp., Pachyneuropsis H.A. Mill. and Pseudosymblepharis Broth. The main goals of this work are (i) to resolve phylogenetic relationships among these four related traditional genera of the Pottiaceae inferring a phylogeny derived from nuclear and the plastid markers; (ii) to provide a comprehensive taxonomic synthesis of the species placed within Chionoloma, Oxystegus, Pachyneuropsis and Pseudosymblepharis worldwide and (iii) to search for new molecular markers of potential phylogenetic utility by assembling the chloroplast and mitochondrial genome of two species of these genera, Oxystegus tenuirostris var. tenuirostris (Hook. & Taylor) A.J.E. Sm. y Pseudosymblepharis schlimii M. Alonso, M.J. Cano & J.A. Jiménez. In order to achieve the first goal, a phylogeny derived from nuclear ITS and the plastid markers atpB-rbcL, trnG and trnL-F is inferred. Putative monophyly of these four genera is investigated using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference analyses. Ancestral state reconstruction shows high levels of homoplasy in the characters historically used for the generic division of Chionoloma s.l. Based on the results, it is suggested that Chionoloma, Oxystegus and Pseudosymblepharis should be merged into a single genus, for which the oldest name Chionoloma has priority. Additional analyses are needed to clarify the taxonomic status of Pachyneuropsis. The taxonomic revision is based on more than 2,600 specimens deposited in different herbaria or collected during filed trips. A total of 131 names are found and their nomenclatural types are examined, carrying out the lectotypification of 69 names. As a result of this revision, keys, descriptions, illustrations, photographs and distribution data of each species are provided. After the taxonomic study, it is concluded that Chionoloma is composed of 22 species and one variety, 18 of them are here newly combined and a new species is described and illustrated. Moreover, 56 names are newly synonymized and a total of 87 new records for various countries are reported. On its behalf, results related with Pachyneuropsis show that this genus includes two species, being one of them a new combination. Besides, two names are considered as new synonyms. The search for new molecular markers is based on genomic studies focus on complete the organellar genome of two species of this group. Just the mitochondrial genome of the species Chionoloma tenuirostre var. tenuirostre is assembled and annotated. The genome is 105,001 bp long, with a GC content of 39.2%, comprising 40 protein coding, 24 tRNA, and 3 rRNA genes. All introns reported from the mitochondrial genome of all but one peristomate moss are present, whereas no 50 bp region is repeated within the genome. The genic content and order is identical to that of most mosses, highlighting that the mitochondrial genome is static not only across the phylogenetic depth but also breadth of the moss tree of life. A phylogenetic tree is inferred from the whole genome of 16 species of mosses to validate the sequence of C. tenuirostre var. tenuirostre by confirming its shared ancestry with Syntrichia Brid. Broadly, this thesis constitutes not only the first phylogenetic study of the genera Chionoloma, Oxystegus, Pachyneuropsis and Pseudosymblepharis but also the first taxonomic revision of this group and one of the few genomic studies with bryophytes performed so far.
Embargo
Didymodon edentulus (Bryophyta, Pottiaceae), a new Andean species from the Cordillera Occidental in Peru
(Schweizerbart Science Publishers, 2015-05-01) Alonso García, Marta; Cano Bernabé, María Jesús; Guerra Montes, Juan; Jiménez Fernández, Juan Antonio; Biología Vegetal
Didymodon edentulus J.A. Jiménez & M.J. Cano, is described and illustrated as a new Andean species from the Cordillera Occidental in north-central Peruvian departments of Ancash, La Libertad and Lima. It is characterized mainly by its appressed leaves when dry, plane margins above midleaf, smooth laminal cells, oblate and transversely thick-walled marginal basal cells, differentiated perichaetial leaves and gymnostomous capsules. Its distinction from, and relationships with some closely related species within the genus are discussed.
Open Access
Migration Patterns of Epiphyllous Bryophyte Metapopulations in Amazonian Fragmented Landscape Inferred From Census and Genomic Data
(Wiley, 2025-08-25) Adriel M. Sierra; Charles E. Zartman; Juan Carlos Villarreal A.; Alonso García, Marta; Biología Vegetal
Habitat fragmentation affects metapopulation dynamics by reducing patch (discrete area occupied by a local population) size and connectivity, but its long-term genetic consequences are confounded by species-specific traits and limitations of sequencing techniques. Studies of terrestrial plants with relatively short generation times, combined with high-throughput sequencing, provide valuable insights into the demographic and genetic effects of land-use change. We integrate long-term censuses and genotyping data from epiphyllous bryophyte metapopulations in experimentally fragmented Amazonian forests. We focused on two bryophyte species with contrasting mating systems across 11 populations in small (1-and 10-ha) and large (100-ha and continuous) habitats. We aim to assess how long-term reductions in colony numbers in small fragments affect population genetic diversity and differentiation compared to larger habitats. We also explore how species' mating systems influence migration patterns across forest sites, with bisexual species expected to exhibit a higher likelihood of sexual reproduction and spore output than their unisexual counterparts. Our results reveal contrasting patterns of genetic structure between the two species, with no consistent effects of forest fragmentation detected across the landscape. The bisexual species showed notably lower genetic diversity and slightly higher differentiation in small fragments, suggesting a non-equilibrium metapopulation driven by limited migration. In contrast, the unisexual species exhibited minimal genetic impact from fragmentation, maintaining symmetrical migration among fragments regardless of size, indicative of patchy metapopulation dynamics. This study highlights how contrasting mating systems in epiphyllous bryophytes influence migration patterns and underscores the species-specific responses to habitat fragmentation.
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Pseudocrossidium exiguum M.J.Cano & J.A.Jiménez (Pottiaceae), a new species from South America
(Taylor & Francis Group, 2015-03-26) Alonso García, Marta; Cano Bernabé, María Jesús; Guerra Montes, Juan; Jiménez Fernández, Juan Antonio; Biología Vegetal
A new species of Pseudocrossidium R.S.Williams, P. exiguum M.J.Cano & J.A.Jiménez, is described from South America (Argentina, Brazil and Peru). The species is distinguished morphologically by its lingulate to oblong-ovate leaves, leaf marginal cells not or scarcely differentiated from inner, costa ending below apex or percurrent, and semicircular to elliptical in cross-section with two guide cells, scarcely differentiated perichaetial leaves and peristome of short and straight teeth. Drawings and light microscope photographs of the new species are provided. The principal distinctive characters that separate it from the nearest species of Pseudocrossidium and related genera are discussed.
Open Access
Population genomics and phylogeography of a clonal bryophyte with spatially separated sexes and extreme sex ratios
(Frontiers Media, 2020-05-08) Villarreal A., Juan Carlos; McFarland, Kenneth; Goffinet, Bernard; Alonso García, Marta; Biología Vegetal
The southern Appalachian (SA) is one of the most biodiversity−rich areas in North America and has been considered a refugium for many disjunct plant species, from the last glacial period to the present. Our study focuses on the SA clonal hornwort, Nothoceros aenigmaticus J. C. Villarreal & K. D. McFarland. This hornwort was described from North Carolina and is widespread in the SA, growing on rocks near or submerged in streams in six and one watersheds of the Tennessee (TR) and Alabama (AR) Rivers, respectively. Males and female populations occur in different watersheds, except in the Little Tennessee (TN) River where an isolated male population exists ca. 48 km upstream from the female populations. The sex ratio of 1:0 seems extreme in each population. In this study, we use nuclear and organellar microsatellites from 250 individuals from six watersheds (seven populations) in the SA region and two populations from Mexico (23 individuals). We, then, selected 86 individuals from seven populations and used genotyping by sequencing to sample over 600 bi-allelic markers. Our results suggest that the SA N. aenigmaticus and Mexican plants are a nested within a clade of sexual tropical populations. In the US populations, we confirm an extreme sex ratio and only contiguous US watersheds share genotypes. The phylogenetic analysis of SNP data resolves four clusters: Mexican populations, male plants (Little Pigeon and Pigeon river watersheds) and two clusters of female plants; one from the Little Tennessee and Hiwassee Rivers (TR) and the other from the Ocoee (TR) and Coosa (AR) Rivers. All clusters are highly differentiated (Fst values over 0.9). In addition, our individual assignment analyses and PCAs reflect the phylogenetic results grouping the SA samples in three clades and recovering males and female plants with high genetic differentiation (Fst values between 0.5 and 0.9 using microsatellites and bi-allelic markers). Our results point to Pleistocene events shaping the biogeographical pattern seen in US populations. The extreme sex ratio reflects isolation and highlights the high vulnerability of the populations in the SA.