Climate change threatens the persistence of some plant species, especially those highly adapted to their microclimates. The aim of the study was to determine the current suitable habitat of marula (Sclerocarya birrea subsp. caffra) and to forecast the habitat under different climate change scenarios. Predictions were made in Maxent using 490 occurrence records, four representative concentration pathways (RCPs) and three general circulation models (GCMs). Variables used were altitude, soil characteristics, monthly precipitation, monthly minimum and maximum temperatures and 19 bioclimatic variables. The current suitable habitat of marula largely occurs in mopane and dry miombo woodlands of southern Africa, including Madagascar. Permutation importance test showed that precipitation in November (30.1%), temperature seasonality (22.1%) and mean temperature of wettest quarter (14.3%) contributed significantly to the model of the current suitable habitat. When forecasted, the suitable habitat expanded under all GCMs and RCPs. On average in 2050, the range expanded by 26.0% (RCP2.6), 33.8% (RCP4.5), 24.8% (RCP6.0) and 42.3% (RCP8.5), while in 2070, it expanded by 30.0% (RCP2.6), 39.9% (RCP4.5), 33.3% (RCP6.0) and 45.1% (RCP8.5). The subspecies is not directly threatened by climate change, but indirect threats remain uncertain.
An understanding of the function of signaling genes/proteins in soybean is vital for comprehending plant growth and development. The objective of this study was to functionally characterize a calmodulin-binding receptor-like cytoplasmic kinase gene (Glyma.13G161700) from Glycine max. Bioinformatic analyses were performed for the characterization. Expression profile of GmCBRLCK1 gene in soybean tissue was assessed using Genevisible. Functional genomic analysis for gene expression regulation and co-expression analysis was evaluated using micro array data from Affymetrix Soybean Genome Array platform in GENEVESTIGATOR v3. Gene ontology functional predictions were determined through FFPred 2.0. The results showed that the calmodulin-binding receptor-like cytoplasmic kinase gene is predominantly expressed in the pericycle and syncytium in root seedlings and in the palisade cells of the legume. The gene was shown to be highly upregulated in response to root exposure to Phytophthora sojae, Heterodera glycines and aluminium stress. Co-expressed genes during the legume development showed Pearson’s correlation co-efficient of 1 to Glyma.13G161700. Gene ontology predictions confirmed the signaling and metabolic functions of the kinase gene and its primary locations are the membrane and endomembrane system of G. max. The study therefore suggests that Glycine max calmodulin-binding receptor-like cytoplasmic kinase (GmCBRLCK1) is involved in receptor signaling pathways to enhance seedling tolerance to root infection by P. sojae, H. glycines, and to aluminium stress. The kinase gene is also involved in regulation of metabolic processes that aid in growth and development of soybean seedling.
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