Some historical aspects of plant cytogenetics in Argentina and Uruguay

Abstract

A brief account is given of the origin and development of plant cytogenetics in Argentina and Uruguay, along with some of the factors that hampered the development of this area.<br>Uma breve narrativa é dada sobre a origem e desenvolvimento de citogenética em plantas na Argentina e Uruguai, juntamente com alguns fatores que prejudicaram o desenvolvimento desta area

Ephedra shrubs facilitate local arthropod communities in the Andean Puna: Implications for conservation and habitat restoration

“…This suggests that E. multiflora occupies a narrow environmental niche, resulting in a relatively patchy distribution in the desert Puna. Ephedra breana, in turn, is widely distributed in the shrubland steppes of the Andean Puna from Ecuador to northwest Argentina (Hunziker 1995). We note that here we follow the Ephedra taxonomical classification of Hunziker (1995), where E. breana is considered a different species from E. chilensis.…”

“…Ephedra shrubs are dioecious gymnosperms that produce seed cones, have small scale-like leaves, and photosynthetic stems. The two species of this study are easily differentiated because E. multiflora produce dry winged cone bracts and the seeds are wind-dispersed, while E. breana have succulent, brightly red coloured cone bracts (Hunziker 1995;Ickert-Bond and Renner 2016). During the pollination stage, the cones of female plants produce pollination drops rich in sugar that capture airborne pollen released from male plants (Gelbart and von Aderkas 2002).…”

“…Differences in habitat requirements and plant characteristics between the two Ephedra species suggest that E. multiflora might be best suited for dune fixation and as foundation species in areas where environmental conditions are extremely harsh. On the other hand, E. breana is a valuable species for restoration because of its nutritional value as a forage resource for native fauna and livestock (Hunziker 1995); and has edible cones that are consumed by humans and native fauna (mainly birds) (Aranda-Rickert, unpublished). The lack of consumption of E. multiflora stems by native and exotic ungulates probably accounts for some kind of herbivore deterrent present in photosynthetic stems, which merits further study.…”