O presente estudo teve como objetivos caracterizar a composição da regeneração natural, da chuva e do banco de sementes presentes sob a copa de três espécies de início de sucessão - Centrolobium tomentosum Guill. ex Benth. (Fabaceae), Cordia myxa L. (Boraginaceae) e Melia azedarach L. (Meliaceae) -, bem como avaliar as possíveis diferenças entre as comunidades que se formaram sob estas espécies. Tal estudo foi desenvolvido em uma área de mata restaurada, localizada no entorno da represa de abastecimento público do município de Iracemápolis (SP). Para tanto, foram marcados 15 indivíduos de cada espécie, sob os quais foram instalados dois coletores de sementes (1 m2 cada), de onde se coletou todos os propágulos depositados por um período de um ano, em coletas mensais. Sob cada um destes 45 indivíduos foi retirada uma amostra de solo (0,5 m x 0,5 m x 0,05 m), que foi posta a pleno sol, por oito semanas, para a avaliação da composição do banco de sementes. A regeneração natural foi avaliada na área de projeção das copas, em uma parcela circular de 2,5 m de raio, na qual se amostraram todos os indivíduos de espécies arbustivo-arbóreas de 0,3 m a 2,0 m de altura. A chuva de sementes sob M. azedarach apresentou-se com maior densidade e sob C. myxa com maior riqueza (p < 0,05). Igualmente, a maior densidade de emergentes do banco de sementes foi observada nas amostras sob M. azedarach e a maior riqueza foi observada sob C. myxa. Quanto à regeneração natural, as comunidades sob as três espécies diferenciaram-se em relação à diversidade de espécies, maior sob os indivíduos de M. azedarach, e à estrutura da comunidade, que se apresentou mais alta sob C. myxa (p < 0,05). A maior parte dos indivíduos e espécies amostradas, tanto na chuva quanto no banco e na regeneração natural, pertencem aos estágios iniciais da sucessão secundária, sendo que muitas, dentre as mais abundantes, são exóticas. As três espécies formam nichos de regeneração, permitindo a germinação e desenvolvimento de plântulas sob elas, influenciando, cada uma, na estrutura e composição das comunidades e contribuindo para a manutenção da diversidade. Por fim, alguns resultados obtidos através deste estudo são importantes para planejamento do monitoramento da área, o qual é fundamental para o emprego de medidas de intervenção, bem como para o entendimento da evolução da floresta que se forma. / The present study describes the composition of natural regeneration, seed rain and seed bank under three early species - Centrolobium tomentosum Guill. ex Benth. (Fabaceae), Cordia myxa L. (Boraginaceae) e Melia azedarach L. (Meliaceae) – and evaluatuation of the possible differences among understory regeneration. The study area, a restored area, is located at the margins of city water reservatory at Iracemápolis (SP). For the study, 15 individuals were selected and under their crown the seed rain was monthly sampled through of the material deposited in 90 1 m x 1 m traps (two by individual). The seed bank was evaluated by 45 soil samples removed from 0,5 m x 0,5 m plots and 5 cm depth, placed under full sun for a period of eight weeks. The natural regeneration was evaluated in circular plots (17 m2), under projection of the crown , where all individuals of timber species, between 0,3 m and 2,0 m tall, were counted and identified. The seed rain under M. azedarach showed higher mean density and under C. myxa higher mean number of species (p < 0,05). Identically, the higher density of seedlings was found in soil samples under M. azedarach and higher number of species under C. myxa. For natural regeneration, the communities showed differences in species diversity, being higher under individuals of M. azedarach, and structure, under individuals of C. myxa was found higher number of seedlings (p < 0,05). The majority of individuals and species sampled is from early secondary succession species, and those species, most of them are exotics. The three species create microsites, allowing the seed germination and growth of seedling under their crowns, acting on community structure and contributing for the maintenance of diversity. Some results obtained in this study are important for projection of monitoring of this restored area, which is fundamental for intervention actions, as well as to the understanding of evolution of the forest under formation.

Conservation and recovery plans for rare species require biological and ecological information to discern how they may be susceptible to human disturbances. Phacelia submutica is a threatened annual species in western Colorado. Human activities including energy development, recreation, and livestock grazing are occurring within the species’ range. To provide conservation practitioners with a scientific basis for management, this research aimed to elucidate elements of the species’ ecology. Chapter 2 describes the reproductive biology of P. submutica. Potential insect pollinators were not observed during two years of observations. Floral traits and development ensure self-pollination and reduce the likelihood that insects would be effective pollinators. Hand pollination experiments using varying pollen sources did not result in significant differences in seed number and mean mature seed weight per fruit, two metrics of reproductive success. These results indicate that the species is habitually autogamous. Conservation of this species will not require the protection of pollinators and their habitat, but should consider the potential impacts of autogamy on the species’ genetic diversity. Chapter 3 examines aspects of P. submutica’s seed ecology as they relate to the development and maintenance of the seed bank. Observations suggest seeds are limited in their long-range dispersal capacity. Average seed bank density was low (74 seeds per m2) and seeds were highly aggregated within sites. Based on three years of seed burial data, the species forms a long-term persistent seed bank that maintains high proportions of viability in drought years, but germinates prolifically in favorable years. Projections of seed depletion rates from this dataset predicted longevity to be between four and six years. Finally, seeds were generally unresponsive to germination trials involving varying degrees of cold-moist stratification, incubation temperatures, and scarification. P. submutica shows adaptations that promote its persistence in an arid environment characterized by climatic variability. Appropriate management of this species will require protection of the seed bank and the dynamics involved in its replenishment and maintenance. Chapter 4 presents implications of the two major studies and provides conservation practitioners with an integrated assessment of the results and how they relate to management.

Les maladies infectieuses constituent un sérieux problème de santé publique aussi bien dans les pays en développement où elles sont la principale cause de taux de mortalité élevés, que dans les pays industrialisés où les résistances aux antibiotiques existants se développent de façon alarmante. Cette situation engendre un besoin sans cesse croissant de trouver de nouveaux composés antimicrobiens et/ou inhibiteurs de mécanismes de résistances aux antibiotiques. Les plantes médicinales, notamment celles utilisées de façon traditionnelle dans les pays en développement, constituent une source potentielle de ce type de composés. C’est dans ce cadre que l’espèce Cordia gilletii De Wild (Boraginaceae), une plante dont les écorces de racines et les feuilles sont traditionnellement utilisées en République Démocratique du Congo pour combattre les maladies infectieuses, a été étudiée sur le plan tant de ses activités biologiques que de sa composition chimique. Les extraits obtenus à partir des écorces de racines de cette plante ont montré d’intéressantes activités biologiques, (i) un effet antimicrobien direct (bactéricide pour les bactéries gram positif et bactériostatique pour les gram négatif) et indirect (augmentation ou restauration de l’activité des antibiotiques vis-à-vis des souches résistantes); (ii) un effet inhibiteur sur deux des gènes impliqués dans le quorum sensing de Pseudomonas aeruginosa, lasB and rhlA; (iii) un effet antiplasmodial sur une souche chloroquino-sensible de Plasmodium falciparum; (iv) un effet antioxydant mis en évidence par réaction avec le radical libre DPPH. Pour les extraits de feuilles, seule l’activité antiplasmodiale a été observée. <p>Les extraits d’écorces de racines, doués d’activité antimicrobienne directe (extrait méthanolique) et indirecte (extrait n-hexanique) ont été soumis à une série de fractionnements dans le but d’isoler et d’identifier les composés actifs. Pour suivre l’activité lors des fractionnements, le milieu de culture utilisé pour la détection des composés actifs sur une plaque chromatographique (CCM-bioautographie) a été optimisé. Le composé férulaldéhyde, isolé de l’extrait méthanolique, a montré des propriétés antimicrobiennes, antioxydantes et antiplasmodiales. De l’extrait n-hexanique ont été isolés deux composés, l’un actif, le lupéol et l’autre inactif, la friedéline. Le lupéol a montré un effet antimicrobien indirect en réduisant la CMI de certains antibiotiques vis-à-vis d’une souche de MRSA. Ces trois composés, s’ils ont déjà été identifiés dans d’autres plantes, sont décrits pour la première fois dans l’espèce Cordia gilletii ;et ce travail constitue le premier rapport de l’effet antimicrobien indirect du lupéol. <p>Dans le but de s’assurer de l’innocuité des extraits de C. gilletii, une recherche d’alcaloïdes pyrrolizidiniques (APs) a été réalisée par GC-MS. Ces alcaloïdes présentent en effet un réel danger pour la santé humaine et la famille des Boraginaceae, à laquelle appartient l’espèce C. gilletii, est connue comme une des principales sources de ces composés. Aucun AP n’a pu être mis en évidence dans les extraits d’écorces de racines et de feuilles de cette plante jusqu’à une limite de détection de 2 ppm, suggérant ainsi une absence de risque toxicologique en relation avec ces alcaloïdes. Ces résultats rassurants restent à confirmer sur d'autres échantillons obtenus dans des lieux de récolte différents.<p>Le présent travail montre que C. gilletii peut agir contre les microorganismes pathogènes par :(i) son action antimicrobienne directe (due entre autre au férulaldéhyde); (ii) son effet antimicrobien indirect (dû au lupéol), effet permettant d’augmenter ou de restaurer l’activité des antibiotiques vis-à-vis des souches résistantes ;et (iii) son effet inhibiteur de l’expression des gènes du quorum sensing, effet permettant d’atténuer la virulence d’agents infectieux. Ces actions peuvent permettent de faire face aux infections dues notamment à des microorganismes résistants.<p><p><p><p>Infectious diseases remain a serious public health problem both in developing countries, where they are the main cause of the high mortality rates recorded, and in industrialized countries where there is an alarming incidence of antibiotic resistance. There is thus an increasing need for new compounds that can act by a direct antimicrobial effect or by an indirect effect, inhibiting resistance mechanisms of microorganisms. Medicinal plants, particularly those traditionally used against infectious diseases in developing countries, are a probable source for these types of compounds. In this context, Cordia gilletii De Wild (Boraginaceae), a medicinal plant from which root barks and leaves are traditionally used against infectious diseases in Democratic Republic of Congo, was investigated for biological activities and phytochemical composition. Root bark extracts showed interesting biological activities: (i) antimicrobial properties, acting directly (bactericid and bacteriostatic effects against gram positive and gram negative bacteria, respectively) or indirectly (enhancement or restoration of antibiotic activity on resistant strains); (ii) inhibitory effect on the expression of two Pseudomonas aeruginosa QS genes, lasB and rhlA; (iii) antiplasmodial effect against a chloroquine sensitive strain of Plasmodium falciparum; (iv) antioxidant effect determined by the free radical DPPH quenching. Leaves extracts showed only antiplasmodial activity. <p>Root barks extracts with the highest direct (methanol extract) and indirect (n-hexane extract) antimicrobial properties were fractionated to isolate and to identify the active compounds. To bio-guide the fractionation, the culture medium for the detection of active compounds on chromatographic plates (TLC-bioautography) was optimized. The compound ferulaldehyde, isolated from the methanol extract, showed antimicrobial, antioxidant and antiplasmodial properties. From the n-hexane extract two compounds were isolated, lupeol and friedelin. Lupeol showed indirect antimicrobial effect by decreasing the MIC of some antibiotics against MRSA; whereas friedelin was inactive. Although these three compounds have already been described in other plant species, this is the first report of their occurence in Cordia gilletii; the indirect antimicrobial effect of lupeol is described for the first time in this work. <p>As it belongs to the family of Boraginaceae, a family well known as one of the most important sources of pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), Cordia gilletii is susceptible to contain these toxic compounds that were consequently researched. A GC-MS analysis did not reveal the presence of PAs (detection limit, 2 ppm) in root barks and leaves extracts of C. gilletii, suggesting a lack of PA-related toxicity of this plant. This reassuring finding needs to be confirmed with samples harvested at different locations.<p>This work reveals that C. gilletii may act against pathogenic microorganisms by: (i) a direct antimicrobial effect (partly due to férulaldéhyde); (ii) the enhancement or restoration of antibiotic activity against resistant strains (effect of lupeol); and (iii) an inhibitory effect on the expression of quorum sensing regulator genes, decreasing the virulence of microorganisms. These actions could help to fight infections caused by resistant strains. <p><p> / Doctorat en Sciences biomédicales et pharmaceutiques / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

<p><i>Echiochilon</i>, <i>Ogastemma</i> and <i>Sericostoma</i> are revised resulting in the recognition of 15 species of <i>Echiochilon</i> and one <i>Ogastemma</i> species. Several species are placed in synonymy and three new species are described, <i>E. baricum</i>, <i>E. callianthum</i> and <i>E. cyananthum</i>. The single species of <i>Sericostoma</i> is shown to be nested within <i>Echiochilon</i>.</p><p>The plastid <i>atpB</i> gene was sequenced for <i>Echiochilon</i> and <i>Ogastemma</i> from the Old World and <i>Antiphytum</i> from the New World, plus for a selection of 33 other Boraginaceae taxa. They were analysed together with selected outgroup taxa to give a framework of the tribes of Boraginoideae. The analysis gave support for establishing the new tribe Echiochileae for <i>Antiphytum</i>, <i>Echiochilon</i> and <i>Ogastemma</i>, and for merging the traditionally accepted tribe Eritrichieae with Cynoglosseae. The ITS region was sequenced for all but one species of <i>Echiochilon</i> and for representatives of <i>Antiphytum</i> and <i>Ogastemma</i>. Phylogenetic analysis of Echiochilon revealed that the strongly zygomorphic-flowered species form a paraphyletic group. The morphological data gave results fairly congruent with the ITS phylogeny.</p><p>Biogeographic interpretations of the ITS and <i>atpB</i> phylogenies indicated a trans-Atlantic dispersal of <i>Antiphytum</i> as the most plausible explanation to the Old/New World disjunction. Analyses using DIVA (Dispersal Vicariance Analysis) of the distributions of the <i>Echiochilon</i> species indicated an ancestor to <i>Echiochilon</i> with a wide distribution over northern Africa and Arabia to India.</p>

Echiochilon, Ogastemma and Sericostoma are revised resulting in the recognition of 15 species of Echiochilon and one Ogastemma species. Several species are placed in synonymy and three new species are described, E. baricum, E. callianthum and E. cyananthum. The single species of Sericostoma is shown to be nested within Echiochilon. The plastid atpB gene was sequenced for Echiochilon and Ogastemma from the Old World and Antiphytum from the New World, plus for a selection of 33 other Boraginaceae taxa. They were analysed together with selected outgroup taxa to give a framework of the tribes of Boraginoideae. The analysis gave support for establishing the new tribe Echiochileae for Antiphytum, Echiochilon and Ogastemma, and for merging the traditionally accepted tribe Eritrichieae with Cynoglosseae. The ITS region was sequenced for all but one species of Echiochilon and for representatives of Antiphytum and Ogastemma. Phylogenetic analysis of Echiochilon revealed that the strongly zygomorphic-flowered species form a paraphyletic group. The morphological data gave results fairly congruent with the ITS phylogeny. Biogeographic interpretations of the ITS and atpB phylogenies indicated a trans-Atlantic dispersal of Antiphytum as the most plausible explanation to the Old/New World disjunction. Analyses using DIVA (Dispersal Vicariance Analysis) of the distributions of the Echiochilon species indicated an ancestor to Echiochilon with a wide distribution over northern Africa and Arabia to India.