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- Microsatellites reveal high levels of genetic admixture in the natural populations of Laurus azorica, LauraceaePublication . Rego, Rúben; Vieira, Ângela F.; Silva, Luís; Elias, Rui B.; Silva, Carlos; Resendes, Roberto; Moura, MónicaLaurus (Lauraceae) species are currently restricted to isolated refugia in the southern Black Sea, Mediterranean Basin, southern Morocco, and Macaronesian archipelagos. One to three species of Laurus has been recognized: the Azorean endemic Laurus azorica, L. nobilis from the Mediterranean, and L. novocanariensis from Madeira and the Canary Islands. This study aims to determine the population structure, genetic diversity, and associated patterns of gene flow within and between Azorean populations, using eight existing SSR markers. We also included plant material from L. nobilis populations found in the Azores, for comparison. Amplification was performed in 212 samples of L. azorica and in 30 samples of L. nobilis. For L. azorica, 78 alleles were amplified (average 9.75 alleles per loci). Bayesian analysis with STRUCTURE unveiled five genetic groups for the Azorean accessions, with high level of genetic admixture. Genetic diversity was generally high, with moderate levels of genetic differentiation among L. azorica populations. Moreover, high gene flow levels, likely mediated by past human translocations and naturally, by birds, might have contributed to the high level of genetic admixture observed possibly reflecting hybridization events between L. nobilis and L. azorica. Conservation measures should be applied to some populations of São Miguel, Santa Maria, and Flores Islands, based on the number of private alleles, and further, ad hoc translocation events should be avoided. Conservation in situ and the preservation of laurel forest remains are recommended. The study of this species’ taxonomy, genetics, and population dynamics in the Macaronesian region should be continued.
- Arceuthobium Species (Viscaceae) Parasitizing an Angiosperm: The Unique Case of A. azoricum in the Azores IslandsPublication . Elias, Rui B.; Moura, Mónica; Roxo, Guilherme; Borges Silva, L; Pavão, Diogo C.; Resendes, Roberto; Pereira, Fernando; Nickrent, DanielArceuthobium azoricum Wiens & Hawksw. is a rare Azorean endemic epiphytic hemiparasite (mistletoe), which typically parasitizes branches of the gymnosperm Juniperus brevifolia (Hochst. ex Seub.) Antoine (Cupressaceae), which is also an Azorean endemic. Here, we describe a population of A. azoricum, on Pico Island, parasitizing Erica azorica Hochst. ex Seub. (Ericaceae), which is also an Azorean endemic. Our molecular analysis (using nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer) showed no differences between individuals parasitizing Erica and Juniperus species. Moreover, a preliminary analysis showed no differences in morphological characteristics between accessions sampled from different hosts. Given that this is the first bona fide record of Arceuthobium sp. parasitizing an angiosperm, this population represents a unique host-shifting event, and its conservation is important because it may allow new insights into host recognition mechanisms in mistletoes. Immediate attention should be given to characterizing this Pico Island population using appropriate molecular methods and additional morphological analyses.
- A descrição da flora açoriana pelo olhar de Gaspar Frutuoso: A flora Açoriana originalPublication . Roxo, Guilherme; Moura, MónicaAntes do povoamento dos Açores, espessas e impenetráveis florestas vestiam estas ilhas solitárias no meio do atlântico. Desde então a vegetação sofreu profundas alterações. A obra “ Saudades da Terra” escrita por Gaspar Frutuoso, 100 anos após o povoamento, é a única referência que nos permite reconstruir a paisagem original e luxuriante dos Açores. Gaspar Frutuoso (1522 – 1591) nascido em São Miguel foi um historiador, sacerdote e humanista Açoriano que escreveu a obra “Saudades da Terra” entre 1586 e 1590. Nesta obra são abordados os temas de história, vestuário, genealogia, toponímia, e fauna e flora dos arquipélagos da Macaronésia, com especial foco no arquipélago dos Açores.
- A prevenção como método de conservação: O caso da Youngia japónica (crepe-do-japão) na ilha de São MiguelPublication . Roxo, Guilherme; Torres, Paulo; Afonso, Pedro; Rego, Rúben; Resendes, Roberto; Moura, MónicaUma espécie quando vive fora da sua área de distribuição nativa é denominada de espécie exótica (do grego exotikós, “de fora”). Algumas destas espécies coexistem com as espécies nativas de forma equilibrada, no entanto quando causam impactes ambientais e económicos negativos estas são designadas de espécies invasoras. No arquipélago dos Açores mais de 60% da flora vascular corresponde a espécies exóticas. Estas plantas foram introduzidas de forma consciente ou inconsciente, propagando-se e desenvolvendo-se espontaneamente, podendo impactar o nosso dia a dia quando afetam os serviços dos ecossistemas, com consequências negativas no fornecimento de água, regulação do clima, saúde pública, valor estético e cultural das paisagens, entre outras.
- Recursos naturais e o papel da formação no desenvolvimento do ecoturismo nos Açores.Publication . Ventura, Maria A.; Porteiro, J.; Moura, Mónica; Botelho, Andrea Z.; Costa, Ana Cristina; Vieira, Virgilio; Silva, LuísO arquipélago dos Açores é visto no panorama turístico internacional como um destino de turismo sustentável, em parte graças à certificação internacional que lhe foi atribuída em 2019. As suas paisagens terrestres e marinhas, são algo que deslumbra quem nos visita, muito por conta do seu património biológico e geológico. A riqueza em espécies endémicas da flora terrestre e a presença de espécies emblemáticas de aves, residentes ou migratórias, são uma mais-valia na parte terrestre. No mar, a observação de cetáceos predomina sobre qualquer outra atividade aí praticada, uma vez que os Açores são um hotspot de migração de mamíferos marinhos e alguns répteis, como as tartarugas, e possui populações residentes de cachalotes. O mergulho é outra das atividades em franca expansão. Para preservar esta riqueza natural, é essencial investir na formação de profissionais ligados ao ecoturismo e guias de natureza, que garanta a adoção de boas-práticas no sector. Tendo em vista esse objetivo, a Universidade dos Açores juntou-se a um consórcio internacional liderado pela Universidade Autónoma de Barcelona, que integra Universidades de três países da América Latina, Brasil, Chile e Colômbia, para incluir na sua oferta formativa um curso de pós-graduação em ecoturismo e guias de natureza.
- Building a Portuguese Coalition for Biodiversity GenomicsPublication . Marques, João Pedro; ALVES, Paulo C; Rosário, Isabel Amorim do; Lopes, Ricardo J.; Moura, Mónica; Meyers, Gene; Sim-Sim, Manuela; Sousa-Santos, C.; Alves, M. Judite; Borges, Paulo A. V.; Brown, Thomas; Carneiro, Miguel; Carrapato, Carlos; Ceríaco, Luis; Ciofi Degli Atti, Claudio; Silva, Luís; Diedericks, Genevieve; Diroma, Maria Angela; Farelo, Liliana; Formenti, Giulio; Gil, Fátima; Grilo, Miguel; Ianucci, Alessio; Leitão, Henrique; Máguas, C.; Mc Cartney, Ann M.; Mendes, Sofia; Moreno, João; Morselli, Marco; Mouton, Alice; Natali, Chiara; Pereira, Fernando; Rego, Rúben; Resendes, Roberto; Roxo, Guilherme; Svardal, Hannes; Trindade, Helena; Vicente, Sara; Winkler, Sylke; Alvarenga, M.; Amaral, Andreia; Antunes, Agostinho; Campos, Paula; Canario, A. V. M.; Castilho, Rita; Castro, Luis Filipe; Crottini, Angelica; Cunha, Mónica; Espregueira Themudo, Gonçalo; Esteves, Pedro; Faria, Rui; Fernandes, Carlos; Ledoux, Jean-Baptiste; Louro, Bruno; Magalhães, Sara; OS, Paulo; Pearson, Gareth; Pimenta, João; Pina-Martins; Santos, Teresa; Serrao, Ester A; Melo-Ferreira, José; Sousa, VítorThe diverse physiography of the Portuguese land and marine territory, spanning from continental Europe to the Atlantic archipelagos, has made it an important repository of biodiversity throughout the Pleistocene glacial cycles, leading to a remarkable diversity of species and ecosystems. This rich biodiversity is under threat from anthropogenic drivers, such as climate change, invasive species, land use changes, overexploitation or pathogen (re)emergence. The inventory, characterization and study of biodiversity at inter- and intra-specific levels using genomics is crucial to promote its preservation and recovery by informing biodiversity conservation policies, management measures and research. The participation of researchers from Portuguese institutions in the European Reference Genome Atlas (ERGA) initiative, and its pilot effort to generate reference genomes for European biodiversity, has reinforced the establishment of Biogenome Portugal. This nascent institutional network will connect the national community of researchers in genomics. Here, we describe the Portuguese contribution to ERGA’s pilot effort, which will generate high-quality reference genomes of six species from Portugal that are endemic, iconic and/or endangered, and include plants, insects and vertebrates (fish, birds and mammals) from mainland Portugal or the Azores islands. In addition, we outline the objectives of Biogenome Portugal, which aims to (i) promote scientific collaboration, (ii) contribute to advanced training, (iii) stimulate the participation of institutions and researchers based in Portugal in international biodiversity genomics initiatives, and (iv) contribute to the transfer of knowledge to stakeholders and engaging the public to preserve biodiversity. This initiative will strengthen biodiversity genomics research in Portugal and fuel the genomic inventory of Portuguese eukaryotic species. Such efforts will be critical to the conservation of the country’s rich biodiversity and will contribute to ERGA’s goal of generating reference genomes for European species.
- Red listing the flora of the Green Islands reveals high extinction risk in the AzoresPublication . Roxo, Guilherme; Silva, Luís; Pires Bento da Silva Elias, Rui Miguel; Carine, Mark; McCartney, Ann; Borges Silva, Lurdes da Conceição; Rego, Rúben; Souto, Martin; Bateman, Richard; Tavares de Moura, Mónica MariaABSTRACT: Oceanic islands are global biodiversity hotspots, yet they face disproportionate risks of species extinction. The Azores archipelago holds a unique flora composed of 94 endemic vascular plant taxa (species and subspecies) that are strictly endemic to the Azores, which represents about 32% of the native vascular flora. Here, we present the first comprehensive IUCN Red List assessment of the Azorean endemic vascular flora, based on more than 10,600 curated occurrence records, herbaria specimens, and recent field surveys. We found that nearly 60% of assessed taxa are threatened with extinction, Endangered being the most frequent IUCN category. Two species are confirmed Extinct, and 12 taxa remain Data Deficient due to unresolved taxonomy. The Red List Index (RLI) for Azorean endemics was calculated at 0.602, indicating a concerning level of extinction risk and, importantly, providing a reference point for monitoring future changes in conservation status. Spatial analysis revealed that endemic taxa richness is highly uneven, with most areas hosting few or no endemics. Notably, 12 hotspots occur outside the current protected area network, leaving key refuges for endemic taxa unprotected. These findings underscore the urgent need to expand legal protection, prioritise the management of invasive taxa, restore degraded habitats, and integrate newly described taxa into conservation frameworks. By establishing a baseline for monitoring extinction risk, this study provides a critical tool to guide conservation action in the Azores, and contributes to broader efforts to safeguard the unique natural heritage of oceanic islands.