Publicaciones

Characterization of genetic markers linked to sex determination in the haploid-diploid red alga gracilaria chilensis1.

Guillemin, M., Huanel, O., & Martínez, E.

Bulk segregant analysis, random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), and sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) methods were used to identify sex-linked molecular markers in the haploid-diploid rhodophyte Gracilaria chilensis C. J. Bird, McLachlan et E. C. Oliveira. One hundred and eighty 10 bp primers were tested on three bulks of DNA: haploid males, haploid females, and diploid tetrasporophytes. Three RAPD primers (OPD15, OPG16, and OPN20) produced male-specific bands; and one RAPD primer (OPD12), a female-specific band. The sequences of the cloned putative sex-specific PCR fragments were used to design specific primers for the female marker SCAR-D12-386 and the male marker SCAR-G16-486. Both SCAR markers gave unequivocal band patterns that allowed sex and phase to be determined in G. chilensis. Thus, all the females presented only the female band, and all the males only the male band, while all the tetrasporophytes amplified both male and female bands. Despite this sex-specific association, we were able to amplify SCAR-D12-386 and SCAR-G16-486 in both sexes at low melting temperature. The differences between male and female sequences were of 8%–9% nucleotide divergence for SCAR-D12-386 and SCAR-G16-486, respectively. SCAR-D12-386 and SCAR-G16-486 could represent degenerated or diverged sequences located in the nonrecombining region of incipient sex chromosomes or heteromorphic sex chromosomes with sequence differences at the DNA level such that PCR primers amplify only one allele and not the other in highly specific PCR conditions. Seven gametic progenies composed of 19 males, 19 females, and the seven parental tetrasporophytes were analyzed. In all of them, the two SCAR markers segregated perfectly with sexual phenotypes.

Año: 2012

Palabras claves: cultivated red alga; Gracilaria chilensis; random amplified polymorphic DNA; sequence characterized amplified region; sex-linked markers

Mining of EST-SSR from 454 pyrosequencing in the surf clam Mesodesma donacium (Lamark, 1818).

Aguilar-Espinoza, A., Guzmán-Riffo, B., Haye, P., & Gallardo-Escárate, C.

Novel simple sequence repeats (SSR) were identified from 454 transcriptome pyrosequencing ESTs in the surf clam Mesodesma donacium. From 7,734 ESTs annotated with SSR motives, 75 putative EST-SSRs were selected according their repetitive DNA sequence and functional annotation (Gene ontology), of these, 15 were characterized on 45 individuals of two wild populations located in two different biogeographic transition zones of the coast of Chile (30 and 42°S). Most loci were in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium, and the polymorphic information content (PIC) ranged from 0.243 to 0.634. Pairwise Fst between sampled populations was estimated in 0.478. These EST-SSR markers promise to be useful for future management strategies of this overexploited species.

Año: 2012

Palabras claves: Pyrosequencing 454, Expressed sequence tag (EST), Microsatellite, Mesodesma donacium

Plant invasions research in Latin America: fast track to a more focused agenda.

Gardener, M., Bustamante, R., Herrera, I., Durigan, G., Pivello, V., & Moro, M., Stoll, A., et al.

While many developed countries have invested heavily in research on plant invasions over the last 50 years, the immense region of Latin America has made little progress. Recognising this, a group of scientists working on plant invasions in Latin America met in Chile in late 2010 to develop a research agenda for the region based on lessons learned elsewhere. Our three main findings are as follows. (1) Globalisation is inevitable, but the resultant plant introductions can be slowed or prevented by effective quarantine and early intervention. Development of spatially explicit inventories, research on the invasion process and weed risk assessments can help prioritise and streamline action. (2) Eradication has limited application for plants and control is expensive and requires strict prioritisation and careful planning and evaluation. (3) Accepting the concept of novel ecosystems, new combinations of native and introduced species that no longer depend on human intervention, may help optimise invasive species management. Our vision of novel ecosystem management is through actions that: (a) maintain as much native biodiversity and ecosystem functionality as possible, (b) minimise management intervention to invasives with known impact, and (c) maximise the area of intervention. We propose the creation of a Latin American Invasive Plants Network to help focus the new research agenda for member countries. The network would coordinate research and training and establish funding priorities, develop and strengthen tools to share knowledge, and raise awareness at the community, governmental and intergovernmental levels about the social, economic and environmental costs of plant invasions.

Año: 2012

Palabras claves: control, eradication, globalisation, inventories, novel ecosystems, plant invasions, quarantine, Weed Risk Assessment,

Respuestas antioxidantes en dos ecotipos de Colobanthus quitensis (Caryophyllaceae) expuestos a alta radiación UV-B y baja temperatura.

Navarrete-Gallegos, A., Bravo, L., Molina-Montenegro, M., & Corcuera, L.

Colobanthus quitensis (Kunth) Bartl. (Caryophyllaceae) está distribuida desde México hasta la Antártida Marítima formando poblaciones adaptadas a distintas condiciones microambientales a lo largo de su distribución. La Antártica Marítima se caracteriza por una estación de crecimiento más fría y breve, con crecientes niveles de radiación UV-B. Los Andes de Chile Central, en cambio, tienen oscilaciones térmicas más amplias y una elevada tasa de radiación UV-B. El objetivo de este estudio es conocer las estrategias y mecanismos antioxidantes adoptadas por los ecotipos Antártico y Andino para tolerar los efectos dañinos de la radiación UV-B y el frío bajo condiciones controladas de laboratorio. Postulamos que los individuos de C. quitensis provenientes de la cordillera de Los Andes de Chile Central, donde los niveles de radiación UV-B son mayores que en la Antártica, tendrían un conjunto de mecanismos antioxidantes más eficaces para contrarrestar los efectos del UV-B y sufrirían menos daño que el ecotipo Antártico. Plantas cultivadas en laboratorio del ecotipo Antártico y Andino fueron sometidas a tres intensidades de radiación UV-B (70, 35 y 3 µW cm-2), a 4 y 15 °C, respectivamente. En cada tratamiento se evaluaron las respuestas de la actividad antioxidante total (TAS), actividad de la enzima superóxido dismutasa (SOD) y características anatómicas foliares con un posible rol protector frente a UV-B. Finalmente, se evaluaron los efectos dañinos del UV-B, como son: acumulación de malonaldialdehido (MDA), eficiencia fotoquímica máxima del PSII y fotoinactivación. Ambos ecotipos mostraron reducción de área foliar y engrosamiento del parénquima. El ecotipo andino presentó mayores niveles de TAS con radiación UV-B media y alta. La actividad SOD máxima se midió en el ecotipo andino, encontrándose un aumento de hasta ocho veces el nivel basal a las cuatro horas de irradiación. El ecotipo antártico expuesto a UV-B y frío presentó un mayor daño a membranas (MDA), al igual que un mayor grado de fotoinactivación. Adicionalmente, se detectó la acumulación de una nueva isoforma Cu-Zn/SOD, insensible a H2O2, en plantas tratadas con UV-B. En conclusión, el ecotipo andino presenta una respuesta antioxidante más efectiva contra el UV-B que el ecotipo antártico.

Año: 2012

Palabras claves: Antártica, antioxidantes, daño oxidativo, UV-B.

The conquest of the South Pole: Importance and lessons for the present.

Molina-Montenegro, M. & Corcuera, L.

On December 14, 1911, the Swedish Roald Amundsen, heading a group of explorers reached the South Pole. This date has become a symbol of all those great explorers that risking their lives in the most inhospitable continent in our planet, reached places that looked impossible to conquer. This date is also a symbol of the great difficulties that must be overcome to work in the Antarctic and of much that is yet to be known in the white continent. These are the reasons why Revista Chilena de Historia Natural is commemorating this important historic event with a Special Feature dedicated to Antarctic research.

The era of epic exploration in the Antarctic, such as those led by Roald Amundsen, Robert Scott, Ernest Shakleton, and many others has come to an end. This era had great unforgettable victories and defeats. The exciting race to conquer the South Pole among Amundsen and Scott left valuable lessons on the enormous difficulties to perform Antarctic exploration and the importance of planning and logistic design for any activity in the Antarctic. Perhaps, one of the best known expeditions for the magnitude of the encountered, adverse climatic conditions and importance of international cooperation is the Endurance Expedition, led by Ernest Shackleton in the period between 1914 and 1916. The loss of the Endurance, the courage of the explorers to reach Elephant Island, and the incredible determination of the leader of the expedition to achieve impress us even today. It was this determination that inspired the Chilean pilot Luis Pardo to risk the precarious ship Yelcho, performing one of the most celebrated rescue expeditions in Antarctic history. This era of great explorers, in addition to opening new routes, had the merit of drawing international attention on the great white continent and raised interest of many countries on the possible colonization, use of resources, and scientific research of Antarctic organisms, geological resources, climate, atmosphere, climatic change, and other aspects.

The difficulties and dangers of Antarctic research are still enormous in spite of the technology which is available today. Logistic costs to perform modern and safe Antarctic expeditions are very high. For this reason, the available budget is the main limitation for Antarctic research. However, in spite of the encountered difficulties, researchers have unveiled step by step the importance of Antarctic in the world's climate, ocean levels, availability of natural resources, and aspects of conservation and utilization of its flora and fauna.

Año: 2012

Palabras claves:

Rise And Decline Of Chinchorro Sacred Landscapes Along The Hyperarid Coast Of The Atacama Desert.

Santoro, C., Rivadeneira, M., Latorre, C., Rothhammer, F., & Standen, V.

The study of complex funerary ritual development among hunters and gatherers societies should take into account how people made up for the continuity of their social system without the support of centralized organizations. This research integrates cultural and natural factors to explore how the Chinchorro carried on with their way of life isolated at geographically restricted perennial river mouths with fresh water along the Atacama Desert in the Pacific coast of South America. Within these rather crowded settlings, they created and maintained a social system catalyzed by a complex funerary tradition, embodied by a unique funerary ideological discourse that resulted in the creation of a sacred landscape or "spiritscape". We argue that the extreme hyperaridity of the coastal Atacama Desert (21° - 17.30° S), and the extraordinary biomass production of the marine littoral constituted a fundamental milieu for the maintenance of their long-term social system. The Chinchorro belief system lasted for several millennia (8,000-4,000 BP), but new ways of life and burial practices followed major changes in the coastal ecosystem they relied on, which would have influenced how the "old tradition" was manifested over time. Conversely, we sustain that these natural "constraints" faced by the Chinchorro along the coast of the Atacama Desert, were influential, in the course of their history or the way they socially organized themselves.

Año: 2012

Palabras claves: Chinchorro spiritscape, sacred landscape, hyperaridity, coastal Atacama Desert.

No evidence of a trade-off between drought and shade tolerance in seedlings of six coastal desert shrub species in north-central Chile.

Martínez-Tillería, K., Loayza, A., Sandquist, D., & Squeo, F.

We found species-specific differences in the temporal pattern of mortality. Water and/or light levels affected seedling survival of all species, excluding C. chilensis. Relative growth rate (RGR) increased in low-light conditions in C. chilensis and P. revolutus, but otherwise did not vary in response to differences in either light or water, independently or to their interaction. Across species, the effect of water on specific leaf area (SLA) was inconsistent, increasing both in drought conditions (C. chilensis) and in treatments with supplemental water (S. cumingii). Additionally, SLA tended to increase with decreasing light levels for most species (F. thurifera, H. parvifolius, C. chilensis). In our study, only F. thrurifera and C. chilensis showed changes in leaf mass ratio (LMR) and only with respect to light levels; specifically, LMR tended to increase with decreasing light level. Biomass allocation was independent of light and water for all species except F. thurifera, which showed an increase in root biomass in drought conditions.

Año: 2012

Palabras claves: Atacama desert; Biomass allocation; Centaurea chilensis ; Encelia canescens ; Flourensia thurifera ; Haplopappus parvifolius ; LMR ; Pleocarphus revolutus ; RGR ; Seedling performance; Senna cumingii ; SLA

Leaf morphological and genetic divergence in populations of Drimys (Winteraceae) in Chile.

Jara-Arancio, P., Carmona, M., Correa, C., Squeo, F., & Arancio, G.

The genus Drimys is distributed in Chile from semiarid zones to sub-Antarctic forests; there are three species of this tree, D. andina, D. confertifolia and D. winteri, the latter with varieties chilensis and winteri. Northern populations are found in small disjunct natural refuges, specifically mountain cloud forests and the bottom of ravines. The size and continuity of populations are greater in the south, where wetter conditions prevail. Morphological differences between populations have been observed, particularly between the northern populations of Fray Jorge and Talinay. This observation, led to the following questions: a) what is the level of morphological and genetic divergence among the populations of Drimys in Chile? and b) do the populations from Fray Jorge/Talinay, currently classified as D. winteri var. chilensis, differ genetically from the other populations of this variety? To answer these questions, we collected leaf samples from 37 populations of all Chilean Drimys, performed leaf morphology analysis and estimated genetic divergence using RAPD markers. We found a high degree of leaf morphological and genetic divergence between the populations of Fray Jorge/Talinay and the other Chilean species of Drimys. The morphological and genetic divergence among varieties of D. winteri was greater than that among the species of Drimys, which may indicate problems with their taxonomic classification.

Año: 2012

Palabras claves: Drimys; RAPD; Fray Jorge/Talinay; Divergence

Conservación de la biodiversidad en Chile: Nuevos desafíos y oportunidades en ecosistemas terrestres y marinos costeros

Jorquera-Jaramillo, C., Vega, J., Aburto, J., Martínez-Tillería, K., F. Leon, M., & A. Pérez, M., Gaymer, C.F., & Squeo, F.A.

La pérdida de la biodiversidad producida por el crecimiento demográfico, la demanda por recursos y la actividad productiva es contradictoria con el reconocimiento de su importancia. En ecosistemas terrestres, el Sistema Nacional de Áreas Protegidas del Estado (SNASPE) contiene cerca del 19 % del territorio de Chile continental; aunque no representa todos los ecosistemas con especies amenazadas, puede ser complementado implementando nuevas áreas protegidas públicas (AP) y privadas (APP). El desarrollo de áreas marinas protegidas (AMP) es incipiente, y algunas iniciativas comparten la responsabilidad de conservación con los usuarios locales. En Chile, un conjunto de reglamentos, normas legales y tratados internacionales promueven distintas oportunidades de conservación en ecosistemas terrestres y marinos costeros, de las cuales emergen nuevos desafíos. Entre estos destacan, estandarizar la clasificación de especies según categorías de conservación en un protocolo internacional y optimizar las metodologías para seleccionar áreas prioritarias, ambos criterios indispensables para decidir qué y dónde conservar. Otro desafío es integrar el valor intrínseco de la biodiversidad con los servicios ecosistémicos que presta para instaurar una cultura participativa. Esto mejoraría la efectividad de las distintas estrategias de protección y uso sustentable de la biodiversidad al incorporar la educación y la participación ciudadana desde una perspectiva biocultural. La educación fomenta la conservación de la naturaleza al hacernos conscientes de nuestro entorno; mientras que la participación involucra a los ciudadanos como un actor más en la toma de decisiones, procurando la aplicación efectiva de las estrategias de conservación de la biodiversidad.

Año: 2012

Palabras claves: áreas marinas protegidas, áreas silvestres protegidas, conservación privada, participación ciudadana.