The genomic and physical organization of Ty1-copia-like sequences as a component of large genomes in Pinus elliottii var. elliottii and other gymnosperms.

A DNA sequence, TPE1, representing the internal domain of a Ty1-copia retroelement, was isolated from genomic DNA of Pinus elliottii Engelm. var. elliottii (slash pine). Genomic Southern analysis showed that this sequence, carrying partial reverse transcriptase and integrase gene sequences, is highly amplified within the genome of slash pine and part of a dispersed element >4.8 kbp. Fluorescent in situ hybridization to metaphase chromosomes shows that the element is relatively uniformly dispersed over all 12 chromosome pairs and is highly abundant in the genome. It is largely excluded from centromeric regions and intercalary chromosomal sites representing the 18S-5.8S-25S rRNA genes. Southern hybridization with specific DNA probes for the reverse transcriptase gene shows that TPE1 represents a large subgroup of heterogeneous Ty1-copia retrotransposons in Pinus species. Because no TPE1 transcription could be detected, it is most likely an inactive element--at least in needle tissue. Further evidence for inactivity was found in recombinant reverse transcriptase and integrase sequences. The distribution of TPE1 within different gymnosperms that contain Ty1-copia group retrotransposons, as shown by a PCR assay, was investigated by Southern hybridization. The TPE1 family is highly amplified and conserved in all Pinus species analyzed, showing a similar genomic organization in the three- and five-needle pine species investigated. It is also present in spruce, bald cypress (swamp cypress), and in gingko but in fewer copies and a different genomic organization.

Tree Mortality following Prescribed Fire and a Storm Surge Event in Slash Pine (Pinus elliottii var. densa) Forests in the Florida Keys, USA

In fire-dependent forests, managers are interested in predicting the consequences of prescribed burning on postfire tree mortality. We examined the effects of prescribed fire on tree mortality in Florida Keys pine forests, using a factorial design with understory type, season, and year of burn as factors. We also used logistic regression to model the effects of burn season, fire severity, and tree dimensions on individual tree mortality. Despite limited statistical power due to problems in carrying out the full suite of planned experimental burns, associations with tree and fire variables were observed. Post-fire pine tree mortality was negatively correlated with tree size and positively correlated with char height and percent crown scorch. Unlike post-fire mortality, tree mortality associated with storm surge from Hurricane Wilma was greater in the large size classes. Due to their influence on population structure and fuel dynamics, the size-selective mortality patterns following fire and storm surge have practical importance for using fire as a management tool in Florida Keys pinelands in the future, particularly when the threats to their continued existence from tropical storms and sea level rise are expected to increase.

Tamanho efetivo populacional e diversidade genética em progênies de Pinus caribaea var. hondurensis.

2015

Potencial produtivo e projeção econômica de Pinus caribaea var. hondurensis baseado em um teste de progênies.

2015

Divergência genética entre progênies de polinização aberta de Pinus caribaea var. hondurensis a partir de caracteres quantitativos.

Este trabalho foi realizado com o objetivo de estimar a divergência genética entre progênies de Pinus caribaea var. hondurensis, por meio de caracteres quantitativos. O experimento foi instalado em delineamento látice 10 x 10, triplo, com 100 tratamentos (96 progênies oriundas de polinização aberta de um pomar clonal da espécie e quatro testemunhas). Foram avaliados os caracteres: diâmetro a 1,30 m do solo, altura total de planta, volume cilíndrico, produção de resina total e resina por área de painel. Utilizou-se a distância generalizada de Mahalanobis (D2) e o método de otimização de Tocher. A maior distância genética observada entre as progênies foi de 100% (D2 = 65,51) e a menor foi de 0,09% (D2 = 0,15). O caractere volume foi o que mais contribuiu para a divergência genética entre os grupos avaliados. O agrupamento a partir do método de otimização de Tocher possibilitou a separação das progênies em quatro grupos, com concentração de 96,9% das progênies em um único grupo. Para que estas progênies possam ser incluídas em programas de melhoramento genético para produção de resina e madeira, cruzamentos controlados deverão ser priorizados entre indivíduos mais produtivos, que apresentaram maior divergência genética.