Tillandsia

The ephemeral and fragmented nature of plant communities in the desert region of Ica, Peru have contributed to the poor documentation of its flora. This study provides the first comprehensive checklist and analysis of the vascular plants and habitats of the region, based on over 1800 herbarium collections, site-specific vegetation surveys and monitoring (2001–2017). Here, we report 501 taxa belonging to 283 genera in 68 families, with an outstanding number of taxa (297) representing new records for the region; over 10% of the flora (52 taxa) is categorised as threatened (CR, EN, VU). Asteraceae is the largest family in the checklist, followed by Poaceae, Fabaceae and Solanaceae. The highest species richness is found in quebradas and huaycos (170 taxa), followed by lomas (137 taxa) and huertas (115). Of the lomas taxa, 28% are assessed nationally as threatened, and 95 taxa (68%) are endemic to Peru. Across all habitats five species are restricted to the Ica region (Cleistocactus clavispinus, Haageocereus icensis, Onoseris humboldtiana, Nolana willeana, Tecoma fulva subsp. guarume). Nolana willeana, not collected since 1956, was rediscovered in 2006. We provide insights into habitat and taxonomic delimitation of enigmatic species in the following genera: Bulnesia, Capparis, Eremocharis, Hoffmannseggia, Leptoglossis, Lomanthus Maytenus, Poissonia and Weberbauerella, among others. We support the reinstatement of Prosopis limensis as a valid species and provide information for its identification in the field. Analysis of Inga feuillei as an ancient domestication vital to agriculture, is provided, and we report an additional 127 cultivated species associated with traditional agriculture, assessing origins and conservation priority. We present climatic and geological observations for the region with spatial and ENSOrelated research from data, plots and transects. A vegetation map and niche model are provided. Threatened lomas species are detailed to support conservation and policy. To aid identification we provide photographs of 155 plant species and all key habitats. The sustainable wellbeing of the Ica region depends on concerted collaboration to monitor, conserve and restore native plants wisely for the natural resources they provide to people and agriculture.

Although urban horticulture provides multiple benefits to society, the extent to which these vegetables are contaminated by the absorption of chemical elements derived from atmospheric deposition is unclear. This study was designed to evaluate the influence of air pollution on leafy vegetables in community gardens of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Vegetable seedlings of Brassica oleracea var. acephala (collard greens) and Spinacia oleracea (spinach) obtained in a non-polluted rural area and growing in vessels containing standard uncontaminated soil were exposed for three consecutive periods of 30, 60 and 90 days in 10 community gardens in Sao Paulo and in one control site. The concentrations of 17 chemical elements (traffic-related elements and those essential to plant biology) were quantified by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Tillandsia usneoides L. specimens were used as air plant biomonitors. The concentrations of As, Cd, Cr and Pb found in vegetables were compared to the recommended values for consumption. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used to cluster the elemental concentrations, and Generalized Linear Models (GLMs) were employed to evaluate the association of the factor scores from each PCA component with variables such as local weather, traffic burden and vertical barriers adjacent to the gardens. We found significant differences in the elemental concentrations of the vegetables in the different community gardens. These differences were related to the overall traffic burden, vertical obstacles and local weather. The Pb and Cd concentrations in both vegetables exceeded the limit values for consumption after 60 days of exposure. A strong correlation was observed between the concentration of traffic-related elements in vegetables and in Tillandsia usneoides L. An exposure response was observed between traffic burden and traffic-derived particles absorbed in the vegetables. Traffic-derived air pollution directly influences the absorption of chemical elements in leafy vegetables, and the levels of these elements may exceed the recommended values for consumption.

Two new metabolites, 6-oxo-12-norcytochalasin D (1) and 4,5-di-isobutyl-2(1H)-pyrimidinone (2), together with seven known metabolites, cytochalasins D (3), Q (4), and N (5), 12-hydroxyzygosporin G (6), heptelidic acid chlorohydrin (7), (+)-heptelidic acid (8), and trichoderonic acid A (9), were isolated from Xylariaceae sp. FL0390, a fungal endophyte inhabiting Spanish moss, Tillandsia usneoides. Metabolite 1 is the first example of a 12-norcytochalasin. All metabolites, except 2 and 9, showed cytotoxic activity in a panel of five human tumor cell lines with IC50S of 0.2-5.0 μM.

Floral phenology and breeding system of Tillandsia streptophylla (Bromeliaceae) were studied in a low inundated forest in Yucatan, Mexico. During the flowering season, from March to August, terminal scapose 1-branched, paniculate inflorescences are produced with one flower per branch opening per day, over a period of 11-29 days. Flowers are tubular, light violet, with the stigma placed below the anthers, both protruding above the corolla. Flowers are protandrous, with anthers releasing pollen from 0500 hours and stigma becoming receptive around 0900 hours. Controlled experimental crosses suggest that Tillandsia streptophylla is self incompatible and therefore, pollinator-dependent. Rev. Biol. Trop. 57 : 761-770. Epub 2009 September 30.

Sementes de Aechmea bromeliifolia, A. castelnavii (Bromelioideae); Dyckia duckei, D. racemosa (Pitcairnioideae) e Tillandsia adpressiflora (Tillandsioideae) foram coletadas em regiões amazônicas (Mato Grosso) e estudadas visando sua caracterização morfológica e o desenvolvimento pós-seminal com finalidades taxonômicas, além de verificar a porcentagem de germinação. Todas as espécies apresentam germinação epígea e plântulas criptocotiledonares. As sementes não apresentam dormência e a porcentagem de germinação é alta, acima de 86%, facilitando a produção de mudas e estudos de conservação. Como característica exclusiva dos gêneros, o envoltório das sementes de Aechmea (Bromelioideae) apresenta mucilagem que evita a dessecação; enquanto que o de Dyckia (Pitcairnioideae) apresenta alas membranáceas e o de Tillandsia (Tillandsioideae) apresenta apêndices plumosos, neste último caso provavelmente para facilitar a dispersão e estabelecer o hábito epifítico. O início do desenvolvimento pós-seminal de Aechmea (Bromelioideae) e Dyckia (Pitcairnioideae) é marcado pela emergência da raiz primária, interpretado como caráter basal, enquanto que o de Tillandsia adpressiflora (Tillandsioideae) é marcado pela emergência do cotilédone, interpretado como caráter derivado. Dyckia e Tillandsia apresentam pequeno tanque apenas na fase de plântula e em Aechmea ocorre o contrário.

Two new species belonging to the subfamily Tillandsioideae from Machu Picchu, Cusco, Peru are described and illustrated here. The new species Tillandsia machupicchuensis is close to T. tovarensis and the other new species Guzmania inkaterrae is close to G. morreniana and G. tenuifolia. Both species are abundant in the area.

Resumen Los tillandsiales son ecosistemas desérticos que se caracterizan por que sus comunidades están conformadas, principalmente, por plantas del género Tillandsia. A la fecha, se desconoce el rol que tienen estas comunidades en la captación de carbono y el potencial rol que tienen al almacenar agua en la biomasa vegetal del desierto. El presente estudio buscó cuantificar la cantidad de carbono y agua que almacena Tillandsia latifolia Meyen en un tillandsial de la costa de Lima (Piedra Campana, Cañete-Lima). Para ello, se evaluaron todas las laderas y quebradas de un sector del tillandsial, se pesó la biomasa aérea y se recolectaron muestras de suelo (primeros 10 cm); se midió el porcentaje de agua y carbono almacenado en la biomasa, y el carbono en las muestras de suelo. Todos los datos obtenidos fueron procesados utilizando la técnica de interpolación kriging. El carbono total ascendió a 94.1 toneladas (t) (3.63 t/ha), hallándose más carbono almacenado en la parte del suelo (76.50 t) que en la parte aérea (17.60 t). La cantidad de carbono que almacena este tillandsial está por debajo del de varios ecosistemas que se utilizan para la compensación de emisiones de CO2, como humedales o formaciones vegetales amazónicas. Por otro lado, la cantidad de agua almacenada ascendió a más de 164 mil litros, valor que resulta importante como reserva de agua en esta región desértica. Se discuten las implicancias de los resultados obtenidos para la valoración y gestión de este ecosistema desértico. Palabras clave: desierto costero, Tillandsia latifolia, tillandsial, servicio ecosistémico. Abstract Tillandsial lomas are desert ecosystems characterized by communities composed mainly of plants of the genus Tillandsia. The role of these communities in carbon sequestration and the potential role they have in storing water in the desert plant biomass is unknown. The present study sought to quantify the amount of carbon and water stored by Tillandsia latifolia Meyen in a tillandsial lomas of Lima (Piedra Campana, Cañete-Lima). To do this, all the slopes and ravines of a tillandsial sector were evaluated; aerial biomass was weighed and soil samples were collected (first 10 cm); the percentage of water and carbon stored in the biomass, and the carbon in the soil samples were measured. All the data obtained were processed using the kriging interpolation technique. Total carbon measured was 94.10 tons (t) (3.63 t/ha) with more carbon stored in the part of the soil (76.50 t) than in the aerial part (17.60 t). The amount of carbon stored by this tillandsial lomas is below that of several ecosystems that are used as compensation of CO2 emissions such as wetlands or Amazonian vegetation. On the other hand, the water stored amounted to 164 thousand liters, a value that is important as a water reserve in this desert region. The implications of the results obtained for the assessment and management of this desert ecosystem are discussed. Introducción Los tillandsiales son ecosistemas ubicados en zonas desérticas que reciben este nombre debido a que están dominados por especies del género Tillandsia (Pinto, 2005). Estos ecosistemas son perennes y dependen de la presencia de neblina y viento en el ambiente; ambos facilitan los nutrientes para las plantas (Pinto et al., 2006). Las poblaciones del género Tillandsia poseen un patrón de crecimiento en forma de bandas o agrupado, patrón que depende de la cercanía de la población a la costa, de la pendiente, de la cantidad de neblina a la que están expuestas, de la topografía del lugar (ya sea en zonas arenosas o rocosas, presente en colinas o a faldas de cerros) y del transporte aéreo de los sedimentos (Hesse, 2012). El crecimiento del género Tillandsia no se da de manera uniforme en toda el área, algunas zonas tienen mayor crecimiento y distribución que otras, tal como en el caso de T. recurvata, que posee variaciones en el crecimiento debido a la variabilidad de las

The accumulation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Tillandsia capillaris Ruiz and Pav. form capillaris and trace elements in T. capillaris and Lolium multiflorum (LAM) cv. Lema was assessed and evaluated in the city of Stuttgart, Germany. Several sites (urban, suburban and rural) categorized according to type and intensity of vehicular traffic were investigated. At these sites, plants of T.

Coppice dunes covered by epiarenic Tillandsia fog vegetation occur in the Peruvian coastal desert. To analyse the three-dimensional vegetation structure on such a coppice dune, a photogrammetric structure-from-motion approach is applied. A photogrammetric plant height map was derived from a digital surface model and a digital terrain model created by this approach. This plant height map is analysed in conjunction with stand-scale vegetation patterns, regional wind direction derived from migrating dunes, near-surface wind direction derived from the orientation of sand ripples and ground observations. Tillandsia vegetation patterns are non-random. Banded and reticulate patterns occur at stand scale. At metre to sub-metre scale, groups of tall plants occur in clusters as well as in rows aligned with air movement. While self-organisation processes related to maximising fog moisture capture by the plants and to coppice dune growth appear to control the development of the banded to reticulate pattern, retaining an upright growing position (and hence continued exposure to fog moisture on decadal time scales) by minimising aeolian erosion at the base of these rootless plants appears to control the development of rows and clusters at metre to sub-metre scale.

Donadio, S. 2011. A valid name for the taxon known as Tillandsia bryoides auct. (Bromeliace- ae). Darwiniana 49(2): 131-138. Tillandsia bryoides was sunken into the synonmy of T. tricholepis because all the elements of the lectotype (P. Lorentz 128, BM) belong to the latter species. However, there are many vouchers from different herbaria (some of them cited as reference material in several publications) previously identi- fied as T. bryoides, that in fact correspond to a new species of Tillandsia subgen. Diaphoranthema. This new species has yellow, sessile, solitary flowers and a glabrous floral bract, and grows in central Peru, Bolivia, and central and northwestern Argentina. This paper provides a valid name for this species, an illustration, distribution data, and a discussion of the relationships with its morphologically closest spe- cies.

We performed a phylogenetic analysis using maximum parsimony and Bayesian inference of three plastid DNA markers and the external transcribed spacer (ETS) of nuclear ribosomal DNA to assess the species composition of the Tillandsia utriculata complex and their phylogenetic relationships, and to reconstruct patterns of character evolution and biogeography. The results showed that species of the T. utriculata complex are nested in a clade composed mainly of Mexican and Central American species of T. subgenus Tillandsia (Mexican Clade), and are organized in two lineages: the T. utriculata clade and the T. limbata clade. The ancestor of the core Mexican Clade was probably a T. utriculata-like epiphyte (Group II-type remote flowers and flexuous rachises). The T. utriculata clade is defined morphologically by the presence of acute petals. In this clade, there are two lineages: one of high-elevation, saxicolous, grey-leaved plants from the Mexican Plateau; and one which is more widespread and found from the Gulf of Mexico to Venezuela. The T. limbata clade probably arose in western Mesoamerica and is defined by rounded petals. These species are found mainly in tropical dry forests, but one species colonized wet environments of eastern Mesoamerica. Finally, analyses based on the ETS region allowed us to distinguish between T. utriculata and T. pringlei.

Several species of epiarenic Tillandsia (Bromeliaceae) occur in the coastal desert of southern Peru. Because they are entirely dependent on fog moisture for their water and nutrient uptake, their occurrence is restricted to the altitudinal range of the fog belt where they can form large stands (tillandsiales). Within as well as outside of their present range, Tillandsia plant macrofossils can be found, often embedded in aeolian sediments. Radiocarbon dates of these macrofossils document that the distribution of Tillandsia during the late Pleistocene differed from that during the late Holocene, indicating changes in fog moisture availability. Archaeological finds in the spatial context of tillandsiales show that they were part of the resource base of pre-Hispanic cultures.

To evaluate the physiological response of Tillandsia capillaris Ruiz & Pav. f. capillaris, T. recurvata L., and T. tricholepis Baker to different air pollution sources, epiphyte samples were collected from a noncontaminated area in the province of Córdoba (Argentina) and transplanted to a control site as well as three areas categorized according to the presence of agricultural, urban, and industrial (metallurgical and metal-mechanical) emission sources. A foliar damage index (FDI) was calculated with the physiological parameters chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, malondialdehyde (MDA), hydroperoxyconjugated dienes, sulfur (S) content, and dry weight-to-fresh weight ratio. In addition, electrical conductivity (E-cond), relative water content (RWC), dehydration kinetics (Kin-H2O), total phenols (T-phen), soluble proteins (S-prot), and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase were determined. The parameters E-cond, FDI, SOD, RWC, and Kin-H2O can serve as suitable indicators of agricultural air pollution for T. tricholepis and T. capillaris, and CAT, Kin-H2O, and SOD can do the same for T. recurvata. In addition, MDA, T-phen, and S-prot proved to be appropriate indicators of urban pollution for T. recurvata. Moreover, FDI, E-cond, and SOD for T. recurvata and MDA for T. tricholepis, respectively, could be used to detect deleterious effects of industrial air pollution.

In an effort to understand the mechanisms that sustain rootless atmospheric plants, the modulation of Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) in response to variations in irradiance and water supply was investigated in the epiphyte Tillandsia usneoides. Plants were acclimated to three light regimes, i.e. high, intermediate and low, with integrated photon flux densities (PFD) of 14.40, 8.64 and 4.32 mol m -2 d -1 equivalent to an instantaneous PFD of 200, 100, and 50 µmol m -2 s -1 , respectively. Daily watering was then withdrawn from half of the plants at each PFD for 7 d prior to sampling. In response to the three PFD treatments, chlorophyll content increased in plants acclimated to lower irradiances. Light response curves using non-invasive measurements of chlorophyll fluorescence demonstrated that photosystem II efficiency (ΦPSII) was maintained in high PFD acclimated plants, as they exhibited a larger capacity for non-photochemical dissipation (NPQ) of excess light energy than low PFD acclimated plants. Net CO 2 uptake increased in response to higher PFD, reflecting enhanced carboxylation capacity in terms of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPc) and ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) activities. After water was withdrawn, nocturnal net CO 2 uptake and accumulated levels of acidity declined in all PFD treatments, concomitant with increased respiratory recycling of malate. Examining the strategies employed by epiphytes such as T. usneodies to tolerate extreme light and water regimes has demonstrated the importance of physiological mechanisms that allow flexible carboxylation capacity and continued carbon cycling to maintain photosynthetic integrity.

The ephemeral and fragmented nature of plant communities in the desert region of Ica, Peru have contributed to the poor documentation of its flora. This study provides the first comprehensive checklist and analysis of the vascular plants and habitats of the region, based on over 1800 herbarium collections, site-specific vegetation surveys and monitoring (2001–2017). Here, we report 501 taxa belonging to 283 genera in 68 families, with an outstanding number of taxa (297) representing new records for the region; over 10% of the flora (52 taxa) is categorised as threatened (CR, EN, VU). Asteraceae is the largest family in the checklist, followed by Poaceae, Fabaceae and Solanaceae. The highest species richness is found in quebradas and huaycos (170 taxa), followed by lomas (137 taxa) and huertas (115). Of the lomas taxa, 28% are assessed nationally as threatened, and 95 taxa (68%) are endemic to Peru. Across all habitats five species are restricted to the Ica region (Cleistocactus clav...

VARIABILIDAD MORFOLÓGICA VEGETATIVA DE TILLANDSIA LATIFOLIA EN DOS TIPOS DE SUSTRATO DEL TILLANDSIAL PIEDRA CAMPANA (MALA , LIMA-PERÚ)

H. Aponte (1,2)

1. Museo de Historia Natural, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Avenida Arenales 1256, Jesús María - Lima. Apartado 14-0434, Lima 14, Perú. Email: [email protected]
2. Área de Ecología, Coordinación Cursos Básicos. Universidad Científica del Sur. Av. Antigua Carretera Panamericana Sur km 19 Villa El Salvador. - Lima 42, Perú

Las especies vegetales se amoldan al hábitat en donde se encuentran variando morfológicamente. El presente trabajo tuvo como objetivo de conocer la relación entre la variabilidad morfológica de Tillandsia latifolia y dos tipos de suelo del tillandsial Piedra Campana. Se eligieron 302 rametos (30 transectos de 5m en cada tipo de sustrato, distribución aleatorio-estratificada), de los cuales 148 se encontraron en el sector arenoso (3.69 rametos/geneto) y 154 en el sector rocoso (3.71 rametos por geneto). Por rameto se anotó el número, largo y el ancho de las hojas, la presencia o ausencia de la raíz, se calculó el volumen total del rameto (utilizando como modelo la mitad de un esferoide) y el porcentaje de variabilidad de cada parámetro. En la zona arenosa se tuvieron plantas significativamente más grandes con un mayor número (23.97.03), ancho (3.830.77cm) y largo (20.445.09cm) de las hojas, mayor área foliar (40.6817.37cm2) y un mayor volumen (90686726.59cm3) que sus homólogos en zonas rocosas (22.146.25, 3.49cm, 18.344.82cm, 33.5814.89cm2 y 5813.665150.61cm3 para el número, ancho, largo y área de las hojas, y el volumen del rameto respectivamente; p<0.05 para todos los casos). No hubo diferencias significativas para la presencia/ausencia de la raíz ni para el porcentaje de variabilidad. La plasticidad es alta a nivel intrapoblacional (la variabilidad morfológica que superan el 100% para algunos parámetros). El presente trabajo muestra el rol importante del sustrato en el crecimiento de los individuos en esta localidad, los cuales alcanzan un mayor tamaño en zonas arenosas. Posteriores estudios en los caracteres reproductivos permitirán complementar los presentes resultados y conocer mejor la plasticidad intrapoblacional en esta especie.

Palabras clave: Plasticidad morfológica, variabilidad intrapoblacional, Tillandsia latifolia, adaptabilidad.

Financiamiento: Universidad Científica del Sur

Dentro de las bromelias -y de muchos otros grupos de plantas-las características de las plantas vivas tales como el color y la simetría de las estructuras florales, son cruciales para la identificación de las especies, a tal grado que en ocasiones, su observación es la única forma de hacerlo correctamente. Este es el caso de Tillandsia fuchsii una especie que se distribuye en Guatemala y los estados mexicanos de Sinaloa, Jalisco, Michoacán, Guerrero, Oaxaca y Chiapas. Esta especie fue por años confundida en el herbario con Ti-llandsia argentea Griseb., la cual fue descrita de una planta proveniente de Cuba en 1866. Es hasta 124 años después, cuando Till (1990) se da cuenta de la existencia de dos especies en lugar de una y que además son fácilmente distinguibles: T. fuchsii presenta una corola violeta con los ápices de los pétalos erectos y los filamentos y el estigma verdes, mientras que en T. argentea los pétalos son rojos con los ápices recurvados y los filamentos y el estigma son también rojos. Estas características desafortunadamente se pier-FIGURAS. A-B. Tillandsia argentea: A. hábito; B. flor. C-D. Tillandsia fuchsii: C. hábito; D. flor. (Fotos: A-B, Walter Till; C-D, I. Ramírez.

Tillandsia bryoides fue incluida en la sinonimia de T. tricholepis porque todos los elementos del lectotipo (P. Lorentz 128, BM) pertenecen a esta última especie. Sin embargo, se observaron en el campo, en distintos herbarios y en diversas publicaciones, materiales que fueron previamente considerados como T. bryoides y que en realidad corresponden a una nueva especie de Tillandsia subgen. Diaphoranthema. Esta nueva especie tiene flores solitarias, sésiles, amarillas y una bráctea floral glabra, y crece en el centro de Perú, en Bolivia, y en el centro y noroeste de Argentina. En este trabajo se establece un nombre válido para esta especie, junto con una ilustración detallada, datos de distribución, y una discusión de sus relaciones con las especies morfológicamente más afines. Palabras clave. Bromeliaceae; Diaphoranthema; taxonomía; Tillandsia. Original recibido el 3 de mayo de 2011, aceptado el 28 de junio de 2011. Resumen. Donadío, S. 2011. Un nombre válido para el taxón conocido como Tillandsia bryoides auct. (Bromeliaceae). Darwiniana 49(2): 131-138. Abstract. Donadío, S. 2011. A valid name for the taxon known as Tillandsia bryoides auct. (Bromeliaceae). Darwiniana 49(2): 131-138.

The results of an experiment with two species of epiphytic angiosperms (Tillandsia caput-medusae and T. bulbosa) for monitoring polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the air of Florence, Italy, are presented. PAHs are compounds known to be dangerous because of their carcinogenic potential, and among cormophytes, tillands (monocotyledons equipped with peculiar, specialised, epidermal trichomes) are considered promising for air pollution biomonitoring. PAHs data were obtained using GC/MS analysis of plant extracts. Analytical data indicated an increasing trend in time of PAHs bioaccumulation. This result was compared with instrumentally recorded parameters such as meteorological (rain) and environmental ones (PM10), indicating that trichome-operated physical capture of aerial particles was prominent in PAHs bioaccumulation on tillands. SEM (scanning electron microscope) observations confirmed the role of the trichomes. This work indicates that tillands are particularly useful, low-cost, biomonitoring organisms inside their area of distribution (all Latin American countries and southern USA) where these plants are easily available, but also wherever the climate allows them to survive.

This research was undertaken in order to investigate the inhibitory potential of the Jamaican ball moss, Tillandsia recurvata against several kinases. The inhibition of these kinases has emerged as a potential solution to restoring the tight regulation of normal cellular growth, the loss of which leads to cancer cell formation. Kinase inhibition was investigated using competition binding (to the ATP sites) assays, which have been previously established and authenticated. Four hundred and fifty one kinases were tested against the Jamaican ball moss extract and a dose-response was tested on 40 kinases, which were inhibited by more than 35% compared to the control. Out of the 40 kinases, the Jamaican ball moss selectively inhibited 5 (CSNK2A2, MEK5, GAK, FLT and DRAK1) and obtained Kd(50)s were below 20 μg/ml. Since MEK5 and GAK kinases have been associated with aggressive prostate cancer, the inhibitory properties of the ball moss against them, coupled with its previously found bioact...

Abstract. Tillandsia cucaensis is re-established and lectotypified. It was commonly considered as a synonym of T. makoyana, but it differs from it by its green corolla, pink axis (vs. violet corolla and bright red axis), and its larger flowers and floral bracts. Tillandsia cucaensis has been confused with a phenetically similar taxon, which turned out to be a new species, described here as T. izabalensis. This differs from T. cucaensis by its softer, abaxially smooth leaves, floral bracts that are smooth upon drying, and spreading stigma lobes (vs. stiffer, abaxially veined leaves, floral bracts strongly veined upon drying, and spiraled stigma lobes). In addition, T. cucaensis is restricted to the Pacific slopes from Tropical Mexico into northwestern Costa Rica, while T. izabalensis occurs only in the Gulf of Honduras. Moreover, T. aesii is treated as a synonym of T. cucaensis, since no evidence supports it as a distinct species. Conservation status of both species was assessed as LC (Least Concern) following the criteria of the IUCN.

Pollutant emissions and their contribution to local and regional air quality at the industrial area of Tula were studied during a four-week period as part of theMILAGROinitiative. A recurrent shallow stable layer was observed in the morning favoring air pollutants accumulation in the lower 100 m atmospheric layer. In the afternoon the mixing layer height reached 3000 m, along with a featuring low level jet which was responsible of transporting air pollutants at regional scales. Average PM10at Jasso (JAS) and Tepeji (TEP) was 75.1 and 36.8 μg/m3, respectively while average PM2.5was 31.0 and 25.7 μg/m3. JAS was highly impacted by local limestone dust, while TEP was a receptor of major sources of combustion emissions with 70% of the PM10constituted by PM2.5. Average hourly aerosol light absorption was 22 Mm−1, while aerosol scattering (76 Mm−1) was higher compared to a rural site but much lower than at Mexico City.δ13C values in the epiphyteTillandsia recurvatashow that the emission pl...

Epiphytes absorb water and nutrients from the atmosphere through precipitation and dry deposition and from their hosts through stemflow and throughfall. These commensals have been used as biological indicators or monitors of air quality. To measure temporal changes in Spanish moss (Tillandsia usneoides) mineral concentrations, we revisited sites in Central Florida where this epiphyte was collected and analyzed in 1973/1974. After 24-25 years, using comparable methods, concentrations of Ca, Mg, K and Cu decreased in the tissue samples while Fe increased. These declines in base cations corresponded to global atmospheric decreases. In the earlier study, patterns of elemental concentrations in Spanish moss corresponded to the host tree categories primarily reflecting a P gradient that increased from pine (Pinus spp.) to cypress (Taxodium spp.) to hardwood (e.g. Quercus spp.) hosts. Such host-specific associations were mostly absent from the recent study, suggesting that epiphytic preferences based on the chemistry of phorophyte leachates have become less important in this region, perhaps, resulting from local (suburbanization) or regional (atmospheric composition) changes.

Approximately 250,000 deaths were caused by leukemia globally in 2012 and about 40%-50% of all leukemia diagnoses end-up in death. Medicinal plants are a rich source for the discovery of new drugs against leukemia and other types of cancers. To this end, we subjected the Jamaican ball moss (Tillandsia recurvata) and its cycloartanes, as well as some analogs, to in vitro screening against a number of leukemia cell lines. The WST-1 anti-proliferation assay was used to determine the anticancer activity of ball moss and two cycloartanes isolated from ball moss and four of their analogs against four leukemia cell lines (HL-60, K562, MOLM-14, monoMac6). Ball moss crude methanolic extract showed activity with a 50% inhibition concentration (IC50) value of 3.028 μg/ml against the Molm-14 cell line but was ineffective against HL-60 cells. The six cycloartanes tested demonstrated varying activity against the four leukemia cancer cell lines with IC50 values ranging from 1.83 μM to 18.3 μM. Fiv...

We studied C stable isotopic composition (d 13 C) of bulk leaf tissue and extracted sugars of four epiphytic Tillandsia species to investigate flexibility in the use of crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) and C 3 photosynthetic pathways. Plants growing in two seasonally dry tropical forest reserves in Mexico that differ in annual precipitation were measured during wet and dry seasons, and among secondary, mature, and wetland forest types within each site. Dry season sugars were more enriched in 13 C than wet season sugars, but there was no seasonal difference in bulk tissues. Bulk tissue d 13 C differed by species and by forest type, with values from open-canopied wetlands more enriched in 13 C than mature or secondary forest types. The shifts within forest habitat were related to temporal and spatial changes in vapor pressure deficits (VPD). Modeling results estimate a possible 4% increase in the proportional contribution of the C 3 pathway during the wet season, emphasizing that any seasonal or habitat-mediated variation in photosynthetic pathway appears to be quite moderate and within the range of isotopic effects caused by variation in stomatal conductance during assimilation through the C 3 pathway and environmental variation in VPD. C isotopic analysis of sugars together with bulk leaf tissue offers a useful approach for incorporating short-and long-term measurements of C isotope discrimination during photosynthesis.

We evaluated the indoor atmospheric Hg contamination in gold trade shops in two Brazilian cities of the Legal Amazon area using the Spanish moss (Tillandsia usneoides, Bromeliaceae) as a sentinel species. Plants inside plastic cages were exposed to a controlled atmosphere to evaluate the rate of Hg retention over time and then distributed in several stores with different characteristics to enable a relative comparison. Hg concentrations were determined by cold vapor atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Plants exposed in active stores with good air circulation exhibited lower levels. Ex-gold trade shops that were kept closed for long periods exhibited higher values. Stores that have been restored before being transformed into new businesses exhibited lower values than nonrestored ones. Direct measurements suggest that indoor Hg air concentrations were below the threshold limit recommended by the World Health Organization to occupational exposure; nevertheless, restoring ex-gold trade shops could ensure a healthier working environment.

Floral phenology and breeding system of Tillandsia streptophylla (Bromeliaceae) were studied in a low inundated forest in Yucatan, Mexico. During the flowering season, from March to August, terminal scapose 1-branched, paniculate inflorescences are produced with one flower per branch opening per day, over a period of 11-29 days. Flowers are tubular, light violet, with the stigma placed below the anthers, both protruding above the corolla. Flowers are protandrous, with anthers releasing pollen from 0500 hours and stigma becoming receptive around 0900 hours. Controlled experimental crosses suggest that Tillandsia streptophylla is self incompatible and therefore, pollinator-dependent.

Background and Aims Bromeliaceae is a species-rich neotropical plant family that uses a variety of pollinators, principally vertebrates. Tillandsia is the most diverse genus, and includes more than one-third of all bromeliad species. Within this genus, the majority of species rely on diurnal pollination by hummingbirds; however, the flowers of some Tillandsia species show some characteristics typical for pollination by nocturnal animals, particularly bats and moths. In this study an examination is made of the floral and reproductive biology of the epiphytic bromeliad Tillandsia macropetala in a fragment of humid montane forest in central Veracruz, Mexico. † Methods The reproductive system of the species, duration of anthesis, production of nectar and floral scent, as well as diurnal and nocturnal floral visitors and their effectiveness in pollination were determined. † Key Results Tillandsia macropetala is a self-compatible species that achieves a higher fruit production through outcrossing. Nectar production is restricted to the night, and only nocturnal visits result in the development of fruits. The most frequent visitor (75 % of visits) and the only pollinator of this bromeliad (in 96 % of visits) was the nectarivorous bat Anoura geoffroyi (Phyllostomidae: Glossophaginae). † Conclusions This is the first report of chiropterophily within the genus Tillandsia. The results on the pollination biology of this bromeliad suggest an ongoing evolutionary switch from pollination by birds or moths to bats.

Two new species belonging to the subfamily Tillandsioideae from Machu Picchu, Cusco, Peru are described and illustrated here. The new species Tillandsia machupicchuensis is close to T. tovarensis and the other new species Guzmania inkaterrae is close to G. morreniana and G. tenuifolia. Both species are abundant in the area.

Using collection specimens, we measured the density and wing area of trichomes in 37 species of the bromeliad genus Tillandsia, specifically the abaxial proximal, abaxial distal, adaxial proximal and adaxial distal parts of the leaf. The product of the trichome &quot;wing&quot; area by the number of trichomes (means) produced a pure number (T) that was correlated to ecological features. The correlation was positive with respect to arid environments (xeric Tillands) and negative with respect to humid environments (mesic Tillands). Bulbous, and particularly myrmecophytic species and species with tanks, represented particular categories. Other intermediate types were identified based on the T number, totalling five ecological types. In comparison with other systems of ecological typification for Tillands and other Bromeliaceae, the present system offers measurable data whose analysis is reproducible.

Tillandsia recurvata, also commonly known as Ball Moss, is endemic to Jamaica and some parts of the Caribbean and South America. The plant, despite being reported to be used in folk medicine, had not previously been evaluated for its anti-cancer potential. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-cancer activity ofBall Moss. The anti-proliferation activity of the crude methanolic extract of the T recurvata was evaluated in vitro in five different histogenic cancer cell lines (prostate cancer - PC-3, breast cancer Kaposi sarcoma, B-16 melanoma and a B-cell lymphoma from a transgenic mouse strain) using the trypan blue assay. The crude extract was also evaluated in vivo in tumour-bearing mice. Immunohistochemistry staining with Apoptag was used for histology and determination of apoptosis. The crude methanolic extract of T recurvata demonstrated anti-proliferation activity against all the cell lines, killing &gt; 50% of the cells at a concentration of 2.5 microg/ml. Kaposi sarco...

This research was undertaken in order to investigate the inhibitory potential of the Jamaican ball moss, Tillandsia recurvata against several kinases. The inhibition of these kinases has emerged as a potential solution to restoring the tight regulation of normal cellular growth, the loss of which leads to cancer cell formation. Kinase inhibition was investigated using competition binding (to the ATP sites) assays, which have been previously established and authenticated. Four hundred and fifty one kinases were tested against the Jamaican ball moss extract and a dose-response was tested on 40 kinases, which were inhibited by more than 35% compared to the control. Out of the 40 kinases, the Jamaican ball moss selectively inhibited 5 (CSNK2A2, MEK5, GAK, FLT and DRAK1) and obtained Kd(50)s were below 20 μg/ml. Since MEK5 and GAK kinases have been associated with aggressive prostate cancer, the inhibitory properties of the ball moss against them, coupled with its previously found bioact...

Tillandsia usneoides L. is an epiphytic bromeliad plant able to absorb water and nutrients directly from the air. For this reason this species was selected to carry out a monitoring study of air pollution in the metropolitan region of São Paulo, Brazil. Five consecutive transplantation experiments (8 weeks each) were performed in 10 sites of the city, submitted to different sources of air pollution (industrial, vehicular), using plants collected from an unpolluted area. After exposure, trace metals were analyzed in the plant by instrumental neutron activation analysis. Traffic-related elements such as Zn and Ba presented high concentrations in exposure sites near to heavy traffic avenues (cars, buses and trucks) and may be associated to vehicular sources. For Zn and Co the highest contents were related to industrial zones and can be associated to the presence of anthropogenic emission sources. The rare earth elements, Fe and Rb, probably have soil particles as main source.

Purpose The aims of this paper were to quantify the heavy metals (HM) in the air of different sites in Rio de Janeiro (RJ) and Salvador (SA) using Tillandsia usneoides (Bromeliaceae) as a biomonitor, and to study the morphology and elemental composition of the air particulate matter (PM) retained on the Tillandsia surface.

Purpose The aims of this paper were to quantify the heavy metals (HM) in the air of different sites in Rio de Janeiro (RJ) and Salvador (SA) using Tillandsia usneoides (Bromeliaceae) as a biomonitor, and to study the morphology and elemental composition of the air particulate matter (PM) retained on the Tillandsia surface.

Purpose The aims of this paper were to quantify the heavy metals (HM) in the air of different sites in Rio de Janeiro (RJ) and Salvador (SA) using Tillandsia usneoides (Bromeliaceae) as a biomonitor, and to study the morphology and elemental composition of the air particulate matter (PM) retained on the Tillandsia surface.

Atmospheric Hg" contamination and the potential risk of occupational exposure were evaluated in a chlor-alkali facility by the use of transplanted Tillandsia usrzeoides. This plant species was selected since it presents some features that makes it useful for air monitoring purposes. After short-term exposure (1.5 days), control plants showed a mean concentration of 0.2 pg Hg.g-' whereas Hg values in transplants ranged from 1 to 10400 pg.gg'. This latter value was observed near an elemental Hg spillage. Even after exposure to toxic conditions plant metabolism was still operative, allowing the transplant technique to be employed to assess both Hg taken up through the stomata and Hg associated with particles deposited on the biomonitor. 0 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.

For the first time, the reduviid bug Triatoma ryckmani Zeledón and Ponce (Hemiptera; Reduviidae) was recorded to inhabit the epiphyte Tillandsia xerographica Rohweder (Bromeliaceae) in the semiarid region of Guatemala. These bromeliads grow mainly in drought-resistant trees with rough bark such as Pereskia lychnidiflora (Cactaceae). In our study site, we investigated 30 T. xerographica, and 53 specimens of T. ryckmani were found. Most T. ryckmani (68.5%) were unfed. Ants (Formicidae) were the predominant (92.2%) insect taxon in T. xerographica. Other insects such as Blattidae (3.0%), Reduviidae (T. ryckmani: 2.5%), Blaberidae (2.2%), Gryllidae (0.1%), and Acrididae (0.1%) were recorded in the bromeliads. T. xerographica is illegally commercialized without previous inspection. This may cause accidental introduction of T. ryckmani to houses and to other countries.

En 1991, Renate y Klaus Ehlers, dos entusiastas bromeliólogos alemanes encontraron una atractiva planta en el valle de Tehuacán-Cuicatlán en el estado de Puebla, está no coincidía con la descripción de ninguna otra, concluyendo que se trataba de una especie nueva para la ciencia. Sin embargo, en 1993, el Dr. Jurg Rutschmann encontró una publicación anterior donde referían a una planta similar, pero con otro nombre: Tillandsia strobilifera. Por lo tanto, los Ehlers prefirieron no publicar la nueva especie hasta reunir más evidencia.