Warming appears as the main risk of non-adaptedness for western Mediterranean relict fir forests under expected climate change scenarios.

Circum-Mediterranean firs are considered among the most drought-sensitive species to climate change. Understanding the genetic basis of trees' adaptive capacity and intra-specific variability to drought avoidance is mandatory to define conservation measures, thus potentially preventing their extinction. We focus here on Abies pinsapo and Abies marocana, both relict tree species, endemic from south Spain and north Morocco, respectively. A total of 607 samples were collected from eight nuclei: six from Spanish fir and two from Moroccan fir. A genotyping by sequencing technique called double digestion restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (ddRAD-seq) was performed to obtain a genetic matrix based on single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). This matrix was utilized to study the genetic structure of A. pinsapo populations and to carry out selection signature studies. In order to understand how Spanish fir and Moroccan fir cope with climate change, genotype-environment associations (GEAs) were identified. Further, the vulnerability of these species to climate variations was estimated by the risk of non-adaptedness (RONA). The filtering of the de novo assembly of A. pinsapo provided 3,982 SNPs from 504 out of 509 trees sequenced. Principal component analysis (PCA) genetically separated Grazalema from the rest of the Spanish populations. However, FST values showed significant differences among the sampling points. We found 51 loci potentially under selection. Homolog sequences were found for some proteins related to abiotic stress response, such as dehydration-responsive element binding transcription factor, regulation of abscisic acid signaling, and methylation pathway. A total of 15 associations with 11 different loci were observed in the GEA studies, with the maximum temperature of the warmest month being the variable with the highest number of associated loci. This temperature sensitivity was also supported by the risk of non-adaptedness, which yielded a higher risk for both A. pinsapo and A. marocana under the high emission scenario (Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 8.5). This study sheds light on the response to climate change of these two endemic species.

Climate and Soil Microsite Conditions Determine Local Adaptation in Declining Silver Fir Forests.

Ongoing climatic change is threatening the survival of drought-sensitive tree species, such as silver fir (Abies alba). Drought-induced dieback had been previously explored in this conifer, although the role played by tree-level genetic diversity and its relationship with growth patterns and soil microsite conditions remained elusive. We used double digest restriction-site-associated DNA sequencing (ddRADseq) to describe different genetic characteristics of five silver fir forests in the Spanish Pyrenees, including declining and non-declining trees. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were used to investigate the relationships between genetics, dieback, intraspecific trait variation (functional dendrophenotypic traits and leaf traits), local bioclimatic conditions, and rhizosphere soil properties. While there were no noticeable genetic differences between declining and non-declining trees, genome-environment associations with selection signatures were abundant, suggesting a strong influence of climate, soil physicochemical properties, and soil microbial diversity on local adaptation. These results provide novel insights into how genetics and diverse environmental factors are interrelated and highlight the need to incorporate genetic data into silver fir forest dieback studies to gain a better understanding of local adaptation.

De novo transcriptome sequencing and gene co-expression reveal a genomic basis for drought sensitivity and evidence of a rapid local adaptation on Atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica).

Introduction: Understanding the adaptive capacity to current climate change of drought-sensitive tree species is mandatory, given their limited prospect of migration and adaptation as long-lived, sessile organisms. Knowledge about the molecular and eco-physiological mechanisms that control drought resilience is thus key, since water shortage appears as one of the main abiotic factors threatening forests ecosystems. However, our current background is scarce, especially in conifers, due to their huge and complex genomes. Methods: Here we investigated the eco-physiological and transcriptomic basis of drought response of the climate change-threatened conifer Cedrus atlantica. We studied C. atlantica seedlings from two locations with contrasting drought conditions to investigate a local adaptation. Seedlings were subjected to experimental drought conditions, and were monitored at immediate (24 hours) and extended (20 days) times. In addition, post-drought recovery was investigated, depicting two contrasting responses in both locations (drought resilient and non-resilient). Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were also studied to characterize the genomic basis of drought resilience and investigate a rapid local adaptation of C. atlantica. Results: De novo transcriptome assembly was performed for the first time in this species, providing differences in gene expression between the immediate and extended treatments, as well as among the post-drought recovery phenotypes. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis showed a regulation of stomatal closing and photosynthetic activity during the immediate drought, consistent with an isohydric dynamic. During the extended drought, growth and flavonoid biosynthesis inhibition mechanisms prevailed, probably to increase root-to-shoot ratio and to limit the energy-intensive biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. Drought sensitive individuals failed in metabolism and photosynthesis regulation under drought stress, and in limiting secondary metabolite production. Moreover, genomic differences (SNPs) were found between drought resilient and sensitive seedlings, and between the two studied locations, which were mostly related to transposable elements. Discussion: This work provides novel insights into the transcriptomic basis of drought response of C. atlantica, a set of candidate genes mechanistically involved in its drought sensitivity and evidence of a rapid local adaptation. Our results may help guide conservation programs for this threatened conifer, contribute to advance drought-resilience research and shed light on trees' adaptive potential to current climate change.

Tree-Level Growth Patterns and Genetic Associations Depict Drought Legacies in the Relict Forests of Abies marocana.

The frequency and intensity of drought events are increasing worldwide, challenging the adaptive capacity of several tree species. Here, we evaluate tree growth patterns and climate sensitivity to precipitation, temperature, and drought in the relict Moroccan fir Abies marocana. We selected two study sites, formerly stated as harboring contrasting A. marocana taxa (A. marocana and A. tazaotana, respectively). For each tree, dendrochronological methods were applied to quantify growth patterns and climate-growth sensitivity. Further, ddRAD-seq was performed on the same trees and close saplings to obtain single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and related genotype-phenotype associations. Genetic differentiation between the two studied remnant populations of A. marocana was weak. Growth patterns and climate-growth relationships were almost similar at the two sites studied, supporting a negative effect of warming. Growth trends and tree size showed associations with SNPs, although there were no relationships with phenotypes related to climatic sensitivity. We found significant differences in the SNPs subjected to selection in the saplings compared to the old trees, suggesting that relict tree populations might be subjected to genetic differentiation and local adaptation to climate dryness. Our results illustrate the potential of tree rings and genome-wide analysis to improve our understanding of the adaptive capacity of drought-sensitive forests to cope with ongoing climate change.

Contrasting transcriptomic patterns reveal a genomic basis for drought resilience in the relict fir Abies pinsapo Boiss.

Climate change challenges the adaptive capacity of several forest tree species in the face of increasing drought and rising temperatures. Therefore, understanding the mechanistic connections between genetic diversity and drought resilience is highly valuable for conserving drought-sensitive forests. Nonetheless, the post-drought recovery in trees from a transcriptomic perspective has not yet been studied by comparing contrasting phenotypes. Here, experimental drought treatments, gas-exchange dynamics and transcriptomic analysis (RNA-seq) were performed in the relict and drought-sensitive fir Abies pinsapo Boiss. to identify gene expression differences over immediate (24 h) and extended drought (20 days). Post-drought responses were investigated to define resilient and sensitive phenotypes. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were also studied to characterize the genomic basis of A. pinsapo drought resilience. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis showed an activation of stomatal closing and an inhibition of plant growth-related genes during the immediate drought, consistent with an isohydric dynamic. During the extended drought, transcription factors, as well as cellular damage and homeostasis protection-related genes prevailed. Resilient individuals activate photosynthesis-related genes and inhibit aerial growth-related genes, suggesting a shifting shoot/root biomass allocation to improve water uptake and whole-plant carbon balance. About, 152 fixed SNPs were found between resilient and sensitive seedlings, which were mostly located in RNA-activity-related genes, including epigenetic regulation. Contrasting gene expression and SNPs were found between different post-drought resilience phenotypes for the first time in a forest tree, suggesting a transcriptomic and genomic basis for drought resilience. The obtained drought-related transcriptomic profile and drought-resilience candidate genes may guide conservation programs for this threatened tree species.

Weak genetic differentiation but strong climate-induced selective pressure toward the rear edge of mountain pine in north-eastern Spain.

Local differentiation at distribution limits may influence species' adaptive capacity to environmental changes. However, drivers, such gene flow and local selection, are still poorly understood. We focus on the role played by range limits in mountain forests to test the hypothesis that relict tree populations are subjected to genetic differentiation and local adaptation. Two alpine treelines of mountain pine (Pinus uncinata Ram. ex DC) were investigated in the Spanish Pyrenees. Further, an isolated relict population forming the species' southernmost distribution limit in north-eastern Spain was also investigated. Using genotyping by sequencing, a genetic matrix conformed by single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) was obtained. This matrix was used to perform genotype-environment and genotype-phenotype associations, as well as to model risk of non-adaptedness. Increasing climate seasonality appears as an essential element in the interpretation of SNPs subjected to selective pressures. Genetic differentiations were overall weak. The differences in leaf mass area and radial growth rate, as well as the identification of several SNPs subjected to selective pressures, exceeded neutral predictions of differentiation among populations. Despite genetic drift might prevail in the isolated population, the Fst values (0.060 and 0.066) showed a moderate genetic drift and Nm values (3.939 and 3.555) indicate the presence of gene flow between the relict population and both treelines. Nonetheless, the SNPs subjected to selection pressures provide evidences of possible selection in treeline ecotones. Persistence in range boundaries seems to involve several selective pressures in species' traits, which were significantly related to enhanced drought seasonality at the limit of P. uncinata distribution range. We conclude that gene flow is unlikely to constrain adaptation in the P. uncinata rear edge, although this species shows vulnerability to future climate change scenarios involving warmer and drier conditions.

[Urodynamic AUR in Guillain-Barré syndrome post-infection by coronavirus Sars-CoV-2. A bibliographic review.] / Urodinámica de la RAO en el síndrome De Guillain-Barré post-infección por coronavirus Sars-Cov-2. Revisión bibliográfica.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus infection has beenassociated with the development of the novo genitourinarysymptoms and neurological symptomssecondary to peripheral nervous system damage.One of the neurological pathologies described associatedwith the infection has been Guillain-Barrésyndrome (GBS). We conducted a review of the literatureon SARS-CoV-2 infection and its relationshipwith lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), such asurinary retention (AUR). Bladder alterations derivedfrom neurological involvement by SARS-CoV-2,such as GBS, were also analyzed. An own case ispresented. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A literature searchwas performed using a combination of keywords(MeSH terms): "COVID", "COVID-19", "SARS-CoV-2","Urinary retention" and "Guillain-Barre Syndromeand Urodynamics". We searched for articles publishedup to March 2021. All articles identified fromthe bibliographic search were analyzed, using thePICOS criteria (participants, intervention, comparisons,results, type of study) to assess the eligibilityof the articles. Both prospective and retrospectivestudies, clinical cases and published systematicreviews were included. RESULTS: Findings in the academic literatureabout the associations between COVID-19 and RAO,LUTS and Guillain-Barré Syndrome are discussed,as well as their possible pathogenic mechanisms,A summary of relevant studies on urodynamic findingsin GBS patients is also provided. The resultsare summarized in attached tables. A case of AURassociated with COVID-19 and Guillain-Barré Syndromeis provided, with its urodynamic findings. CONCLUSION: Although the association betweenurinary symptoms and SARS-CoV-2 is not well described,there seems to be evidence of a possibleassociation, at least temporary, between the presentationof SARS-Cov-2 infection and the developmentof GBS with secondary LUT neurophysiologyalterations.

INTRODUCCIÓN Y OBJETIVO: La infecciónpor coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 se ha asociadoa la aparición de síntomas genitourinarios de novo,además de síntomas neurológicos secundarios al dañodel sistema nervioso periférico. Una de las patologíasneurológicas descritas asociadas a la infección ha sidoel síndrome de Guillain-Barré (SGB). Realizamos unarevisión de la literatura sobre la infección por SARSCoV-2 y su relación con los síntomas del tracto urinarioinferior (STUI), como la retención urinaria (RAO).Se analizaron también las alteraciones vesicales derivadasde la afectación neurológica por SARS-CoV-2,como el SGB. Se presenta un caso propio. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se realizó una búsquedade la literatura utilizando una combinación de palabrasclave (términos MeSH): "COVID", "COVID-19","SARS-CoV-2", "Urinary retention" y "Guillain-BarreSyndrome and Urodynamics". Se realizaron búsquedasde artículos publicados hasta marzo de 2021. Todos los artículos identificados a partir de la búsquedabibliográfica fueron analizados, utilizando los criteriosPICOS (participantes, intervención, comparaciones,resultados, tipo de estudio) para evaluar la elegibilidadde los artículos. Se incluyeron tanto estudios prospectivos,retrospectivos, casos clínicos y revisiones sistemáticaspublicadas. RESULTADOS: Se discuten los hallazgos en la literaturade las asociaciones entre COVID-19 y RAO, STUIy Síndrome de Guillain-Barré, así como sus posiblesmecanismos patogénicos. También se aporta un resumende trabajos relevantes sobre hallazgos urodinámicosen pacientes con SGB. Los resultados seresumen en tablas anexas. Se aporta un caso de RAOasociado a COVID-19 y Síndrome de Guillain-Barrécon sus hallazgos urodinámicos. CONCLUSIÓN: A pesar de la asociación entre síntomasurinarios y SARS-CoV-2 no está bien descrita, pareceque hay indicios de una posible asociación, al menostemporal entre la presentación de infección porcoronavirus SARS-Cov-2 y el desarrollo de un SGB conalteraciones de la neurofisiología del TUI secundaria.

Urodinámica de la rao en el Síndrome de Guillain-Barré post-infección por coronavirus SARS-COV-2. Revisión bibliográfica / Rao urodynamics in Guillain-Barré Syndrome post-infection by SARS-COV-2 coronavirus. Bibliographic review

INTRODUCCIÓN Y OBJETIVO: La infección por coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 se ha asociadoa la aparición de síntomas genitourinarios de novo,además de síntomas neurológicos secundarios al dañodel sistema nervioso periférico. Una de las patologíasneurológicas descritas asociadas a la infección ha sidoel síndrome de Guillain-Barré (SGB). Realizamos unarevisión de la literatura sobre la infección por SARSCoV-2 y su relación con los síntomas del tracto urinario inferior (STUI), como la retención urinaria (RAO).Se analizaron también las alteraciones vesicales derivadas de la afectación neurológica por SARS-CoV-2,como el SGB. Se presenta un caso propio.MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se realizó una búsquedade la literatura utilizando una combinación de palabras clave (términos MeSH): “COVID”, “COVID-19”,“SARS-CoV-2”, “Urinary retention” y “Guillain-BarreSyndrome and Urodynamics”. Se realizaron búsquedas de artículos publicados hasta marzo de 2021. Todos los artículos identificados a partir de la búsquedabibliográfica fueron analizados, utilizando los criteriosPICOS (participantes, intervención, comparaciones,resultados, tipo de estudio) para evaluar la elegibilidadde los artículos. Se incluyeron tanto estudios prospectivos, retrospectivos, casos clínicos y revisiones sistemáticas publicadas.RESULTADOS: Se discuten los hallazgos en la literatura de las asociaciones entre COVID-19 y RAO, STUIy Síndrome de Guillain-Barré, así como sus posiblesmecanismos patogénicos. También se aporta un resumen de trabajos relevantes sobre hallazgos urodinámicos en pacientes con SGB. Los resultados seresumen en tablas anexas. Se aporta un caso de RAOasociado a COVID-19 y Síndrome de Guillain-Barrécon sus hallazgos urodinámicos.CONCLUSIÓN: A pesar de la asociación entre síntomas urinarios y SARS-CoV-2 no está bien descrita, parece que hay indicios de una posible asociación, al menos temporal entre la presentación de infección porcoronavirus SARS-Cov-2 y el desarrollo de un SGB

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus infection has beenassociated with the development of the novo genitourinary symptoms and neurological symptomssecondary to peripheral nervous system damage.One of the neurological pathologies described associated with the infection has been Guillain-Barrésyndrome (GBS). We conducted a review of the literature on SARS-CoV-2 infection and its relationshipwith lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), such asurinary retention (AUR). Bladder alterations derived from neurological involvement by SARS-CoV-2,such as GBS, were also analyzed. An own case ispresented.MATERIAL AND METHODS: A literature searchwas performed using a combination of keywords(MeSH terms): “COVID”, “COVID-19”, “SARS-CoV-2”,“Urinary retention” and “Guillain-Barre Syndromeand Urodynamics”. We searched for articles published up to March 2021. All articles identified fromthe bibliographic search were analyzed, using thePICOS criteria (participants, intervention, comparisons, results, type of study) to assess the eligibility of the articles. Both prospective and retrospective studies, clinical cases and published systematicreviews were included.RESULTS: Findings in the academic literatureabout the associations between COVID-19 and RAO,LUTS and Guillain-Barré Syndrome are discussed,as well as their possible pathogenic mechanisms,A summary of relevant studies on urodynamic findings in GBS patients is also provided. The resultsare summarized in attached tables. A case of AURassociated with COVID-19 and Guillain-Barré Syndrome is provided, with its urodynamic findings.CONCLUSION: Although the association betweenurinary symptoms and SARS-CoV-2 is not well described, there seems to be evidence of a possibleassociation, at least temporary, between the presentation of SARS-Cov-2 infection and the development of GBS with secondary LUT neurophysiologyalterations.

Challenges and Perspectives in the Epigenetics of Climate Change-Induced Forests Decline.

Forest tree species are highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. As sessile organisms with long generation times, their adaptation to a local changing environment may rely on epigenetic modifications when allele frequencies are not able to shift fast enough. However, the current lack of knowledge on this field is remarkable, due to many challenges that researchers face when studying this issue. Huge genome sizes, absence of reference genomes and annotation, and having to analyze huge amounts of data are among these difficulties, which limit the current ability to understand how climate change drives tree species epigenetic modifications. In spite of this challenging framework, some insights on the relationships among climate change-induced stress and epigenomics are coming. Advances in DNA sequencing technologies and an increasing number of studies dealing with this topic must boost our knowledge on tree adaptive capacity to changing environmental conditions. Here, we discuss challenges and perspectives in the epigenetics of climate change-induced forests decline, aiming to provide a general overview of the state of the art.

Testing the effectiveness of conservation management within biosphere reserves: the case of the Mexican deer mouse (Peromyscus mexicanus) as a bioindicator.

Biosphere reserves are protected areas whose purpose is to combine conservation and sustainable development. However, their effectiveness has not been tested sufficiently, especially from an ecological and genetic approach. In this sense, the Peromyscus genus represents an excellent bioindicator to address these questions, due to its short life and high evolutionary rate and fecundity. For conservation managers, genetic structure can increase the rate of loss of genetic diversity because alleles exclusive of a subpopulation are more likely to disappear as a consequence of genetic drift in comparison with a panmictic population. Here we analyzed the abundance, movement distances, morphology/morphometry and genetic structure of 3 populations of Mexican deer mouse (Peromyscus mexicanus) located in different protected zones of La Tigra National Park (Honduras). Our results are consistent among the 3 approaches and showed the highest values of abundance, morphometry and genetic diversity in the population located at the core zone, whereas non-statistically significant differences were found between buffer and transition zone populations, suggesting suitable effectiveness of conservation management in the core zone but a lack of ecological buffering function of the other zones. In addition, the low movement distances and high genetic structure among the studied populations provide evidence of poor conservation management in the buffer and transition zone. Thus, we discuss the utility of the novel methodology used in this work, combining morphometry, abundance and genetics, in testing the effectiveness of conservation strategies in biosphere reserves, and the value of the Peromyscus genus as a bioindicator.