International Journal of Biodiversity Science, Ecosystem Services & Management
Developments in international and national law and policy over the last two decades have changed ... more Developments in international and national law and policy over the last two decades have changed the working environment for those in charge of managing and making decisions about genetic resources, including those held on-farm by farming communities. A collaborative programme with national partners in Vietnam, Mexico, Peru, Burkina Faso, Morocco and Hungary, and Bioversity International (formerly the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI) has designed tools to assist scientists and decision-makers to understand how scientific and institutional information about in situ conservation of agricultural biodiversity on-farm can be integrated and inform policy choices. This paper shares information about the critical components of the policy development process and how the process might enable a participatory, bottom-up approach for supporting the conservation and use of agricultural biodiversity on-farm.
IPCC predicts increasing temperatures in Sub-Saharan Africa which will negatively impact crop pro... more IPCC predicts increasing temperatures in Sub-Saharan Africa which will negatively impact crop productivity and lead to a reduction in crop yields. Crops need to adapt to higher temperatures, water stress and pest incidence. Genetic improvement and the evaluation of cultivars in field conditions allow for the development of more tolerant varieties with traits that are better suited to adapt to climate change. In tropical regions there is a higher diversity of climate patterns and management practices which affects the evaluation of varieties [1] in field testing. The interaction of genotype by environment is the biggest challenge that plant breeders face [1] and with high costs associated with releasing a new cultivar only a limited number are released. To identify climate smart varieties materials need to be tested in the conditions in which the crops will be grown. A broad genetic base is needed to select strong varieties which are able to adapt to drought, biotic stress and salinity. It is only possible to evaluate varieties in a large number of possible environments. Using a crowdsourcing approach to crop improvement we are identifying climate smart varieties while at the same time speeding up the processes of variety development [2]. We asked a large group of farmers to test and evaluate different varieties. We combined farmers' and morphological evaluation data of a set of 20 varieties of cowpea and sorghum to research the performance of varieties in dissimilar climatic conditions. Data on current crop diversity allows us to compare local varieties with landraces from other areas. Results specify the variation between trials in different sites in terms of performance and environmental adaption potential. We are able to identify varieties that display a diversity of traits that enhance resilience to biotic and abiotic stresses and considering farmer-preferred/market traits.
The bean fly (Ophiomyia spp.) is considered the most economically damaging field insect pest of c... more The bean fly (Ophiomyia spp.) is considered the most economically damaging field insect pest of common beans in Uganda. Despite the use of existing pest management approaches, reported damage has remained high. Forty-eight traditional and improved common bean varieties currently grown in farmers' fields were evaluated for resistance against bean fly. Data on bean fly incidence, severity and root damage from bean stem maggot were collected. Generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) revealed significant resistance to bean fly in the Ugandan traditional varieties. A popular resistant traditional variety and a popular susceptible commercial variety were selected from the 48 varieties and evaluated in pure and mixed stands. The incidence of bean fly infestation on both varieties in mixtures with different arrangements (systematic random versus rows), and different proportions within each of the two arrangements, was measured and analysed using GLMMs. The proportion of resistant varieties in a mixture and the arrangement type significantly decreased bean fly damage compared to pure stands, with the highest decrease in damage registered in the systematic random mixture with at least 50 % of resistant variety. The highest reduction in root damage, obvious 21 days after planting, was found in systematic random mixtures with at least 50 % of the resistant variety. Small holder farmers in East Africa and elsewhere in the world have local preferences for growing bean varieties in genetic mixtures. These mixtures can be enhanced by the use of resistant varieties in the mixtures to reduce bean fly damage on susceptible popular varieties.
Locally adapted, quality seeds are the most critical input to secure good harvests and food secur... more Locally adapted, quality seeds are the most critical input to secure good harvests and food security. Local seed systems can ensure that diversity of crops and varieties are available for small scale farmers. Most of the research focuses on major crops such as maize. The current study focused onassessed seed systems for traditional and exotic vegetables as well as legumes.
ON-FARM CONSERVATION OF AROMATIC RICE-NORTHERN VIETNAM 99 On-farm conservation of local aromatic ... more ON-FARM CONSERVATION OF AROMATIC RICE-NORTHERN VIETNAM 99 On-farm conservation of local aromatic rice varieties in a highly productive area in northern Vietnam Davide Signa, Nguyen Ngoc Hue, Dinh The Vu, Nguyen Thi Minh, Alessandro Cardarelli and ...
Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research, 2002
Chromosome banding analysis (G-and C-bands) of two species of Lemniscomys from Tanzania, Lemnisco... more Chromosome banding analysis (G-and C-bands) of two species of Lemniscomys from Tanzania, Lemniscomys zebra and Lemniscomys rosalia, and of a third species from Benin, Lemniscomys striatus was carried out to trace the pattern of chromosomal evolution of the genus. The G-banding pattern comparison makes it possible to identify chromosomal rearrangements between the karyotypes. The two Tanzanian species (L. rosalia 2n ¼ 54, FNa ¼ 62; and L. zebra 2n ¼ 54, FNa ¼ 58) differ due to two pericentric inversions. A X polymorphism was detected in both species. Furthermore, L. rosalia shows two forms of the Y chromosome. The banding pattern of L. striatus (2n ¼ 44; FNa ¼ 68) from Benin allows identification of five Robertsonian fusions with respect to L. zebra. Moreover L. rosalia is characterized by a karyotype which is different from the one described for South Africa (2n ¼ 48; FNa ¼ 62), and therefore it should be considered as a different species. Comparative banding analysis with another Arvicanthine species (Arvicanthis dembeensis, 2n ¼ 62, FNa ¼ 62) showed complete homology in G-bands between the two genera, the differences involving tandem fusions, pericentric inversions, and Robertsonian fusions.
Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research, 2001
ABSTRACT Arvicanthis is an African murid, found throughout sub-Saharan Africa, Sudan and Egypt. A... more ABSTRACT Arvicanthis is an African murid, found throughout sub-Saharan Africa, Sudan and Egypt. Although in the past 10 years several studies have been carried out to assess its systematics, there is still a need for a general revision of the genus. In this study the morphometric relationships between 71 populations throughout the range were investigated. A three-dimensional geometric morphometric approach was used to assess differences in the size and shape of the skull. These were related to the different biogeographical domains characterizing the range of the genus and to molecular and karyotypic phylogenies. Results agree only in part with phylogeny, and show a close relationship with the environmental backgrounds of each species. It is therefore suggested that the adaptation of Arvicanthis to local environment has played an important role in the phenotypic evolution of the skull. This leads to problems in taxonomic definitions based on morphometrics, which should not be used without comparison with other independently derived characters such as the DNA and the karyotype.Dreidimensionale geometrische Morphometrie von Arvicanthis: Anwendung in Systematik und TaxonomieDie Kusu-Grasratte Arvicanthis, ist eine Muride, die in Afrika südlich der Sahara, in Ägypten und im Sudan vorkommt. Obgleich in den letzen zehn Jahren mehrere Untersuchungen über ihre systematische Gliederung durchgeführt wurden, erscheint eine allgemeine Revision dieser Gattung weiterhin notwendig. In dieser Studie haben wir die morphometrischen Beziehungen zwischen 71 Populationen aus dem gesamten Verbreitungsgebiet untersuch. Ein 3-D geometrisches morphometrisches Verfahren wurde verwendet, um die Unterschiede in der Größe und der Form des Schädels zu erfassen Diese wurden dann mit verschiedenen biogeographischen Domänen, die für das Verbreitungsgebiet der Gattung charakteristisch sind, und den molekularen und karyologischen Phylogenien in Beziehng gesetzt. Die Ergebnisse stimmen nur zum Teil mit der Phylogenien überein, zeigen aber einen engen Zussamenhang mit dem Hintergrund der Umweltbedingungen der einzelnen Arten. Es muß daher angenommen werden, daß bei Arvicanthis die Anpassung an die lokale Umwelt in der phänotypischen Evolution des Schädels eine große Rolle gespielt hat. Dies führt zum Problem einer taxonomischen Bestimmung, die nur auf Morphometrie beruht; eine solche sollte nicht ohne Vergleich mit anderen unabhängigen Merkmalen wie DNA-Sequenzen oder karyologischen Analysen angewandt werden.
Focal nodular hyperplasia of the liver is a benign disorder usually affecting young women. Its tr... more Focal nodular hyperplasia of the liver is a benign disorder usually affecting young women. Its treatment in children is traditionally conservative. Because of its rarity in childhood, its differential diagnosis with other hepatic tumors in children and infants is challenging. We present the case of a 7-month-old infant with large focal nodular hyperplasia affecting the whole left liver lobe. Because of progressive enlargement of the lesion and compression of the portal vein, the baby underwent successful surgical treatment. Different therapeutic options and relative indications are discussed. D
Changes in size and shape in the skull of five species of the African rodent genus Arvicanthis we... more Changes in size and shape in the skull of five species of the African rodent genus Arvicanthis were studied using Geometric Morphometrics, in an attempt to evaluate their systematics and taxonomy which is still confused. Four species endemic to the Horn of Africa (A abyssinicus, A. dembeensis, A. blicki and A. somalicus) and a population of the 'A. niloticus' complex from West Africa (Benin) were investigated. These species are widespread with ranges at very different altitudes, from arid grasslands up to the alpine moorlands at 4300 m a.s.l., and represent one of the major pests in croplands. Size and shape differences between species were compared with phylogeny (deduced from karyotype rearrangements), time of divergence (allozymes) and altitude. Morphometric divergence does not reflect any cladogenetic sequence and neither any association with altitude, but rather adaptive patterns that are unique to each species.
International Journal of Biodiversity Science, Ecosystem Services & Management
Developments in international and national law and policy over the last two decades have changed ... more Developments in international and national law and policy over the last two decades have changed the working environment for those in charge of managing and making decisions about genetic resources, including those held on-farm by farming communities. A collaborative programme with national partners in Vietnam, Mexico, Peru, Burkina Faso, Morocco and Hungary, and Bioversity International (formerly the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI) has designed tools to assist scientists and decision-makers to understand how scientific and institutional information about in situ conservation of agricultural biodiversity on-farm can be integrated and inform policy choices. This paper shares information about the critical components of the policy development process and how the process might enable a participatory, bottom-up approach for supporting the conservation and use of agricultural biodiversity on-farm.
IPCC predicts increasing temperatures in Sub-Saharan Africa which will negatively impact crop pro... more IPCC predicts increasing temperatures in Sub-Saharan Africa which will negatively impact crop productivity and lead to a reduction in crop yields. Crops need to adapt to higher temperatures, water stress and pest incidence. Genetic improvement and the evaluation of cultivars in field conditions allow for the development of more tolerant varieties with traits that are better suited to adapt to climate change. In tropical regions there is a higher diversity of climate patterns and management practices which affects the evaluation of varieties [1] in field testing. The interaction of genotype by environment is the biggest challenge that plant breeders face [1] and with high costs associated with releasing a new cultivar only a limited number are released. To identify climate smart varieties materials need to be tested in the conditions in which the crops will be grown. A broad genetic base is needed to select strong varieties which are able to adapt to drought, biotic stress and salinity. It is only possible to evaluate varieties in a large number of possible environments. Using a crowdsourcing approach to crop improvement we are identifying climate smart varieties while at the same time speeding up the processes of variety development [2]. We asked a large group of farmers to test and evaluate different varieties. We combined farmers' and morphological evaluation data of a set of 20 varieties of cowpea and sorghum to research the performance of varieties in dissimilar climatic conditions. Data on current crop diversity allows us to compare local varieties with landraces from other areas. Results specify the variation between trials in different sites in terms of performance and environmental adaption potential. We are able to identify varieties that display a diversity of traits that enhance resilience to biotic and abiotic stresses and considering farmer-preferred/market traits.
The bean fly (Ophiomyia spp.) is considered the most economically damaging field insect pest of c... more The bean fly (Ophiomyia spp.) is considered the most economically damaging field insect pest of common beans in Uganda. Despite the use of existing pest management approaches, reported damage has remained high. Forty-eight traditional and improved common bean varieties currently grown in farmers' fields were evaluated for resistance against bean fly. Data on bean fly incidence, severity and root damage from bean stem maggot were collected. Generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) revealed significant resistance to bean fly in the Ugandan traditional varieties. A popular resistant traditional variety and a popular susceptible commercial variety were selected from the 48 varieties and evaluated in pure and mixed stands. The incidence of bean fly infestation on both varieties in mixtures with different arrangements (systematic random versus rows), and different proportions within each of the two arrangements, was measured and analysed using GLMMs. The proportion of resistant varieties in a mixture and the arrangement type significantly decreased bean fly damage compared to pure stands, with the highest decrease in damage registered in the systematic random mixture with at least 50 % of resistant variety. The highest reduction in root damage, obvious 21 days after planting, was found in systematic random mixtures with at least 50 % of the resistant variety. Small holder farmers in East Africa and elsewhere in the world have local preferences for growing bean varieties in genetic mixtures. These mixtures can be enhanced by the use of resistant varieties in the mixtures to reduce bean fly damage on susceptible popular varieties.
Locally adapted, quality seeds are the most critical input to secure good harvests and food secur... more Locally adapted, quality seeds are the most critical input to secure good harvests and food security. Local seed systems can ensure that diversity of crops and varieties are available for small scale farmers. Most of the research focuses on major crops such as maize. The current study focused onassessed seed systems for traditional and exotic vegetables as well as legumes.
ON-FARM CONSERVATION OF AROMATIC RICE-NORTHERN VIETNAM 99 On-farm conservation of local aromatic ... more ON-FARM CONSERVATION OF AROMATIC RICE-NORTHERN VIETNAM 99 On-farm conservation of local aromatic rice varieties in a highly productive area in northern Vietnam Davide Signa, Nguyen Ngoc Hue, Dinh The Vu, Nguyen Thi Minh, Alessandro Cardarelli and ...
Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research, 2002
Chromosome banding analysis (G-and C-bands) of two species of Lemniscomys from Tanzania, Lemnisco... more Chromosome banding analysis (G-and C-bands) of two species of Lemniscomys from Tanzania, Lemniscomys zebra and Lemniscomys rosalia, and of a third species from Benin, Lemniscomys striatus was carried out to trace the pattern of chromosomal evolution of the genus. The G-banding pattern comparison makes it possible to identify chromosomal rearrangements between the karyotypes. The two Tanzanian species (L. rosalia 2n ¼ 54, FNa ¼ 62; and L. zebra 2n ¼ 54, FNa ¼ 58) differ due to two pericentric inversions. A X polymorphism was detected in both species. Furthermore, L. rosalia shows two forms of the Y chromosome. The banding pattern of L. striatus (2n ¼ 44; FNa ¼ 68) from Benin allows identification of five Robertsonian fusions with respect to L. zebra. Moreover L. rosalia is characterized by a karyotype which is different from the one described for South Africa (2n ¼ 48; FNa ¼ 62), and therefore it should be considered as a different species. Comparative banding analysis with another Arvicanthine species (Arvicanthis dembeensis, 2n ¼ 62, FNa ¼ 62) showed complete homology in G-bands between the two genera, the differences involving tandem fusions, pericentric inversions, and Robertsonian fusions.
Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research, 2001
ABSTRACT Arvicanthis is an African murid, found throughout sub-Saharan Africa, Sudan and Egypt. A... more ABSTRACT Arvicanthis is an African murid, found throughout sub-Saharan Africa, Sudan and Egypt. Although in the past 10 years several studies have been carried out to assess its systematics, there is still a need for a general revision of the genus. In this study the morphometric relationships between 71 populations throughout the range were investigated. A three-dimensional geometric morphometric approach was used to assess differences in the size and shape of the skull. These were related to the different biogeographical domains characterizing the range of the genus and to molecular and karyotypic phylogenies. Results agree only in part with phylogeny, and show a close relationship with the environmental backgrounds of each species. It is therefore suggested that the adaptation of Arvicanthis to local environment has played an important role in the phenotypic evolution of the skull. This leads to problems in taxonomic definitions based on morphometrics, which should not be used without comparison with other independently derived characters such as the DNA and the karyotype.Dreidimensionale geometrische Morphometrie von Arvicanthis: Anwendung in Systematik und TaxonomieDie Kusu-Grasratte Arvicanthis, ist eine Muride, die in Afrika südlich der Sahara, in Ägypten und im Sudan vorkommt. Obgleich in den letzen zehn Jahren mehrere Untersuchungen über ihre systematische Gliederung durchgeführt wurden, erscheint eine allgemeine Revision dieser Gattung weiterhin notwendig. In dieser Studie haben wir die morphometrischen Beziehungen zwischen 71 Populationen aus dem gesamten Verbreitungsgebiet untersuch. Ein 3-D geometrisches morphometrisches Verfahren wurde verwendet, um die Unterschiede in der Größe und der Form des Schädels zu erfassen Diese wurden dann mit verschiedenen biogeographischen Domänen, die für das Verbreitungsgebiet der Gattung charakteristisch sind, und den molekularen und karyologischen Phylogenien in Beziehng gesetzt. Die Ergebnisse stimmen nur zum Teil mit der Phylogenien überein, zeigen aber einen engen Zussamenhang mit dem Hintergrund der Umweltbedingungen der einzelnen Arten. Es muß daher angenommen werden, daß bei Arvicanthis die Anpassung an die lokale Umwelt in der phänotypischen Evolution des Schädels eine große Rolle gespielt hat. Dies führt zum Problem einer taxonomischen Bestimmung, die nur auf Morphometrie beruht; eine solche sollte nicht ohne Vergleich mit anderen unabhängigen Merkmalen wie DNA-Sequenzen oder karyologischen Analysen angewandt werden.
Focal nodular hyperplasia of the liver is a benign disorder usually affecting young women. Its tr... more Focal nodular hyperplasia of the liver is a benign disorder usually affecting young women. Its treatment in children is traditionally conservative. Because of its rarity in childhood, its differential diagnosis with other hepatic tumors in children and infants is challenging. We present the case of a 7-month-old infant with large focal nodular hyperplasia affecting the whole left liver lobe. Because of progressive enlargement of the lesion and compression of the portal vein, the baby underwent successful surgical treatment. Different therapeutic options and relative indications are discussed. D
Changes in size and shape in the skull of five species of the African rodent genus Arvicanthis we... more Changes in size and shape in the skull of five species of the African rodent genus Arvicanthis were studied using Geometric Morphometrics, in an attempt to evaluate their systematics and taxonomy which is still confused. Four species endemic to the Horn of Africa (A abyssinicus, A. dembeensis, A. blicki and A. somalicus) and a population of the 'A. niloticus' complex from West Africa (Benin) were investigated. These species are widespread with ranges at very different altitudes, from arid grasslands up to the alpine moorlands at 4300 m a.s.l., and represent one of the major pests in croplands. Size and shape differences between species were compared with phylogeny (deduced from karyotype rearrangements), time of divergence (allozymes) and altitude. Morphometric divergence does not reflect any cladogenetic sequence and neither any association with altitude, but rather adaptive patterns that are unique to each species.
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Papers by C. Fadda