Mario Coiro

Here we present a time-calibrated phylogeny of 346 cycad accessions, covering ≈86% of the 380 accepted species, across all 10 extant genera, inferred from 1,409 single-copy nuclear loci (411,345 amino acid sites) derived from transcriptome and genome data. The maximum likelihood phylogeny was inferred using a partitioned analysis, with branch support assessed via ultrafast bootstrap (UFBoot2), and concordance evaluated using gene concordance factors (gCF) and site concordance factors (sCF), representing gene- and site-level support, respectively. Divergence times were estimated using penalized likelihood (TreePL) with 12 calibration constraints, and 95% confidence intervals were derived from 100 gene-wise bootstrap replicates. Bootstrap support is high (70% of nodes ≥95%), but gene concordance factors are low (median gCF = 3.2%), a pattern consistent with limited phylogenetic signal per locus rather than strong support for alternative topologies. Across all 10 genera, the phylogram recovered a strongly supported generic backbone, confirmed the monophyly of all genera, and provides the first broadly accessible phylogenomic framework for interpreting cycad taxonomy, intergeneric relationships, and evolutionary history. Herein, we provide the phylogram, timetree, all 1,409 gene trees, the concatenated alignment with partition definitions, and associated support, confidence-interval, and calibration data.

Here we present a time-calibrated phylogeny of 346 cycad accessions, covering ≈86% of the 380 accepted species, across all 10 extant genera, inferred from 1,409 single-copy nuclear loci (411,345 amino acid sites) derived from transcriptome and genome data. The maximum likelihood phylogeny was inferred using a partitioned analysis, with branch support assessed via ultrafast bootstrap (UFBoot2), and concordance evaluated using gene concordance factors (gCF) and site concordance factors (sCF), representing gene- and site-level support, respectively. Divergence times were estimated using penalized likelihood (TreePL) with 12 calibration constraints, and 95% confidence intervals were derived from 100 gene-wise bootstrap replicates. Bootstrap support is high (70% of nodes ≥95%), but gene concordance factors are low (median gCF = 3.2%), a pattern consistent with limited phylogenetic signal per locus rather than strong support for alternative topologies. We provide the phylogram, timetree, all 1,409 gene trees, the concatenated alignment with

Paleontology provides insights into the history of the planet, from the origins of life billions of years ago to the biotic changes of the Recent. The scope of paleontological research is as vast as it is varied, and the field is constantly evolving. In an effort to identify “Big Questions” in paleontology, experts from around the world came together to build a list of priority questions the field can address in the years ahead. The 89 questions presented herein (grouped within 11 themes) represent contributions from nearly 200 international scientists. These questions touch on common themes including biodiversity drivers and patterns, integrating data types across spatiotemporal scales, applying paleontological data to contemporary biodiversity and climate issues, and effectively utilizing innovative methods and technology for new paleontological insights. In addition to these theoretical questions, discussions touch upon structural concerns within the field, advocating for an increased valuation of specimen-based research, protection of natural heritage sites, and the importance of collections infrastructure, along with a stronger emphasis on human diversity, equity, and inclusion. These questions offer a starting point—an initial nucleus of consensus that paleontologists can expand on—for engaging in discussions, securing funding, advocating for museums, and fostering continued growth in shared research directions.

Invasive alien species are a major driver of global change, impacting biodiversity, ecosystem services, and human livelihoods. To document these impacts, we present the Global Impacts Dataset of Invasive Alien Species (GIDIAS), a dataset on the positive, negative and neutral impacts of invasive alien species on nature, nature’s contributions to people, and good quality of life. This dataset arises from the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services’ (IPBES) thematic assessment report of this topic. Data were compiled from published sources, including grey literature, reporting a direct observation of an invasive alien species’ impact. All impact records contain up to 52 fields of contextual information and attempt to link impacts to the global standard “environmental impact classification for alien taxa” (EICAT) and “socio-economic impact classification for alien taxa” (SEICAT). GIDIAS includes more than 22000 records of impacts caused by 3353 invasive alien species (plants, vertebrates, invertebrates, microorganisms) from all continents and realms (terrestrial, freshwater, marine), extracted from over 6700 sources. We intend GIDIAS to be a global resource for investigating and managing the variety of impacts of invasive alien species across taxa and regions.

The Arabidopsis root apical meristem is an excellent model for studying plant organ growth. This involves a coordinated process of cell division, elongation, and differentiation, with each tissue type developing according to its own schedule. Among these tissues, the protophloem is particularly important, differentiating early to supply nutrients and signalling molecules to the growing root tip. The OCTOPUS (OPS) protein and its homologue OPS-LIKE 2 (OPL2) are essential for proper root protophloem differentiation and, probably through this role, indirectly promote root growth. Here, we explored the roles of the other three OPS homologues in Arabidopsis, OPL1, OPL3, and OPL4. OPS/OPL genes exhibited overlapping expression patterns and functions, with a high degree of redundancy among them. Although higher order mutants did not display more severe phloem defects, they exhibited significantly reduced root growth compared with the ops opl2 mutant. These results indicate a direct contribution of the investigated OPL genes to meristematic activity. While our focus was on root growth, the OPS/OPL gene family also plays a positive role in regulating shoot growth, emphasizing its broader impact on plant development. Furthermore, our analyses reiterate the central role of OPS and the phloem domain in controlling overall plant growth.

Leaf-associated fungi, the fungi that depend on leaves to sporulate, have a rich Cenozoic record, however their earlier diversity is poorly characterized. Here we describe Harristroma eboracense gen. et sp. nov., a Middle Jurassic leaf-associated fungus colonizing the leaf cuticle of Nilssonia tenuicaulis (cycadophyte). To place our newly described species into a picture of the diversification of Mesozoic fungi, we reassess fossils with leaf-associated stromata in the context of fungal molecular phylogeny. Being melanized, with radiate stromata, and on leaves, H. eboracense and other fossils from the Jurassic and earlier periods are probably related to filamentous Ascomycota in the superclass Leotiomyceta. Characters needed for further resolution of leaf-associated fungal biology and classification, such as the presence of an ostiole for spore discharge and appressoria for entry into leaf tissue first appear in the Mesozoic fossil record. Among Early Cretaceous fossils, Spataporthe taylorii represents the oldest unambiguous evidence of perithecial Sordariomycetes while Protographum luttrellii and Bleximothyrium ostiolatum are the oldest Dothideomycetes thyriothecia. Environmental observations show that broad leaved gymnosperms (especially cycadophytes) growing in warm temperate wet forests might have been the first environment for the radiation of Leotiomyceta.

Summary: OCTOPUS ( OPS ) and OCTOPUS-LIKE 2 ( OPL2 ), two homologous genes, were previously identified as important regulators of phloem differentiation in Arabidopsis roots, impacting root growth when their function is lost. Here, we investigated the roles of the other three OPS homologs in Arabidopsis, OPL1 , OPL3 , and OPL4 . We employed promoter activity analyses, protein localisation studies, functional complementation assays, analysis of single and multiple mutant combinations, and growth assays, including exposure to CLE45 and brassinosteroid pathway modulators. The OPS/OPL genes exhibit overlapping expression patterns and functions. Multiple mutant combinations revealed a high degree of redundancy, with OPS and the phloem domain playing a major role in controlling plant growth. While phloem phenotypes are not exacerbated in higher-order mutants, plant growth vigour is nevertheless more severely impacted than in ops opl2 . Our results suggest a novel role of the OPS/OPL genes in broadly controlling plant growth and development, potentially through the modulation of meristematic activity via brassinosteroid pathways.

Summary: Leaf venation is a pivotal trait in the success of vascular plants. Whereas gymnosperms have single or sparsely branched parallel veins, angiosperms developed a hierarchical structure of veins that form a complex reticulum. Its physiological consequences are considered to have enabled angiosperms to dominate terrestrial ecosystems in the Late Cretaceous and Cenozoic. Although a hierarchical‐reticulate venation also occurs in some groups of extinct seed plants, it is unclear whether these are stem relatives of angiosperms or have evolved these traits in parallel. Here, we re‐examine the morphology of the enigmatic foliage taxon Furcula, a potential early Mesozoic angiosperm relative, and argue that its hierarchical vein network represents convergent evolution (in the Late Triassic) with flowering plants (which developed in the Early Cretaceous) based on details of vein architecture and the absence of angiosperm‐like stomata and guard cells. We suggest that its nearest relatives are Peltaspermales similar to Scytophyllum and Vittaephyllum, the latter being a genus that originated during the Late Triassic (Carnian) and shares a hierarchical vein system with Furcula. We further suggest that the evolution of hierarchical venation systems in the early Permian, the Late Triassic, and the Early Cretaceous represent ‘natural experiments’ that might help resolve the selective pressures enabling this trait to evolve.