https://rdi.uncoma.edu.ar/handle/uncomaid/15888 2026-03-10T18:41:50Z https://rdi.uncoma.edu.ar/handle/uncomaid/18934 First Record of Flower Bud Galls in Senega (Fabales: Polygalaceae): The Case of S. salasiana and Their Effect on Plant Reproduction. We report the first case of flower bud galls in a species of the mainly American genus Senega (Polygalaceae), specifically in the South Andean Patagonian plant species S. salasiana. The galls were found to be induced by gall midges (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae) and mites (Acari). We also assessed their impact on plant reproduction by measuring the relationship between inflorescence density (number of inflorescences/plant cover) and gall abundance in two populations next to San Carlos de Bariloche, Patagonia, Argentina. Plant reproduction was negatively related to the number of galled inflorescences, suggesting that high levels of gall abundance strongly reduced plant reproductive success. Our study illustrates a novel case of flower galls in the genus Senega and highlights the negative impact of this type of herbivory on plant fitness. https://rdi.uncoma.edu.ar/handle/uncomaid/18835 Everything everywhere all at once? Disentangling the long-lasting riddle of phylogenetic relationships and cryptic hybridization in the amphitropical genus Larrea The genus Larrea has an amphitropical distribution in North and South American deserts, and its phylogeny remains unresolved. This genus is conspicuous and specious within the Monte Desert, the largest, although understudied, southern South American dryland. Larrea presents an interesting case for phylogenetic studies due to its paternally inherited chloroplasts, its species hybridize in nature, and although nominal species are morphologically distinct, hybrids might be cryptic. We analysed ITS2 nuclear (nDNA) and rbcL chloroplast (cpDNA) sequences of the bifoliolate section, Bifolium, including L. tridentata (Lt) from North America, and its South American congeners: L. cuneifolia (Lc) and L. divaricata (Ld), and sequences of the multifoliolate Larrea section: L. ameghinoi (La), L. nitida (Ln), and a morphological hybrid swarm. We aligned and analysed sequences from 111 individuals collected at 31 populations sampled along the range of each species. The nDNA revealed 56 haplotypes, and median-joining and maximum likelihood reconstructions provided clear separation among species and suggested hybridization between Lc-Ld. The nuclear phylogeny showed that the section Larrea diverged earlier than Bifolium, within which Lc diverged first, meanwhile, consistent with previous studies, Lt forms a monophyletic group sister to Ld. Comparatively, cpDNA was less variable, with only six haplotypes shared between Ln-Lc and Ln-La, and rarely between Ld-Lc. Our results emphasize the significance of separately considering nuclear and plastid evolutionary signals when reconstructing unresolved relationships. While nuclear markers clarified phylogenetic relationships and cryptic hybridization among Larrea species, the chloroplast revealed the retention of widespread ancient polymorphisms, which were conserved in populations of distinct species. Each marker provided insights into particular evolutionary patterns, highlighting that genetic variation may be more influenced by hybridization and mode of chloroplast inheritance than previously recognized. https://rdi.uncoma.edu.ar/handle/uncomaid/18725 El futuro de la etnobiología argentina en riesgo En este texto discutimos el futuro de la etnobiología argentina en base a una encuesta on line y aun workshop realizado junto a jóvenes que practican la disciplina. Luego de una caracterización de lastemáticas, los sitios de desarrollo, así como las motivaciones y dificultades referidas por los participantes,encontramos que los jóvenes están preocupados por su futuro profesional en el contexto actual dedesfinanciamiento y desprestigio de la actividad científica en que se encuentra Argentina. Discutimosla necesidad de articular en red y de mejorar la representatividad de la etnobiología en el grado y elpostgrado de las universidades argentinas. https://rdi.uncoma.edu.ar/handle/uncomaid/18724 Transformative governance based on local ecological knowledge is impossible without genuine inclusion of indigenous peoples and local communities in NW Patagonia In addressing the question, “Does local, national, and international governance have a primary role in shaping the resilience of local ecological knowledge (LEK)?”, I first emphasize the importance of ethnobiology in highlighting effective local biodiversity governance practices employed by Indigenous Peoples and local communities (IPLCs). The sustainable management of these territories, showcases the deep connection between communities and their Local ecological knowledge (LEK), which has been vital in adapting to socio-environmental challenges and foster- ing sustainable practices. Case studies from Northern Patagonia, Argentina, illustrate how these communities have largely adapted to new circumstances on their own, despite ongoing challenges. However, despite its importance for multi-level governance, the integration of IPLCs into the decision-making processes of national and international institutions, especially those responsible for policy, remains inadequate. For example, national governments have often played a marginal or even counterproductive role in strengthening LEK resilience. This is partly due to a failure to foster social cohesion after a long history of societal whitening, which hinders empathy towards Indigenous Peo- ples. I propose a more inclusive approach to knowledge co-production, grounded in robust ethnobiological evidence. While this is not a complete solution, it can contribute to greater appreciation and empathy for IPLCs. This would foster collaborative efforts, uniting IPLCs, scientists and policymakers to achieve transformative governance where LEK is genuinely valued and integrated into decision-making processes at all levels.