Abstract: Since prehistoric times, humans beneficially used natural resources for their daylife needs. Plants are able to synthesize complex molecules and consequently have a unique chemical diversity. This is a source of inspiration for new drugs discovery. Dyrk1A kinase is a target used in research on Alzheimer's disease. Inhibition of this kinase is associated with treating symptoms of this disease [1,2]. In France, the annual number of new cases is 230 000. The prevalence is expected to double in industrialized countries and quadruple in developing countries in the coming decades. The development of a better diagnosis and treatment is essential. The Annonaceae is a large family of tropical plants that have been investigated intensively. There exist 38 species in Oxandra genus and Oxandra asbecki species in Venezuela and in primary forests of French Guiana. To the aim of discovering new bioactive plants from French Guiana, Oxandra asbecki was selected for phytochemical study because of its potent inhibition of DyrK1A kinase. Bioassay-directed fractionation of the ethyl acetate extract provided three bioactive alkaloids. We isolated three aporphinoid alkaloids and show for the first time an strong activity (with micromolar IC50) of Velutamin under two kinase: CDK1 and DyrK1A, and activity of Aristolactam AII on DyrK1A kinase.

Abstract: Until now the altitudinal factor has not been taken into account to estimate tropical arthropod diversity. The ultimate aim of the terrestrial biodiversity
survey “Our Planet Reviewed – Papua New Guinea” was to estimate biological diversity generated by altitudinal turnover of arthropod species. It took place on Mount Wilhelm, Papua New Guinea highest peak (4509 m a.s.l.), and one of the few equatorial mountains outside the Andes left with a continuous undisturbed forest from the sea level all the way to the timber line limit. An unprecedented sampling effort was concentrated over 16 days in 2012 with a semi-simultaneous sampling at eight different elevations (every 500 m from 200 m to 3700 m a.s.l.). Arthropods were collected with various methods: flight interception traps (targeting Coleoptera), Malaise traps (targeting Hymenoptera, Diptera and Hemiptera), Steiner traps (targeting tephritid flies), beating of the understorey vegetation, and insecticide spraying on tree barks (various groups targeted). A botany survey was conducted at each elevation to characterize vegetation. An additional site, Wanang, was sampled according to the same protocol, as replicated lowland site. Our team combined international experts with local postgraduate students, para-ecologists and villagers. Arthropod samples collected during the biotic survey were pre-sorted in Papua New Guinea and forwarded to taxonomists worldwide. The current book presents the first taxonomic results of the biotic survey. Project outputs included not only species discovery, but also direct financial benefits to landowner communities, raised profile of conservation areas, training of paraecologists and postgraduate students, education programmes and, finally, crucial biodiversity information needed for ecological analyses and conservation management.

Abstract: Sous les tropiques, plantes et fourmis sont impliquées dans nombre d’interactions plus ou moins étroites. Au coeur de réseaux d’interactions impliquant bien d’autres espèces, en échange de protection et de quelques nutriments, des “plantes à fourmis” procurent, dans une relation mutualiste, gite et couvert à des “fourmis à plantes”.