/library/oar/handle/123456789/377 2026-08-07T10:30:11Z 2026-08-07T10:30:11Z Agius, Dorita Poczai, Peter /library/oar/handle/123456789/148252 2026-07-27T11:04:25Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Phylogenomic discordance among plastid genes in endangered Maltese Limonium Authors: Agius, Dorita; Poczai, Peter Abstract: Chloroplast genomes are widely used in plant phylogenetics, yet plastome-wide analyses increasingly reveal heterogeneity among gene trees. Limonium, a genus of over 600 species, centred in the Mediterranean basin, exhibits substantial taxonomic complexity driven by hybridization, apomixis, and polyploidy, but plastome data from its centre of diversity have been lacking. We report the first complete plastomes from Mediterranean Limonium, sequencing the endangered Maltese endemics L. melitense (154,139 bp) and L. zeraphae (154,142 bp), and compare them with seven plastomes from the Irano-Turanian and Chinese-Japanese regions. Genome sizes range from 150,515 to 174,033 bp, with variation primarily associated with inverted repeat (IR) expansion and contraction and differences in repeat content. Highly variable coding genes (ndhF, ycf1, rpl32) and several intergenic regions were identified as candidate molecular markers, and 382 simple sequence repeats were detected across nine plastomes. Structural comparisons revealed IR boundary shifts, repeat variation, and pseudogenization of rpl22 in L. zeraphae. Plastome-wide maximum likelihood analyses strongly supported the monophyly of Limonium and recovered geographically structured clades. To evaluate phylogenetic concordance, we analysed individual plastid protein-coding genes and inferred a species tree under the multispecies coalescent. Gene-tree conflict was localized to specific nodes, particularly involving the placement of L. otolepis and relationships among East Asian taxa, indicating heterogeneous plastome signal despite strong concatenated support. Selection analyses based on Ka/Ks ratios and complementary site-mode approaches identified six genes (ccsA, rpl22, rpoA, rps8, ycf1, ycf2) exhibiting signatures of positive selection. These results demonstrate dynamic plastome evolution and localized phylogenetic discordance within Limonium, refining the evolutionary framework of the genus and informing plastome-based inference in recent plant radiations.

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z Gatt, Jurgen R. /library/oar/handle/123456789/148236 2026-07-27T07:48:00Z 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Medical sciences in early modern Malta : Giuseppe Demarco on the use and abuse of chocolate in medicine (1760) Authors: Gatt, Jurgen R. Abstract: Medical Sciences in Early Modern Malta contains a first English translation of Dr. Giuseppe Demarco’s 1760 medical treatise Dissertation on Chocolate as well as related contributions by Charles Savona-Ventura, Charles Cassar, William Zammit, Judge Giovanni Bonello, Maria Giuliana Fenech, and Skye Vassallo. Written by one of Malta’s most voluminous writers and perceptive scholars, Demarco’s Dissertation is a treasure trove of scientific and medical thought current in Malta in the early modern period. This volume, which also features a commentary on the Latin text written by the editor, aims to introduce Dr Giuseppe Demarco (1718-1793) to a modern audience by placing his writings within the broader socio-political, rhetorical, historical, scientific and medical context of early modern Europe.

2024-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/148222 2026-07-23T11:28:37Z 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: kronakaKulleġġ : activities & events : vol. 2 : 2024-2025 Abstract: Kronaka Kulleġġ is an official annual chronicle published by the University of Malta Ġ.F. Abela Junior College. It documents the institution’s key activities, events, and institutional achievements throughout the 2023–2024 academic year. Aligned with the College’s mission to provide a holistic, high-quality, and inclusive learning experience, the publication provides an overview of campus life, student support structures, and academic opportunities.

2024-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/148221 2026-07-23T11:28:57Z 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: kronakaKulleġġ : activities & events : vol. 1 : 2023-2024 Abstract: Kronaka Kulleġġ is an official annual chronicle published by the University of Malta Ġ.F. Abela Junior College. It documents the institution’s key activities, events, and institutional achievements throughout the 2023–2024 academic year. Aligned with the College’s mission to provide a holistic, high-quality, and inclusive learning experience, the publication provides an overview of campus life, student support structures, and academic opportunities.

2024-01-01T00:00:00Z