FOLIAR TRICHOMES OF PLEUROTHALLIDINAE (ORCHIDACEAE): FUNCTIONAL SIGNIFICANCE

Foliar surfaces of nine pleurothallid orchids (Cryptophoranthus lepidotus L. O. Wms., Octomeria sp., Pleurothallis pidax Luer, P. poeppigii Lindl., P. revoluta (Ruiz & Pav.) Garay, Restrepiella ophiocephala (Lindl.) Garay & Dunsterv., Restrepia muscifera Rchb. f. ex Lindl., Scaphosepalum rapax Luer, Stelis endresii Rchb. f.), four nonpleurothallid orchids (Cyrtopodium punctatum (L.) Lindl., Encyclia cochleata (L.) Lemee, E. tampensis (Lindl.) Small, Paphiope-dilum hybrid) and five tillandsioid bromeliads (Catopsis nutans (Sw.) Griseb., Tillandsia fas-ciculata Sw., T. streptophylla Scheidw., T. stricta Soland., T. tectorum E. Morr.) were assayed for permeability to Ca, S and P ions. Compared to leaves of the atmospheric bromeliads, those of the orchids proved less permeable to Ca and S. Moisture exchange profiles were determined for two of the bromeliads and three orchids; bromeliad leaves were able to rehydrate completely, orchid leaves only partially. Absorptive capacities of trichomes borne by five taxa were tested by autoradiographic analysis. Unlike bromeliad trichomes, those of the orchids exhibited no capacity to accumulate ³H-leucine. These results and other considerations described here suggest that, unlike tillandsioid bromeliads, neither the pleurothallid nor the nonpleurothallid orchids examined in this survey rely heavily on shoots for mineral and moisture procurement.     

Hybridization between two oil-secreting orchids in South Africa

Natural hybrids among the specialized terrestrial oil-secreting orchids of South Africa are extremely rare even where multiple closely related species co-occur. We found putative hybrids between Pterygodium catholicum Sw. and P. acutifolium Lindl., two closely related oil-secreting orchids that lack morphological barriers to inter-breeding. The purpose of this study was to confirm the parentage of the putative hybrids using molecular data from one nuclear (ITS) and two plastid (matK-trnK and trnL/F introns) DNA regions. Phylogenetic analyses of sequences as well as nucleotide substitution patterns of the putative hybrids, putative parents, and their closest relatives were consistent with a hypothesis of hybridization. We suggest that the hybrids were the result of visits to both orchids by a single species of oil-collecting bee during a brief period of flowering overlap. These results suggest that the rarity of hybrids between these orchids is due to factors other than genetic incompatibility.     

The gynostemium of Bulbophyllum ecornutum (J. J. Smith) J. J. Smith (Orchidaceae)

RASMUSSEN, F. N., 1985. The gynostemium of Bulbophyllum ecornutum (J. J. Smith) J.J. Smith (Orchidaceae) . Stages in the development of the gynostemium of Bulbophyllum ecornutum demonstrate that the pollinium stalk is a hamulus in this and in a closely related species, B. gibbolabium . A hamulus arises by apical growth and reflexion of the median carpel. Hamuli have recently been discovered in several orchid genera, and a transverse fold of the rostellar apex is already known from a large group of orchids. The closely related B. cornutum has a quite different gynostemium structure.     

848. PLATYSTELE MISERA

Platystele misera (Lindl.) Garay is illustrated as the first of two species of Platystele Schltr., a genus of tiny Pleurothallid orchids from South and Central America. The ecology and distribution of Platystele are discussed, accompanied by brief notes on the cultivation of this species.     

Bacteria associated with the roots of epiphytic orchids

This work is the first to report the isolation and identification of bacteria colonizing the roots of tropical epiphytic orchids Acampe papillosa (Lindl.) Lindl. and Dendrobium moschatum (Buch.-Ham.) Swartz. and bacteria inhabiting inner layers of the aerial and substrate roots of A. papillosa. We showed by the example of this epiphyte that associative bacteria are present in large amounts on the aerial but not substrate roots. We isolated and identified bacteria from the substrate roots of D. moschatum and from its growth substrate (pine bark). The structure of the intercellular matrix of the associative bacteria was studied.     

Water Relations of Tropical Epiphytes: III. EVIDENCE FOR CRASSULACEAN ACID METABOLISM

Five tropical epiphytes were examined for evidence of CrassulaceanAcid Metabolism (CAM), namely the orchids Eria velutina Lindl.,Dendrobium tortile Lindl. and Dendrobium crumenatum Sw., andthe ferns Pyrrosia adnascens (Forst.) Ching and Pyrrosia angustata(Sw.) Ching, family Polypodiaceae. Diurnal variations in leaftitratable acidity, diffusive conductance and water potentialwere measured at various levels of water stress. The three orchidsshowed typical CAM behaviour, namely large diurnal fluctuationsin leaf acidity, day-time closure and night opening of stomataand a very slow decline in water potential under stress. Theferns showed some evidence of CAM, but this was not as well-developedas had been reported for two other tropical epiphytic membersof the same family. Key words: Crassulacean acid metabolism, Tropical epiphytes, Water stress     

中国西藏兰科植物新资料

东喜马拉雅地区是全球生物多样性的热点区域,西藏为其重要组成单元,明确该地区本底植物资源及地理分布对区域植物区系研究有着重要意义。该文报道了笔者在西藏考察中发现的西藏兰科(Orchidaceae)植物5个新记录属,即美柱兰属(Callostylis Blume)、异型兰属(Chiloschista Lindl.)、蛇舌兰属(Diploprora Hook. f.)、带叶兰属(Taeniophyllum Blume)和宽距兰属(Yoania Maxim.)。对应的5个新记录种,即美柱兰(Callostylis rigida Bl.)、异型兰(Chiloschista yunnanensis Schlechter)、蛇舌兰 [Diploprora championii(Lindl.)Hook. f.]、毛莛带叶兰(Taeniophyllum retrospiculatum King & Pantl.)和印度宽距兰(Yoania prainii King & Pantl.)。该文还附有新记录属、种的形态描述和特征图片。该研究结果进一步丰富了中国植物区系资料,拓宽了西藏兰科植物的记录,并对西藏及毗邻地区兰科植物多样性保护具有重要价值。     

小菜蛾成虫对沙芥的产卵嗜好性的初步研究

通过室内试验,比较了小菜蛾Plutella xylostellaL.对沙生十字花科蔬菜沙芥叶(PugioniumcornutumL.)、小白菜、油菜和甘蓝叶的产卵选择性。结果表明,产卵选择性顺序为沙芥≥小白菜>油菜>甘蓝,在沙芥叶上的产卵率是甘蓝叶上的9倍多;补充营养使小菜蛾成虫的产卵量平均提高2.5倍,产卵次数增加2倍,在有沙芥叶条件下,当日羽化的小菜蛾便可交尾产卵;在无沙芥叶条件下,小菜蛾成虫的产卵前期平均延迟1d左右。     

Bacteria associated with the roots of epiphytic orchids

This work is the first to report the isolation and identification of bacteria colonizing the roots of the tropical epiphytic orchids Acampe papillosa (Lindl.) Lindl. and Dendrobium moschatum (Buch.-Ham.) Swartz. and bacteria inhabiting inner layers of the aerial and substrate roots of A. papillosa. We showed by the example of this epiphyte that associative bacteria are present in large amounts on the aerial but not the substrate roots. We isolated and identified bacteria from the substrate roots of D. Moschatum and from its growth substrate (pine bark). The structure of the intercellular matrix of the associative bacteria was studied.Translated from Mikrobiologiya, Vol. 73, No. 6, 2004, pp. 825–831.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2004 by Tsavkelova, Cherdyntseva, Netrusov.     

沙芥和斧形沙芥种子萌发对土壤含水量的适应性

以中国特有种沙芥[Pugionium cornutum(L.)Gaertn.]和濒危种斧形沙芥(Pugionium dolabratum Max-im.)的种子为研究材料,利用自然生境的沙土在室内进行种子萌发人工模拟试验,研究沙芥和斧形沙芥种子萌发、幼苗出土和幼苗生长对土壤含水量的适应性。结果表明:沙芥和斧形沙芥果实适宜萌发的土壤含水量范围均为6%～12%,适宜出苗的土壤含水量范围均为6%～16%。当土壤含水量低于2%时,果实不能萌发;当土壤含水量低于3%时,幼苗不能出土定居;当土壤含水量为6%～12%时,最有利于幼苗的生长。当土壤含水量分别为3%～8%和4%～8%时,沙芥和斧形沙芥植株根冠比最大。因此,沙芥和斧形沙芥种子萌发机制对沙生环境有着极强的适应性;植株将更多的同化物用于根系生长,以吸收更深层次的水分,从而适应含水量低的土壤。     

菌根真菌─新种─—石斛小菇(英文)

从云南省野生铁皮石斛（Dendrobiumcandidumwall．ExLindl．）根中分离出一菌根真菌,经系统形态学研究后,将其鉴定为小菇属（Mycena）一新种：石斛小菇（Mycenadendrobii）。标本保藏在中国科学院微生物研究所菌物标本室（HMAS）。用石斛小菇伴播12种兰科植物种子,实验结果表明该真菌对天麻（Gastrodiaelata）和密花石斛（Dendrobiumdensdlorum）种子萌发有明显促进作用。     

Cryopreservation of Cymbidium eburneum Lindl. and C. hookerianum Rchb. f., two threatened and vulnerable orchids via encapsulation–dehydration

A successful cryopreservation protocol for the long-term conservation of protocorms of two threatened and vulnerable orchids, Cymbidium eburneum Lindl. and Cymbidium hookerianum Rchb. f., was developed using encapsulation–dehydration. Protocorms were osmoprotected in liquid Murashige and Skoog medium (MS) containing 0.7 M sucrose for 20 h at 25?±?2°C on a rotary shaker, and incorporated into an encapsulation matrix [consisting of 3% (w/v) sodium alginate and 100 mM CaCl₂]. The encapsulated protocorms, which were desiccated in a laminar airflow cabinet for 6 h, were able to withstand cryostorage in liquid nitrogen. Maximum regeneration into complete plantlets (72% for C. eburneum and 70% for C. hookerianum) of the cryostored, encapsulated protocorms was obtained using MS medium containing 3% sucrose and 0.8% agar. Using this protocol of cryopreservation, long-term preservation for ex situ conservation of these two threatened orchids can be accomplished.     

Water Relations of Tropical Epiphytes: I. RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN STOMATAL RESISTANCE, RELATIVE WATER CONTENT AND THE COMPONENTS OF WATER POTENTIAL

The water relations of five species of tropical vascular epiphytesnative to Malaysia were studied. The species were ferns: Pyrrosiaadnascens (Forst.) Ching. and Pyrrosia angustata (Sw.) Ching.;orchids: Eria velutina Lindl., Dendrobium tortile Lindl. andDendrobium crumenatum Sw. Leaf resistance as a function of leafwater potential was measured for the two ferns. The criticalwater potential at which stomata closed was found to be highin each case; –0.75 MPa and –0.5 MPa respectively.The components of water potential were estimated with the pressurechamber as functions of relative water content. For each speciescell sap was found to be dilute, pressure potential low at fullturgor, and the change in relative water content between fullturgor and wilting point small. Small values of solute potentialat full turgor were also found for the ferns and E. velutinausing a vapour pressure osmometer. Values of the bulk modulusof elasticity of the leaf tissue for each species lay withinthe range of published data. The significance of these resultsfor the epiphytic way of life is discussed. Key words: Water potential, Epiphytes, Diffusive resistance, Orchid, Fern     

SHOOTLESSNESS,VELAMENTOUS ROOTS,AND THE PRE-EMINENCE OF ORCHIDACEAE IN THE EPIPHYTIC BIOTOPE

Roots of representative epiphytic orchids were examined for anatomical detail, desiccation resistance and evidence of CAM activity. Those “shootless” taxa examined (Campylocentrum pachyrrhizum (Reichenb. f.) Rolfe, Harrisella porrecta Reichenb. f.) Fawc. & Rendle, and Polyradicion lindenii (Lindl.) Cogn. ex Urban) and a semi-shootless type (Kingidium taeniale (Lindl.) P. F. Hunt) bear thinner or eroded velamina and greater volumes of cortical intercellular space than do those of the leafy forms tested (Campylocentrum sellowii (Reichenb. f.) Rolfe, Encyclia tampensis (Lindl.) Small, Epidendrum radicans Pavon ex Lindl., Phalaenopsis amabilis (L.) Blume, Rangaeris amaniensis (Krzl.) Summerhayes and Vanda parishii (Reichenb. f.)). Shootless species also bear a more elaborate aeration apparatus at the velamen-cortex interface. Structurally distinct cortical cells located in this region may regulate gas exchange across the exodermis. Velamen thickness varies greatly among the ten species, as does the development of outer tangential walls of U cells in the underlying exodermis. Desiccation resistance under laboratory conditions was more closely related to root surface-to-volume ratio (S/V) than to any other measured anatomical parameter, including velamen development. Modes of carbon gain and the possible pathway for movement of fungus-borne carbon into an orchid's pool of assimilates are described, as is the possible significance of these processes to survival in forest canopy habitats.     

中国兰科植物研究杂记(英文)

报道了中国兰科植物一新记录种互生对叶兰[Neottia alternifolia(KingPantl.)Szlach.];并对紫婉石斛(Dendrobium transparens Wall.ex Lindl.)的形态特征、生境等进行了描述。紫婉石斛与兜唇石斛[Dendrobium aphyllum(Roxb.)C.E.Fischer]相似,区别在于唇瓣中央具深紫红色大斑块,唇瓣正面具柔毛;互生对叶兰是鸟巢兰属自养类型种类中唯一具有两片互生叶的种类,极易同该属其他种类区分。     

Essential mycorrhizal partners of the endemic Chilean orchids Chloraea collicensis and C. gavilu

Orchids are obligate mycoheterotrophic plants, relying on fungal nutrient resources to grow for their entire life or until they develop into photosynthetic seedlings. In Chile, orchids are represented by 7 genera and 63 species, 27 of which are endemic. Some Chilean species are considered endangered or rare, but many are insufficiently known. This study aims to isolate, culture, and identify fungal species found in symbiosis with the endemic Chilean orchids Chloraea collicensis Kraenzl. and Chloraea gavilu Lindl. for their potential to be used in future conservation programs. Roots of both species of orchids were collected in the field and those presenting pelotons were firstly cultured in agar-water and thereafter sub-cultured in potato dextrose agar media. Fungal colony growth was measured under the dissecting microscope. Fungal isolates from C. gavilu showed a higher growth rate than isolates from C. collicensis and could be used as inoculum for seed germination in further studies. Isolated colonies showed morphological characteristics of the form genus Rhizoctonia and presented two nuclei per cell. The ITS-nrDNA sequences confirmed their morphological identification as species of Tulasnella.     

Microbial activity of trench leachates from shallow-land, low-level radioactive waste disposal sites.

Trench leachate samples collected anoxically from shallow-land, low-level radioactive waste disposal sites were analyzed for total aerobic and anaerobic populations, sulfate reducers, denitrifiers, and methanogens. Among the several aerobic and anaerobic bacteria isolated, only Bacillus sp., Pseudomonas sp., Citrobacter sp., and Clostridium sp. were identified. Mixed bacterial cultures isolated from the trench leachates were able to grow anaerobically in trench leachates, which indicates that the radionuclides and organic chemicals present were not toxic to these bacteria. Changes in concentrations of several of the organic constituents of the waste leachate samples were observed due to anaerobic microbial activity. Growth of a mixed culture of trench-water bacteria in media containing a mixture of radionuclides, 60Co, 85Sr, and 134,137Cs, was not affected at total activity concentrations of 2.6 X 10(2) and 2.7 X 10(3) pCi/ml.     

C and N stable isotope signatures reveal constraints to nutritional modes in orchids from the Mediterranean and Macaronesia

We compared the nutritional modes and habitats of orchids (e.g., autotrophic, partially or fully mycoheterotrophic) of the Mediterranean region and adjacent islands of Macaronesia. We hypothesized that ecological factors (e.g., relative light availability, surrounding vegetation) determine the nutritional modes of orchids and thus impose restrictions upon orchid distribution. Covering habitats from dark forests to open sites, orchid samples of 35 species from 14 genera were collected from 20 locations in the Mediterranean and Macaronesia to test for mycoheterotrophy. Mycorrhizal fungi were identified via molecular analyses, and stable isotope analyses were applied to test whether organic nutrients are gained from the fungal associates. Our results show that orchids with partial or full mycoheterotrophy among the investigated species are found exclusively in Neottieae thriving in light-limited forests. Neottioid orchids are missing in Macaronesia, possibly because mycoheterotrophy is constrained by the lack of suitable ectomycorrhizal fungi. Furthermore, most adult orchids of open habitats in the Mediterranean and Macaronesia show weak or no N gains from fungi and no C gain through mycoheterotrophy. Instead isotope signatures of some of these species indicate net plant-to-fungus C transfer.     

Floral elaiophore structure in four representatives of the Ornithocephalus clade (Orchidaceae: Oncidiinae)

Background and Aims A significant number of species assigned to the Neotropical orchid sub-tribe Oncidiinae reward insect pollinators with oil produced in floral glands termed elaiophores. The latter may be glabrous (epithelial elaiophores) or hirsute (trichomal elaiophores). Although the detailed anatomy and ultrastructure of epithelial elaiophores have been studied for a number of genera, such as Oncidium Sw., Gomesa R. Br. and Trichocentrum Poepp. & Endl., hitherto, trichomal elaiophores have been investigated only for a single species of Oncidiinae, Ornithocephalus ciliatus Lindl. Furthermore, this is the only representative of the Ornithocephalus clade to be investigated to date. Here, an examination is made of the elaiophore anatomy and ultrastructure of a further four species currently assigned to this clade (Ornithocephalus gladiatus Hook., Phymatidium falcifolium Lindl., Zygostates grandiflora (Lindl.) Mansf. and Zygostates lunata Lindl.) and the results compared with those obtained for other Oncidiinae. Methods Elaiophore structure was examined for all species at three stages of flower development: closed bud, first day of anthesis and final stage of anthesis, using light microscopy, fluorescence microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and histochemistry. Key Results Elaiophores of O. gladiatus occur upon the lateral lobes of the labellum and display characters intermediate between those of typical epithelial and trichomal elaiophores, in that they are largely glabrous, consisting mainly of cuboidal epidermal cells, but bear short, unicellular hairs proximally. By contrast, the elaiophores of all the other species investigated occur on the callus and are of the trichomal type. In P. falcifolium, these unicellular hairs are capitate. In all species, oil secretion commenced at the closed floral bud stage. Ultrastructurally, the mainly trichomal elaiophores of the four representatives of the Ornithocephalus clade closely resembled the epithelial elaiophores of other Oncidiinae, in that their cells displayed an organelle complement typical of lipid-secreting cells. However, in some taxa, a number of noteworthy characters were present. For example, the elaiophore cuticle of O. gladiatus and P. falcifolium was bi-layered, the outer layer being lamellate, the inner reticulate. The cuticle of Z. grandiflora and Z. lunata was also lamellate, but here, a reticulate layer was absent. Accumulation of secreted oil resulted in the localized distension of the cuticle. Cuticular cracks and pores, however, were absent from all species. The walls of the secretory cells of Z. grandiflora were also atypical in that they had short protuberances or ingrowths, and contained cavities which are thought to be involved in the secretory process. Conclusions Of the species investigated, most displayed similar anatomical organization, their trichomal elaiophores occurring on the labellar callus. They, thus, differ from many other members of the Oncidiinae, where epithelial elaiophores are found either on the callus, or on the lateral lobes of the labellum. However, ultrastructurally, all elaiophores, whether those of representatives of the Ornithocephalus clade, or those of other oil-secreting Oncidiinae, possessed a similar complement of organelles, regardless of whether the elaiophores were trichomal or epithelial. In view of the latter, and the similar chemical composition of oils derived from all Oncidiinae investigated to date, it is probable that position and type of elaiophore, and possibly the structure of the overlying cuticle, play an important role in pollinator selection in these oil-secreting orchids.     

光照和温度对沙芥和斧翅沙芥植物种子萌发的影响

研究了生长于不同生境下的沙芥(Pugionium cornutum(L.)Gaertn.)和斧翅沙芥(Pugionium dolabratum Maxim.)种子萌发对光照和温度的响应。结果表明:沙芥和斧翅沙芥种子在光下萌发受到显著(P0.05)的抑制作用,其中沙芥种子萌发受光的抑制作用强于斧翅沙芥种子。在黑暗10—40℃恒温条件下,沙芥和斧翅沙芥种子在15—35℃范围内均可萌发,在15℃和35℃下沙芥种子的萌发要优于斧翅沙芥种子;其种子分别在25℃和30℃下达到最佳的萌发响应,在此条件下斧翅沙芥种子的萌发特性优于沙芥种子。在黑暗变温条件下,沙芥和斧翅沙芥种子在20/30℃(12h/12h)下达到最佳的萌发响应,此处理下的萌发率高于其各自最佳恒温处理下的萌发率,其萌发后幼苗下胚轴和胚根的长度较最佳恒温处理有明显的下降,但它们的干重却差异较小,说明变温处理有利于两种种子的萌发和形成强壮的幼苗。综上所述,沙芥和斧翅沙芥种子在黑暗和20/30℃变温条件下有利于种子萌发和幼苗建成。