The morphology and anatomy ofHydrastis (Ranunculales): Systematic reevaluation of the genus

Evidence from morphology and anatomy (including embryology), as well as from palynology, chemistry and cytology, indicates thatHydrastis is quite divergent from Ranunculaceae (in which the genus has been most often included) as well as from both Glaucidiaceae and Berberidaceae. Distinctive features ofHydrastis, which demarcate it from Ranunculaceae but which are sometimes shared by Berberidaceae, are: the unique mode of origin of the vascular supply to stamens and carpels; the micropyle being formed by both integuments; the xylem not V-shaped in cross section; scalariform vessel perforations present; haploid chromosome number 13; pollen tectum consisting of a compound layer of striae; leaf mesophyll not differentiated; the unique course of stem medullary bundles; D-galactose present. Its distinctive higher haploid chromosome number, as well as its many less-specialized character states (in floral structure, leaf anatomy, and xylem and vessel morphology), suggest thatHydrastis is a relictual primitive group which diverged early from a common ancestral stock of Ranunculaceae, Berberidaceae and probably of Circaeasteraceae; at least some of the features shared byHydrastis and one or another of the families concerned seem to be a heritage from their common ancestor. We propose a reestablishment of a monotypic family, Hydrastidaceae.     

Foliar micro‐morphology of Carex sect. Phacocystis in northern Europe

A micro‐morphological analysis of leaf epidermis (adaxial and abaxial sides) of fifteen taxa of Carex section Phacocystis was carried out using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Three taxa were epistomatic (C. nigra var. nigra, C.nigra var. juncea and C. subspathacea), seven taxa were hypostomatic (C. acuta, C. bigelowii ssp. bigelowii, C. bigelowii ssp. rigida, C. cespitosa, C. elata, C. lyngbyei and C. paleacea) and five amphistomatic (C. aquatilis, C.×halophila, C. rufina, C. stans and C. trinervis). Epidermal modifications such as prickles were present in many species. The micro‐morphological leaf characters of the investigated species were found to be important for distinguishing individual taxa but not for subsectional classification.     

Taxonomic reinstatement of Teucrium andrusi from T. paederotoides based on morphological and anatomical evidences

Teucrium andrusi, described by Post from Mardin province, Turkey, was synonimized with T. paederotoides in the flora of Turkey. According to the records in the flora of Turkey T. paederotoides was a steno‐endemic species, only known from the type locality in Gaziantep and from Mardin province. Specimens of T. paederotoides s.l. were collected from both localities and a detailed comparison of the plants from Gaziantep with those from Mardin revealed that the two populations were sufficiently distinct from each other to be recognised as separate species. Thus, T. andrusi Post is reinstated from the synonymy with T. paederotoides. Teucrium andrusi is morphologically different from T. paederotoides s.s. in terms of its general indumentum, leaf margin, bract and calyx shape, corolla colour and nutlet macro–micromorphology. It can be anatomically distinguished from T. paederotoides s.s. by stoma type, stomatal distribution on the leaf surface, crystal content in the cells and cuticula thickness. Ecological data related with the accompanying species also support species status for T. andrusi. While the two taxa are very similar in pollen and nutlet morphology, trichome density on the nutlets are different.     

Redox‐enzymes,cells and micro‐organisms acting on carbon nanostructures transformation: A mini‐review

Carbon nanotubes, graphene and fullerenes are actual nanomaterials with many applications in different industrial areas, with increasing potentialities in the field of nanomedicine. Recently, different proactive approaches on toxicology and safety management have become the focus of intense interest once the industrial production of these materials had a significant growth in the last years, even though their short‐ and long‐term behaviors are not yet fully understood. The most important concerns involving these carbon‐based nanomaterials are their stability and potential effects of their life cycles on animals, humans, and environment. In this context, this mini review discuss the biodegradability of these materials, particularly through redox‐enzymes, micro‐organisms and cells, to contribute toward the design of biocompatible and biodegradable functionalized carbon nanostructures, in order to use these materials safely and with minimum impact on the environment. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2013     

Seed micro‐morphology and its systematic significance in Gypsophila (Caryophyllaceae) and allied genera

In order to examine the systematic application of seed‐coat micro‐morphology in Gypsophila and allied genera, seed surfaces of 30 species and two varieties representing four genera of tribe Caryophylleae were examined with scanning electron microscope. The seeds of examined species range between 0.5–2.1 mm in length and 0.3–2.4 mm in diameter. The exomorphology of the seed coat shows two distinctive cell patterns. The epidermis is constructed either of elongated polygonal or of broad polygonal cells. The elongated type is the most common among the studied species, but the variation in alignment of testa cells, their size and shape as well as the density of protuberances may provide further information and useful diagnostic characters at generic and specific rank. The testa cells in Gypsophila and Saponaria are shallowly undulate, deeply undulate, lobed and armed at anticlinal walls. Deeply undulate anticlinal walls were observed in both Gypsophila and Ankyropetalum and a few species of Saponaria. Non‐ or indistinctly grooved anticlinal walls is the more common type in Allochrusa. Seed‐coat characters support the separation of Gypsophila and Saponaria to some extent but disagree with recognition of Ankyropetalum as a genus separate from Gypsophila.     

Nutlet micro‐morphology of the genus Microula (Boraginaceae) from the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau,and its systematic implications

The micro‐morphology of nutlets in 30 taxa (28 species and 2 varieties) of Microula Benth. (Boraginaceae) was surveyed by light and scanning electron microscopy. A principal coordinate‐based ordination analysis (PCO) (8 morphological and 14 micro‐morphological characters) was applied to explore whether taxa clustered according to the current sectional taxonomy. The nutlet epidermis showed three major features: trichomes, papillae and lamellae. Two basic trichome types could be identified: branched and unbranched. Stellate trichomes (STT) and stipitate stellate trichomes (SST) can be considered as two subtypes of branched trichomes based on shape and branching location. Three kinds of unbranched trichomes were recognized by their shapes: slender trichomes (SLT), spear‐like trichomes (SPT) and conical trichomes (CT). Four types of papillae were revealed in this genus: central apiculate papillae (CAP), debris‐covered convex papillae (DCP), rugous papillae (RP) and tabular papillae (TP). The lamellae was classified in five types: glossy lamellae (GL), thread‐like lamellae (TL), rugous lamellae (RL), interrupted lamellae (IL) and debris‐covered lamellae (DCL). The variation in the nature of surface sculpturing, nutlet shape and size, dorsal aperture shape, and attachment scar positions proved useful diagnostic characters. Taxa belonging to the same section generally clustered together in the PCO analysis. A key based on the morphology and micro‐morphology of nutlets is provided to distinguish the sections of Microula. The presence of SLT, STT, DCP and DCL is consistent with the macro‐morphological classification and provides additional evidence for the subgeneric delimitations. The SST, SLT, CAP, DCP, RP, DCL, GL and RL are useful in discriminating species in Microula. Additionally, the distribution of some trichomes, papillae and lamellae types is correlated with the altitudinal distribution of the species.     

Taxonomic re-evaluation of three related species of Graphium, based on morphology, ecology and phylogeny

Two fungi associated with bark beetles, Graphium pseudormiticum (described in 1994) and Rhexographium fimbriisporum (described in 1995), have two micromorphological characters in common. Both species produce conidia with conspicuous basal frills, and the conidia align in chains, despite being produced in slime. The association of G. pseudormiticum with the pine bark beetle, Orthotomicus erosus, and the association of R. fimbriisporum with the spruce bark beetle, Ips typographus, suggest ecological differences between the two fungal species. Analyses of micromorphology and phylogenetic analyses of aligned 18S and ITS sequences suggest that these two species are congeneric and should be classified in Graphium but that they represent distinct species. A collection of strains tentatively identified as Graphium spp., isolated from Ips typographus on Picea abies, Ips cembrae on Larix decidua and Tomicus minor on Pinus sylvestris in Austria share the same unusual basal conidial frills and conidial chains. Isolates from spruce were identified as G. fimbriisporum and those from pine as G. pseudormiticum. The strains from Ips cembrae on Larix decidua, distinguished by the reddish color of their colonies, microscopic structures and molecular characteristics, are described as the new species Graphium laricis sp. nov., and the close relationship of this species with the other two species is confirmed.     

Effects of chilling stress on leaf morphology,anatomy, ultrastructure,gas exchange,and essential oils in the seasonally dimorphic plant Teucrium polium (Lamiaceae)

The Mediterranean region (and globally also other regions) is characterized by the presence of phryganic plants, i.e. subshrubs that grow under hot and arid environmental conditions. These plants are reported to be affected by summer drought stress. However, in the present study the phryganic plant Teucrium polium (mountain germander) appears to be affected by winter chilling stress rather than by summer drought stress in a specific area. Winter leaves of the plant are smaller and thicker compared to summer leaves, have more stomata and glandular hairs, and their chloroplasts are larger, more numerous, with voluminous starch grains. Moreover, epidermal and mesophyll cells of winter leaves contain in their vacuoles dark phenolics and calcium oxalate crystals. Summer leaves are devoid of vacuolar phenolics and their chloroplasts possess many large plastoglobuli. Leaf gas exchange parameters (photosynthesis, transpiration, stomatal conductance) are significantly higher in winter leaves. Concentrations of osmoprotectors (stress indicators) like proline and soluble sugars are similarly higher in winter leaves. Essential oil assessments showed a significantly higher oil yield of winter leaves compared to summer leaves. Percentages of the major oil components (linalool, terpinen-4-ol, germacrene D, and spathulenol) are remarkably higher in winter oils than in summer oils. In conclusion, low environmental temperatures (1–10 °C) appear to decisively influence the structure and function of winter leaves compared to summer leaves. Winter plants undergo chilling stress to which they respond by developing various mechanical and chemical defensive strategies.     

A phylogenetic analysis of the Euterpeinae (Palmae; Arecoideae; Areceae) based on morphology and anatomy

The Euterpeinae contains six neotropical genera. There has been continual disagreement on generic and subgeneric boundaries in the subtribe.Euterpe andPrestoea, andJessenia andOenocarpus, have been repeatedly united and separated. A phylogenetic analysis based on 54 morphological and anatomical characters gave one tree of 127 steps.Euterpe is separate fromPrestoea, butJessenia andOenocarpus are best treated as one genus. Subgeneric relationships ofEuterpe andOenocarpus are also analyzed and discussed.     

Taxonomic studies in Chiloscyphus Corda (Jungermanniales: Lophocoleaceae) based on nrITS sequences and morphology

Maximum parsimony and likelihood analyses of 40 Lophocoleaceae nrITS sequences and 6 Plagiochilaceae sequences (outgroup) lead to a robust phylogeny of Chiloscyphus. Four main lineages are assigned to as Chiloscyphus subgenera Chiloscyphus, Lophocolea, Connati and Notholophocolea. Chiloscyphus subgen. Connati is resolved sister to the remainder of this genus. Chiloscyphus subgenus Lophocolea is subdivided into sections Heterophylli (incl. sect. Semiteretes, syn. nov.), Lophocolea, Microlophocolea, and Novae-Zeelandiae. Five accessions of Chiloscyphus pallescens with a chromosome number of n = 18 form a robust monophyletic lineage that is placed sister to a well supported clade with 4 accessions of C. polyanthos [n = 9]. Chiloscyphus mandonii is placed in the synonymy of C. latifolius.     

The morphology of Dajella tenera (Trichoptera, Glossosomatidae): Taxonomic status and evidence for the pheromone communication in the Mesozoic

A reexamination of the fossil Mesozoic caddisfly Dajella tenera Sukatsheva, 1990, formerly in Philopotamidae, has revealed new characters showing this species to be a representative of the family Glossosomatidae. It is a single species of the new subfamily Dajellinae subfam. nov. The morphology of the head, thorax, and abdomen including the maxillary palp with well developed apical spine (apical sensory complex), the integumental structures associated with sternal glands, and the male genitalia are described. The complicated cuticular structures associated with the sternal glands on abdominal sternite V suggest active secretion of the pheromone volatiles. Short projection on sternite VI in this species might be used in the vibratory signaling which is known to occur in the behavior of the extant Glossosomatidae.     

Taxonomic status of a salamander species allied to Hynobius naevius and a reevaluation of Hynobius naevius yatsui (Amphibia, Caudata)

A Japanese small salamander, Hynobius naevius (Temminck and Schlegel, 1838), has recently proven to include two species (larger [A] and smaller [B]) that are reproductively isolated and are genetically and morphologically distinct from each other. Of these two species, Species A is considered to correspond to true H. naevius. To determine the name of Species B, we investigated five specimens stored at Kyushu University and concluded from the locality and date of collection that they represent syntypes of H. n. yatsui Oyama, 1947. Results of morphological comparisons indicated that the syntypes are identical with Species B. Because this species is distinct from Hynobius naevius at the species level, subspecies H. n. yatsui is elevated to full species rank as H. yatsui. To avoid taxonomic confusion, we designated one male among the syntypes as the lectotype and redescribed the species.     

The taxonomic value of leaf anatomy and trichome morphology of the genus Cyclotrichium (Lamiaceae) in Turkey

The genus Cyclotrichium (Boiss.) Manden. & Scheng. is represented by six species in Turkey: C. glabrescens, C. leucotrichum, C. longiflorum, C. niveum, C. origanifolium and C. stamineum. They are aromatic perennial subshrubs used as spices or herbal teas in traditional Turkish medicine. The leaf anatomy and tomentum morphology of leaves and calyces of Cyclotrichium species in Turkey was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and light microscopy (LM). The investigated species have equifacial (C. niveum, C. origanifolium) or bifacial leaves (C. glabressens, C. leucotrichum, C. longiflorum, C. stamineum). All species have peltate and capitate glandular, and simple (all species) or branched (C. niveum) eglandular trichomes and diacytic stomata. Peltate trichomes consist of a basal cell embedded in the epidermis, a stalk cell, and a broad 12 (–13)‐celled secretory head arranged in two concentric circles. The capitate trichomes observed in Cyclotrichium can be grouped into five types, differing in structure and size. They consist of either a pear‐shaped or globose unicellular head and uni‐or bicellular stalk, or a bicellular head and bicellular stalk. The density of peltate, capitate and eglandular trichomes differs between species. Peltate trichomes are densely spaced only on the calyx and on the leaf surface of C. niveum and C. origanifolium and on the abaxial leaf surface of C. longiflorum and C. stamineum. The significance of trichome architecture for taxonomy in Cyclotrichium and Lamiaceae in general is discussed.