Composition of Leaf n‐Alkanes in Three Satureja montana L. Subspecies from the Balkan Peninsula: Ecological and Taxonomic Aspects

The composition of the epicuticular leaf n‐alkanes of eight populations of three Satureja montana subspecies (S. montana L. subsp. pisidica (Wettst.) ?ili? , S. montana L. subsp. montana, and S. montana L. subsp. variegata (Host ) P. W. Ball ), from central and western areas of the Balkan Peninsula was characterized by GC‐FID and GC/MS analyses. In the leaf waxes, 15 n‐alkane homologs with chain‐lengths ranging from C₂₁ to C₃₅ were identified. The main n‐alkane in almost all samples was n‐nonacosane (C₂₉), but differences in the contents of three other dominant n‐alkanes allowed separating the coastal from the continental populations. The diversity and variability of the epicuticular‐leaf‐n‐alkane patterns and their relation to different geographic and bioclimatic parameters were analyzed by several statistical methods (principal component, discriminant, and cluster analyses as well as the Mantel test). All tests showed a high correlation between the leaf n‐alkane pattern and the geographical distribution of the investigated populations, confirming the differentiation between S. montana subsp. pisidica and the other two subspecies. The S. montana subsp. variegata and S. montana subsp. montana populations are geographically closer and their differentiation according to the leaf‐n‐alkane patterns was not clear, even though there was some indication of discrimination between them. Moreover, most of the bioclimatic parameters related to temperature were highly correlated with the differentiation of the coastal and the continental populations.     

Genetic structure and differentiation of Plantago major reveals a pair of sympatric sister species

Seeds of the widespread weed Plantago major were collected from 10 European countries, as well as Trinidad and North America. The seed collections were from populations of two taxa which are ecologically rather than geographically separated and formally recognized as the subspecies Plantago major ssp. major and P.m. ssp. intermedia (also called P.m. ssp. pleiosperma). Eight polymorphic allozyme loci and 73 random-primed DNA fragments were scored, as well as 11 morphological characters. Complete concordance between morphological traits and genetic data provides evidence that these two taxa, although very similar, are distinct species. They are both widespread, they are broadly sympatric and capable of interbreeding. However, slight morphological and ecological differences coincide with genetic clustering of populations from widely separated locations. In addition, P. major and P. intermedia differ in their population structure: P. intermedia has greater genetic diversity among populations and less genetic variance within populations than P. major. We suggest that differences between the two species in their levels of selfing may explain the distinctive genetic structure of each species. We hypothesize a link between selfing rate and lifespan of the two taxa. P. major is characterized by lower genetic variation among populations, a higher rate of outcrossing, longer lifespan and production of fewer seeds per seed capsule. P. intermedia is more highly structured with much differentiation among populations, a higher rate of inbreeding and it often grows as an annual.     

Variation in chromosomes of the cotton rat,Sigmodon hispidus

Chromosomes were analyzed from 38 hispid cotton rats, currently assigned to the species Sigmodon hispidus, from populations in southeastern and western United States. Cotton rats from southeastern United States had a 2N of 52 and an F. N. which varied from 52 to 54. Specimens from Obion County, Tennessee, and Highlands County, Florida, were found to be polymorphic with a varying number of arms on the largest pair of autosomes. Cotton rats from Arizona had a 2N of 22 and an F. N. of 38; each pair of chromosomes is distinguishable, and a numbering system is proposed. The cytological data suggest that cotton rats from the southeastern populations and those from the Arizona populations belong to separate species, though morphological characters do not indicate such a difference.     

Species of natural hybrid origin and misinformation in the Irises: A reappraisal of the presence of I. aphylla L. in Italy

Abstract

The identity and status of the records of Iris aphylla L. for Italy are reconsidered. The authors are of the opinion that I. perrieri Simonet ex N. Service, present in Savoy, France, is genetically and morphologically distinct from I. aphylla, and that the Italian populations from Piemonte are in fact conspecific with I. perrieri. In addition, we consider that another iris, I. benacensis A. Kern. ex Stapf , which occurs near Lago di Garda (Mt. Brione) and is often also regarded as a synonym of I. aphylla, is not conspecific with either I. aphylla or I. perrieri. Macro-, micro-morphological and biosystematic data obtained during this investigation suggest a possible natural hybrid origin of these species and confirm the opinion of the authors, which is justified also by the different chromosome numbers and distribution of the taxa examined.     

The effect of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lantana camara</Emphasis> leaf quality on the performance of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Falconia intermedia</Emphasis>

The sap-sucking mirid, Falconia intermedia (Distant) (Hemiptera: Miridae), released as a biological control agent of Lantana camara L. (Verbenaceae) in South Africa in 1999, has established at only one site. We investigated the role of induced plant defences as a possible explanation for this lack of establishment. F. intermedia inoculated plants from the five test varieties significantly increased the toughness of their new leaves compared to control plants. Additionally, plants from three L. camara varieties significantly increased leaf trichome density on new leaves after prolonged feeding by F. intermedia, significantly reducing F. intermedia oviposition, survival and feeding damage. The defensive responses were systemic and rapidly induced about eight weeks after insect feeding. We suggest that these leaf quality responses played a role in the non-establishment of F. intermedia in South Africa.     

Hybridization and karyotype variability of three endemic Fritillaria L. (Liliaceae) in Argolis Peninsula (Greece)

Abstract

The Argolis Peninsula covers the north-eastern part of Peloponnisos and is surrounded by the Gulf of Argosaronic. The area hosts three species of the genus Fritillaria: F. graeca, F. rhodocanakis and F. spetsiotica. Fritillaria graeca is a Greek endemic taxon and its distribution includes Peloponnisos, C & E Sterea Ellas, C Evia and in proximity to Sterea Ellas, Salamis and Kea islands, while the stenoendemic F. rhodocanakis and F. spetsiotica are mainly found on Idra and Spetses islands respectively. The last two taxa are included in the Red Data Book of Rare and Threatened Plants of Greece, while F. rhodocanakis is also included in the IUCN Red List. Hybridization among them is a common phenomenon in the areas where they coexist, leading to an array of morphologically and karyologically intermediate forms. The current study presents the taxa’s karyomorphometric analysis for the first time and reveals hybrids’ cytological variety, including differences in marker chromosomes, polyploidy and the number of B-chromosomes.     

Systematic overview of Krigia (Asteraceae-Lactuceae)

Cytological and morphological variation among Krigia species is examined. Krigia exhibits a broad range of chromosome numbers including n = 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 15, and 30. Section Krigia is characterized by reflexed phyllaries and a base chromosome number of x = 5, while section Cymbia is characterized by erect phyllaries and chromosome numbers of n = 4, 6, and 9. The micromorphological characteristics of achenes, pappus, styles, corolla, pollen, stomata, and trichomes are documented using scanning electron microscopy. Among these, the pappus shows the greatest diversity and three major types are identified: 1) a pappus of many bristles and scales, as in K. dandelion, K. montana, and K. biflora; 2) a pappus of five bristles and five scales, as in K. virginica and K. occidentalis; and 3) an absent or highly reduced pappus, as in the K. cespitosa complex and K. wrightii. Thirty-five cytological and morphological characters are subjected to phylogenetic analyses. The two sections, Krigia and Cymbia, form monophyletic lineages. Within section Krigia, the annual species, K. virginica, forms an independent clade, while the perennial species, K. dandelion, K. biflora, and K. montana, form a monophyletic clade. Krigia montana and K. biflora are identified as sister species and a hybrid between these has been identified. The hybrid is more similar morphologically to K. montana than K. biflora. Within section Cymbia, phylogenetic relationships among K. wrightii, K. occidentalis, and K. cespitosa are uncertain. Nine taxa of Krigia are herein recognized: K. dandelion, K. biflora, K. biflora var. viridis (comb. nov.), K. montana, K. virginica, K. wrightii (comb. nov.), K. occidentalis, K. cespitosa, and K. cespitosa f. gracilis (comb. nov.). Phylogenetic relationships among 12 taxa of Krigia species are compared using various combinations of morphology, chloroplast DNA, and nuclear ribosomal DNA data. Tree topologies from different combinations of data are largely congruent. The most resolved phylogenetic tree is obtained using the combined data from morphology, chloroplast DNA, and nuclear ribosomal DNA.     

Genetic population structure of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Osmunda japonica</Emphasis>, rheophilous <Emphasis Type="Italic">Osmunda lancea</Emphasis> and their hybrids

Rheophilous Osmunda lancea often hybridizes with a dryland ally, Osmunda japonica, to produce O. × intermedia, forming zonation in riverbanks and the adjacent dryland along flooding frequency clines. This study examined the genetic structure of populations consisting of O. × intermedia and the two parental species by analyzing ten nuclear DNA markers [six cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence (CAPS) markers and three simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers developed from an expressed sequence tag (EST) library, and the sequence of the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase gene GapCp] and chloroplast DNA sequences. The results suggest that the nuclear genes of O. japonica and O. lancea are genetically differentiated despite shared polymorphism in their chloroplast DNA sequences. This discrepancy may be attributable to natural selection and recent introgression, although it is not evident if introgression occurs between O. japonica and O. lancea in the examined populations. Our findings of putative F2 hybrids in O. × intermedia support its partial reproducibility, and also suggest that formation of later-generation hybrids generates morphological variation in O. × intermedia. O. lancea plants collected from geographically distant localities were genetically very similar, and it is suggested that O. lancea originated monotopically.     

Morphological and chromosomal variation in Fallopia section Reynoutria (Polygonaceae) in Korea

We have examined morphological and chromosomal variation inFallopia sect.Reynoutria in Korea to clarify their taxonomic identities and to determine whether their morphological variability is associated with ploidy levels. Principal components analysis (PCA) of individuals from 21 populations, using major distinguishing characters, revealed the presence of four major entiries of sect.Reynoutria in Korea; these includeF. sachalinensis, F. japonica var.japonica, F. forbesii, and the Nonsan population consisting of presumed hybrids. Based on morphology, it is hypothesized that the Nonsan population was probably derived from multiple hybridization events involving the three named taxa. The results also indicate thatF. forbesii is distinct fromF. japonica var.japonica. Polyploidy is more prevalent in sect.Reynoutria than has been previously recognized.Fallopia sachalinensis in Korea occurs as dodecaploids with 2n=132; our count is the first dodecaploid count for the species, and represents the highest chromosome number known in the genus.Fallopia japonica var.japonica occurs as tetraploids (2n=44), hexaploids (2n=66), and octoploids (2n=88), whileF. forbesii occurs as hexaploids (2n=66) and octoploids (2n=88); our counts appear to be the first reported chromosome numbers forF. forbesii. Morphological analysis indicates that there is no apparent correlation between the ploidy levels in these taxa and the morphological characters that we have considered in this study except that the tetraploids ofF. japonica var.japonica tend to have somewhat thicker leaves.     

中国贝母属(Fritillaria)7种植物的核型研究

通过对7种国产贝母属（Fritillaria）植物的染色体核型进行观察和研究,报道了小白花贝母（F.albidoflora Duan&Zheng）、川贝母（F.cirrhosa Don）、伊贝母（F.pallidiflora Schrenk ex Fischer&Meyer）、华西贝母（F.sichuanica Chen）、托里贝母（F.tortifolia Duan&Zheng）、新疆贝母（F.walujewii Regel）、裕民贝母（F.yuminensis Duan）等7种植物的染色体数目及核型,其中3种为首次报道。结果显示,7种国产贝母属植物的核型均具有高度不对称性。此外,小白花贝母与已报道的黄花贝母（F.verticillata Willdenow）的核型存在明显差异,提示Flora of China将小白花贝母归并入黄花贝母的分类处理可能并不恰当,二者的关系需进一步研究。     

Males are cheaper,or the extreme consequence of size/age‐dependent sex allocation: sexist gender diphasy in Fritillaria montana (Liliaceae)

The bulbous geophyte Fritillaria montana is partially self‐compatible and capable of switching gender. Small flowering plants produce only single male flowers, but larger plants produce hermaphrodite or, rarely, male and hermaphrodite flowers. Eight populations in peninsular Italy were sampled to determine the frequency and size distributions of male and hermaphrodite plants, and to determine the relationship of plant size to male and hermaphrodite flower production. Male plants were significantly smaller than hermaphrodites and made up 14.5–47.8% (100% in one small population) of flowering plants within populations. There were no significant differences in male fitness among female‐sterile and hermaphrodite flowers, as they both possessed full and comparable fertilizing power. Therefore, the gender variation observed in F. montana is likely to depend on resource‐dependent sex allocation. From an evolutionary perspective, we highlight the occurrence of similar mechanisms of gender variation in other representatives of the order Liliales. © 2012 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012, 168 , 323–333.     

A study of Sarcocornia A.J. Scott (Chenopodiaceae) from Western Mediterranean Europe

The latest publications on Sarcocornia taxonomy and phylogeny recognize six taxa in this genus on the Iberian Peninsula: S. perennis, S. fruticosa, S. alpini, S. alpini subsp. carinata, S. hispanica, and S. pruinosa. The present study represents a comprehensive revision of the different taxa in the Sarcocornia genus present in Western Mediterranean Europe by means of morphological, micromorphological and phylogenetic internal transcribed spacer (ITS) analysis. Morphological and micromorphological data were studied from Sarcocornia samples from 113 populations in coastal salt marshes and inland salt pans in Portugal, France, Spain and Italy. Sixteen new ITS sequences were obtained from Mediterranean Sarcocornia species and analysed together with previous reported data. Published karyological, ecological and biogeographical data from Western Mediterranean Europe were also reviewed. The results indicate the presence of a new species, S. lagascae, found growing in coastal Mediterranean areas of the Iberian Peninsula. The species S. fruticosa was found to be absent from the Iberian territories.     

KARYOTYPES OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICAN PHLOX

The karyotypes of 32 Phlox taxa were studied in many plants representative of populations found throughout eastern North America. Most plants were diploid with 2n = 14, but a few tetraploids and plants with B-chromosomes were also observed. Some species were virtually indistinguishable karyotypically, while others differed. Within and between the Subsections Speciosae, Divaricatae, and Subulatae, strikingly similar karyotypes were observed. Other Subsections differed significantly, with the Ovatae showing strong intrasubsectional variation. Increased karyotype asymmetry is correlated with morphological specialization. Where polyploidy was observed, discordant chromosome sets indicated allopolyploidy.     

Die Fagus-Sippen Europas und ihre geographisch-soziologische Korrelation zur Verbreitung der Assoziationen des Fagion s.l.

Studies of the beeches and beech woods of eastern central Europe revealed, that in the postglacial period not only Fagus sylvatica (L.) emend. reimmigrated from the refugial territories in the SE-as has generally been accepted, but also the transitional taxa, which originated from hybrids with F. orientalis Lipsky. The NW area limit of these intermediate taxa must be revised. The presence in central Europe of these taxa-which form own Fagion alliances and associations in the SE (Fagus intermedia ssp. moesiaca and ssp. taurica) as well as the presence of other southeastern species in central European beach woods shows, that their postglacial development is parallel to, but different from other areas. The taxon Fagus intermedia (ssp. neglecta and ssp. transitus) became differential taxa of a central European region of the Fagion medioeuropaeum. Plant sociologists are therefore requested to make new and critical analyses of the beech woods in Europe, with special attention to the Fagus taxa, in order to establish in detail the geographical distribution and phytosociological significance of Fagus intermedia.The author offers to determine or revise Fagus material (herbarium collections).

Danksagung. Ich möchte meinen tiefsten und allzeitigen Dank besonders den Herren Prof. Dr. A. O. Horvat (Pécs), Prof. Dr. Ch. Moulopoulos, Prof. Dr. B. Jovanovié, Prof. Dr. I. Dumitriu-Tataranu, Prof. Dr. R. Bornkamm, Prof. Dr. M. A. Kotschkin, Prof. Dr. P. Fukarek, Prof. Dr. K. Browicz für gewährte Unterstützung aussprechen und ganz besonders unserem unvergeßlichen verstorbenen Prof. Dr. Drs. h.c. R. Tüxen, der mir zur Fortführung dieser Studien Mut machte.     

In Situ Hybridisation Analysis of the X-Linked Genes in the Species of the Virilis Group of Drosophila

When estimating the level of DNA sequence variation within and between populations or when planning QTL analysis, it is essential to know the location of the genes under study. In the present work, five X chromosomal genes, earlier localised in Drosophila virilis and D. littoralis, were mapped by in situ hybridisation on the larval polytene chromosomes of four other virilis group species, D. a. americana, D. flavomontana, D. lacicola and D. montana. Conjugation of X chromosomes of the most interesting species pairs was studied in interspecific hybrids. Three of the marker genes were used as RFLP markers to examine the occurrence of recombination in D. flavomontana and D. montana hybrid females. The gene arrangement of all species studied, appeared to be different at the proximal end of the X chromosome, which prevented normal conjugation along the most part of the X chromosome. The data illustrating the locations of five X chromosomal marker genes are presented for D. a. americana, D. flavomontana, D. lacicola and D. montana.     

ANEUSOMATY IN ANEUPLOID POPULATIONS OF CLAYTONIA VIRGINICA

Lewis Walter H. (Stephen F. Austin State Coll., Nacogdoches, Texas.) Aneusomaty in aneuploid populations of Claytonia virginica. Amer. Jour. Bot. 49(9): 918–928. Illus. 1962.—From 2 central east Texas populations of Claytonia virginica, 15 chromosome numbers, 2n = 14, 15, 16, 18, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 30, 31, 32, 33, 36, and 58, were found among a sample of 181 plants. The most frequently encountered numbers were 2n = 14, 28, and 29. Among an additional 14 plants the pollen mother cells in the same bud differed from one another in chromosome number, as well as the pollen and premeiotic cells from the same plant. The chromosomes of the most unstable plant varied from 2n = 14–36. Numerous meiotic abnormalities, including inversions, dicentrics, bridges, fragments, non-disjunctions, univalents, and multivalents, were observed for the aneusomatic and trisomic plants. It is suggested that the origin of the aneusomatics is related to the numerical disparity of the gametic chromosomes composing them. Since the species is perennial in habit, thereby allowing the unstable plants to produce gametes with varying chromosome numbers year after year, it is further proposed that the wide range of aneuploid known for C. virginica resulted, at least in part from the presence of aneusomatic individuals.     

CYTOLOGICAL STUDIES IN LACCARIA (AGARICALES). I. MEIOSIS AND POSTMEIOTIC MITOSIS

In the genus Laccaria, basidial formation, dikaryotic basidia, karyogamy, and meiosis were generally similar to structures and phenomena reported for other Agaricales. The haploid nuclei of dikaryotic basidia resided side by side in the basidium prior to karyogamy. Following karyogamy a single nucleolus was observed in L. montana (four-spored species); several nucleoli remained in the nucleus of L. tortilis (two-spored species). The haploid number of chromosomes for L. montana appeared to be n = 9. Postmeiotic mitosis typically occurred in the basidiospores resulting in binucleate basidiospores for four-spored species and quadrinucleate basidiospores for two-spored species. Postmeiotic mitosis sometimes occurred in the sterigmata and basidia proper. In instances where postmeiotic mitosis occurred in basidia, mature basidiospores were not formed and the basidia were collapsed, and contained up to eight nuclei.     

Multiple origins of tetraploid taxa in the Eurasian Bufo viridis subgroup

We used Q-banding and analyzed nucleolar organizing regions (NORs) to study the cytogenetic evolution of tetraploids within the Palearctic Bufo viridis subgroup, the only known amphibian complex comprising di-, tri- and tetraploid bisexually reproducing taxa. We examined three diploid (2n) nominal taxa (Bufo viridis viridis, B. v. turanensis, B. v. kermanensis) from five Eurasian localities and six tetraploid (4n) nominal taxa (B. oblongus, B. o. danatensis, B. pewzowi pewzowi, B. p. taxkorensis, B. p. unicolor, B. p. strauchi) from eight Central Asian localities. Homeologous chromosomes of 2n and 4n toads exhibit a similar morphology. Silver-staining and in situ hybridization revealed terminal NORs in the long arms of chromosomes 6 in all 2n but in only two out of four chromosomes 6 in all 4n taxa. Q-banding and a rapidly evolving mitochondrial marker suggest at least two origination events for Asian 4n toads: “Western Central Asian tetraploids’’ (B. oblongus Nikolsky, 1896) exhibit distinct differences within some chromosome quartets, which are divisible into pairs of chromosomes and may be allopolyploid. In contrast, “Central Asian tetraploids” (B. pewzowi Bedriaga, 1898) showed homogenous Q-banding patterns within each quartet, suggesting autopolyploidy. In Northeastern Iran, we discovered a zone of either common ancestry or hybridization of 2n and Western Central Asian 4n toads. This raises intriguing questions about how diploid and tetraploid taxa may evolve by exchanging genetic material.     

Effect of previous feeding by Falconia intermedia (Hemiptera: Miridae) on subsequent feeding activity on the invasive shrub Lantana camara (Verbenaceae)

After initially building up to high densities, populations of a promising biological control agent, Falconia intermedia (Distant) (Hemiptera: Miridae), imported to control the invasive plant Lantana camara L. (Verbenaceae) in South Africa, disappeared at almost all release sites in the Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo provinces. In an attempt to explain this phenomenon, laboratory trials were conducted to determine the effect of previous feeding on the subsequent performance of F. intermedia on L. camara varieties from two of the Eastern Cape release sites; Lyndhurst Farm and Whitney Farm. F. intermedia feeding damage, number of adults, number of nymphs and oviposition on Whitney Farm, L. camara plants were 40.8% (p<0.001), 106% (p<0 .001), 81.5% (p <0.001) and 80% (p<0.001) higher, respectively, than on Lyndhurst Farm, indicating the superior suitability and quality of Whitney Farm plants for F. intermedia performance. A defence response was observed by plants from Lyndhurst Farm that were previously fed on (i.e. induced). The induced plants had significantly lower F. intermedia feeding damage (21.4% less, p=0.007), numbers of adults (187.5% less, p=0.034), numbers of nymphs (110% less, p=0.071) and oviposition (99.8% less, p=0.021) than plants that were not previously fed on. The defence responses were elicited and expressed throughout the plant in both damaged and undamaged leaves within five weeks after insect release (rapidly induced response). The significant decrease in herbivore performance suggests that some L. camara varieties possess factors that enable them to resist subsequent feeding activity, offering us some understanding of one of the factors that might have contributed to the failure of F. intermedia in South Africa.