A comparison of venation pattern development in wild type and a homeotic sepaloid petal mutant of Clarkia tembloriensis (Onagraceae)

Vascular system development in sepals, petals, and sepaloid petals was compared in wild-type and crinkled petal mutant plants of Clarkia tembloriensis. Patterns of vascularization in cleared whole mounts were visualized and traced under both brightfield and polarizing illumination. Wild-type sepals exhibited a basipetal pattern of maturation, with tracheary elements maturing relatively rapidly. Mature sepals had three primary veins with numerous secondary veins. In contrast, wild-type petals exhibited an acropetal pattern of maturation, with tracheary elements maturing relatively slowly. The mature petals had only one primary vein with numerous secondary veins. Sepaloid (crinkled) petals combined characteristics of both wild-type sepals and wild-type petals. They exhibited a basipetal pattern of development and a relatively rapid maturation of the tracheary elements characteristic of wild-type sepals. Venation architecture in crinkled petal mutants showed a single primary vein with numerous secondary veins, similar to wild-type petals. The crinkled petal mutant fits the definition of a homeotic mutant in that the petal has assumed characteristics of the sepal. However, homeotic transformation from petal to sepal is incomplete since the crinkled petal still retains many of the characteristics of wild-type petals.     

New natural hybrids of Convolvulus (Convolvulaceae) from Turkey

The present study introduces two new nothospecies from Turkey, Convolvulus×pseudocompactus C. Aykurt & Sümbül (C. oleifolius Desr. var. deserti Pamp.×C. compactus Boiss.) and Convolvulus×peshmenii C. Aykurt & Sümbül (C. holosericeus Bieb. subsp. macrocalycinus Hausskn. & Bornm.×C. compactus Boiss.). Morphological differences and similarities between the hybrids and their parents are discussed; in addition, habit and sepals are illustrated as diagnostic characters, and the geographic distribution of the hybrids and their parents are mapped. Pollen characteristics of Convolvulus×pseudocompactus, Convolvulus×peshmenii and their parents were examined by means of light microscopy and SEM. Detailed morphological and palynological investigations have been performed for hybrid individuals and parental species. As a result of the palynological investigations, the rate of dehydrated pollen grains was established as an important criterion to determine the hybrid status of Convolvulus taxa.     

Quantitative trait loci analysis of morphological traits in Citrus

The objectives of this study were to understand the genetic basis of morphological variation observed in the genus Citrus and its relatives and to identify genomic regions associated with certain morphological traits using genetic linkage mapping and quantitative trait loci (QTLs) analysis with random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. First, a genetic linkage map was constructed with RAPD markers obtained by screening 98 progeny plants from a {Citrus grandis × [C. paradisi × Poncirus trifoliata]} × {[(C. paradisi × P. trifoliata) × C. reticulata] × [(C. paradisi × Poncirus trifoliata) × C. sinensis]} intergeneric cross. The map contains 69 RAPD markers distributed into nine linkage groups. Then, 17 different morphological traits, including six tree and two leaf characters of 98 progeny plants and six floral and three fruit characters of about half of the same progeny plants were evaluated for 2 years and statistically analyzed for variation. Statistical analysis of individual traits indicated that trunk diameter and growth, tree height, canopy width, tree vigor and growth, leaf length and width, petal and anther numbers, petal length and width, length of pistil and style, fruit length and diameter, and fruit segment number showed normal or close to normal distribution, suggesting that these traits may be inherited quantitatively. Quantitative data from the morphological traits were analyzed to detect markers and putative QTLs associated with these traits using interval mapping method. QTL analysis revealed 18 putative QTLs of LOD > 3.0 associated with 13 of the morphological traits analyzed. The putative QTLs were distributed in several different linkage groups, and QTLs associated with similar traits were mostly mapped to the same LG or similar locations in the linkage group, indicating that the same genomic region is involved in the inheritance of some of the morphological traits.     

Characterization of Genomic Inheritance of Intergeneric Hybrids between Ascocenda and Phalaenopsis Cultivars by GISH,PCR-RFLP and RFLP

BackgroundThe intergeneric hybrids between Ascocenda John De Biase ‘Blue’ and Phalaenopsis Chih Shang''s Stripes have been generated to introduce the blue color into the Phalaenopsis germplasm in prior study. In order to confirm the inheritance in hybrid progenies, genomic in situ hybridization (GISH) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis were conducted to confirm the intergeneric hybridization status.Methods/ResultsGISH analysis showed the presence of both maternal and paternal chromosomes in the cells of the putative hybrids indicating that the putative hybrid seedlings were intergeneric hybrids of the two parents. Furthermore, twenty-seven putative hybrids were randomly selected for DNA analysis, and the external transcribed spacer (ETS) regions of nrDNA were analyzed using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and RFLP analyses to identify the putative hybrids. RFLP analysis showed that the examined seedlings were intergeneric hybrids of the two parents. However, PCR-RFLP analysis showed bias to maternal genotype.ConclusionsBoth GISH and RFLP analyses are effective detection technology to identify the intergeneric hybridization status of putative hybrids. Furthermore, the use of PCR-RFLP analysis to identify the inheritance of putative hybrids should be carefully evaluated.     

STUDIES IN THE FLORAL ANATOMY OF CLAYTONIA (PORTULACACEAE)

Claytonia virginica has a regular flower with two sepals, five petals with an equal number of stamens in positions opposite the petals and a many-seeded tricarpellate gynoecium with basal placentation. The flower has been interpreted as uniseriate, the putative sepals as bracts and the corolla as modified calyx lobes. Anatomical and developmental studies were undertaken to find evidence for the existence of vestigial or rudimentary parts whose existence would illuminate the true nature of the flower. Vascular and epidermal anatomy of sepals are both similar to that of leaves. Corolla and androecium develop basipetally and petals and stamens share common vascular traces in the lower part of the receptacle. Thus, in terms of both anatomy and development, evidence supports the conclusion that the perianth is essentially biseriate. Vestigial or rudimentary parts are not present which would alter the manifest design of the mature flower.     

A second ×<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cyclobotrya</Emphasis> (Dryopteridaceae) from Brazil

× Cyclobotrya amalgamata , a new intergeneric hybrid between Cyclodium meniscioides var. meniscioides and Polybotrya osmundacea, is described and illustrated. It was found in the state of Ceará, northeastern Brazil, growing in a mixed population with both parents. It is morphologically intermediate between its parents and has misshapen sporangia and spores. It represents the second hybrid in ×Cyclobotrya.     

Diplazium subsinuatum and Di. tomitaroanum should be Moved to Deparia According to Molecular, Morphological, and Cytological Characters

rbcL sequence data revealed that the putative intergeneric hybrid, Diplazium tomitaroanum Masam. belongs in Deparia, as also does Diplazium subsinuatum (Wall, ex Hook, et Grev.) Tagawa, one of the putative parents. An examination of rachis, scale and spore morphology, and chromosome data provide support for this placement. We propose a new taxonomic treatment of the two Diplazium species as Deparia. Received 7 December 1999/ Accepted in revised form 15 February 2000     

Functional divergence within class B MADS-box genes TfGLO and TfDEF in Torenia fournieri Lind

Homeotic class B genes GLOBOSA (GLO)/PISTILLATA (PI) and DEFICIENS (DEF)/APETALA3 (AP3) are involved in the development of petals and stamens in Arabidopsis. However, functions of these genes in the development of floral organs in torenia are less well known. Here, we demonstrate the unique floral phenotypes of transgenic torenia formed due to the modification of class B genes, TfGLO and TfDEF. TfGLO-overexpressing plants showed purple-stained sepals that accumulated anthocyanins in a manner similar to that of petals. TfGLO-suppressed plants showed serrated petals and TfDEF-suppressed plants showed partially decolorized petals. In TfGLO-overexpressing plants, cell shapes on the surfaces of sepals were altered to petal-like cell shapes. Furthermore, TfGLO- and TfDEF-suppressed plants partially had sepal-like cells on the surfaces of their petals. We isolated putative class B gene-regulated genes and examined their expression in transgenic plants. Three xyloglucan endo-1,4-beta-d-glucanase genes were up-regulated in TfGLO- and TfDEF-overexpressing plants and down-regulated in TfGLO- and TfDEF-suppressed plants. In addition, 10 anthocyanin biosynthesis-related genes, including anthocyanin synthase and chalcone isomerase, were up-regulated in TfGLO-overexpressing plants and down-regulated in TfGLO-suppressed plants. The expression patterns of these 10 genes in TfDEF transgenic plants were diverse and classified into several groups. HPLC analysis indicated that sepals of TfGLO-overexpressing plants accumulate the same type of anthocyanins and flavones as wild-type plants. The difference in phenotypes and expression patterns of the 10 anthocyanin biosynthesis-related genes between TfGLO and TfDEF transgenic plants indicated that TfGLO and TfDEF have partial functional divergence, while they basically work synergistically in torenia.     

Comparative floral development in Lardizabalaceae (Ranunculales)

Lardizabalaceae, one of seven families of Ranunculales, represent a monophyletic group. The family has functionally unisexual flowers with the organs in trimerous whorls, petaloid sepals and sometimes nectariferous petals. Among Ranunculales, Lardizabalaceae share several floral characters and climbing habit with Menispermaceae, but molecular analyses indicate that Circaeasteraceae and Lardizabalaceae form a strongly supported clade. Morphological and ontogenetic studies of flowers have proved to be a good complement to molecular data in clarifying relationships. Floral organogenesis has been studied in very few species of the family. This study investigates the comparative floral development of three species from three genera (Decaisnea, Akebia and Holboellia) of Lardizabalaceae using scanning electron microscopy. Flowers have a whorled phyllotaxis. Within each whorl, the organs are initiated either simultaneously or in a rapid spiral sequence. In Akebia, six sepals are initiated, but one to three sepals of the second whorl do not further develop. The presence of three sepals in Akebia is thus a developmentally secondary simplification. The petals (if present) are retarded in early developmental stages; stamens and petals are different in shape from the beginning of development. The retarded petals may not be derived from staminodes in Lardizabalaceae. © 2011 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2011, 166 , 171–184.     

Potamogeton×exilis (P. alpinus×P. natans), a new hybrid pondweed from Finland

A Potamogeton hybrid recently discovered in Finland was proven to be a new taxon, which has a different parentage than the most similar P.×vepsicus (=P. natans×praelongus) described from Russia. Based on molecular and morphological investigation, the new hybrid was identified as P. alpinus×natans and is here described as P.×exilis nothosp. nov. The hybrid is known only from several nearby localities in a single river system. All discovered colonies almost certainly originate from a single hybridization event that occurred in the upper part of the river system. Other localities downstream have been established through fragmentation and dispersal of stems and rhizomes of this sterile hybrid. A detailed morphological comparison of the new hybrid with similar hybrids and species is provided.     

New contributions to Goodyerinae and Dendrobiinae (Orchidaceae) in the flora of China

Eight new species from China, Cheirostylis chuxiongensis, C. yei, Myrmechis lingulata, M. longii, Bulbophyllum ximaense, B. xizangense, B. retusum and B. pulcherissimum, are described and illustrated. Cheirostylis chuxiongensis differs from C. thailandica by having 5–9 irregular and papillae-like calli on each side in the sac of the lip, epichile with entire lobes, petals narrowly obliquely obovate and an apex that is not recurved. Cheirostylis yei is easily distinguished from its relatives similar by having a long stem, pubescent ovary and sepals, epichile lobes with irregular and undulate margins, a subquadrate callus without teeth in the saccate hypochile. Myrmechis lingulata differs from M. chinensis by having a simple and lanceolate to ligulate lip, glabrous bracts and ovary, oblique and narrowly ovate petals. Myrmechis longii differs from M. pumila by having white-veined leaves, oblong-lanceolate epichile lobes, and viscidium attached to the middle of the caudicle. Bulbophyllum ximaense is easily distinguished from its relatives similar by having distant pseudobulbs, shorter scape, an inflorescence with 9–16 orange-red flowers, shorter lateral sepals with a long acuminate apex, incurved and tubular apical margins, a papillate lip disk and triangular-subulate stelidia. Bulbophyllum xizangense is easily distinguished from its relatives similar by having narrow lanceolate leaves, shorter inflorescence with 1–3 greenish-yellow flowers, falcate-ovoid lateral sepals, a lip with small lateral lobes and 3 keels at the base. Bulbophyllum retusum differs from B. spathulatum by having shorter inflorescence, peduncles with 2 tubular sheaths, dorsal sepals with a retuse apex, lateral sepals with lower edges that are connate to each other and free and divergent toward the apex, obovate petals with an acute or slightly retuse apex. Bulbophyllum pulcherissimum differs from B. lopalanthum by its 5-veined dorsal sepal, ovate-lanceolate lateral sepals, obliquely ovate-oblong petal, erose-toothed margins and obovate lip with a large, oblong basal callus, and an obtuse base. In addition, three species (Bulbophyllum frostii, B. raskotii and B. nematocaulon) are reported for the first time in China.     

The intergeneric hybrid origin ofPoa labradorica (Poaceae)

Phytogeographic, ecological, morphological, anatomical, cytological, isozyme, and endonuclease restriction site evidence is presented demonstrating thatPoa labradorica is of intergeneric hybrid origin betweenDupontia fisheri subsp.psilosantha (pistillate parent) andPoa eminens (staminate parent).Poa labradorica is endemic to recently deglaciated areas of northern Quebec and Labrador which are within the overlapping range of the putative parents. Incapable of sexual reproduction,P. labradorica dominates large areas of coastal marsh through vigorous production of rhizomes. Most morphological, anatomical, cytological, isozyme, and DNA characters studied inP. labradorica showed states intermediate or additive to those of the putative parents.     

Two new species of Sisymbrium (Brassicaceae) from coastal Peru

Two new species ofSisymbrium are described from the Department of Arequipa in south-western Peru. Both are annuals from the loma vegetation.Sisymbrium lactucoides has glabrous leaves with clasping bases and is very distinct.Sisymbrium ferreyrae is probably closest toS. llatasii, but it is a much smaller plant with petals and sepals of subequal length (vs. petals longer than sepals inS. llatasii).     

哀牢山兜兰,中国兰科一新天然杂种

报道了中国云南省兰科（Orchidaceae）兜兰属（Paphiopedilum）一新天然杂交种：哀牢山兜兰（Paphiopedilum×ailaoshanense B. Liu & S. P. Chen）。哀牢山兜兰与白旗兜兰（P. spicerianum）和沧源兜兰（P. gratrixianum var. cangyuanense）近缘,与前者的区别在于哀牢山兜兰花梗和子房有毛,中萼片带紫色晕以及紫色斑点,花瓣上侧暗绿色带紫色晕,下侧黄绿色;与后者的区别在于中萼片具1条宽阔的紫褐色中带,退化雌蕊紫色。哀牢山兜兰与天然杂种泸水兜兰（Paphiopedilum×lushuiense）相似,而哀牢山兜兰的中萼片下部边缘不后卷,近基部具紫红色晕,合萼片具2条明显紫色粗脉,花瓣匙形,上边缘波状,长6.0~6.2 cm,唇瓣长5.0~5.5 cm。为厘清哀牢山兜兰,沧源兜兰及白旗兜兰之间的关系,基于3个叶绿体基因片段（matK、rbcL、trnL）,构建了兜兰属部分植物系统发育树。鉴于形态和分子数据,认为哀牢山兜兰是天然杂交种。凭证标本存放于福建农林大学标本馆。     

A COMPARISON OF FLORAL DEVELOPMENT IN WILD TYPE AND A HOMEOTIC SEPALOID PETAL MUTANT OF CLARKIA TEMBLORIENSIS (ONAGRACEAE)

The mature wild type petals of Clarkia tembloriensis consist of a long slender claw and an expanded deltoid-shaped limb. They are pink, with a maroon spot at the base of the limb. Their surface texture is smooth. A variant of petal form, crinkled petal, occurs commonly in several natural populations of C. tembloriensis. The mature crinkled petals are elongated, greenish pink, and possess trichomes. They resemble the mature sepals of C. tembloriensis in general shape, color, and surface texture. Organ initiation and subsequent patterns of development of wild type petals, wild type sepals, and crinkled petals were examined and compared using scanning electron microscopy and allometric growth analysis. Crinkled petals are similar to wild type petals in time and position of primordia initiation, and in size and shape at inception. Crinkled petals are similar to wild type sepals in pattern of allometric growth. The crinkled petal mutant fits the broad definition of a homeotic mutant in that the petal has assumed characteristics of the sepal.     

Proteomic differences in seed filling between yellow-seeded progeny of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Brassica napus-Sinapis alba</Emphasis> (Brassicaceae) and black-seeded parent <Emphasis Type="Italic">B. napus</Emphasis>

Comparative proteomics of seed filling between yellow-seeded progeny from somatic hybrids Brassica napus-Sinapis alba and black-seeded parent (B. napus) were taken out using two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE). The process indicated distinct differences in 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 weeks after fertilization (WAF) and mature seed. A total of 8 out of the 27 discriminate proteins were identified by mass spectrum analysis and MASCOT comparison, including protein kinase, enolase, triosephosphate isomerase, and dioxygenase. PCR primers contrived for the putative genes were applied for further identification of progenies and both parents, which indicated that spot A3-5 might be the novel protein of intergeneric hybrid, i.e., A5-2 derived from S. alba. Applying these specific primers, this study demonstrates that the new yellow-seeded germplasm is different from the existing yellow seed materials of rapeseed.     

Impatiens menghuochengensis sp. nov. (Balsaminaceae) from Sichuan,China

Impatiens menghuochengensis Q Luo. (Balsaminaceae), a new species from Shimian county in southwestern Sichuan province, China, is described and illustrated. It is similar to I. tortisepala J. D. Hooker, but differs in having stem unbranched in lower portion; lateral sepals transparent, obliquely ovate; dorsal petal with central columnar cristate swelling; lateral united petals with distal lobes oblong‐dolabriform, apically retuse; lower sepal saccate with purple–red veins, abruptly narrowed at belly into an incurved spur 20–25 mm. The morphological characteristics and surface patterning of the seeds and pollen of the new species are examined under SEM and compared with those of I. tortisepala.     

Karyotype and genomic in situ hybridization pattern in ×Brassicoraphanus, an intergeneric hybrid between Brassica campestris ssp. pekinensis and Raphanus sativus

The karyotype and genomic in situ hybridization (GISH) of an intergeneric hybrid Baemoochae, ×Brassicoraphanus, which originated from hybridization between Chinese cabbage, Brassica campestris (synonym, rapa) ssp. pekinensis, and radish, Raphanus sativus, were analyzed to determine its chromosome complement. In the karyotype analysis, B. campestris was verified to have 2n = 20 chromosomes, including a particular pair of the subtelomeric chromosomes with the nucleolar organizer; R. sativus to have 2n = 18 chromosomes, including a particular pair of the submetacentric chromosomes with the secondary constriction of nucleolar organizer; and ×Brassicoraphanus to have 2n = 38 chromosomes, including both the subtelomeric chromosomes of Brassica and the secondary constriction chromosome pair of Raphanus. These findings indicate that ×Brassicoraphanus is a polyploid between Brassica and Raphanus. In the GISH analysis using chromosomes of B. campestris and R. sativus as the probe and blocking DNA, respectively, only 20 chromosomes of Brassica had hybridization signals. This result reveals that ×Brassicoraphanus is an intergeneric hybrid consisting of the complete genomes of both Brassica and Raphanus. However, the nucleolar organizers of Brassica and Raphanus were not identified because the hybridization signals appeared to be centering mainly around the centromere, becoming weak at the edges.     

Molecular cytogenetic identification and relationship of the artificial intergeneric hybrid between Dendranthema indica and Crossostephium chinense by GISH

Although most of the hybrid embryos aborted at an early developmental stage, a 2n = 27 true intergeneric hybrid between Dendranthema indica (L.) Des Moul (2n = 36) as ♀ and Crossostephium chinense (L.) Makino (2n = 18) as ♂ was produced following pollination and ovule rescue. The morphology of the resulting adult putative hybrid and the two parents differed significantly from one another in seven of the nine traits measured, the exceptions being leaf width and leaf length, for which the putative hybrid was indistinguishable from the maternal plant. Genomic in situ hybridization experiments were able to successfully distinguish the genomic origin of both mitotic and meiotic metaphase chromosomes in the hybrid. In addition, the 18 D. indica chromosomes were paired as bivalents at meiotic metaphase in the hybrid.