Paraveinal mesophyll: Review and survey of the subtribeErythrininae (Phaseoleae,Papilionoideae, Leguminosae)

Paraveinal mesophyll (PVM) is a distinctive anatomical feature of the leaf mesophyll of some plant taxa that may represent a specialized physiological compartment. A comprehensive review of the 42 published references that mention PVM or similar cell layers and a survey of 121 of the 272 species of all nine genera of thePhaseoleae subtribeErythrininae demonstrate that PVM is nearly exclusively found inLeguminosae. InLeguminosae, PVM is either rare or absent in subfamilyCaesalpinioideae, uncommon inMimosoideae, and extensively distributed amongPapilionoideae. In subtribeErythrininae, PVM is ubiquitous inErythrina, and occurs in four other genera. ThreeErythrininae genera (Apios, Mucuna, andCochlianthus) lack PVM. Unique chloroplast-poor, enlarged conical cells (pellucid palisade idioblasts) occur in 80 species ofErythrina but not in any other genus ofErythrininae.     

Leaf anatomy ofDombeya andNesogordonia (Sterculiaceae), emphasizing epidermal and internal idioblasts

We studied leaf anatomy, using clearings, resin sections, and scanning electron microscopy, from mostly herbarium specimens of 123 species ofDombeya and 11 species ofNesogordonia (Sterculiaceae). Species were placed in seven idioblast categories, ranging from those without any to single and bicelled epidermal forms to multicelled nodules and single mesophyll idioblasts. Idioblast contents are possibly mucilaginous, but were not identified. In these two genera the range of foliar idioblast morphology surpasses that known previously for the entire family. Leaves are dorsiventral with mostly abaxial anomocytic stomata and typical palisade and spongy layers; paraveinal mesophyll is lacking. Miniature glandular (clavates, capitates) and nonglandular (mostly stellate) trichomes occur. Prismatic crystals predominate; epidermal prismatics and mesophyll druses are rare.     

Leaf anatomy inCaesalpinia andHoffmannseggia (Leguminosae,Caesalpinioideae) with emphasis on secretory structures

Leaflets of 65 species ofCaesalpinia s.l. and seven species ofHoffmannseggia were studied in clearings supplemented by resin sections and scanning electron microscopy. Three types of secretory structure occurred among 46 species; in 43 species they were distributed mutually exclusively (external glands: 8 species; internal cavities: 5 species; idioblastic cells: 30 species); three other species each had two types. Species with secretory structures conform mostly to proposed subgenera and informal groups. Other unusual features were external glands with internal spaces, thickened walls or conspicuous localized wall thickenings in epidermal cells or mesophyll cells of certain species, and differentially stained epidermal cells surrounding stomata. Prismatic crystals predominate but druse crystals also occur.     

Idioblasts and other unusual internal foliar secretory structures in Scrophulariaceae

 Leaf samples of mostly herbarium specimens (237 species of 172 genera) were cleared. Internal secretory structures of large size or unusual shape were detected and observed. Selected samples were processed into resin and sectioned for light microscopy or prepared for scanning electron microscopy. Adding results from two earlier publications, our survey includes 365 species from 174 genera. Five types of internal secretory structure, mostly unknown previously in the traditional Scrophulariaceae, occur in only nine genera: 1) single-celled subepidermal idioblasts, empty at maturity, in Scrophularia and Verbascum (Lersten and Curtis 1997), 2) 2–16 (or more)-celled nodules, with fibrous contents, in mid-mesophyll strata of Graderia and Radamaea, 3) epithelium-lined oil cavities in Leucophyllum (Lersten and Beaman 1998) and Capraria, 4) Kranz-type enlarged bundle sheath in Anticharis, and 5) paraveinal mesophyll (PVM) in Picria and Bonnaya. Received April 24, 2000 Accepted October 27, 2000     

Two foliar idioblasts of taxonomic significance in Cercidium and Parkinsonia (Leguminosae: Caesalpinioideae)

Leaf anatomy was surveyed for idioblasts in Cercidium (eight to nine species) and Parkinsonia (four to six species), two problematic genera of caesalpinioid legumes variously merged and separated for over a century. Leaflets from 16 accessions (11 dried and five liquid-preserved) of ten species were cleared (protoplasts removed chemically) and stained, supplemented by resin-embedded sections and scanning electron microscopy. Four Parkinsonia species had large, dimorphic, living subepidermal idioblasts (SI)—one form adaxially restricted, the other form abaxial. The fifth species, P. africana, had tiny scalelike leaflets without idioblasts. Idioblast contents are unknown but visibly different from those of adjacent cells. All five Cercidium species lacked SIs, but instead had veinlet idioblasts (VI). These large idioblasts varied in size and abundance, but in C. floridum and C. texanum they were especially large, spheroidal to ovate, thick-walled, and devoid of protoplasm at maturity. VIs occurred mostly as pairs or clusters, with individual cells joined by a large gap resembling a simple perforation plate. Almost all VI units abutted minor veins, but no perforation plate joined the proximal VI to a tracheary element. Cells similar to SIs occur in other Caesalpinieae genera, but VIs are unique to Cercidium. The mutually exclusive distribution of SIs and VIs supports the view that Cercidium and Parkinsonia are different.     

五种红树植物叶片结构的比较研究

以木榄(Bruguiera gymnorrhiza)、桐花树(Aegiceras corniculatum)、拉关木(Laguncularia racemosa)、海芒果(Cerbera manghas)、杨叶肖槿(Thespesia populnea)五种红树植物为材料,采用常规石蜡切片法对它们的叶片横切面结构进行显微观察,比较真红树植物和半红树植物叶片结构的特点及变化规律,研究红树植物叶对盐浸环境的适应性。结果表明:除杨叶肖槿为异面叶、掌状网脉外;拉关木为等面叶、羽状脉,其它三种植物为异面叶、羽状网脉;五种材料具4级叶脉,3级、4级脉具明显维管束鞘。木榄、桐花树、拉关木、杨叶肖槿1级脉为半周韧无限维管束,海芒果1级脉为外韧无限维管束。五种材料叶肉具有分泌腔,除海芒果外,具有含晶体细胞;木榄、桐花树有内皮层,拉关木有贮水组织;桐花树、海芒果有含单宁细胞;桐花树、拉关木、杨叶肖槿有盐腺。这五种植物的叶片结构体现出不同植物对盐浸环境适应性的特征。相比较而言,真红树植物的特化结构较半红树植物多。     

Phylogenetic relationships of the enigmatic ornate shiner,Cyprinella ornata,a species endemic to Mexico (Teleostei: Cyprinidae)

The systematics and taxonomy of North Americancyprinid fishes has historically been said tobe in a chaotic state of affairs. Much of theconfusion as to relationships of species restsin the lack of explicit phylogenetic hypothesesof species and reliance upon degree ofdistinctiveness of taxa or their overallsimilarity for generic placement. Some specieshave had more turbulent or variable taxonomichistories than others. The ornate shiner, Cyprinella ornata, is one of those species,having been placed in the genera Notropis,Codoma, and Cyprinella within the last20 years and found in current texts in any ofthese three genera. Most of the confusionregarding placement of this species has beenrelated to lack of explicit phylogenetichypotheses to formulate its classification, butto a certain degree some researchers haveignored phylogenetic studies and preferred torely upon its morphological distinctiveness orreproductive behavioral traits of questionablehomology to place it in a monotypic genus andalign it with the genera Pimephales andOpsopoeodus.I present a phylogenetic analysis based oncomplete Cytochrome b sequences fromornate shiners, other species of Cyprinella, purported relatives, and severalother species of the Shiner Clade to determinethe phylogenetic affinities of this enigmaticspecies. Molecular analysis reveals the ornateshiner to be more closely related to species ofCyprinella than to a Pimephalesplus Opsopoeodus clade as previouslydiscussed in one morphological analysis, or asargued by Page and Johnston (1990), Johnstonand Page (1992) and Page and Ceas (1989) basedon observations of spawning behaviors andhypotheses of homology between crevice-spawningand egg-clumping behaviors. This molecularanalysis is more consistent with earliermorphological phylogenetic hypotheses of Mayden(1989) wherein these two clades are notconsidered to be closely related and the ornateshiner is a member of the genus Cyprinella.     

Occurrence of secretory structures in underground systems of seven Asteraceae species

In contrast with the abundance of anatomical studies of secretory structures on aerial vegetative organs of Asteraceae species, the information about secretory structures on thickened subterranean organs is sparse. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of secretory structures on thickened and nonthickened subterranean organs of seven Asteraceae species from three tribes: Eupatorieae (Chromolaena squalida and Gyptis lanigera), Vernonieae (Chresta sphaerocephala, Lessingianthus bardanoides, L. glabratus and Orthopappus angustifolius), and Plucheeae (Pterocaulon angustifolium). The specimens were collected in areas of cerrado from the State of São Paulo, Brazil. All species of the tribe Vernonieae studied exhibited endodermic cells, other than the epithelial cells of the canal, with secretory activity in the roots. In C. sphaerocephala roots, two types of endodermic cell were found, but only one had secretory activity. Secretory canals were found in the tuberous and nontuberous roots of all studied species. These data agree with the results from the literature for Asteraceae species. Here, we describe for the first time in Asteraceae the presence of secretory idioblasts in C. sphaerocephala. Secretory trichomes are present in the Orthopappus angustifolius rhizophore. Histochemical tests have shown that all types of secretory structure possess substances containing lipids. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 157 , 789–796.     

Morphology,anatomy, and histochemistry of three species of Jatropha: a contribution to plant recognition and selection

• Jatropha, a traditional medicinal plant known for its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer, antiviral, antidiabetic, and anticoagulant properties, was the subject of our study.
• We examined the morphology and chemical composition of three Jatropha species using cross- and longitudinal sections of fresh samples, observed with light microscopy. Histochemical analysis was conducted using various reagents to reveal the metabolites present.
• Anatomically, the distinguishing feature among the three Jatropha species was the presence of secretory cavities. These structures were identified in the petiole and stem bark of J. multifida, while in J. gossypiifolia and J. curcas they were present in roots. The stem bark cells of J. gossypiifolia were roundish in shape, whereas the others were rectangular. Laticifers were detected in the leaves, petioles, and stem bark of all three Jatropha species, while idioblasts were present in almost all organs. Histochemical tests revealed that excretory idioblasts and laticifers in Jatropha species contained alkaloids, phenolics, lipophilic compounds, and terpenoids. The cuticle of non-glandular trichomes contained terpenoids, while phenolic compounds were found within the secretory cavities.
• These findings contribute to the identification of Jatropha species and provide valuable insights for the selection and collection of specific plant organs containing bioactive compounds.

     

Adiantum diphyllum, a rare and endemic species of Bahia State, Brazil, and its close relatives

Adiantum diphyllum, a species endemic to the coastal forests of Bahia State, Brazil, is characterized and distinguished from other species ofAdiantum with anastomosing veins, elongate sori, and venuloid idioblasts.

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Adiantum diphyllum, uma espécie endêmica das florestas costeiras do leste do Brasil. é caracterizada e distinta das outras espécies deAdiantum com nervuras anastomosadas, soros alongados e idioblastos entre as nervuras.

     

Laminar hydathodes inUrticaceae: Survey of tribes and anatomical observations onPilea pumila andUrtica dioica

Laminar hydathodes are known from only three dicot families. InUrticaceae they are associated with minor vein junctions in all five tribes, as surveyed from cleared leaves of 43 species in 30 genera. Only one species lacked hydathodes. Exclusively adaxial hydathodes were found in 28 genera. In tribeElatostemeae, laminar hydathodes inPilea andPellionia species are abaxial, adaxial, or on both surfaces. Guttation was observed in four species.Urtica dioica (adaxial) andPilea pumila (abaxial) were studied anatomically in detail. Hydathodes in the former have normal bundle structure but xylem gaps sometimes occur. In the latter, phloem is displaced in three previously undescribed ways: 1) ends abruptly near hydathode, 2) curves into connecting vein at adjacent junction, or 3) departs xylem, skirts hydathode independently, and rejoins adjacent xylem strand. Laminar hydathodes are a unifying character of theUrticaceae, and they also strengthen its close relationship to theMoraceae.     

六种沉香属植物叶片解剖结构研究

为比较沉香属不同种植物间的叶片形态解剖特征,将不同来源的六种沉香属植物在海南省兴隆南药园种植,运用石蜡切片法和撕片法对其成熟叶片的解剖特征进行观察,并对叶片的上下表皮,叶脉和叶横切面等12项数量性状进行统计分析。结果表明:六种沉香属植物叶片解剖结构基本一致,均为典型的异面叶,由表皮、叶肉和叶脉组成,表现出典型的旱生形态特点。表皮细胞单层,气孔微下陷,仅分布在下表皮,上下表皮上零星分布着表皮毛。叶肉组织发达,栅栏组织由1~2层排列紧密地圆柱状细胞组成,其间分布着大量的长方晶体,海绵组织内有一层排列较整齐,染色较深的异细胞组成的下皮层。主脉维管束双韧型,呈圆环状,内含大量异细胞。方差分析表明,除栅海比外,叶片厚度、叶脉条数、主脉厚度等其余11项数量指标在六种植物间差异均达到显著水平。聚类分析将这六种植物聚成3类,Aquilaria sinensis(白木香),A.crassna和A.banaensis聚为一类,A.baillonii和A.malaccensis聚为一类;A.yunnanensis(云南沉香)单独为一类。该研究结果为沉香属植物的物种鉴定提供了解剖学依据,同时对沉香属植物合理开发利用具有重要意义。     

Evolutionary relationships of superoxide dismutases and glutamine synthetases from marine species of Alteromonas,Oceanospirillum, Pseudomonas and Deleya

Evolutionary relationships among marine species assigned to the genera Alteromonas, Oceanospirillum, Pseudomonas, and Alcaligenes were determined by an immunological study of their Fe-containing superoxide dismutases (FeSOD) and glutamine synthetases (GS), two enzymes with differentially conserved amino acid sequences which are useful for determining intermediate and distant relationships, respectively. Five reference antisera were prepared against the FeSODs from Alteromonas macleodii, A. haloplanktis, Oceanospirillum commune, Pseudomonas stanieri, and Deleya pacifica. For GS, a previously prepared antiserum to the enzyme from Escherichia coli was employed. Amino acid sequence similarities for both enzymes were determined by the quantitative microcomplement fixation technique and the Ouchterlony double diffusion procedure. Six evolutionary groups were detected by FeSOD sequence similarities: three subgroups within the genus Alteromonas, the genera Oceanospirillum and Pseudomonas, and a new genus, Deleya (to accommodate marine Alcaligenes). Only four groupings were delineated by the GS data: the latter three genera and one group composed of all the species of Alteromonas. Evidence that all of these subgroups are derived from the evolutionary lineage defined by the purple sulfur photosynthetic bacteria is presented.Abbreviations Alt Alteromonas - anti-Amac, anti-Ahal, anti-Ocom, anti-Psta, anti-Dpac antisera to the Fe-containing superoxide dismutases from Alteromonas macleodii 107, Alteromonas haloplanktis 121, Oceanospirillum commune 8, Pseudomonas stanieri 146, Deleya pacifica 62 - FeSOD Fe-containing superoxide dismutase - G+C guanine plus cytosine - GS glutamine synthetase - ImD immunological distance - MnSOD Mn-containing superoxide dismutase - Oce Oceanospirillum - Pse Pseudomonas - Rm relative mobility - rRNA ribosomal RNA - SOD superoxide dismutase Dedicated to the memory of Professor Roger Y. Stanier     

Nectary structure and nectar characteristics in someBignoniaceae

The nectary structure and chemical nectar composition of 15 species belonging to 12 genera ofBignoniaceae are analyzed. All taxa bear a conspicuous nuptial nectary surrounding the ovary base. The secretory tissue is mostly supplied by phloem branches. The stomata are located in the middle and upper part of the nectary epidermis with an homogeneous distribution. The nuptial nectary is proportionally large in relation to the ovary (15–30%), disregarding the nectary volume. Most species have extranuptial nectaries in both inner and outer surfaces of the calyx. Both kinds of nectaries lack a vascular tissue that straightly supplies them. Nuptial nectar concentration (wt/wt) ranges from 19 to 68%. Sugars and amino acids are found in all species. Half of the species have hexose predominant nectars, the remaining sucrose predominant. Phenols are detected in only three species, whereas reducing acids exclusively inTecoma stans. Alkaloids and lipids were never detected. Extranuptial nectar chemical composition is analyzed in two species:Dolichandra cynanchoides andPodranea ricasoliana. Bees constitute the main flower visitors of the species studied whereas hummingbirds were seen visiting three species. A correlation analysis is performed with the data obtained. There are a few significant correlations which indicate a parallel increase of three parameters: the longer the flower length, the more voluminous the nectary and the higher stomata number, independently of the floral biotype. Phenograms are obtained using 24 floral characters including nectary and nectar data. The clusters obtained do not reflect taxonomic relationships but are useful in the understanding of animal-plant interactions when the flower biotype is considered.This paper is based on a chapter of a doctoral thesis presented at the University of Córdoba (Argentina).     

Ontogeny,function and evolution of extreme floral construction inMonimiaceae

In at least 4 genera of theMonimiaceae (Tambourissa, Wilkiea, Kibara, Hennecartia) extremely specialized flowers with a hyperstigma occur, i.e. a secretory zone in the narrow entrance of the floral cup. The mucilaginous secretion of the hyperstigma and of the carpels produces a transmitting medium for pollen tubes continuous from the mouth of the floral cup to the ovules. As to their floral morphology, the two extreme types,Hortonia andTambourissa, are connected gradually by various other genera. Possible evolutionary trends and systematic problems are outlined.     

Absence of CeCl3-detectable peroxisomal glycolate-oxidase activity in developing raphide crystal idioblasts in leaves of Psychotria punctata Vatke and roots of Yucca torreyi L.

Three peroxisomal enzymes, glycolate oxidase, urate oxidase and catalase were localized cytochemically in Psychotria punctata (Rubiaceae) leaves and Yucca torreyi (Agavaceae) seedling root tips, both of which contain developing and mature calcium-oxalate raphide crystal idioblasts. Glycolate-oxidase (EC 1.1.3.1) and catalase (EC 1.11.1.6) activities were present within leaftype peroxisomes in nonidioblastic mesophyll cells in Psychotria leaves, while urate-oxidase (EC 1.7.3.3) activity could not be conclusively demonstrated in these organelles. Unspecialized peroxisomes in cortical parenchyma of Yucca roots exhibited activities of all three enzymes. Reactionproduct deposits attributable to glycolate-oxidase activity were never observed in peroxisomes of any developing or mature crystal idioblasts of Psychotria or Yucca. Catalase localization indicates that idioblast microbodies are functional peroxisomes. The apparent absence of glycolate oxidase in crystal idioblasts of Psychotria and Yucca casts serious doubt that pathways involving this enzyme are operational in the synthesis of the oxalic acid precipitated as calcium-oxalate crystals in these cells.Abbreviations AMPD 2-amino-2-methyl-1,3-propandiol - CTEM conventional transmission electron microscopy - DAB 3,3-diaminobenzidine tetrahydrochloride - HVEM high-voltage electron microscopy     

Molecular phylogeny of Allograpta (Diptera, Syrphidae) reveals diversity of lineages and non-monophyly of phytophagous taxa

Phylogenetic relationships of genera Allograpta, Sphaerophoria and Exallandra (Diptera, Syrphidae) were analyzed based on sequence data from the mitochondrial protein-coding gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and the nuclear 28S and 18S ribosomal RNA genes. The three genera are members of the subfamily Syrphinae, where nearly all members feed as larvae on soft-bodied Hemiptera and other arthropods. Phytophagous species have recently been discovered in two subgenera of Allograpta, sg Fazia and a new subgenus from Costa Rica. Phylogenetic analyses of the combined datasets were performed using parsimony, under static alignment and direct optimization, maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference. Congruent topologies obtained from all the analyses indicate paraphyly of the genus Allograpta with respect to Sphaerophoria and Exallandra. Exallandra appears embedded in the genus Sphaerophoria, and both genera are placed within Allograpta. The distribution of phytophagous taxa in Allograpta indicates that plant feeding evolved at least twice in this group.     

Synopsis of the tribe Bocageeae (Annonaceae), with revisions of Cardiopetalum,Froesiodendron, Trigynaea,Bocagea, and Hornschuchia

The tribal name Bocageeae Endlicher is reestablished and the tribe is circumscribed on the basis of solitary internodal ebracteate pedicels that are articulated at the base, and pollen shed in polyads of eight or more grains. Septate anther locules, large pollen size, and seed appendages are prevalent in the tribe. Intectate pollen with free-standing columellae, rare in Annonaceae, occurs not only in the genusTrigynaea but also in some species ofBocagea andHornschuchia. As defined here, the Bocageeae include seven neotropical genera:Cymbopetalum, Porcelia, Bocagea, Cardiopetalum, Froesiodendron, Hornschuchia, andTrigynaea. The latter five genera are revised and the treatments include ten new species:Cardiopetalum plicatum, Froesiodendron urceocalyx, Hornschuchia lianarum, H. santosii, H. leptandra, Trigynaea cinnamomea, T. lanceipetala, T. triplinervis, T. lagaropoda, andT. axilliflora, all from tropical South America. A new combination,Froesiodendron longicuspe, changes the rank of that taxon from subspecies to species.Cardiopetalum surinamense is removed fromFroesiodendron and reassigned toCardiopetalum on the basis of its connate petals, dehiscent monocarps, and seeds with bilobed arils. A cladogram provides an explicit hypothesis of intergeneric relationships in the tribe. The new combinationOnychopetalum periquino, based onTrigynaea periquino, is made.     

Silicon-accumulating idioblasts in leaves of Cecropiaceae (Urticales)

A survey of the structure and mineral composition of leaf idioblasts in the Cecropiaceae was conducted. In all six genera of the family, idioblasts usually occur as trichomes or enlarged epidermal cells and nearly always accumulate Si, in marked contrast to the idioblasts of other members of the Urticales, which mostly possess cystoliths containing abundant Ca and Si. The horizontally elongate, mineralized structures ofPoikilospermum, reported formerly as “cystoliths” also contain mainly Si and little Ca. Six genera of Cecropiaceae share a common character in accumulating abundant Si in idioblasts of the leaf epidermis, while lacking cystoliths composed of abundant Ca and Si.