A cytogenetic study of R. constantinopolitanus and R. sericeus (Ranunculaceae) in Iran

With 600 species Ranunculus is the largest genus in Ranunculaceae, and has a broad global distribution. We studied the karyotypes of R. constantinopolitanus and R. sericeus species of Ranunculaceae and identified their symmetry level. New chromosome numbers of 2n = 21 (Nodeh woods population) and 2n ca. 63 (Javaherdeh population) are reported for R. constantinopolitanus. Two different populations of R. sericeus had two different chromosome results. We investigated morphological and karyological studies along with pollens micromorphology. Different populations of R. constantinopolitanus and R. sericeus, with different chromosome numbers showed morphological and micromorphological differences. Therefore, we considered the two populations of R. sericeus as cytotypes. There was a correlation between the studied morphological characters and pollen size with ploidy levels in the two R. constantinopolitanus populations.     

Enhancement of auxin sensitivity in Ranunculus sceleratus by ethylene: A mechanism to escape from hypoxia under temporary submergence

We analyzed auxin-induced and ethylene-enhanced elongation of petiole segments in Ranunculus sceleratus L. The early time course of elongation in petiolar segments was monitored with a computer-based video digitizer system. The application of ethylene-releasing ethrel slightly increased the elongation rate in the absence of IAA. When IAA alone was applied, elongation increased after a latent period of approximately 30 min. Maximal elongation rate was attained immediately after the latent period, and then the stabilized steady rate was recorded. During this phase, addition of ethrel strongly increased the elongation rate after a period of approximately 18 min. Although ethrel could acidify the growth medium, only a small part of the enhanced elongation was due to an acid-growth effect. Most of the growth stimulation was auxin-dependent and must be ascribed to the presence of ethylene. In the presence of ethrel, the log-concentration-response curve of IAA appeared to be shifted to the left. This kinetic analysis indicates an increase, due to ethylene, in the sensitivity of the R. sceleratus petiole to auxin, which results in inducing rapid growth to escape from hypoxia under temporary submergence.     

Safety zones for a Sclerotinia sclerotiorum-based mycoherbicide: Accounting for regional and yearly variation in climate

Variation in the width of 'safety zones' for sheep and dairy pasture treated with a Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary-based mycoherbicide was quantified using 10 years of climate data from each of five regions in New Zealand. Acceptable and risk-averse zones were defined as the maximum distances in any direction from a treated pasture where 'added:natural' ratios of air-borne S. sclerotiorum spores are 1:1 and 1:10, respectively. The 10-year mean 1:1 safety zone had zero width for sheep pasture at all locations, and was at most, 50 m wide for dairy pasture. The width of the 10-year mean 1:10 zone varied regionally from 314 to 443 m for sheep and from 175 to 280 m for dairy pasture, and the 90th percentile 1:10 zones were up to 41% wider. Linear relationships between safety zone width and mean wind speed were evident and these could be used to derive region-specific safety zones.     

禺毛茛及其复合体种间亲缘关系形成研究

在Tamura M.,Okada及廖亮研究的基础上,通过禺毛茛复合体(禺毛茛R.cantoniensis 4x,卷喙毛茛R.sileri folius var.silerifolius 2x,长花毛茛R.sileri folius var.dolicathus 2x,茴茴蒜R.chinensis 2x,扬子毛茛R.sieboldii 6x及8x)的核型分析,结合地球环境的演变历史,进一步研究了禺毛茛的形成方式和时间,并对禺毛茛复合体种间亲缘关系的形成进行了探讨,为毛茛属系统进化研究提供资料。     

Rhodamine 123 as a vital stain for mitochondria of plant cells

Abstract. Rhodamine 123 (Rh 123), a relatively new mitochondrial marker, little used in the study of plant cells, was tested on excized leaves of Elodea canadensis Michx. and on suspension-cultured cells of Ranunculus serbicus Vis. In both preparations, the dye accumulated rapidly and selectively in the mitochondria whose number, morphology and cell distribution could be easily observed. In the presence of Rh 123, cytoplasmic movements could also be perceived and the spatial arrangement of the mitochondria with respect to that of the auto-fluorescent chloroplasts was studied in connection with a normal or altered cytoskeletal framework. The specific uptake of Rh 123 by the organdies seemed to be potential-dependent since it was influenced by cations, ionophores and inhibitors of electron transport. Short exposures to the stain were practically non-toxic, whereas prolonged treatments (6–20 h) provoked specific alterations in structure of the mitochondria. The data reported here indicate that Rh 123 may be an excellent vital stain to study the morphology, function and dynamics of the mitochondria in living plant cells.     

猫爪草中的脂肪酸类化合物

为了解小毛茛(Ranunculus ternatus Thunb.)的化学成分,采用色谱技术从其干燥块根猫爪草中分离纯化得到5个脂肪酸类化合物,经波谱分析,他们的结构分别鉴定为(R)-3-hydroxy-11-methoxy-11-oxoundecanoic acid(1)、十六烷酸(2)、棕榈酸乙酯(3)、已二酸(4)和硬脂酸(5)。其中,化合物1为新化合物,这些成分对耐药结核分枝杆菌(耐INH+RFP)有一定的体外抑制活性。     

Cytotype stability, facultative apomixis and geographical parthenogenesis in Ranunculus kuepferi (Ranunculaceae)

Background and Aims

Asexual organisms are more widespread in previously glaciated areas than their sexual relatives (‘geographical parthenogenesis’). In plants, this pattern is probably dependent on reproductive isolation and stability of cytotypes within their respective distribution areas. Both partial apomixis and introgressive hybridization potentially destabilize the spatial separation of sexual and apomictic populations. The wide distribution of apomicts may be further enhanced by uniparental reproduction which is advantageous for colonization. These factors are studied in the alpine species Ranunculus kuepferi.

Methods

Geographical distribution, diversity and mode of reproduction of cytotypes were assessed using flow cytometry and flow cytometric seed screening on samples from 59 natural populations of Ranunculus kuepferi. Seed set of cytotypes was compared in the wild.

Key Results

Diploid sexuals are confined to the south-western parts of the Alps, while tetraploid apomicts dominate in previously glaciated and in geographically isolated areas despite a significantly lower fertility. Other cytotypes (3x, 5x and 6x) occur mainly in the sympatric zone, but without establishing populations. The tetraploids are predominantly apomictic, but also show a partial apomixis via an uncoupling of apomeiosis and parthenogenesis in the seed material. Both pseudogamy and autonomous endosperm formation are observed which may enhance uniparental reproduction.

Conclusions

Diploids occupy a glacial relic area and resist introgression of apomixis, probably because of a significantly higher seed set. Among the polyploids, only apomictic tetraploids form stable populations; the other cytotypes arising from partial apomixis fail to establish, probably because of minority cytotype disadvantages. Tetraploid apomicts colonize previously devastated and also distant areas via long-distance dispersal, confirming Baker''s law of an advantage of uniparental reproduction. It is concluded that stability of cytotypes and of modes of reproduction are important factors for establishing a pattern of geographical parthenogenesis.     

Seed dormancy,after-ripening and light requirements of four annual Asteraceae in south-western Australia

A dissected-leaved form of Ranunculus repens L. occurs in the temporary limestone lakes (turloughs) across the west of Ireland. Turloughs fill with groundwater for up to 8 months of the year. Under experimental conditions, these turlough populations demonstrated a higher rate of aerial and submerged photosynthesis than populations of the more typical broad-leaved ruderal form. The turlough populations also had higher rates of stomatal conductance and exhibited a higher stomatal index on the upper leaf surface and a lower index on the lower leaf surface than the ruderal populations. Neither population could utilize bicarbonate to any great extent, with rates of photosynthesis under submerged conditions being only 5 % of aerial rates. Respiration under submerged conditions was significantly higher in the turlough populations than in ruderal populations, and it is hypothesized that the more dissected leaf shape of the turlough population may have a thinner boundary layer and thus enhance gas exchange in submerged conditions.     

Ecological factors influencing tetraploid speciation in snow buttercups (Ranunculus Adoneus): niche differentiation and tetraploid establishment

Chromosome doubling plays an important role in generating new species of flowering plants. However, reproductive incompatibilities between newly formed tetraploid plants and their diploid progenitors are expected to create a significant barrier to the persistence and establishment of neopolyploid populations. Ecological differentiation can reduce this barrier via prezygotic isolation arising from spatial separation. Alternatively, superior viability or fecundity of neotetraploid plants might compensate for the reproductive cost of incompatible pollen from diploid neighbors. The performance of plants of both cytotypes can be assessed in their respective habitats through reciprocal transplants, although such experiments have not been used previously in the study of tetraploid speciation. We used a series of seed and seedling transplant experiments to assess ecological differentiation and competitive ability during early establishment phases for tetraploid and diploid forms of the snow buttercup (Ranunculus adoneus). At two sites, seeds from diploids and tetraploids had similar germination probabilities. Tetraploid snow buttercup seedlings had a significant growth advantage in a controlled environment chamber experiment. However, in the field diploid and tetraploid buttercup seedlings did not differ consistently in survival or growth, nor did the two cytotypes show reciprocal advantages in performance, as expected if ecological differentiation has occurred. At the seed and seedling stages, neither niche differentiation nor tetraploid competitive superiority appears sufficient to explain neotetraploid success in the presence of their diploid progenitors.     

Solar furnaces or swamp coolers: costs and benefits of water use by solar-tracking flowers of the alpine snow buttercup, Ranunculus adoneus

Solar tracking or heliotropism simultaneously raises organ temperature and light interception. For leaves and flowers carbon gain is maximized at the expense of water loss. In this study I explore how costs and benefits associated with water use by solar-tracking flowers of the alpine snow buttercup, Ranunculus adoneus change with ambient temperature. First, I test whether heliotropism increases the water cost of reproduction in the snow buttercup under extant alpine conditions. I then explore whether water use for evaporative cooling in solar-tracking flowers reduces the risk of over-heating as temperatures increase. Solar tracking, by elevating floral temperature and irradiance causes a 29% increase in water uptake by flowers. Gas exchange measurements suggest that the extra water taken up by solar-tracking flowers is released through transpiration. Transpirational cooling in turn allows solar-tracking flowers to gain advantages of enhanced light interception and warmth while reducing the risk of over-heating. Transpiration reduces excess temperature in solar-tracking flowers, but at a water cost. Results show that even in cool alpine habitats, flower heliotropism has water costs to balance its reproductive advantages. Plants with solar-tracking flowers may tolerate hotter conditions if soil moisture is plentiful, but not under drought.