Foliar trichornes of the evergreen and semideciduous species of the genus Quercus (Fagaceae) in the Iberian Peninsula

The leaf trichomes of the evergreen and semi-deciduous species of the genus Quercus living in the Iberian Peninsula were studied by means of SEM and LM. The SEM has been particularly useful because of the high quality of the illustrations and the possibility of recognizing the structures under I,M or the stereomicroscope afterwards. The studied species were: Quercus coccifera, Q ilex , Q rotundifolia, Q suber, Q canariensis, Q faginea, Q brateroi and Q lusitanica . All species show some exclusive particularities that permit their identification using these characters. The abaxial surface of the leaf always has more trichomes than the adaxial and hence provides more characters for identification. Quercus alpestris Boiss. shows the same features in the leaf trichomes as Q faginea Lam. A key for identification using these characters is provided.     

Fruit morphology in Tragopogon L. (Compositae: Lactuceae) from the Iberian Peninsula

Achenes of all the Tragopogon species from the Iberian Peninsula were examined by means of scanning-electron microscopy and stereomicroscopy. The achenes of the eight species are described, illustrated and compared. The results are contrasted with the systematics of this genus. The isolated position of T. lamottei with regard to the other seven species is noted. A key is provided to enable the different species to be distinguished.     

Leaf morphology and leaf chemical composition in three Quercus (Fagaceae) species along a rainfall gradient in NE Spain

 Leaf features were examined in three Quercus species (Q. coccifera, Q. ilex and Q. faginea) along a steep rainfall gradient in NE Spain. The analyzed leaf traits were area, thickness, density, specific mass, leaf concentration of nitrogen, phosphorous, lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose, both on a dry weight basis (N_w, P_w, L_w, C_w, H_w) and on an area basis (N_a, P_a, L_a, C_a, H_a). These traits were regressed against annual precipitation and correlated with each other, revealing different response patterns in the three species. Q. faginea, a deciduous tree, did not show any significant correlation with rainfall. In Q. coccifera, an evergreen shrub, N_w, N_a, L_w, L_a and C_a increased with higher annual rainfall, while H_w decreased. In Q. ilex, an evergreen tree, leaf area, P_w and L_w increased with precipitation, whereas specific leaf mass, thickness and H_a showed the reverse response. Correlations between the leaf features revealed that specific mass variation in Q. faginea and Q. coccifera could be explained by changes in leaf density, while in Q. ilex specific leaf mass was correlated with thickness. Specific leaf mass in the three species appeared positively correlated with all the chemical components on a leaf area basis except with lignin in Q. ilex and with P in Q. ilex and Q. faginea. In these two tree species P_w showed a negative correlation with specific leaf mass. It is suggested that each species has a different mechanism to cope with water shortage which is to a great extent related to its structure as a whole, and to its habit. Received: 18 December 1995 / Accepted: 8 March 1996     

Molecular identification (RAPD) of the eight species of the genus Barbus (Cyprinidae) in the Iberian Peninsula

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis has been used to identify the eight Barbus species of the Iberian Peninsula, whose morphological differentiation is difficult. Ten random primers were employed to generate RAPD markers. Different RAPD profiles were observed for the different species. Four species-specific markers were found in B. bocagei , seven in B. comizo , five in B. graellsii , three in B. guiraonis , eight in B. haasi , 13 in B. meridionalis , four in B. microcephalus and four in B. sclateri. Evidence is presented that RAPD markers constitute useful tools for accurate taxonomic identification of Spanish barbels which is one of the first prerequisites in effective conservation programmes.     

中国栎属(壳斗科)基于叶表皮及叶结构特征的分支分析

以三棱栎为外类群,基于叶表皮及叶结构特征对中国栎属进行初步的分支分析,结果显示了栎属内稳定的“支”结构及其种间关系。栎亚属可划分为5个组,分别为巴东栎组,高山栎组,Jiang子栎组,麻栎组和槲栎组,Jiang子栎组是栎亚属常绿栎类与落叶栎类之间的过渡类群;高山栎组应为栎亚属常绿栎类中的特化类群,而非最原始类群,5个组中,仅巴东栎组不是单系类群,而是一个多系类群,青冈亚属较栎亚属早分支,可划分为3大类;无毛类,简单被毛类和复杂被毛类;无毛类最原始,复杂被毛类与栎亚属关系最近,因此,叶表皮及叶结构特征对解决栎亚属组间亲缘关系有重要的分类学意义。     

First record of Erysiphe quercicola (Ascomycota: Erysiphales) on species of Quercus subgenus Cyclobalanopsis (evergreen oaks,Fagaceae)

During the DNA sequence analyses of specimens on Quercus subgenus Cyclobalanopsis deposited as Erysiphe gracilis or Cystotheca wrightii, some specimens exhibited DNA sequences that are different from the sequences of the two species. Based on BLAST search and morphological observations, the true causal agent was identified as E. quercicola. This is the first record of E. quercicola on species of subgenus Cyclobalanopsis. Previous studies revealed that E. quercicola is plurivorous infecting a wide range of tropical fruit trees and woody plants. Further studies are needed to address the question as to why only E. quercicola infect species of subgenus Cyclobalanopsis.     

Leaf epidermal features of Quercus subgenus Cyclobalanopsis (Fagaceae) and their systematic significance

Leaf epidermal features are important taxonomic features in Quercus. We studied leaf epidermal features of 91 species and one forma of Quercus subgenus Cyclobalanopsis using light and scanning electron microscopy. Trichome terminology in oaks was assessed and clarified, aiming to score the epidermal features accurately for genus‐wide comparison. Nine trichome types, anomocytic and cyclocytic stomatal apparatus, smooth layer and platelet epicuticular wax flakes, and two trichome base types were found in subgenus Cyclobalanopsis. The epidermal features revealed three main groups in subgenus Cyclobalanopsis. The epidermal features of Quercus s.l. were uniform, supporting recognition of Cyclobalanopsis as a subgenus of Quercus rather than as a separate genus. Most leaf epidermal features show a mosaic pattern, although their numerous variations offered valuable resources for species identification. The leaf epidermal features that can be used for identification of Quercus leaves are also discussed and summarized. © 2014 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2014, 176 , 224–260.     

Taxonomic revision of the genus Succisella (Dipsacaceae) in the Iberian Peninsula

A revision of the three endemic Iberian species of Succisella G. Beck ( S. carvalhoana , S. microcephala and S. andreae-molinae ), based on herbarium studies, SEM photographs and field observations, is presented utilizing morphological, palynological, karyological, biogeographical and ecological characters. The distribution of the species in the Iberian Peninsula is shown in a grid map. Full synonymy is given for all taxa.  © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2004, 144 , 351–364.     

The genus Smittium (Trichomycetes, Harpellales) in the Iberian Peninsula

A study of larval Diptera (Chironomidae, Culicidae and Simuliidae) from Spain has been carried out to fulfill a catalogue of species of the genus Smittium (Harpellales: Legeriomycetaceae) present within these hosts. Among the reported taxa, eight are new species: Smittium brevisporum, S. bulbosporo-phorus, S. gracilis, S. hecatei, S. heterosporum, S. inex-pectans, S. prostratum and S. pseudodimorphum. We also report six previously described species, which are new for the Iberian Peninsula: S. alpinum, S. dipterorum, S. megazygosporum, S. pusillum, S. typhellum and S. fecundum. Three other species (S. simulii, S. culicis and S. culisetae) previously were reported from Spain. In two of them (S. fecundum and S. culicis), we describe for the first time the presence of zygospores. Some of the included species have been artificially cultured as well as ultrastructurally studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), with the purpose of observing the surface of both trichospores and the trichospore collar and the morphology of the trichospore appendage.     

Taxonomy of Quercus crassifolia (Fagaceae) and morphologically similar species in Mexico

In this work, ten species morphologically similar to Q. crassifolia are circumscribed based on a phylogenetic species concept. Examination of these species suggests that Q. dysophylla and Q. radiata are of hybrid origin; the putative parents of Q. dysophylla are Q. crassifolia and Q. crassipes, while Q. radiata is likely the result of hybridization between Q. coccolobifolia and Q. conzattii or Q. urbanii. A lectotype of Q. crassifolia is designated here. Dichotomous keys, as well as distribution ranges and photographs, are presented.     

Lichenized species of Omphalina (Tricholomataceae) in the Iberian Peninsula

Abstract:A taxonomic revision of the lichenized species of the genus Omphalina in the Iberian Peninsula is presented, based upon fungal and lichen herbarium material, as well as on fresh collections. Relevant morphological and ecological features are discussed and a diagnostic key is provided. Four lichenized species, O. ericetorum, O. hudsoniana, O. meridionalis and O. velutina, are recognized. A squamulose vegetative thallus (Coriscium -type) is present only in O. hudsoniana, while the other three species form a thallus of hyphal globules (Botrydina -type). Anatomical features of the vegetative thallus cannot be used to distinguish between these last three species. Whilst O. hudsoniana is known only from the montane belt of the Eurosiberian Region and O. meridionalis seems to be restricted to the Mediterranean Region, living in more or less humid sites of the Supramediterranean belt, the other two species, O. ericetorum and O. velutina, are widespread.     

Leaf epidermis of Quercus subgen. Cyclobalanopsis (Oerst.) Schneid. (Fagaceae)

The characters of leaf epidermis (mainly epidermal cells, stomata, trichomes) have been examined in 48 species of Quercus subgen. Cyclobalanopsis of the Fagaceae. The adaxial leaf epidermis was investigated under light microscope. The epidermal cells of this surface are of two types in terms of the outline of their anticlinal wall. One type is characterized by having straight wall, and this type has been observed in most of the species studied, while the other is characterized by having sinuate or sinuolate wall, and this type has been found only in eight species, such as Q. blakei and Q. hui. There exist two types of trichome-bases on this surface: in one type the bases are singlecelled, and this type has been found in most of the species studied, such as Q. oxyodon and Q. augustinii; while in the other the bases consist of a group of cells, and this type has been found only in nine species, such as Q. thorelii and Q. chungii. The abaxial leaf epidermis was investigated under light microscope and scanning electron microscope. The epidermal cells and the trichome-bases on this surface under LM are in morphology essentially similar to those on the adaxial surface. The stomata under LM include three types: cyclocytic, subcyclocytic and anomocytic. The stomatal density is of some diagnostic value to distinguish between closely related species, e.g. the stomatal density in Q. glauca is higher than that in Q. schottkyana. Under SEM the stomata are elliptical or roundish. The most noteworthy feature of the adaxial leaf epidermis is the trichomes. Eight types of trichomes have been observed under SEM: simple-uniseriate, solitary, papillae, stellate, fused-stellate, stipitate-fasciculate, multiradiate and jellyfish-like. The first type, i.e. the simple-uniseriate trichome, is glandular, other six types, i.e. the solitary, papillae, stellate, fused-stellate, stipitate-fasciculate and multiradiate trichomes, are non-glandular, and the last one, i.e. the jellyfish-like trichome, may represent an intermediate type in structure between the glandular and the non-glandular trichomes. Papillae are very common in subgen. Cyclobalanopsis although in the Fagaceae they were previously reported only in a few species of Lithocarpus. The jellyfish-like trichome, observed only in Q. sichouensis, is reported in the Fagaceae for the first time. The evolutionary trends of trichomes are discussed. The trichomes seem to evolve toward the direction of increasing complexity in structure. Papillae are considered as the pedomorphism of trichomes. From papillae the solitary trichomes and then the stellate ones have evolved. The complicated trichome types with more arms may be produced from relatively simple ones with fewer arms by means of varions fusion: several stellate trichomes are fused to form the fused-stellate ones by basal fusion, and by the same way the fused-stellate ones to form the stipitate-fasciculate ones; the multiradiate trichomes are formed by the stellate ones, in which the arms emerge in a variety of seemingly random directions from a typically rounded common base. Based on the above results, it is considered that the trichome features are of important significance for a better understanding of the infrageneric division of Quercus and the phylogenetic relationships between this genus and the other genera in the Fagaceae. The very common presence of papillae in Quercus subgen. Cyclobalanopsis and in a few species of Lithocarpus may indicate that subgen. Cyclobalanopsis is a quite natural group on the one hand, and may have close relationship with Lithocarpus on the other hand. The thin-walled, jellyfish-like trichomes found in Q. sichouensis are in structure similar to the “glandular” peltate trichomes in Trigonobalanus, a genus generally regarded as the most primitive in subfam. Quercoideae, indicating that the affinity between subgen. Cyclobalanopsis and Trigonobalanus may becloser than that between subgen. Quercus and Trigonobalanus.     

栎属青冈亚属（壳斗科）的叶表皮研究

利用光镜和扫描电镜观察了栎属青冈亚属Quercus subgen. Cyclobalanopsis 48种植物的叶表皮,尤以对叶下表皮的毛被特征观察较为仔细。共观察到8种不同类型的叶表皮毛：单列毛、单毛、乳突、星状毛、溶和星状毛、具柄束毛、多出毛和水母状毛。其中乳突在青冈亚属中较常见,而在壳斗科其他属中仅在石栎属 Lithocarpus 少数种类中有报道;水母状毛首次在壳斗科中发现。毛被可能遵循以下的演化规律：乳突→单毛→星状毛;星状毛依照从简单→复杂的演化途径,分化出各种形态各异和结构复杂的毛系。初步讨论了毛被以及叶表皮其他特征(如毛基细胞和表皮细胞的形态、气孔的类型和密度等)的分类和系统学意义。     

Phylogeography and species delineation of the genus Phoxinus Rafinesque, 1820 (Actinopterygii: Leuciscidae) in the Iberian Peninsula

The genus Phoxinus is comprised of at least 15 currently recognized species inhabiting Eurasia. Morphological traits have been traditionally used to delineate species in Phoxinus; however, the high level of phenotypic plasticity observed in the genus has confounded this process. Molecular genetic analyses have revealed a higher than expected genetic structure within Phoxinus. Here, we analyzed both nuclear and mitochondrial molecular genetic markers to infer the phylogeography and divergence times of Phoxinus in the Iberian Peninsula. Our results show that the Iberian lineages of Phoxinus were polyphyletic. They also support the co‐existence of three species in the Iberian Peninsula, two corresponding to two previously recognized species (Phoxinus bigerri and Phoxinus septimaniae) and a third undescribed species (Phoxinus sp.). Phoxinus bigerri is structured into western Cantabrian, eastern Cantabrian, and Artibai basins. We hypothesize that this structure is a consequence of glaciation–deglaciation cycles during the Pleistocene. While the presence of P. septimaniae in the Iberian Peninsula is possibly the result of human translocation, that of Phoxinus sp. in lower Ebro rivers may be attributed to past fluvial captures. Our study represents the first report to show a relationship among Phoxinus populations from central Pyrenean rivers of Spain and France. Furthermore, we found genetic hybridization between Phoxinus sp. and P. septimaniae in the shared localities, a likely consequence of anthropogenic activities. Overall, our findings provide insight into the genetic structure of Iberian Phoxinus populations, including the presence of an undescribed species and the putative introduction of some species that may have implications for conservation.     

Pollen morphology of Xanthium L. (s.l.) (Asteraceae,Asteroideae, Heliantheae,Ambrosiinae) in the Iberian Peninsula - a palynotaxonomic approach to a poisonous,allergenic and invasive genus

Abstract

The pollen morphology of the Iberian taxa of the genus Xanthium s.l. and of the non-Iberian species X. ambrosioides was studied to help to identify these poisonous, allergenic and invasive taxa and clarify their taxonomic relationships. In addition, the question of the existence and structure of a mesoaperture in the apertural system of Xanthium was also considered. The pollen grains of sections Acanthoxanthium and Xanthium clearly differ by their characters, which supports the separation of both taxa and allows for their distinction based on pollen morphology. It is suggested that the morphological and palynological differences between Xanthium and Acanthoxanthium, together with the lack of hybridisation between the two sections and the monophyly of Acanthoxanthium, could lead to the elevation of the latter to the generic status. The two species of section Xanthium present in the Iberian Peninsula (X. orientale and X. strumarium) and of section Acanthoxanthium are well separated by their palynological features. Likewise, the Iberian subspecies of Xanthium, X. orientale subsp. orientale and X. orientale subsp. italicum are palynologically distinguishable. However, no significant difference could be found between the pollen of X. strumarium subsp. strumarium and of X. strumarium subsp. brasilicum. The pollen data do not support the hypotheses of a hybrid origin for X. strumarium subsp. brasilicum. A mesoaperture intersecting the foot layer and the upper part of the endexine is present in both sections, which is congruent with the results already found for other Asteroideae.     

Karyology of theScorzonera (Compositae) species from the Iberian Peninsula

A karyological study of 15 taxa ofScorzonera L. from the Iberian Peninsula has been made. The chromosome numbers found inS. hispanica var.pinnatifida, S. baetica, S. reverchonii, S. angustifolia, S. laciniata var.calcitrapifolia and var.subulata (2n = 14) are new. Diploid cytotypes with 2n = 14 and 2n = 12 prevail, andS. hispanica var.crispatula is the only taxon which exhibits autopolyploidy (2n = 14, 28). x = 7 is considered to be the base chromosome number within the genus, with x = 6 being derived from it by translocation. This and detailed karyotype analyses allow to group the Iberian Peninsula species ofScorzonera into three groups.     

Pollen morphology of some species belonging to Codonoprasum and Allium sections of Allium (Liliaceae-Alliaceae) genus

Pollen morphology of 14 Allium L. species grown in Turkey, that belong to the sections Codonoprasum and Allium, were investigated under LM (light microscopy) and by SEM (scanning electron microscopy). However, the pollens of 5 species were investigated under TEM (transmission electron microscopy). Detailed pollen morphological characteristics are given for Allium in the family on the basis of the results presented here together with data from the literature. The genera Allium homogeneous in both aperture type and exine ornamentation. It is suggested that some palynological characters, such as aperture type and the presence of an operculum, could be of taxonomic value at the section level.     

Chromosome counts in the genus Festuca section Eskia (Poaceae) in the Iberian Peninsula

Chromosome numbers of taxa of Festuca L. section Eskia Willk. in the Iberian Peninsula are given. The levels of ploidy for five taxa are confirmed. Idiograms and karyotypic formulae of the five taxa are presented for the first time. Two levels of ploidy occur in this section: diploid and tetraploid. One taxon, Festuca elegans ssp. merinoi is tetraploid and two other taxa have diploid and tetraploid populations. The remaining two taxa are solely diploid.  © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2004, 146 , 331–337.     

Epidermal micromorphology of the genus Festuca L. (Poaceae) in the Iberian Peninsula

Micromorphological features of the leaf-blade, lemma, and palea were examined under scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for 64 species of the genus Festuca L. occurring in the Iberian Peninsula. The objective of the study was to survey these characters for the first time in the whole of the genus Festuca in this region, to assess their taxonomic value, and to compare the variation with recent DNA sequence-based phylogenies. The principal features include the frequency, shape, and distribution of silica bodies, short cells, crown cells, and prickles, and the morphology of long cells. The abaxial lemma surface shows the most important taxonomical and phylogenetic characters. The variation observed was consistent with the subgenera and sections identified in molecular studies.