A SURVEY FOR 1,3,6,7-TETRAHYDROXY-C-GLYCOSYLXANTHONES EMPHASIZING THE “PRIMITIVE” LEPTOSPORANGIATE FERNS AND THEIR ALLIES

A survey for 1,3,6,7-tetrahydroxy-C-glycosylxanthones of representative species within the primitive vascular plants, emphasizing the leptosporangiate ferns, has indicated a limited distribution of these compounds within three leptosporangiate families: Hymenophyllaceae, Aspleniaceae and Marsileaceae. In the Hymenophyllaceae the distribution of these compounds appears to be a useful criterion for segregating species of Mecodium from other species of Hymenophyllum (sensu lato) and suggests that the tubulate vs. the valvate indusial condition may not be an ideal character for separating all species of Hymenophyllum (s.l.) from those of Trichomanes (s.l.). These compounds appear useful for delimiting several species of Elaphoglossum section Pachyglossa and support a relationship among the Aspleniaceae, Athyriaceae, and Elaphoglossaceae. Their presence in Marsilea also raises questions as to the origin of this group of plants.     

INTROGRESSION IN TRICHOMANES

Anderson's graphic method of population analysis applied to a number of specimens of Trichomanes sect. Selenodesmium points to introgressive hybridization between T. polystromaticum and T. dentatum. The two species, one of which grows in a xeric habitat and the other in a very protected mesic one, tend to maintain their specific integrities in their extreme habitats. Intermediate forms which tend to grow in intermediate habitats give indication of genetic imbalance in the form of diad spore production. Peculiarities of the fern and in particular of the hymenophyllaceous life cycle are discussed in the context of hybridization.     

The origins of the genomes of Triticum biunciale,t. ovatum,t. neglectum,t. columnare,and t. rectum (poaceae) based on variation in repeated nucleotide sequences

The origins of the genomes of allotetraploid species Triticum biunciale, T. ovatum, T. neglectum, and T. columnare, and allohexaploid T. rectum were investigated by examining the presence of specific restriction fragments of repeated nucleotide sequences in DNAs of the polyploid species. The restriction fragments were detectable either in a single diploid Triticum species (unique characters) or a group of diploid species (unique shared characters). The analysis showed that Triticum biunciale and T. ovatum are closely related. In both species, one pair of genomes is closely related to the genome of T. umbellulatum and the other is a modified genome of T. comosum. The same genome formula, UUM°M°, is proposed for T. biunciale and T. ovatum. Potential reasons for the modification of the M° genome are discussed. Triticum neglectum and T. columnare are also closely related to each other and have the same genomes. They share the U genome with T. biunciale and T. ovatum, but their second pair of genomes is unrelated to the M° genome. No relationship was found of this genome to a genome of any extant diploid species of Triticum or any phylogenetic lineage leading to the extant diploid species. This unknown genome is designated X'.∗∗∗ The proposed genome formula for T. neglectum and T. columnare is UUX'X'∗∗∗. Hexaploid T. rectum originated from hybridization of one of the tetraploid species with the formula UUX'X', likely T. neglectum, with T. uniaristatum (genome N), and its genome formula is UUX'X'NN.     

C-glycosylxanthone and flavonoid variation within the filmy-ferns (hymenophyllaceae)

The identification and distribution of flavone and flavonol-O-glycosides, C-glycosylflavones and C-glycosylxanthones are fully documented for Hymenophyllum tunbridgense, H. (Mecodium) dilatatum, H. (M.) recurvatum, Trichomanes (Didymoglossum) petersii, T. (Cardiomanes) reniforme, and T. (Polyphlebium) venosum. A number of novel acetylated and benzoylated C-glycosylxanthones, orientin and isoorientin arabinofuranosides, and tricetin 8-C-glucoside are reported for the first time. This preliminary study suggests that a wide variety of chemotypes is encompassed within this family, and that a thorough chemotaxonomic study should be of considerable value in resolving the much disputed subfamilial taxonomic relationships. The available data do not support the division of the family into the two classic genera Hymenophyllum and Trichomanes.     

GENETIC VARIATION IN TRAGOPOGON SPECIES: ADDITIONAL ORIGINS OF THE ALLOTETRAPLOIDS T. MIRUS AND T. MISCELLUS (COMPOSITAE)

Genetic diversity in the introduced diploids Tragopogon dubius, T. porrifolius, and T. pratensis and their neoallotetraploid derivatives T. mirus and T. miscellus was estimated to assess the numbers of recurrent, independent origins of the two tetraploid species in the Palouse region of eastern Washington and adjacent Idaho. These tetraploid species arose in this region, probably within the past 50–60 yr, and provide one of the best models for the study of polyploidy in plants. The parental species of both T. mirus and T. miscellus have been well documented, and each tetraploid species has apparently formed multiple times. However, a recent survey of the distributions of these allotetraploids revealed that both tetraploid species have expanded their ranges considerably during the past 50 yr, and several new populations of each species were discovered. Therefore, to evaluate the possibility that these recently discovered populations are of recent independent origin, a broad analysis of genetic diversity in T. mirus, T. miscellus, and their diploid progenitors was conducted. Analyses of allozymic and DNA restriction site variation in all known populations of T. mirus and T. miscellus in the Palouse and several populations of each parental diploid species revealed several distinct genotypes in each tetraploid species. Four isozymic multilocus genotypes were observed in T. mirus, and seven were detected in T. miscellus. Tragopogon mirus possesses a single chloroplast genome, that of T. porrifolius, and two distinct repeat types of the 18S-26S ribosomal RNA genes. Populations of T. miscellus from Pullman, Washington, have the chloroplast genome of T. dubius; all other populations of T. miscellus have the chloroplast DNA of T. pratensis. All populations of T. miscellus combine the ribosomal RNA repeat types of T. dubius and T. pratensis, as demonstrated previously. When all current and previously published data are considered, both T. mirus and T. miscellus appear to have formed numerous times even within the small geographic confines of the Palouse, with estimates of five to nine and two to 21 independent origins, respectively. Such recurrent polyploidization appears to characterize most polyploid plant species investigated to date (although this number is small) and may contribute to the genetic diversity and ultimate success of polyploid species.     

Taxonomic reinstatement of Teucrium andrusi from T. paederotoides based on morphological and anatomical evidences

Teucrium andrusi, described by Post from Mardin province, Turkey, was synonimized with T. paederotoides in the flora of Turkey. According to the records in the flora of Turkey T. paederotoides was a steno‐endemic species, only known from the type locality in Gaziantep and from Mardin province. Specimens of T. paederotoides s.l. were collected from both localities and a detailed comparison of the plants from Gaziantep with those from Mardin revealed that the two populations were sufficiently distinct from each other to be recognised as separate species. Thus, T. andrusi Post is reinstated from the synonymy with T. paederotoides. Teucrium andrusi is morphologically different from T. paederotoides s.s. in terms of its general indumentum, leaf margin, bract and calyx shape, corolla colour and nutlet macro–micromorphology. It can be anatomically distinguished from T. paederotoides s.s. by stoma type, stomatal distribution on the leaf surface, crystal content in the cells and cuticula thickness. Ecological data related with the accompanying species also support species status for T. andrusi. While the two taxa are very similar in pollen and nutlet morphology, trichome density on the nutlets are different.     

NADP-dependent aromatic alcohol dehydrogenase in polyploid wheats and their diploid relatives. On the origin and phylogeny of polyploid wheats

Summary The three major isoenzymes of the NADP-dependent aromatic alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH-B), distinguished in polyploid wheats by means of polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, are shown to be coded by homoeoalleles of the locus Adh-2 on short arms of chromosomes of the fifth homoeologous group. Essentially codominant expression of the Adh-2 homoeolleles of composite genomes was observed in young seedlings of hexaploid wheats (T. aestivum s.l.) and tetraploid wheats of the emmer group (T. turgidum s.l.), whereas only the isoenzyme characteristic of the A genome is present in the seedlings of the timopheevii-group tetraploids (T. timopheevii s.str. and T. araraticum).The slowest-moving B³ isoenzyme of polyploid wheats, coded by the homoeoallele of the B genome, is characteristic of the diploid species Aegilops speltoides S.l., including both its awned and awnless forms, but was not encountered in Ae. bicornis, Ae. sharonensis and Ae. longissima. The last two diploids, as well as Ae. tauschii, Ae. caudata, Triticum monococcum s.str., T. boeoticum s.l. (incl. T. thaoudar) and T. urartu all shared a common isoenzyme coinciding electrophoretically with the band B² controlled by the A and D genome homoeoalleles in polyploid wheats. Ae. bicomis is characterized by the slowest isoenzyme, B⁴, not found in wheats and in the other diploid Aegilops species studied.Two electrophoretic variants of ADH-B, B¹ and B², considered to be alloenzymes of the A genome homoeoallele, were observed in T. dicoccoides, T. dicoccon, T. turgidum. s.str. and T. spelta, whereas B² was characteristic of T. timopheevii s.l. and only B¹ was found in the remaining taxa of polyploid wheats. The isoenzyme B¹, not encountered among diploid species, is considered to be a mutational derivative which arose on the tetraploid level from its more ancestral form B² characteristic of diploid wheats.The implication of the ADH-B isoenzyme data to the problems of wheat phylogeny and gene evolution is discussed.     

Molecular evidence using enzyme and RAPD markers for sympatric evolution in British species of Tetramesa (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae)

Some species of the insect genus Tetramesa (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae), which has a world‐wide distribution, are morphologically very similar, both in the adult and larval stages. In the British Isles, there are 37 recorded species, all of which feed on grasses as larvae and are largely host specific. Some form galls on their hosts; others do not. We used a range of enzyme and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers to investigate a complex of five cryptic species occurring sympatrically in the UK, collected from seven sites in mainland England and Wales: T. calamagrostidis (von Schlechtendal), T. longicornis (Walker) and T. petiolata (Walker) infesting different grass hosts, and T. hyalipennis (Walker) s.l. comprising two‐host adapted forms (labelled 1 and 2) reared from the grasses Elymus repens and E. farctus, respectively. Nine soluble enzyme systems (some known to be polymorphic in other insects) and 37 RAPD primers allowed taxonomic separation of the species. However, whilst RAPD markers were able to discriminate between the two host‐adapted forms of T. hyalipennis, enzyme markers (producing phenotypic profiles in the absence of genetic crosses) could not. Upon calculating genetic distances for the RAPD data from which a cladogram of Euclidean distances (relatedness) was produced along with multivariate analysis of the data, T. longicornis was shown to be the most ‘basal’ species, and most related to T. hyalipennis s.l.; T. calamagrostidis and T. petiolata were found to be more distantly related to these species but most closely related to each other. The two forms of T. hyalipennis s.l. appear to be the most closely related of any of the species investigated, probably diverging the most recently. From this data, and since the populations examined were all sympatric without obvious physical barriers to reproduction, it can be concluded that some degree of sympatric evolution has occurred, most obviously in the case of the host‐adapted forms of T. hyalipennis. If so, this complex of species could be another rare example of sympatric speciation in insects. Further research using more sophisticated molecular markers such as microsatellites, amplified fragment length polymorphic markers (AFLPs) and DNA sequencing (e.g. of mtDNA and ribosomal DNA regions), in conjunction with behavioural studies, are required to further elucidate this interesting species group. © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2004, 83 , 509–525.     

COMPARISON OF ISOZYMES AMONG TYPHA SPECIES IN THE EASTERN UNITED STATES

Biochemical phenotsypes of four taxa of Typha from the eastern United States were determined by starch gel electrophoresis. The isozyme banding patterns of T. latifolia, T. angustifolia and T. domingensis are distinct and allow unambiguous species identification when morphological characters are inadequate or unsuitable. The fourth form, T. glauca, is not an F₁ hybrid, but it does appear to be intermediate between T. latifolia and T. angustifolia. The status of T. glauca and evolutionary relationships among the four forms may now be clarified by additional sampling because of the distinct and relatively invariant isozyme banding patterns which are described.     

A comparative floral and pollination biology ofTricyrtis flava maxim.,T. nana yatabe andT. ohsumiensis

The floral and pollination biology of three closely related species,Tricyrtis flava, T. nana andT. ohsumiensis, were comparatively investigated. The primary pollinator wasBombus diversus in all the three species observed, andAmegilla sp. also acted forT. ohsumiensis. The flowers ofT. flava andT. ohsumiensis bloom for two days and are protandrous. Thus autogramy seems to be prevented in these species when the larger bees forage on them, though geitonogamy may also occur. On the other hand,T. nana appears to be a primarily self-pollinating species. The flowers of this species open only during one day and are homogamy. The stigmata seem to receive much pollen of their own flower by the visit of bumblebees. Moreover, many flowers ofT. nana fruited without any visit of pollinators.T. nana has many features characterizing the autogamous derivatives.     

Systematics and Evolution of the Dasyurid Marsupial Genus Sminthopsis: I. The Macroura Species Group

Genetic variation within the macroura species group, which includes Sminthopsis macroura, S. virginiae, S. douglasi, and S. bindi, was examined through analyses of complete mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene sequences, partial control-region DNA sequences, and allozymes. Divergent genetic lineages appear to be present within S. macroura and S. virginiae, and it is likely that this genetic divergence equates to currently unrecognized taxonomic diversity. Specimens of S. macroura (as currently recognized) belong to three genetically distinct lineages that are highly divergent from one another. Two of these lineages may be synonymous with two previously recognized dunnart species—S. froggatti and S. stalkeri. The third appears to represent "true" S. macroura and is itself genetically heterogeneous, with a number of subgroups present within it that may also represent currently unrecognized taxa. The mitochondrial DNA sequence divergences observed between S. virginiae nitela and the two other S. virginiaesubspecies are equivalent to, or greater than, those noted between other dunnart species. Allozyme divergences between these subspecies were however slightly lower, and determination on whether S. virginiae nitela should be returned to full species status (S. nitela) may require further evidence. Phylogenetic relationships between species in the macroura group appear to have been partially resolved, with individual 12S rRNA and combined mitochondrial DNA analyses recovering S. bindi as the earliest diverging taxon. Other relationships between species in the group were either not consistently recovered or lacked strong support.     

A systematic histological study of palm fruits. VI. Subtribe Linospadicinae (Arecaceae)

The pericarp structure of representative species of the four genera of the subtribe Linospadicinae is described and compared. Tissues found in the pericarp of this group are similar to those found in other subtribes of the Areceae, with no characters unique to the subtribe and nothing to suggest its closest affinities. The four genera, as well as each species examined, do show distinctive pericarp features, however.Laccospadix andLinospadix are similar, both with a single series of fibrous, bundles and an outer series of prominent raphide-bearing cells dominating the pericarp. In bothHowea andCalyptrocalyx, a complex exocarp forms from a series of fibrous bundles and brachysclereids, but each genus has other distinctive characters.Howea has vascular bundles in the exocarp zone, an outer series of raphide-bearing cells, and a conspicuously thickened locular epidermis. Based on a limited sample of four species, raphide-bearing cells appear to be always interior to the exocarp inCalyptrocalyx, and the locular epidermis is thin.     

SPORE MORPHOLOGY IN THE CYATHEACEAE. II. THE GENERA LOPHOSORIA,METAXYA, SPHAEROPTERIS,ALSOPHILA, AND NEPHELEA

Scanning electron microscopy and transmitted light microscopy are used in a palynological study of Lophosoria, Metaxya, Sphaeropteris, Alsophila, and Nephelea of the tree fern family Cyatheaceae. The monotypic American genera Lophosoria and Metaxya each have a unique spore morphology which reinforces the taxonomic distinctness of these genera as indicated by their other characters. All investigated paleotropical species of Sphaeropteris develop a single type of perine characterized by coarse, pointed projections. In the neotropics, the Sphaeropteris horrida group shares this perine type, whereas all other neotropical Sphaeropteris species appear to have a different kind of perine with fine hair-like processes. The exine in paleotropical Sphaeropteris appears uniformly unsculptured, whereas in the neotropics several exine morphologies are found. In Alsophila all investigated neotropical species and the vast majority of the paleotropical species are characterized by a basically ridged perine morphology and an unsculptured exine. In several paleotropical Alsophila species, however, a perine with hair-like processes similar to those in neotropical Sphaeropteris is found, and the exine in several species is variously pitted. In at least one paleotropical Alsophila species, the porate exine morphology is indistinguishable from that in the neotropical genus Cnemidaria. The spores of the American genus Nephelea are similar to those of the majority of Alsophila species in ridged perine morphology and unsculptured exine. Several new instances of atypical spore numbers per sporangium are reported in Sphaeropteris and Alsophila. These and the palynological data are discussed in a taxonomic framework. The spore morphology in these genera is consistent with Tryon's recent generic revision of the family.     

A unique radiation of marine littorinid snails in the freshwater streams of the Western Ghats of India: the genus Cremnoconchus W.T. Blanford, 1869 (Gastropoda: Littorinidae)

The caenogastropod family Littorinidae is almost exclusively marine, but a unique freshwater genus, Cremnoconchus, is known from India. Its members are restricted to montane streams on the western escarpment of the Western Ghats, at altitudes between 300 and 1400 m. Four species and several varieties were described in the 19th century, but no taxonomic study has been carried out for over 120 years and the last anatomical report was in 1935. Nevertheless, they are of unusual evolutionary interest and also of conservation concern as a genus endemic to the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot. Based on anatomical study of newly collected material and examination of historical and type specimens, we present a systematic revision of Cremnoconchus, illustrating shells, radulae, and reproductive anatomy. The very large eggs, invaginated penial filament, and calcified operculum are unique among Littorinidae. Three valid, described species (C. syhadrensis, C. conicus, C. canaliculatus) are recognized in the northern Western Ghats in Maharashtra state, where all can occasionally be found sympatrically. We describe an additional six new species from the central Western Ghats in a small area (linear distance 80 km) of Karnataka state, over 500 km south of the previously known range of the genus. Here the species each appear to be restricted to a single drainage system. Because of their highly restricted distribution and fragile habitat, this radiation of nine species is judged to be endangered. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London     

Extracellular enzymatic activity of Malassezia spp. isolates

Extracellular enzymatic activity of different species of Malassezia spp was evaluated. Thirty-three isolates of animal origin (dogs and cats) and stock culture samples were studied. Twenty isolates of M. pachydermatis, 8 of M. furfur, 2 of M. sympodialis and M. globosa and one of M. restricta, M. obtusa and M. slooffiae were examined. The enzymatic activity was investigatedusing Api Zym system. The enzymatic patterns showed light differences. Esterase lipase, Phosphatase acid and Naphtol-AS-BI-phosphohydrolase were produced in significant amounts from most isolates excepted for M. restricta, confirming the limited enzymatic activity of this species. Data obtained from the other new species described after the revision of the genus, appear to be quite homogeneous. Dixon’s broth appeared to be a valid medium for the growth of all Malassezia spp. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Heteropyknotic filament in spermatids of Triatoma melanocephala and T. vitticeps (Hemiptera,Triatominae)

The species Triatoma melanocephala and T. vitticeps are vectors of Chagas disease in Brazil. An analysis of the number of chromosomes has led to the proposal of the exclusion of both these species and T. tibiamaculata from the Brasiliensis subcomplex because of their similarities to the triatomines of North America. T. melanocephala has been found to have morphologic characteristics that are very similar to those of T. vitticeps, and these species have been considered synonymous. Thus, this paper analyzes the spermiogenesis of T. melanocephala and T. vitticeps in order to compare the two and to evaluate another possible relationship between the species. This study describes spermatogenesis and observes the morphology, cell size, and cytogenetic characteristics of triatomines. In all T. melanocephala cells, a slightly prominent peripheral heteropyknotic filament was observed. In T. vitticeps, an extensive peripheral heteropyknotic filament was observed in spermatids. This filament was observed in either the periphery or the middle of the cell. Thus, this paper describes the spermiogenesis stage of two cryptic species of triatomines and suggests that the central heteropyknotic filament can be used as a tool in the diagnosis of T. vitticeps as a vector of Chagas disease.