HETEROCHROMATIN BANDING IN BOYKINIA,HEUCHERA, MITELLA,SULLIVANTIA, TIARELLA,AND TOLMIEA (SAXIFRAGACEAE)

Karyotypic differences were sought among species of Boykinia, Heuchera, Mitella, Sullivantia, Tiarella, and Tolmiea utilizing a modification of the Hy-banding technique. Prominent centromeric and some telomeric heterochromatin banding was observed. Boykinia aconitifolia and species of Sullivantia possess an identical banded karyotype, while four species of Heuchera, Mitella diphylla, Tiarella cordifolia, and Tolmiea menziesii (the latter at the tetraploid level) are characterized by a second, slightly different banded karyotype. In Sullivantia, Giemsa C-banding stains the same chromosomal regions revealed by Hy-banding. Larger amounts of heterochromatin are present in chromosomes of species of Heuchera, Mitella, Tiarella, and Tolmiea than in chromosomes of Sullivantia species and Boykinia aconitifolia. These karyological observations confirm generic relationships and demonstrate the systematic applicability of chromosome banding techniques to plants with very small chromosomes.     

Molecular variation of Spiranthes sinensis (Orchidaceae) in Japan, with special reference to systematic treatment of seasonally differentiated groups and a dwarf form, f. gracilis, from Yakushima Island

Molecular variations of Spiranthes sinensis Ames var. australis (R.Br.) H. Hara et Kitam. ex Kitam. in Japan were examined to evaluate the validity of the seasonally differentiated groups and a dwarf form of the species, which is endemic to Yakushima Island, Japan. Sequence differences in the plastid trnL-F locus clearly distinguished Japanese S. sinensis var. australis from S. sinensis var. sinensis collected from Ryukyu. In contrast, the trnL-F sequence of S. sinensis var. australis from Sabah, Malaysia, clearly differed from that of Japanese S. sinensis var. australis, suggesting genetic heterogeneity of Spiranthes sinensis var. australis in Asia. Moreover, a molecular analysis based on the sequences of nuclear ITS1 regions indicated that there are two major groups of S. sinensis var. australis in Japan, with a geographic distribution boundary on Kyushu Island. However, the trnL-F and ITS1 sequences did not support the genetic differentiation of the seasonally differentiated groups or the dwarf form from the other Japanese individuals. Based on these molecular data, the systematic treatment of physiological and morphological variations in the Japanese population of S. sinensis. var. australis is discussed.     

A taxonomic study of KoreanSmilacina

Several taxonomic problems of KoreanSmilacina were examined by statistical methods, based on morphological data. Consequently,S. davurica described in Korean flora differs greatly from originalS. davurica, and closely related toS. bicolor morphologically. Therefore, the present authors treated this new taxon as a variety ofS. bicolor, S. bicolor var.flavovirens N. S. Lee et J. Y. Kim var. nov (“Yondusomdae” in Korean). The distribution in South Korea ofS. bicolor var.bicolor is known as only Mt. Chiri, but this species is collected in Mt. Dukyou, also. The bounds of morphological variations ofS. japonica var.japonica, the short plant size and no hairs on the stem, were revealed. The morphological characteristics ofS. japonica var.japonica andS. japonica var.mandshurica is obscure to distinguish. According to the present study,S. japonica var.mandshurica differs fromS. japonica var.japonica in plant size, size of adaxial leaf epidermal cell, ratio of style/ovary length and shape of stigma. The unrecorded taxon in Korean flora,S. robusta, was given a new Korean name as “Kunsomdae.” AlthoughS. japonica var.mandshurica is the variety ofS. japonica var.japonica, it is more closely related toS. robusta than toS. japonica var.japonica.     

Flavonoids of Sullivantia: Taxonomic implications at the generic level within the saxifraginae

Sullivantia species were found to produce quercetin 3-O-glycosides, several of which contain glucuronic acid, as well as pedalitin (6-hydroxy-7-O-methyl luteolin), pedalitin 6-O-glycosides, and small amounts of luteolin. Sullivantia has a unique combination of compounds that distinguishes it from other genera in the Saxifraginae for which flavonoid data are available. The nature of the flavonoid compounds is in accordance with a general trend within the Saxifragaceae of reduction and replacement of flavonols by flavones.     

Typification of names related to Salix lapponum (Salicaceae) and its hybrids published by Ignaz F. Tausch

Typifications and nomenclatural notes on seven names (two at the rank of species and five varietal ones) of willows published by I. F. Tausch in 1837 are provided. The name Salix arenaria var. latifolia is deemed illegitimate. Four names (Salix arenaria var. atropurpurea , S. arenaria var. nivea , S. arenaria var. marrubiifolia and S. argyroides ) are considered synonymous to S. lapponum var. lapponum and one (S. arenaria var. denudata ) to its hybrid with Salix silesiaca . In contrast, Salix daphneola applies to a unique glabrous variety of S. lapponum (var. daphneola ) endemic to the Krkono?e Mountains, Czech Republic.     

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.     

Development of microsatellite markers for Stachyurus macrocarpus and Stachyurus macrocarpus var. prunifolius (Stachyuraceae), critically endangered shrub species endemic to the Bonin Islands

Stachyurus macrocarpus and S. macrocarpus var. prunifolius are critically endangered shrub species in the Bonin (Ogasawara) Islands, Japan. These species are extremely rare, and the numbers of individuals in wild populations are 68 in S. macrocarpus and 13 in S. macrocarpus var. prunifolius. For the investigation of genetic diversity, genetic structure and relatedness among remnant individuals of these endangered species, we developed eight microsatellite markers from S. macrocarpus var. prunifolius and characterized these markers for S. macrocarpus var. prunifolius and S. macrocarpus using all naturally occurring individuals of these species. The expected heterozygosities of these markers ranged from 0.14 to 0.67 in S. macrocarpus var. prunifolius, and from 0.02 to 0.84 in S. macrocarpus. The markers described here will be useful for investigating the genetic diversity, genetic structure and relatedness among remnant individuals, and planning the restoration of these critically endangered species.     

Multivariate analyses of theScutellaria pekinensis complex (Labiatae) in Korea

The taxonomy of theScutellaria pekinensis complex has been ambiguous and problematic, because morphological characters are variable. To elucidate the taxonomic structure of the Korean taxa belonging to the complex, 29 characters were measured from 99 individuals collected from 96 localities and analyzed by factor analysis, cluster analysis, and discriminant analysis. The results supported the recognition of four infraspecific taxa ofS. pekinensis Maxim, in Korea: var.ussuriensis (Regel) Handel-Mazzetti, var.alpina (Nakai) Hara, var.transitra (Makino) Hara, and var.maxima S. Kim et S. Lee. Key characters distinguishing the four varieties were inferred on the basis of multivariante analyses.     

High chromosome numbers in Mojavean and Sonoran desert Atriplex canescens (Chenopodiaceae)

Cytological, flavonoid, and morphological data are provided for several varieties of the shrubby species Atriplex canescens (Pursh) Nutt. (x = 9) (fourwing saltbush) in the Mojavean and Sonoran deserts of southwestern United States and northern Mexico. These include var. linearis (S. Wats.) Munz (2x); var. angustifolia (Torr.) S. Wats. (2x, 4x); var. occidentalis (Torr. & Frem.) Welsh & Stutz (4x, 6x), the common variety; var. laciniata Parish (12x); and var. macilenta Jeps. (12x). Atriplex canescens var. grandidentatum Stutz & Sanderson (20x) is newly described. An autoploid origin from 12x var. laciniata is suggested for the 14x and 20x polyploids, through unreduced gametes. Founder populations of odd-ploid products arising during such a sequence of events could probably have returned to even-ploidy through genetic segregation and the rapid elimination of aneuploids. Morphological characters suggest an origin for 12x var. laciniata by interspecific hybridization of var. occidentalis with A. polycarpa (Torr.) S. Wats.     

Palynological insights of the eastern Asian and eastern North American disjunct genus Symplocarpus (Araceae)

Symplocarpus L. (Araceae) is a disjunct genus including S. foetidus (L.) Nutt. var. latissimus (Makino) S. Hara, S. nipponicus Makino, and S. nabekuraensis Otsuka & K. Inoue in temperate eastern Asia; S. egorovii N. S. Pavlova & V. A. Nechaev in the Russian far east; and S. foetidus (L.) Nutt. in temperate northeastern North America. For the first time, pollen morphology of Symplocarpus was investigated by light and scanning electron microscopes. Symplocarpus foetidus var. latissimus and S. foetidus had reticulate surfaces and rounded (obtuse), long, equatorial axis tips, whereas S. nipponicus had microreticulate surfaces and acute tips. Symplocarpus foetidus in North America had larger pollen grains than S. foetidus var. latissimus in eastern Asia. Thus, based on pollen characteristics, S. foetidus var. latissimus is more closely related to S. foetidus than to S. nipponicus. Other lines of evidence, such as molecular phylogenetic studies and phenology, support the phylogenetic relationships among these species proposed in this study. The slightly modified acetolysis procedure conducted in this paper is a promising application to study weak exine or exineless pollen grains.     

Understanding the epidemiological factors that intensify the incidence of maize rough dwarf disease in Spain

Currently the dominant limiting factor to maize production in Spain is caused by Maize rough dwarf virus (MRDV). This study aimed to evaluate the epidemiology factors involved in the increased incidence of MRD disease in Spain. We examined the maize planthopper dynamics and MRDV incidence throughout two maize growing seasons in six locations using a set of eight maize varieties: four Bt‐varieties (BT‐var) and their isogenic counterparts (NBT‐var). Our results indicate that MRDV incidence is greatly influenced by the first colonisation of maize by Laodelphax striatellus but not by Metadelphax propinqua and by the susceptibility of the maize varieties. No significant differences were observed between the BT‐var and NBT‐var, although BT‐var exhibited 1% less MRDV infection than NBT‐var. Cultivated wheat and Lolium perenne were found for the first time to be natural hosts of MRDV. However, wheat does not seem to be a preferred host for the development of L. striatellus. Partial sequencing of genome segments S1–S9 and full sequencing of segment S10 revealed that the Spanish MRDV isolate shares nucleotide identities ranging from 93% to 97% with the available sequences of segments S7–S10 of the Italian MRDV isolate. The highest nucleotide identities with other fijiviruses were observed with Rice black‐streaked dwarf virus. Molecular variability analysis of MRDV isolates collected over a ten years period showed high nucleotide (>97%) and amino sequence identities (>99%) on segment S10, suggesting a low temporal variability.     

New and interesting desmids (Zygnematales, Chlorophyceae) collected from Asia

Many desmid taxa were found in collections from Asia (Japan, Cambodia, Malaysia and Thailand). The following 21 new taxa and two new combinations belonging to five genera (Closterium, Euastrum, Cosmarium, Xanthidium and Staurastrum) and a rare species of Xanthidium, are reported. These include Closterium nasutum Nordstedt var. kazukoae Kanetsuna var. nov., Closterium nematodes Joshua var. nematodes f. kriegeri Kanetsuna f. nov., Euastrum binale (Turpin) Ehrenberg ex Ralfs var. protuberans Kanetsuna var. nov., Euastrum borgeanum Scott et Prescott var. cambodiense Kanetsuna var. nov., Euastrum dubium Nägeli var. protuberans Kanetsuna var. nov., Euastrum fissum W. et G. S. West var. yasukoae Kanetsuna var. nov., Euastrum gemmatum Brébisson var. tenuius Krieger f. porosum (Förster) Kanetsuna comb. nov., Euastrum pseudojenneri Scott et Prescott var. glabrum Kanetsuna var. nov., Cosmarium denticulatum Borge var. multispinum (Hirano) Kanetsuna comb. nov., Cosmarium furcatospermum W. et G. S. West var. fallax Kanetsuna var. nov., Cosmarium pileatum Borge var. cambodiense Kanetsuna var. nov., Cosmarium retusiforme (Wille) Gutwinski var. incrassatum Gutwinski f. retusum Kanetsuna f. nov., Cosmarium trapezoideum Kanetsuna sp. nov., Cosmarium zonatum Lundell var. zonatum f. majus Kanetsuna f. nov., Xanthidium cristatum Brébisson var. delpontei Roy et Bisset f. mizoroensis Kanetsuna f. nov., Xanthidium fasciculatum Ehrenberg ex Ralfs var. siamense Kanetsuna var. nov., Xanthidium pseudofreemanii Kanetsuna sp. nov., Xanthidium subtrilobum W. et G. S. West var. inornatum Skuja f. depressum Kanetsuna f. nov., Xanthidium subtrilobum W. et G. S. West var. inornatum Skuja f. singulare Kanetsuna f. nov., Staurastrum boergesenii Raciborski var. verrucosum Kanetsuna var. nov., Staurastrum dickiei Ralfs var. polypyrenoideum Kanetsuna var. nov., Staurastrum neglectum G. S. West var. fuseense Kanetsuna var. nov., Staurastrum trissacanthum Scott et Prescott var. dissacanthum Scott et Prescott f. longispinum Kanetsuna f. nov., and a rare interesting form, Xanthidium superbum Elfving var. centricornis Prowse.     

Comparative analysis of five varieties in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Perilla frutescens</Emphasis> (L.) Britton by 45S rDNA FISH and 5S rDNA sequences

In this study, the relationships of five varieties in Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton were analyzed. All the varieties showed the same chromosome number 2n = 40, and the banding patterns of PI-DAPI staining and the FISH results of 45S rDNA probe were on the same site of the chromosome pair. The 5S rRNA gene spacers were ranged from 413 bp in P. frutescens var. purpurascens and 408 bp in var. frutescens. The varieties analyzed here were clustered into two clades according to the phylogenetic analysis. The sequence identity of 96% between var. auriculato-dentata and var. arguta suggested they could be considered the same variety. The article is published in the original.     

SOME ASPECTS OF MORPHOLOGICAL VARIATION IN STEPHANODISCUS NIAGARAE (BACILLARIOPHYCEAE)1

Valves of S. niagarae var. niagarae Ehr. and S. niagarae var. magnifica Fricke from geographically dispersed sediment and plankton collections were observed by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (LM and SEM). Measurements made by LM can be arranged so that means and ranges of diameter, areolar density, or strial density intergrade from one population into the next. Mean diameter is negatively related to increasing areolar and strial densities. No unique features observable by SEM distinguish the two described varieties. Thus, S. niagarae var. magnifica, having large diameter valves with low areolar and strial densities, may represent one end of a trend in overall variation in S. niagarae. At the opposite extreme are the populations with small valves and high areolar densities which are often erroneously referred to as S. astraea. Type material of S. niagarae lies intermediate to these forms. Three populations considered in this study have distinct morphological characteristics. Valves from Yellowstone Lake sediments have spine placements distinctly different from valves of all other populations. Specimens from Lake Superior have nearly flat central areas. Ribs of valves from Grand Traverse Bay (Lake Michigan) are covered with granules.     

Nuovo elenco di muschi Cusiani (Piemonte)

Abstract

New list of mosses in the Cusian woods (Orta Lake. Piedmont). — The author draws up a list of new entities and new places in the Cusian region, in addition to the entities already listed in his previous works, about wood mosses in the region, mentioned in the bibliography. The distinctive characters with reference to the known species and formes are emphasized. The boundaries of the considered region, the different kinds of woods as well as some geomorphologic, geologic and climatic notes have been explained in the previous works, together with a short account about the previous bryological researches that have been carried out in the region, from DE NOTARIS (1805-1877) onwards. New entities listed in the present and in the previous author's works: Pleuridium subulatum (Hedw.) Lindb. var. nurautianum; Oreoweisia Bruntoni (Smith) Milde var. cusiana; Anisothecium rufescens (Smith) Lindb. var. Vertacomorum; Dicranella subulata (Hedw.) Schimp, var. curvata (Hedw.) Rabenh. f. sculerensis; Gyroweisia tenuis (Hedw.) Schimp, var. amenensis; Trichostomum mutabile Bruch De Not. subsp. cuspidatum (Schimp.) Herzog, var. silvaticum; Tortula muralis Hedw. f. incana Sapegin oec. parviseta; Mnium affine Blandow var. minus; Mnium hymenophylloides Hueb. f. ovata; Hedwigia ciliata B.S.G. f. insignis; Plasteurhynchium striatum (Spruce) Fleisch, f. cavernarum Podp. oec. Scalettae; Hygroamblystegium sculerense; Amblystegiella confervoides (Brid.) Loeske var. ciliata; Homalothecium sericeum (Hedw.) B.S.G. f. roncherensis; Brachythecium Starkei B.S.G. var. nemorosum; Brachythecium collinum (Schleich.) B.S.G. f. Cusionis; Brachythecium plumosum (Hedw.) B.S.G. f. minor et f. protilica; Pseudoscleropodium purum (Hedw.) Fleisch, f. integra; Entodon cladorrhizans (Hedw.) C. Mueller f. delicatula; Plagiothecium denticulatum (Hedw.) B.S.G. var. majus (Boulay) Limpr. f. eubinervia; Plagiothecium denticulatum (Hedw.) B.S.G. ssp. laetum (B.S.G.) Meylan var. densum (B.S.G.) Moenk. f. plicata; Plagiothecium denticulatum (Hedw.) B.S.G. f. cultrifolia; Platygyrium repens B.S.G. f. binervia et f. brachyphylla; Hypnum cupressiforme Hedw. ssp. eu-cupressiforme Giac. var. lacunosum Brid. f. denticulata; Loeskeobryum brevirostre (Schwaegr.) Fleisch, f. eudentata.     

Mitochondrial DNA polymorphism of the yeast <Emphasis Type="Italic">Saccharomyces bayanus</Emphasis> var. <Emphasis Type="Italic">uvarum</Emphasis>

Genetic relationships among forty-one strains of Saccharomyces bayanus var. uvarum isolated in different wine regions of Europe and four wild isolates were investigated by restriction analysis (RPLP) of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) with four restriction endonucleases, AluI, DdeI, HinfI and RsaI. No clear correlation between origin and source of isolation of S. bayanus var. uvarum strains and their mtDNA restriction profiles was found. On the whole, the mtDNA of S. bayanus var. uvarum is much less polymorphic than that of S. cerevisiae. This observation is in good agreement with results obtained by electrophoretic karyotyping. Unlike wine S. cerevisiae, strains of S. bayanus var. uvarum display a low level of chromosome length polymorphism.     

Interesting taxa ofStaurastrum Meyen (Desmidiaceae) from Karnataka State (India)

Algae were collected from a paddy field at Belgaum during August 1985. Two new taxa ofStaurastrum Meyen (viz.S. quebecense Irénée-Marie fa.minor Bongale fa.nov. andS. sebaldii Renisch var.triangularis Bongale var. nov.) and two other taxa showing major variations (viz.S. gracile Ralfs. var.elongatulum West et West fa. andS. leutkemuelleri Donat et Ruttner ms. fa.) are reported.     

Origin and Inheritance of Group I Introns in 26S rRNA Genes of Gaeumannomyces graminis

Studies of the distribution of the three group I introns (intron A, intron T, and intron AT) in the 26S rDNA of Gaeumannomyces graminis had suggested that they were transferred to a common ancestor of G. graminis var. avenae and var. tritici after it had branched off from var. graminis. Intron AT and intron A exhibited vertical inheritance and coevolved in concert with their hosts. Intron loss could occur after its acquisition. Loss of any one of the three introns could occur in var. tritici whereas only loss of intron T had been found in the majority of var. avenae isolates. The existence of isolates of var. tritici and var. avenae with three introns suggested that intron loss could be reversed by intron acquisition and that the whole process is a dynamic one. This process of intron acquisition and intron loss reached different equilibrium points for different varieties and subgroups, which explained the irregular distribution of these introns in G. graminis. Each of the three group I introns was more closely related to other intron sequences that share the same insertion point in the 26S rDNA than to each other. These introns in distantly related organisms appeared to have a common ancestry. This system had provided a good model for studies on both the lateral transfer and common ancestry of group I introns in the 26S rRNA genes. Received: 17 May 1996 / Accepted: 14 January 1997     

Electrophoretic evidence for the origins of tetraploids and hybrids ofSphenomeris chinensis sensu lato (Lindsaeaceae) in Japan

Hypotheses for the origins of tetraploids and hybrids ofSphenomeris chinensis sensu lato in Japan were tested using electrophoretic analysis of isozymes. Comparison of banding patterns supported the hypothesis that plants having abortive spores had resulted following hybridization between diploidS. chinensis var.chinensis andS. biflora and between diploid var.chinensis andS. gracilis. Results from isozymic analyses also revealed thatS. intermedia probably originated through allotetraploid speciation following hybridization between var.chinensis andS. biflora. There were two electrophoretic variants among tetraploids ofS. chinensis. One variant, restricted to the southern Ryukyu Islands, is probably an allotetraploid of hybrid origin between diploidS. chinensis andS. gracilis. It has been described as a new species,S. yaeyamensis Lin, Kato & K. Iwatsuki. The other variant, morphologically corresponding to var.chinensis, is distributed at least throughout southern Japan and also in northern Thailand. Its origin is uncertain, but one of the parents is probably diploidS. chinensis. Sphenomeris intermedia andS. yaeyamensis occur inland, whereas the parentalS. biflora andS. gracilis are halophilous and rheophllous, respectively.     

Diversity and ecology of desmids of peat bogs in the Jizerské hory Mts

The present study focuses on diversity and ecological preferences of desmids in peat bogs in the Jizerské hory Mts (Czech Republic). Altogether 76 desmid algae taxa have been recorded at 18 sites of the study area during our investigation in 2003–2006. Taxa Actinotaenium crassiusculum (De Bary) Teiling, Hyalotheca dissiliens var. tatrica Racib., Staurastrum avicula var. subarcuatum (Wolle) West & G. S. West, S. borgeanum Schmidle, S. simonyi var. semicirculare Coesel, Staurodesmus extensus var. isthmosus (Heimerl) Coesel, S. extensus var. vulgaris (Eichler & Racib.) Croasdale and S. spencerianus (Mask.) Teiling are new for the Czech Republic. In addition, several rare and remarkable taxa were also encountered. The species richness was relatively high in comparison to similar localities in the Czech Republic. Desmid distribution was influenced by pH and conductivity. Presented at the International Symposium Biology and Taxonomy of Green Algae V, Smolenice, June 26–29, 2007, Slovakia.