Development of 12 microsatellite markers for Platycrater arguta (Hydrangeaceae) endemic to East Asia

? Premise of the study: Microsatellite markers were characterized in Platycrater arguta, a rare endemic shrub from eastern China and southern Japan, to investigate its population genetic structure, phylogeographic patterns, and breeding system. ? Methods and Results: Using both the Fast Isolation by AFLP of Sequences COntaining repeats (FIASCO) protocol and the compound microsatellite marker technique, we developed 12 microsatellite markers. All primers showed polymorphism when assessed in 43 individuals from two populations in eastern China and southern Japan. Overall, the number of alleles ranged from five to 21, with an average of 14.91 alleles per locus. ? Conclusions: These markers can be used in further studies on population genetics, phylogeography, and breeding system of P. arguta.     

中国秋海棠属等翅组植物订正

根据海南秋海棠 (BegoniahainanensisChunetF .Chun)、多花秋海棠 (B sinofloribundaL .J.Dorr)及一新种———长柄秋海棠 (B sublongipesY .M .Shui)的特征比较 ,订正了中国秋海棠属等翅组 [Sect Petermannia (Klotzsch)A .DC .],使该组在中国增至 3个种。     

Karyomorphology of Taiwanese Begonia (Begoniaceae): taxonomic implications

The karyomorphology of all 14 species of Taiwanese Begonia was investigated to elucidate their chromosome features and chromosomal evolution. Among all species investigated, differences in chromosome features are found in: (1) chromosome number 2 n = 22, 26, 36, 38, 52, 60, 64, 82, and (2) frequencies of chromosomes with secondary, tertiary, and/or small constrictions of polyploids, ranging from 23% to 63%, which is higher than the expected value of about 9%. It is suggested that after polyploidization from the diploid species (i.e., 2 n = 22 and frequencies of chromosomes with secondary, tertiary, and/or small constrictions of polyploids of about 9%), chromosome translocations occurred, followed by a decrease in chromosome number, and subsequently stabilized genomes were formed in various species in Taiwan. The karyomorphological evidence also suggested that the chromosome morphology has evolved in parallel in the begonias belonging to different sections in Taiwan. The variation in chromosomal features is more complex than the variation in floral and fruit morphologies. Karyomorphological data also supports the recognition of five new species in Taiwan: Begonia bouffordii, B. chuyunshanensis, B. pinglinensis, B. tengchiana, and B. wutaiana. Based on detailed karyomorphological analyses, the taxonomic implications, speciation, and chromosomal evolution in Taiwanese Begoniaare discussed.     

世界秋海棠属侧膜组植物新资料

记述了秋海棠属侧膜组11新种,即星果草叶秋海棠(BegoniaasteropyrifoliaY.M.ShuietW.H.Chen)、耳托秋海棠(B.auritistipulaY.M.ShuietW.H.Chen)、桂南秋海棠(B.austroguangxiensisY.M.ShuietW.H.Chen)、水晶秋海棠(B.crystallinaY.M.ShuietW.H.Chen)、须苞秋海棠(B.fimbribracteataY.M.ShuietW.H.Chen)、巨叶秋海棠(B.gigaphyllaY.M.ShuietW.H.Chen)、黄氏秋海棠(B.huangiiY.M.ShuietW.H.Chen)、长柱秋海棠(B.longistylaY.M.ShuietW.H.Chen)、扁果秋海棠(B.platycarpaY.M.ShuietW.H.Chen)、喙果秋海棠(B.rhynchocarpaY.M.ShuietW.H.Chen)、多变秋海棠(B.variifoliaY.M.ShuietW.H.Chen);并报道了3新变种及1新名称,即疏毛越南秋海棠(B.boniiGagnep.var.remotisetulosaY.M.ShuietW.H.Chen)、密毛龙州秋海棠(B.morseiIrmsch.var.myriotrichaY.M.ShuietW.H.Chen)、簇毛伞叶秋海棠(B.umbr-aculifoliaY.WanetB.N.Changvar.flocculosaY.M.ShuietW.H.Chen)及彩纹秋海棠(B.variegataY.M.ShuietW.H.Chen)。     

Cytotaxonomy of Begonia rubropunctata and B. purpureofolia (Begoniaceae)

The chromosome numbers of four Chinese Begonia species were counted for the first time as follows: 2 n  = 22 in B. rubropunctata , 2 n  = 18 in B. purpureofolia , 2 n  = 44 in B. pedatifida , and 2 n  = 22 in B. villifolia . The first two species had relatively large chromosomes with early condensed chromatin in the distal and interstitial or proximal regions, whereas the last two had small chromosomes with early condensed chromatin in the proximal regions. Although they have been reduced in the literature to synonyms of B. pedatifida and B. villifolia , respectively, B. rubropunctata and B. purpureofolia should be treated as distinct species because of the differences in chromosome numbers and other chromosome features.  © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2007, 155 , 513–517.     

Karyomorphology of Taiwanese Begonia (Begoniaceae): taxonomic implications

 The karyomorphology of all 14 species of Taiwanese Begonia was investigated to elucidate their chromosome features and chromosomal evolution. Among all species investigated, differences in chromosome features are found in: (1) chromosome number 2n = 22, 26, 36, 38, 52, 60, 64, 82, and (2) frequencies of chromosomes with secondary, tertiary, and/or small constrictions of polyploids, ranging from 23% to 63%, which is higher than the expected value of about 9%. It is suggested that after polyploidization from the diploid species (i.e., 2n = 22 and frequencies of chromosomes with secondary, tertiary, and/or small constrictions of polyploids of about 9%), chromosome translocations occurred, followed by a decrease in chromosome number, and subsequently stabilized genomes were formed in various species in Taiwan. The karyomorphological evidence also suggested that the chromosome morphology has evolved in parallel in the begonias belonging to different sections in Taiwan. The variation in chromosomal features is more complex than the variation in floral and fruit morphologies. Karyomorphological data also supports the recognition of five new species in Taiwan: Begonia bouffordii, B. chuyunshanensis, B. pinglinensis, B. tengchiana, and B. wutaiana. Based on detailed karyomorphological analyses, the taxonomic implications, speciation, and chromosomal evolution in Taiwanese Begonia are discussed. Received: January 22, 2002 / Accepted: March 4, 2002     

Isolation of polymorphic microsatellite markers for Begonia sutherlandii Hook. f.

Seven polymorphic microsatellite loci have been characterized for investigating population structure in the patchily distributed herb Begonia sutherlandii. Two loci (BSU3 and BSU4) exhibited population specific null alleles; primer redesign and allele sequencing for one of these loci showed two transition mutations in the original primer site. Two loci exhibited imperfect repeat polymorphisms due to single base pair indels in the flanking region (locus BSU6) and in the microsatellite region itself (BSU7). Transversion mutations were also found in the microsatellite region of locus BSU7. The remaining three loci amplified in all individuals tested and appeared to conform to a simple stepwise mutation pattern.     

Flavonoids in the leaves of Hillebrandia and Begonia species (Begoniaceae)

The fresh leaves of Hillebrandia sandwicensis and 126 Begonia taxa were chemotaxonomically surveyed for flavonoids. Of their taxa, H. sandwicensis and 119 species, one variety and three hybrids were analyzed for flavonoids for the first time. Ten flavonols and eleven C-glycosylflavones were isolated and characterized as quercetin 3-O-rutinoside (1), kaempferol 3-O-rutinoside (2), isorhamnetin 3-O-rutinoside (3), quercetin 3-O-glucoside (4), quercetin 3-methyl ether 7-O-rhamnosylglucoside (5), quercetin 3,3'-dimethyl ether 7-O-rhamnosylglucoside (6), quercetin glycoside (13), quercetin glycoside (acylated) (14), kaempferol glycoside (17) and quercetin 3-O-rhamnoside (18) as flavonols, and isovitexin (7), vitexin (8), isoorientin (9), orientin (10), luteolin 6-C-pentoside (11), luteolin 8-C-pentoside (12), schaftoside (15), isoschaftoside (16), chrysoeriol 6,8-di-C-pentoside (19), apigenin 6,8-di-C-arabinoside (20) and isovitexin 2''-O-glucoside (21) as C-glycosylflavones. Quercetin 3-O-rutinoside (1) alone was isolated from H. sandwicensis endemic to Hawaii. Major flavonoids of almost Begonia species was also 1. Begonia species were divided into two chemotypes, i.e. flavonol containing type and C-glycosylflavone containing type. Of 14 section of the Begonia, almost species of many section, i.e. sect. Augustia, Coelocentrum, Doratometra, Leprosae, Loasibegonia, Monopteron and Ruizoperonia, were flavonol types. On the other hand, C-glycosyflavone type was comparatively most in sect. Platycentrum.     

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite markers in an endemic Hawaiian planthopper (Nesosydne chambersi: Delphacidae)

We have isolated and characterized 17 microsatellite loci for the endemic Hawaiian planthopper Nesosydne chambersi (Delphacidae), a member of a large Hawaiian Nesosydne radiation. Thirty individuals from one population and 10 individuals from two populations across the species' range were tested to investigate polymorphism. The observed loci contained two to nine alleles per locus. Expected heterozygosity within this species ranged from 0.2 to 0.85. These markers will be used to assess intraspecific differentiation and population structure within N. chambersi.     

Isolation of compound microsatellite markers for the endangered plant Neolitsea sericea (Lauraceae)

? Premise of the study: The development of compound microsatellite markers was conducted in Neolitsea sericea to investigate genetic diversity and population genetic structure of this endangered insular species. ? Methods and Results: Using the compound microsatellite marker technique, 10 compound microsatellite markers that were successfully amplified showed polymorphism when assessed in 55 individuals from two populations in East China and Japan. Overall, the number of alleles ranged from 3 to 17, with an average of 7.9 alleles per locus. In addition, these primers could be easily amplified in Neolitsea aurata var. paraciculata and N. aurata var. chekiangensis. ? Conclusions: The highly polymorphic markers developed and characterized in this study will be useful for population genetic studies of N. sericea.     

Novelties in Begonia (Begoniaceae) from the coastal forests of Brazil

Two new narrow endemic species ofBegonia from the Atlantic coastal forests of Brazil,B. espiritosantensis andB. ibitiocensis, are described and illustrated.Begonia schenkii var.calvescens, an endemic taxon from the states of Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul, is transferred to species rank, and described and illustrated. A distribution map is provided for all three taxa.     

国产秋海棠属(秋海棠科)花粉形态及其分类学意义(英文)

秋海棠属是世界有花植物第六大属,是被子植物分类困难的类群之一,亟需增加形态性状的比较研究,以便于今后对该属开展分类学修订。该研究选取国产秋海棠属中较为常见的侧膜组、秋海棠组、单座组和二室组共21种,应用扫描电镜观察花粉微形态,探讨花粉形态对秋海棠属植物的分类学意义。结果表明:秋海棠属植物的花粉多为单粒花粉,辐射对称,等极,三孔沟,超长球形到长球形。选取9个稳定的花粉特征进行无序和不加权的性状编码,应用非线性多维标度分析对花粉特征矩阵进行聚类分析,结果支持这些组都不是单系类群需要重新修订,其中花粉边缘形状、极面观轮廓、萌发沟和花粉的外壁纹饰具有一定分类学意义,特别是塞缘特征具有重要的分类意义。根据塞缘特征可以将研究类群区分为2个类群:(A)无塞缘或塞缘光滑;(B)塞缘颗粒状。类群B中具规则颗粒状和精细颗粒状塞缘的种类聚在一起,而具粗糙颗粒状塞缘的种类位于类群A和B的中间,很可能是2个类群的过渡性状,这需要增加取样做进一步的研究。     

Novel microsatellite markers for Begonia maxwelliana and transferability to 23 Begonia species of Peninsular Malaysia

Begonias are hyper-diverse and important horticultural plants. Six polymorphic microsatellite markers were developed from CT- and GT-enriched libraries of Begonia maxwelliana. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 2 to 12 and the observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.036 to 0.813. Null alleles were detected in one locus (Bma161) after Bonferroni correction. All the six markers were amplifiable in 23 selected Begonia species with the success rates of 17–100%. On average, species of the same section as B. maxwelliana (i.e. sect. Platycentrum) yielded higher transferability (91%). These markers will be useful for population genetic studies of the genus Begonia.     

Correlated evolution of leaf shape and trichomes in Begonia dregei (Begoniaceae)

Structural features of leaves, including size, shape, and surfaces, vary greatly throughout the plant kingdom. In both functional and phylogenetic analyses of leaves, the various morphological aspects are often considered independently of each other, although it is likely that many combinations of features do not occur at random due to either functional constraint or genetic correlation. The distribution of variation in leaf morphology in the highly variable Begonia dregei species complex was examined in natural populations and in F(2) offspring from a cross between plants from two populations. Leaf shape was quantified using several morphometric measures, and trichomes on leaves were counted and measured. Correlations between leaf shape and the numbers and size of trichomes were examined. There were significant correlations between the shapes of leaves and the presence, number, and size of trichomes among populations and in hybrid plants. Deeply incised leaves had larger numbers of longer trichomes at the sinuses. Higher numbers of trichomes on upper leaf surfaces occurred together with trichomes at the petiole and on the abaxial surface. The potential for independent evolution of leaf shape and trichomes in this group is limited. Hypotheses to explain the correlated development of leaf shape and trichomes are discussed.     

New and noteworthy species in Begonia section Gireoudia (Begoniaceae) from Mexico

Two new species are described inBegonia sectionGireoudia:B. rafael-torresii andB. mariti.Begonia karwinskyana, known previously only from its type, is described more amply and discussed.     

A new species of Begonia (Begoniaceae) from Guangxi, China

Begonia gigabracteata H.Z. Li & H. Ma sp. nov. ( Begonia section Diploclinium , Begoniaceae) is described and illustrated from North Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, south-west China. Its chromosome number (2 n  = 30) and pollen and seed micromorphology are reported. This species grows in ravines on damp or slightly moist limestone. It is morphologically similar to B. summoglabra T.T. Yü (section Reichenheimia ) and B. labordei H. Lél. (section Diploclinium ). However, it differs by its sparse glandular hairs, number of perianth segments, colour of venation on the abaxial blade, and unique heteromorphous bracts. A line drawing and plate of B. gigabracteata and a photograph of the type of B. summoglabra are presented as an aid to identification.  © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2008, 157 , 83–90.