Phylogenetic position of the genus Dobinea: Evidence from nucleotide sequences of the chloroplast gene rbcL and the nuclear ribosomal ITS region

Dobinea Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don, a genus with two species endemic to east Asia, has been placed in three different families, the Podoaceae, tribe Acerineae of the Sapindaceae, and tribe Dobineeae of the Anacardiaceae. In this paper, phylogenetic relationships of the genus were examined based on DNA sequences of the chloroplast rbcL gene and the ITS region of nuclear ribosomal DNA. Our data support the monophyly of Dobinea and its placement in the Anacardiaceae.     

A taxonomic reassessment of Blepharocarya F. Muell.

The specialized female and male inflorescences of Blepharocarya are analysed revealing that each is derived from a thyreoid inflorescence. This appears to be a characteristic of the Anacardiaceae. The occurrence of vertical intercellular secretory canals in the primary and secondary phloem is illustrated, whilst the presence of Rhus–type pollen is confirmed. These characters provide further support for the retention of the genus in the Anacardiaceae.     

The complete plastid genome of Cotinus coggygria and phylogenetic analysis of the Anacardiaceae

Cotinus coggygria Scop. (Anacardiaceae) is an important ornamental tree with beautiful characteristics that is grown in China. In this study, the complete plastid genome of C. coggygria was sequenced and assembled. This genome was 158,843 bp in size and presented a typical tetrad structure, consisting of a large single-copy region (87,121 bp), a pair of inverted repeat regions (26,829 bp), and a small single-copy region (18,064 bp). A total of 134 genes were annotated, including 88 protein-coding genes, 38 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. We observed a deletion that caused the loss of the rpl32 gene, and a small expansion of IR regions resulted in the trnH gene accessing IR regions; two copies were obtained. Phylogenetic analysis showed that C. coggygria was most closely related to Pistacia, with 100% bootstrap support within Anacardiaceae. In this study, we report the plastid genome of Cotinus species for the first time, which provides insight into the evolution of the plastid genome in Anacardiaceae and promotes the understanding of Cotinus plants.     

Micropropagation of Anacardiaceae species of economic importance: advances and future prospects

The Anacardiaceae family comprises tropical and subtropical deciduous trees with growing economic potential namely, Pistacia vera L. (pistachio), Mangifera indica L. (mango), Anacardium occidentale L. (cashew), and Sclerocarya birrea (A. Rich.) Hochst. subsp. caffra (Sond.) Kokwaro (marula). The rich gene pool offered by their respective wide genetic diversity as well as the greater adaptation to semi-arid environments makes these species ideal candidates for the development of future commercial cultivars. Some notable achievements have been recorded in the micropropagation of these Anacardiaceae species in the order M. indica > P. vera > A. occidentale > S. birrea subsp. caffra. This review highlights advances, challenges, and future prospects in micropropagation research of these Anacardiaceae family members for the past three decades. In addition, the review discusses the potential of liquid cultures and synthetic seed encapsulation technologies in the development of future research strategies.     

A serological study of the systematics of the Juglandaceae

The purpose of this investigation was to obtain serological data useful in determining taxonomic relationships of the walnut family (Juglandaceae). Antisera were elicited from seed proteins of Juglans nigra and Carya illinoensis and subsequently tested against various taxa of the Fagales and the Anacardiaceae using the Ouchterlony double diffusion technique. Serological correspondence was observed to be: (a) very strong among members of the Juglandaceae; (b) moderate with members of the Fagales; and (c) weak with members of the Anacardiaceae. These results support Takhtajan and Cronquist who place the Juglandaceae close to the Fagales.     

Phenolic compounds from the leaves and stem bark of Pseudospondias microcarpa (A. Rich.) Engl. (Anacardiaceae)

Phytochemical study of the leaves and the stem bark of Pseudospondias microcarpa (A. Rich.) Engl. afforded eight phenolic compounds: scopoletin (1), ferulic acid (2), isovitexin (3), rhoifolin (4), quercetin 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (5), justicialoside A (6), granduloside A (7) and pithecellobiumol B (8). The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic means including 1D and 2D NMR and MS, and by comparison with previously reported data. This is the first report on the isolation of these compounds from the genus Pseudospondias. The chemotaxonomic significance of the isolated compounds within the family Anacardiaceae is discussed.     

Three new species from the subfamily Phyllocoptinae (Acari,Trombidiformes, Eriophyidae) in Iran

Three new eriophyid species (Phyllocoptinae), Shevtchenkella denticulata sp. n., Notallus pestehae sp. n. and Echinacrus ruthenicus sp. n., were described from Eryngium thyrsoideum Boiss. (Apiaceae), Pistacia vera L. (Anacardiaceae) and Lycium ruthenicum Murray (Solanaceae), respectively. All the three new species were collected from southwest of the East Azerbaijan province, Iran in 2011. It is the first record of an eriophyoid mite collected from E. thyrsoideum and L. ruthenicum and the first record of Notallus from Anacardiaceae plant family.     

Major plants foraged by bees for honey production in Ghana: mapping of bee floral sources for the development of the apicultural industry

Abstract

Honey is increasingly being used as a food supplement and to treat various diseases and disorders in Ghana. Information on floral nectar preferences of foraging honeybees is, therefore, imperative to increase production to keep pace with demand. However, in Ghana, these floral nectar preferences are yet to be investigated and identified. This study was conducted to determine bee forage sources in the three main agro-ecological honey-producing zones of Ghana. Forty-eight unblended honey samples sourced from beekeepers were analysed. Pollen spectra of the honey samples revealed 27 different pollen types of which eight were identified to family level, while 15 and four were at the level of genus and species, respectively. The results also showed that, in general, 48% of the analysed samples were unifloral honeys with the most important pollen types coming from Sapotaceae/Meliaceae, Anacardiaceae and Burkea africana. Combretaceae, Sapotaceae/Meliaceae and Anacardiaceae, as well as Lannea-type and Burkea africana were found to be the most frequent (with occurrence greater than 50%) sources of nectar utilised by bees to produce honey. The predominant pollen sources of the honeys in the three main apicultural zones of the country were Sapotaceae/Meliaceae and Anacardiaceae (Forest zone), Sapotaceae/Meliaceae and Lannea-type (Savannah–Forest transition zone) and Sapotaceae/Meliaceae, Anacardiaceae and Gynandropsis gynandra (Savannah zones). Identification of the major bee floral sources can be used as a guide by beekeepers in the location of their apiaries as well as reforesting disturbed sites with these plants to act as sources of bee forage.     

Miocene winged fruits of Loxopterygium (Anacardiaceae) from the Ecuadorian Andes

A new species of asymmetrically winged fruit is described from Miocene sediments of Andean Ecuador. The new fruit is readily placed in the genus Loxopterygium of the Anacardiaceae based on the size, position of the stigma, wing venation, and serration of the wing tip. The new fossil species is very similar to extant species of Loxopterygium now distributed in dry habitats of coastal Ecuador and Peru, as well as dry interior forests of Bolivia and northern Argentina. We use the fossil to calibrate a molecular-based phylogeny of some members of the Anacardiaceae, showing that dry forest habitats may have been present in South America for more than 10 million years.     

Laccase in Anacardiaceae

The presence of a typical laccase is demonstrated in the cavities of the secretory ducts of a number of species of the Anacardiaceae, including Mangifera indica and Schinus molle. In addition mango fruit contains catechol oxidase. The presence of laccase may be of chemotaxonomic value.     

Cotinus coggygria Scop.: An overview of its chemical constituents,pharmacological and toxicological potential

The Anacardiaceae Lindl. family comprises of many species which are used in nutrition and in traditional folk medicine for the treatment of several human diseases. Cotinus coggygria Scop. commonly known as “smoke tree”, is a commercial ornamental plant with high medicinal usages, belongs to the family Anacardiaceae. The present review provides a comprehensive report of empirical investigations on important pharmacological activities and phytochemical screening of essential oils and extracts. Relevant information was collected from scientific journals, books, and reports via library and electronic search using Medline, PubMed, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and Scopus. The plant has been extensively investigated in a broad range of studies to provide scientific evidence for folklore claims or to find new therapeutic uses. Numerous activities namely antioxidative, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, anticancer, antigenotoxic, hepatoprotective and anti-inflammatory have been demonstrated for all parts of these plants by in vivo and in vitro studies. Essential oils and extracts showed various pharmacological and biological properties which make them an effective remedy for various kinds of illnesses. Considering data from the literature, it could be demonstrated that C. coggygria possesses diverse bioactive properties and immense utilization in medicine, health care, cosmetics and as health supplements.     

Vannella epipetala n. sp. isolated from the leaf surface of Spondias mombin (Anacardiaceae) growing in the dry forest of Costa Rica

As part of a Microbial Observatory of Caterpillars located in the Area de Conservacíon Guanacaste (ACG) in northwestern Costa Rica, we isolated a novel species of the genus Vannella associated with the food of the caterpillars of the saturniid moth Rothschildia lebeau, namely the leaves of the dry forest deciduous tree Spondias mombin (Anacardiaceae). The new species can be distinguished from other described species of the genus by the presence of a plasmalemma coated with a thickened, osmiophilic lamina containing glycostyles, and by its unusual habitat, the leaf surfaces or phylosphere of S. mombin. We further established the novelty of our isolate by sequencing its nuclear small-subunit (SSU) rRNA gene and inferring its phylogenetic position among all other currently sequenced members of the genera Vannella and Platyamoeba. Our results reveal that our isolate shares most recent common ancestry with three strains of Platyamoeba placida, the type species of the genus Platyamoeba. Despite this placement, the isolate clearly possesses glycostyles that are the hallmark of the genus Vannella. In addition to the cultured isolate, we also present a closely related sequence from a SSU rRNA gene clone library constructed from a DNA extract of leaf-wash of S. mombin with sterile water.     

Comparative floral morphology and anatomy of Anacardiaceae and Burseraceae (Sapindales), with a special focus on gynoecium structure and evolution

Anacardiaceae and Burseraceae are traditionally distinguished by the number of ovules (1 vs. 2) per locule and the direction of ovule curvature (syntropous vs. antitropous). Recent molecular phylogenetic studies have shown that these families are sister groups in Sapindales after having been separated in different orders for a long time. We present a comparative morphological study of the flower structure in both families. The major clades, usually supported in molecular phylogenetic analyses, are well supported by floral structure. In Anacardiaceae, there is a tendency to gynoecium reduction to a single fertile carpel (particularly in Anacardioideae). The single ovule has a long and unusually differentiated funicle, which connects with the stylar pollen tube transmitting tract in all representatives studied. In Anacardiaceae–Spondiadoideae, there is a tendency to form an extensive synascidiate zone, with a massive remnant of the floral apex in the centre; these features are also present in Beiselia (Burseraceae) and Kirkiaceae (sister to Anacardiaceae plus Burseraceae) and may represent a synapomorphy or apomorphic tendency for the three families. In core Burseraceae, gynoecium structure is much less diverse than in Anacardiaceae and has probably retained more plesiomorphies. Differences in proportions of parts of the ovules in Anacardiaceae and Burseraceae are linked with the different direction of ovule curvature. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 159 , 499–571.     

Complete chloroplast genome of Myracrodruon urundeuva and its phylogenetics relationships in Anacardiaceae family

Continuous exploratory use of tree species is threatening the existence of several plants in South America. One of these threatened species is Myracroduron urundeuva, highly exploited due to the high quality and durability of its wood. The chloroplast (cp) has been used for several evolutionary studies as well traceability of timber origin, based on its gene sequences and simple sequence repeats (SSR) variability. Cp genome organization is usually consisting of a large single copy and a small single copy region separated by two inverted repeats regions. We sequenced the complete cp genome from M. urundeuva based on Illumina next-generation sequencing. Our results show that the cp genome is 159,883 bp in size. The 36 SSR identified ranging from mono- to hexanucleotides. Positive selection analysis revealed nine genes related to photosystem, protein synthesis, and DNA replication, and protease are under positive selection. Genome comparison a other Anacardiaceae chloroplast genomes showed great variability in the family. The phylogenetic analysis using complete chloroplast genome sequences of other Anacardiaceae family members showed a close relationship with two other economically important genera, Pistacia and Rhus. These results will help future investigations of timber monitoring and population and evolutionary studies. Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12298-021-00989-1.     

The first report of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Spondias</Emphasis> native to Madagascar: <Emphasis Type="Italic">Spondias tefyi</Emphasis>, sp. nov. (Anacardiaceae)

Spondias represents a genus new to Madagascar’s native flora. Like Campnosperma, it is now known from both American and Asian tropics and Madagascar but not from continental Africa. The new species Spondias tefyi is easily distinguished from all of its Asian congeners by having the stamens shorter than the pistil and fruits brown and lenticellate at maturity (vs. greenish, yellow, orange or red, and relatively smooth). The new species is one of several Anacardiaceae whose fruits are eaten by lemurs in the Analavelona Forest, highlighting the importance of conserving this threatened subhumid forest remnant in southern Madagascar.     

中国链格孢属的分类研究Ⅲ.生于漆树科、天南星科和五加科植物上的新种与新记录种(英文)

本文报道生于漆树科（Anacardiaceae）植物上的两个链格孢新种,即盐肤木生链格孢（Alternar。rholcolaT．Y．ZhangetJ．Z．Zhang）和陕西链格孢（A．shaanxiensisT．Y．ZhangetJ．Z．Zhang）;生于天南星科（Aiaceae）植物上的两个新种,即海芋链格孢（A．alocasiaeTYZhapetM．X．Gao）和独角莲链格孢（A．typhoniiT．Y．ZhangetJ．Z．Zhang）,及生于五加科（Aialiaceas）植物上的一个中国新记录种,常春藤链格孢［A．hederae（Aim．＆Cam．）P．Joly］。新种模式标本保藏在山东农业大学植物病理学标本室（HSAUP）。