Flavonoid diversification in the polemoniaceae

Analysis of species representing most sections of all the genera in the family Polemoniaceae showed a range of variation in flavonoids comparable to variation already documented for gross morphological features, karyotypes and pollen grains. Three main groups of flavonoids predominate: (A) common flavonols (kaempferol, quercetin, myricetin); (B) 6-methoxyflavonols (patuletin, eupalitin, eupatolitin); and (C) C-glycosylflavones (apigenin and luteolin based). Cobaea, Loeselia], Polemonium, Allophyllum, Collomia and Gymnosteris have predominantly Group A flavonoids; Bonplandia, Ipomopsis and Eriastrum have predominantly Group B flavonoids; Phlox, Microsteris and Leptodactylon have predominantly Group C flavonoids; while the remaining genera (Cantua, Huthia, Gilia, Langloisia, Navarretia and Linanthus) either have flavonoids of all three groups, or some species within a genus have flavonoids of one group, while other species have flavonoids of another group. Linanthus, Gilia and Navarretia (3 of the larger genera in the family) show great flavonoid diversity, while Langloisia (4 species) has 2 species with Group A flavonoids and the other two species have Group B pigments. Two rare hydroxycoumarins, one being daphnetin, were detected in five genera but they proved to be only of limited systematic interest.     

Leptodactylone,a yellow coumarin from Leptodactylon and Linanthus species

A new phenol in Leptodactylon and Linanthus leaf has been identified by spectral procedures as 5,7-dimethoxy-8-hydroxycoumarin. This structure has been confirmed by synthesis. Leptodactylone is unique among simple hydroxycoumarins in its yellow colour.     

Genetic divergence in the tribe Electronini (Myctophidae)

To reveal evolutionary relationships and the rate of divergence of lanternfishes in the tribe Electronini (Myctophidae), analysis of sequence of cox 1 mtDNA fragment in three genera (12 species) of the tribe and in a closely related genus Myctophum (9 species) was performed. The results support the tribe monophyly; however, the divergence within it appeared to be not profound: genetic distances between genera and subgenera are smaller than between species within Myctophum and other genera of myctophids. In subgenera of Protomyctophum, species formation has obviously not completed since interspecies distances in them (0.5–4.7%) are comparable to estimates of intraspecific variation in other lanternfishes. Minimal genetic differences were found between species P. (Hierops) arcticum and P. (H.) subparallelum, whose ranges at the present time are isolated in the northern and southern hemispheres. After calibration of the molecular clock, the time of isolation of these two species can be dated to the Middle Pleistocene. Weak tribe diversification indicates its evolutionary youth, which can be related to the absence of efficient hydrographic barriers for isolation. The data obtained do not permit to consider tribe members as the most primitive in the family Myctophidae.     

A preliminary phylogenetic analysis of the New World Helopini (Coleoptera,Tenebrionidae, Tenebrioninae) indicates the need for profound rearrangements of the classification

Helopini is a diverse tribe in the subfamily Tenebrioninae with a worldwide distribution. The New World helopine species have not been reviewed recently and several doubts emerge regarding their generic assignment as well as the naturalness of the tribe and subordinate taxa. To assess these questions, a preliminary cladistic analysis was conducted with emphasis on sampling the genera distributed in the New World, but including representatives from other regions. The parsimony analysis includes 30 ingroup species from America, Europe and Asia of the subtribes Helopina and Cylindrinotina, plus three outgroups, and 67 morphological characters. Construction of the matrix resulted in the discovery of morphological character states not previously reported for the tribe, particularly from the genitalia of New World species. A consensus of the 12 most parsimonious trees supports the monophyly of the tribe based on a unique combination of characters, including one synapomorphy. None of the subtribes or the genera of the New World represented by more than one species (Helops Fabricius, Nautes Pascoe and Tarpela Bates) were recovered as monophyletic. Helopina was recovered as paraphyletic in relation to Cylindrinotina. One Nearctic species of Helops and one Palearctic species of Tarpela (subtribe Helopina) were more closely related to species of Cylindrinotina. A relatively derived clade, mainly composed by Neotropical species, was found; it includes seven species of Tarpela, seven species of Nautes, and three species of Helops, two Nearctic and one Neotropical. Our results reveal the need to deeply re-evaluate the current classification of the tribe and subordinated taxa, but a broader taxon sampling and further character exploration is needed in order to fully recognize monophyletic groups at different taxonomic levels (from subtribes to genera).     

Monophyly and generic relationships of polemoniaceae based on matK Sequences

Polemoniaceae are often considered a model family for studying evolutionary processes, yet a reliable phylogeny for the family is only now beginning to emerge. To test the monophyly of this family and to elucidate intergeneric relationships, we employed comparative sequencing of the chloroplast gene matK. Parsimony analysis of matK sequences representing 18 genera of Polemoniaceae and nine families from Asteridae sensu lato places Polemoniaceae apart from Solanaceae near Fouquieriaceae, Ericaceae, Sarraceniaceae, and Diapensiaceae. Both this and a subsequent analysis of 59 species of Polemoniaceae indicate that Cobaea is derived from within Polemoniaceae, rather than being the sister to Polemoniaceae as suggested by some authors. The tropical genera Bonplandia, Cantua, and Cobaea form a clade, and the remaining, primarily temperate genera, excluding Acanthogilia, form a second monophyletic group. Acanthogilia is placed ambiguously as sister to either the tropical or temperate groups depending on the location of the root for Polemoniaceae. Within the temperate lineage, Polemonium is sister to three large clades: a well-supported clade comprising Phlox, Gymnosteris, Linanthus, Leptodactylon, and Gilia filiformis; a moderately well-supported clade comprising Allophyllum, Collomia, Navarretia, and several species of Gilia; and a weakly supported clade comprising Eriastrum, Ipomopsis, Langloisia, Loeseliastrum, Loeselia, and several species of Gilia. In addition to revealing the extreme polyphyly of Gilia, this analysis suggests that Ipomopsis and Linanthus are also polyphyletic.     

Pericarp structure and phylogeny of tribe Mentheae (Lamiaceae)

Pericarp structure is investigated in 143 specimens belonging to 59 out of ca. 65 genera and 134 out of ca. 2,000 species of Lamiaceae subfamily Nepetoideae tribe Mentheae. Some of the data presented by earlier authors are believed to be incorrect. The variation in pericarp structure has been found to be strongly correlated to the variations in DNA and gross morphological characters. The groups of two-staminate genera (Salvia, etc.) and four-staminate genera of Salviinae (Lepechinia and Chaunostoma) can be distinguished from each other and from other labiates by differences in pericarp structure. The other two subtribes, Menthinae and Nepetinae, differ considerably, but their variations strongly overlap. The differences in pericarp structure also suggest that Menthinae can be divided into three main monophyletic groups based on other data: (1) the main bulk of the tribe, (2) a group of Prunella and Cleonia and perhaps also Horminum, and (3) the characteristic genus Lycopus. Pericarp data disagree with a suggestion that the genus Melissa should be included in the subtribe Salviinae. Modifications of the subtribal classification of Mentheae are discussed.     

The Chloroplast Genome of Hyoscyamus niger and a Phylogenetic Study of the Tribe Hyoscyameae (Solanaceae)

The tribe Hyoscyameae (Solanaceae) is restricted to Eurasia and includes the genera Archihyoscyamus, Anisodus, Atropa, Atropanthe, Hyoscyamus, Physochlaina, Przewalskia and Scopolia. Even though the monophyly of Hyoscyameae is strongly supported, the relationships of the taxa within the tribe remain unclear. Chloroplast markers have been widely used to elucidate plant relationships at low taxonomic levels. Identification of variable chloroplast intergenic regions has been developed based on comparative genomics of chloroplast genomes, but these regions have a narrow phylogenetic utility. In this study, we present the chloroplast genome sequence of Hyoscyamus niger and make comparisons to other solanaceous plastid genomes in terms of gene order, gene and intron content, editing sites, origins of replication, repeats, and hypothetical open reading frames. We developed and sequenced three variable plastid markers from eight species to elucidate relationships within the tribe Hyoscyameae. The presence of a horizontally transferred intron in the mitochondrial cox1 gene of some species of the tribe is considered here a likely synapomorphy uniting five genera of the Hyoscyameae. Alternatively, the cox1 intron could be a homoplasious character acquired twice within the tribe. A homoplasious inversion in the intergenic plastid spacer trnC-psbM was recognized as a source of bias and removed from the data set used in the phylogenetic analyses. Almost 12 kb of plastid sequence data were not sufficient to completely resolve relationships among genera of Hyoscyameae but some clades were identified. Two alternative hypotheses of the evolution of the genera within the tribe are proposed.     

Pollen morphology and evolution in the genus Orobanche L. s.l. and its allied genera (Orobancheae/Orobanchaceae) in Turkey

The pollen morphology of 120 samples of the tribe Orobancheae, representing four genera and 40 species of Cistanche, Diphelypaea, Orobanche and Phelipanche native to Turkey, has been studied by light and scanning electron microscopy. Pollen of the tribe Orobancheae is typically isopolar, radially asymmetrical, oblate spheroidal or prolate and belongs to one of the following basic pollen types: inaperturate, tricolpate and syncolpate. Also, pollen heteromorphism is widespread among pest species of Orobanche and Phelipanche. Pollen characters display considerable variation among genera and species, but some characters are significant at the levels of genera and sections. The results of the SEM study show that there are various exine ornamentation types in these genera. The obtained results support the division of the traditionally circumscribed genus Orobanche sensu lato into two genera, Phelipanche and Orobanche. The pollen morphological features are discussed on the basis of molecular phylogeny of the taxa.     

Cladistic analysis of morphological characters in the eulophine tribe Cirrospilini (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae)

A total of 56 morphological characters were analyzed for 53 cirrospiline species that represent all of the 17 described genera of the tribe. The other taxa of the Eulophinae included in the analysis were six species of six representative genera in the tribe Eulophini, a species of Elasmus (the only genus comprising the tribe Elasmini), and a species of Trichospilus (unplaced). Trichospilus and two of the six genera of Eulophini examined were placed within Cirrospilini. Monophyly of Cirrospilini (when these two genera of Eulophini and Trichospilus are included) and of the cirrospiline genera for which more than one species were examined was supported, but the relationships between the genera were poorly resolved. An exception was Cirrospilus, the largest genus in the Cirrospilini, monophyly of which was not supported to any extent.     

The generic position of two species of tribe Physaleae (Solanaceae) inferred from three DNA sequences: A case study on Physaliastrum and Archiphysalis

For the first time, samples of Physaliastrum and Archiphysalis are included in a molecular phylogenetic analysis of the tribe Physaleae based on the plastid loci ndhF and trnL-F and the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS). We selected 38 species from 23 genera of tribe Physaleae (Solanaceae) as ingroup and two genera (Lycianthes, Capsicum) from Capsiceae as outgroup. Phylogenetic analyses were conducted using maximum parsimony and Bayesian methods. The results indicate that Physaliastrum sensu Zhang et al. is not a monophyletic group. Neither Physaliastrum sensu Kuang and Lu nor Archiphysalis Kuang are members of Leucophysalis or Chamaesaracha or other genera as had been suggested by previous workers. They are independent genera which belong to subtribes Physalinae and Withaninae respectively.     

Phylogenetic position of the southern African members of the tribe Psoraleeae based on molecular and morphological data

The tribe Psoraleeae (Leguminosae subfamily Papilionoideae) comprises 185 species in nine genera that have a nearly worldwide distribution, occurring predominantly in Mediterranean regions. About 60% of the species belong to the genera, Otholobium C.H.Stirt. and Psoralea L., which have a centre of diversity in the Cape Floristic Region of South Africa. Since previous molecular studies have sampled only a few species of the tribe from this region, this study sought to determine the phylogenetic position of the southern African genera and to test whether they are monophyletic. Phylogenetic relationships were reconstructed using DNA sequence data (trnL-F, rpoB-trnC and ITS) and seven morphological characters, which diagnose the two southern African genera. The data were analysed using the parsimony method. There was strong support for the Psoraleeae as a clade, but most of the nodes within the large genera were poorly supported. The southern African species of Psoralea and Otholobium together formed a strongly supported clade. This clade was sister to the genus Hoita Rydb., but without support. However, the Psoralea species were nested within the southern African Otholobium. Additionally, some South American species that are currently recognised as Otholobium were resolved in a clade distinct from the southern African species, making Otholobium polyphyletic. Morphological characters that separate Otholobium and Psoralea are discussed. Finally, the southern African genera as currently circumscribed are not monophyletic. However, further investigations using more informative DNA loci are required to validate this observation. Furthermore, the taxonomic placement of the South American species needs to be reviewed.     

A chemotaxonomic survey of the tribe psoraleeae in africa

A study of the leaf flavonoids, furanocoumarins and essential oils of 51 species (three genera) of the tribe Psoraleeae (Fabaceae) has provided chemical data to support the recent subdivision of the large worldwide genus Psoralea into a number of segregate genera. The flavonoid patterns in most species were very similar, consisting largely of proanthocyanidins and complex mixtures of flavone O- and C-glucosides. Psoralea repens, the only maritime species to be examined, is unique in containing only rutin. Three isoflavones (daidzein, formononetin and genistein) were of widespread occurrence. The genera Psoralea and Otholobium, which could not be separated on flavonoid data, were clearly demarcated by their essential oils. Furanocoumarin patterns were useful for the characterization of species.     

Relationship between subfamilies,tribes and genera in iridaceae inferred from chemical characters

Free amino acids and γ-glutamyl peptides have been examined in 22 species of Iridaceae. 3-(3′-Carboxyphenyl)alanine and 3′-carboxyphenylglycine, previously known from the tribes Irideae and Tigridideae in the subfamily Iridodeae have been identified also in the tribe Mariceae of Iridoideae and the genera Bobartia, Orthrosanthus and Libertia of the subfamily Sisyrinchioideae. γ-Glutamyl peptides, previously known from the tribe Irideae, have been found also in the tribe Mariceae, both tribes being from subfamily Iridoideae. γ-Glutamyl-S-methylcysteine, γ-glutamylmethionine and the corresponding sulphoxides are the dominating γ-glutamyl peptides in the genera Dietes, Gynandriris, Moraea (tribe Irideae), Neomarica and Trimezia (tribe Mariceae), whereas γ-glutamyl peptides with non-sulphur amino acids are predominant in genera Ferraria, Hermodactylus, Homeria, Iris, Iridodyctyum and Xiphium (tribe Irideae). Dietes robisoniana, endemic to Lord Howe Island, has the same technical characters as other Dietes species from Southern Africa. The results are discussed in relation to botanical classification of and within the subfamilies Iridoideae and Sisyrinchoideae.     

Karyomorphological studies in some parasitic species of the Scrophulariaceae,I

A karyomorphological comparison of four genera of the tribe Buchnereae and two genera of the tribe Euphrasieae, root parasites of the subfamily Rhinanthoideae of the Scrophulariaceae, is presented along with 12 new chromosome counts. The interphase nuclei are of the simple chromocenter type. Macranthera and Aureolaria have more subtelocentric chromosomes than those of the other genera studied, which indicates higher asymmetric variation in their karyotypes. In all the karyotypes decrease in size from the longest to the shortest chromosomes is gradual. All the species studied show karyotypic heteromorphology and heteromorphic homologous chromosomes.     

Floral structure and development in the monoecious palm Gaussia attenuata (Arecaceae; Arecoideae)

Background and Aims

Sexual dimorphism, at both the flower and plant level, is widespread in the palm family (Arecaceae), in contrast to the situation in angiosperms as a whole. The tribe Chamaedoreeae is of special interest for studies of the evolution of sexual expression since dioecy appears to have evolved independently twice in this group from a monoecious ancestor. In order to understand the underlying evolutionary pathways, it is important to obtain detailed information on flower structure and development in each of the main clades.

Methods

Dissection and light and scanning electron microscopy were performed on developing flowers of Gaussia attenuata, a neotropical species belonging to one of the three monoecious genera of the tribe.

Key Results

Like species of the other monoecious genera of the Chamaedoreeae (namely Hyophorbe and Synechanthus), G. attenuata produces a bisexual flower cluster known as an acervulus, consisting of a row of male flowers with a basal female flower. Whereas the sterile androecium of female flowers terminated its development at an early stage of floral ontogeny, the pistillode of male flowers was large in size but with no recognizable ovule, developing for a longer period of time. Conspicuous nectary differentiation in the pistillode suggested a possible role in pollinator attraction.

Conclusions

Gaussia attenuata displays a number of floral characters that are likely to be ancestral to the tribe, notably the acervulus flower cluster, which is conserved in the other monoecious genera and also (albeit in a unisexual male form) in the dioecious genera (Wendlandiella and a few species of Chamaedorea). Comparison with earlier data from other genera suggests that large nectariferous pistillodes and early arrest in staminode development might also be regarded as ancestral characters in this tribe.     

Germacranolides from Proteopsis Argentea

Proteopsis argentea (tribe Vernonieae) afforded in addition to known compounds three new sesquiterpene lactones, closely related to those isolated from Eremanthus species, indicating a close relationship between these genera.     

The occurrence of canavanine in seeds of the tribe robinieae

Fifty-five species representing 14 genera of Robinieae are reported to accumulate canavanine in seed. This represents approximately one-third the number of species and two-thirds the number of genera in the tribe and indicate Robinieae to be the only tribe with a predominantly New World distribution to accumulate canavanine. The only member of Robinieaea found not to accumulate canavanine is the genus Diphysa. The lack of canavanine in seed of this genus lends systematic weight to characters shared in common by Diphysa with the tribe Aeschynomeneae, and a re-evaluation of the tribal position of Diphysa may be in order.     

The oldest known chironomids of the tribe Tanytarsini (Diptera: Chironomidae) indicate plesiomorphic character states

Taxonomic studies on chironomids of the tribe Tanytarsini recorded in Eocene Baltic amber from the Rovno region have revealed two new species: Archistempellina perkovskyi and Stempellinella ivanovae. Both species display interesting characters supporting evolutionary trends in the tribe. A. perkovskyi nov. sp. combines plesiomorphic characters, thus consolidating the hypothesis that the genus Archistempellina is one of the basal lineages of the tribe Tanytarsini. The antennal flagellum composed of 13 discernible segments found in S. ivanovae nov. sp. is defined as a plesiomorphic character state opposite to a reduced number of flagellomeres in extant species; the nipple-like process on the apex of the gonostylus is recognised as a unique character in the Tanytarsini and a possible homologue of the horn-like tip of the gonostylus known from several extant species of the genus Stempellinella Brundin. A key to determination of all genera and species of the Tanytarsini recorded in the Eocene is presented. Notes on evolutionary trends in the tribe are also provided.     

Analysis of phylogenetic relationships of Brassicaceae species based on Chs sequences

Sequences of nuclear chalcone synthase gene (Chs) were analyzed for species of the Brassicaceae family to reconstruct phylogenetic relationships. The phylogeny for 106 species of 60 genera was reconstructed, and assigned to 24 tribes, using maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, and neighbor-joining methods. Most of the tribes can be assigned to the major lineages (Lineages I–III) suggested by Beilstein et al. (2006). The tribe Camelineae was not monophyletic. Conringia planisiliqua together with Orychophragmus violaceus would not be recognized as a new tribe proposed by the previous studies, and C. planisiliqua should be a member of tribe Isatideae. The genera delimitation and monophyly of the expanded Solms-laubachia were also confirmed by our data. Furthermore, one parent of inter-tribal allopolyploid Pachycladon appeared to be most closely associated with Crucihimalaya, Transberingia and tribes Boechereae and Halimolobeae, another parent was proved to be in tribe Smelowskieae.