A numerical analysis of Sideritis L. (Lamiaceae) from North Africa

REJDALI, MOH, 1992. A numerical analysis of Sideritis L. (Lamiaceae) from North Africa. A numerical analysis is shown to be useful means of discriminating taxa at all levels of the hierarchy in the genus Sideritis. This analysis supports both the separation of the genus into the two sections recognized by Bentham, the three groups of Briquet's treatment and the four groupings as suggested by various lines of evidence presented by Rejdali (1988).     

A NUMERICAL TAXONOMIC STUDY OF THE GENUS PLATANUS BASED ON MORPHOLOGICAL AND PHENOLIC CHARACTERS

Forty-two morphological and eighty chemical (phenolic) characters were employed on a numerical taxonomic study of the genus Platanus. Ten taxa were used for morphological study, and nine were available for chemical study. UPGA was employed for cluster analysis; correlation coefficients served as a measurement of the similarity between each OTU-pair. Comparison was made for phenograms and graph diagrams of nine taxa based on morphological characters with those based on chemical characters. It has been found that the two agree with each other in many respects. Correlation coefficient between similarity matrices based on morphological and chemical characters is 0.573. The result generally supports the belief that taxa closely related on morphological grounds are similar biochemically. A systematic consideration of the genus has been made, based on the information available.     

Systematic significance of cytology in Cyananthus (Campanulaceae) endemic to the Sino-Himalayan region

Chromosome numbers and the morphology of members of 24 populations representing 15 species of the Sino-Himalayan endemic genus Cyananthus(Campanulaceae) were studied using karyological and numerical taxonomic techniques. The chromosome numbers of these taxa are 2n = 10, 12, 14, 24, 28, and the basic chromosome numbers for the genus are x = 5, 6, 7. All species except C. inflatus Hook. f. & Thoms. and C. microphyllus Edgew. were examined for the first time and a new ploidy level (tetraploidy) is reported in the genus. Chromosome measurement data were analyzed using cluster analysis. The relationships between three sections within Cyananthus and evolutionary trends within the genus are discussed in the light of karyological data. The cytological data suggest that Cyananthus is a relatively primitive genus in Campanulaceae and there is significant division within the genus, and polyploidization may have played an important role in the chromosome evolution and speciation of Cyananthus in the Himalayan–Hengduan Mountains.     

Karyological studies in Tripleurospermum (Asteraceae, Anthemideae) from north-east Anatolia

Chromosome number and morphology in 14 taxa belonging to 19 populations of Tripleurospermum Sch. Bip. were studied using karyological and numerical taxonomical techniques. Data on chromosome measurements were analysed using cluster analysis. Chromosome numbers of these taxa are 2 n  = 2 x  = 18, 4 x  = 36 and 5 x  = 42–48. Seven records are new, two are not consistent with previous counts, and the remainder confirm the very limited previous data (one to three records). A new ploidy level (pentaploidy) is reported for the first time for the genus. Some correlations between ploidy levels and morphological characters are noted and several systematic and evolutionary aspects of the genus are discussed in the light of karyological data.  © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 146 , 427–438.     

Phylogenetic basis for a taxonomic dissection of the genus Clostridium

The 16S rDNA-based phylogenetic analysis of the genus Clostridium has been completed by determination of the phylogenetic position of the type strains of 15 species and two non-validated species. These strains are members of phylogenetic clusters I, III, IV, V, IX, XIVa and XVIII as defined previously by Collins et al. [Int. J. Syst. Bacteriol. 44 (1994) 812-826]. Members of the genus Clostridium span a large evolutionary distance and the genus is not a phylogenetically coherent taxon but is intermixed with members of different genera, exhibiting a combination of Clostridium- and non-Clostridium-type properties. Anaerobacter polyendosporus, Syntrophococcus sucromutans and Acetivibrio multivorans also cluster within the radiation of Clostridium species. Although several taxa have been described for former Clostridium species with distinct phenotypic properties, the majority of Clostridium species, which are not members of the core cluster I, can at present not be reclassified as long as taxon-specific, phenotypic properties are not available.     

A phenetic investigation of Psophocarpus Neck.ex DC.(Leguminosae-Phaseoleae)

Morphological data were gathered from 126 herbarium specimens representing ten species of Psophocarpus. Specimens were scored for 29 vegetative, 46 inflorescence, 16 legume and six seed characters. The data were analysed using cluster analysis and ordination and the results used to produce an overall phenetic classification. The proposed classification includes a tenth species recently distinguished, but undescribed by Verdcourt. Keys are provided to the subgenera and sections, as well as the ten taxa recognized and the classification is discussed in relation to previous classifications of the genus.     

Numerical taxonomic analysis of imperfect yeast species in Candida and Torulopsis shows no basis for generic separation

A numerical taxonomic analysis was performed on 79 phenotypic characters of 147 imperfect yeast species currently assigned to the genus Candida. The characters used were drawn from two monographs on yeast taxonomy. The analysis revealed 10 clusters of three or more species that were similar at the level of 75% or more, and seven clusters containing only one or two species. None of the 10 major clusters contained exclusively species that were traditionally assigned to the genus Torulopsis, while the 12 Candida species of basidiomycetous affinity fell into three clusters with only one species of ascomycetous affinity included. Statistical determination of the five most important differential characters for each cluster failed to show the property of pseudomycelium/mycelium formation as significant for any cluster. The study provides no evidence to support a distinction between taxa that were formerly divided between the genera Candida and Torulopsis and supports previous proposals that these genera should be fused.     

Morphological variation and genome constitution in some perennial Triticeae

JARVIE, J. K. & BARKWORTH, M. E., 1992. Morphological variation and genome constitution in some perennial Triticeae. A numerical analysis of species of five genomically defined genera of the Triticeae was undertaken, based on 42 morphological characters and 142 operational taxonomic units (OTUs). The primary goal was to determine the degree of congruence between morphological variation and genomic constitution. The second goal was to determine which existing supraspecific classification, if any, best reflected the morphological variation encountered. The five genera investigated were Thinopyrum (J genome), Lophopyrum (E genome), Pseudoroegneria (S genome), Trichopyrum (EES genome) and Elytrigia (SJE/SSX genome). Both principal co-ordinate and cluster analysis of the data placed the OTUs in supraspecific groups that reflected their genomic constitution. Monogenomic taxa were clearly separated. Allotetraploids between the E and S genomes were situated between E and S monogenomic taxa. Allotetraploids between the J and E genomes were situated closest to J genome taxa. The EES taxa of Trichopyrum were placed closest to Lophopyrum. OTUs of Elytrigia overlapped those of Pseudoroegneria , but not those of Lophopyrum or Thinopyrum.     

中国白蛉亚科数值分类研究（双翅目: 毛蠓科）

【目的】 对中国白蛉亚科（Phlebotominae）昆虫进行数值分类研究, 探索其在系统发育过程中的亲缘关系。【方法】 选取中国白蛉40个蛉种作为分类单元以及白蛉的68项形态特征为分类指标, 进行系统聚类分析。【结果】 聚类分析结果与传统属级及白蛉属Phlebotomus的亚属级分类一致。司蛉属Sergentomyia的亚属分类与传统分类有一些区别, 聚类分析将司蛉属分为8类, 其中尼克组nicnic group与司蛉亚属subgenus Sergentomyia和传统分类一致; 泉州司蛉S. quanzhouensis和唐氏司蛉S. tangi聚入帕蛉亚属subgenus Parrotomyia; 尹氏司蛉S. yini聚入新蛉亚属subgenus Neophlebotomus, 应氏司蛉S. iyengari、马来司蛉S. malayensis、吐鲁番司蛉S. turfanensis、兰州司蛉S. lanzhouensis和南京司蛉S. nankingensis聚为一类; 歌乐山司蛉S. koloshanensis、方亮司蛉S. fanglianensis和云南司蛉S. yunnanensis与尼克组nicnic group聚成一类, 此类群和此属中其他蛉种系统发育关系距离远。【结论】 中国白蛉亚科昆虫的聚类分析结果与传统分类基本一致, 验证了传统分类系统的可靠性, 并揭示了传统分类中一些蛉种不确定分类问题。司蛉属聚类分析结果与传统分类有差别, 提示有个别蛉种需重新考虑其分类地位。     

中国柳属的数量分类研究(一)

柳属(Salix L.)由于雌雄异株、风媒花等复杂多变的形态特征,研究的难度为植物分类工作者所熟知。六十年代,用刚刚定型的数量分类学作为工具^[22],对柳属进行定量研究,Crovello的系列工作,^[6-12,19],引起我们的注视。     

Cladistic analysis of Enkianthus with notes on the early diversification of the Ericaceae

The genus Enkianthus (Ericaceae) has been subject to a cladistic analysis of morphological, anatomical, embryological, and cytological data, using two species of Clethra as outgroup. In order to evaluate the monophyly of Enkianthus , the genera Epigaea and Phyllodoce from the subfamily Rhododendroideae, and the genus Andromeda from the subfamily Vaccinioideae were also included in an initial analysis which yielded 20 equally parsimonious cladograms. The results indicated that Enkianthus is monophyletic, and a subsequent analysis with only the outgroup taxa and 14 species of Enkianthus yielded two equally parsimonious cladograms with a more resolved topology. In order to obtain strictly monophyletic taxa, the current subgeneric classification of Enkianthus is revised, recognizing four sections: Enkianthus (9 spp.), Andromedina (2 spp.), Meisteria (2 spp.), and Enkiantella (4 spp.). The paper provides a key, illustrations of representative taxa, a cladogram, and strict consensus trees.     

Infrageneric classification of the genus Gaultheria L. (Ericaceae)

The genus Gaultheria has been classified into ten sections (one with two subsections) and 22 series of which five are new combinations and 21 are new taxa. Seven of these sections are composed primarily of solitary flowered species and the other three sections of racemose species. About half of the species of the genus are included in section Brossaea. A summary of the classification is here presented.     

中国蕨科的数量分类研究

本文用聚类分析的方法,对中国蕨科23个种代表9个属做了数量分类研究,通过23OTUs×37个性状的原始数值矩阵标准化后,用欧氏距离系数计算相似性,采用WPGMA法进行聚类分析,以探索各属之间的系统位置和亲缘关系。其结果与我国植物学家经典分类处理基本上一致,并对粉背蕨属(Aleuritopteris)也做了修正,认为粉背蕨系(Ser.Farinosae)和银粉背蕨系(Sef.Argenteae)也可做为两个新属处理比较合理。另外对距离系数和结合线在类群划分申的作用进行了讨论和评价。     

Karyological studies of some representatives of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tanacetum</Emphasis> L. (Anthemideae-Asteraceae) from north-east Anatolia

The karyotypes of nine Tanacetum taxa distributed in north-east Anatolia, Turkey, were determined and evaluated by cluster analysis and principal-components analysis. Chromosome numbers were 2n = 2x = 18 (8 taxa) and 4x = 36 (1 taxon). Somatic chromosome numbers of two taxa and a new ploidy level in one taxon are reported for the first time. Karyotype analysis indicated that chromosomes of Tanacetum taxa have predominantly median centromeres. The taxa studied differed significantly in the size of the short arms and long arms, and the arm ratio of each pair of homologous chromosomes, indicating structural rearrangements of the chromosomes have been involved in diversification of the taxa. They were placed in 2A, 3A, and 2B of Stebbins’ karyotype classification, showing the presence of a primitive symmetrical karyotype in the genus. Several systematic and evolutionary aspects of the genus are discussed on the basis of karyological data.     

Phytochemical,phylogenetic, and anti-inflammatory evaluation of 43 Urtica accessions (stinging nettle) based on UPLC–Q-TOF-MS metabolomic profiles

Several species of the genus Urtica (especially Urtica dioica, Urticaceae), are used medicinally to treat a variety of ailments. To better understand the chemical diversity of the genus and to compare different accessions and different taxa of Urtica, 63 leaf samples representing a broad geographical, taxonomical and morphological diversity were evaluated under controlled conditions. A molecular phylogeny for all taxa investigated was prepared to compare phytochemical similarity with phylogenetic relatedness. Metabolites were analyzed via UPLC–PDA–MS and multivariate data analyses. In total, 43 metabolites were identified, with phenolic compounds and hydroxy fatty acids as the dominant substance groups. Principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA) provides a first structured chemotaxonomy of the genus. The molecular data present a highly resolved phylogeny with well-supported clades and subclades. U. dioica is retrieved as both para- and polyphyletic. European members of the U. dioica group and the North American subspecies share a rather similar metabolite profile and were largely retrieved as one, nearly exclusive cluster by metabolite data. This latter cluster also includes – remotely related – Urtica urens, which is pharmaceutically used in the same way as U. dioica. However, most highly supported phylogenetic clades were not retrieved in the metabolite cluster analyses. Overall, metabolite profiles indicate considerable phytochemical diversity in the genus, which largely falls into a group characterized by high contents of hydroxy fatty acids (e.g., most Andean-American taxa) and another group characterized by high contents of phenolic acids (especially the U. dioica-clade). Anti-inflammatory in vitro COX1 enzyme inhibition assays suggest that bioactivity may be predicted by gross metabolic profiling in Urtica.     

Molecular systematics,GISH and the origin of hybrid taxa in Nicotiana (Solanaceae)

Phylogenetic relationships in the genus Nicotiana were investigated using parsimony analyses of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrDNA). In addition, origins of some amphidiploid taxa in Nicotiana were investigated using the techniques of genomic in situ hybridization (GISH), and the results of both sets of analyses were used to evaluate previous hypotheses about the origins of these taxa. Phylogenetic analyses of the ITS nrDNA data were performed on the entire genus (66 of 77 naturally occurring species, plus three artificial hybrids), comprising both diploid and polyploid taxa, and on the diploid taxa only (35 species) to examine the effects of amphidiploids on estimates of relationships. All taxa, regardless of ploidy, produced clean, single copies of the ITS region, even though some taxa are hybrids. Results are compared with a published plastid (matK) phylogeny using fewer, but many of the same, taxa. The patterns of relationships in Nicotiana, as seen in both analyses, are largely congruent with each other and previous evolutionary ideas based on morphology and cytology, but some important differences are apparent. None of the currently recognized subgenera of Nicotiana is monophyletic and, although most of the currently recognized sections are coherent, others are clearly polyphyletic. Relying solely upon ITS nrDNA analysis to reveal phylogenetic patterns in a complex genus such as Nicotiana is insufficient, and it is clear that conventional analysis of single data sets, such as ITS, is likely to be misleading in at least some respects about evolutionary history. ITS sequences of natural and well-documented amphidiploids are similar or identical to one of their two parents-usually, but not always, the maternal parent-and are not in any sense themselves 'hybrid'. Knowing how ITS evolves in artificial amphidiploids gives insight into what ITS analysis might reveal about naturally occurring amphidiploids of unknown origin, and it is in this perspective that analysis of ITS sequences is highly informative.     

A new family and a new genus for two taxa previously assigned to Apodachlyella completa (J. E. Humphrey) H. Indoh (Peronosporomycetidae: Leptomitales)

DICK, M. VV., 1986. A new family and a new genus for two taxa previously assigned to Apodachlyella completa (J. E. Humphrey) H. Indoh (Peronosporomycetidae: Leptomitales) . At present two distinct taxa are referrable to Apodachlyella completa. New genus and species names (I'lerogone helodes M. W. Dick genus & sp. nov.) are necessary for the taxon reported from the British Isles. Confirmation of the unique wall membranes in the antheridia and oogonia is used to justify the placement of A. completa in a new, monotypic family of the Leptomitales (Apodachlyellaceae M. W. Dick fam. nova). Plerogone is placed provisionally in the Leptomitaceae.     

Phylogeny, biogeography, and the evolution of life-history traits in Leucadendron (Proteaceae)

Leucadendron is a moderately large genus of Proteaceae almost entirely restricted to the Cape Floristic Region of southern Africa. The genus is unusual in being dioecious and sexually dimorphic. ITS sequence data were obtained from 62 of the 96 currently recognized taxa (85 species and 11 subspecies). Phylogenetic analyses were conducted under Maximum Likelihood and parsimony and resolved nine groups of species with varying degrees of bootstrap support, but relationships between these groups are largely unsupported. The phylogeny conflicts with the current taxonomic arrangement, which is based mainly on fruit morphology. The two sections of the genus, Alatosperma and Leucadendron, and several subsections within these sections, are resolved as non-monophyletic. This means that taxonomically important characters (such as fruit shape) have evolved multiple times, as the species with nut-like fruit (resolved into two of the nine groups) appear to have evolved independently from ancestors with winged fruit. Based on the topology obtained, the life history traits of anemophily, myrmechochory, and re-sprouting have also originated multiple times. Dispersal-Vicariance (DIVA) analysis suggests that the genus had an ancestral area in the Karoo Mountain and Southeastern phytogeographic centres of endemism in the southwestern Cape.     

Origin of Macaronesian Sideritis L. (Lamioideae: Lamiaceae) inferred from nuclear and chloroplast sequence datasets

Sideritis L. (Lamiaceae) comprises approximately 150 species of annuals and perennials distributed chiefly in the Mediterranean region. The majority of the species belong to the continental subgenus Sideritis which is divided into two perennial (Sideritis and Empedoclea) and two annual (Hesiodia and Burgsdorfia) sections. Twenty-three species are woody perennials endemic to the Macaronesian archipelagos of Madeira and the Canary Islands. In an effort to determine the continental origin of the insular group, we constructed independent phylogenies comprising sequence data from both chloroplast and nuclear markers. Sampling included 7 island taxa drawn from the Macaronesian subgenus Marrubiastrum and 25 continental taxa representing all four sections of subgenus Sideritis. Subgenus Marrubiastrum and the two continental perennial sections form well-supported monophyletic groups in both individual and combined analyses. The annual sections are not monophyletic in any analysis; further sampling of annual taxa is needed to resolve these relationships. All analyses identified Sideritis cossoniana, an annual species from Morocco, as the closest continental relative of the Macaronesian group. This contrasts with the hypothesis of earlier workers who suggested that the insular taxa were most closely related to eastern Mediterranean species of the genus. The phylogenies also demonstrate a distinct increase in woodiness among the Macaronesian species relative to their continental congeners, providing further support for the secondary nature of woodiness in island plants.     

Taxonomy of the Chinese Orobanche and Its Relationships with Related Genera

The morphological characters in the genus Orobanche were evaluated from the taxonomic point of view. The author finds that the plants of this genus are relatively similar to each other in respect to characters of vegetative organs, fruits and seeds. But the differences in the floral structures can be served as a basis for delimitating infrageneric taxa. The seed coat of 18 species and pollen grains of 6 species were also examined under scanning electron microscope (SEM). They seem to have little significance for distinguishing species. The result supports G. Beck’s (1930) division of the genus Orobanche into 4 sections, of which 2 occur in China, based on the characters of the inflorescence, bracteoles and calyx. The author considers that some characters, such as anther hairy or not, upper lip of corolla entire or not, lower lip longer or shorter than the upper one, the state of corolla-tube inflec tion and the hair type of filaments and plants, are important in distinguishing Chinese species. A key to the species of Orobanche in China is given. This genus consists of about 100 species, and is mostly confined to Eurasia, with over 60 species found in Caucasus and Middle Asia of USSR, where may be the mordern distribu tional centre. Orobanche L. in China is represented by 23 species, 3 varieties and l forma. As shown in Table 1, most species (12 species) are found in Xinjiang, which clearly shows a close floristic relationship between this region and Middle Asia of USSR. 6 species are endemic to China, of which 4 are confined to the Hengduan Mountains (Yangtze-Mekong-Salwin divide). The relationships between this genus and related ones of Orobanchaceae are also discussed. The author holds the following opinions: the genus Phelypaea Desf. should be considered as a member of Orobanche L. Sect. Gymnocaulis G. Beck, the monotypic genus, Necranthus A. Gilli endemic to Turkey, is allied with Orobanche L. Sect. Orobanche, the monotypic genus, Platypholis Maxim, endemic to Bonin Is. of Japan, is far from Orobanche L. in relation and should be regarded as a separate genus. The 11 OTU’s, including all the sections of Orobanche L. and 7 genera of Orobanchaceae, and 15 morphological characters were used in the numerical taxonomic treatment to test the above-mentioned suggestions. After standardization of characters, the correlation matrices were computerized. The correlation matrices were made to test the various clustering methods. At last the UPGMA clustering method was chosen and its result is shown in a phenogram. The result of numerical analysis is basically in accordance with the suggestions.