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.     

Rhus neoglutinosa sp. nov. (Anacardiaceae) and Teclea borenensis sp. nov. (Rutaceae) from Ethiopia.

Two new species, Rhus neoglutinosa M. Gilbert (Anacardiaceae) and Teclea borenensis M. Gilbert (Rutaceae) are described in preparation for the forthcoming Flora of Ethiopia.     

Toxic Phenols in various Anacardiaceae species

The leaves and bark of fifteen species of Mexican Anacardiaceae were analyzed by paper and thin layer chromatography for the presence of toxic phenols such as catechols, resorcinols and biflavonoids. Based on the results of this and previous studies, toxic phenols are present in fifty-two species belonging to twenty-seven genera in Anacardiaceae. The majority of species contain toxic catechols, a few species contain toxic resorcinols and sixteen species contain biflavonoids. Genera from the basal group in Anacardiaceae, including Spondias and allied genera lack biflavonoids. Biflavonoids are present in the rest of the genera of Anacardiaceae.     

Phenotypic diversity of Xanthomonas sp. mangiferaeindicae

Carbohydrate utilization profiles by means of the API (Appareils et Procédés d'Identification) system and sensitivity to antibiotics and heavy metal salts of 68 Xanthomonas sp. mangiferaeindicae strains isolated in nine countries from mango (Mangifera indica L.) and other genera of the Anacardiaceae were examined to assess the variability of the taxon. The strains could be separated into 10 groups according to Ward clustering. Apigmented strains isolated from the pepper tree [syn. Brazilian pepper] (Schinus terebenthifolius Raddi) could not be clearly differentiated from most apigmented strains isolated from mango. Yellow-pigmented strains isolated from mango in Brazil and Reunion Island, apigmented strains isolated from mango in Brazil and from ambarella in the French West Indies, clustered in distinct groups. The results are consistent with those of other studies, based on isozyme analysis of esterase, phosphoglucomutase and superoxide dismutase, and hrp-RFLP analysis; they indicate the need for a comprehensive taxonomic evaluation of xanthomonads associated with Anacardiaceae.     

Phenotypic diversity of Xanthomonas sp. mangiferaeindicae

Carbohydrate utilization profiles by means of the API (Appareils et Procédés d'Identification) system and sensitivity to antibiotics and heavy metal salts of 68 Xanthomonas sp. mangiferaeindicae strains isolated in nine countries from mango ( Mangifera indica L.) and other genera of the Anacardiaceae were examined to assess the variability of the taxon. The strains could be separated into 10 groups according to Ward clustering. Apigmented strains isolated from the pepper tree [syn. Brazilian pepper] ( Schinus terebenthifolius Raddi) could not be clearly differentiated from most apigmented strains isolated from mango. Yellow-pigmented strains isolated from mango in Brazil and Reunion Island, apigmented strains isolated from mango in Brazil and from ambarella in the French West Indies, clustered in distinct groups. The results are consistent with those of other studies, based on isozyme analysis of esterase, phosphoglucomutase and superoxide dismutase, and hrp -RFLP analysis; they indicate the need for a comprehensive taxonomic evaluation of xanthomonads associated with Anacardiaceae.     

小钩丝壳属一新种

本文报告了寄生在漆树科(Anacardiaceae)植物上的小钩丝壳属的一个新种:黄连木(Pistacia chinensis Bunge)上的黄连木小钩丝壳Uncinuliella pistaciae sp.nov.,新种有汉文和拉丁文描述。     

Inflorescence morphology of some South American Anacardiaceae and the possible phylogenetic trends

Barfod, A. 1988. Inflorescence morphology of some South American Anacardiaceae and the possible phylogenetic trends. - Nord. J. Bot. 8: 3–11. Copenhagen. ISSN 0107–055X.
The inflorescences of 15 native and one introduced species of South American Anacardiaceae belonging to the genera Anacardium, Loxopterygium, Mangifera, Mauria, Mosquitoxylon, Schinus, Spondias, Tapirira and Toxicodendron are described according to the terminology of Troll and coworkers. The tribal divisions in the Anacardiaceae are supported by the inflorescence morphology. Tribe Spondia-deae has paniculate inflorescences whereas tribe Anacardieae and tribe Rhoeae both have thyrsoids. Toxicodendron is exceptional for the tribe Rhoeae having axillary panicles. Thyrosids are hypothesized derived from panicles by a two step process including neoteny and enriching by cymose branching.     

Biflavonyls and the affinities of Blepharocarya

An analysis of fruit and/or leaf biflavonyls from the genus Blepharocarya and representatives of Burseraceae, Simaroubaceae, Meliaceae and Anacardiaceae strongly supports a close affinity of the genus with the Anacardiaceae, and in particular with the tribe Rhoeae.     

Pericarp structure and generic affinities in the Anacardiaceae

Pericarp structure is surveyed in 29 genera. Homologous regions termed exocarp, mesocarp and endocarp are established. While exocarp and mesocarp structure show some uniformity, there are two very distinct types of endocarp, designated the Anacardium- type and the Spondias- type . The distribution of these indicates that the current division of the family into five tribes is artificial. The occurrence of the Spondias-type in Canarium , a member of the sister group Burseraceae, suggests that this type is plesiomorphic in the Anacardiaceae. In addition, the presence of the Anacardium- type in Blepharocarya (Blepharocaryaceae) and Orthopterygium Qulianiaceae) further supports the inclusion of these taxa in the Anacardiaceae.     

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.     

Deceptive fruits reduce seed predation by insects inPistacia terebinthus L. (Anacardiaceae)

Summary The production of seedless fruits (parthenocarpy) is not yet understood from an evolutionary viewpoint, even though it is taxonomically widespread. Here I present a case in which parthenocarpy reduces the incidence of seed predation by insects. At least the first generation of chalcidoid wasps that oviposit in the fruits ofPistacia terebinthus L. (Anacardiaceae) cannot discriminate among viable and inviable fruits, allocating energy and time to oviposition on fruits that are not suitable for larval development.     

Inflorescence structure and affinities of Laurophyllus (Anacardiaceae)

WANNAN, B. S. & QUINN, C. J., 1992. Inflorescence structure and affinities of Laurophyllus (Anacardiaceae). The inflorescence structure, pollen and floral anatomy are investigated in Laurophyllus . The inflorescence is a panicle sensu Briggs & Johnson, but with marked differences between the male and female. Sistergroup comparison with the Burseraceae indicates that the plesiomorphic inflorescence in the Anacardiaceae is a thyrsoid, the apomorph being the panicle. Laurophyllus has Rhus -type pollen and therefore has no close affinity with Dobinea or Campylopeialum . Floral anatomy reveals that Laurophyllus is unicarpellary with a dorsally attached style and an apically attached ovule. These characters suggest that rather than being related to Anacardium or Mangifera , it has some affinity with Blepharocarya or perhaps with one of the poorly known African or Madagascan genera.     

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.     

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.     

Development and structure of the pericarp and seed of Rhus lancea L. fil. (Anacardiaceae), with taxonomic notes

The pedicel of the female flower of Rhus lancea is distinctly articulated and usually carries three bracteoles. In the linear tetrad the micropylar megaspore forms the 8-nucleate embryo sac of the Oenothera -type. The single, bitegmic ovule is anatropous. The ripe, loose, papery exocarp consists mainly of the outer epidermis and a sclerified hypodermis. The mesocarp is not a typical sarcocarp, since the ridges and the inner layers are sclerenchymatous. The endocarp, originating from the inner epidermis, consists of four layers and its structure and microchemistry emphasize the close alliance of Rhus with other genera of the section Rhoideae. The endotestal seed indicates a phylogenetic affinity between the Anacardiaceae and the Burseraceae.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Stages of development of the floral secretory disk in Tapirira guianensis Aubl. (Anacardiaceae), a dioecious species

The goal of this study was to analyse possible structural and ultrastructural differences between the secretory disk of male and functionally female flowers of Tapirira guianensis (Anacardiaceae) at different developmental stages. Studies were carried out using light, scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Biochemical tests were employed to determine the proportion of sugars in the nectar of the floral morphotypes: they were found to be similar, both predominantly composed of sucrose. In addition to sugars, lipids and phenolic substances were identified in anthetic flowers; thus, the secretory disk is a mixed secretion gland, also called a sensu lato nectary. During anthesis, granulocrine and eccrine secretory mechanisms occur in both floral morphotypes. After anthesis and fertilization of the functionally female flower, only the lipophilic and phenolic secretion continues until the early stages of fruit development. An intrastaminal secretory disk that produces both nectar and lipids is reported for the first time in Anacardiaceae. © 2015 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2015, 179 , 533–544.     

Ultrastructure of the Resin Ducts of Mangifera indica L. (Anacardiaceae). 3. Secretion of the Protein-polysaccharide Mucilage in the Fruit

Mango fruit ducts secrete a protein-carbohydrate mucilage inaddition to lipophilic material. This mucilage is secreted inspecial duct regions. Loops of ER elements seem to delimit cytoplasmicportions rich in ribosomes forming pseudo-vacuoles which eventuallybecome bound by a single membrane of ER origin. It is suggestedthat the protein is produced and accumulates in the pseudo-vacuoleswhich become storage bodies. Carbohydrates are added to thecontent of these bodies by Golgi vesicles. The cytoplasm becomesosmiophilic and contracts before disintegration, and the mucilagepasses into the space between plasmalemma and cell wall. Afterthe cell breaks down the mucilage is released into the ductcavity. Mangifera indica L., mango, Anacardiaceae, resin ducts, secretion, mucilage, ultrastructure