Karyotype analyses in three Patagonian and S. Andean endemic genera ofNicotianeae (Solanaceae)

The somatic chromosomes and karyotypes of threeNicotianeae have been studied for the first time. All of them have 2n = 2x = 22 and symmetrical karyotypes.Benthamiella pycnophylloides has 9 m pairs + 1 sm pair + 1 st pair; pairs 2, 4, 5, and 11 bear microsatellites.Combera paradoxa andPantacantha ameghinoi have 9 m pairs + 2 sm pairs; pair 11 ofC. paradoxa is satellited, while pair 9 ofP. ameghinoi bears microsatellites and shows a pericentric inversion in heterozygous state in 20% of the seedlings. Results are compared with previous chromosome reports for the tribe. The cytological data support their present position in the family system. Besides,Benthamiella, Combera andPantacantha appear to be primitive genera ofNicotianeae, a comparatively advanced tribe within the family.Chromosome studies onNicotianeae (Solanaceae) 1.     

Rhodothyrsus, a new genus of Euphorbiaceae from tropical South America

The new genusRhodothyrsus is proposed, based on the AmazonianSenefeldera macrophylla Ducke but also containing another newly described species,Rhodothyrsus hirsutus from northwestern Venezuela. The genus is a member of the tribe Hippomaneae of the Euphorbiaceae and apparently related toSenefeldera, but its closest relationships are still obscure, because the phylogeny of the tribe is poorly known and most of the significant characters ofRhodothyrsus are probably autapomorphies or symplesiomorphies. The restriction to tropical lowland rain forests is rare within the Hippomaneae, and several floral characters, pointing to a specialized pollination possibly by butterflies, are unique in the tribe.     

Phylogeny ofRubiaceae-Rubieae inferred from the sequence of a cpDNA intergene region

A phylogenetic analysis of 25 species, representing eight genera of theRubieae tribe (Rubiaceae), has been made using the DNA sequence of the chloroplastatp B-rbc L intergene region. Six tropical genera from other tribes ofRubiaceae have been used as outgroups. Whatever the method of analysis (distance, parsimony or maximum likelihood), five groups are clearly separated and described as informal clades. Their relative relationships are not clearly resolved by the parsimony analysis, resulting in eight equally parsimonious trees, 327 steps long, with a consistency index (CI) of 0.749 (excluding uninformative sites). TheRubieae tribe appears monophyletic from the data available. Some new and partly unexpected phylogenetic relationships are suggested. The genusRubia forms a separate clade and appears to be the relatively advanced sister group of the remaining taxa. TheSherardia clade also includes the generaCrucianella andPhuopsis. Galium sect.Aparinoides appears closely attached to theAsperula sect.Glabella clade. The remaining taxa ofGalium are paraphyletic:Galium sect.Platygalium (in theCruciata clade) is linked to the advanced generaCruciata andValantia; the more apomorphic groups ofGalium form theGalium sect.Galium clade, including the perennial sectionsGalium, Leiogalium, andLeptogalium as well as the annual (and possibly polyphyletic) sect.Kolgyda.     

Generic interrelationships of theCardueae (Compositae): A cladistic analysis of morphological data

A cladistic analysis of 45 genera ofCardueae for 75 characters is presented, taking into account characters of bracts, corolla, stamens, styles and cypselas. Forty-six binary characters completeBremer's (1994) work. Some of the characters considered byBremer are criticised. The traditionalCarlininae is a paraphyletic group, the ten genera studied sharing no common derived character. A new classification of theCardueae is proposed and the distribution of the tribe is presented. Several new combinations are proposed. The nomenclature ofCentaurea is discussed and the status of the genusSerratula is analysed.     

Female reproductive organization and systematic position ofPlumariella yoshikawae Okamura (Ceramiaceae,Rhodophyta)

A detailed account of female reproductive features ofPlumariella yoshikawae is presented.Plumariella yoshikawae is recognized as morphologically similar toDelesseriopsis elegans in several features, particularly in the sequence of branch initiation, the presence of gland cells on the abaxial sides of the basal segments of the lateral branches, having carpogonial branches on the basal segments of unmodified lateral branches, and the maturation of the carposporophyte at well below the thallus apices. These features indicate thatPlumariella yoshikawae is best removed from the Ptiloteae and is correctly placed in the tribe Delesseriopsideae. The generaPlumariella andBalliella are retained along withDelesseriopsis within the tribe Delesseriopsideae.     

Evolution of flower shape inVeroniceae (Scrophulariaceae)

Floral evolution in the tribeVeroniceae was examined using phylogenetic analysis combining 24 adult morphology and chromosome number characters with 22 qualitative and quantitative floral development characters. Taxa sampled included nine species ofVeroniceae and as an outgroup one species each ofDigitaleae andVerbasceae. Veronica, Besseya, andSynthyris formed one clade, subtended byPseudolysimachion and then by theHebe group;Veronicastrum orWulfenia represent the basal-most branch of the tribe. The ancestral flowers of theVeroniceae may have been small with moderately short corolla tubes and lobes; long corolla tubes arose four times in the tribe and large corolla lobes twice.     

Synopsis of the tribe Bocageeae (Annonaceae), with revisions of Cardiopetalum,Froesiodendron, Trigynaea,Bocagea, and Hornschuchia

The tribal name Bocageeae Endlicher is reestablished and the tribe is circumscribed on the basis of solitary internodal ebracteate pedicels that are articulated at the base, and pollen shed in polyads of eight or more grains. Septate anther locules, large pollen size, and seed appendages are prevalent in the tribe. Intectate pollen with free-standing columellae, rare in Annonaceae, occurs not only in the genusTrigynaea but also in some species ofBocagea andHornschuchia. As defined here, the Bocageeae include seven neotropical genera:Cymbopetalum, Porcelia, Bocagea, Cardiopetalum, Froesiodendron, Hornschuchia, andTrigynaea. The latter five genera are revised and the treatments include ten new species:Cardiopetalum plicatum, Froesiodendron urceocalyx, Hornschuchia lianarum, H. santosii, H. leptandra, Trigynaea cinnamomea, T. lanceipetala, T. triplinervis, T. lagaropoda, andT. axilliflora, all from tropical South America. A new combination,Froesiodendron longicuspe, changes the rank of that taxon from subspecies to species.Cardiopetalum surinamense is removed fromFroesiodendron and reassigned toCardiopetalum on the basis of its connate petals, dehiscent monocarps, and seeds with bilobed arils. A cladogram provides an explicit hypothesis of intergeneric relationships in the tribe. The new combinationOnychopetalum periquino, based onTrigynaea periquino, is made.     

The systematic relationships ofAegialitis (Plumbaginaceae) as revealed by pollen morphology

Light and first SEM observations on the pollen ofAegialitis indicate that the two species of the genus are clearly distinguishable from all other genera of the tribeStaticeae to whichAegialitis presently is relegated. Intraspecific exine or aperture dimorphism which appears frequently in this tribe, is not recorded in this genus.A. annulata andA. rotundifolia have distinct monomorphic pollen and show a great resemblance in exine features with the tribePlumbagineae, particularly species ofPlumbago. Considering these and other features, separate subtribal status forAegialitis within thePlumbagineae is proposed.     

Molecular phylogenetics of the tribeInuleae s. str.(Asteraceae), based on ITS sequences of nuclear ribosomal DNA

The sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of 18S–26S nrDNA for a sample of 16 taxa from theInuleae s. str. and two outgroup taxa are analysed cladistically with PAUP. A consensus tree of the four most parsimonious cladograms is presented. Three different tests of cladogram stability are conducted (Bremer support, parsimony jackknifing and bootstrapping); all tests indicate a high degree of support for the basal nodes of the tree. The ITS phylogeny of the tribe is compared with previous hypotheses based on morphological data. The position ofAnisopappus as sister group to the rest of the tribe is supported by the molecular data, but the proposed subdivision ofInuleae s. str. into a paleate grade group and an epaleate clade is not. The interpretation of the character evolution of, e.g. receptacular paleae and pappus features within the tribe is discussed.     

Floral evolution and phylogeny in the tribeThelymitreae (Orchidaceae: Neottioideae)

The Australian orchid tribeThelymitreae, composed ofCalochilus, Epiblema, andThelymitra, is unique in theOrchidaceae because of the presence of a mitra or staminodal complex. Evidence from floral structure suggests thatEpiblema andThelymitra are sister genera and thatCalochilus is derived from aThelymitra ancestor. A Gene Pool Vortex model and a hypothetical phylogeny illustrate that introgressive hybridization, allopatry, and long distance dispersal have played a major role in the evolution of the tribe. Pollination and hybridization in the tribe are discussed with major emphasis on floral mimicry.     

Systematics and karyoevolution inMagnoliidae:Tetrameranthus as compared with otherAnnonaceae genera of the same chromosome number

First generic chromosome counts reveal the base number x=7 for the generaTetrameranthus andRollinia. T. umbellatus from the Peruvian Amazon is diploid (2n=14),T. duckei from Brazil (Manaus) is tetraploid (2n=28). In the NeotropicsRollinia (7 species counted) has developed diploid to octoploid taxa (2n=14, 28, 42, 56). Counts of 7 South AmericanAnnona species are presented for comparison (2n=14, 28). The West AfricanCleistopholis patens has 2n=14. The Asian genusMezettia: 2n=14 and the neotropicalGuatteria tribe: 2n=28 are also revised. A detailed karyomorphological comparison, including karyotypes, banding patterns, condensing behaviour of chromosomes and structure of interphase nuclei reveals that the closely related generaAnnona andRollinia are almost identical in their diploid genomes, whereas the polyploid ones differ in their heterochromatin (=hc) composition and number of NO-chromosomes.Cleistopholis, Mezettia and theGuatteria tribe are karyologically and systematically distinct from each other and fromAnnona/Rollinia. Tetrameranthus as compared with the karyomorphology of about 60 other Annonaceous genera has a very peculiar and unusual karyomorphology which underlines its isolated position. Nuclear structures are almost identical in the African genusUvariopsis (2n = 16) and partly similar in theGuatteria tribe; both also share some morphological similarities and possibly are related. From a comparison ofTetrameranthus with several nuclear types within theMagnoliidae, a new model of chromosome evolution in primitive Angiosperms is suggested. In respect to their eco-morphological differentiation the genera investigated differ strongly from each other.Dedicated to Prof. Dr. K.-H.Rechinger on the occasion of His 80th birthday.     

Fruit differentiation, palynology, and systematics in theScabiosa group of genera andPseudoscabiosa (Dipsacaceae)

Fruits ofDipsacaceae are single-seeded, have bristle-shaped calyx segments and are tightly enclosed by four fused bracts forming an epicalyx. Comparative morphological and anatomical studies reveal a great diversity of epicalyx and calyx, often relevant to fruit dispersal. The present contribution deals with theScabiosa group of genera, the core of theScabioseae tribe. Most of its taxa develop a diaphragma from a meristem on the inside of the epicalyx. This diaphragma, together with the lower part of the epicalyx encloses the fruit proper, whereas the upper parts form a so-called epi-diaphragma (ed) and a ± hyaline corona. Differences of the epicalyx with respect to the size and position of the ed, elaboration of the corona, origin of pits (=foveoles) and other morphological and anatomical specializations can be demonstrated. Together with palynological and karyological data these new facts support an improved concept of relationships and systematics for the taxa studied:Scabiosa sect.Scabiosa and sect.Cyrtostemma are closely related and should be united to form the genusScabiosa s. str.;Pycnocomon can be maintained as an independent genus, sister toScabiosa sect.Trochocephalus which then has to be treated as a genus,Lomelosia. In contrast, the following genera have to be included inLomelosia:Tremastelma asLomelosia sect.Callistemma, andScabiosiopsis as part ofLomelosia sect.Lomelosia. Pseudoscabiosa deviates in so many features that it has to be excluded from the redefinedScabioseae s. str.     

An embryological contribution to systematics of the Chrysobalanaceae I. Tribe Chrysobalaneae

In this paper we present the first results concerning the embryology of Chrysobalanaceae. In it, we document developmental features of anthers, ovules, seeds and gametophytes ofChrysobalanus andLicania (tribe Chrysobalaneae). Based on our results with these two genera, Chrysobalanaceae have a distinctive combination of embryological features. They differ from Rosaceae (in which Chrysobalanaceae were once placed as a tribe or subfamily) in having a tenuinucellate ovule, a small nucellus with the tissue soon disintegrating, and an endothelium. None of our embryological of Rosales, or with other groups such as Fabaceae or Myrtales, which have also been suggested as relatives. We propose, based upon the evidence from embryology, vegetative features, and reproductive morphology, that Chrysobalanaceae might best be placed in the order Theales, probably near the family Theaceae.     

Karyosystematic studies onRubiaceae: Chromosome counts from Sri Lanka

Chromosome numbers for 16 different taxa ofRubiaceae from Sri Lanka are presented. Counts for 13 species, including 5 genera and 1 tribe, are new. The results are listed, compared with available literature data and discussed in regard to their systematical importance.     

Hybridization and speciation in the genusDryopteris (Pteridophyta:Dryopteridaceae) on Pico Island in the Azores

The cytology of wild hybrids ofDryopteris from Pico, Azores has been examined. This has confirmed the parentage of the hybrids, and provided evidence to support the view that the tetraploid speciesD. crispifolia has evolved in the Azores from two diploid species,D. aemula andD. azorica, by hybridization and polyploidy.     

A note on the present situation of the primate fauna found from south-eastern Cameroon to northern Congo

Brief results of a survey are reported for the primate fauna in south-eastern Cameroon and northern Congo. The survey was carried over the period from October 1988 to January 1989. I confirmed the occurrence ofMandrillus sphinx in the south-eastern part of Cameroon, viz. the south bank of the Dja river, the occurrence ofCercocebus albigena in almost all the survey areas, the occurrence ofCercopithecus cephus, C. nictitans, C. pogonias, andGorilla g. gorilla throughout the areas, and the occurrence ofCercopithecus neglectus andColobus badius near Bomassa, 70 km north of Ouesso, in Congo. I also confirmedColobus polykomos satanas in some parts of Cameroon, but this species is declining. Local people provided information onCercocebus galeritus agilis, Colobus guereza, andPan troglodytes in almost all the areas, in some of which I confirmed the animals directly. They also provided information aboutCercocebus torquatus on the north bank of the Dja river in Cameroon andMiopithecus talapoin in Sembe in Congo, although I could not confirm these species myself. Human activities had begun reducing the populations of the above primates, particularly those ofMandrillus sphinx, Colobus polykomos satanas, andGorilla g. gorilla, in south-eastern Cameroon and in northern Congo despite the low density of the human populations.     

Molecular cloning ofTrichophyton mentagrophytes DNA sequences with promoter activity inEscherichia coli

A promoter probe library from the dermatophyte fungusTrichophyton mentagrophytes has been constructed in the pVB32 plasmid vector. Using this library, a set ofT. mentagrophytes DNA sequences with promoter activity inEscherichia coli has been cloned. The size and the resistance phenotype conferred by these DNA fragments varied. Southern blot analysis confirmed that they were derived fromT. mentagrophytes genomic DNA.     

Cytogenetical studies on artificial hybrids amongElymus sibiricus,E. dahuricus andAgropyron tsukushiense in the tribe Triticeae,Gramineae

To explore the cytogenetical relationships ofElymus andAgropyron of the tribe Triticeae, Gramineae, two species of AsiaticElymus, E. sibiricus (2n=28) andE. dahuricus (2n=42), and a JapaneseAgropyron, A. tsukushiense (2n=42) were crossed. Pentaploid and hexaploid F₁ hybrids were vigorous. All pollen grains were aborted and none of the hybrids produced seed. For the crossE. sibiricus × A. tsukushiense, the average chromosome pairing per cell at the MI of the PMCs in the F₁ was 16.38 univalents, 8.93 bivalents, 0.25 trivalents and 0.01 quadrivalents; for the crossE. dahuricus × A. tsukushiense, it was 4.41 univalents, 17.67 bivalents, 0.32 trivalents, 0.28 quadrivalents and 0.04 quinquevalents; and for the crossE. dahuricus × E. sibiricus, it was 17.11 univalents, 8.74 bivalents, 0.04 trivalents and 0.07 quadrivalents. From the present results, it is concluded thatE. sibiricus contains one genome andE. dahuricus contains two genomes, which are homologous to those ofA. tsukushiense, and that the third genome ofE. dahuricus might be partially homologous to the remaining genome ofA. tsukushiense. This conclusion is also supported by the cytogenetical analysis ofE. dahuricus × E. sibiricus. Contribution No. 27 from the Plant Germ-plasm Institute, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.     

Development and structure of the comose seeds ofHillia (Rubiaceae)

The hairs at the apical end of the seeds ofHillia are pluriseriate, multicellular structures. The cells making up a hair are elongated exotesta cells and, consequently, also have secondary thickenings identical (H. parasitica) or similar (H. costanensis) to those found on the exotesta cells on the main body of the seeds. Hair formation already starts in bud stage: at and around the chalazal region of an ovule, integument epidermis cells are grouped together to form ± elongated packets of 4–7 cells. The cells of each packet undergo further elongation and anticlinal division so that a hair on a mature seed may be up to c. 30 mm long. Basally, the seeds have a tail- to ± wing-like appendage, made up of only two cell layers, the exotesta of the ab- and adaxial side of the seed. This basal appendage shows the same anatomical structure as the wings of various anemochorous rubiaceous seeds. Although seed hairs of this kind are unique in theRubiaceae and — from the point of development and structure — not homologous to exotesta wings, the presence of a basal wing-like appendage suggests thatHillia, previously often placed into a tribe of its own (Hillieae), can be accommodated in theCinchoneae, a tribe in which winged, anemochorous seeds predominate. The tufts of hairs of the comose seeds ofHillia look superficially similar to those of certainAsclepiadaceae andApocynaceae (like theRubiaceae belonging to the orderGentianales). Comparisons based on literature data, however, reveal that there are striking differences in the position, development and structure of the hairs (produced at the micropylar end, initiated after fertilization, hairs unicellular, etc.).