Morphological, physiological and molecular genetic characterization ofArabidopsis himalaica, with reference toA. thaliana

Arabidopsis himalaica (Edgeworth) O.E. Schulz, a poorly characterized species typical of HimalayanArabidopsis, was analyzed in terms of its morphology, physiology, chromosome number and molecular genetics, in comparison withA. thaliana which is the standard species in the genusArabidopsis. From view point of developmental genetics, several features which are specific toA. himalaica seem not to be derived by single-gene mutations inA. thaliana. Phylogenetic analyses based onrbcL sequences suggested that genusArabidopsis is not monophyletic. The detailed characterization ofA. himalaica should provide clues to understand the trait of evolution of particular features of Himalayan species ofArabidopsis and their genetic basis.     

Taxomomy, ecology and phylogenetic relationships of Bovista pusilla and B. limosa in North Europe

Bovista limosa, described from Greenland, is a species characterised by a prominent, delimited peristome and a fimbriate stoma. Morphological observations have indicated the presence of a closely related species with different peristomal characters, observations that were further confirmed through a molecular phylogenetic study of the Lycoperdaceae where deviating sequences were tentatively named Bovista cf. limosa. Here, we show that Bovista limosa as presently understood consists of two species with slightly different morphology, different habitat preferences, and different albeit overlapping distribution ranges. The two species also have clearly distinct nuclear ribosomal sequences as evidenced by an analysis of the ITS and LSU regions. We demonstrate that Bovista cf. limosa is identical to Lycoperdon pusillum described by Batsch in 1789. Batsch’s fungus has been variously interpreted and is sometimes treated as a nomen confusum. We resolve this confusion by selecting a lectotype from Batsch’s original illustrations and an epitype from the material we have sequenced. A key to the small Bovista species discussed in the paper is provided.     

Staying in situ or shifting range under ongoing climate change: A case of an endemic herb in the Himalaya-Hengduan Mountains across elevational gradients

Aim

How species respond to ongoing climate change has been a hot research topic, especially with the controversy in shifting range (movement) or persisting in local habitat (in situ) as the primary response. Assessing the relative roles of range shifts, phenotypic plasticity and genetic adaptation helps us predict the evolutionary fate of species. We aim to explore the evolutionary strategies of plants under climate change from a keystone herb in alpine ecosystems, Mirabilis himalaica, along its elevational gradient.

Location

Himalaya-Hengduan Mountains, China.

Methods

We combined evidence from population genomics and ecological data in both space and time to investigate the state of “staying” or “moving”. We identified migration events by assessing historical and contemporary gene flow and changes in species distribution. Morphological variation was compared by measuring five traits using specimen data. Moreover, we explored climate-driven genetic variation and local selection regimes acting on populations in the alpine landscape along an elevational gradient.

Results

Our results argue that staying in situ by morphological variation and local genetic evolution rather than range shifting plays an important role in M. himalaica response to climate change. We first found trace evidence of upward or climatic-driven shifting along an elevational gradient, although asymmetric gene flow was restricted within microenvironments of mid-elevational populations. Furthermore, morphological variation comparisons revealed clinal variation, as resource allocation showed a declining pattern in vegetative growth but increased reproductive growth with increasing elevation. Outlier tests and environment association analyses indicated adaptative loci primarily related to thermal-driven selection and continuous adaptations to high elevation in the Himalaya-Hengduan Mountains.

Main Conclusions

Our findings show M. himalaica may persist in local habitats rather than shifting range under climate change, exhibiting a low risk of genomic vulnerability in current habitats. This study has important implications in improving our understanding of the evolutionary response in alpine plants to climate change.     

A natural phenylpropionate derivative from Mirabilis himalaica inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis in HepG2 cells

Bioactivity-guided study led to the isolation of a natural phenylpropionate derivative, (E)-3-(4-hydroxy-2-methoxyphenyl)-propenoic acid 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl ester from the roots of Mirabilis himalaica. Cellular analysis showed that compound 1 specifically inhibited the cancer cell growth through the S phase arrest. Mechanistically, compound 1 was able to induce the apoptosis in HepG2 cells through mitochondrial apoptosis pathway in which Bcl-2 and p53 were required. Interestingly, the cellular phenotype of compound 1 were shown specifically in cancer cells originated from hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) while compromised influence by compound 1 were detected within the normal human liver cells (L-02). Consistently, the in vivo inhibitory effects of compound 1 on tumor growth were validated by the in xenograft administrated with HepG2 cells. Our results provided a novel compound which might serve as a promising candidate and shed light on the therapy of the hepatocellular carcinoma.     

Stipa zeravshanica sp. nov. (Poaceae), an endemic species from rocky walls of the western Pamir Alai Mountains (middle Asia)

Stipa zeravshanica M. Nobis sp. nov. from the western Pamir Alai Mts (Tajikistan) is described and illustrated. Morphologically, the new species is similar to S. gracilis, but it is easily distinguishable by pilose (vs. glabrous) lower part of the awn, and generally somewhat longer ligules of the vegetative shoots. Epidermal patterns of the lemma in S. zeravshanica and three other closely related taxa, namely S. gracilis, S. himalaica and S. orientalis, were examined by means of SEM. The main macro‐morphological and micro‐morphological characteristics differentiating all mentioned species are presented. Additionally, a lectotype for S. gracilis is designated. Based on phytosociological relevés prepared during field investigation in the western Pamir Alai Mts, a new plant association Asperulo albiflorae–Stipetum zeravshanicae, occurring on shelves and rocky crevices is also described.     

New cyperaceae from Nepal and Adjoining Tibet

Described as new areCarex hemineuros of the affinity ofC. jaluensis, Carex himalaica of the affinity ofC. circinata, Kobresia williamsii of the section Kobresia,Scirpus subbisetosus as an ally ofS. lineolatus, and a new subspeciesCaex dispalata subsp.laxiflorens. The author has come across these new entities while preparing a taxonomic treatment of the Cyperaceae for the Flora of Nepal Project of the Anglo-Japanese Cooperative Scientific Program.     

Die taxonomische Stellung und das Areal von Angelica archangelica L. und A. lucida L

The species of the Angelica archangelica L.-group and Angelica lucida L.-group are included in Angelica L. based on morphological coincidences and simularities. Both related groups represent different section, the sect. Coelopleurum (Ledeb.) Pimen. and sect. Archangelica Regel of the genus Angelica L. The area of Angelica L. shows an holarctic distribution (fig. 1). A map and diagnoses give an idea of the distribution patterns of the species. They generally occur in mesic sites along rivers often also along the edge of forests. A. archangelica L. is divided into subsp. archangelica with var. decurrens (Ledeb.) comb. nov., f. decurrens, f. tschimganica (Korov.) comb. nov., f. komarowii (Schischk.) comb, nov., f. himalaica (Clarke) comb. nov., var. sativa (Mill.) Rikli and subsp. litoralis (Fries) Thell.     

Airborne basidiospores in the atmosphere of Seville (South Spain)

Basidiomycetes produce large quantities of spores that are dispersed by the wind over long distances. Some species can release billions of spores in a day, many of which are important aeroallergens associated with asthma and allergic rhinitis. The results of a survey carried out in the city of Seville during two consecutive years, using a Hirst-type spore trap, showed that airborne basidiospores are present throughout the year, although there is a certain seasonal distribution, with the highest average concentration occurring in November (23,586 basidiospores). Eighteen different types of basidiospores were identified, with Coprinus and Ustilago being the most frequent, followed in descending order of abundance by Agaricus, Phylacteria, Boletaceae, Ganoderma, Cortinarius, Calvatia, Agrocybe, Bovista and Puccinia; the remaining spore types comprised less than 1% of the total basidiospore count.     

贵州种子植物分布新记录（二）

报道贵州分布新记录植物25种4变种,即七裂槭 （Acer heptalobum Diels.）、长柄槭（A. longipes Franch ex Rehd.）、富源杜鹃（Rhododendron fuyuanense Z. H. Yang.）、毛柱马缨花（R. delavayi Franch. var. pilostylum K. M. Feng.）、西藏白珠树（Gaultheria wardii Marq. &; Airy Shaw.）、滇豹子花（Nomocharis forrestii Balf.）、黄精（Polygonatum sibircum Delar.ex Redouté.）、 轮叶黄精［P. verticillatum (Linn.) All.］、细根黄精（P. gracile P. Y. Li.）、 距花万寿竹（Disporum calcaratum D. Don.）、 黄花油点草（Tricyrtis latifolia Maxin.）、铺散毛茛（Ranuculus diffuses DC.）、棱喙毛茛（R. trigonus Hand.—Mazz.）、昆明毛茛（R. kunmingensis W.T.Wang.）、展毛昆明毛茛（R. kunningensis W. T. Wang var. hispidus W. T. Wang.）、桔红悬钩子（Rubus aurantiacus Focke.）、西畴悬钩子（R. xichouensis Yü &; Lu.）、黑腺美饰悬钩子（R. subornatus Fooke var. melanadenus Focke.）、多脉悬钩子（R. phoenicolasius Maxim.）、掌叶悬钩子（R. pentagonus Wall. ex Focke.）、 裂叶西康绣线梅［Neillia thibetica Bur. &; Franch. var. lobata (Rehd.) Yü.］、 川康绣线梅（N. affinis Hemsl.）、毛山楂（Crataegus maximowiczii Schneid.）、维西小檗（Berberis weixiensis C. Y. Wu ex S. Y. Bao.）、 南川小檗（B. fallaciosa Schneid.）、万源小檗（B. metopolyantha Ahrendt.）、尼泊尔十大功劳（Mahonia napaulensis DC.）、 长苞十大功劳（M. longibracteata Takeda.）、丁座草［Boschniakia himalaica (Hook. f. &; Thoms.) G. Beck.］。     

Wild vascular plants gathered for consumption in the Polish countryside: a review

Background

The use of medicinal plants is an option for livestock farmers who are not allowed to use allopathic drugs under certified organic programs or cannot afford to use allopathic drugs for minor health problems of livestock.

Methods

In 2003 we conducted semi-structured interviews with 60 participants obtained using a purposive sample. Medicinal plants are used to treat a range of conditions. A draft manual prepared from the data was then evaluated by participants at a participatory workshop.

Results

There are 128 plants used for ruminant health and diets, representing several plant families. The following plants are used for abscesses: Berberis aquifolium/Mahonia aquifolium Echinacea purpurea, Symphytum officinale, Bovista pila, Bovista plumbea, Achillea millefoliumand Usnea longissima. Curcuma longaL., Salix scoulerianaand Salix lucidaare used for caprine arthritis and caprine arthritis encephalitis.Euphrasia officinalisand Matricaria chamomillaare used for eye problems. Wounds and injuries are treated with Bovistaspp., Usnea longissima, Calendula officinalis, Arnicasp., Malvasp., Prunella vulgaris, Echinacea purpurea, Berberis aquifolium/Mahonia aquifolium, Achillea millefolium, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Hypericum perforatum, Lavandula officinalis, Symphytum officinaleand Curcuma longa. Syzygium aromaticumand Pseudotsuga menziesiiare used for coccidiosis. The following plants are used for diarrhea and scours: Plantago major, Calendula officinalis, Urtica dioica, Symphytum officinale, Pinus ponderosa, Potentilla pacifica, Althaea officinalis, Anethum graveolens, Salix albaand Ulmus fulva. Mastitis is treated with Achillea millefolium, Arctium lappa, Salix alba, Teucrium scorodoniaand Galium aparine. Anethum graveolensand Rubussp., are given for increased milk production.Taraxacum officinale, Zea mays, and Symphytum officinaleare used for udder edema. Ketosis is treated with Gaultheria shallon, Vacciniumsp., and Symphytum officinale. Hedera helixand Alchemilla vulgarisare fed for retained placenta.

Conclusion

Some of the plants showing high levels of validity were Hedera helixfor retained placenta and Euphrasia officinalisfor eye problems. Plants with high validity for wounds and injuries included Hypericum perforatum, Malva parvifloraand Prunella vulgaris. Treatments with high validity against endoparasites included those with Juniperus communisand Pinus ponderosa. Anxiety and pain are well treated with Melissa officinalisand Nepeta caesarea.     

Phylogenetic relationships among species and genera of Lycoperdaceae based on ITS and LSU sequence data from north European taxa

Phylogenetic relationships, limits of species, and genera within Lycoperdaceae, were inferred by use of ITS and LSU nu-rDNA sequence data. Lycoperdaceae was confirmed as monophyletic, and Mycenastrum corium as a sister taxon to the ingroup. Four major clades were identified and received weak to moderate support and correspond with the genera Lycoperdon, Bovista, Calvatia, and Disciseda. The Lycoperdon clade includes species from Lycoperdon, Vascellum, Morganella, Handkea, Bovistella, and Calvatia. The structure within the Lycoperdon clade is unresolved and several clades are more or less unsupported, which suggests treating the supported Lycoperdon clade as the genus Lycoperdon. L. nigrescens and L. caudatum occur on single branches and their phylogenetic positions could not be resolved. The phylogenetic analyses identified 31 species of Lycoperdon, 11 species of Bovista, six species of Calvatia, and two species of Disciseda. In Lycoperdon three new species were recognized. A new species closely related to B. limosa is identified and discussed. A classification of Lycoperdaceae is proposed based on the results of the phylogenetic analyses. Morphological characters of species within and among identified clades are discussed.     

Taxonomic revision of European Apium L. s.l.: Helosciadium W.D.J.Koch restored

European representatives of Apium sensu lato (Apiaceae), and Apium prostratum and Naufraga balearica, were studied with morphological, fruit anatomical, and palynological methods. Morphometric data were compared with phylogenetic results from previous molecular studies. This confirms that most of the European Apium species belong to a separate group corresponding to the previously named genus Helosciadium. All these species had previously been formally named as Helosciadium species, except for the new combination Helosciadium bermejoi, which is formally described here. Molecular studies place Apium prostratum and Naufraga balearica close to Apium graveolens, the type species of Apium. Our morphometric results show similarities of Naufraga with H. bermejoi, but fruit anatomy distinguishes it both from Helosciadium and from A. graveolens/prostratum. The placement of Cyclospermum leptophyllum in a separate genus is confirmed. Diagnostic keys to the genera and Helosciadium species, and an annotated checklist are given.     

Parablastocatena tetracerae gen. et sp. nov. and Corynesporella licualae sp. nov. from Hainan, China

Parablastocatena tetracerae gen. et sp. nov. and Corynesporella licualae sp. nov., collected on dead branches of Tetracera asiatica and Licuala fordiana, respectively, in tropical forests of China, are described and illustrated. Parablastocatena tetracerae is the type species for a new monotypic genus in possessing macronematous conidiophores forming distinct synnemata with holoblastic conidiogenesis and euseptate, short-chained conidia ending in a paler brown rostrum, whereas C. licualae is distinguished from described species by the smaller conidia with long appendages. A key to currently accepted species of Corynesporella is provided.     

Morphogenesis of the tail of bacteriophage lambda. III. Morphogenetic pathway.

Precursors of the tail of bacteriophage λ have been detected by measurements of in vitro complementation activities and serum blocking activity in sucrose gradients of lysates defective in tail genes.On the basis of these measurements, a pathway for the assembly of the λ tail is proposed:The morphogenesis of the λ tail starts from the tail fiber (product of gene J) located at the distal end of the tail, and proceeds to the proximal end. Gene J by itself produces a 15 S structure with serum blocking activity but without any detectable in vitro complementation activity, which may be the least advanced precursor of the λ tail or an abortive product. Functions of genes J, I, K, L are required for the formation of a 15 S precursor that has in vitro complementation activities with J⁻, I⁻, K⁻ and L⁻ lysates and serum blocking activity. If the products of genes G and H act on the latter 15 S precursor, a 25 S precursor is made, but this precursor seems either to be in equilibrium with the 15 S precursor or to degrade easily into the 15 S precursor. Gene M has a function of stabilizing the 25 S precursor. After the action of gene M product, the 25 S precursor is ready to serve as a nucleus on which the product of gene V (the major tail protein) assembles. However, gene U product is also necessary at this step for the correct assembly of the major tail protein on the 25 S precursor. Without gene U product the assembly of the major tail protein does not stop at the correct length and a polytail is formed instead of a morphologically normal tail. Finally, gene Z product acts on the morphologically normal tail and makes it a biologically active tail. Without the action of gene Z product, the defective tail binds to a head and forms a phage-like particle which is only very weakly infectious. (The position of gene T in the pathway is not determined, because no sus mutant is available in gene T.)Two abnormal, less efficient pathways are also present in vitro. (1) If gene U product acts on a polytail in an U⁻ lysate, the polytail finally binds to a head and forms a phage particle with an extra long tail which is infectious to a small extent. (2) The function of gene K seems to be bypassed to some extent: K⁻ lysates accumulate particles which sediment as fast as normal phage and which are complemented by other tail⁻ lysates.     

Species composition and toxicity of the genus Pseudo-nitzschia in Taiwan Strait,including P. chiniana sp. nov. and P. qiana sp. nov.

In a field survey in the Taiwan Strait during April 2016, the species composition and the domoic acid production of the diatom genus Pseudo-nitzschia were investigated. A total of 80 strains of Pseudo-nitzschia were established, and species identification was determined based on a combination of morphological and molecular data. Fourteen taxa were recognized, i.e., P. americana, P. brasiliana, P. calliantha, P. cuspidata, P. galaxiae, P. lundholmiae, P. multiseries, P. multistriata, P. pseudodelicatissima, P. pungens var. aveirensis, P. pungenus var. pungens and P. sabit, as well as two novel species P. chiniana C.X. Huang & Yang Li and P. qiana C.X. Huang & Yang Li. Morphologically, P. chiniana is characterized by striae comprising one or two rows of poroids, and valve ends that are normally dominated by two rows of poroids within each stria. Whereas P. qiana is unique by having a narrow valve width (1.3–1.5 μm) and sharply pointed valve ends. Both taxa constitute their own monophyletic lineage in the phylogenetic analyses inferred from LSU and ITS2 rDNA, and are well differentiated from other Pseudo-nitzschia species. Pseudo-nitzschia chiniana forms a group with P. abrensis and P. batesiana in LSU and ITS trees, whereas P. qiana is sister to P. lineola. When comparing ITS2 secondary structure, five CBCs and seven HCBCs are recognized between P. chiniana and P. abrensis, and four CBCs and ten HCBCs between P. chiniana and P. batesiana. Two CBCs and eight HCBCs are found between P. qiana with P. lineola. The ability of the strains to produce domoic acid was assessed, including a potential toxin induction by the presence of brine shrimps. Results revealed production of domoic acid in six strains belonging to three species. Without presence of brine shrimps, cellular DA (pDA) was detected in four P. multiseries strains (1.6 ± 0.3, 26.6 ± 2.7, 68.3 ± 4.2 and 56.9 ± 4.7 fg cell⁻¹, separately), one strain of P. pseudodelicatissima (0.8 ± 0.2 fg cell⁻¹) and one strain of P. lundholmiae (2.5 ± 0.4 fg cell⁻¹). In the presence of brine shrimps, pDA contents increased significantly (p < 0.05) in P. lundholmiae (strain MC4218) and P. multiseries (strain MC4177), from 2.5 ± 0.4 to 8.9 ± 0.7 and 1.6 ± 0.3 to 37.2 ± 2.5 fg cell⁻¹ respectively.     

New Species of Boletellus Section Boletellus (Boletaceae,Boletales) from Japan,B. aurocontextus sp. nov. and B. areolatus sp. nov.

We describe and illustrate two new species of Boletellus section Boletellus, B. aurocontextus sp. nov. and B. areolatus sp. nov., which are generally assumed to be B. emodensis. In this study, we reconstructed separate molecular phylogenetic trees of section Boletellus using the nucleotide sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of nuclear ribosomal DNA, the largest subunit (RPB1) and the second-largest subunit (RPB2) of nuclear RNA polymerase II gene and mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit 3 (cox3) gene. We also examined the morphologies of B. emodensis sensu lato (s.l.) and other related species for comparison. The molecular phylogenetic tree inferred from the sequences of nuclear DNA (ITS, and combined dataset of RPB1 and RPB2) indicated that three genetically and phylogenetically well-separated lineages were present within B. emodensis s.l. These three lineages were also distinguished on the basis of the molecular phylogenetic tree constructed using the sequences of mitochondrial DNA (cox3), suggesting distinct cytonuclear disequilibria (i.e., evidence of reproductive isolation) among these lineages. Therefore, these three lineages can be treated as independent species: B. aurocontextus, B. areolatus, and B. emodensis. Boletellus aurocontextus and B. areolatus are also distinct from B. emodensis by the macro- and microscopic morphologies. Boletellus aurocontextus is characterized by a pileus with bright yellow to lemon yellow context, which can be observed through a gap in the scales, and basidiospores with relatively large length (mean spore length, 21.4 μm; quotient of spore length and width, 2.51). In contrast, B. areolatus is characterized by a pileus with floccose to appressed thin scaly patches, a stipe with pallid or pale cream color at the upper half, and basidiospores with relatively small length (mean spore length, 16.5 μm; quotient of spore length and width, 1.80).     

The phylogenetic position of Tuber glabrum sp. nov. and T. sinomonosporum nom. nov., two Paradoxa-like truffle species from China

Based on morphological and molecular phylogenetic analysis, the new species Tuber glabrum is described from China, and the new name T. sinomonosporum is proposed for Paradoxa sinensis. Tuber glabrum is similar to T. gigantosporum but differs by its glabrous ascomata. The ITS sequences of the two Paradoxa-like truffle species, which invariably have one-spored asci, fall into the lineage of Tuber and cluster in a distinct clade together with the European T. macrosporum and the North American T. canaliculatum.     

Description of Gibellulopsis chrysanthemi sp. nov. from leaves of garland chrysanthemum

Gibellulopsis chrysanthemi sp. nov. is described and illustrated from specimens on rotten leaves of garland chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum coronarium L. var. spatiosum L.H. Bailey), collected in three different sites of Osaka Prefecture, Japan. This species is characterized by having short and long verticillium-like conidiophores, 1-septate, long-cylindrical conidia with tapering ends and slightly brownish chlamydospores. Compared morphologically with other species in the Plectosphaerellaceae (sister to the Glomerellales), G. chrysanthemi is similar to Gibellulopsis nigrescens, from which it differs in the formation of long conidiophores and 1-septate, long-cylindrical conidia with tapering ends. In addition, the molecular analyses of G. chrysanthemi and other members of the Plectosphaerellaceae based on a phylogenetic tree with three-loci (ITS, D1/D2, tef1-α) sequences reveal that G. chrysanthemi is located as a sister group of G. nigrescens.