据叶绿体trnL—F序列分析“高等”金缕梅类植物的系统发育关系

研究对“高等”金缕梅类的 8科 2 4属 2 5种植物和外类群Hamamelis两种植物的叶绿体DNAtrnL_F区进行了测序 ,并根据DNA序列对该类植物的系统发育关系进行了分析。结果表明 :所有“高等”金缕梅类植物的科结合成一支 ,bootstrap分析支持率为 10 0 % ,各科之间的关系得到很好分辨。Nothofagus是最基部的一支 ;山毛榉科 (Fa gaceae)作为姐妹群与“核心”金缕梅类的科 (桦木科Betulaceae ,胡桃科Juglandaceae ,木麻黄科Casuarinaceae ,杨梅科Myricaceae,Ticodendraceae和马尾树科Rhoipteleaceae)组成一支 ,并得到很强的支持。“核心”金缕梅类构成三支 ,关系如下 :(1)Casuarina (Ticodendron ,(Betulaceae) ) ,(2 )Juglandaceae_Rhoipteleaceae ,(3)Myricaceae。本研究显示叶绿体DNAtrnL_F区对分辨“高等”金缕梅类科间关系及部分科内的属间关系十分有效。     

Systematics of Nothofagus (Nothofagaceae) based on rDNA spacer sequences (ITS): taxonomic congruence with morphology and plastid sequences

Phylogenetic relationships were examined within the southern beech family Nothofagaceae using 22 species representing the four currently recognized subgenera and related outgroups. Nuclear ribosomal DNA sequences encoding the 5.8s rRNA and two flanking internal transcribed spacers (ITS) provided 95 phylogenetically informative nucleotide sites from a single alignment of ~588 bases per species. Parsimony analysis of this variation produced two equally parsimonious trees supporting four monophyletic groups, which correspond to groups designated by pollen type. These topologies were compared to trees from reanalyses of previously reported rbcL sequences and a modified morphological data set. Results from parsimony analysis of the three data sets were highly congruent, with topological differences restricted to the placement of a few terminal taxa. Combined analysis of molecular and morphological data produced six equally parsimonious trees. The consensus of these trees suggests two basal clades within Nothofagus. Within the larger of the two clades, tropical Nothofagus (subgenus Brassospora) of New Guinea and New Caledonia are strongly supported as sister to cool-temperate species of South America (subgenus Nothofagus). Most of the morphological apomorphies of the cupule, fruit, and pollen of Nothofagus are distributed within this larger clade. An area cladogram based on the consensus of combined data supports three trans-Antarctic relationships, two within pollen groups and one between pollen groups. Fossil data support continuous ancestral distributions for all four pollen groups prior to continental drift; therefore, vicariance adequately explains two of these disjunctions. Extinction of trans-Antarctic sister taxa within formerly widespread pollen groups explains the third disjunction; this results in a biogeographic pattern indicative of phylogenetic relationship not vicariance. For the biogeographically informative vicariant clades, area relationships based on total evidence support the recently advanced hypothesis that New Zealand and Australia share a unique common ancestry. Contrary to previous thought, the distribution of extant Nothofagus is informative on the area relationships of the Southern Hemisphere, once precise phylogenetic relationships are placed in the context of fossil data.     

Biogeography, host specificity, and molecular phylogeny of the basidiomycetous yeast Phaffia rhodozyma and its sexual form, Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous

Phaffia rhodozyma (sexual form, Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous) is a basidiomycetous yeast that has been found in tree exudates in the Northern Hemisphere at high altitudes and latitudes. This yeast produces astaxanthin, a carotenoid pigment with biotechnological importance because it is used in aquaculture for fish pigmentation. We isolated X. dendrorhous from the Southern Hemisphere (Patagonia, Argentina), where it was associated with fruiting bodies of Cyttaria hariotii, an ascomycetous parasite of Nothofagus trees. We compared internal transcribed spacer (ITS)-based phylogenies of P. rhodozyma and its tree host (Betulaceae, Corneaceae, Fagaceae, and Nothofagaceae) and found them to be generally concordant, suggesting that different yeast lineages colonize different trees and providing an explanation for the phylogenetic distance observed between the type strains of P. rhodozyma and X. dendrorhous. We hypothesize that the association of Xanthophyllomyces with Cyttaria derives from a previous association of the yeast with Nothofagus, and the sister relationship between Nothofagaceae and Betulaceae plus Fagaceae correlates with the phylogeny of X. dendrorhous strains originating from these three plant families. The two most basal strains of X. dendrorhous are those isolated from Cornus, an ancestral genus in the phylogenetic analysis of the host trees. Thus, we question previous conclusions that P. rhodozyma and X. dendrorhous represent different species since the polymorphisms detected in the ITS and intergenic spacer sequences can be attributed to intraspecific variation associated with host specificity. Our study provides a deeper understanding of Phaffia biogeography, ecology, and molecular phylogeny. Such knowledge is essential for the comprehension of many aspects of the biology of this organism and will facilitate the study of astaxanthin production within an evolutionary and ecological framework.     

A classification of the genus Nothofagus (Fagaceae)

PHILIPSON, W. R. & PHILIPSON, M. N., 1988. A classification of the genus Nothofagus (Fagaceae). The genus Nothofagus is subdivided into two subgenera, two sections and three subsections, employing characters of the pollen, cupule and vernation, together with the incidence of leaf-fall. The subdivision into subgenera also agrees with present geographical distribution and with characters of the secondary xylem. One subgeneric and one subsectional name are new. Reasons are given for departures from previous classifications.     

Phylogenetic relationships of Rhododendroideae (Ericaceae)

The Rhododendroideae are usually recognized as a subfamily within Ericaceae. This group has been considered primitive (i.e., occupying the ancestral or basal position relative to all other Ericaceae) due to the occurrence of separate petals in several taxa, deciduous corollas, and septicidally dehiscent capsules. Previous molecular studies using rbcL and nr18s sequences have indicated that Rhododendroideae may be paraphyletic and cladistically derived (i.e., the relative position in the geneology of Ericaceae is not basal). The matK sequences of 42 taxa from traditional Rhododendroideae and potentially related clades were obtained via standard gene amplication and double-stranded dideoxy sequencing. Phylogenetic analyses of these sequences using Actinidia chinensis as the outgroup indicate that the Rhododendroideae are paraphyletic. Trees obtained in the analyses indicate an expanded rhododendroid clade that includes four major subclades - empetroid, rhodo, ericoid, and phyllodocoid. The ericoid clade is sister to the phyllodocoid clade and the empetroid clade is sister to the rhodo clade. Relationships within the clades are generally well resolved except within the rhodo clade where matK data indicate that Rhododendron is probably paraphyletic. Daboecia and Calluna are included within the ericoid clade; Erica is paraphyletic. Cassiope lies outside the rhododendroid clade. The relationships indicated by the matK data suggest that sympetalous flowers are likely plesiomorphic within rhododendroids.     

A revised infrageneric classification of Nothofagus (Fagaceae)

HILL, R. S. & READ, J., 1991. A revised infrageneric classification of Nothofagus (Fagaceae). An examination of cupule morphology, leaf architecture and cuticular morphology of Nothofagus species demonstrates that the existing infrageneric classifications are inaccurate. Four subgenera are proposed, based on these characteristics as well as other morphological information. This analysis indicates that the traditional pollen groupings of Nothofagus closely reflect the infrageneric taxonomy. It is hypothesized that deciduousness is primitive in Nothofagus , and the evergreen habit has arisen more than once, and therefore the deciduous or evergreen habit is invalid as a primary taxonomic character.     

Phylogeny and evolution of the Betulaceae as inferred from DNA sequences,morphology, and paleobotany

Phylogeny of the Betulaceae is assessed on the basis of rbcL, ITS, and morphological data. Based upon 26 rbcL sequences representing most “higher” hamamelid families, the Betulaceae are monophyletic, with Casuarinaceae as its sister group, regardless of whether the outgroup is Cunoniaceae, Cercidiphyllaceae, Hamamelidaceae, or Nothofagus. Within the Betulaceae, two sister clades are evident, corresponding to the subfamilies Betuloideae and Coryloideae. However, with only 13 phylogenetically informative sites, the rbcL sequences provide limited intra-subfamilial resolution. Internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences provided 96 phylogenetically informative sites from 491 aligned sites resulting in a single most parsimonious tree of 374 steps (consistency index = 0.791) with two major lineages corresponding to the two traditional subfamilies: Betuloideae (Alnus, Betula) and Coryloideae (Corylus, Ostryopsis, Carpinus, Ostrya). This arrangement is mostly consistent with those from rbcL and morphology and is greatly reinforced by analyses with the three data sets combined. In the Coryloideae, the Ostryopsis–Carpinus–Ostrya clade is well supported, with Corylus as its sister group. The sister-group relationship between Ostryopsis and the Carpinus–Ostrya clade is well supported by ITS, rbcL, and morphological data. Phylogenetic relationships among the extant genera deduced by these analyses are compatible with inferences from ecological evolution and the extensive fossil record.     

Biogeography, Host Specificity, and Molecular Phylogeny of the Basidiomycetous Yeast Phaffia rhodozyma and Its Sexual Form, Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous

Phaffia rhodozyma (sexual form, Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous) is a basidiomycetous yeast that has been found in tree exudates in the Northern Hemisphere at high altitudes and latitudes. This yeast produces astaxanthin, a carotenoid pigment with biotechnological importance because it is used in aquaculture for fish pigmentation. We isolated X. dendrorhous from the Southern Hemisphere (Patagonia, Argentina), where it was associated with fruiting bodies of Cyttaria hariotii, an ascomycetous parasite of Nothofagus trees. We compared internal transcribed spacer (ITS)-based phylogenies of P. rhodozyma and its tree host (Betulaceae, Corneaceae, Fagaceae, and Nothofagaceae) and found them to be generally concordant, suggesting that different yeast lineages colonize different trees and providing an explanation for the phylogenetic distance observed between the type strains of P. rhodozyma and X. dendrorhous. We hypothesize that the association of Xanthophyllomyces with Cyttaria derives from a previous association of the yeast with Nothofagus, and the sister relationship between Nothofagaceae and Betulaceae plus Fagaceae correlates with the phylogeny of X. dendrorhous strains originating from these three plant families. The two most basal strains of X. dendrorhous are those isolated from Cornus, an ancestral genus in the phylogenetic analysis of the host trees. Thus, we question previous conclusions that P. rhodozyma and X. dendrorhous represent different species since the polymorphisms detected in the ITS and intergenic spacer sequences can be attributed to intraspecific variation associated with host specificity. Our study provides a deeper understanding of Phaffia biogeography, ecology, and molecular phylogeny. Such knowledge is essential for the comprehension of many aspects of the biology of this organism and will facilitate the study of astaxanthin production within an evolutionary and ecological framework.     

New evidence for the systematic significance of acylated spermidines and flavonoids in pollen of Higher Hamamelidae

New distributional recores of hydroxycinnamoyl spermidines (HCS), including novel trisubstituted HCSs and flavonol glycosides, in pollen of Higher Hamamelidae are presented. The 51 taxa analyzed by HPLC and TLC included members of the families Fagaceae (Castanoideae, Fagoideae, Quercoideae), Betulaceae, Juglandaceae, Myricaceae, Hamamelidaceae, Rosaceae, and Buxaceae (Simmondsia). The results support generic concepts in the Higher Hamamelidae derived from morphological and chloroplast DNA data and support a close evolutionary relationship between the Higher Hamamelidae and the Rosidae.     

Lithocarpus longzhouicus comb. nov. (Fagaceae) from China: based on morphological and molecular data

The taxonomic position of Castanopsis longzhouica C. C. Huang & Y. T. Chang has been controversial. Various authors included it in Castanopsis (D. Don) Spach, or Lithocarpus Bl. based on morphology, palynology and wood anatomy. In order to investigate this issue, sequences of nuclear ITS and the chloroplast genes matK and trnL-F of C. longzhouica were analyzed together with 72 representatives of 7 genera within Fagaceae. As for species of Lithocarpus , there were a 1-bp insertion and two unique 3-bp deletions from ITS2 of C. longzhouica distinguishing it from Castanopsis . The phylogenetic analyses on the separate ITS data and the joint data (ITS+ matK + trnL-F ) strongly supported a derived position of C. longzhouica within a clade consisting of members of Lithocarpus . The result is consistent with previous suggestions based on wood anatomy, suggesting that C. longzhouica should be transferred to Lithocarpus . In addition, the shallow cup-shaped, loose incoherent-scale and indehiscent cupule and the concave scar of C. longzhouica suggests a close relationship to species of Lithocarpus . Based on these data, the new combination Lithocarpus longzhouicus (C. C. Huang & Y. T. Chang) J. Q. Li & L. Chen is proposed.     

Chemical constituents and systematics of Amentiferae

The systematic value of various kinds of chemical constituents reported from Amentiferae is discussed in terms of chemical structural complexity and restricted distribution. Chemical evidence suggests the cohesiveness of Urticales, excluding Eucommiaceae. It also suggests that Garryaceae, Platanaceae, and Myricaceae are distinct from other families of Amentiferae. The absence of reports of elaborate, restricted naturalproduct structural types in Betulaceae, Fagaceae, Casuarinaceae, Juglandaceae, and Salicaceae means that there is no positive chemical evidence suggesting relatedness of these core families of Amentiferae.     

Molecular phylogeny of the actinorhizal Hamamelidae and relationships with host promiscuity towards Frankia

Several of the most studied actinorhizal symbioses involve associations between host plants in the subclass Hamamelidae of the dicots and actinomycetes of the genus Frankia. These actinorhizal plants comprise eight genera distributed among three families of ‘higher’ Hamamelidae, the Betulaceae, Myricaceae, and Casuarinaceae. Contrasting promiscuity towards Frankia is encountered among the different actinorhizal members of these families, and a better assessment of the evolutionary history of these actinorhizal taxa could help to understand the observed contrasts and their implications for the ecology and evolution of the actinorhizal symbiosis. Complete DNA sequences of the chloroplast gene coding for the large subunit of ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase (rbcL) were obtained from taxa representative of these families and the Fagaceae. The phylogenetic relationships among and within these families were estimated using parsimony and distance-matrix approaches. All families appeared monophyletic. The Myricaceae appeared to derive first before the Betulaceae and the Casuarinaceae. In the Casuarinaceae, the genus Gymnostoma derived before the genera Casuarina and Allocasuarina, which were found closely related. The analysis of character-state changes in promiscuity along the consensus tree topology suggested a strong relationship between the evolutionary history of host plants and their promiscuity toward Frankia. Indeed, the actinorhizal taxa that diverged more recently in this group of plants were shown to be susceptible to a narrower spectrum of Frankia strains. The results also suggest that the ancestor of this group of plant was highly promiscuous, and that evolution has proceeded toward narrower promiscuity and greater specialization. These results imply that a tight relationship between the phytogenies of both symbiotic partners should not be expected, and that host promiscuity is likely to be a key determinant in the establishment of an effective symbiosis.     

A Comparative study on pollen exine ultrastructure of Nothofagus and the other genera of Fagaceae

The genus Nothofagus is mainly distributed in South America and New Zealand. The present paper describes its pollen exine ultrastructure and compares the exine ultrastructure with that of the other genera of Fagaceae. The pollen grains were examined using ultrathin sectioning technique under transmission electron microscope. The study shows that the pollen exine ultrastructure of Nothofagus differs from that of the other genera of Fagaceae by its exine structure and thickness, type of aperture, and ornamentation. The pollen exine of Nothofagus is thin and possesses granular bacules, regular foot layer and tectum, spinulate ornamentation, and the endexine is usually visible at poral area, and 5～8 colpate. The pollen exine of the other genera of Fagaceae possesses entire bacules, irregular foot layer and tectum, granulate and tuberculate ornamentation, thicker endexine, and is 3-colporate ( 3-colpate or 3-colporoidate). The pollen exine ultrastructure of Nothofagus may belong to primitive type. The pollen exine ultrastructure data support Kuprianova’s opinion that Nothofagus should be separated from Fagaceae and established as a monogenetic family, i.e. Nothofa-gaceae.     

云南元谋盆地上新世甘棠组植物和孢粉组合及其古气候意义

云南元谋盆地湾堡甘棠组植物群的叶化石和孢粉化石合计107种类型,分属86属,47科。植物叶化石包括18科,24属,35种。除一种裸子植物外,其它均为被子植物。被子植物中,榆科、桦木科、豆科无论属种或者化石数量都是最多;杨柳科、槭科、蔷薇科次之;壳斗科、樟科、杨梅科、鼠李科、忍冬科、胡颓子科、杜鹃科、香蒲料、禾本科均有代表。甘棠组的孢粉植物群也相当丰富,合计97个类型,分属72属,44科。以松科、榆科、禾本科及蕨类植物的水龙骨科最为丰富,胡桃科、壳斗科、金缕梅科及蕨类植物的凤尾蕨属也很常见。被子植物花粉占孢粉总数的50%--60%,以禾本科和榆属花粉含量最高,多在10%以上。裸子植物绝大部分为松科花粉,占孢粉总数的20%-30%。孢子以水龙骨科和凤尾蕨属为主,二者各占孢粉总数的5%-10%。发现于元谋盆地湾堡甘棠组的植物叶化石以及孢子花粉组合在成分上都是混合的类群。组合中既有相当多的湿润亚热带常绿阔叶林成分,也有耐干旱的胡颓子、杨梅、旱蕨等灌木、小乔木或草本分子,同时还有含量很高的、在半干旱环境下也能生存的禾本科、榆科花粉。据此推测甘棠组的植物群和孢粉组合反映了上新世时元谋地区的植被已经分化,盆地的周围山地生长有松科、壳斗科、樟科、胡桃科、金缕梅科为主的常绿和落叶阔叶树木或林块,可能有少许杜鹃科小乔木混杂其中,属于地带性植被。而在盆地内则是以禾本科、蔷薇科等为主,杂以大戟科、豆科、忍冬科、杨梅科等灌木或草本植物以及榆科、桦木科等树木组成的稀树灌丛草原型植被。盆地内的植被所反映的气候和周边地区相比,显得明显干旱。因此推测元谋盆地在2-3百万年前的中晚上新世已经发育成为金沙江流域的干热河谷盆地之一。     

A Phylogenetic Analysis of Families in the Hamamelidae

A cladistic analysis of the families in the Hamamelidae is made in the present paper. As a monophyletic group, the subclass Hamamelidae includes 19 families, namely, the Trochodendraceae, Tetracentraceae, Cercidiphyllaceae, Eupteleaceae, Eucommiaceae, Hamamelidaceae (incl. Rhodoleiaceae and Altingiaceae), Platanaceae, Daphniphyllaceae, Balanopaceae, Didymelaceae, Myrothamnaceae, Buxaceae, Simmondsiaceae, Casuarinaceae, Fagaceae (incl. Nothofagaceae), Betulaceae, Myricaceae, Rhoipteleaceae and Juglandaceae. The Magnoliaceae was selected for outgroup comparison after careful consideration. Thirty-two informative character states were used in this study. Three principles, namely, outgroup comparison, fossil evidence and generally accepted viewpoints of morphological evolution, were used for polarization of the characters. An incompatible number concept was first introduced to evaluate the reliable degree of polarization of the characters and, by this method, the polarization of the three character states was corrected. A data matrix was constructed by the 19 ingroup families and 32 character states. The data matrix was analysed with the Minimal Parallel Evolutionary Method, Maximal Same Step Method (Xu 1989), and Synthetic Method. Three cladograms were constructed and a parsimonious cladogram (Length= 131)was used as the base for discussing the systematic relationships of families in the Hamamelidae. According to the cladogram, the earlist group differented in the subclass Hamamelidae consists of two vesselless wood families, the Trochodendraceae and Tetracentraceae. This result supports the concept proposed by Takhtajan (1987)and Cronquist (1981, 1988)that the Trochodendrales is probably a primitive taxon in the Hamamelidae. As in a clade group, the Cercidiphyllaceae, Eucommiaceae, Balanopaceae and Didymelaceae originated apparently later than the Trochodendrales. The Cercidiphyllaceae diverged earlier in this group, which implies that this family and the Trochodendrales form a primitive group in the subclass. The Cercidiphyllaceae is either placed in Hamamelidales (Cronquist 1981, Thorne 1983), or treated as an independent order (Takhtajan 1987).This analysis suggests that the Cercidiphyllaceae is a relatively isolated taxon, far from the Hamamelidaceae but close to the Trochodendrales in relation. The Eucommiaceae and Didymelaceae are both isolated families and considered as two distinct orders (Takhtajan 1987, Cronquist 1981, 1988).The Balanopaceae is included in the Fagales (Cronquist 1981, 1988) or Pittosporales (Thorne 1983), or treated as a distinct order Balanopales (Takhtajan 1987 ).Obviously the Balanopaceae and Eucommiaceae are not closely related because of the sole synapomorphy (placentation).In fact these four families are more or less isolated taxa and it is probably more reasonable to treat them as independent orders. Cronquist ( 1981, 1988) places the Eupteleaceae, Platanaceae and Myrothamnaceae in the Hamamelidales, while Takhtajan (1987)puts Hamamelidaceae and Platanaceae into the Hamamelidales and treats the Eupteleaceae and Myrothamnaceae as two independent monofamilial orders. These three families are grouped by more synapomorphies (palmateveined, serrate or lobate leaves, deciduous and anemophilous plants)which may indicate their close phylogenetical affinity. A core group of the Hamamelidae includes ten families, among which the Hamamelidaceae originated earlier than the others, so that it is a relatively primitive family. The Betulaceae, Fagaceae and Myricaceae differentiated later than the Hamamelidaceae. The former two are very closely related, and thus thought to be two neighbouring orders by Takhtajan (1987)or included in the Fagales by Cronquist (1981, 1988)and Thorne (1983). The Myricaceae and Fagaceae are connected in the cladogram by only a single synapomorphy (endosperm absent), and therefore the close relationship does not exist between them. The Buxaceae, Simmondsiaceae and Daphniphyllaceae form an advanced group, in which they are weakly linked with each other by only one synapomorphy (pollen grains＜25μm). The Daphniphyllaceae is closely related to the Simmondsiaceae, but the Buxaceae is rather isolated. The Rhoipteleaceae and Juglandaceae share a number of synapomorphies (axile placentation, endosperm absent, embryo larger, fruit indehiscent) , forming a highly specialized group. The opinion that the Juglandales is composed of the Juglandaceae and Rhoipteleaceae(Cronquist 1981; 1988, Lu et Zhang 1990)is confirmed by this analysis. A contrary point of view, which treated them as two distinct orders by Takhtajan (1987), apparently could not be accepted. The Casuarinaceae was regarded as the primitive angiosperm (Engler 1893), but in fact it is a highly reduced and specialized group. It is united with Rhoipteleaceae and Juglandaceae by four synapomorphies, i. e. placentation type, endosperm absent, embryo large and fruit indehiscent. However, the family presents six autapomorphies, and thus the position of the Casuarinaceae as an advanced family is confirmed by this analysis. Finally a strict consensus tree, which represents the phylogenetic relationships of thefamilies in the Hamamelidae, was given as a result of the analysis.     

Natural hybridization between a deciduous (Nothofagus antarctica, Nothofagaceae) and an evergreen (N. dombeyi) forest tree species: evidence from morphological and isoenzymatic traits

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Trees with a partial leaf-shedding pattern and other morphological features a priori considered intermediate between those of the deciduous Nothofagus antarctica (G. Forster) Oersted and the evergreen N. dombeyi (Mirb.) Oersted (Nothofagaceae) were found in natural stands. The hybridization between a deciduous and an evergreen species of Nothofagus has not been reported so far in natural communities. METHODS: The putative hybrids and the two presumed parental species were compared using 14 enzyme systems as well as shoot, leaf and reproductive morphology. KEY RESULTS: Six enzyme systems showed good resolution (MDH-B, IDH, SKDH, 6-PGDH, GOT and PGI) and in four of them (PGI, MDH-B, SKDH and 6-PGDH) the putative hybrids showed intermediate zymogram patterns between N. antarctica and N. dombeyi. Both principal coordinates analysis on isozyme data and principal components analysis (PCA) on quantitative morphological traits of shoots and leaves separated both parental species and located the putative hybrids closer to N. antarctica than to N. dombeyi. In the PCA, the number of basal cataphylls and the length : width ratio of leaves were the variables most discriminating among shoots of the three entities. The putative hybrids were intermediate between both species regarding leaf vernation, outline and venation, variation in leaf shape (length/width) with position on the parent shoot and in staminate inflorescence and cupule morphology. For other morphological traits, the putative hybrids resembled one of the parental species or differed from both species (e.g. valve morphology). CONCLUSIONS: Isoenzymatic and morphological data sets support the idea of the hybrid nature (probably F1 generation) of the semi-deciduous trees found. Nothofagus antarctica and N. dombeyi are probably more closely related than previously assumed. The relevance of pollen type in revealing evolutionary relationships between Nothofagus species is supported, and that of leaf-shedding pattern is rejected.     

Phylogenetic systematics of the tribe Millettieae (Leguminosae) based on chloroplast trnK/matK sequences and its implications for evolutionary patterns in Papilionoideae

Phylogenetic relationships in the tribe Millettieae and allies in the subfamily Papilionoideae (Leguminosae) were reconstructed from chloroplast trnK/matK sequences. Sixty-two accessions representing 57 traditionally recognized genera of Papilionoideae were sampled, including 27 samples from Millettieae. Phylogenies were constructed using maximum parsimony and are well resolved and supported by high bootstrap values. A well-supported "core Millettieae" clade is recognized, comprising the four large genera Millettia, Lonchocarpus, Derris, and Tephrosia. Several other small genera of Millettieae are not in the core Millettieae clade. Platycyamus is grouped with Phaseoleae (in part). Ostryocarpus, Austrosteenisia, and Dalbergiella are neither in the core Millettieae or Phaseoleae clade. These taxa, along with core Millettieae and Phaseoleae, form a monophyletic sister group to Indigofereae. Cyclolobium and Poecilanthe are close to Brongniartieae. Callerya and Wisteria belong to a large clade that includes all the legumes that lack the inverted repeat in their chloroplast genome, which confirms previous rbcL and phytochrome gene family phylogenies. The evolutionary history of four characters was examined in Millettieae and allies: the presence of canavanine, inflorescence types, the dehiscence of pods, and the presence of winged pods. trnK/matK sequence analysis suggests that the presence of a pseudoraceme or pseudopanicle and the accumulation of nonprotein amino acids are phylogenetically informative for Millettieae and allies with only a few exceptions.     

The fluctuations of the allergenic pollen content of the air in Brussels (1982 to 1997)

The pollen content of the air was studied from1982 to 1997 in Brussels. Fluctuations weremainly observed in the tree pollen content whilethe amount of pollen originating from herbaceousplants remained more stable during theinvestigation period.The number of allergenic tree pollen grains didnot rise steadily during this period. We noted,however, the existence of years with high pollenproduction following the physiological biorhythmof the trees. Years with high annual sums for agiven tree pollen type did not coincide withyears with high annual sums for another treepollen type. Variations in annual sums of allergenicherbaceous pollen types were less important thanthose of tree pollen types. No rise, nor cyclicpatterns were observed. The most important allergenic pollen types(Betulaceae, Fagaceae, Gramineae and Artemisia) have been presented in histograms.     

Periods of organogenesis in shoots of Nothofagus dombeyi (Mirb.) oersted (Nothofagaceae)

The organogenetic cycle of main-branch shoots of Nothofagus dombeyi (Nothofagaceae) was studied. Twelve samples of 52-59 parent shoots were collected from a roadside population between September 1999 and October 2000. Variations over time in the number of nodes of terminal and axillary buds, and the length, diameter and number of leaves of shoots derived from these buds (sibling shoots) were analysed. The number of nodes of buds developed by parent shoots was compared with the number of nodes of buds developed, I year later, by sibling shoots. The length, diameter and number of leaves of sibling shoots increased from October 1999 to February 2000 in those shoots with a terminal bud. However, extension of most sibling shoots, including the first five most distal leaf primordia, ceased before February due to abscission of the shoot apex. Axillary buds located most distally on a shoot had more nodes than both terminal buds and more proximal axillary buds. The longest shoots included a preformed part and a neoformed part. The organogenetic event which initiated the neoformed organs continued until early autumn, giving rise to the following year's preformation. The absence of cataphylls in terminal buds could indicate a low intensity of shoot rest. The naked terminal bud of Nothofagus spp. could be interpreted as a structure less specialized than the scaled bud found in genera of Fagaceae and Betulaceae.     

Global versus Chinese perspectives on the phylogeny of the N-fixing clade

There has been increasing interest in integrating a regional tree of life with community assembly rules in the ecological research. This raises questions regarding the impacts of taxon sampling strategies at the regional versus global scales on the topology. To address this concern, we constructed two trees for the nitrogen-fixing clade: (i) a genus-level global tree including 1023 genera; and (ii) a regional tree comprising 303 genera, with taxon sampling limited to China. We used the supermatrix approach and performed maximum likelihood analyses on combined matK, rbcL, and trnL-F plastid sequences. We found that the topology of the global and the regional tree of the N-fixing clade were generally congruent. However, whereas relationships among the four orders obtained with the global tree agreed with the accepted topology obtained in focused analyses with more genes, the regional topology obtained different relationships, albeit weakly supported. At a finer scale, the phylogenetic position of the family Myricaceae was found to be sensitive to sampling density. We expect that internal support throughout the phylogeny could be improved with denser taxon sampling. The taxon sampling approach (global vs. regional) did not have a major impact on fine-level branching patterns of the N-fixing clade. Thus, a well-resolved phylogeny with relatively dense taxon sampling strategy at the regional scale appears, in this case, to be a good representation of the overall phylogenetic pattern and could be used in ecological research. Otherwise, the regional tree should be adjusted according to the correspondingly reliable global tree.