Studies on Pollen Morphology and Taxonomy of Lespedeza and Its Allied Genera from NE China

The pollen morphology of 11 species and 1 variety in the genus Lespedeza and its allied genera (Campylotropis, Kummerowia) from NE China was examined under light and scanning electron microscopes. 1. Lespedeza Michx. (plate 1:1-6; 2:1-6; 3:1-6; 4:1-2) Pollen grains prolate, rarely subprolate or spheroidal, elliptic or rarely suborbicular in equatorial view, 3-lobed-rounded in polar view, tricolporate, colpus margins smooth or jagged. Polar axis 20.7-33.1μm long, equatorial axis 15.4-20.9 μm long. Exine reticulate or foveolate, lumina verrucose or smooth under SEM. 2. Campylotropis Bge. (plate 4:3-4) One species in NE China, C. macrocarpa (Bge.) Rehd. Pollen grains prolate, elliptic in equatorial view, 3-lobed-rounded in polar view, 3-colporate, colpus linear, 25.1μm long, 1.79μm broad, colpus margins jagged, with a series of verrucae equal in size along one side visible under SEM. Polar axis 19.7μm long, equatorial axis 14.6μm long. Exine reticulate, lumina nearly rounded, verrucose at periphery under SEM. 3. Kummerowia Schindl. (plate 4:5-6) Pollen grains spheroidal, oblate or prolate, elliptic in equatorial view, obtuse-triangular in polar view, tricolporate, colups linear, 25.1μm long, 2.01μm broad, colpus margins sinuate. Polar axis 24.7-27.9μm long, equatorial axis 19.7-26.6μm long. Exine reticulate or subreticulate, lumina nearly rounded, with verrocae visible under SEM. According to the pollen morphology of Lespedeza and its allied genera, the division of Lespedeza (s. lat.) into Lespedeza (S. str.), Campylotropis and Kummarowia by Schindler (1912) is reasonable. The subdivision of Lespedeza (s. str.) into Sect. Macrolespedeza and Sect. Lespedeza by many botanists, and the treatment of Lespedeze juncea (L. f.) Pers. var. inschanica Maxim. as an independent species (i.e. Lespedeza inschanics (Maxim). Schindl.) are also supported by the pollen morphology shown in the present work.     

Pollen Morphology of Microula Benth. and Allied Genera (Boraginaceae)

Pollen grains of 16 species of Microula Benth. and six species of three related genera were examined under LM and SEM, and four of them also under TEM. Pollen grains of Microula and three related genera are dumb-bell-shaped, 3-colporate apertures alternate with three pseudocolpi. Pollen grains are very small,ranging from 12.18 x 7.13 μm to 6.36 x 3.66μm. In general, colpi with os are wider and shorter, rhomboid, but sometimes they are equal to pseudocolpi in length. Colpus margins are regularly or irregularly tooth-like. The surface of colpi is psilate or processed. Ora are circular or lalongated in outline, protruded or not; surface of os membrane is smooth or scabrid. The exine is usually indistinctly layered under LM. The exine surface is psilate, and more or less perforate. TEM examination shows that the pollen wall is differentiated into exine and intine: the exine includes ectexine and endexine, while the ectexine consists of tectum, columellae and foot-layer. However, there are differences in constriction of equatorial area, apertural characters, ornamentation and exinous ultrastructure between these genera. Pollen morphology indicates that the genus Microula Benth. is primitive, directly related to the genus Actinocarya Benth .; the genus Asperugo L. Is more advanced. The genus Eritrichium Schrad. which has two ora or one os and is anisopolar, represents the most advanced group among them. Noteworthily, the diorate phenomenon is found for the first time not onlyin the genus but in the family Boraginaceae.     

Studies in Montia L. and Claytonia L. and Allied Genera

The pollen morphology of several genera in Portulacaceae is described. Particular attention has been paid to the genera of the subfamily Montioideae, as a stage of continued monographical studies. Among genera especially dealt with are Claytonia, Montia, Crunocallis, Naiocrene, Neopaxia, Mona, Maxia, Limnalsine, and Montiastrum. In the taxonomical treatment of these genera the pollen morphology has proved to afford many important additional characters.

The pollen grains of Claytonia are distinguished from those of the remainder in being 3-colpate. The grains of the Claytonia-type have many similarities with those of Lewisia, a genus of the subfamily Portulacoideae. The other genera of Montioideae have pantocolpate pollen grains. Among these genera several different pollen types are distinguished, chiefly with regard to the sexine structures and the aperture membranes. The Montiastrum-type is especially interesting, with tholate grains, a particular pollen type not met with in any other genus in the family. The pollen morphology of some genera in the Portulacoideae is also treated. In some species in Calandrina and Talinum pantotreme pollen grains are observed with apertures transitional between pori and colpi. The apertures of the pantotreme grains are arranged in characteristic patterns.

Particular attention has been given to the variation of the pollen morphological characters. This variation has been examined with regard to the differences between different populations of the same species as well as between different species. The greatest variation has been observed in the shape and size of the grains. The structure and sculpture and thickness of the sexine and the aperture membranes are less variable. Some polyploid taxa are connected with the occurrence of pollen grains with divergent and varying aperture numbers.

In a survey of the genera the taxonomical results of the investigation are presented with particular regard to the pollen morphology. The new genus, Maxia Ö. Nilss., is described. One new species, Montia clara Ö. Nilss., is described and some new combinations are made.

Pollen morphological diagnoses are given for 46 different taxa. The aperture conditions for 96 different species are presented.     

沟稃草属及其近缘属植物颖片微形态特征研究

通过扫描电镜对沟稃草属及其近缘属共14属20种2变种植物颖片微形态进行观察。结果显示:(1)沟稃草属颖片脉间长细胞长筒形或短筒形,细胞壁波状弯曲,显著增厚;脉间短细胞单生,脉间栓细胞近圆形,脉间硅细胞缺失;脉上硅细胞单生,近圆形,有气孔器,气孔副卫细胞平行形至低圆屋顶形;脉上、脉间刺毛常见,有钩毛,无微毛,有乳突,无大毛。(2)根据颖片微形态特征所构建的系统发育树显示,沟稃草属与早熟禾族植物聚为一支,表明其亲缘关系较近,支持将沟稃草属置于早熟禾族中。(3)沟稃草属与拂子茅属、野青茅属植物相距较远,颖片微形态证据不支持将沟稃草属作为广义拂子茅属的成员,其应该单独成属。     

青阳参花部特征及其传粉适应性

对青阳参花（Cynanchum otophyllum）部综合特征、访花昆虫种类、访花行为及传粉过程进行了研究,结果表明,青阳参花结构复杂,两个子房基部离生、花柱联合与雄蕊形成合蕊柱,柱头表面被邻近花药的侧翼紧密包围形成5个柱头腔。青阳参的花粉形成独特的花粉块,一次传粉过程可以转运大量的花粉。东方蜜蜂（Apis cerana）是青阳参的主要传粉昆虫,其传粉包括两个过程：（1）当蜜蜂的口器或足插入着粉腺的槽口后借助蜜蜂的力量将花粉块从花上拔起;（2）当蜜蜂再次访花时将携带的花粉块插入其中一个柱头腔。花粉块里面的花粉粒住柱头腔中萌发出花粉管,然后沿着花柱道向下生长最后进入子房。在整个花期仡粉保持有相对较高的生活力,而其柱头可授性则在7天后逐渐降低。     

Seed Coat Microsculpturing in Brassica and Allied Genera (Subtribes Brassicinae, Raphaninae, Moricandiinae)

To obtain new information on the taxonomy of Brassica and alliedgenera, seed surfaces of 44 species (78 accessions) belongingto 11 genera of subtribes Brassicinae, Raphaninae and Moricandiinaewere examined using a scanning electron microscope. Ten typesof basic ornamentation patterns were recognized. While fourtypes were represented by only one species each, six types hadmore than one species either representing one genus (two types)or more (four types). The different species in each of the sixtypes could generally be distinguished from each other on thebasis of differences in microsculpturing features. This analysisprovides evidence for the close relationship among the variousgenera within the subtribe Brassicinae, and also the closenessof Raphanus, Enarthrocarpus and Moricandia of subtribe Raphaninaeand Moricandiinae, respectively, with the Brassicinae. Copyright2000 Annals of Botany Company Brassicinae, Moricandiinae, Raphaninae, SEM, seed coat microsculpturing, taxonomic implications     

Chemotaxonomy of Geranium

The species of Geranium show a wide range of flavonoid pattern, from one in which ail the regular (primitive) constituents are present to one where only quercetin and kaempferol are present. The primitive pattern predominates in the central Eurasian area, radiating eastward and westward from which the flavonoid constituents become progressivley impoverished. A "flavonoid score" providing a numerical estimate of this impoverishment is proposed. The results are presented and discussed in relation to Knuth's arrangement of the genus.     

Chemotaxonomy of Anseriformes

The composition of the uropygial gland wax of 8 species of birds of the order Anseriformes was investigated. As was expected, the waxes are composed of more or less methyl-branched fatty acids and alcohols. The results obtained have been compared with those on other species of Anseriformes and discussed from a chemotaxonomical viewpoint. For this purpose the various parameters have been depicted on a 3-dimensional matrix.     

Cytological Studies of the Genus Nomocharis and Its Related Genera

The somatic cells of 12 taxa of the genera Nomocharis, Lilium, Fritillaria and Cardiocrinum from north-western Yunnan were karyomorphologically studied. The 12 taxa are similar to each other in chromosomal morphology at the resting nucleus stage, which belongs to the complex chromocenter type. They are also similar to each other in morphology of mitotic prophase chromosomes, which belongs to the interstitial type. Their chromosome numbers are all 2n = 24, and centromeric terminalization values range from 79.9- 82.2%. The above results show that the four genera have close relationships. These 12 taxa, however, exhibit some similarities and differences in the position of secondary constrictions seemingly showing the karyological characters of each genus in the area. Firstly, on m(sm)-chromosomes, secondary constrictions close to centromeres appear stable in one of pairs in both Nomocharis( 6 taxa) and Lilium (4 taxa); In Cardiocrinum giganteum, they were found distant from centromeres on short arms in one of pairs; None was observed in Fritillaria cirrhosa. Secondly, on st (t)- chromosomes, remarkable secondary constrictions were generally found on long arms in Nomocharis, C. giganteum, F. cirrhosa and the high mountain habitants of Lilium, such as L. souliei, while they were always observed on short arms in L. nepalense, L. taliense and L. brownii, which grow in the lower altitude region. So the Nomocharis and high mountain members of Lilium have similary distribution of secondary constrictions, and theyare considered to be most closely related.     

The Genera and Species of Tarsiidae

We revise the taxonomy of the primate family Tarsiidae. We classify extant tarsiers in 3 genera—Tarsius, Cephalopachus, and Carlito—each of which originated in the Miocene, or earlier, and each of which is allopatrically distributed within a distinct biogeographic region: Sulawesi, Sundaland, and Greater Mindanao, respectively. Within the genus Tarsius, formerly regarded as a single species, Tarsius spectrum, we recognize 8 allopatric and parapatric species, 9 if the inclusion of pumilus is warranted, and note that more are likely to be described in the near future. We restrict Tarsius tarsier, the senior taxon of the genus, to the island of Selayar, off the tip of the southwestern peninsula of Sulawesi. In doing so, it is required that we resurrect Tarsius fuscus Fischer 1804, for the population of tarsiers from the southwestern peninsula near the city of Makassar. We note that neither Cephalopachus nor Carlito has been the subject of anywhere near as much field research as has Tarsius; thus we question if the currently accepted α taxonomy for these genera is based on knowledge or ignorance.     

中国单种属大型担子菌及其地理分布

中国大型担子菌单种属113个,隶属于48科,10目,其中一部分是世界单种属,另一部分为中国境内目前只报道一个种的属。单种属的分类学地位独特,区系分布上也表现出一定的特点。因此,单种属的亲缘关系和菌物地理学研究具有重要的理论意义。     

Chemotaxonomy and phytochemical ecology of bracken

Variations in flavonoids extracted from fronds suggest that Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn is a monospecific genus. A wide range of secondary plant substances also occur in bracken including sesquiterpenoids, echydones, cyanogenic glycosides, tannins and phenolic acids.     

Chemotaxonomy of Gonospermum and related genera

Aerial parts of Gonospermum fruticosum collected at several locations in the Canary Islands afforded, in addition to known compounds, four sesquiterpene alcohols related to costol and a sesquiterpene lactone, whose structures were established on the basis of their spectroscopic data and chemical transformations. Except for Gonospermum species collected on the island of Tenerife, those collected on the island of El Hierro and, in a previous study those from La Gomera, contain sesquiterpene lactones that can be used as chemotaxonomic markers confirming the inclusion of Gonospermum, Lugoa, and species of Tanacetum endemic to the Canary Islands in a genus that does not support the monophyly of Gonosperminae.