Comparative anatomy of the nectary spur in selected species of Aeridinae (Orchidaceae)

Background and Aims

To date, the structure of the nectary spur of Aeridinae has not been studied in detail, and data relating to the nectaries of ornithophilous orchids remain scarce. The present paper compares the structural organization of the floral nectary in a range of Aeridinae species, including both entomophilous and ornithophilous taxa.

Methods

Nectary spurs of Ascocentrum ampullaceum (Roxb.) Schltr. var. aurantiacum Pradhan, A. curvifolium (Lindl.) Schltr., A. garayi Christenson, Papilionanthe vandarum (Rchb.f.) Garay, Schoenorchis gemmata (Lindl.) J.J. Sm., Sedirea japonica (Rchb.f.) Garay & H.R. Sweet and Stereochilus dalatensis (Guillaumin) Garay were examined by means of light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy.

Key Results and Conclusions

The diverse anatomy of the nectary is described for a range of Aeridinae species. All species of Ascocentrum investigated displayed features characteristic of ornithophilous taxa. They have weakly zygomorphic, scentless, red or orange flowers, display diurnal anthesis, possess cryptic anther caps and produce nectar that is secluded in a relatively massive nectary spur. Unicellular, secretory hairs line the lumen at the middle part of the spur. Generally, however, with the exception of Papilionanthe vandarum, the nectary spurs of all entomophilous species studied here (Schoenorchis gemmata, Sedirea japonica, Stereochilus dalatensis) lack secretory trichomes. Moreover, collenchymatous secretory tissue, present only in the nectary spur of Asiatic Ascocentrum species, closely resembles that found in nectaries of certain Neotropical species that are hummingbird-pollinated and assigned to subtribes Maxillariinae Benth., Laeliinae Benth. and Oncidiinae Benth. This similarity in anatomical organization of the nectary, regardless of geographical distribution and phylogeny, indicates convergence.     

848. PLATYSTELE MISERA

Platystele misera (Lindl.) Garay is illustrated as the first of two species of Platystele Schltr., a genus of tiny Pleurothallid orchids from South and Central America. The ecology and distribution of Platystele are discussed, accompanied by brief notes on the cultivation of this species.     

18种(1变型)鼠尾草属植物叶表皮及表皮毛微形态特征研究

鼠尾草属是唇形科中最大的属,全球有近1 000种。我国是鼠尾草属东亚分布中心,有84种,分布于全国各地,尤以西南地区最多。鼠尾草属植物具有很高的经济价值和观赏价值,但由于鼠尾草属植物分布广、种类多、形态变异大,给该属鉴定和分类学研究带来了很大的困难。此外,在采集和调查过程中发现弧隔鼠尾草亚属和荔枝草亚属的很多种类在营养生长期仅通过叶片很难鉴定。表皮毛是植物叶片上最常见的附属物,其分布特性和形态特征常作为植物鉴定和分类学研究的重要手段。该文利用光学显微镜和环境扫描电镜对18种和1变型共19份鼠尾草属植物的叶片类型、表皮细胞形状、垂周壁样式、气孔器类型和表皮毛等叶表皮微形态特征进行了观察和比较研究,为鼠尾草属的分类界定研究提供证据。结果表明:这19份鼠尾草属植物叶表皮和表皮毛形态特征在电子显微镜下表现出明显的多样性,叶表皮细胞形状为不规则形或多边形,垂周壁多数为浅波状或波状,少数为平直或弓形。气孔器为无规则型和不等细胞型,其中无规则型最为常见。样品叶表皮毛分为4个类型,盾状腺毛、头状腺毛、短非腺毛和长非腺毛。该属植物叶表皮的这些微形态特征,可为本属鉴定和分类学研究提供理论依据。     

MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES ACCOMPANYING THE TRANSITION FROM JUVENILE (ATMOSPHERIC) TO ADULT (TANK) FORMS IN THE MEXICAN EPIPHYTE TILLANDSIA DEPPEANA (BROMELIACEAE)

Two distinct morphological forms characterize the ontogenetic development of the epiphytic bromeliad Tillandsia deppeana. Juveniles are characterized by a non-impounding rosette of small, linear leaves covered with elaborate trichomes possessing a 4 + 8 + 16 + 64 shield cell pattern. The broader transitional leaves, which form an impounding rosette prior to the initiation of true adult leaves, also possess trichomes with the 4 + 8 + 16 + 64 cell pattern. Adult individuals have large, broad leaves with overlapping, sheathing bases which impound water and debris. These leaves have trichomes with shields exhibiting a 4 + 8 + 32 cell pattern. Trichome density is fairly uniform in the juvenile leaves with trichomes covering 100% of leaf surfaces, whereas in the adult leaves density is high at the base and diminishes significantly toward the apex. Stomatal density of both juvenile and adult leaves increases from the base to the apex, although this is most pronounced in the adults. Stomata in the adults are also arranged in longitudinal series parallel and abaxial to parallel rows of mesophyll tissue. The results of this study indicate that juveniles of T. deppeana are more similar morphologically to adult atmospheric-type tillandsioid species than to the tank-forming adults into which they eventually develop.     

云南省兰科植物新记录

云南省是中国乃至世界兰科(Orchidaceae)植物最为丰富的地区之一,近年来随着调查研究工作的深入,发现了不少新属、新种、新记录属以及新记录种[1-10]。笔者近年来对云南南部和东南部植物区系进行调查,并通过标本鉴定和相关资料查阅,发现了4个云南新记录属和9个云南新记录种。其中,     

Water Relations of Tropical Epiphytes: III. EVIDENCE FOR CRASSULACEAN ACID METABOLISM

Five tropical epiphytes were examined for evidence of CrassulaceanAcid Metabolism (CAM), namely the orchids Eria velutina Lindl.,Dendrobium tortile Lindl. and Dendrobium crumenatum Sw., andthe ferns Pyrrosia adnascens (Forst.) Ching and Pyrrosia angustata(Sw.) Ching, family Polypodiaceae. Diurnal variations in leaftitratable acidity, diffusive conductance and water potentialwere measured at various levels of water stress. The three orchidsshowed typical CAM behaviour, namely large diurnal fluctuationsin leaf acidity, day-time closure and night opening of stomataand a very slow decline in water potential under stress. Theferns showed some evidence of CAM, but this was not as well-developedas had been reported for two other tropical epiphytic membersof the same family. Key words: Crassulacean acid metabolism, Tropical epiphytes, Water stress     

Effect of tank bromeliad micro-environment on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aedes aegypti</Emphasis> larval mortality

Many species of bromeliads create an aquatic microcosm among their leaves. Besides their native aquatic fauna, these microcosms can be used by larvae of invasive mosquitoes like Aedes aegypti. We compared the mortality among A. aegypti larvae placed inside tanks of Aechmea fasciata bromeliads with larvae placed inside artificial microcosms and with microcosms with low pH (5.4), which simulate the acidic conditions found inside bromeliad tanks. A. aegypti larvae suffered a significantly higher mortality inside bromeliad tanks compared to larvae in control microcosms, but the mortality inside bromeliads did not differ statistically from that found in artificial microcosms simulating bromeliad acidic conditions. We concluded that bromeliad tanks tend to be a less suitable environment for the development of A. aegypti larvae than artificial containers due to the acidification generated by bromeliad physiology.     

高褶石仙桃，中国兰科一新记录种

报道了中国兰科植物一新记录种：高褶石仙桃[Pholidota advena（Par. & Rchb. f.） Hook. f.],并提供了描述与图片。该种与石仙桃（P. chinensis Lindl.）相似,但下唇具3~5个明显隆起的片状脊以及上唇有3个波浪状龙骨一直向顶端延伸汇合。     

Responses of epidermal cell turgor pressure and photosynthetic activity of leaves of the atmospheric epiphyte Tillandsia usneoides (Bromeliaceae) after exposure to high humidity

It has been well-established that many epiphytic bromeliads of the atmospheric-type morphology, i.e., with leaf surfaces completely covered by large, overlapping, multicellular trichomes, are capable of absorbing water vapor from the atmosphere when air humidity increases. It is much less clear, however, whether this absorption of water vapor can hydrate the living cells of the leaves and, as a consequence, enhance physiological processes in such cells. The goal of this research was to determine if the absorption of atmospheric water vapor by the atmospheric epiphyte Tillandsia usneoides results in an increase in turgor pressure in leaf epidermal cells that subtend the large trichomes, and, by using chlorophyll fluorescence techniques, to determine if the absorption of atmospheric water vapor by leaves of this epiphyte results in increased photosynthetic activity. Results of measurements on living cells of attached leaves of this epiphytic bromeliad, using a pressure probe and of whole-shoot fluorescence imaging analyses clearly illustrated that the turgor pressure of leaf epidermal cells did not increase, and the photosynthetic activity of leaves did not increase, following exposure of the leaves to high humidity air. These results experimentally demonstrate, for the first time, that the absorption of water vapor following increases in atmospheric humidity in atmospheric epiphytic bromeliads is mostly likely a physical phenomenon resulting from hydration of non-living leaf structures, e.g., trichomes, and has no physiological significance for the plant's living tissues.     

Hybridization between two oil-secreting orchids in South Africa

Natural hybrids among the specialized terrestrial oil-secreting orchids of South Africa are extremely rare even where multiple closely related species co-occur. We found putative hybrids between Pterygodium catholicum Sw. and P. acutifolium Lindl., two closely related oil-secreting orchids that lack morphological barriers to inter-breeding. The purpose of this study was to confirm the parentage of the putative hybrids using molecular data from one nuclear (ITS) and two plastid (matK-trnK and trnL/F introns) DNA regions. Phylogenetic analyses of sequences as well as nucleotide substitution patterns of the putative hybrids, putative parents, and their closest relatives were consistent with a hypothesis of hybridization. We suggest that the hybrids were the result of visits to both orchids by a single species of oil-collecting bee during a brief period of flowering overlap. These results suggest that the rarity of hybrids between these orchids is due to factors other than genetic incompatibility.     

SHOOTLESSNESS,VELAMENTOUS ROOTS,AND THE PRE-EMINENCE OF ORCHIDACEAE IN THE EPIPHYTIC BIOTOPE

Roots of representative epiphytic orchids were examined for anatomical detail, desiccation resistance and evidence of CAM activity. Those “shootless” taxa examined (Campylocentrum pachyrrhizum (Reichenb. f.) Rolfe, Harrisella porrecta Reichenb. f.) Fawc. & Rendle, and Polyradicion lindenii (Lindl.) Cogn. ex Urban) and a semi-shootless type (Kingidium taeniale (Lindl.) P. F. Hunt) bear thinner or eroded velamina and greater volumes of cortical intercellular space than do those of the leafy forms tested (Campylocentrum sellowii (Reichenb. f.) Rolfe, Encyclia tampensis (Lindl.) Small, Epidendrum radicans Pavon ex Lindl., Phalaenopsis amabilis (L.) Blume, Rangaeris amaniensis (Krzl.) Summerhayes and Vanda parishii (Reichenb. f.)). Shootless species also bear a more elaborate aeration apparatus at the velamen-cortex interface. Structurally distinct cortical cells located in this region may regulate gas exchange across the exodermis. Velamen thickness varies greatly among the ten species, as does the development of outer tangential walls of U cells in the underlying exodermis. Desiccation resistance under laboratory conditions was more closely related to root surface-to-volume ratio (S/V) than to any other measured anatomical parameter, including velamen development. Modes of carbon gain and the possible pathway for movement of fungus-borne carbon into an orchid's pool of assimilates are described, as is the possible significance of these processes to survival in forest canopy habitats.     

中国兰科植物研究杂记(英文)

报道了中国兰科植物一新记录种互生对叶兰[Neottia alternifolia(KingPantl.)Szlach.];并对紫婉石斛(Dendrobium transparens Wall.ex Lindl.)的形态特征、生境等进行了描述。紫婉石斛与兜唇石斛[Dendrobium aphyllum(Roxb.)C.E.Fischer]相似,区别在于唇瓣中央具深紫红色大斑块,唇瓣正面具柔毛;互生对叶兰是鸟巢兰属自养类型种类中唯一具有两片互生叶的种类,极易同该属其他种类区分。     

Size-Dependent Variation of Carbon and Nitrogen Isotope Abundances in Epiphytic Bromeliads

Abstract: While atmospheric species of bromeliads have narrow leaves, densely covered with water‐absorbing trichomes throughout their life cycles, many tank bromeliads with broad leaves, forming phytotelmata, go through an atmospheric juvenile phase. The effect of the different habits and the phase change in tank‐forming bromeliads on water and nutrient relations was investigated by analysing the relationship between plant size, C/N ratios and the natural abundance of ¹³C and ¹⁵N in five epiphytic bromeliad species or morphospecies of a humid montane forest in Xalapa, Mexico. The atmospheric species Tillandsia juncea and T. butzii exhibited full crassulacean acid metabolism, with δ¹³C values (mean ‐ 15.3 ‰ and ‐ 14.7 ‰, respectively) independent of size. In Tillandsia species with C₃ photosynthesis, δ¹³C decreased with increasing plant size, indicating stronger drought stress in juveniles. The increase of the C/N ratio with size suggests that, at least in heteroblastic bromeliads, the availability of water is more limiting during early growth, and that limitations of nitrogen supply become more important later on, when water stored in the tank helps to bridge dry periods, reducing water shortage. δ¹⁵N values of the two atmospheric species were very negative (‐ 12.6 ‰ and ‐ 12.2 ‰, respectively) and did not change with plant size. Tank‐forming bromeliads had less negative δ¹⁵N values (c ‐ 6 ‰), and, in species with atmospheric juveniles and tank‐forming adults, δ¹⁵N values increased significantly with plant size. These differences do not appear to be an effect of the isotopic composition of N sources, but rather reflect N availability and limitation and stress‐induced changes in ¹⁵N discrimination.     

The genus Bipinnula (Orchidaceae: Chloraeinae) in Argentina

A taxonomic synopsis of Bipinnula Comm. ex Juss. (Orchidaceae: Chloraeinae) in Argentina is presented. Three species are recognized: B. biplumata Rchb.f., B. penicillata (Rchb.f.) Cisternas & Salazar and B. polysyka Kraenzl. A key to separate these species is presented and their distribution in Argentina is presented. All species are described in detail and photographs of diagnostic vegetative and floral features, as well as distributional, ecological and nomenclatural comments are included. Lectotypes for the basionyms Arethusa biplumata L.f., Chloraea arechavaletae Kraenzl. and B. polysyka Kraenzl. are designated. All studied species are terrestrial orchids that grow in grasslands of the heavily transformed Pampas biome; two of them are restricted to a few counties. Therefore, an assessment on their conservation status is urgently needed.     

Amino acid uptake and profile in bromeliads with different habits cultivated in vitro

Bromeliads can have terrestrial and epiphytic habits. Therefore, they have developed probably different mechanisms for the uptake of nutrients from distinct sources such as the pedosphere and the atmosphere. Many bromeliads, such as the epiphytes, absorb water and nutrients almost exclusively via their foliar trichomes. In contrast, terrestrial bromeliads essentially use their roots to withdraw the nutrients from the soil. The aim of this study was to compare nitrogen (N) nutrition between a terrestrial, Ananas comosus (L.) Merr., and an epiphytic, Vriesea gigantea Gaudich., bromeliad. The in vitro absorption of [³H]glycine and [³H]glutamine was investigated. Plants were also grown in vitro with NH₄⁺, glutamine (Gln) or glycine (Gly) as N sources, and the amino acid profile was analyzed. Ammonium treatment had little effect upon the A. comosus amino acid profile, while asparagine was the main amino acid accumulated in V. gigantea after 3 d in a medium with this nitrogen source. This suggests that V. gigantea accumulate N in compounds with high N/C ratio, allowing it to store higher N level when it is available in epiphytic environment. The two species were able to take up amino acids in vitro, although V. gigantea had a higher rate of amino acid uptake than the terrestrial bromeliad, A. comosus. For both species, Gly was taken up in a higher rate than Gln. The data support the idea that V. gigantea has a luxury consumption when inorganic and organic N are available in the environment, which does not happen in the case of the terrestrial bromeliad A. comosus. It has a more stable source of nutrients, the soil. We can also suggest that amino acids such as Gly, Gln and others present in the bromeliad tank water may be important N sources for V. gigantea and other epiphytic bromeliads in natural habitats.     

Phyllosphere Bacteria Improve Animal Contribution to Plant Nutrition

Many plant species have evolved special adaptations for acquiring nitrogen in nutrient‐poor soils. In Brazilian savannas, the bromeliad Bromelia balansae (Bromeliaceae) is inhabited by mutualistic spiders (Psecas chapoda, Salticidae), which provide nutrients to the plant through their debris (feces, prey carcasses). In this study, we tested if bacteria present on the B. balansae phyllosphere improves plant nutrition and growth by mineralizing complex organic N compounds from spider debris that accumulate on the phyllosphere into simple compounds that may be absorbed easily by leaves. We conducted a greenhouse experiment by manipulating bacteria abundance on the bromeliad phyllosphere using antibiotics. Using isotopic mixed model equations, we demonstrated that debris from spiders contributed 10.7 ± 1.9 percent (mean ± standard error) of the N in bromeliads that had their bacterial abundance reduced. In contrast, spider feces contributed 27.1 ± 4.4 percent of bromeliad N in the presence of the entire bacterial assemblage. These bromeliads accumulated 57 percent more soluble protein and grew 13 percent more than bromeliads that were grown under reduced bacterial density. These results highlight the importance of mineralizing bacteria on phyllosphere as a mechanism of N uptake by bromeliads.     

The Chromosome Numbers of 12 Species in Orchidaceae from China

The present paper reports the chromosome numbers of 12 species in Orchidaceae from China. The results are as follows: Bletilla striata (Thunb.) Rchb. f. 2n= 32, Calanthe discolor Lindl. 2n=40, Calanthe hamata Hand. -Mazz. 2n=40, Cephalanthera erecta (Thunb.) Bl. 2n=34, Cephalanthera falcata (Thunb.) B1. 2n=34, Changnienia amoena Chien 2n=46, Cremastra appendiculata (D. Don) Makino 2n = 42, Dendrobium moniliforme (L.) Sw. 2n=38, Gastrodia elata Bl. n=15, 18, Liparis dunnii Rolfe 2n= 20, Platanthera minor (Miq.) Rchb. f. 2n=42, Pleione bulbocoidioides (Franch.) Rolfe 2n=40.     

Sarcoglyphis manipurensis sp. nov. (Orchidaceae) from Manipur,India

A new orchid species, viz. Sarcoglyphis manipurensis, is described and illustrated from Imphal east and Chandel districts of Manipur in northeast India. It's distinguishing characters and affinity with S. mirabilis (Rchb.f.) Garay is discussed. An updated artificial key to all known species of Sarcoglyphis is provided.     

Calling site selection by the bromeliad-dwelling treefrog Phyllodytes melanomystax (Amphibia: Anura: Hylidae) in a coastal sand dune habitat

We studied bromeliad selection by calling males of Phyllodytes melanomystax. The study site was a restinga environment in the northeastern state of Bahia, northeastern Brazil. We sampled 202 bromeliads, 101 with and 101 without calling males. We used multiple logistic regression analysis and Wald test to identify which of nine environmental variables investigated could explain the occurrence of calling males within bromeliads. The presence/absence of calling males in bromeliads was influenced by the number of bromeliads in a 2 m radius and the amount of debris inside the rosettes, while physical variables of bromeliads and the volume of stored water inside their rosettes had no influence. The mark-recapture procedure of P. melanomystax revealed site fidelity. This study is the first to explain the pattern of bromeliad selection by a species of the bromeliad-dwelling frog genus Phyllodytes.     

Water Relations of Tropical Epiphytes: I. RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN STOMATAL RESISTANCE, RELATIVE WATER CONTENT AND THE COMPONENTS OF WATER POTENTIAL

The water relations of five species of tropical vascular epiphytesnative to Malaysia were studied. The species were ferns: Pyrrosiaadnascens (Forst.) Ching. and Pyrrosia angustata (Sw.) Ching.;orchids: Eria velutina Lindl., Dendrobium tortile Lindl. andDendrobium crumenatum Sw. Leaf resistance as a function of leafwater potential was measured for the two ferns. The criticalwater potential at which stomata closed was found to be highin each case; –0.75 MPa and –0.5 MPa respectively.The components of water potential were estimated with the pressurechamber as functions of relative water content. For each speciescell sap was found to be dilute, pressure potential low at fullturgor, and the change in relative water content between fullturgor and wilting point small. Small values of solute potentialat full turgor were also found for the ferns and E. velutinausing a vapour pressure osmometer. Values of the bulk modulusof elasticity of the leaf tissue for each species lay withinthe range of published data. The significance of these resultsfor the epiphytic way of life is discussed. Key words: Water potential, Epiphytes, Diffusive resistance, Orchid, Fern