The genusBuxus (Buxaceae): Aspects of its differentiation in space and time

Trends of pollen grain aperture evolution and exine characters as well as characters of leaf venation, petiole and axial vascularization are briefly described and related to geographical distribution and classification ofBuxus. A review of fossil records is given. Three major taxonomic groups can be delimitated within the genus, and aspects of their relationships and chorogenesis are presented. The level of differentiation, the pattern of distribution and the fossil record speak in favour of an ancient origin of the genus.     

COMPARATIVE STUDIES OF THE NODAL AND VASCULAR ANATOMY IN THE NEOTROPICAL CYATHEACEAE. III. NODAL AND PETIOLE PATTERNS; SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

Comparative studies of the nodal and vascular anatomy in the Cyatheaceae are discussed as they relate to the taxonomy and phylogeny of the family. There is in the Cyatheaceae (excluding Metaxya and Lophosoria) a basic nodal pattern consisting of four major phases of leaf trace separations. Abaxial traces arise from the leaf gap margins, and the last abaxial traces from each side of the gap are larger and undergo numerous divisions. Distally adaxial traces separate from the gap margins, and the last adaxial traces are usually larger and undergo multiple divisions. In addition, medullary bundles frequently become petiole strands of the adaxial arc in the petiole. Rarely, cortical bundles form petiole strands in the abaxial arc in the petiole. Leaf gaps of the squamate genera of the Cyatheaceae are fusiform and possess prominent lateral constrictions which result from medullary bundle fusions and the separation of leaf traces. A characteristic petiole pattern is found in all members of the Cyatheaceae. There is an increase in the complexity of the petiole vascular tissue which results in a gradation from the undivided strand in Metaxya, to the three-parted petiole pattern in Lophosoria, and finally to the much-dissected petiole vascular tissue in the advanced genera. Nodal and vascular anatomy data basically support Tryon's phyletic scheme for the family. The Sphaeropteris-Alsophila-Nephelea line shows certain tendencies toward increased complexity of nodal and vascular anatomy, whereas the Trichipteris-Cyathea-Cnemidaria line shows the same anatomical and morphological characters in a direction of increased simplification or reduction.     

COMPARATIVE ANATOMY OF THE PETIOLE AND INFRAGENERIC RELATIONSHIPS IN JATROPHA (EUPHORBIACEAE)

Anatomical features of the petiole in several species of Jatropha L. (Euphorbiaceae) are presented as evidence in support of infrageneric relationships. A trilacunar 3-trace nodal pattern is typical for the genus. The vascular supply to the stipules is derived from the branching of the two peripheral leaf traces. The number of vascular bundles range from 11 through 9, 7, 5 and 3, and occur in a ring, as free traces, a medullated cylinder, or as U-shaped free traces. The reduction from nine to three bundles is correlated with the gross morphological features while 11, which occurs only in the section Peltatae (Pax) Dehgan & Webster, presents an increase. Reduction in the number of petiolar traces follows the evolutionary advancement of various taxa. This reduction in traces corresponds with south-north distribution of the species and consequential adaptation to colder and more arid climates in Central America and Africa. Smaller leaves, fewer primary veins and fewer vascular traces have resulted as a response to reduced need for water. Presence of dorsal (super-numerary) bundles which supply the petiolar glands in subgenus Jatropha (= Adenoropium Pax) is considered significant, since African taxa of the section (subsection Pubescentes Pax) have retained these bundles despite the loss of petiolar glands. The latter glands are prominent in the South American and Indian species. Sectional lines in the genus can, therefore, be drawn generally on the basis of numerical constancy and relative uniformity in the arrangement of petiolar traces. The continuity of vascular bundles from the stem into the petiole and variations of bundle arrangements are depicted in three-dimensional drawings.     

PETIOLE VASCULARIZATION OF LUXEMBURGIEAE (OCHNACEAE)

Sections through the petiole and blade midrib and sometimes the node of 20 genera of Luxemburgieae have revealed variations in vascularization which appear significant in determining the phylogeny of the tribe. The most primitive group are the pentacarpellate genera; they are characterized by multilacunar nodes and numerous leaf traces which mostly remain free to the leaf apex; some of these become medullary bundles in the petiole. The more advanced bicarpellate genera have multilacunar or trilacunar nodes, still with many leaf traces in the case of Wallacea. These traces fuse in the blade, resulting in a siphonostele. The most advanced genera are tricarpellate and have trilacunar nodes with only three traces; these traces fuse, forming a siphonostele. There are no medullary bundles present in this last group of genera.     

AUREALCAULIS CROSSII GEN. ET SP. NOV., AN ARBORESCENT,OSMUNDACEOUS TRUNK FROM THE FORT UNION FORMATION (PALEOCENE), WYOMING

Aurealcaulis crossii gen. et sp. nov., is based on permineralized trunks of an osmundaceous tree fern from the Paleocene Fort Union Formation from near Bitter Creek Station of southwestern Wyoming. This new species is characterized by centripetal (exarch) development of its xylem strands which form part of the leaf traces. Most of the leaf traces depart the stele as two segments that fuse into a single C-shaped petiole vascular strand outside of the outer cortex. Stipular expansions of the petiole bases of this species lack sclerenchyma, and roots arise from the lateral edges of leaf traces in the inner cortex. The family Osmundaceae and subfamily Osmundoideae are slightly emended to accept genera assignable to this family and subfamily with exarch protoxylem in their steles. Foliage similar to Osmunda greenlandica (Heer) Brown, which is possibly the leaf form of A. crossii, occurred next to an axis of this species which was in growth position. This axis was anchored in a lignite suggesting that this species grew under swampy conditions. Aurealcaulis crossii is the first arborescent member of the Osmundaceae of Tertiary age and the second arborescent form in this family reported from the Northern Hemisphere.     

PERIASTRON RETICULATUM UNGER AND AEROCORTEX KENTUCKIENSIS,N. GEN. ET SP., FROM THE NEW ALBANY SHALE OF KENTUCKY

Segments of anatomically preserved axes of the Lower Mississippian genus, Periastron, are analyzed in detail, and new features of histology and the pattern of vascular bundles are described. The name P. perforatum is shown to be a synonym of P. reticulatum. Division and fusion of vascular bundles in the axis result in variation in both their number (5–10) and form (in transverse section, from circular to elongate). In none of the 13 specimens studied is there any evidence of traces to lateral appendages, providing, with other evidence, support for the position that Periastron represents the petiole of a large leaf. Aerocortex kentuckiensis, a new name, is established for two specimens that resemble Periastron but which differ from it in being characterized by 2–4 vascular bundles in contrast to the 5–10 (or 11?) of Periastron, and by having centrally, rather than peripherally, located secretory ducts. Aerocortex and Periastron might represent, respectively, proximal and distal regions of a petiole.     

ITOPSIDEMA,A NEW GENUS OF THE OSMUNDACEAE FROM THE TRIASSIC OF ARIZONA

Daugherty , Lyman H. (San Jose State College, San Jose, Calif.) Itopsidema, a new genus of the Osmundaceae from the Triassic of Arizona. Amer. Jour. Bot 47(9): 771–777. Illus. 1960.—Itopsidema vancleavei, a new genus and species of the family Osmundaceae, is described. The specimen consists of several segments of an arborescent stem obtained from the Upper Triassic of the Petrified Forest National Monument near Holbrook, Arizona. The surfaces on 2 of the segments are covered by adventitious roots and the remaining segments are covered by leaf bases. The fronds are spirally arranged and have an 8/21 phyllotaxy. The cortex of the stem, which contains numerous leaf traces and adventitious roots, consists of parenchyma with cell walls of medium thickness. The leaf traces are oblong to crescent-shaped in the inner cortex and horseshoe-shaped in the outer cortex. The base of the petiole contains a single, large vascular bundle and is covered by multicelled, glandular spines. The adventitious roots originate on the abaxial side of the leaf traces in the region of the inner cortex. The center of the stem is occupied by an ectophloic, mesarch siphonostele without leaf gaps. The pith is composed of firm-walled parenchyma cells which have isolated tracheids with reticulate pitting scattered among them. These tracheids are so rare the pith cannot be considered a “mixed pith.” The relationship and morphological significance of Itopsidema with respect to other members of the Osmundaceae are briefly discussed.     

INVESTIGATIONS OF ANGIOSPERMS FROM THE EOCENE OF NORTH AMERICA: STIPULATE LEAVES OF THE RUBIACEAE INCLUDING A PROBABLE POLYPLOID POPULATION

A comparative study was made of the gross morphology, fine venation and cuticular features of Leitneria fioridana Chapman, the single living representative of the order Leitneriales and Leitneria eocenica (Berry) Brown, presumbaly a related fossil species. In addition to the type material, newly collected fossil specimens were investigated from clay pits in the Middle Eocene, Claiborne Formation, of western Tennessee and Kentucky. Foliate stipules attached to the petioles of several specimens suggest the assignment of this fossil leaf type to the genus Leitneria is incorrect. The nature of the gross morphology, fine venation and cuticular features confirms the misidentification. Previously, various specimens of this fossil leaf type have been placed in eight species of seven genera in seven families of six angiosperm orders, none of which are correct systematically. The gross morphology, venation and cuticular characters of the fossil leaf are distributed among a few extant South American genera of arborescent Rubiaceae. The fossil is an extinct rubiaceous leaf type which cannot be placed within a single modern subfamily, tribe or genus of the family. The organ genus, Paleorubiaceophyllum is proposed for these leaves. Three varieties of a single fossil species, P. eocenicum, are recognized. One variety with epidermal cells nearly twice the size of the others may represent a polyploid population.     

THE SYSTEMATIC POSITION OF EOGINKGOITES

Eoginkgoites is a fan-shaped, imparipinnate leaf with a short rachis and long petiole. It was first described from the Upper Triassic Newark Group of Pennsylvania by Bock who assigned the fossil to the Ginkgoales. The fossil has also been found in the Upper Triassic Chinle Formation in Utah and Arizona and in the Newark Group in North Carolina. Investigation of the well-preserved specimens found in the Chinle Formation shows that the leaf has anastomosing venation, a marginal vein and paracytic (syndetocheilic) stomata. These characters indicate that the leaf is bennettitalean and Eoginkgoites is reassigned to the Bennettitales although its shape is perplexing. Eoginkgoites may be an important index fossil to the lower Upper Triassic (middle Carnian) rocks of North America.     

The first fossil record of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Polyrhachis</Emphasis> (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Formicinae) from the Upper Miocene of Crete (Greece)

Polyrhachis annosus n. sp., based on part and counterpart of a unique ant worker specimen from Late Miocene deposits of the island of Crete (Greece), is figured and described here. Features of P. annosus unique for the large recent genus Polyrhachis include a large first gastral segment, a scapus attached at some distance from the clypeus, and an alitrunk (mesosoma) and petiole each with a pair of teeth or spines. The new taxon represents the first occurrence of the genus in the fossil record. The origin and rise of one of the world’s largest and most distinct ant genera are still a puzzle, and closely related genera are quite diverse in Tertiary amber deposits. Interestingly, the abundance of Polyrhachis in Indonesian copal confirms the statement that their absence in Baltic amber is not casual.     

ETAPTERIS LECLERCQII SP. N., A ZYGOPTERID FERN FROM THE PENNSYLVANIAN OF NORTH AMERICA

The zygopterid fern Etapteris leclercqii sp. n. is described from Lower Pennsylvanian age coal balls from the Lewis Creek, Kentucky, locality. Isolated petioles extend up to 15.0 cm in length and 5.0 mm in diam; no lateral axes have been observed. The clepsydroid-shaped petiole trace is characterized by lateral arms that sharply taper and by the production of peripheral loops prior to the separation of pinna traces from the stele. Large irregularly shaped multicellular hairs are randomly scattered over the surface of the petioles. When compared with other currently recognized zygopterid ferns, E. leclercqii appears most similar to Metaclepsydropsis duplex. Based on the configuration of the leaf trace and the occurrence of peripheral loops, it is suggested that E. leclercqii may represent the most primitive species of the genus known to date.     

MUSOPSIS N. GEN.: A BANANA-LIKE LEAF GENUS FROM THE EARLY TERTIARY OF EASTERN NORTH GREENLAND

A fossil flora from the Late Paleocene-Early Eocene Thyra Ø Formation of eastern North Greenland (paleolatitude 77° N) has yielded monocotyledon leaf impressions with characters seen only in the closely related modem species in the families of Heliconiaceae, Musaceae, and Strelitziaceae. The combination of large costae widths and parallel, nonanastomosing, lateral veins that depart at right angles from the costae in the fossil material are features present only in leaves of extant species from these families. Three basic venation patterns also are recognized in the modem species of these families, but except for the genera Strelitzia and Phenakospermum, none of these patterns are present exclusively in any one family. Musopsis n. gen. is created for the fossil material from Greenland, but it is considered a form genus due to the lack of gross morphological features that can be used for separating leaves of the modem genera in Heliconiaceae, Musaceae, and Strelitiziaceae. It is the first known Arctic occurrence of fossil leaf material resembling this modem group of taxa.     

烤后不同霉变程度烟叶际真菌群落组成与多样性分析

【目的】为了解烤后不同霉变程度烟叶真菌群落组成与多样性。【方法】基于IlluminaMiSeq高通量测序平台对烤后烟叶叶柄和叶片叶际样品的真菌群落组成进行了分析。【结果】霉变重烟叶叶片(BQ)、霉变重烟叶叶柄(BZ)、霉变轻烟叶叶片(JQ)、霉变轻烟叶叶柄(JZ) 4类样品真菌分布于子囊菌门(Ascomycota)、担子菌门(Basidiomycota)、接合菌门(Zygomycota)等7个菌门、27个纲、58个目、104个科、171个属的360个真菌分类单元(OTUs)。不同霉变程度烟叶叶际真菌群落组成、分类单元的相对丰度及优势分类单元皆存在不同程度差异。在属的水平上,霉变重烟叶叶片(BQ)的优势菌属为Aspergillus (89.64%)、Myrothecium (2.54%)、Rhodotorula (2.48%)、Gibberella (1.49%);霉变重烟叶叶柄(BZ)的优势菌属为Aspergillus(96.93%)和Alternaria(1.92%);霉变轻烟叶叶片(JQ)的优势菌属为Aspergillus(40.13%)、Rhodotorula(31.81%)、Alternaria(16.75%);霉变轻烟叶叶柄(JZ)的优势菌属为Aspergillus (62.77%)、Alternaria (9.74%)、Rhodotorula (5.20%)。【结论】霉变轻烟叶叶片样品真菌群落的多样性最高,霉变轻烟叶叶柄的真菌群落丰富度最高。霉变重烟叶样品的叶片部位的真菌群落丰富度和多样性均高于叶柄。烟叶霉烂为烤房常见病害,其病原真菌种类多样,且广泛分布于烟叶和环境中。该研究结果为烤房烟叶霉烂病的防治可根据不同发病程度的不同部位的真菌群落构成特征,制定相应的防治方案提供了参考依据。     

A new species of Macaranga from the middle Miocene of Fujian,China and its significance

A well-preserved Macaranga leaf fossil from the middle Miocene Fotan Group of Zhangpu County, Fujian, South-eastern China is examined and described as a new species, Macaranga zhangpuensis Z.X. Wang et B.N. Sun sp. nov. The present fossil species represents the highest latitudinal distribution of a reliable Macaranga fossil in the world, and we present the first Macaranga fossil described with detailed cuticular characteristics from China. Based on the global palaeogeographic distribution of Macaranga, we infer that the genus probably originated during the Oligocene in Africa and spread from Africa to India and then to South Fujian, China, further into the Mariana Islands and finally into the Philippine Islands and Malaysia, leading to its present distribution. In addition, the new leaf material described herein is the first Macaranga fossil record with three leaf tips globally. This finding demonstrates that Macaranga with three leaf tips already existed during the Miocene in Fujian, South China, and it provides new information for understanding climatic changes between the Miocene and the present -day.     

INVESTIGATIONS OF NORTH AMERICAN CYCADEOIDS: TRUNKS FROM WYOMING

Delevoryas , Theodore . (University of Illinois, Urbana.) Investigations of North American cycadeoids: trunks from Wyoming . Amer. Jour. Bot. 47(9): 778–786. Illus. 1960.—A study was undertaken of the cycadeoid trunks from Wyoming to more fully understand the morphology and evolutionary significance of these trunks and to determine the validity of the genus Cycadella. The stem named Cycadeoidea (or Cycadella) utopiensis is not the same morphologically as those from Carbon County, Wyoming, and because of its unknown source, it is not a reliable specimen for the study of cycadeoids from the Morrison formation. The Morrison, Carbon County specimens included in Ward's genus Cycadella were shown to have trunk structure, leaf bases, and cones like those in Cycadeoidea. The cone vascular bundle is derived from a fusion of 4 leaf traces. From the fused bundle complex, 4 leaf traces are separated farther out in the cortex, and 1 of these supplies the subtending leaf. In spite of the relatively complex pattern of cone trace formation, there does not seem to be any significant means of distinguishing specimens called Cycadella from the more common Cycadeoidea. Furthermore, it is evident that the genus Cycadeoidea represents a fairly homogeneous group with a wide geographic and geologic range. Pattern of formation of cone traces is interpreted as possible further evidence for regarding cycadeoid cones as portions of foliar systems.     

FOSSIL LEAVES OF DENDROPANAX FROM EOCENE SEDIMENTS OF SOUTHEASTERN NORTH AMERICA

As part of a reinvestigation of the Eocene floras from southeastern North America, a leaf form similar to some that were formerly placed in the genus Aradia has been identified as Dendropanax. Studies of the fine venation and cuticular characters have been important in this identification. This is the first report of leaf material of the genus Dendropanax in the fossil record.     

Cobbania corrugata gen. et comb. nov. (Araceae): a floating aquatic monocot from the Upper Cretaceous of western North America

The fossil record of aquatic flowering plants broadens our understanding of their former diversity and origins from terrestrial ancestors. This paper describes a floating aquatic monocot from 71 whole plants and several isolated leaf fragments from Upper Cretaceous oxbow lake sediments in the Dinosaur Park Formation, Alberta, Canada. The new material is represented by rosettes of leaves and roots attached to short stems that are interconnected by stolons and corresponds to the fossil aroid originally described as Pistia corrugata Lesquereux. Up to six plants have been found interconnected on a single slab suggesting that these plants grew in extensive floating mats covering lakes and calm stretches of rivers. Stems have up to six leaves and large numbers of branched aquatic roots. The leaf is trumpet-shaped with an elongate clasping petiole, large aerenchymatous base, and a nearly circular blade rim. Leaf bases are often filled with sediment giving the leaf the appearance of having a basal pouch. Petioles have 6-9 veins that divide into an upper and lower set, and veins converge at an apical notch. A submarginal collective vein and at least two marginal veins with branching veins form the leaf rim. A series of dichotomizing and anastomosing veins characterize the adaxial leaf surface. Tertiary and quaternary veins form polygonal areolae. Leaf surfaces are covered in trichomes that, like those in Pistia stratiotes, probably aided in buoyancy. A reconstruction of the plant is presented. Based on unique leaf morphology, these fossil plants are clearly not assignable to the genus Pistia and are described as Cobbania corrugata (Lesquereux) Stockey, Rothwell et Johnson gen. et comb. nov. Recent systematic analyses using molecular characters resolve two separate origins of floating aquatic aroids included in the duckweeds and the genus Pistia. This new fossil genus increases our understanding of colonization of aquatic habitats by revealing a third possible origin of the floating aquatic habit within Araceae.     

优良单株家系辣木叶的表型性状分析

为挖掘辣木(Moranga oleifera)优良种质资源,对30个优良单株家系的叶片表型性状进行研究。结果表明,除叶形外,辣木不同家系间的叶柄和叶片颜色、复叶数、复叶柄长度和直径、复叶间距、叶长、叶宽均存在不同程度的差异。复叶数与复叶柄长度和直径、复叶间距、叶长、叶宽呈极显著正相关;主成分分析表明,叶长、叶宽、复叶柄长度和直径、复叶间距、叶柄和叶片颜色是区分辣木不同家系最主要的叶片性状指标。聚类分析结果表明,30个辣木家系可分为3大类,叶片表型性状存在显著差异的家系的遗传距离较远。因此,叶柄和叶片颜色、复叶数、复叶柄长度和直径、复叶间距、叶长、叶宽将为直观区分辣木家系提供参考。     

Comparative petiole anatomy of the tribe Sorbarieae (Rosaceae) provide new taxonomically informative characters

We conducted a comparative anatomical study of the petiole of 16 taxa belonging to the tribe Sorbarieae (Rosaceae) (Adenostoma, 2 spp.; Chamaebatiaria, 1 sp.; Sorbaria, 6 spp., 3 vars., and 1 forma; and Spiraeanthus, 1 sp.) and the related genus Lyonothamnus (1 sp. and 1 ssp.). The distal, medial and proximal regions of petioles were transversely sectioned using conventional embedding and staining methods. Cuticles, crystals, trichomes and pericyclic fiber patterns were observed and studied. Three types of vascular nodal patterns were recognized: Type 1 was seen in Chamaebatiaria, Lyonothamnus, and Spiraeanthus (simple‐trace nodal pattern with slightly curved or U‐shaped vascular bundle); type 2 was found in Adenostoma (multiple‐traces nodal pattern with free vascular bundles); and type 3 was unique to Sorbaria (bundles fused to form a siphonostele nodal pattern). Some petiolar anatomical characteristics (e.g. cuticles, crystals, trichomes, vascular nodal pattern, and pericyclic fiber patterns) were found to provide useful information for taxonomic studies within Sorbarieae. On the basis of these characteristics, a dichotomous key for identification at the generic/specific level is provided. We also report a structural change in the vascular bundles from the stem‐leaf transitional zone to the leaf medial zone.     

Preliminary palaeobotanical notes on the Early Cretaceous Cintura Formation (Sonora,Mexico)

The Cintura Formation of Albian–Cenomanian age in the Cabullona Basin yielded an important fossil flora, including palynomorphs, leaf impressions and fossil trunks. At the base of the Marquechi Member a poorly preserved palynomorph assemblage is recognised. The palynological assemblage is dominated by gymnosperms, mainly by cheirolepidiacean genus Classopollis. A noteworthy feature is the presence of angiosperm pollen grains of the genera Clavatipollenites, Retimonocolpites and Tucanopollis. A rich, diverse and well-preserved macroflora of leaf impressions has been observed in the uppermost part of this formation belonging to the San Juan Member. There are at least eight morphospecies of leaves including an abundance of taxa with possible botanical affinities to the family Sapindaceae. The angiosperm pollen grains together with the sapindalean leaves constitute the oldest record of such remains in Mexico.