过氧化氢对镉胁迫下水稻种子萌发的缓解效应

为了探讨外源H_2O_2对镉胁迫下水稻种子萌发受抑的缓解作用,以水稻品种‘中优169’为材料,通过培养皿滤纸发芽法,研究不同浓度H_2O_2对200μmol·L~(-1)镉胁迫下水稻种子萌发、幼苗生长及相关生理指标的影响。结果表明,在200μmol·L~(-1)镉胁迫下,水稻种子的萌发和幼苗生长表现出明显的抑制现象,发芽势、发芽指数、活力指数及幼苗的根长、芽长和可溶性蛋白含量均显著降低,MDA含量显著增加,POD活性上升,SOD、APX及CAT的活性显著受到抑制。较低浓度(≤10μmol·L~(-1))H_2O_2处理能不同程度地增加幼苗的根长、芽长、根鲜重和芽鲜重,提高镉胁迫下水稻种子的发芽指数和活力指数,增强SOD、POD和APX活性并降低MDA含量,从而缓解镉的毒害效应。其中5μmol·L~(-1) H_2O_2浸种处理对镉胁迫下水稻种子萌发和幼苗生长的缓解作用最好。高H_2O_2浓度对镉胁迫的缓解作用逐渐减弱,当H_2O_2浓度达到50μmol·L~(-1)时,会加重镉胁迫的毒性。表明适宜浓度的H_2O_2可以提高水稻幼苗抗氧化能力,缓解镉胁迫伤害。     

ABA对盐胁迫下侧柏活性氧代谢及其相关基因表达的研究

以侧柏幼苗为试验材料,采用水培方式,研究不同浓度NaCl(0、100、200、300和400mmol·L~(-1))以及ABA(0、0.5、1、10、100和200μmol·L~(-1)处理对盐胁迫下侧柏幼苗活性氧代谢的影响。结果显示:(1)随着NaCl处理浓度增加,侧柏幼苗叶片过氧化氢(H_2O_2)、丙二醛(MDA)、谷胱甘肽(GSH)和脯氨酸含量,以及抗氧化物酶(SOD、POD和CAT)活性呈上升趋势,而可溶性蛋白含量降低。(2)于300mmol·L~(-1)NaCl胁迫处理48h后进行ABA(1和10μmol·L~(-1))处理,分析发现侧柏幼苗叶片的SOD、POD和CAT活性提高,GSH、脯氨酸和可溶性蛋白含量增加,H_2O_2和MDA的积累减少。(3)NaCl胁迫后,侧柏幼苗叶片活性氧代谢相关基因(Cu/Zn-SOD、CAT、GR、APX、MDAR和GST)的表达水平随ABA浓度增加呈先升后降的趋势,并于10μmol·L~(-1) ABA处理48h时达到峰值。研究表明,适宜浓度ABA通过促进盐胁迫下侧柏幼苗叶片的抗氧化物酶活性,提高渗透调节能力,增加GSH含量,降低H_2O_2和MDA积累,从而有效降低活性氧对侧柏叶片的伤害,保护细胞膜结构的完整,增强其抗盐性。     

外源ABA对大蒜试管苗玻璃化发生和抗氧化系统的影响

以大蒜品种‘二水早’试管苗为材料,从活性氧代谢的角度研究了外源ABA、H_2O_2和H_2O_2+ABA处理下的试管苗玻璃化率、活性氧积累与组织定位和抗氧化系统的响应特征,探讨ABA缓解试管苗玻璃化过程的机理。结果表明:(1)外源H_2O_2处理可诱导大蒜试管苗玻璃化发生,外源ABA处理下玻璃化率最低,可以缓解H_2O_2诱导的玻璃化的发生。(2)试管苗O_2~产生速率和H_2O_2含量在H_2O_2处理下最高,在ABA处理下最低;在添加H_2O_2的培养基中同时添加ABA能显著减少因外源H_2O_2处理引起的O_2~产生和H_2O_2积累。(3)试管苗CAT、POD和APX活性在外源H_2O_2处理前期(0~8d)均上升并显著高于对照,但其CAT、APX活性在处理后期(8~16d)下降,其同期POD活性也增加缓慢;各抗氧化酶的活性在外源ABA与H_2O_2+ABA处理前期(0~8d)均呈直线上升趋势,而它们在H_2O_2+ABA处理后期(8~16d)均显著高于H_2O_2处理。(4)各处理试管苗抗坏血酸和谷胱甘肽含量随处理时间先升高后降低,并以外源ABA处理下最高,外源H_2O_2处理下最低。(5)试管苗O_2~和H_2O_2产生部位主要在基部和叶尖,且外源ABA处理下组织中ROS的积累最少。(6)在ABA+H_2O_2处理下,大蒜试管苗内丙二醛含量和膜相对透性显著低于对照和H_2O_2处理。研究发现,外源ABA处理可有效降低大蒜试管苗的内源O_2~产生速率和H_2O_2含量,提高抗氧化酶活性和抗氧化物质含量,抑制活性氧在试管苗内的产生和运输,显著降低试管苗玻璃化率;外源ABA可通过增强大蒜试管苗抗氧化能力来抑制玻璃化发生。     

主成分分析不同浓度CaCl_2对NaCl胁迫下‘达米娜’葡萄的缓解效应

为探讨钙对葡萄盐害的缓解效应,研究了200 mmol·L~(-1) NaCl胁迫下,不同浓度CaCl_2对‘达米娜’葡萄沙培一年生自根苗的影响。结果显示:NaCl胁迫下,‘达米娜’葡萄根系、叶片相对电导率、叶片超氧阴离子自由基(O_2ˉ·)产生速率和过氧化氢(H_2O_2)含量显著升高,而超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、过氧化物酶(POD)和抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)活性显著降低,新梢长度和总生物量显著降低。5和10 mmol·L~(-1) CaCl_2显著降低了NaCl胁迫下根系、叶片相对电导率、叶片O_2ˉ·产生速率和H_2O_2含量。CaCl_2显著缓解了NaCl胁迫下SOD和CAT活性的下降,15 mmol·L~(-1) CaCl_2显著缓解了POD活性的下降,而10、15和20 mmol·L~(-1) CaCl_2显著缓解了APX活性的下降。高浓度(25 mmol·L~(-1))CaCl_2处理的叶片相对电导率、O_2ˉ·产生速率和H_2O_2含量显著高于NaCl胁迫的,而POD、APX活性、新梢长和植株总生物量与NaCl胁迫的差异不显著。主成分分析表明10 mmol·L~(-1)是CaCl_2缓解200 mmol·L~(-1) NaCl胁迫对‘达米娜’葡萄的最适浓度,可能与叶片中较高的抗氧化酶活性和较少的活性氧积累有关。     

α-萘乙酸对低温胁迫下油菜幼苗抗寒性的影响

为探究α-萘乙酸(NAA)对植物抗寒性的影响,以白菜型冬油菜‘陇油6号’为试验材料,经4℃、NAA+4℃、NAA+4℃+DPI(NADPH氧化酶抑制剂)、NAA+4℃+DMTU(H_2O_2清除剂)、NAA+4℃+U0126(MAPK抑制剂)和NAA+4℃+Tungstate(NO生成抑制剂)处理后,研究其对‘陇油6号’油菜的活性氧(H_2O_2和O_2~(-·))含量,抗氧化酶活性,丙二醛(MDA)、可溶性糖、脯氨酸和叶绿素含量,抗氧化酶基因(APX、CAT、GR、SOD)、Rboh A-F、MAPK3/4/6、CBF和ICE1基因表达量的影响。结果表明:与4℃低温处理相比,NAA+4℃处理下油菜根系中的细胞活性、H_2O_2和O_2~(-·)含量以及叶片中的MDA含量均降低;根系中的抗氧化酶(CAT、SOD、APX和POD)活性、叶片中的可溶性糖及脯氨酸含量、叶绿素含量、上述相关基因的表达量均升高,说明α-萘乙酸处理油菜可显著提高低温胁迫下油菜幼苗的抗氧化能力、光合能力和相关基因的表达,增强油菜幼苗的抗寒性。与NAA+4℃处理相比,NAA+4℃+抑制剂(DPI、DMTU、U0126和Tungstate)处理下油菜幼苗中叶绿素含量、抗氧化酶基因表达量、Rboh A-F、MAPK3/4/6、CBF和ICE1基因表达量均呈不同程度降低,说明H_2O_2和NO信号分子、NADPH氧化酶和MAP激酶级联途径均参与了α-萘乙酸增强油菜幼苗耐寒性过程的调控。     

小麦TaWRKYⅢ-A37和TaWRKYⅡc-D2基因的克隆与表达分析

为了探究小麦(Triticum aestivum L.)WRKY基因的功能,采用同源克隆的方法,从小麦品种‘科农199’中克隆得到2个WRKY基因,分别命名为TaWRKYⅢ-A37和TaWRKYⅡc-D2,并对其进行生物信息学分析和不同逆境胁迫下的表达分析。生物信息学分析显示,TaWRKYⅢ-A37和TaWRKYⅡc-D2基因都含有2个内含子和3个外显子,分别编码206和138个氨基酸,编码蛋白都属于亲水性不稳定非分泌型的核蛋白。系统进化分析表明,TaWRKYⅢ-A37蛋白与其两个同源拷贝的亲缘关系最近,而TaWRKYⅡc-D2蛋白与粗山羊草亲缘关系最近。qRT-PCR结果表明,TaWRKYⅢ-A37和TaWRKYⅡc-D2基因在小麦根、茎和叶中均有表达,前者在根中表达量最高,后者在叶中表达量最高,二者均在茎中低表达;在苗期TaWRKYⅢ-A37基因受到PEG、H_2O_2和ABA胁迫后表达上调,NaCl处理后4～8 h内表达下调且低于对照表达水平,而且在灌浆期受到PEG、NaCl、H_2O_2和ABA胁迫后表达均上调;苗期TaWRKYⅡc-D2基因在NaCl、H_2O_2和ABA胁迫后表达下调,PEG处理2 h时表达上调且高于对照表达水平,并且在灌浆期经PEG和NaCl胁迫后表达下调,受H_2O_2和ABA胁迫后表达上调。该研究结果为深入探究TaWRKYⅢ-A37和TaWRKYⅡc-D2基因的抗逆功能奠定了理论基础。     

番茄SlGRAS4基因特征分析和耐热功能鉴定

GRAS转录因子是调控植物生长发育和非生物胁迫响应的重要转录因子之一,而目前还没有GRAS调控高温胁迫的研究。为了深入研究番茄SlGRAS4生物功能,以耐热番茄LA2093为试验材料,分析番茄SlGRAS4基因结构、启动子序列及进化关系,利用qRT-PCR检测SlGRAS4在不同胁迫和不同激素处理下的表达水平,利用VIGS验证SlGRAS4基因耐热功能。结果表明:(1)生物信息学分析显示,SlGRAS4蛋白长度为666 aa,分子量为75 737.72 Da,理论等电点为6.31,含有GRAS转录因子家族典型的结构域,主要集中在C末端的277～657 aa之间;在SlGRAS4启动子区域发现脱落酸(ABA)和水杨酸(SA)响应元件;SlGRAS4与烟草NtGRAS1蛋白亲缘关系最近,推测SlGRAS4可能与其同源基因具有相似的生物功能。(2)在高温、低温、盐和干旱胁迫处理12 h时番茄SlGRAS4基因表达量升至最高,分别增加到对照的8.86、4.86、55.38和7.63倍;在ABA和SA激素处理8 h时SlGRAS4基因的表达量达到峰值,分别达到对照的120.72和3.55倍,说明SlGRAS4可能参与了多种非生物胁迫响应和激素信号传导。(3)沉默SlGRAS4基因番茄植株(VSlGRAS4)在高温胁迫下较对照植株(Ve)更容易萎蔫,且F_v/F_m与SOD、POD活性显著降低,REL和H_2O_2含量显著升高,说明在高温胁迫下沉默SlGRAS4使番茄植株细胞膜氧化损伤加重,光合能力降低,活性氧(ROS)清除酶活性减弱。(4)qRT-PCR分析显示,VSlGRAS4植株中高温信号应答关键基因HsfA1b、ROS信号应答基因ZAT10和ZAT12以及ROS清除酶编码基因CuZnSOD、FeSOD、APX1、APX2、CAT的表达水平均显著低于Ve植株,表明SlGRAS4转录因子可以通过调控高温和ROS信号转导来影响番茄的耐热性。研究认为,高温、低温、干旱、盐、ABA和SA均可显著诱导番茄SlGRAS4基因的表达,沉默SlGRAS4基因番茄植株的耐热性显著降低,证明番茄SlGRAS4基因具有耐热功能,为进一步解析SlGRAS4参与番茄耐热调控的分子机制奠定基础。     

一氧化氮在脱落酸诱导的玉米叶片亚细胞抗氧化防护中的作用

研究了ABA诱导NO产生的来源以及NO在ABA诱导的玉米叶片H2O2累积和亚细胞水平抗氧化中的作用。ABA诱导玉米叶片NO的产生以及NOS活性增加,NOS抑制剂抑制这种增加。NO清除剂和NR抑制剂预处理也抑制了ABA诱导的NO产生,但是并不影响ABA诱导的NOS活性,结果提示了ABA诱导的NO的产生来源于NOS和NR2条途径。NO清除剂、NOS抑制剂和NR抑制剂预处理抑制了ABA和H2O2诱导的抗氧化防护酶基因SOD4、cAPX、GR1的表达和叶绿体及细胞溶质抗氧化酶活性的增加,表明NO参与ABA和H2O2诱导的玉米亚细胞抗氧化防护系统。另一方面,以NO供体SNP预处理减少了ABA诱导的H2O2的累积,而c—PTIO逆转了SNP减少ABA诱导的H2O2累积的作用。SNP处理诱导了亚细胞抗氧化酶活性的增加,用c—PTIO预处理抑制了这种增加。实验结果表明ABA诱导H2O2和INO产生,NO上调了玉米亚细胞抗氧化防护酶活性,进而防止玉米叶片中H2O2的过量累积。因此在玉米ABA诱导的信号转导中有一个NO和H2O2负反馈环。     

NaCl胁迫对秋茄幼苗根系抗氧化系统的影响

为探讨红树植物秋茄(Kandelia candel)幼苗根系抗氧化系统对盐胁迫的生理响应,以Hoagland完全营养液沙培秋茄幼苗60 d后,用不同浓度NaCl处理秋茄根系1、3、5、7 d,对其生理生化指标的变化进行研究。结果表明,胁迫相同天数,200和400 mmol L~(-1) NaCl处理的秋茄根系O_2~(-·)和H_2O_2含量保持较低水平,而600 mmol L~(-1) NaCl处理的则明显增加;MDA含量在200和400 mmol L~(-1) NaCl处理下保持稳定,而600 mmol L~(-1) NaCl处理的显著升高;SOD、POD、CAT、APX和GR活性随NaCl浓度升高总体上表现先上升后下降的趋势,处理3和5 d后的酶活性均显著高于对照,而600 mmol L~(-1) NaCl处理7 d后的酶活性明显低于对照;AsA和GSH含量总体上均明显高于对照。因此,秋茄幼苗是通过根系功能较强的抗氧化系统清除活性氧以提高植株的耐盐性。     

一氧化氮对强光胁迫下高羊茅叶片抗氧化系统的调节效应

在强光胁迫下,采用水培法,使用外源NO和去除内源NO措施,研究了NO对2个高羊茅(Arid3和Houndog5)品种的抗氧化系统的调节作用.结果表明,Arid3的内源NO比对照增加201.5%,而Houndog5仅增加21.1%.Houndog5发生严重氧化损伤,电解质渗出率和丙二醛(MDA)含量分别比对照增加72.6%和85.1%,而Arid3受到的伤害较轻,分别比对照增加36.1%和30.1%.使用O.2 mmol·L~(-1)的NO专一清除剂2,4-羧基苯-4,4,5,5-四甲基咪唑-1-氧-3-氧化物(PTIO)清除内源NO,加剧强光胁迫对Arid3与Houndog5氧化伤害.应用0.1 mmol·L~(-1)的外源NO供体硝普钠(SNP)能降低强光胁迫造成的Arid3和Houndog5 叶片脂氧合酶(LOX)活性,降低超氧自由基(O_2)产生速率和质膜相对透性的增加以及MDA和H_2O_2的累积;同时,O.1 mmol·L~(-1)的SNP还能够诱导过氧化物酶(POD)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、抗坏血酸氧化物酶(APX)和谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)活性.而外源NO的保护作用被PTIO逆转.上述结果暗示,NO可能作为一个活性分子诱导抗氧化物酶的活性,减轻强光胁迫下2个高羊茅品种氧化损伤.     

Foreign exploration for Scirtothrips perseae Nakahara (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) and associated natural enemies on avocado (Persea americana Miller)

Scirtothrips perseae Nakahara was discovered attacking avocados in California, USA, in 1996. Host plant surveys in California indicated that S. perseae has a highly restricted host range with larvae being found only on avocados, while adults were collected from 11 different plant species. As part of a management program for this pest, a “classical” biological control program was initiated and foreign exploration was conducted to delineate the home range of S. perseae, to survey for associated natural enemies and inventory other species of phytophagous thrips on avocados grown in Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Trinidad, and Brazil. Foreign exploration efforts indicate that S. perseae occurs on avocados grown at high altitudes (>1500 m) from Uruapan in Mexico south to areas around Guatemala City in Guatemala. In Costa Rica, S. perseae is replaced by an undescribed congener as the dominant phytophagous thrips on avocados grown at high altitudes (>1300 m). No species of Scirtothrips were found on avocados in the Dominican Republic, Trinidad, or Brazil. In total, 2136 phytophagous thrips were collected and identified, representing over 47 identified species from at least 19 genera. The significance of these species records is discussed. Of collected material 4% were potential thrips biological control agents. Natural enemies were dominated by six genera of predatory thrips (Aeolothrips, Aleurodothrips, Franklinothrips, Leptothrips, Scolothrips, and Karnyothrips). One genus each of parasitoid (Ceranisus) and predatory mite (Balaustium) were found. Based on the results of our sampling techniques, prospects for the importation of thrips natural enemies for use in a “classical” biological control program in California against S. perseae are not promising.     

Phylogeny of cardinalfishes (Teleostei: Gobiiformes: Apogonidae) and the evolution of visceral bioluminescence

The cardinalfishes (Apogonidae) are a diverse clade of small, mostly reef-dwelling fishes, for which a variety of morphological data have not yielded a consistent phylogeny. We use DNA sequence to hypothesize phylogenetic relationships within Apogonidae and among apogonids and other acanthomorph families, to examine patterns of evolution including the distribution of a visceral bioluminescence system. In conformance with previous studies, Apogonidae is placed in a clade with Pempheridae, Kurtidae, Leiognathidae, and Gobioidei. The apogonid genus Pseudamia is recovered outside the remainder of the family, not as sister to the superficially similar genus Gymnapogon. Species sampled from the Caribbean and Western Atlantic (Phaeoptyx, Astrapogon, and some Apogon species) form a clade, as do the larger-bodied Glossamia and Cheilodipterus. Incidence of visceral bioluminescence is found scattered throughout the phylogeny, independently for each group in which it is present. Examination of the fine structure of the visceral bioluminescence system through histology shows that light organs exhibit a range of morphologies, with some composed of complex masses of tubules (Siphamia, Pempheris, Parapriacanthus) and others lacking tubules but containing chambers formed by folds of the visceral epithelium (Acropoma, Archamia, Jaydia, and Rhabdamia). Light organs in Siphamia, Acropoma, Pempheris and Parapriacanthus are distinct from but connected to the gut; those in Archamia, Jaydia, and Rhabdamia are simply portions of the intestinal tract, and are little differentiated from the surrounding tissues. The presence or absence of symbiotic luminescent bacteria does not correlate with light organ structure; the tubular light organs of Siphamia and chambered tubes of Acropoma house bacteria, those in Pempheridae and the other Apogonidae do not.     

Biological control of three floating water weeds,<Emphasis Type="Italic">Eichhornia crassipes,Pistia stratiotes</Emphasis>, and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Salviniamolesta</Emphasis> in the Republic of Congo

Since 1999, four specific weevils (Coleoptera, Curculionidae) were released in the Republic of Congo against three exotic floating water weeds: Neochetina eichhorniae Warner and N. bruchi Hustache against water hyacinth, Neohydronomus affinis Hustache against water lettuce, and Cyrtobagous salviniae Calder and Sands against water fern. Recoveries of exotic weevils were made from all 24 release sites except one, and all four species have established and spread (up to 800 km for water hyacinth weevils). Within a few years of releases, control of water fern and water lettuce was such that fishing and navigation could be resumed, while reductions of water hyacinth populations were only beginning.     

A molecular phylogeny of Hebeloma species from Europe

In order to widen the scope of existing phylogenies of the ectomycorrhizal agaric genus Hebeloma a total of 53 new rDNA ITS sequences from that genus was generated, augmented by sequences retrieved from GenBank, and analysed using Bayesian, strict consensus and neighbour joining methods. The lignicolous Hebelomina neerlandica, Gymnopilus penetrans, and two species of Galerina served as outgroup taxa. Anamika indica, as well as representatives of the genera Hymenogaster and Naucoria, were included to test the monophyly of Hebeloma, which is confirmed by the results. Hebeloma, Naucoria, Hymenogaster and Anamika indica cluster in a strongly supported monophyletic hebelomatoid clade. All trees largely reflect the current infrageneric classification within Hebeloma, and divide the genus into mostly well-supported monophyletic groups surrounding H. crustuliniforme, H. velutipes, H. sacchariolens, H. sinapizans, and H. radicosum, with H. sarcophyllum being shown at an independent position; however this is not well supported. The section Indusiata divides with strong support into three groups, the position of the pleurocystidiate Hebeloma cistophilum suggests the possible existence of a third subsection within sect. Indusiata. Subsection Sacchariolentia is raised to the rank of section.     

Taxonomic status of the species of the green algal genusNeochloris

Komárek has recently reviewed the various species assigned to the green algal genusNeochloris Starr (Chlorococcales, Chlorococcaceae) and removed those with uninucleate vegetative cells to a new genus,Ettlia. Watanabe & Floyd, unaware ofKomárek's work, also reviewed the species ofNeochloris and distributed them among three genera—Neochloris, Chlorococcopsis gen. nov., andParietochloris gen. nov.—on the basis of details of the covering of the zoospore and the arrangement of the basal bodies of the flagellar apparatus. This paper reconciles these two treatments and makes additional recommendations at the ranks of genus, family, order, and class.     

Die GattungKarschia — Bindeglied zwischen bitunicaten Ascomyceten und lecanoralen Flechtenpilzen?

The genusKarschia, in the earlier sense, including saprophytes and parasites on lichens, has been thought to be a non-lichenized parallel genus of the lichen genusBuellia. Modern workers included it on the one hand inBuellia, on the other hand combined it with bitunicate ascomycetes. It is now proved thatKarschia is heterogeneous and contains but superficially similar members both of the genusBuellia of theLecanorales and of typical or masked bitunicateAscomycetes. Therefore, it can not be regarded as a link betweenLecanorales andDothideales. The type species ofKarschia belongs to theDothideales.

     

Demographic characteristics of an intertidal bay goby (Lepidogobius lepidus)

Synopsis In a fourteen month study (May 1976 – June 1977) I examined the following characteristics of an intertidal bay goby (Lepidogobius lepidus) in Morro Bay, California, U.S.A.: annual and seasonal patterns of abundance, age composition and growth rates, survivorship and mortality patterns, and the reproductive cycle for female gobies. Fishes were collected with the aid of quinaldine and otoliths and ovaries removed. Age and growth rates were estimated from otolith annuli using a back calculation formula and a Brody-Bertalanffy growth curve. Mortality rates were derived using the methods of Heincke (1913), Robson & Chapman (1960), mean age, and a catch curve (Ricker 1975). A gonad index was used to describe the annual reproductive cycle. Results indicated that abundance fluctuated seasonally and that these fluctuations appeared to be caused by reproductive emigrations. Bay gobies reached an age of 7+ and a standard length of 87 mm. Growth was relatively constant (6 mm yr⁻¹) until age 5, at which point it began to decline. The mean rates of survivorship, mortality, and instantaneous mortality were 0.75, 0.25, and 0.29 respectively. Mortality rates for individual age classes ranged from 0.13 to 0.51 and increased with age. This stock appears to reproduce mainly during the winter.     

Systematic significance of mature embryo of bamboos

The mature embryo of seven species belonging to five genera of Indian bamboos is described. In all these the basic pattern of embryo organisation is same: the scutellar and coleoptilar bundles are not separated by an internode, the epiblast is absent, the lower portion of the scutellum and the coleorhiza are separated by a cleft and the margins of embryonic leaves overlap. The features unique to fleshy fruited bamboos are: presence of a massive scutellum, the juxtaposition of plumule and radicle and the occurrence of a bud in the axil of the coleoptile. The fleshy fruit bearing bamboos should be classified into one group, the tribeMelocanneae. Evidence is provided to recognise additional groups in the subfamilyBambusoideae.