Plantago ser. Sericeae, a taxonomic revision

Plantago ser. Sericeae Rahn belongs to subgen. Psyllium (Juss.) Harms sect. Gnaphaloides Barn. It is distributed in the mountains from Mexico along the Andes to Argentina. Seven species are recognized: P. nivea H. B. K., P. tolucensis Pilger, P. linearis H. B. K., P. lamprophylla Pilger, P. grandiflora Meyen, P. bismarckii Niederlein, and P. sericea H. B. K., the last with 7 subspecies and 3 varieties.     

Phenetic and phylogenetic analysis of Reinhardtia (Palmae)

Principal component analysis and cluster analysis of morphometric data divide specimens of Reinhardtia into six groups, corresponding to the six species recognized in the most recent revisions. Discriminant analysis classifies specimens into these six species with 100% success. Five species occur in lowland to montane moist forests in Central America, from Mexico to Panama, and just reach Colombia; one species occurs in montane moist forests in Hispaniola. Three species have large stems and are rare, patchily distributed, and seldom collected. The other three species have small stems, are common and frequently collected, but also patchily distributed. One species of small plants, R. gracilis, exhibits considerable variability. Within this species, seven distinct groups can be recognized, although sample size is limited. Among species, there is a phyletic decrease in size of plants, from the basal species with large stems to derived species with small stems. For leaves and inflorescences there is also an associated decrease in size, but one species does not follow this trend. In this species, R. latisecta, there is evidence of a large ontogenetic change in leaf development. Phyletic decrease in size corresponds to a latitudinal and elevational gradient suggesting speciation has taken place from north to south and from high to low elevation. However, this pattern is obscured disjunct distributions in some species.     

Plantago ser. Hispidulae, a taxonomic revision Knud Rahn

Plantago ser. Hispidulae Rahn belongs to subgen. Psyllium (Juss.) Harms sect. Gnaphaloides Barn. 5 species are recognized, they are all narrow–leaved annuals confined to the area west of the Andes. P. limensis Pers. occurs in Peru; P. litorea Phil., P. hispidula Ruiz & Pav., and P. rancagua Steud. in those parts of Chile with drought during the summer, and P. lundborgii Sparre on the island of San Ambrosio. Flowers are cleistogamic with small corolla lobes and small anthers, very rarely chasmogamic with larger corolla lobes and anthers. Experiments demonstrated that pollination is necessary for development of seeds in cleistogamic flowers, and that transfer of pollen from one such flower to another is almost impossible.     

Phenetic relationships inClerodendrum (Verbenaceae) and some phylogenetic considerations

Cluster analyses by different methods and a minimum spanning tree were used to study phenetic relationships in the genusChlerodendrum. 129 species were scored for 52 morphological characters corresponding to 119 character states. The phenetic results suggest a classification into 7 distinct groups, which may be grouped into two subgenera. This classification is supported by the iridoid distribution as well as by some phylogenetic considerations.     

Phenetic comparison of sevenEchinacea species based on immunomodulatory characteristics

The purpose of the present investigation was to compare similarities and differences in immune response among Echinacea species, which are commonly used to treat upper respiratory infections. The investigation involved two components: acquisition of immunomodulatory data reported here for the first time, and combined phenetic analysis of these data along with previous reports. Experimental data were obtained by stimulating human PBMC in vitro with extracts from Echinacea spp. and assaying production of three cytokines (interleukin-1β [IL-1β] interleukin-2 [IL-2], and tumor necrosis factor α [TNF-α]). Phenetic analyses were employed to compare responses across the entire data set, including UPGMA (Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic Mean) and neighbor-joining methods. In the immune experiments conducted for this investigation, E. angustifolia,E. paradoxa, E. purpurea, E. simulata, andE. tennesseensis extracts significantly augmented IL-1 β and TNF-α production, whereas no extracts significantly modulated IL-2. All phenetic methods produced similar dendrograms, revealing two species pairs (E. angustifolia + E. simulata and E. pallida + E.sanguinea) where both species cluster tightly and have similar immune-response profiles. These two species-pairs are maximally dissimilar from each other. The remaining species (E. paradoxa, E. purpurea, and E. tennesseensis) occupy intermediate positions in the dendrogram. Our results suggest that Echinacea spp. act heterogeneously on immune function. The utility of these data for science and industry is discussed.     

Molecular phylogenetic studies on the Diatrypaceae based on rDNA-ITS sequences

The order Diatrypales (Ascomycota) contains one single family, the Diatrypaceae. To obtain insight in the phylogenetic relationships within this family, the complete sequences of the ITS region (ITS1, 5.8S rRNA gene and ITS2) of 53 isolates from the five main genera in the family (Diatrype, Diatrypella, Cryptosphaeria, Eutypa and Eutypella) were determined and aligned for phylogenetic reconstruction. Sequence analysis revealed the presence of tandem repeated motifs 11 nucleotides-long, placed in homologous positions along the ITS1 region. Parsimony analysis established the existence of nine monophyletic groups and one branch with a single isolate of Eutypella quaternata. The phylogenetic relationships established by parsimony analysis did not correlate well with classical taxonomic schemes. None of the five genera included in this study was found to be monophyletic. The genera Diatrype, Eutypa and Cryptosphaeria each were divided into two groups. Isolates of Diatrype flavovirens appeared in a clade separated from the one that grouped Diatrype disciformis and the rest of Diatrype species. The Eutypa strains appeared distributed into two clades, one grouping Eutypa lata and related species (Eutypa armeniacae, Eutypa laevata, Eutypa petrakii), and another with the remaining species of the genus. Eutypella (excluding Eutypella quaternaria) appeared as an unstable monophyletic group, which was lost when the sequence alignment was subjected to neighbor-joining analysis. The genus Diatrypella was not associated with any monophyletic group, suggesting that the multisporate asci character has appeared several times during the evolution of the group. Overall, our study suggests the need to revise many of the concepts usually applied to the classification of members of the family.     

Phenetic studies in Nuphar Sm. (Nymphaeaceae):variation in sect. Nuphar

Previous taxonomic assessments of the hydrophytic genus Nuphar Sm. (Nymphaeaceae) have inadequately considered the range of morphological variation existing in the genus. A comprehensive statistical analysis of morphological features among the recognized taxa of Nuphar is presented here, first using 10 fruit characters to delimit the separation of two infrageneric groups of taxa, and secondly using 31 characters to quantify the morphological variation found within sect. Nuphar. Results from combined phenetic analyses provided empirical support for recognition of two infrageneric groups of species in the genus (largely by fruit, stigmatic disk margin, neck, and stigmatic disk size) and for separation of taxa within sect. Nuphar (by leaf size, and fruit disk and neck size). Statistical analyses demonstrate that extensive variation in ranges of character states exists among sect. Nuphar taxa. However, a suite of qualitative and quantitative characters can be used to recognize five species and three subspecies within this predominantly Old World assemblage.     

Molecular phylogenetic studies of Lachnum and its allies based on the Japanese material

Molecular phylogenetic studies were carried out based on ITS-5.8S rDNA, the D1–D2 region of the large subunit rRNA gene, RPB2, and combined data of D1–D2 and RPB2 as well as these three genes on 36 species among 7 genera for Lachnum and allied genera in the family Hyaloscyphaceae. In the combined data of all three regions, seven strongly supported clades were obtained. The same clades were also recognized in most of the trees based on each gene, and the combined data of D1–D2 and RPB2, although some of them were not strongly supported. Four clades represented Albotricha, Brunnipila, Incrucipulum, and Lachnellula, respectively, whereas Lachnum was distributed to the remaining three clades. The molecular phylogenies strongly supported a group of species with granulate hairs, and we suggest the concept of Lachnaceae should be restricted to these species. Based on the molecular phylogenetic analysis, three new combinations—Incrucipulum longispineum, I. radiatum, and Lachnellula pulverulentum from Lachnum—are proposed.     

Establishment of Plantago lanceolata L. and Plantago major L. among grass

Summary Establishment of Plantago lanceolata and P. major ssp major among grass was studied in a field experiment in which survival and selection on date of seedling emergence and plant size was investigated in relation to the vegetation structure. P. major — in contrast to P. lanceolata — was not able to establish itself in grass because of its lower competitive ability caused by later germination, smaller seedling size, and shorter leaves. In both species there was selection for early germination. For P. lanceolata a significant correlation was found between the strength of selection and the light climate, determined by the structure of the grass sward. Plants that germinated early were at an advantage because they were larger, especially the leaves, when compared with plants that germinated late. It seems likely that selection was mainly by competition for light. Contrary to expectation P. major-seedlings had a higher shade tolerance than those of P. lanceolata. The performance of both species is discussed in relation to their different life strategies.Grassland species research group publication no 142     

A calcaneus attributable to the primitive late eocene anthropoid Proteopithecus sylviae: Phenetic affinities and phylogenetic implications

A well‐preserved calcaneus referrable to Proteopithecus sylviae from the late Eocene Quarry L‐41 in the Fayum Depression, Egypt, provides new evidence relevant to this taxon's uncertain phylogenetic position. We assess morphological affinities of the new specimen using three‐dimensional geometric morphometric analyses with a comparative sample of primate calcanei representing major extinct and extant radiations (n = 58 genera, 106 specimens). Our analyses reveal that the calcaneal morphology of Proteopithecus is most similar to that of the younger Fayum parapithecid Apidium. Principal components analysis places Apidium and Proteopithecus in an intermediate position between primitive euprimates and crown anthropoids, based primarily on landmark configurations corresponding to moderate distal elongation, a more distal position of the peroneal tubercle, and a relatively “unflexed” calcaneal body. Proteopithecus and Apidium are similar to cercopithecoids and some omomyiforms in having an ectal facet that is more tightly curved, along with a larger degree of proximal calcaneal elongation, whereas other Fayum anthropoids, platyrrhines and adapiforms have a more open facet with less proximal elongation. The similarity to cercopithecoids is most plausibly interpreted as convergence given the less tightly curved ectal facets of stem catarrhines. The primary similarities between Proteopithecus and platyrrhines are mainly in the moderate distal elongation and the more distal position of the peroneal tubercle, both of which are not unique to these groups. Proteopithecus and Apidium exhibit derived anthropoid features, but also a suite of primitive retentions. The calcaneal morphology of Proteopithecus is consistent with our cladistic analysis, which places proteopithecids as a sister group of Parapithecoidea. Am J Phys Anthropol 151:372–397, 2013.© 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

A phylogenetic study of titi monkeys,genusCallicebus, based on cranial measurements: I. Phyletic groups ofCallicebus

Examinations of 23 forms ofCallicebus were made to elucidate their phylogenetic relationships based on cranial measurements. Multivariate statistical methods of distance analysis utilizing Q-mode correlation coefficients and principal component analysis were employed. As a result, the following five distinct groups were recognized morphometrically among the 23 species and subspecies: theDonacophilus, Cupreus, Moloch, Personatus, andTorquatus groups. Moreover, the phenetic characters of cranial size, karyotype, pelage coloration, and geographic range were consistent with the results of this group classification. It could be safely concluded therefore that these groups represented phylogenetically independent groups, in view of the fact that the rate of character differentiation was not appreciably different among closely related groups. Of the five groups, thePersonatus andTorquatus groups were respectively considered to maintain a higher peculiarity of character differentiation within theCallicebus phylogeny, since these two groups individually displayed the higher magnitudes of differentiation in both their craniometric shape and some phenetic features. Conversely, the other three groups were considered to be closer to each other in theCallicebus phylogeny.     

A new species and molecular phylogeny of Brazilian succulent Euphorbia sect. Brasilienses

A new species of Euphorbia sect. Brasilienses V.W. Steinm. & Dorsey is described. Euphorbia tetrangularis Hurbath & Cordeiro is endemic to the Serra de Montevidéu, a part of the Espinhaço Range located in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. It differs from other species within the section based on the following characters: 4-ribbed branches, green cyathia, and green cyathial glands with erect appendages. This new species would qualify as critically endangered (CR) according to IUCN criteria. An inferred phylogeny based on a combined dataset of nuclear (ITS1) and plastid regions (psbA-trnH, trnC-ycf6, matK, atpI-atpH, psbJ-petA, trnQ-rps16?×?1) confirms the monophyly of Euphorbia sect. Brasilienses and supports the recognition of E. tetrangularis. The phylogeny also suggests that this group probably underwent a recent radiation.     

Estimation of time of divergence from phylogenetic studies.

Recent studies with comparative data on base sequences of homologous DNA's or amino acid sequences of homologous proteins indicate that simultaneous estimation of phylogenetic structure and time of divergence is often cumbersome and time consuming. On the other hand, when the topology of an evolutionary tree is known, it is shown in this paper that the least squares theory may be applied to obtain simple estimates of the relative time lengths for each segment of the tree under the assumption of uniform random substitutions in each segment. The method is illustrated with amino acid sequence data on various globin molecules and cytochrome c. The evolutionary significance of some of the estimates is also discussed.     

Molecular taxonomy of Vicia ser. Vicia based on Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphisms

 Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphisms (AFLPs) were used to study the taxonomic relationships in Vicia ser. Vicia. 109 accessions representing the taxa and distribution in the series were evaluated using two primer combinations in an attempt to clarify its taxonomy. The study concludes that four species exist in the series. Vicia incisa should be considered as a separate taxon and does not belong to the Vicia sativa aggregate. Within the series Vicia pyrenaica appears to be the most closely related to the Vicia sativa aggregate. Within the aggregate 6 taxa can be recognised. They are very closely related and for none of the taxa in the aggregate is there a taxon-specific absence or presence of AFLP bands. We consider these taxa to be subspecies. Several accessions belonging to the aggregate were found which could not be placed within one of the taxa and are most likely the products of mutations or hybridisation between taxa. Received March 12, 2001 Accepted July 12, 2001     

Comparison of the Respiratory Metabolism of Plantago lanceolata L. and Plantago major L.

Bryce, J. H. and ap Rees, T. 1985. Comparison of the respiratorymetabolism of Plantago lanceolata L. and Plantago major L.—J.exp. Bot. 36 1559–1565. The aim of this work was to discover if the respiratory metabolismof the roots of Plantago lanceolata L. differed from that ofthe roots of Plantago major L. Measurements of oxygen uptakeand dry weight of excised root systems during growth of seedlingsprovided evidence that the two species differed in the amountof respiration needed to support a given increase in dry weight.Excised root systems were given a 6-h pulse in [U-¹⁴C]sucrosefollowed by a 16.5-h chase in sucrose. The detailed distributionof ¹⁴C amongst the major components of the roots at the endof the pulse and the chase revealed no significant differencebetween the two species. Patterns of ¹⁴CO₂ production from [1-¹⁴C],[2-¹⁴C], [3,4-¹⁴C], and [6-¹⁴C]glucose of excised root systemsfrom plants of three ages were similar for the two species.It is suggested that there is no conclusive evidence for anysignificant inherent difference in the respiratory metabolismof the roots of the two species. Key words: ¹⁴C sugar metabolism, respiration, roots, Plantago     

Discriminating the effects of phylogenetic hypothesis,tree resolution and clade age estimates on phylogenetic signal measurements

Understanding how species traits evolved over time is the central question to comprehend assembly rules that govern the phylogenetic structure of communities. The measurement of phylogenetic signal (PS) in ecologically relevant traits is a first step to understand phylogenetically structured community patterns. The different methods available to estimate PS make it difficult to choose which is most appropriate. Furthermore, alternative phylogenetic tree hypotheses, node resolution and clade age estimates might influence PS measurements. In this study, we evaluated to what extent these parameters affect different methods of PS analysis, and discuss advantages and disadvantages when selecting which method to use. We measured fruit/seed traits and flowering/fruiting phenology of endozoochoric species occurring in Southern Brazilian Araucaria forests and evaluated their PS using Mantel regressions, phylogenetic eigenvector regressions (PVR) and K statistic. Mantel regressions always gave less significant results compared to PVR and K statistic in all combinations of phylogenetic trees constructed. Moreover, a better phylogenetic resolution affected PS, independently of the method used to estimate it. Morphological seed traits tended to show higher PS than diaspores traits, while PS in flowering/fruiting phenology depended mostly on the method used to estimate it. This study demonstrates that different PS estimates are obtained depending on the chosen method and the phylogenetic tree resolution. This finding has implications for inferences on phylogenetic niche conservatism or ecological processes determining phylogenetic community structure.     

Enolase isoenzymes. II. Hybridization studies, developmental and phylogenetic aspects.

1. Hybridization studies have been carried out in vitro using mixtures of partially purified isoenzymes 1 and 3 of rat enolase (2-phospho-D-glycerate hydrolyase, EC 4.1.1.11). Immunological methods were used to demonstrate the formation of the hybrid. 2. Immunological analysis of the elution peaks from QAE-Sephadex chromatography of heart enolase indicates the occurrence in vivo of the hybrid enolase 2. 3. Developmental changes in the proportions of isoenzymes 1, 2 and 3 in heart and skeletal muscle of rat have been studied quantitatively. In both tissues isoenzyme 1 predominates in the foetus, but is partially replaced by 2 and 3 in adult heart and completely by 3 in the adult muscle. 4. Evidence is given of the binomial distribution of the proportions of the three isoenzymes in the developing heart. 5. Phylogenetic studies of the immunological properties of enolases from muscle, liver and heart have been carried out. 6. It is concluded that the three isoenzymes arise from two independent genetic loci and it is suggested that these evolved from a common ancestral gene 200-300 million years ago.