Pericarp structure and systematic positions of five genera of Lamiaceae subg. Nepetoideae tribe Ocimeae

Pericarp structure has been investigated in five genera of Lamiaceae subg. Nepetoideae tribe Ocimeae which were omitted or poorly studied by Ryding (1992a): Hanceola, Limniboza, Skapanthus, Tetradenia and Thorncroftia . In the light of the results, the systematic position of these and some related genera are discussed. Limniboza is suggested to belong to Ocimeae subtribe Ociminae, the Acrocephalus group. Hanceola (incl. Siphocranion), Isodon, Skapanthus (which is resurrected as a genus), Tetradenia and Thorncroftia apparently do not fit into any of the three traditional subtribes (Hyptidinae, Ociminae or Plectranthinae). The three Asiatic genera, Hanceola, Isodon and Skapanthus might together form a new subtribe. Tetradenia and Thorncroftia have more isolated positions in the Ocimeae.     

A systematic histological study of palm fruits. V. Subtribe Archontophoeniciae (Arecaceae)

Pericarp histology in the Archontophoenicinae provides little to characterize the subtribe as a whole, revealing instead two separate trends with parallels in other subtribes of the Areceae. The data support a close relationship among the three genera occurring in New Caledonia:Chambeyronia, Actinokentia, andKentiopsis, in which there is a complex endocarp consisting of short, oblique fibrous bundles embedded in a thick mantle of brachysclereids, and a loose endocarp of heavily fibrous, flattened vascular bundles adjacent to a relatively thin locular epidermis. The data also support a close relationship between the two genera of the New Zealand/Tasman Sea region:Hedyscepe andRhopalostylis, in which the pericarp is more or less fibrous throughout, with purely fibrous bundles in the outer pericarp and heavily fibrous vascular bundles in the inner pericarp. These results confirm relationships revealed by other morphological data.Archontophoenix appears to be most like the New Caledonian genera in its pericarp structure, with a similar mantle of short fibrous bundles embedded in a a mantle of brachysclereids in the outer pericarp, although it differs significantly in other aspects of morphology and anatomy.     

A systematic histological study of palm fruits. VI. Subtribe Linospadicinae (Arecaceae)

The pericarp structure of representative species of the four genera of the subtribe Linospadicinae is described and compared. Tissues found in the pericarp of this group are similar to those found in other subtribes of the Areceae, with no characters unique to the subtribe and nothing to suggest its closest affinities. The four genera, as well as each species examined, do show distinctive pericarp features, however.Laccospadix andLinospadix are similar, both with a single series of fibrous, bundles and an outer series of prominent raphide-bearing cells dominating the pericarp. In bothHowea andCalyptrocalyx, a complex exocarp forms from a series of fibrous bundles and brachysclereids, but each genus has other distinctive characters.Howea has vascular bundles in the exocarp zone, an outer series of raphide-bearing cells, and a conspicuously thickened locular epidermis. Based on a limited sample of four species, raphide-bearing cells appear to be always interior to the exocarp inCalyptrocalyx, and the locular epidermis is thin.     

大戟科植物分类的数值分析

根据大戟科216个分类性状的分布,采用欧氏距离系数一类平均法对Webster(1994)广义大戟科49个族或亚族进行聚类分析。结果表明,现行的大戟科分类系统中,大多数族和亚族水平的分类基本合理,而Galearieae族的系统位置和五月茶族Antidesmeae等亚族的划分出现较大矛盾。该系统中未包含的方鼎木属Archileptopus,应与叶下珠族的Pseudolachnostylidillae亚族接近。     

Phylogenetic relationships among Strobilanthes s.l. (Acanthaceae): evidence from ITS nrDNA, trnL-F cpDNA, and morphology

Chloroplast trnL-F sequence data, nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence data, and morphology were used to analyze phylogenetic relationships among members of the subtribe Strobilanthinae. Parsimony and maximum likelihood analyses of trnL-F indicate that the Strobilanthinae are a monophyletic group. While parsimony analysis of ITS recovers a nonmonophyletic subtribe, maximum likelihood analysis of ITS corroborates results from trnL-F and suggests that systematic error is impacting on ITS parsimony analysis. A combined ITS and trnL-F analysis strengthens the signal and also recovers a monophyletic subtribe. All analyses indicate that Hemigraphis, Sericocalyx, and Strobilanthes are nonmonophyletic. With one exception, all morphological characters included in a combined ITS and morphological analysis are homoplastic. The prospect for a new informative generic classification of the Strobilanthinae aiming to recognize and diagnose only monophyletic groups is considered. While some groups can be diagnosed, adequate diagnosis of the majority of groups remains problematic. Consequently, a single expanded genus Strobilanthes sensu lato is proposed at the level of the well-supported and monophyletic Strobilanthinae.     

Pericarp structure and phylogeny of tribe Mentheae (Lamiaceae)

Pericarp structure is investigated in 143 specimens belonging to 59 out of ca. 65 genera and 134 out of ca. 2,000 species of Lamiaceae subfamily Nepetoideae tribe Mentheae. Some of the data presented by earlier authors are believed to be incorrect. The variation in pericarp structure has been found to be strongly correlated to the variations in DNA and gross morphological characters. The groups of two-staminate genera (Salvia, etc.) and four-staminate genera of Salviinae (Lepechinia and Chaunostoma) can be distinguished from each other and from other labiates by differences in pericarp structure. The other two subtribes, Menthinae and Nepetinae, differ considerably, but their variations strongly overlap. The differences in pericarp structure also suggest that Menthinae can be divided into three main monophyletic groups based on other data: (1) the main bulk of the tribe, (2) a group of Prunella and Cleonia and perhaps also Horminum, and (3) the characteristic genus Lycopus. Pericarp data disagree with a suggestion that the genus Melissa should be included in the subtribe Salviinae. Modifications of the subtribal classification of Mentheae are discussed.     

Palynological Features as a Systematic Marker in Artemisia L. and Related Genera (Asteraceae, Anthemideae) - II: Implications for Subtribe Artemisiinae Delimitation

Abstract: Using optical and scanning electron microscopy, we completed a palynological study of the subtribe Artemisiinae (Asteraceae, Anthemideae), which we started in a previous paper. This subtribe contains different genera with a systematic position that, in many cases, has been controversial. There is a group of genera closely related to Artemisia, and another one more related to Chrysanthemum sensu lato. We confirm the existence of two pollen morphological patterns - concerning exine ornamentation - in the tribe Anthemideae and in the subtribe Artemisiinae as currently considered: one with long spines ( Anthemis type) and the other with short spinules ( Artemisia type). This feature is a good taxonomic marker, well correlated with other morphological and with molecular characters. This enables a new delimitation of the subtribe Artemisiinae, which is characterized by pollen grain ornamentation constituted by short spinules (microechinate pollen), and should be restricted to Artemisia and the closely related genera that share this trait.     

A systematic histological study of palm fruits. III. Subtribe Iguanurinae (Arecaceae)

This study represents a preliminary sampling of the pericarp histology of the subtribe Iguanurinae (tribe Areceae, subfamily Arecoideae) of the family Arecaceae. At least one sample from each of the 27 recognized genera was examined and illustrated with a line drawing. This sampling serves to characterize fruit structure in the subtribe as a whole, to illustrate the diversity of pericarp adaptations found in the subtribe, to characterize the monotypic genera, to provide hypotheses about the characterization of the larger genera, and to test existing phylogenetic hypotheses about the Iguanurinae. There are no unique tissues present in the pericarp in this subtribe, but genera can be readily characterized by unique combinations and distributional patterns in common tissues. These patterns, and some prominent evolutionary trends, parallel those in related subtribes of Areceae, such as the Ptychospermatinae and Arecinae. Significant in this subtribe is variation in the distribution of tanniniferous cells, raphide-bearing cells and brachysclereids, in the sculpturing of the seed and the locular epidermis, in the thickness of the locular epidermis, in the thickness of the fibrous vascular bundle sheaths, and especially in the number, orientation and distribution of nonvascular fibrous bundles. One major trend is the formation of systems of separate fibrous bundles and their progressive displacement toward the outer layer of the fruit, where a complex exocarp may form. The diversity of pericarp structure in the Iguanurinae is far greater than in the two subtribes previously studied.     

Pollen morphology of Phyllosma and Sheilanthera (Diosminae: Rutaceae) and its taxonomic implications

Phyllosma (two species) and Sheilanthera (one species) are members of the taxonomically problematic subtribe Diosminae, Rutaceae. Pollen morphology of all three species was investigated by LM, SEM and TEM to shed light on their relationships to other genera of the subtribe. Sheilanthera shares pollen morphological features with many other species in the subtribe, but the pollen of Phyllosma is distinctive. Possible relationships between Sheilanthera and Acmadenia, and between Phyllosma and Agathosma are suggested. The macromorphological characters of the species correspond to the pollen morphology.     

Molecular phylogenetics of subtribe Aeridinae (Orchidaceae): insights from plastid matK and nuclear ribosomal ITS sequences

We conducted phylogenetic analyses using two DNA sequence data sets derived from matK, the maturase-coding gene located in an intron of the plastid gene trnK, and the internal transcribed spacer region of 18S–26S nuclear ribosomal DNA to examine relationships in subtribe Aeridinae (Orchidaceae). Specifically, we investigated (1) phylogenetic relationships among genera in the subtribe, (2) the congruence between previous classifications of the subtribe and the phylogenetic relationships inferred from the molecular data, and (3) evolutionary trends of taxonomically important characters of the subtribe, such as pollinia, a spurred lip, and a column foot. In all, 75 species representing 62 genera in subtribe Aeridinae were examined. Our analyses provided the following insights: (1) monophyly of subtribe Aeridinae was tentatively supported in which 14 subclades reflecting phylogenetic relationships can be recognized, (2) results are inconsistent with previous classifications of the subtribe, and (3) repeated evolution of previously emphasized characters such as pollinia number and apertures, length of spur, and column foot was confirmed. It was found that the inconsistencies are mainly caused by homoplasy of these characters. At the genus level, Phalaenopsis, Cleisostoma, and Sarcochilus are shown to be non-monophyletic.     

Cladistic analysis and biogeography of the cicadas of the Indo-Pacific subtribe Cosmopsaltriina (Hemiptera: Cicadoidea: Cicadidae)

Abstract A consensus cladogram is presented for ninety-seven of the ninety-nine (sub)species of the cicada subtribe Cosmopsaltriina on the basis of a cladistic analysis of forty-nine characters. The consensus cladogram confirms the monophyly of the eight genera constituting the subtribe, and the monophyly of the subtribe as a whole. Cosmopsaltriina occur in Sulawesi, the Moluccas, New Guinea, Cape York, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa. The subtribe demonstrates a high rate of endemism on genus, species group and species level. The taxon-area and consensus-area cladograms resulting from Brooks parsimony analysis are discussed in relation to the palaeogeography of the area.     

A Revision of Subtribe Pleioblastinae Keng & Keng f.

This paper deals with the taxa of tribe Arundinarieae Steud. subtribe Pleiobalastinae Keng and Keng f. which comprised three genera (Pseudosasa Makino, Pleioblastus Nakai and Brachystachyum Keng) when it was established in 1957. With the analysis of morphological characters and geographical distribution, a number of revisions connected with the taxon are made as follows: (1) Genus Brachystachyum Keng is transferred to the tribe Shibataeeae Nakai according to its false inflorescence. (2) Genus Pseudosasa Makino is transferred to subtribe Sasinae Keng f. according to our study on the numerical taxonomic method. (3) Some species of Pleioblastus Nakai established by Keng and Keng f. should be revised. Pleioblastus actinotrichus (Merr. and Chun) Keng f. should be Ampelocalamus actinotrichus (Merr. and Chun) S. L. Chen, T. H. Wen and G. Y. Sheng in subtribe Thamnocalaminae Keng f.; Pleioblastus dolichanthus (Keng) Keng f. is the synonym of Sinobambusa tootsik (Sieb.) Makino, belonging to tribe Shibataeeae Nakai. The rest species remain in this genus. Since the genus Pleioblastus is related to genus Arundinaria Michaux., subtribe Pleioblastus Keng and Keng f. does not seem to have a reason to be retained as a subtribe in tribe Arundinarieae Steud., according to the newest Code (1978). A part of it should be a synonym of subtribe Arundinariinae and we may cite it as follows: Subtribe Arundinariinae——Subtribe Pleioblastinae Keng and Keng f. pro parte, syn. nov. The other parts of it should be transferred to other subtribes or tribes. In addition, one new variety in Branchystachyum, two new species, one new variety in Pseudosasa and six new species, three new varieties in Pleioblastus, are described in this paper.     

Diversity of non-glandular trichomes in subtribe Lychnophorinae (Asteraceae: Vernonieae) and taxonomic implications

Vernonieae is one of the major tribes in Asteraceae (subfamily Cichorioideae) with ca. 1,100 species placed into 129 genera. Currently, 21 subtribes are recognized in Vernonieae and one of them is Lychnophorinae, almost entirely endemic to Brazil, containing 11 genera and ca. 100 species. About 42 % of Lychnophorinae genera are monophyletic, reflecting the poorly understood relationships among the members of the group. Trichomes are one of the most useful anatomical characters to be used in angiosperm taxonomy; they are diverse, exist in many taxa and are not difficult to study. This work intends to illustrate non-glandular leaf trichome diversity in Lychnophorinae and discuss this diversity in the light of the subtribe’s taxonomy. Sampled material included 67 species of 11 genera. Macerations and free hand sections were performed to be analyzed in the light microscope and photographed. A phenogram was generated using a matrix with 67 terminals (species) and 18 characters coded as binary. The subtribe Lychnophorinae displays a great diversity of non-glandular trichomes (5 types and 18 subtypes). The present study reveals the great diversity of non-glandular trichomes in Lychnophorinae. While trichome complement is of little use to distinguish genera, it appears to be a valuable characteristic at a lower taxonomic level to identify closely morphologically related species.     

Ontogeny and structure of the drupe of Ozoroa paniculosa (Anacardiaceae)

An exocarp sensu stricto develops from the outer epidermis of the ovary wall. At maturity it comprises extensively radially elongated palisade-like parenchyma cellS. Besides having an outer cuticle, the outer tangential and outer parts of the radial cell walls of these cells are strongly cutinized. Large, permanently open stomata and saucer-shaped depressions also characterize the exocarp. The mature mesocarp sensu stricto consists of secondarily thickened parenchyma and brachysclereidS. An abundance of tanniniferous deposits and crystals, as well as secretory ducts associated with the vascular bundles also form part of the mature mesocarp. Derivatives of the inner epidermis of the ovary wall differentiate into the stratified endocarp sensu stricto. At maturity this comprises consecutive layers of macrosclereids, osteosclereids (typified by a capitate part and cell wall flutes), brachysclereids, and crystalliferous sclereidS. Pericarp structure is related to its taxonomic significance and the possible role of micromorphological characters in the survival strategy of Ozoroa paniculosa. It is shown that ontogenetic studies contribute to the precise interpretation of previously described cell layers, ensuring that homologous tissues are compared in different taxa.     

Fruit structure of 12 Turkish endemic <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tripleurospermum</Emphasis> Sch. Bip. (Asteraceae) taxa and its taxonomic implications

This study concerns the evaluation of micromorphological and anatomical characters of fruit (achene-cypsela) in 12 Turkish endemic Tripleurospermum taxa using multivariate analyses (cluster analysis, principal component analysis, one-way analysis of variance). Pericarp in all taxa examined is mainly composed of several layers of parenchymatous and sclerenchymatous cells with one vascular bundle in each rib. In the achene, the thickness and width of lateral and adaxial ribs with presence or absence of a slime envelope have high taxonomic value for Tripleurospermum at interspecific levels. The slime envelope formation is also correlated with ploidy levels and habitats of some taxa in Tripleurospermum.     

Phylogeny of the Spiny African Daisies (Compositae, tribe Arctotideae, subtribe Gorteriinae) based on trnL-F, ndhF, and ITS sequence data

The tribe Arctotideae (African Daisies), of the flowering plant family Compositae (Asteraceae), is a diverse and interesting group with a primarily southern African distribution (ca. 13 genera, 215 species) and many species in the Cape Floristic Region. It is divided into two subtribes: Arctotidinae (ca. 5 genera, 85 species) and Gorteriinae (ca. 8 genera, 130 species). The monophyly of the genera within the subtribe Gorteriinae and their relationship to one another was investigated using 71 samples/212 sequences including 64/141 of which are newly reported from three phylogenetic markers, two from chloroplast DNA (trnL-F and ndhF) and one from the nuclear genome (ITS). The outgroup was composed of seven members from the sister subtribe. Results show the subtribe Gorteriinae to be divided into three monophyletic groups, the Gazania-Hirpicium-Gorteria group, the Didelta group, and the Berkheya-Cullumia group. Within these three groups are 13 sub-groups, one of which has sub-clades. The genus Berkheya Ehrh. is paraphyletic, falling into five different sub-groups. The two monotypic genera, Cuspidia and Heterorhachis are not nested within any of the Berkheya clades. Hirpicium and Cullumia each have most of their taxa in a monophyletic group, but they also have one or two taxa associated with other clades. Four of the five sub-groups of Berkheya have morphologically recognizable shared characters, such as habit and spines that have been recognized by past studies. However, the grouping of one species with Didelta is difficult to explain. Support for the major clades and most of the sub-groups is strong but the relationships among some of the terminal taxa are variable.     

DIAGNOSTIC ANATOMICAL CHARACTERS IN THE PLEUROTHALLIDINAE (ORCHIDACEAE)

An anatomical survey of 200 species in 22 genera of subtribe Pleurothallidinae (Orchidaceae) indicates which vegetative characters are of diagnostic value and at what taxonomic level. Most systematically useful characters are associated with the leaf, and include features of trichomes, cuticle, epidermis, hypodermis, spiral thickenings, and number of vein series. The secondary stem is of limited usefulness at higher levels. Number of velamen layers and protoxylem poles in the root may be reliable taxonomic indicators with certain limitations and precautions. The established subtribal phylogenetic trends of reduction in number of pollinia and specialization of the perianth may be correlated with particular anatomical trends, which are either reductionary also or involve specializations directly related to the water relations of the epiphytic habit.     

Variation of DNA amount in 47 populations of the subtribe Artemisiinae and related taxa (Asteraceae, Anthemideae): karyological, ecological, and systematic implications.

Genome size has been estimated by flow cytometry in 47 populations of 40 species of the tribe Anthemideae (Asteraceae), mainly from Artemisia and other genera of the subtribe Artemisiinae and related taxa. A range of 2C values from 3.54 to 21.22 pg was found. DNA amount per basic chromosome set ranged from 1.77 to 7.70 pg. First genome size estimates are provided for one subtribe, 10 genera, 32 species, and two subspecies. Nuclear DNA amount correlated well with some karyological, physiological and environmental characters, and has been demonstrated as a useful tool in the interpretation of evolutionary relationships within Artemisia and its close relatives.     

Morfología floral de la subtribu Leiboldiinae (Vernonieae,Asteraceae)

Morphological features of flowers and inflorescences from 13 of 14 species of subtribe Leiboldiinae are analyzed, with the goal of identifying characters with taxonomic value for the delimitation of genera and species. The principal characters to recognize genera in the subtribe are: presence of palaea on the receptacle (Bolanosa), number of series in the involucre and pappus (Stramentopappus), shape of the apices of the phyllaries (Lepidonia), and colour and duration of the pappus. At the specific level, the more important characters are diversity and distribution of trichomes, colour of florets and differences in the sculpturing of the surfaces of the petals.     

On Diplandrorchis,a very primitive and phylogenetically significant new genus of Orchidaceae

Diplandrorchis is a very curious new orchid genus, containing only one species D. sinica S. C. Chen, found in Huan-ren County of Liaoning Province in northeastern China. It, as the genus name implies, has two fertile stamens, borne on the upper part of the column near the terminal stigma. One of them is opposite to the dorsal sepal, while the other to the median petal (lip). Thus, they represent two median stamens of both inner and outer whorls. This is quite unique in the whole family, including the diandrous group, in which the two stamens are opposite to the lateral petals and thus represent the lateral ones of the inner whorl. The flower is erect, with its pale greenish or whitish perianth nearly regular. Two lateral sepals are more or less oblique, showing some difference from the dorsal one, but the three petals, which are thinner and narrower, are very similar to each other. Neither rostellum nor any other appendages are found in its column, but a terminal stigma and two erect stamens. The pollinia are naked and granular, which, in almost all flowers examined, have naturally fallen out of their cells on to the stigma. Apparently, it is self-fertilised, as found in Tangtsinia and some other primitive orchids. Besides, this interesting orchid is a dwarf saprophyte, with its habit very similar to that of Neottia, another saprophytic genus assigned to the subtribe Neottiinae. The fact that the saprophytic orchids are largely found in the primitive subtribes, such as the Neottiinae, Limodorinae, Vanillinae and Pogoniinae, is worthy of special attention. Theoretically, the saprophytic plants must have developed from green-leaved plants. In the Orchidaceae, however, what ancestor are the most primitive saprophytes derived from ? This is indeed an interesting question closely related to the origin of the Orchidaceae. From the facts mentioned above, the present genus is a very primitive or relic one and of great phylogenetic interest. It is placed here as the most primitive member in the subtribe Neottiinae, although it is sharply distinct from the remaining generaof this subtribe. It may deserve a separate subtribe, but further study is needed.