Comparative anatomy, morphology, and molecular phylogenetics of the African genus Satanocrater (Acanthaceae)

? Premise of the study: Anatomical and morphological features of Satanocrater were studied to test hypotheses of xeric adaptations in the genus, which is endemic to arid tropical Africa. These features, together with molecular data, were used to test the phylogenetic placement of Satanocrater within the large plant family Acanthaceae. ? Methods: We undertook a comparative study of four species of Satanocrater. Carbon isotope ratios were generated to test a hypothesis of C(4) photosynthesis. Molecular data from chloroplast (trnG-trnS, trnG-trnR, psbA-trnH) and nuclear (Eif3E) loci were used to test the placement of Satanocrater within Acanthaceae. ? Key results: Anatomical features reflecting xeric adaptations of species of Satanocrater included a thick-walled epidermis, thick cuticle, abundant trichomes and glandular scales, stomata overarched by subsidiary cells, tightly packed mesophyll cells, and well-developed palisade parenchyma on both leaf surfaces. Although two species had enlarged bundle sheath cells, a feature often implicated in C(4) photosynthesis, isotope ratios indicated all species of Satanocrater use the C(3) pathway. Molecular data resolved Satanocrater within tribe Ruellieae with strong support. Within Ruellieae, our data suggest that pollen morphology of Satanocrater may represent an intermediate stage in a transition series. ? Conclusions: Anatomical and morphological features of Satanocrater reflect adaptation to xeric environments and add new information about the biology of xerophytes. Morphological and molecular data place Satanocrater in the tribe Ruellieae with confidence. This study adds to our capacity to test hypotheses of broad evolutionary and ecological interest in a diverse and important family of flowering plants.     

Pollen morphology of Gontortae (Acanthaceae)

Variation in pollen morphology is described and illustrated for 36 genera of Acanthaceae with contorted corolla aestivation. A parsimony analysis of pollen characters is presented.     

Wuacanthus (Acanthaceae), a new Chinese endemic genus segregated from Justicia (Acanthaceae)

A new genus, Wuacanthus Y.F. Deng, N.H. Xia & H. Peng (Acanthaceae), is described from the Hengduan Mountains, China. Wuacanthus is based on Wuacanthus microdontus (W.W.Sm.) Y.F. Deng, N.H. Xia & H. Peng, originally published in Justicia and then moved to Mananthes. The new genus is characterized by its shrub habit, strongly 2-lipped corolla, the 2-lobed upper lip, 3-lobed lower lip, 2 stamens, bithecous anthers, parallel thecae with two spurs at the base, 2 ovules in each locule, and the 4-seeded capsule. Phylogenetic analyses show that the new genus belongs to the Pseuderanthemum lineage in tribe Justicieae. Wuacanthus is closely related to Pseuderanthemum but differs from the latter by its shorter corolla tube and two minute spurs at the base of each anther-theca. W. microdontus is assessed with the status EN B2ab (iii) based on the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.     

New taxa in Anisotes (Acanthaceae)

Diagnoses of three new species and three new subspecies of Anisotes are presented together with those of six subgeneric taxa.     

Floral development of Justicia gendarussa (Acanthaceae)

The sequence of primordial initiation is acropetal and the primordia develop in the same order in which they appear. The floral apex has a two-layered tunica in all stages of development. There is no significant difference in the initiation of any of the floral appendages and thus all floral organs are homologous with respect to their histogenetic origin. The short calyx tube is formed by ontogenetic fusion of the bases of sepals; but the corolla tube arises partly by ontogenetic union of originally free parts and partly by zonal or intercalary growth. Each primordium receives a single procambium strand shortly after its initiation, except those of the posterior pair of stamens, which do not receive any vascular supply. This provides another example which goes against the doctrine of "conservatism of vascular bundles". The placentation in Justicia is parietal ontogenetically as well as anatomically.     

Synopsis of Adenanthera (Leguminosae-Mimosoideae)

The generic relationship, the palynology and the infrageneric classification of the tropical Asian-Australian-Melanesian genus Adenanthera is discussed. Twelve species are recognized. Adenanthera microsperma and A. tamarindifolia are reinstated. A. kostermansii and A. marina are described as new, and A. malayana is divided in two subspecies, ssp. malayana from Malaya and Sumatra and ssp. andersonii from Borneo. All species are illustrated.     

New species of Habracanthus (Acanthaceae) from Ecuador

Four new Ecuadorian species ofHabracanthus,H. asplundii from Pichincha,H. laxus andH. lugonis from Tungurahua, andH. luteynii from Napo, are described, illustrated, and compared with their closest relatives.     

A new name in Dyschoriste (Acanthaceae)

Distinctly mucronate anther cells and the 4-seeded capsule ofHygrophila pringlei Greenman together with several other additional characters, suggest that this taxon would be better treated asDyschoriste rubiginosa, nom. nov.     

Systematics ofJusticia sect.Pentaloba (Acanthaceae)

The transfer of the four taxa ofSiphonoglossa sect.Pentaloba toJusticia is proposed. It is shown that the taxa of this section were placed inSiphonoglossa primarily because of a single-character phenetic relationship and that they correctly belong inJusticia. In addition to morphology, data from cytology and flavonoid chemistry are also presented that support this intergeneric transfer. A key to the taxa and a detailed taxonomic treatment of the section are provided.     

Antifungal diterpenes from Hypoestes serpens (Acanthaceae)

Two new diterpenes, fusicoserpenol A and dolabeserpenoic acid A, with antifungal activity, were isolated from leaves of Hypoestes serpens (Acanthaceae). Their structures were elucidated by means of spectrometric methods including 1D and 2D NMR experiments and MS analysis. X-ray crystallographic analysis confirmed the structure of fusicoserpenol A and established the relative configuration.     

Taxonomic notes on Mexican Ruellia (Acanthaceae)

The new nameRuellia comonduensis is provided for the species previously known asR. cordata Brandegee.Ruellia chilpancingana, a new species known only from Guerrero in southwestern Mexico, is described and compared to morphologically similar species. It is unique among Mexican species ofRuellia based on the following combination of characters: caducous bracteoles and secondary bracteoles, multiflowered dichasia from leaf axils, yellowish and cylindric-funnelform corollas, exserted stamens, and few (four or fewer) seeds per capsule. Macromorphological features and pollen ofR. chilpancingana are illustrated.     

Relationships ofJusticieae (Acanthaceae) based on cytology

The eytology of some species representing the subtribesBarlerieas, Andrographideae, Eujusticieae andDicliptereae of theJusticieae ofBentham & Hooker, suggests thatBarlerieae are the most primitive subtribe. Separation ofBarlerieae in Engler's system from the tribeJusticieae has been supported. But separation ofEcbolium andRungia in a different taxon,Odontonemeae in the classification ofEngler does not find justification. The position ofRungia underDicliptereae (Bentham & Hooker) is supported.     

Notes on Andrographis and Gymnostachyum (Acanthaceae)

Taxonomic and nomenclatural comments are given on two widespread Andrographis species, A. paniculata (Burmf.) Nees and A. laxiflora (Bl.) Lindau. A revised synonymy for A. laxiflora is worked up, adding 6 new synonyms from Thailand. Cryptophragmium tonkinense R. Benoist and Parajusticia petelotii R. Benoist are sunk into Gymnostachyum listeri Prain and Eranthemum lateriflorum C. B. Clarke is shown to be Gymnostachyum lateriflorum comb. nov., The pollen grains of G. listeri and G. lateriflorum are briefly described and seem to be typical Gymnostachyum pollen.     

爵床科孩儿草属一新组

描述了爵床科孩儿草属的一个新组-密花孩儿草组Rungia sect．Stoloniferoe C．M．Gao＆Y．F．Deng。本新组花序不偏向一侧,苞片均能育,同形。     

New species of Habracanthus (Acanthaceae) from Mexico

A new species,Habracanthus harleyi from Guerrero, is described, illustrated, and compared with its closest relative,Hansteinia monolopha.     

On the recognition of anisacanthus junceus (Acanthaceae)

The Chihuahuan DesertAnisacanthus junceus (Torr.) Hemsl. is recognized as a distinct species and is compared withA. linearis to which it appears similar andA. wrightii to which it is possibly related.