Evolution ofSedum seriesRupestria (Crassulaceae): Evidence from chloroplast DNA and biosystematic data

Evolutionary relationships within the compariumSedum seriesRupestria (Crassulaceae) were investigated by phylogenetic analyses of restriction site variation of the chloroplast genome and morphological variation. DNAs were digested with 21 restriction enzymes and hybridized withS. album cpDNA probes covering the entire genome. A total of 141 ingroup variable restriction sites was identified. Morphological variation was observed in a total of 66 characters. Both datasets were analysed using parsimony methods and compared with evidence from cytology, artificial hybridization and biogeography to infer evolutionary relationships. The results 1) indicate a relatively high level of nucleotide sequence divergence withinS. ser.Rupestria; 2) indicate three main lines of plastome differentiation, which are in agreement with morphology, basic chromosome numbers, and centres of diversity; 3) do not provide a compelling solution for basal relationships; 4) support an earlier hypothesis on reticulation and provide evidence for a third case of allopolyploidy in the series; 5) suggest that interspecific gene flow inS. ser.Rupestria is funnelled through the presumably allopolyploidS. rupestre subsp.erectum.     

Alkaloids of theSedum acre-group (Crassulaceae)

The 16 species of theSedum acre-group were investigated for the presence of alkaloids. They areS. acre ofS. ser.Acria, S. alpestre, S. annuum, S. apoleipon, S. borissovae, S. euxinum, S. grisebachii, S. laconicum, S. multiceps, S. sexangulare, S. tuberiferum, S. tuberosum, S. ursi, andS. urvillei ofS. ser.Alpestria, S. samium ofS. ser.Samia, andS. litoreum ofS. ser.Litorea. S. acre differs significantly from the other species. It contains sedamine, hydroxy sedamine, and a number of 2,6-disubstituted piperidine alkaloids. The leafy parts of the species ofS. ser.Alpestria, S. ser.Samia, andS. ser.Litorea contain 4 piperidine alkaloids which also occur inS. acre, and in addition 4 pyrrolidine alkaloids not present inS. acre. The composition of the alkaloid fraction agrees with the infrageneric classification (series) based on the hybridization patterns of the species (comparia).     

广西景天科景天属植物小志

该文基于文献考证、馆藏标本鉴定及野外调查，对广西景天属(Sedum L.)植物进行了系统的梳理，对景天属植物物种多样性进行概述，确定目前分布有17种，其中有6个新记录种。该文概述了广西景天属植物物种多样性，订正了藓状景天(S.polytrichoides Hemsl.),简述了6个新记录种，即钝萼景天(S.leblancae Hamet.)、黎平景天(S.lipingense R. B. Zhang, D. Tan&R. X. Wei)、龙泉景天(S.lungtsuanense S. H. Fu)、圆叶景天(S.makinoi Maxim.)、细小景天(S.subtile Miq.)、土佐景天(S.tosaense Makino),并提供其形态特征集要与彩色照片。该文还对广西景天属植物的多样性以及资源潜在利用价值等进行了讨论，并附有分种检索表和各个分类群在广西的分布情况，为该属后续的研究与利用提供了本底资料。     

The allopolyploid origin ofSedum rupestre subsp.rupestre (Crassulaceae)

InSedum rupestre L. a polyploid series (x = 16) occurs in which aneuploid chromosome numbers and odd levels of ploidy prevail. The most common and widely distributed cytotype,S. rupestre subsp.rupestre, is 2n = 112. Plants resemblingS. rupestre subsp.rupestre can be obtained by hybridizing the tetraploid cytotypes ofS. forsterianum Sm. (2n = 48) andS. rupestre subsp.erectum 't Hart (2n = 64). Comparison of these artificial hybrids with their parents and a large number of plants ofS. rupestre subsp.rupestre (2n = 112) from nature showed thatS. rupestre subsp.rupestre and the artificial hybrids are morphologically indistinguishable, and intermediate betweenS. forsterianum andS. rupestre subsp.erectum. MorphologicallyS. rupestre subsp.rupestre is closer to subsp.erectum than toS. forsterianum. Chloroplast DNA restriction patterns ofS. rupestre subsp.rupestre, however, resembleS. forsterianum more closely. The combined results of the hybridization experiments, the analysis of the cpDNA restriction patterns, and the morphological variation indicate the allopolyploid origin ofS. rupestre subsp.rupestre. Natural hybrids inSedum (Crassulaceae) 4.     

Sedum surculosum andS. jaccardianum (Crassulaceae) share a unique 70 bp deletion in the chloroplast DNA trnL (UAA)-trnF (GAA) intergenic spacer

TrnL (UAA)-trnF (GAA) chloroplast DNA spacer sequences of three species ofMonanthes, Sedum surculosum (=Monanthes atlanticum) andS. jaccardianum were compared.S. surculosum, the systematic position of which has been disputed ever since its discovery, shares a phylogenetically highly significant 70 bp deletion withS. jaccardianum. In addition to this large deletion the two Moroccan species ofS. ser.Monanthoidea differ in three more indels as well as in four nucleotide substitutions from the species ofMonanthes. These data render strong support for the monophyly ofS. ser.Monanthoidea andMonanthes. Spacer length in seven species and one subspecies ofMonanthes is relatively uniform.     

Taxonomic importance of seed morphology in Gentiana (Gentianaceae)

The seeds of Gentiana show high diversity in size, shape and surface pattern. Until now, seeds of only a limited number of taxa have been studied in detail and their utility in the subgeneric classification of Gentiana has not been evaluated. In this study we investigated seed micromorphology of the poorly known sections Pneumonanthe, Frigidae and Isomeria. In order to evaluate the relevance of seed sculpturing for taxonomy, we selected qualitative characters of seed shape and testa ornamentation of all documented sections and performed cluster analyses based on presence and absence of coded characters. Several new scanning electron microscopy pictures of seeds provided a number of valuable characters for the subgeneric differentiation of Gentiana. The results of the cluster analyses of seed characters generally support the sectional classification given by former authors. However, the European Gentiana asclepiadea does not group together with other taxa of section Pneumonanthe, but clusters near to the strictly European section Gentiana. Gentiana froelichii, endemic to the south‐east Alps and treated traditionally within section Frigidae, clusters together with taxa of the European section Ciminalis. Our results reveal that seed micromorphology supports the reassignment of some taxa incertae sedis within Gentiana. © 2010 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2010, 162 , 101–115.     

Seed morphology and its systematic implications for genus Oxytropis DC. (Fabaceae)

In the present study, seeds of 13 Oxytropis DC. species (including two latest synonyms) classified in subg. Oxytropis (sect. Dolichocarpon, sect. Chrysantha and sect. Eumorpha), subg. Euoxytropis (sect. Orobia) and subg. Phacoxytropis (sect. Protoxytropis, sect. Janthina and sect. Mesogaea) from Turkey were examined using light and scanning electron microscopy to evaluate the taxonomic relevance of macro- and micro-morphological seed characters. As a result of the study, species-specific characters have been determined. Seeds exhibit variation in size, shape, surface sculpturing pattern, hilum position and weight. Seeds ranged from 1.61 to 4.04 mm in length and from 1.02 to 2.56 mm in width. Five different seed shapes were recognised, as prolonged semielliptic, reniform, prolonged reniform, quadratic and cardiform, with a length to width ratio ranging from 1.02 ± 0.08 to 1.75 ± 0.27. Rugulate, rugulate–reticulate and lophate sculpturing patterns were observed in the studied species. According to the results, seed characters, such as the size (length, width and the length/width ratio), the shape, the surface sculpturing and the weight appear to have low taxonomic value in distinguishing subgenera, sections and species.     

伞形科山芹属8种17个居群的植物花粉形态研究

该研究采用光学显微镜与扫描电子显微镜对山芹属（Ostericum Hoffm.）8种17个居群的花粉形态特征进行观察和分析,为山芹属分类鉴定与属下系统关系研究提供依据。结果显示：（1）山芹属17个居群的花粉类型包含椭圆形、近长方形、超长方形和赤道收缩形4种类型。（2）花粉赤道面观有近椭圆形、近长方形与超长方形,极面观多为三角圆形,少数为三角形。（3）花粉极轴长度为24.7~35.6 μm,赤道轴长度为10.6~17.4 μm,极轴与赤道轴的比值P/E为1.7~2.5,体积指数P×E^1/2为18.2~22.6。（4）花粉萌发孔均具三孔沟,且多为边萌发孔,角萌发孔较少,沟细长且均匀。（5）花粉赤道区外壁纹饰分为3类,即片状脑纹、长条状脑纹和短棒状脑纹,少数具有颗粒状或疣状的附着物。研究认为,山芹属植物花粉的形状与赤道区外壁纹饰类型存在较高的种内一致性,萌发孔类型、花粉中部是否凸出以及纹饰条纹长度、密集程度、附属物等特征则存在一定的种内差异性;花粉形态特征可为山芹属植物不同层次的分类鉴定与亲缘关系研究提供重要的证据。     

北美洲当归属(伞形科)植物花粉形态特征研究

花粉形态特征可为伞形科当归属的分类鉴定与亲缘关系研究提供重要依据;北美洲当归属植物是该属的重要分支分群,但其花粉学研究却鲜受关注。为进一步充实孢粉学研究资料,使用光学显微镜与扫描电子显微镜对北美洲当归属26种44个居群的花粉形态和外壁纹饰进行观察,并用SketchUp软件对花粉极轴及赤道轴长度、体积指数和纹饰密度等特征进行测量分析和定量定义。研究结果显示:(1)供试花粉包含椭圆形、近长方形、超长方形与超长方形(赤道缢缩)4种形状;(2)花粉极轴长度为21.1~32.0μm,赤道轴长度为10.6~17.1μm,极轴与赤道轴的比值为1.5~2.8,体积指数为15.8~23.3;(3)花粉赤道区外壁纹饰分为3类,包括长条状脑纹、短棒状脑纹以及片状脑纹,排列或密集或稀疏,其中3个物种的纹饰在极区变平滑;(4)根据上述形态特征,可将供试花粉划分为4级3大类15小类。研究结果表明,总体上北美洲当归属植物花粉的形态特征的多态性低于东亚当归属植物;花粉形状与赤道区外壁纹饰具有较高的种内一致性,花粉中部是否凸出以及纹饰类型、密集程度、附属物等特征则存在一定程度的种内差异。该研究进一步充实了当归属的孢粉学研究资料,花粉形态特征能够为该类群的分类鉴定与亲缘关系研究提供重要依据,可作为形态分类学和分子分类学的有力补充。     

伞形科山芹属叶表皮微形态特征研究

利用扫描电镜技术对伞形科山芹属(Ostericum Hoffm.)9种2变种(21居群)植物叶表皮微形态特征进行了观察分析。结果显示:山芹属植物叶片上表皮表面均较平滑,细胞轮廓清晰或不清晰,若细胞轮廓可见则为多边形与不规则形;初级蜡质纹饰为较密集的粗(细)条状,部分种类具有单层或双层脊状二级纹饰或有颗粒状或分枝状附属结构;下表皮亦有类似蜡质条状纹饰,均匀分布或集中在气孔周围或凹凸部位,气孔器形状多为椭圆形(偶见梭形),内外拱盖表面粗糙或光滑。上述研究表明,山芹属叶片微形态特征具有良好的种内稳定性和种间多样性,尤其是初级纹饰的宽度及排列密度、二级纹饰以及气孔器形状等特征,可为山芹属植物种间和种下的近缘类群亲缘关系与分类修订提供形态学依据。     

Biosystematic study ofSedum L. SubgenusAizoon (Crassulaceae)

Variation in chromosome number and morphological characters ofSedum aizoon L. var.floribundum Nakai were investigated to analyze, correlations between them. Geographical variation in chromosome number was also examined. Chromosome numbers of 189 individuals from 55 localities were counted as 2n=32, 33, 34, 48, 61, 64, 78, 80, 84, 85, 88, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97 and 102. InSedum subgenusAizoon, which has the basic number of X=8, var.floribundum of the speciesaizoon showed a polyploid series from tetraploid to dodecaploid. Tetraploids were found most frequently in this variety. More than two chromosome numbers were found in all the populations with 2n=61 or more. Tetraploids were mainly distributed in the eastern part of Japan, and higher polyploids (higher than hexaploid level except octaploids) were distributed in the western part of Japan. Thirteen morphological characters were examined in 119 individuals belonging to 30 populations. The principal component analysis and the cluster analysis of these characters indicated that populations with similar chromosome numbers were not always morphologically similar. Ten morphotypes can be recognized based on the combination of chromosome number and morphological characters. ThusS. aizoon var.floribundum can be regarded as a polyploid-aneuploid complex.     

Biosystematic study ofSedum L. subgenusAizoon (Crassulaceae)

Chromosome numbers of 114 individuals from twelve populations ofSedum aizoon L. var.aizoon (Crassulaceae) are reported. They include 37 different chromosome numbers ranging from 2n=71 to 124. Although the chromosome number variation has been found in all populations examined, no correlation with geographical distribution could not be found. Various kinds of meiotic irregularities, i.e., multivalents, univalents, chromosome lagging, and polysporous “tetrad” formation have been found. These irregularities lead to the formation of gametes with various chromosome numbers. All aneuploid plants set seeds and seem to reproduce sexually. The extensive aneuploidy in var.aizoon seems to be caused by the unequal chromosome segregation in meiosis and the subsequent fertilization of gametes with various chromosome numbers.     

Evolution of genome size inAllium (Alliaceae)

The 4C DNA amounts of 86 species fromAllium subgg.Allium, Rhizirideum, Bromatorrhiza, Melanocrommyum, Caloscordum andAmerallium show a 8.35-fold difference ranging from 35.60 pg (A. ledebourianum, 2n = 16) to 297.13 pg (A. validum 2n = 56). At diploid level the difference is 3.57-fold betweenA. ledebourianum (35.60 pg) andA. ursinum (127.14 pg). This shows that a significant loss and/or gain of DNA has occurred during evolution. On average subgg.Rhizirideum andAllium have less DNA amount than subgg.Melanocrommyum andAmerallium. The distribution of nuclear DNA amounts does not show discontinuous pattern and regular groups. The evolution of genome size has been discussed in relation to polyploidy and genomes, heterochromatin, adaptive changes in morphological characteristics, phenology and ecological factors, and infrageneric classification.     

The development and ultrastructure of the testa and tracheid bar inErythrina lysistemon Hutch. (Leguminosae: Papilionoideae)

Summary The development of the testa was studied inErythrina lysistemon using both light and electron microscopy. Cells of the outer epidermis of the outer integument divide anticlinally and undergo radial elongation to form a palisade layer. The outer tangential walls are thickened at an early stage, and deposition of fluted thickenings on the radial walls occurs at maturity. Palisade cells in the hilar region differentiate from sub-funicular tissue, and at maturity the outer ends of the cells undergo extensive deposition of secondary walls and associated lignification. The light line occurs at the junction between the outer, thickened portions of the cells and the inner, less thickened portions. An electron-translucent (suberised) cap develops in the outer tangential walls of the palisade cells at a late stage. Microtubules and dictyosomes are closely associated with the developing thickenings in palisade and tracheid bar, and the microtubules run parallel to the wall microfibrils. Differentiation of the tracheid bar coincides with final secondary wall deposition and lignification in the hilar palisade. The cells of the tracheid bar are dead at maturity, but are surrounded by sheaths of elongate parenchyma.     

中国马尾杉属(石松科)的分类修订

马尾杉属植物因含治疗阿尔茨海默症的特效药成分石杉碱甲而具有重要的经济价值和保护价值，全属为国家重点保护植物。该文基于形态学、生态学和地理学等证据，对中国分布的马尾杉属植物进行了分类修订，承认我国有马尾杉属植物21种，将该属植物划分为4个单系的组，即金丝条马尾杉组(Sect.Fargesiani X. C. Zhang&R. H. Jiang, sect. nov.)、喜马拉雅马尾杉组(Sect.Hamiltoniani C. Y. Yang, emend. X. C. Zhang&R. H. Jiang)、马尾杉组(Sect.Phlegmariurus)和粗糙马尾杉组[Sect.Squarrosurus(Herter) X. C. Zhang&R. H. Jiang, comb.&stat. nov.],并将Huperzia medogensis、Phlegmariurus austrosinicus、P.changii、P.nylamensis、P.cancellatus var.minor、P.qiongzhongensis和P.shangsiens...     

A synopsis of the neotropical species of Dalechampia (Euphorbiaceae)

WEBSTER, G. L. & ARMBRUSTER, W. S., 1991. A synopsis of the neotropical species of Dalechampia ( Euphorbiaceae ). The characters used in inferring phylogenetic relationship in Dalechampia are discussed, and a consistent terminology is devised for the parts of the distinctive pseudanthial inflorescences. The infrageneric classification is radically modified, with the 92 provisionally accepted binomials for the neotropical taxa referred to six sections: Rhopalostylis, Dioscoreifoliae, Cremophyllum, Coriaceae, Tiliifoliae and Dalechampia. As here interpreted, section Dalechampia includes 53 species in five subsections; one new subsection, Convolvuloides , is described.     

A new infrageneric classification and phylogenetic trends in the genusRhododendron (Ericaceae)

Recent studies have improved the infrageneric classification ofRhododendron, including my own investigations on flavonoids and anthocyanins as chemosystematic markers. From a synoptical comparison of morphological, anatomical and phytochemical characters a new system for the genus is proposed. Phylogenetic character progressions and relationships among subgenera, sections and subsections are discussed and illustrated. Key positions for subg.Candidastrum between chori subgenerumRhododendron andNomazalea, and for subg.Choniastrum between chori subgenerumHymenanthes andNomazalea are suggested.     

Molecular phylogeny of the Acre clade (Crassulaceae): Dealing with the lack of definitions for Echeveria and Sedum

The phylogenetic relationships within many clades of the Crassulaceae are still uncertain, therefore in this study attention was focused on the “Acre clade”, a group comprised of approximately 526 species in eight genera that include many Asian and Mediterranean species of Sedum and the majority of the American genera (Echeveria, Graptopetalum, Lenophyllum, Pachyphytum, Villadia, and Thompsonella). Parsimony and Bayesian analyses were conducted with 133 species based on nuclear (ETS, ITS) and chloroplast DNA regions (rpS16, matK). Our analyses retrieved four major clades within the Acre clade. Two of these were in a grade and corresponded to Asian species of Sedum, the rest corresponded to a European–Macaronesian group and to an American group. The American group included all taxa that were formerly placed in the Echeverioideae and the majority of the American Sedoideae. Our analyses support the monophyly of three genera – Lenophyllum, Thompsonella, and Pachyphytum; however, the relationships among Echeveria, Sedum and the various segregates of Sedum are largely unresolved. Our analyses represents the first broad phylogenetic framework for Acre clade, but further studies are necessary on the groups poorly represented here, such as the European and Asian species of Sedum and the Central and South American species of Echeveria.     

Seed germination and dormancy in the medicinal woodland herbs Collinsonia canadensis L. (Lamiaceae) and Dioscorea villosa L. (Dioscoreaceae)

We used a double germination phenology or “move-along” experiment (sensu Baskin and Baskin, 2003) to characterize seed dormancy in two medicinal woodland herbs, Collinsonia canadensis L. (Lamiaceae) and Dioscorea villosa L. (Dioscoreaceae). Imbibed seeds of both species were moved through the following two sequences of simulated thermoperiods: (a) 30/15 °C→20/10 °C→15/6 °C→5 °C→15/6 °C→20/10 °C→30/15 °C, and (b) 5 °C→15/6 °C→20/10 °C→30/15 °C→20/10 °C→15/6 °C→5 °C. In each sequence, seeds of both species germinated to high rates (>85%) at cool temperatures (15/6 and 20/10 °C) only if seeds were previously exposed to cold temperatures (5 °C). Seeds kept at four control thermoperiods (5, 15/6, 20/10, 30/15 °C) for 30 d showed little or no germination. Seeds of both species, therefore, have physiological dormancy that is broken by 12 weeks of cold (5 °C) stratification. Morphological studies indicated that embryos of C. canadensis have “investing” embryos at maturity (morphological dormancy absent), whereas embryos of D. villosa are undeveloped at maturity (morphological dormancy present). Because warm temperatures are required for embryo growth and cold stratification breaks physiological dormancy, D. villosa seeds have non-deep simple morphophysiological dormancy (MPD). Neither species afterripened in a 6-month dry storage treatment. Cold stratification treatments of 4 and 8 weeks alleviated dormancy in both species but C. canadensis seeds germinated at slower speeds and lower rates compared to seeds given 12 weeks of cold stratification. In their natural habitat, both species disperse seeds in mid- to late autumn and germinate in the spring after cold winter temperatures alleviate endogenous dormancy.