Taxonomic notes on the genus Otoptera (Phaseoleae, Fabaceae) in southern Africa

A taxonomic study of the genus Otoptera (tribe Phaseoleae) is presented. This distinct genus consists of two species, O. burchellii in southern Africa (Namibia, Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe) and O. madagascariensis endemic to Madagascar. The two species differ in the shape and size of leaflets, size and orientation of the spur located at the base of the wing petal, and also by size of the pod. A key to the two species is provided. This study focuses mainly on the southern African O. burchellii DC., which is described and illustrated. The species name is lectotypified and the known geographical distribution is recorded for the first time.     

蟛蜞菊属和孪花菊属(菊科-向日葵族)的细胞学研究

研究了菊科向日葵族鳢肠亚族蟛蜞菊属(Sphagneticola O. Hoffm.)和孪花菊属(Wollastonia DC. ex Decne.)各2种植物的染色体数目和染色体形态。蟛蜞菊[S. calendulacea (L.) Pruski]的染色体数目为2n=50, 核型公式为2n=18m+30sm+2st,南美蟛蜞菊[S. trilobata (L.) Pruski]的染色体数目为2n=56, 核型公式为2n=24m+28sm+4st, 孪花菊[W. biflora (L.) DC.]的染色体数目为2n=30,核型公式为2n=24m+4sm+2st,山孪花菊[W. montana (Blume) DC.]的染色体数目为2n=74, 核型公式为2n=37m+31sm+6st。根据上述结果并结合以前的有关资料,推测蟛蜞菊属的染色体基数可能为x=14和x=25,而不应是x=15。该属的3个新世界热带种[S. brachycarpa (Baker) Pruski、S. gracilis (Richard) Pruski和南美蟛蜞菊]可能都基于x=14, 其中S. gracilis为二倍体(2n=2x=28), S. brachycarpa和南美蟛蜞菊为四倍体(2n=4x=56); 唯一的亚洲种(蟛蜞菊)可能是基于x=25的二倍体(2n=2x=50)。染色体资料不支持将山孪花菊(x=37)这一植物置于孪花菊属(x=15)中。     

Phylogenetic relationships and generic realignments in the early diverging subtribe Pentziinae (Asteraceae,Anthemideae)

Pentziinae are a subtribe of tribe Anthemideae (Asteraceae), comprising seven almost exclusively southern African endemic genera and c. 60 species. Generic delimitations and relationships in the subtribe are explored using parsimony and Bayesian analyses of nuclear (internal transcribed spacer, ITS) and plastid (ndhF, psbA‐trnH, trnK‐rps16 and rpl32‐trnL) DNA regions, with morphological and fruit anatomical studies. Phylogenetic analyses for 72 accessions (43 species) representing 72% of the subtribe indicate that several of the genera are not monophyletic as currently circumscribed. Pentzia tortuosa differs from its congeners in its inconspicuously three‐ribbed fruits and in several other distinctive morphological characters. In the phylogenetic trees based on the nuclear dataset, P. tortuosa is recovered in the perennial clade with its congeners, but in the plastid data set, it is strongly placed among the early diverging lineages comprising annual taxa with three‐ribbed fruits. Even with the exclusion of P. tortuosa, Pentzia remains paraphyletic by the inclusion of at least Rennera and possibly also Cymbopappus and Marasmodes. A possible sister relationship between Marasmodes and Pentzia, however, cannot be excluded. The four Rennera specise are therefore here transferred to Pentzia, whereas Marasmodes and Cymbopappus are retained pending further investigation. Among the annual lineages, Foveolina is also found to be polyphyletic, with F. dichotoma (the type species) and F. tenella clearly allied with Oncosiphon, and the anomolous species, F. burchellii, recovered with Myxopappus in the nuclear trees. Both Myxopappus species share the disciform capitula and heteromorphic fruits with Foveolina burchellii (characters previously overlooked in Myxopappus and reported here for the first time). © 2015 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2015, 178 , 633–647.     

On the roles of Notch, Delta, kuzbanian, and inscuteable during the development of Drosophila embryonic neuroblast lineages

The generation of cellular diversity in the nervous system involves the mechanism of asymmetric cell division. Besides an array of molecules, including the Par protein cassette, a heterotrimeric G protein signalling complex, Inscuteable plays a major role in controlling asymmetric cell division, which ultimately leads to differential activation of the Notch signalling pathway and correct specification of the two daughter cells. In this context, Notch is required to be active in one sibling and inactive in the other. Here, we investigated the requirement of genes previously known to play key roles in sibling cell fate specification such as members of the Notch signalling pathway, e.g., Notch (N), Delta (Dl), and kuzbanian (kuz) and a crucial regulator of asymmetric cell division, inscuteable (insc) throughout lineage progression of 4 neuroblasts (NB1-1, MP2, NB4-2, and NB7-1). Notch-mediated cell fate specification defects were cell-autonomous and were observed in all neuroblast lineages even in cells born from late ganglion mother cells (GMC) within the lineages. We also show that Dl functions non-autonomously during NB lineage progression and clonal cells do not require Dl from within the clone. This suggests that within a NB lineage Dl is dispensable for sibling cell fate specification. Furthermore, we provide evidence that kuz is involved in sibling cell fate specification in the central nervous system. It is cell-autonomously required in the same postmitotic cells which also depend on Notch function. This indicates that KUZ is required to facilitate a functional Notch signal in the Notch-dependent cell for correct cell fate specification. Finally, we show that three neuroblast lineages (NB1-1, NB4-2, and NB7-1) require insc function for sibling cell fate specification in cells born from early GMCs whereas insc is not required in cells born from later GMCs of the same lineages. Thus, there is differential requirement for insc for cell fate specification depending on the stage of lineage progression of NBs.     

The zinc finger homeodomain-2 gene of Drosophila controls Notch targets and regulates apoptosis in the tarsal segments

The development of the Drosophila leg is a good model to study processes of pattern formation, cell death and segmentation. Such processes require the coordinate activity of different genes and signaling pathways that progressively subdivide the leg territory into smaller domains. One of the main pathways needed for leg development is the Notch pathway, required for determining the proximo-distal axis of the leg and for the formation of the joints that separate different leg segments. The mechanisms required to coordinate such events are largely unknown. We describe here that the zinc finger homeodomain-2 (zfh-2) gene is highly expressed in cells that will form the leg joints and needed to establish a correct size and pattern in the distal leg. There is an early requirement of zfh-2 to establish the correct proximo-distal axis, but zfh-2 is also needed at late third instar to form the joint between the fourth and fifth tarsal segments. The expression of zfh-2 requires Notch activity but zfh-2 is necessary, in turn, to activate Notch targets such as Enhancer of split and big brain. zfh-2 is controlled by the Drosophila activator protein 2 gene and regulates the late expression of tarsal-less. In the absence of zfh-2 many cells ectopically express the pro-apoptotic gene head involution defective, activate caspase-3 and are positive for acridine orange, indicating they undergo apoptosis. Our results demonstrate the key role of zfh-2 in the control of cell death and Notch signaling during leg development.     

RPB2 sequences reveal a close phylogenetic relationship between tetraploid Hordelymus and diploid Hordeum species in Triticeae (Poaceae)

The origin of Hordelymus genome has been debated for years, and no consensus conclusion was reached. In this study, we sequenced and analyzed the RPB2 (RNA polymerase subunit II) gene from Hordelymus europaeus (L.) Harz, and its potential diploid ancestor species those were suggested in previous studies. The focus of this study was to examine the phylogenetic relationship of Hordelymus genomes with its potential donor Hordeum, Psathyrostachys, and Taeniatherum species. Two distinguishable copies of sequences were obtained from H. europaeus. The obvious difference between the two copies of sequences is a 24 bp indel (insertion/deletion). Phylogenetic analysis showed a strong affinity between Hordeum genome and Hordelymus with 85% bootstrap support. These results suggested that one genome in tetraploid H. europaeus closely related to the genome in Hordeum species. Another genome in H. europaeus is sister to the genomes in Triticeae species examined here, which corresponds well with the recently published EF-G data. No obvious relationship was found between Hordelymus and either Ta genome donor, Taeniatherum caput-medusae or Ns genome donor, Psathyrostachys juncea. Our data does not support the presence of Ta and Ns genome in H. europaeus, and further confirms that H. europaeus is allopolyploid.     

基于28S, COI和Cytb基因序列的薜荔和爱玉子传粉小蜂分子遗传关系研究

薜荔和爱玉子均属于桑科榕属植物,二者为同一物种的原变种与变种的关系,早期研究认为这两种榕树与同一种传粉榕小蜂(Wiebesia pumilae (Hill))建立了稳定的互利共生关系,但近期在形态学、生态学、传粉生物学等方面对二者的研究结果表明,薜荔传粉小蜂和爱玉子传粉小蜂之间可能发生了遗传分化。实验用核糖体28SrDNAD1-D3区、线粒体Cytb及COI基因部分序列,对采自福建3个不同样地的薜荔传粉小蜂和3个不同品系的栽培爱玉子的传粉小蜂进行分析,结果表明:(1)薜荔传粉小蜂和爱玉子传粉小蜂的核糖体28S序列的碱基组成中A,T,G,C 4种含量较平均,C+G的平均含量(56%)稍高于A+T的含量(44%)。线粒体Cytb序列中A+T的含量(76.1%)明显高于C+G的含量(23.9%),COI序列中A+T的含量(71.9%)也明显高于G+C的含量(28.1%),这是膜翅目昆虫线粒体基因的普遍特征。在薜荔和爱玉子传粉小蜂的线粒体Cytb及COI基因中,密码子第三位点A+T的含量最高。(2)比较薜荔和爱玉子传粉小蜂的3种分子标记的变异范围显示,28S进化速度较Cytb及COI序列慢,比较保守,更适合科、亚科等较高分类单元的研究。薜荔传粉小蜂与爱玉子传粉小蜂之间的亲缘关系较近,采用Cytb与COI序列进行分析更为精确。(3)用Cytb及COI序列对薜荔传粉小蜂与爱玉子传粉小蜂之间的遗传距离进行分析显示,薜荔传粉榕小蜂个体间Cytb序列平均遗传距离为0.0054,爱玉子传粉小蜂个体间的Cytb遗传距离为0.0164;薜荔传粉小蜂与爱玉子传粉小蜂群体之间的Cytb序列平均遗传距离为0.1385;COI序列的薜荔传粉榕小蜂个体间遗传距离为0.0048,爱玉子传粉小蜂各样本间平均遗传距离为0.0102;薜荔传粉小蜂与爱玉子传粉小蜂群体间COI序列平均遗传距离为0.1896,两群体间的遗传距离(差异大于10%以上)明显大于群体内各样本之间的遗传距离,表明薜荔传粉小蜂与爱玉子传粉小蜂之间已经发生了很大的遗传分化,其变异水平达到了种间分化水平,即薜荔传粉小蜂与爱玉子传粉小蜂为两个不同的种。     

将安龙花转移至马蓝属(爵床科)的形态特征依据

比较了安龙花(Dyschoriste sinica H. S. Lo)的模式标本与距药花属(Dyschoriste Nees)和马蓝属(Strobilanthes Bl.)部分种类的花粉和花的特征后,支持将安龙花转移到马蓝属,组合为Strobilanthes sinica (H. S. Lo) Y. F. Deng。安龙花隶属于马蓝属黄猄草群,它与日本马蓝(Strobilanthes japonica (Thunb.) Miq.)近似,但区别在于它的匍匐习性,叶矩圆状椭圆形,近无柄,花单生叶腋。因此,距药花属(Dyschoriste Nees)在中国并没有分布。     

Description of Brenneria roseae sp. nov. and two subspecies, Brenneria roseae subspecies roseae ssp. nov and Brenneria roseae subspecies americana ssp. nov. isolated from symptomatic oak

Gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic bacteria were isolated from symptomatic oak tissue in the UK and USA. Partial gyrB sequencing placed ten strains in the genus Brenneria, with B. goodwinii as the closest phylogenetic relative. The strains were investigated further using a polyphasic approach including MLSA (based on partial gyrB, rpoB, infB and atpD gene sequences), 16S rRNA gene sequencing, DNA–DNA relatedness studies and both phenotypic and chemotaxonomic assays. The MLSA and 16S rRNA gene analyses separated the strains into two groups based on origin, suggesting that they belong to Brenneria as two novel species. However, the DNA–DNA relatedness values revealed a closer relationship between the groups and indicated that they should belong to the same species. As the two groups of strains from the UK and USA can be differentiated from each other phenotypically and by ERIC PCR fingerprints, it is proposed to classify them as novel subspecies of a novel Brenneria species. The name Brenneria roseae sp. nov. (FRB 222^T = LMG 27714^T = NCPPB 4581^T) is proposed, with Brenneria roseae subsp. roseae ssp. nov. (FRB 222^T = LMG 27714^T = NCPPB 4581^T) for the strains from the UK and Brenneria roseae subsp. americana ssp. nov. (FRB 223^T = LMG 27715^T = NCPPB 4582^T) for the strains from the USA.     

Distribution of exudate flavonoids in the genus Plectranthus

Thirty-four species of the genus Plectranthus (including species of the former genera Coleus and Solenostemon, fam. Lamiaceae) were surveyed for exudate flavonoids to see whether the distribution of these compounds would support a recent classification of the genus based on molecular and morphological characters. In this classification two major groups had been identified, the Coleus and Plectranthus clades. Only about 40% of the species, predominantly from the Plectranthus clade, were found to produce exudate flavonoids, which were mainly flavones. Flavanones were restricted to five species of the Plectranthus clade, whereas flavonols were only found in two species of the Coleus clade, Plectranthus montanus Benth. (synonyms Plectranthus marrubioides Hochst. ex Benth. and Plectranthus cylindraceus Hochst. ex Benth.) and Plectranthus pseudomarrubioides R.H.Willemse. Four of these flavonols were isolated from P. montanus and identified by NMR spectroscopy as the 3,7-dimethyl ether and 3,7,4′-trimethyl ether of quercetin and the 3,6,7-trimethyl ether and 3,6,7,4′-tetramethyl ether of quercetagetin. The remaining flavonols and flavones were identified by HPLC–UV and LC–MS of crude extracts on the basis of their UV and mass spectra, retention times and comparison with standards. Most flavonols were 3-methyl ethers and many of the flavones and flavonols were oxygenated at the 6-position. The most common flavones, occurring in both clades, were cirsimaritin and salvigenin, which are methoxylated at the 6- and 7-positions. 6-Hydroxylated flavones such as scutellarein and ladanein were restricted to species of the Plectranthus clade.     

Antimicrobial peptides isolated from Phyllomedusa nordestina (Amphibia) alter the permeability of plasma membrane of Leishmania and Trypanosoma cruzi

Nature has provided inspiration for Drug Discovery studies and amphibian secretions have been used as a promising source of effective peptides which could be explored as novel drug prototypes for neglected parasitic diseases as Leishmaniasis and Chagas disease. In this study, we isolated four antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) from Phyllomedusa nordestina secretion, and studied their effectiveness against Leishmania (L.) infantum and Trypanosoma cruzi. The antiparasitic fractions were characterized by mass spectrometry and Edman degradation, leading to the identification of dermaseptins 1 and 4 and phylloseptins 7 and 8. T. cruzi trypomastigotes were susceptible to peptides, showing IC₅₀ values in the range concentration of 0.25–0.68 μM. Leishmania (L.) infantum showed susceptibility to phylloseptin 7, presenting an IC₅₀ value of 10 μM. Except for phylloseptin 7 which moderate showed cytotoxicity (IC₅₀ = 34 μM), the peptides induced no cellular damage to mammalian cells. The lack of mitochondrial oxidative activity of parasites detected by the MTT assay, suggested that peptides were leishmanicidal and trypanocidal. By using the fluorescent probe SYTOX® Green, dermaseptins 1 and 4 and phylloseptins 7 and 8 showed time-dependent plasma membrane permeabilization of T. cruzi; phylloseptin 7 also showed a similar effect in Leishmania parasites. The present study demonstrates for the first time that AMPs target the plasma membrane of Leishmania and T. cruzi, leading to cellular death. Considering the potential of amphibian peptides against protozoan parasites and the reduced mammalian toxicity, they may contribute as scaffolds for drug design studies.     

A case of adoption and allonursing in captive plains zebra (Equus burchellii)

Although allonursing (allowing non-filial offspring to suckle) can be a costly behaviour, it has been reported for many mammals including ungulate species. However, such behaviour is very rare in equids. This is the first report on adoption and allonursing in captive plains zebra (Equus burchellii), recorded in the Dv?r Králové Zoo, Czech Republic. We observed a case of adoption of an orphaned foal by a lactating mare, who then regularly nursed two foals (filial and non-filial). The allonursing mare rejected more suckling attempts, terminated suckling bouts more often, and had a shorter suckling bout duration than other mares. When nursing both foals at the same time, the suckling bout lasted for less time than when nursing a single foal, regardless of whether it was filial or non-filial. The allonursing mare apparently did not discriminate between the filial and non-filial foal.     

越南植物Michelia tonkinensis(木兰科)的模式考订

Michelia tonkinensis A. Chev.这个名称在发表时未指定模式,曾被处理为M. balansae (Aug. DC.) Dandy的异名。在查阅了其原白和原始材料后,确认采自越南北部Tuyen Quang省的标本——Fleury 37.667 (P)是该种唯一的原始材料,应该作为模式看待,同时确认Michelia tonkinensis是一独立的种,不应该处理为M. balansae的异名。此外,还提供了M. tonkinensis的异名、俗名、描述、分布及查阅的标本等综合信息。     

基因组原位杂交鉴定牛筋草AA基因组在穇子染色体上的分布及探针长度优化方法

采用基因组原位杂交(Genomic in situ hybridization,GISH)方法研究了牛筋草(Eleusine indica)AA基因组在穇子(E.coracana)染色体上的分布,并探讨了AA、BB基因组的同源关系。用超声波破碎法进行预剪切,以缺口平移法标记的牛筋草总DNA为探针,BB基因组的E.floccifolia(Forssk.)Spreng.总DNA为封阻,与AABB基因组穇子的中期染色体进行杂交。结果表明,牛筋草AA基因组分布在穇子的18条染色体上。不加封阻或加过量封阻均不能鉴别AA基因组,说明AA和BB基因组间的分化程度不大,双方共享的重复序列较多。牛筋草与E.floccifolia总DNA分别用超声波破碎2 min和3 min后,可得到峰值为300-750 bp的DNA片段,这说明不同物种的超声波破碎时间需要调整,以获得合适长度的探针。