Nomenclatural notes upon Scandinavian orchids

Three new combinations, Dactylorhiza incarnata (L.) Soó ssp. incarnata var. hyphaematodes (Neum.) Løjtnant, Gymnadenia albida (L.) L. C. Rich. ssp. straminea (Fern.) Løjtnant, and Platanthera bifolia (L.) L. C. Rich. ssp. latiflora (Drejer) Løjtnant are made. Some nomenclatural problems of Pseudorchis and Platanthera are discussed and the differences between P. bifolia ssp. bifolia and ssp. latiflora are illustrated by means of photographs, drawings, and biometric data.     

Giemsa karyotypes and their evolutionary significance inScilla bifolia,S. drunensis,andS. vindobonensis (Liliaceae)

Quantitatively evaluated C-banded and conventional karyograms are presented for the related speciesScilla bifolia subsp.danubialis Speta,S. drunensis (Speta)Speta, andS. vindobonensis Speta. On the basis of banding patterns and karyotype structureS. bifolia subsp.danubialis (2n = 18, 2×) andS. drunensis (2n = 36, 4×) are quite similar, whileS. vindobonensis (2n = 18, 2×) is entirely different. There is a moderate degree of karyotypic variation withinS. bifolia subsp.danubialis andS. drunensis. However, inS. vindobonensis karyotypes and banding patterns are almost completely stable over a geographical range of about 500 km. The present results confirm the recent taxonomic separation ofS. vindobonensis fromS. bifolia, and suggest a considerable phylogenetic distance between these two diploid species. The results are discussed with reference to the morphological characters of the species and their geographical distribution.Evolution ofScilla and Related Genera, II.Dedicated to Univ.-Prof. Dr.Elisabeth Tschermak-Woess on the occasion of her 60th birthday.     

Beitrag zur systematik vonScilla L. subgen.Scilla (inklusiveChionodoxa Boiss.)

Zusammenfassung Die vonBoissier aufgestellte GattungChionodoxa wird auf Grund samenanatomischer und karyologischer Befunde eingezogen. Ihre nahe Verwandtschaft mitScilla bifolia agg. konnte aufgezeigt werden. Die wesentlichen Unterschiede derScilla bifolia- Gruppe (inklusiveChionodoxa-Arten) zu anderen Gruppen myrmekochorerScilla-Arten sowie zuPuschkinia undHyacinthus wurden dargelegt.Folgende neue Kombinationen werden aufgestellt:Scilla luciliae (Boiss.)Speta comb. nova,Scilla cretica (Boiss. &Heldr.)Speta comb. nova,Scilla nana (Schult. fil.)Speta comb. nova,Scilla sardensis (Barr &Sugden)Speta comb. nova,Scilla siehei (Stapf)Speta comb. nova,Scilla×allenii (Nicholson)Speta comb. nova.Weiters wurden die Chromosomenzahlen für einigeScilla- Arten überprüft und dabei fürScilla bifolia neben der bekannten diploiden auch die tetraploide Zahl 2n=36 aufgefunden.

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Summary The genusChionodoxa set up byBoissier is withdrawn due to seedanatomical and caryological statements and its species are incorporated intoScilla L. The close affinity between formerChionodoxa-species andScilla bifolia agg. could be demonstrated. The essential differences between theScilla bifolia group (including the formerChionodoxa species) and other groups of myrmecochorousScilla species,Puschkinia andHyacinthus were shown. The following new combinations are set up:Scella luciliae (Boiss.)Speta comb. nova,Scilla cretica (Boiss. &Heldr.)Speta comb. nova,Scilla nana (Schult. fil.)Speta comb. nova,Scilla sardensis (Barr &Sugden)Speta comb. nova,Scilla siehei (Stapf)Speta comb. nova,Scilla×allenii (Nicholson)Speta comb. nova.Furthermore the chromosome numbers of someScilla species were checked, and inScilla bifolia L. besides the known diploid number the tetraploid number 2n=36 was discovered.

     

Where do Sardinian orchids come from: a putative African origin for the insular population of Platanthera bifolia var. kuenkelei?

Because of the complex geoclimatic dynamics of the Mediterranean basin, resulting from a combination of Tertiary geological processes and Quaternary climatic oscillations, the current species composition of the main continental islands is a mosaic resulting from relative contribution of vicariance, geodispersal and long‐distance dispersal by seed. To help distinguish among the contributions of these different dispersal modes to the orchid species richness on the island of Sardinia, we investigated the genetic structure and phylogeographic relationship of the only Platanthera bifolia var. kuenkelei population on the island. By using plastid DNA sequence variation, we show that this recently discovered population is more closely related to the Tunisian P. bifolia var. kuenkelei than to the geographically closer P. bifolia populations from peninsular Italy. Results from haplotype network construction support the hypothesis that the current distribution of P. bifolia var. kuenkelei (Sardinia and Tunisia) is most likely explained by over‐sea dispersal. However, haplotype diversity and mismatch analysis of this unique Sardinian population suggest that, if a long‐distance dispersal event did occur, it was not recent. More likely, temporarily favourable climatic conditions generated a suitable habitat on the island (also in terms of suitable mycorrhizas and pollinators) and thus a transient opportunity for seedling growth and population establishment of P. bifolia var. kuenkelei from North Africa. © 2011 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2011, 167 , 466–475.     

Revised treatment of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Memecylon</Emphasis> sect. <Emphasis Type="Italic">Afzeliana</Emphasis> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Melastomataceae: Olisbeoideae</Emphasis>), including three new species from Cameroon

Summary  Seven new names at species rank are proposed in Memecylon sect. Afzeliana Jacq.-Fél., a group of forest shrubs and small trees confined to Guineo-Congolian Africa. The group is centred in Cameroon, where 17 of the 20 species occur. A new flower type, the “star-flower” in Memecylon is revealed, and its taxonomic and ecological importance discussed. Three new, locally endemic species from the South West Province of Cameroon are described, mapped and illustrated: M. kupeanum R. D. Stone, Ghogue & Cheek, M. bakossiense R. D. Stone, Ghogue & Cheek, and M. rheophyticum R. D. Stone, Ghogue & Cheek. Two new names, M. accedens R. D. Stone, Ghogue & Cheek and M. hyleastrum R. D. Stone & Ghogue and one new combination, M. mamfeanum (Jacq.-Fél.) R. D. Stone, Ghogue & Cheek are provided at species level for three taxa originally proposed as varieties of M. afzelii G. Don. The taxon M. arcuatomarginatum var. simulans Jacq.-Fél. is also elevated to species status, as M. simulans (Jacq.-Fél.) R. D. Stone & Ghogue. Conservation assessments are provided for all the newly named taxa. A key is provided to the species of Memecylon sect. Afzeliana.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Warneckea austro-occidentalis</Emphasis>, a new species from Cameroon and Nigeria,and re-evaluation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">W. fascicularis</Emphasis> var. <Emphasis Type="Italic">mangrovensis</Emphasis> (Melastomataceae-Olisbeoideae)

Summary  Described and illustrated is Warneckea austro-occidentalis R. D. Stone, an endemic of tropical forests in Cameroon’s South West Province and adjacent Nigeria. The name W. mangrovensis (Jacq.-Fél.) R. D. Stone is also proposed at species level for the taxon originally described as W. fascicularis var. mangrovensis Jacq.-Fél. An IUCN (2001) status of endangered is assigned for both W. austro-occidentalis and W. mangrovensis.     

Sulla cariologia del Genere Carlina L.

Riassunto

L'A. ha studiato i cariogrammi di 6 specie italiane del genere Carlina L. (C. gummifera Less. var. Fontanesii (DC.) Fiori, C. acaulis L. var. alpina (Jacq.) Fiori, C. acanthifolia All., C. lanata L., C. vulgaris L., C. carymbosa L.).

Il corredo cromosomico è 2n = 20 per tutte le specie. Per la presenza di un gruppo di cromosomi della lunghezza superiore a 4 μ nelle specie a grossi capolini, si rende possibile distinguere auche cariologicamente nel genere Carlina L. due sezioni, corrispondenti alla possibile distinzione morfologica delle Carline in Macrocefale (C. gummifera Less. var. Fontanesii (DC) Fiori, C. acaulis L. var. alpina (Jacq.) Fiori, C. acanthifolia All., C. latana L.) e Microcefale (C. vulgaris L. e C. eorymbosa L.).     

DNA contents,giemsa banding,and systematics inScilla bifolia,S. drunensis,andS. vindobonensis (Liliaceae)

DNA contents have been determined cytophotometrically in the three Central European, relatedScilla speciesS. bifolia (2n = 18, 2 x, 1 C = 6.2 pg),S. drunensis (2n = 36, 4 x, 1 C = 12.8 pg), andS. vindobonensis (2n = 18, 2 x, 1 C = 9.4 pg). The tetraploid speciesS. drunensis contains twice as much DNA as the diploidS. bifolia. However, the diploid speciesS. vindobonensis differs in DNA content fromS. bifolia by a factor of about 1.5. This difference is largely due to euchromatic DNA, although the higher DNA content inS. vindobonensis is combined with higher heterochromatin content. The data indicate thatS. bifolia andS. drunensis on the one hand, andS. vindobonensis on the other hand are phyletically well separated. Previous taxonomic conclusions from morphology as well as C-banding are thus corroborated.Evolution ofScilla and Related Genera, V.     

Growth and viability of mycorrhizal extraradical mycelia associated with three temperate orchid species

Growth and enzymatic activities of extraradical mycelia (ERM) of native mycorrhizal symbionts associated with three orchid species, Dactylorhiza fuchsii, D. majalis and Platanthera bifolia, were studied. ERM extracted from the mycorrhizosphere of these species showed features typical for fungi that form orchid mycorrhiza. In the first pot experiment, three different treatments were applied on tubers of D. fuchsii transplanted from a natural site: control (no specific treatment), reinoculated (surface-sterilized tubers reinoculated with mycorrhizal fungi-colonised roots), and benomyl (nonsterilized tubers treated with fungicide). However, no significant differences in ERM growth and intensity of root mycorrhizal colonisation at harvest were observed among these treatments. ERM associated with reinoculated D. fuchsii plants showed significantly higher alkaline phosphatase (ALP) enzymatic activity at week 36 than at week 24, but no differences were observed for NADH diaphorase activity. Benomyl application significantly reduced ALP activity in comparison with reinoculated plants at week 36. In the second experiment, plants of all three species were either untreated (control), or repeatedly treated with benomyl. Similarly to the results of the first experiment, benomyl application did not reduce the ERM growth of mycorrhizal symbionts associated with D. majalis and D. fuchsii. The low ERM growth associated with benomyl-treated P. bifolia was probably caused by poor root system development in this treatment. Significantly higher mycorrhizal colonisation was found for D. fuchsii compared to P. bifolia in control treatments at the end of cultivation. The ERM of native symbionts of the three orchid species studied seemed to have a different growth pattern over time and responded differently to fungicide application.     

Taxonomic relationships in East AsianVicia species with unijugate leaves based on random amplified polymorphic DNA markers

Random amplified polymorphic DNA(RAPD) markers were investigated to clarify the taxonomic positions ofVicia linearifolia andV. bifolia, and to assess the genomic diversity among the 9 populations ofV. unijuga, each of which represents a geographical variation or infraspecific taxa in southern Korea. These species are characterized by unijugate leaves in East Asia and have been controversial as to infra-or interspecific classification. The polymorphic markers among the populations examined were observed for fifteen decamer primers. The degree of band sharing was used to calculate genetic similarity between populations, and a phenogram using UPGMA cluster analysis was generated based on the Dice similarity coefficient. The taxa studied were divided into two main groups and the populations ofV. unijuga were all grouped together in the phenogram. The genetic similarities ofV. unijuga were very high among the populations and did not show distinctions between the infraspecific taxa, although the populations of Mt. Odae and adjacent areas in eastern Korea were different from others of the species.V. linearifolia fell within the range of the genomic variation among the populations ofV. unijuga, whileV. bifolia was grouped withV. venosa var.cuspidata having multijugate leaves rather thanV. unijuga. The result from studying RAPD markers suggested thatV. linearifolia should be integrated intoV. unijuga and that species with unijugate leaves ofV. bifolia andV. unijuga are polyphyletic.     

Morphological and molecular evidence for interspecific hybridisation in the introduced African genus Crassocephalum (Asteraceae: Senecioneae) in Asia

Abstract

The genus Crassocephalum in Asia, introduced there from Africa, was examined by extensive field work, herbarium studies, analyses of pollen and seed fertility, chromosome counts and ITS and trnL‐F sequencing. We found that Crassocephalum in Asia comprises two species and their interspecific hybrid. The two species are C. crepidioides (Benth.) S. Moore and C. rubens (Juss. ex Jacq.) S. Moore, of which the latter is a new record for Asia (north Thailand). The hybrid between these two species in north Thailand originated from a cross between C. crepidioides (2n = 40) as female and C. rubens (2n = 40) as male parent.     

Can phenotypic selection on floral traits explain the presence of enigmatic intermediate individuals in sympatric populations of Platanthera bifolia and P. chlorantha (Orchidaceae)?

Pollinators represent one of the main agents of selection on floral traits. Here, we estimated phenotypic selection on floral morphology and phenology in a sympatric population of two orchid species, Platanthera bifolia and P. chlorantha, including enigmatic individuals with intermediate column morphology (as reflected by the distance between viscidia and caudicle length, two traits involved in assortative mating and reproductive isolation among Platanthera species), but genetically indistinguishable from P. bifolia. Our aim was to clarify whether the occurrence of intermediate phenotypes could be explained by the presence of selective pressures exerted by pollinators. Simple linear and quadratic regressions together with univariate and multivariate analyses were used to evaluate the strength of directional, disruptive and stabilizing selection. We found that selection on phenotypic traits varied between groups and sex functions. Contrary to our hypothesis, selection on the viscidia distance and caudicle length appeared to be consistent in the two P. bifolia groups. Interestingly, the viscidia distance was under significant stabilizing selection through female reproductive success in intermediate individuals. Based on these results, we conclude that, despite a significant selective pressure on some phenotypic traits, the presence of individuals with intermediate phenotype is not due to selection. Stabilizing selection on distance between viscidia in intermediate individuals may suggest that assortative mating play a role in the maintenance of this phenotypic polymorphism.     

MLO-Associated Decline of Alnus glutinosa, Populus tremula and Crataegus monogyna

In the Heidelberg area of southwestern Germany declining trees of Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn. and Populus tremula L. as well as stunting shrubs of Crataegus monogyna Jacq. were observed. In all 3 species mycoplasmalike organisms, which appear to be the causal agents of the disorders, were detected by fluorescence and electron microscopy. The diseases of alder and aspen seem to be lethal while the hawthorn apparently is less affected.     

Lipogenesis in the Basidiomycetes Pleurotus ostreatusand Flammulina velutipes Cultivated on Different Media

The compositions of free fatty acids (FA) in the mycelia of oyster cap (Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq. ex Fr.) Kumm.) and honey mushroom (Flammulina velutipes (Curt. ex Fr.) Sing.) and the effect of mycelium cultivation conditions on the composition and proportions of individual FA were investigated. Palmitic and linoleic acids were found to be major acids produced byP. ostreatus growing on solid agar medium and in a submerged culture with a synthetic medium. The composition of minor FA in P. ostreatuswas dependent on cultivation conditions. Surface cultivation of its mycelium yielded pentadecanoic, octadecenoic, and stearic acids. Submerged cultivation additionally yielded undecanoic, myristic, hexadecenoic, and lignoceric acids. The composition of free FA in F. velutipesshowed no significant differences from that of P. ostreatus. Variation in the C/N ratio in the cultivation medium affected both the FA composition in P. ostreatus and F. velutipes and the relationship between saturated and unsaturated FA.     

Interxylary cork of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Saussurea discolor</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">S. pygmaea</Emphasis> (Asteraceae)

The root anatomy of the subalpine to alpine plant species Saussurea discolor (Willd.) DC., and Saussurea pygmaea (Jacq.) Spreng., (Asteraceae) has been investigated by means of light and fluorescence microscopy on specimens of Austrian provenance. Both species develop a so called interxylary cork which mediates the splitting of the root into various strands. This phenomenon takes place in the secondary xylem and involves the development of a periderm separating the originally solid xylem cylinder. Interxylary cork is currently known from approximately 40 species of the Dicotyledones. This is the first report of this specific anatomical structure from the two studied species.     

Chromosome number and DNA ploidy level reports from Central Europe — 3

Third part of chromosome number and DNA ploidy level reports from Central Europe comprising whole Carpatho-Pannonian region includes the data for following taxa: Scilla bifolia s. str. (2n = 18), S. bifolia agg. (2n = 36, 54), S. drunensis subsp. drunensis (2n = 36), S. drunensis subsp. buekkensis (2n = 36), S. kladnii (2n = 18) and S. vindobonensis (2n = 18) by J. Kochjarová from Austria, Slovakia and the Czech Republic (nos. 27–32); Campanula macrostachya (2n = ca 32) and Erysimum diffusum (2n = 14, 28) by E. Michalková from Hungary (nos. 33–34). Original unpublished reports should be sent to the editor on following address: patrik.mraz@upjs.sk. For further details and arrangements of reports see the first part (Mráz 2005). Previous parts of the reports were published in 2005 and 2006 (Mráz 2005, 2006).     

Induction of capsaicinoid synthesis in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Capsicum chinense</Emphasis> cell cultures by salicylic acid or methyl jasmonate

Suspension cultures of Habanero pepper (Capsicum chinense Jacq.) were exposed to salicylic acid or methyl jasmonate to change secondary metabolism. Both treatments led to the accumulation of capsaicinoids and their late biosynthetic intermediate, vanillin. Both elicitors had a positive effect on the activities of phenylalanine ammonia lyase and coumarate O-methyltransferase, but none of them represented the main limiting step for capsaicinoid accumulation since vanillin contents were two orders of magnitude higher than those of capsaicinoids.     

Allocation to reproduction following experimental defoliation in Platanthera bifolia (Orchidaceae)

The roles of herbivory and pollination success in plant reproduction have frequently been examined, but interactions between these two factors have gained much less attention. In three field experiments, we examined whether artificial defoliation affects allocation to attractiveness to pollinators, pollen production, female reproductive success and subsequent growth in Platanthera bifolia L. (Rich.). We also recorded the effects of inflorescence size on these variables. We studied the effects of defoliation on reproductive success of individual flowers in three sections of inflorescence. Defoliation and inflorescence size did not have any negative effects on the proportion of opened flowers, spur length, nectar production or the weight of pollinia. However, we found that hand-pollination increased relative seed production and defoliation decreased seed set in most cases. Interactions between hand-pollination and defoliation were non-significant indicating that defoliation did not affect female reproductive success indirectly via decreased pollinator attraction. Plants with a large inflorescence produced relatively more seeds than plants with a small inflorescence only after hand-pollination. The negative effect of defoliation on relative capsule production was most clearly seen in the upper sections of the inflorescence. In addition to within season effects of leaf removal, defoliated P. bifolia plants may also have decreased lifetime fitness as a result of lower seed set within a season and because of a lower number of reproductive events due to decreased plant size (leaf area) following defoliation. Our study thus shows that defoliation by herbivores may crucially affect reproductive success of P. bifolia.     

Columnar cacti-shrub relationships in an Andean semiarid valley in western Venezuela

Spatial associations between columnar cacti and mimosoid shrubs were evaluated in an Andean semidesert enclave. An analysis on the capacity of other deciduous shrub species and medium-sized ephemeral plants to modify the spatial distribution of cacti was also included. The number of Stenocereus griseus (Haw.) F. Buxb., Cereus repandus (L.) Backeb. and Pilosocereus tillianus Gruber & Schaftzl that grow below the canopies of perennial plants were assessed and compared with open areas. Comparison of observed and expected number of cactus individuals shows a positive spatial association between S. griseus and Prosopis juliflora DC. Moreover, abundance of C. repandus and P. tillianus under the canopies of mimosoid shrubs were not statistically different from what was expected by chance. Positive spatial association between S. griseus and Capparis odoratissima Jacq., Cassia emarginata L., Cordia curassavica (Jacq.) Roem. & Schult., Croton rhamnifolius H.B.K. and Jatropha gossypifolia L. was also found. Evidence suggests that positive columnar cacti-shrub spatial association may occur either in the cactus thickets or in the thornscrubs. Due to the clumped distributions of S. griseus beneath P. juliflora and other perennial plants, we here postulate that S. griseus is the primary nursed columnar cactus of the enclave. The presence of cacti in open areas suggests that facilitation may be less important for establishment of columnar cacti species in this Andean semidesert landscape than in other temperate and tropical semiarid zones. We here discuss the importance of the nurse syndrome phenomenon for recruitment of S. griseus and for the conservation of this Andean semiarid environment.