Chromosome numbers of Mongolian Angiosperms. II.

Chromosome numbers are reported for 20 collections of Mongolian plants representing 19 taxa. The first chromosome records are reported forArabidopsis mongolica (2n=16),Caragana pygmaea (2n=16),Isatis costata var.leiocarpa (2n=28),Lophanthus chinensis (2n=18) andStevenia cheiranthoides (2n=32). Counts partly differing from those previously recorded are given forBatrachium trichophyllum subsp.trichophyllum (2n=32+0-2B, 36+6B),Cuscuta chinensis (2n=60),Dracocephalum fragile (2n=72) andErysimum flavum (2n=14). Chromosome numbers of the following taxa were confirmed:Astragalus monophyllus (2n=16),Erodium stephanianum (2n=16),Gastrolychnis apetala (2n=24),Geum aleppicum (2n=42),Linum baicalense (2n=18),Rorippa palustris (2n=32),Rubia cordifolia subsp.pratensis (2n=22),Schizonepeta multifida (2n=12),Tribulus terrestris (2n=36) andVicia cracca (2n=14). Taxonomic remarks onArabidopsis mongolia, Erysimum flavum, Stevenia cheiranthoides andVicia cracca are added. A new combinationArabidopsis mongolica (Botsch.)Měsí?ek & Soják is proposed.     

Chromosome numbers and DNA ploidy levels of selected species ofHieracium s.str. (Asteraceae)

Chromosome numbers and /or ploidy levels are reported for 44 species and subspecies ofHieracium s.str. from the following European countries: Andorra, Austria, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, France, Italy, Montenegro, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Ukraine. The chromosome numbers/DNA ploidy levels ofH. bocconei (2n ～ 4x),H. bupleuroides subsp.leviceps (2n = 27),H. caesioides subsp.caesioides (2n = 27),H. basifolium (H. caesium agg., 2n = 36),H. plumbeum (H. caesium agg., 2n = 36),H. glaucum subsp.nipholepium (2n= 27),H.gouanii (2n = 18),H. gymnocerinthe (2n = 27),H. ramondii (2n = 27),H. recoderi (2n = 18),H. stelligerum (2n = 18), andH. tomentosum (2n = 18, 2n ～ 2x, 2n ～ 3x) were determined for the first time. New ploidy levels are reported forH. cerinthoides s.str. (2n = 27),H. humile (2n = 36), andH. tommasinianum (2n = 27).     

Bacidina genus novum familiaeLecideaceae s. lat. (Ascomycetes lichenisati)

The following eleven species currently classified in the generaBacidia s. lat. andCatillaria s. lat. are transferred to the new genusBacidina Vězda gen. n. (Lecideaceae s. lat.):Bacidina apiahica (Müll. Arg.) comb. n.,B. chloroticula (Nyl.)Vězda etPoelt comb. n.,B. egenula (Nyl.) comb. n.,B. inundata (Fr.) comb. n.,B. mirabilis (Vězda) comb. n.,B. neglecta (Vězda) comb.n.,B. pallidocarnea (Müll. Arg.) comb. n.,B. phacodes (Koerb.) comb.n.,B. scutellifera (Vězda) comb.n.,B. vasakii (Vězda) comb.n., andB. ziamensis (Vězda) comb.n.     

Karyological studies in IberianSonchus (Asteraceae: Lactuceae): S. oleraceus, S. microcephalus andS. asper and a general discussion

Chromosome numbers and karyotypes ofSonchus oleraceus (n=16, 2n=32),S. asper (n=9, 2n=18 for subsp.asper and subsp.glaucescens, andS. microcephalus (n=15, 2n=30) are studied; for the first time their idiograms are given. Karyotypes mainly comprise small chromosomes with a degree of asymmetry 2B inS. oleraceus andS. microcephalus and 2A or 2A-2B inS. asper. No karyological differences can be pointed out betweenS. asper subspecies. Data presented support the amphiploid character ofS. oleraceus, and the origin ofS. microcephalus through a dysploid process involving the former taxon. In Iberian representatives of the genus, diagrams of karyotype asymmetry indices show a cluster grouping for species, with the detached exceptions ofS. maritimus andS. crassifolius, which spontaneously hybridize in central Spain. A review of available karyological data shows that in the evolution of the genusSonchus s.l. and relatives, the basic chromosome number x=9 has generally been maintained. Dysploidy is restricted to the seriesS. bourgeaui (n=8) —S. tenerrimus (n=7) andS. oleraceus (n=16) —S. microcephalus (n=15), evolutionarily related and included in the present subgenusSonchus. Polyploidy has been detected in a total of nine taxa ofSonchus and in the generaEmbergeria, Kirkianella, andDendroseris, being more common in peripheral regions of the distribution area of the group. Five diversification centers are proposed for the whole group, of which the Western Mediterranean area, including the Iberian Peninsula, is related to diversification of the present subgenusSonchus.     

Chromosome numbers in some North American species of the genus Cirsium. III. Western United States,Mexico, and Guatemala

New data are presented on chromosome numbers for 36 species, two varieties, and two hybrids ofCirsium (Compositae). These include first reports forC. rhothophilum (2n = 34),C. andrewsii (2n = 32),C. crassicaule (2n = 32),C. quercetorum (2n= 32, 112),C. pascuarense (2n= 32),C. douglasii var.canescens (2n = 30, 34),C. hydrophilum (2n = 32),C. neomexicanum (2n = 30),C. cymosum (2n = 30, 34),C. acantholepis (2n= 34),C. radians (2n = 34), C.grahami (2n = 32),C. nigriceps (2n = 36),C. andersonii (2n= 32, 64),C. anartiolepis (2n = 34), andC. subcoriaceum (2n= 34). The published data on chromosome numbers of Eurasian and AmericanCirsium are summarized. In Eurasia, speciation has taken place primarily at the diploid level but is occasionally reinforced by polyploidy. The ancestral base number of 17 has been preserved in almost all species, and there is little evidence that reduction in chromosome number has played a significant role in speciation. In America speciation has proceeded exclusively at the diploid level, but the ancestral genome of 17 chromosomes has been retained in only about half of the species examined. In the remaining species, restructuring of the genome has occurred resulting in a reduction in number from 17 to 9 in extreme cases. Polyploidy, when seen, is of no significance. It is suggested that all species with greatly reduced numbers may represent products of a single reduction series.     

Karyosystematics ofVeronica sect.Beccabunga (Scrophulariaceae) with special reference to the taxa in Turkey

The chromosome numbers ofVeronica beccabunga subsp.abscondita (2n=18),V. anagallis-aquatica subsp.lysimachioides (2n=18),V. anagallis-aquatica subsp.michauxii (2n=36), and of a presumable hybridV. poljensis × V. anagalloides (2n=36) are new for the relevant taxa. — A new number was found forV. anagalloides subsp.heureka (2n=18). The other counts, ofV. scardica (2n=18),V. anagalloides subsp.anagalloides (2n=18), andV. anagallis-aquatica subsp.oxycarpa (2n=36) agree with earlier findings.—Data from the literature have been critically evaluated, in some cases the relevant vouchers have been checked and, where needed, the original determinations have been revised. For several taxa, comments concerning their systematics and remarks on their distribution in Turkey are given.     

Filenchus flagellicaudatus n. sp. and Lelenchus schmitti n. sp. (Nemata: Tylenchidae) from Molokai,Hawaii

Filenchus flagellicaudatus n. sp. and Lelenchus schmitti n. sp. are described from Pepe''opae bog on Molokai, Hawaii. Filenchus flagellicaudatus n. sp. is distinguished from all other Filenchus spp. by stylet length (10 µm), robust metacorpus, elongated basal bulb, and extraordinarily long, whip-like tail (c = 2.6, c'' = 31.8). Lelenchus schmitti n. sp. differs from other Lelenchus spp. by its shorter body length, weak dorso-ventral compression of the head region, and a more posterior vulva (V = 49-52). The spacious amphid pocket is introduced as a useful character for the differentiation of Lelenchus spp. from other Tylenchidae.     

Descriptions of Deladenus albizicus n. sp. and D. processus n. sp. (Nematoda: Hexatylina) from Haryana,India

Two different nematodes were isolated from the bark of Albizia lebbeck trees; one from insect infested and another from noninfested, healthy tree. Based on the biological, morphological, and molecular evidences, the nematodes are described as Deladenus albizicus n. sp. and D. processus n. sp. (Nematoda: Hexatylina). Deladenus albizicus n. sp., isolated from insect-infested tree, multiplied on the fungus Nigrospora oryzae. Myceliophagous females of this nematode reproduced by parthenogenesis and spermathecae were indistinct. Infective females, readily produced in the cultures, are dorsally curved. Only one type of males containing small-sized sperms in their genital tracts were produced in the culture. Myceliophagous females: L = 0.75 to 1.71 mm, a = 32.3 to 50.8, b = 9.3 to 11.2, b’ = 5.2 to 7.3, c = 27.2 to 35.6, V = 91.0 to 93.3, c’ = 2.0 to 2.9, stylet = 11 to 12 µm, excretory pore in the region of median pharyngeal bulb, 43 to 47 µm anterior to hemizonid. Deladenus processus n. sp., isolated from bark of healthy A. lebbeck tree, was cultured on Alternaria alternata. Myceliophagous females reproduced by amphimixis and their spermathecae contained rounded sperms. Infective females were never produced, even in old cultures. Myceliophagous females: L = 0.76 to 0.99 mm, a = 34 to 49, b = 13.3 to 17.7, b’ = 3.8 to 5.8, c = 19.6 to 22.8, V = 92.2 to 93.5, c’ = 2.7 to 3.5, stylet = 6 to 7 µm, excretory pore in the proximity of hemizonid, tail conoid, tapering from both sides to a long pointed central process. It is proposed to classify Deladenus species in three groups: durus, siricidicola, and laricis groups based on female and spermatogonia dimorphism, mode of reproduction, and insect parasitism.     

Cytotaxonomic study ofChelidonium majus L. s. l.

The present paper deals with cytotaxonomy ofChelidonium majus L. s. 1. taxa and their hybrids. Based on results of hybridization experiments, cytology and reproductive isolation, a new combination,Ch. asiaticum (Hara) Krahulcová, is proposed. The structure of the aggregate is as follows:Ch. majus L. subsp.Majus (2n=12, distributed in Europe),Ch. majus L. subsp.grandiflorum (DC.)Printz (2n=12, S. Siberia, China) andCh. asisaticum (2n=10, E. Asia). Karyotypes ofCh. m. subsp.grandiflorum andCh. asiaticum are compared in detail.     

Cytogeographical survey ofEleocharis subser.Eleocharis in Europe 1:Eleocharis palustris

Chromosome numbers forEleocharis palustris subsp.palustris (based on 70 samples from Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Lithuania, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Sweden) andEleocharis palustris subsp.vulgaris (based on 74 samples from Austria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Latvia, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Sweden) are given. Also the chromosome number estimates based on relative DNA contents of plants from 8 localitiesE. palustris subsp.palustris from Croatia, the Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Israel, and Slovenia, and from 18 localities ofE. palustris subsp.vulgaris from the Czech Republic, Germany and Sweden are included. InE. palustris subsp.palustris, 2n=16 prevailed, the mixoploid 2n=15, 16 was rare and a lone hypoploid 2n=15 was detected. InE. palustris subsp.vulgaris 2n=38 was most frequently detected, the hyperploid 2n=39 and mixoploid 2n=38, 39 were common, and the hypoploid 2n=36 and mixoploids in which 2n ranges from 36 to 42 were rarer. Distribution maps based on plants investigated either by chromosome counting or by flow cytometry, augmented by similar data from published sources are given for both subspecies in Europe.     

Ploidy variation in the group ofMyosotis palustris andM. laxa in the Czech Republic and Slovakia

In 74 natural populations of theMyosotis palustris andM. laxa groups from former Czechoslovakia three euploid and one aneuploid cytotypes were found that belong to the following species:M. nemorosa Besser, 2n=22,M. palustris (L.)Nath. em.Reichenb. inSturm, 2n=66,M. laxiflora Reichenb., 2n=66,M. radicans Opiz, 2n=66(64),M. brevisetacea (Schuster) Holub, 2n=66(64), andM. caespitosa C.F. Schultz, 2n=88. With the exception ofM. nemorosa, the chromosome numbers are published for the first time for the Czech Republic. The chromsome numbers, 2n=66, 2n=64 are found inM. brevisetacea, are new for the literature. The correlation between pollen size and ploidy level has been studied as well, and statistically significant differences were found between cytotypes belonging to different ploidy levels.     

Karyotaxonomische Untersuchungen anPotentilla taurica s.l. in Bulgarie

Several taxa considered by previous authors as intraspecific ofPotentilla taurica s.l. are considered as separate species. A diploid chromosome number 2n=14 and the characteristic chromosomes of karyotypes of 3 Balkan endemicsP. ni?i?i Adam.,P. emilipopii Nyarády andP. pirotensis (Borb.) Mark. are recorded.P. bornmuelleri Borb.,P. mollicrinis (Borb.) Stankov andP. astracanica Jacq. are widespread in South-eastern Europe. Of this groupP. mollicrinis is a diploid (2n=14),P. bornmuelleri is tetraploid and inP. astracanica a polyploid serie of 2x=14, 4x=28, 5x=35 and 6x=42 has been found. The karyotypes of all species are characterized by submetacentric chromosomes.     

Introduction of xylem differentiation in lactuca by ethylene

Evidence was obtained to support the hypothesis that ethylene is involved in xylem differentiation in primary pith explants of Lactuca sativa L. cv Romaine cultured in vitro. Xylem elements differentiated when explants were supplied indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) in combination with either the ethylene biosynthetic precursor 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC), the ethylene-releasing agent 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid (CEPA), or kinetin. In contrast, no xylem elements differentiated in the presence of IAA, kinetin, ACC, or CEPA alone, or when kinetin was supplied together with ACC or CEPA. These results show that ethylene will substitute qualitatively for cytokinin during auxin-induced xylogenesis, and suggest that both ethylene and auxin are required for xylem differentiation in Lactuca.     

Elytrigia turcica sp. nova,an octoploid species of theE. elongata complex

Elytrigia turcica sp. nov., (Poaceae) (2n=8x=56), a member of the polyploid complex related toE. elongata (Host) Nevski, (2n=2x=14), is described and distinguished fromE. pontica (Podp.) Holub, (2n=10x=70), which it most resembles.     

Systematic implications of sesquiterpene lactones in Lactuca species

A chemosystematic study of eleven species from the genus Lactuca (Asteraceae) was performed, based on the distributional data for eight sesquiterpene lactones as diagnostic characters. The lactones were identified in leaf and root extracts by comparison of their HPLC retention times and on-line UV spectra with those of reference compounds. Our results support the status of the section Lactuca, subsection Lactuca as a recognizable group within the genus, although Lactuca aculeata is a distinct species. Moreover, sesquiterpene lactone patterns of Lactuca perennis, Lactuca tatarica, Lactuca indica and Lactuca capensis are also given. It is worth noting that the sesquiterpene lactones are absent from Lactuca tenerrima. The chemosystematic impact of lactucin-type guaianolides and the germacranolide lactuside A is discussed briefly.     

Cytogenetic studies in Cyclamen persicum, C. graecum (Primulaceae) and their hybrids

Haploids, diploids and tetraploids of Cyclamen persicum (2n=x=24, 2x=48 and 4x=96), C. graecum (2n=84) and their interspecific hybrids (2n=45, 3x=66, 4x=90) were analyzed cytologically. The mean chromosome association per PMC at diakinesis or at metaphase I in meiosis was 23.29–23.39 I + 0.31–0.36 II in C. persicum (x), 0.17–0.23 I + 23.88–23.92 II in C. persicum (2x), 0.52–1.18 I + 46.39–46.78 II + 0.03–0.09 III + 0.41–0.48IV in C. persicum (4x) and 0.40–0.46I + 41.34–41.63 II + 0.02 III + 0.07–0.21IV in C. graecum. The mean chromosome association per PMC at diakinesis or at metaphase I was 0.47–0.62 I + 44.69–44.76 II in the hybrid (2n=90) of C. persicum (4x) × C. graecum, 38.48–42.50 I + 1.27–3.26 II in microspore-derived plants (2n=45) from the hybrid (2n=90) by anther culture and 26.22–26.67 I + 19.67–19.89 II in the hybrid (2n=66) of C. persicum (2x) × C. graecum. The results indicate that C. graecum is an autotetraploid, the hybrid (2n=4x=90) is an amphidiploid, the microspore-derived plant (2n=45) is a polyhaploid and the hybrid (2n=3x=66) is a sesquidiploid. Based on studies of meiosis, the ploidy levels and the origin of C. graecum and C. persicum are discussed in comparison with several species in the genus Cyclamen.     

Blue and Green Light-Induced Phototropism in Arabidopsis thaliana and Lactuca sativa L. Seedlings

Exposure time-response curves for blue and green light-induced phototropic bending in hypocotyls of Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. and Lactuca sativa L. seedlings are presented. These seedlings show significant phototropic sensitivity up to 540 to 550 nanometers. Since wave-lengths longer than 560 nanometers do not induce phototropic bending, it is suggested that the response to 510 to 550 nanometers light is mediated by the specific blue light photoreceptor of phototropism. We advise care in the use of green `safelights' for studies of phototropism.     

Serpentine and polyploid differentiation withinGalium pumilum agg. (Rubiaceae) in Eastern C. Europe

The local differentiation of a model group,Galium pumilum agg., was studied in serpentine versus non-serpentine habitats in the Czech Republic and adjacent regions in Austria, Germany and Poland. Serpentine habitats form ecologically distinct islands within the landscape; local micro-evolutionary processes may be important there, both because of small population sizes and the strong selection effects of the metal-rich soils. TheGalium pumilum agg. is a group of taxa showing typical karyological and ecological differentiation; the following species and cytotypes were studied:Galium pumilum Murray (2n=8x=88),G. valdepilosum Heinr. Braun (2n=2x=22, 2n=4x=44),G. sudeticum Tausch (2n=4x=44) andG. austriacum Jacq. (2n=4x=44). The karyological and taxonomic investigation showed that serpentine versus non-serpentine habitats do not play an important role in the differentiation of the species studied. (1) The examined populations ofG. pumilum Murray were homogeneous in chromosome numbers, belonging to the octoploid (2n=88) cytotype only. (2)G. valdepilosum consists of two cytotypes. Both of them occur on and off serpentine sites, but they show pronounced East-West distributional difference. (3)G. sudeticum occupies special localities on serpentine in western Bohemia, which are geographically isolated from its nearest localities in the Krkono?e Mts. The plants coming from both localities belong to the tetraploid cytotype. (4) A highly polyploid plant (2n=12x=ca. 132) from theG. pumilum group was found on serpentine. From the methodological point of view, pollen size turned out to be reliable only for distinguishing octoploids from diploids and tetraploids, but it is less suitable for separating the latter two ploidy levels. The occurrence ofG. austriacum is reported for the Czech Republic for the first time with certainty. This record extends the known distribution area ofG. austriacum in the NW direction.     

The Opecoelidae (Digenea) of sparid fishes of the western Mediterranean. III. Macvicaria Gibson & Bray, 1982

Macvicaria obovata (Molin) n. comb. is redescribed from Sparus aurata off the Mediterranean coast of France and a neotype is designated. Specimens from Oblada melanura off Israel may belong to the same species. It is mainly characterized by the uterine extension between the ovary and the anterior testis and the lack of a vitelline confluence in the forebody. M. maillardi n. sp. is also described from Sparus aurata off the southern coast of France. Its uterus does not pass between ovary and testes and the vitelline fields are confluent in the forebody. M. crassigula (Linton) n. comb. is redescribed from Diplodus annularis, D. sargus, D. vulgaris, Pagellus erythrinus and Sparus pagrus off Corsica, Calamus bajonado off Bermuda, Spicara smaris, D. annularis off Yugoslavia, D. sargus off Israel, and D. cervinus, Sparodon durbanensis and Cheilodactylus fasciatus in the SW Indian Ocean. It is similar to M. maillardi, but differs in being smaller, having a greater sucker ratio and a larger pharynx. It may well be a species-complex. M. dubia (Stossich) n. comb. is redescribed from Oblada melanura off Corsica and Yugoslavia. It is similar to M. maillardi and M. crassigula, but has a more anteriorly situated genital pore.