Centaurea rahiminejadii sp. nov. and a new record in the genus Centaurea (Asteraceae,Cardueae–Centaureinae) from Iran

A new species, Centaurea rahiminejadii Negaresh (Asteraceae) in C. sect. Cynaroides Boiss. ex Walp., is described and illustrated from the Kermanshah Province, west Iran. It is morphologically similar to Centaurea regia Boiss. subsp. regia. Diagnostic morphological of this and closely related taxa are discussed and presented. The ecology, habitat and conservation status of the new species are also described. In addition, Centaurea regia subsp. cynarocephala (Wagenitz) Wagenitz is reported as a new record to the flora of Iran. Finally, the geographic distribution of the new species and closely related species is presented and mapped.     

Palynological survey of the subtribe Elephantopinae (Asteraceae, Vernonieae)

Despite the taxonomic value of pollen morphology within the tribe Vernonieae, a detailed study of the pollen of the subtribe Elephantopinae is still lacking. The pollen morphology of ten species, representing three of the four genera of the subtribe, Elephantopus, Pseudoelephantopus and Orthopappus, was studied with LM, SEM, and TEM. The pollen of all the species studied was found to be echinolophate, although the differences in aperture features and both sculpture and exine structure allowed recognizing two pollen types. The species of Elephantopus (except for E. elongatus) and Pseudoelephantopus share the regular or more or less regular ridges pattern, the colporate condition but with the ectoapertures little developed, and the acaveate exine structure. From the sculpture and the apertures, the pollen of Caatinganthus harleyi was found to be similar to that of Elephantopus and Pseudoelephantopus. The pollen morphology of the monotypic Orthopappus, which is shared with that of E. elongatus, was further investigated for the first time. We found that it differs from that of the other species in having an irregular pattern of ridges, colporate condition but with a well-developed ectoapertures, and caveate exine. Additional studies of the exine structure and apertures features, coupled with molecular phylogeny, are needed to understand the evolution of pollen characters and re-evaluate the intergeneric relationships within the tribe.     

A palynological study of the genus Nepeta L. (Lamiaceae)

The pollen morphology of forty taxa of the genus Nepeta L. was studied and documented in detail using light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron (SEM) microscopy in this study. Nepeta L. pollen grains are small to large (P = 18.64–63.46 μm, E = 15.62–46.33 μm), suboblate to perprolate (P/E = 0.86–2.09) in shape and hexacolpate (very rarely tetracolpate) with granular membranes. Alternate position of colpi occurs in six Nepeta taxa, N. nuda ssp. glandulifera, N. concolor, N. crinita, N. congesta var. cryptantha, N. stricta var. stricta and N. sibthorpii ssp. tumeniana. In examinations of exine ornamentation with SEM, two types of pollen grains were recognized: (1) type I, with microreticulate sculpture; and (2) type II with bireticulate sculpture, type I and II to be divided into two and five subtypes, respectively. In the two taxa with microreticulate pattern, N. pilinux and N. sulfuriflora, a tendency towards a bireticulum could be recognized due to traces of secondary tectal connections. The bireticulate exine ornamentation is characterized with varying characteristics of the primary muri and secondary reticulum. Pollen morphology within the genus is compared with infrageneric relationships.     

Comparative pollen morphology of sect. <Emphasis Type="Italic">Quinqueloculares</Emphasis> (Campanulaceae) in Turkey

The pollen morphology of Turkish species belonging to sect. Quinqueloculares (Boiss.) Phitos (Campanulaceae) were investigated with a light microscope (LM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). All examined species are endemic, except Campanula crispa Lam. According to the results of this study, pollen grains of the examined taxa were triporate and spheroidal. Their sculpture was spinose and baculate (C. crispa Lam.); spinulose and microperforate (C. tomentosa Lam.); microperforate (C. vardariana Bocquet) or more commonly, microechinate (C. iconia Phitos, C. lyrata Lam. subsp. lyrata, C. hagielia Boiss., C. sorgerae Phitos, C. betonicifolia SM., C. karadjana Bocquet, C. telmessi Hub.-Mor. & Phitos, C. davisii Turrill).     

Pollen morphology,ultrastructure and taphonomy of the Neuradaceae with special reference to Neurada procumbens L. and Grielum humifusum E.Mey. ex Harv. et Sond.

Pollen morphology and sporoderm ultrastructure of modern Neurada procumbens L. and Grielum humifusum E.Mey. ex Harv. et Sond. were studied using light (LM) and electron (SEM and TEM) microscopy. Additionally late Holocene pollen of the Grielum-type was studied using LM. Systematic and ecological aspects have been discussed for the family Neuradaceae. The pollen grains of the studied species are characterized by similarities in size, shape, aperture type and differences in exine sculpture (reticulate semitectate exine in Neurada and finely reticulate to foveolate in Grielum) and sporoderm ultrastructure. The cavea in the exine is situated between the ectexine and endexine which are connected near the aperture region only. A combination of the palynological characters of the Neuradaceae (semitectate exine, rather loose columellae, interrupted foot layer, the cavea in the exine) increases the pollen plasticity, allowing considerable changes of the pollen grain volume but still remains insufficient to survive sharp fluctuations in hydration level.     

Pollen types in Southern New World Convolvulaceae and their taxonomic significance

Pollen morphology from 143 collections representing 11 genera and 75 species of native South American Convolvulaceae was analyzed with LM and SEM. Exine structure and sculpture allow to distinguish three main types, in two of these types some subtypes were recognized. 1) Tectate, microechinate-perforate exine, with ramified columellae. On the basis of apertures three subtypes were distinguished: tricolpate in Aniseia, Bonamia, Convolvulus, Cressa, Dichondra, Merremia and Jacquemontia blanchetii; penta-hexacolpate in Merremia umbellata; and pantoporate with elliptic and circular pores, in Calystegia. 2) Tectate, microechinate-perforate exine with microspines and single columellae in concordant pattern, relates pantocolpate pollen of Jacquemontia and Evolvulus. From pollen data generic status of J. blanchetii should be considered. 3) Semitectate, echinate or gemmate, microechinate-microreticulate exine with single columellae is exclusive of pantoporate pollen of Ipomoea. Four subtypes were recognized in this genera, which are discussed in relation to Austins infrageneric classification.     

中国苦苣苔科三特有属花粉形态研究

对中国苦苣苔科异片苣苔属、长檐苣苔属和报春苣苔属等3个特有属中3种代表植物的花粉形态进行了光镜和扫描电镜的观察。结果发现这些植物的花粉形状比较一致,均为长球形或近球形,表明花粉形状对苦苣苔科的系统与分类没有太大的参考价值。观察到两种类型的花粉外壁纹饰:细网状纹饰、粗网状纹饰;异片苣苔属具粗网状纹饰,长檐苣苔属和报春苣苔属具细网状纹饰。还讨论了一些花粉外壁纹饰特征在苦苣苔科的系统研究方面的潜在价值。     

Pollen morphology of Carthamus L. species in Anatolian flora

In flora of Turkey, there are six species of Carthamus L: Carthamus dentatus (Forssk.) Vahl., C. glaucus M. Bieb. subsp. glaucus, C. lanatus L., C. tenuis (Boiss. & Blanche) Bornm., C. persicus Desf. ex Willd. and C. tinctorius L. Within these species, C. tinctorius L. is an alien species for the Turkish flora. The pollen grains belonging to six taxa collected from different locations of Anatolia and examined both under light microscope (LM) and under scanning electron microscope (SEM). As a result of these examinations and measurements, pollen grains of taxa are radially symmetrical, isopolar, oblate-spheroid, spheroid, tricolporate rarely tetracolporate, echinate. There are high similarities among taxa but some differences are recorded in size and spin length. According to cluster analyses of Carthamus species’ pollens, C. glaucus and C. tenuis have the most similar pollens. C. dentatus grouped with these two. C. persicus placed as the closest relative of C. tinctorius in the dendrogram.     

Comparative pollen morphology of the Iberian species of Pulicaria (Asteraceae, Inuleae, Inulinae) and its taxonomic significance

To better understand the taxonomy of Pulicaria, the pollen wall architecture of the six Iberian species were investigated using light (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The exine structure of Pulicaria odora was also investigated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Statistical analysis was performed to distinguish taxonomically significant morphometric information from all the measured parameters of pollen grains. It was found that the exine sculpture characters, with special importance paid to the spines, were the most useful of all characters to define Pulicaria pollen types and separate the species. Three pollen types distinguishable through the spines morphology and the inter-spinular sculpture are described: P. microcephala pollen type (incl. P. microcephala), P. vulgaris pollen type (incl. P. vulgaris), and P. dysenterica pollen type (incl. P. dysenterica, P. odora, P. paludosa and P. sicula). A dichotomous key to these Pulicaria pollen types is proposed. The distribution of P. dysenterica, P. odora, P. paludosa and P. sicula in more than one leaf node in the classification tree reveals that the pollen grains of these species are difficult to segregate. Therefore, the construction of a satisfactory dichotomous key to the P. dysenterica pollen type species is not feasible. Yet, the different spines apex morphology between P. microcephala and P. paludosa and the existence of significant differences in five of the eight studied quantitative pollen characters of these two taxa, supports the opinion that the Berlengas Islands endemic P. microcephala should be accepted as a separate species. In addition, the differences among the spines morphology of P. vulgaris, P. microcephala, and the other four Iberian (and European) species, strengthen the conclusion that the section Pulicaria is non-monophyletic.     

Lilium spp. pollen in China (Liliaceae): Taxonomic and Phylogenetic Implications and Pollen Evolution Related to Environmental Conditions

Recent molecular and karyologic studies have significantly modified delimitation of Lilium. However, despite the importance of pollen evolution in the genus comprehensive studies with electron microscopy and evaluation of pollen evolution are lacking. Therefore, we studied pollen morphology in a sample of 65 individuals from 37 taxa covering all the sections distributed in the world, using scanning electron microscopy. Our collection of 49 individuals from 21 taxa covering all five sections in China was also included in the database. We found pollen tetrads in L. bakerianum. Based on present and previous studies, our results suggest that pollen from L. formosanum should be classified as a new type, Formosanum. Combined with morphological and molecular evidence, pollen sculpture patterns appear to reflect phylogenetic relationships and are useful for species or subsection delimitation. Based on a comprehensive survey and correlation with potential functional implications, we propose the following hypothesis: evolution of an exine sculpture shows pollen type trends from Martagon → Callose → Concolor → Formosanum. The evolutionary trend regarding pollen sculpture and size could be related to selective pressure to adapt to environmental conditions. Pollen size and shape showed a significantly positive correlation with annual precipitation, and smaller pollen grains appear to adapt better in habitats with extreme conditions. Evolution trends in exine sculpture do not appear to be definitively correlated with pollen size and shape.     

Pollen morphology in relation to the taxonomy and phylogeny of some native Greek Aegilops species

The pollen morphology of some native Greek Aegilops species is investigated in LM (quantitative pollen characters) and SEM (exine sculpture) using acetolysed material. Furthermore, quantitative data are subjected to a multivariate analysis. The tetraploid Ae. cylindrica and its diploid parent Ae. caudata show a distinct morphological affinity as regards their quantitative pollen profile and the features of the exine sculpture. The tetraploid Ae. triuncialis is morphologically divergent from both its parents Ae. caudata and Ae. umbellulata due to the very large values of its quantitative pollen characters. However, the SEM survey of the exine sculpture indicates a rather high degree of similarity between Ae. triuncialis and Ae. umbellulata. No significant differences have been found between the two varieties of Ae. caudata (caudata and polyathera) concerning the quantitative pollen characters as a total or the morphology of the exine sculpture. The resultant clustering of the taxa on the basis of the quantitative pollen characters as well as the recorded similarities of their exine pattern are related to their sectional classification based on cytogenetical and morphological data.     

Chromosome number, karyotype and pollen morphology of the rare endemic Centaurea goeksunensis

In this paper, chromosome number, karyotype and pollen morphology of Centaurea goeksunensis Aytaç & H. Duman, described in 2005, are studied for the first time. Centaurea goeksunensis is found to be tetraploid (2n=4x=60). This is the second record of polyploidy in Centaurea sect. Psephelloideae (Boiss.) Sons. The basic chromosome number of C. goeksunensis was found to be x=15 and the haploid karyotype formula is 18 m+10 sm+2 st. The pollen grains of C. goeksunensis were found to be radially symmetric, isopolar and tricolporate. They are intersemiangular in polar view and prolate–sphaeroidal in equatorial view. The exine is thickened at the poles.     

Systematic importance of pollen morphological features of selected species from the genus Rosa (Rosaceae)

The aim of this study is verification of the taxonomic usefulness of the pollen grain features studied, based on pollen morphology of 32 wild species from all 4 subgenera and all 10 sections of the genus Rosa, mainly for delimitation of subgenera, sections, and species. The measurements and observations were carried out with both light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Only correctly formed pollen grains (30 per specimen) were measured, and 960 pollen grains were examined in total. They were analyzed for 14 quantitative features of pollen grains and exine sculpturing and the following qualitative ones: outline, shape, and operculum structure. Our study revealed that the diagnostic features of pollen grains studied were: exine sculpture, length of polar axis, and pollen shape (P/E ratio). On the basis of the above characters, five species were isolated and the remaining ones were included in several groups isolated on the basis of exine sculpture types. The following three exine sculpture types occurred in the species studied: granular-verrucate (in R.?stellata), striate-psilate (in R.?multibracteata and R.?multiflora), and striate (the remaining species). R.?banksiae is characterized by small pollen grains, while R.?setigera has strongly elongated pollen with P/E ratio >1.5. Exine sculpture features considered to be diagnostic should be treated as auxiliary because they fail to differentiate individual species, although they can be helpful in distinguishing groups of species of similar exine sculpture. The arrangement of the species examined on a dendrogram only slightly corroborates division of the Rosa genus into subgenera and sections currently adopted in taxonomy (Rehder 1940). An interesting result was reported for the species studied from the Caninae (R.?agrestis, R.?canina, R.?dumalis, R.?jundzillii, and R.?rubiginosa) section which, despite hybrid nature, with the exception of R.?villosa, grouped in the same, most separated group of species.     

延龄草科四属花粉形态的研究

对延龄草科重楼属Paris L.延龄草属Trillium L.Medeola L.属和Scoliopus Torr.属以及百合科百合属Ｌilium L.和萱草属Ｈemerocallis L.花粉进行了光镜和电镜的观察和比较。结果表明,在延龄草科中,重楼属,Medeola属和Scoliopus属花粉具有较多的相似性：具单一远极沟,极面观椭圆形,外壁为网状纹饰或皱波－网状纹饰。而延龄草属花粉与它们的差异则较大,为圆形,无萌发孔,外壁非网状纹饰,而是颗粒状,疣状,芽孢状,星状和微刺状等纹饰。百合属中的Lilium michauxii和萱草属中的金针菜Hemerocallis citrina花粉均为单一远极沟,外壁表面为网状纹饰。但其网脊特别粗,具不规则突起并形成棱角（H.citina)或由许多排列成念珠状的、形状不一的分子组成（Lilium michauxii),结构特别复杂。就其萌发孔类型和纹饰特征看,它们与延龄草科中的重楼属,Medeola属和Scoliopus属花粉具有较多的性。花粉外壁的层次结构在延龄草科各属之间（延龄草属除外）,甚至在延龄草科与百合科之间均没有多大的差异。     

A new Centaurea L. (Asteraceae) species from Turkey

A new Centaurea L. (Asteraceae) species from Turkey is described and illustrated. Centaurea mersinensis Uysal and Hamzao?lu exists on calcareous slopes in Pinus brutia forests of Ayd?nc?k (Mersin) in southern Anatolia. It belongs to C. sect. Phalolepis (Cass.) DC., and taxonomically its closest relative is C. lycaonica. Diagnostic morphological characters from very similar taxa are provided, and a key is provided that includes related species of sect. Phalolepis from Turkey. The geographical distribution of the new species and relatives of the same section are mapped. The chromosome number of C. mersinensis, 2n = 18, counted in root tips, is also reported and illustrated.     

Pollen morphology and pollination ecology of Amorphophallus species from North Western Ghats and Konkan region of India

The present paper reports on palynology and pollination ecology of eight taxa of Amorphophallus from North Western Ghats (NWGS) and Konkan region of India. Out of ten known pollen exine ornamentations of the genus, six are represented – psilate, striate, fossulate, verrucate, scabrate and the new type ‘pseudofossulate’ of Amorphophallus commutatus var. wayanadensis. These diverse pollen exine ornamentations can be utilized as an important taxonomic tool to distinguish taxa and also to resolve taxonomic problems (A. commutatus complex). The pollen of all eight taxa had retained their sculptured surface (exine ornamenatation type) after acetolysis. This clearly demonstrates that these taxa do not show susceptibility to the conventional acetolysis technique as reported earlier. The present study also highlights the importance of pollen surface morphology concerning phytogeography of the genus.     

POLLEN MORPHOLOGY IN THE GENUS ERYTHRONIUM (LILIACEAE) AND ITS SYSTEMATIC IMPLICATIONS

Pollen morphology was examined in 40 samples from 19 species in the genus Erythronium (Liliaceae) using scanning (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Pollen grains are monosulcate monads, except for a plant of E. oregonum which has dyad grains. North American and European species are characterized by reticulate exine sculpture composed of various degrees of wavy muri and variably-sized lumina. The most distinctive feature of exine sculpture in the genus is exhibited by the Asian species E. japonicum, which has a unique reticulate pattern composed of striate muri and a distinctive exine structure without columellae. The distinctness of E. japonicum pollen suggests that it has specialized in isolation from species in North America and Europe.     

Pollen morphology and its taxonomic significance of the monotropoideae (Ericaceae)

A palynological survey, including LM, SEM and TEM is presented for eight genera, nine species and 76 samples of the Monotropoideae which is composed of 10 genera and 13 species. On the basis of the aperture number and shape, the following six pollen types are recognized: 1) 3-colp(oroid) ate—Allotropa, 2) 2-colpor(oid)ate—Monotropsis andHemitomes, 3) 4-colpor(oid)ate—Pterospora, Sarcodes andPleuricospora, 4) 2- and 3-colpor(oid)ate—Monotropa hypopitys, 5) 3-colporate and-porate —Monotropa uniflora, 6) 3- to 4- porate—Monotropastrum humile. Relationships among taxa within the Monotropoideae are illustrated on the palynological characters including the aperture type, exine sculpture and structure. Both pollen grains with two and four apertures have evolved independently from pollen grains with three apertures, according to the infraspecific variation of aperture numbers and the usual occurrence of three-aperturate pollen grains in the Ericaceae. 3-colp(oroid)ate pollen ofAllotropa is the most primitive and occupies an isolated position in the subfamily, on the other hand 3- to 4-porate pollen ofMonotropastrum humile is most advanced in the subfamily, probably even in the Ericaceae. A reduced sexine inMonotropastrum humile appears to be a specialized pollen character. Infraspecific geographical difference in palynological characters is revealed in two species ofMonotropa for the first time.M. hypopitys is basically characterized by pollen grains with two apertures in the New World vs. three apertures in the Old World.M. uniflora is basically characterized by 3-porate pollen in the New World vs. 3-colporate in the Old World. In both species pollen grains with more primitive characters usually occur in the Old World.