Systematic relationships within the genus Trichomanes sensu lato (Hymenophyllaceae, Filicopsida): cladistic analysis based on anatomical and morphological data

Systematics within the genus Trichomanes sensu lato (Hymenophyllaceae, Filicopsida) have continued to be controversial because of the difficulty in identifying homologies and informative characters within high morphological diversity. Systematic relationships are investigated in this study by using a cladistic approach with 31 anatomical and morphological characters from 20 taxa which correspond to the sections defined by Morton. The results broadly confirm Morton's four subgenera: Trichomanes, Didymoglossum, Pachychaetum and Achomanes. The monophyly of Pachychaetum remains fragile and the section Lacostea appears to be excluded from its traditional subgenus (Achomanes). In addition, by producing two major 'ecological' clades (terrestrial and epiphytic), the analysis shows that several selected characters appear to be strongly linked with the ecology which may have a significant influence on the topology.     

Morphological and anatomical analyses of rheophytic Rhododendron ripense Makino (Ericaceae)

The comparative morphology and anatomy of the leaves of the rheophytic Rhododendron ripense and the closely related inland species Rhododendron macrosepalum were examined. The leaf of R. ripense is thinner than that of R. macrosepalum, with leaf length to width ratios (leaf index) of 2.92 and 1.91, respectively. Moreover, the leaf of R. ripense consists of fewer cells than the leaf of R. macrosepalum, suggesting stenophyllization of R. ripense caused by the decreased number of cells. In addition, leaf thickness and the number of stomata per leaf of R. ripense were significantly greater than those of R. macrosepalum, but the density of the short glandular pilose hairs on the leaf of R. ripense was lower. The observed morphological differences between the two species may be explained by certain aspects of the riparian environment, such as high irradiation and frequent flooding after heavy rainfall, to which R. ripense is exposed.     

Changes of Leaf Morphological, Anatomical Structure and Carbon Isotope Ratio with the Height of the Wangtian Tree （Parashorea chinensis） in Xishuangbanna, China

Leaf morphological and anatomical structure and carbon isotope ratio （δ^13C） change with increasing tree height. To determine how tree height affects leaf characteristics, we measured the leaf area, specific leaf mass （ratio of leaf mass to leaf area [LMA]）, thickness of the total leaf, cuticle, epidermis, palisade and sponge mesophyll, stomata traits and δ^13C at different heights of Parashorea chinensis with methods of light and scanning electron microscopy （SEM） and isotope-ratio mass spectrometry. The correlation and stepwise regression between tree height and leaf structure traits were carried out with SPSS software. The results showed that leaf structures and δ^13C differed significantly along the tree height gradient. The leaf area, thickness of sponge mesophyll and size of stomata decreased with increasing height, whereas the thickness of lamina, palisade mesophyll, epidermis, and cuticle, ratios of palisade to spongy thickness, density of stomata and vascular bundles, LMA and δ^13C increased with tree height. Tree height showed a significant relationship with all leaf indices and the most significant relationship was with epidermis thickness, leaf area, cuticle thickness, δ^13C. The δ^13C value showed a significantly positive relationship with LMA （R = 0.934）. Our results supported the hypothesis that the leaf structures exhibited more xeromorphic characteristics with the increasing gradient of tree height.     

Inheritance of foliar and nodal anatomical characters in some Ilex hybrids

The diverse relationships of the main differential leaf and nodal anatomical characters of a number ot artificial Ilex hybrids and their parents are compared. The marginal sclerenchyma strands character is not transferred to hybrids when differential. The lignification of the unspecialized abaxial epidermal cells is dominantly inherited, except in one hybrid. The development of a distinctive adaxial hypodermis is usually suppressed in hybrids when one of its parents is lacking in this character. New characters are reported for hybrids of Ilex aquifolium × opaca , where the vasculation of petiole and midrib and the presence of periclinal subdivisions in the adaxial epidermis constitute features not known from either parent species.
The possible significance of the four different ways of expression of parental characters in the hybrid offspring is discussed with reference to: genetic control of anatomical characters; the identification of hybrid material; the evolution of leaf anatomical diversity in Ilex , and the systematic value of leaf anatomical characters.     

Relationships, classification and evolution of Scleranthus (Caryophyllaceae) as inferred from analysis of morphological characters

Study of floral anatomy, micromorphology, palynology and onotogeny has revealed new characters for phylogenetic analysis in the genus Scleranthus . Cladistic analysis of these characters, along with those previously available, suggests that the genus consists of Eurasian/Mediterranean and Australasian sister clades. Gynoecial morphology and development are closely similar in all species, suggesting the genus is monophyletic despite its disjunct northern and southern hemisphere distribution. Variation in pollen:ovule ratios and their implications for the evolution of Scleranthus species are also discussed and it is concluded that a range of breeding strategies intermediate between autogamy and xenogamy exists in the genus. Single-stamened species of Scleranthus are likely to be obligate autogams, despite their comparatively high pollen:ovule ratios in relation to autogamic species of other genera.  © 2002 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2002, 140 , 15–29.     

Anatomical structure and secretion compounds of colleters in nine Ilex species (Aquifoliaceae) from southern South America

In order to clarify whether the structures observed at the base of the petiole of the genus Ilex are colleters resulting from stipules, the anatomy, vascularization and secretions of these supposed glandular structures were analysed in nine species. This is the first report of colleters in Ilex. Stipular colleters replace the stipules in all species studied and are characterized by the presence of vascular traces. In addition to the stipular colleters, three other types of colleter were distinguished: standard and lachrymiform colleters found on the leaf teeth or crenations, and sessile colleters found on the margins of the floral bracts. Their basic structure consists of a central core of parenchymatous cells surrounded by one layer of palisade secretory epidermal cells. Histochemical tests were also performed on secretions; proteins were found in the secretions studied, but glucose was not. The glandular origin of the stipular colleters is confirmed on the basis of their position, secretions and anatomy. Analyses of the colleter‐secreted proteins distinguished two different groups of Ilex species. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 160 , 197–210.     

滇南红厚壳种子油的脂肪酸成分

应用GC-MS联用技术对云南省西双版纳产的滇南红厚壳（Calophyllumpolyanthum）种子油的脂肪酸成分进行分析.检出12种脂肪酸成分,占总量的99.39%,主要是亚油酸（38.75%）,棕榈酸（22.42%）,油酸（22.11%）和硬脂酸（9.81%）.     

A morphological and anatomical survey of Virectaria (African Rubiaceae), with a discussion of its taxonomic position

A detailed morphological and anatomical study of the tropical African genus Virectaria is presented. The observations are used to characterize the genus, to propose a key to all eight species, and to unravel the relationships between the species using cladistics. A taxonomic survey of the genus is also given. Verdcourt's infraspecific taxa based on calyx morphology in V major are adopted, but it was found that morphological distinction is correlated with ecological, habit and distributional differences. Hence, it is better to recognize Verdcourt's varieties spathulata and major as subspecies of V. major. The problematic systematic position of the genus is discussed in detail. New evidence is given for the exclusion of the genus from the Hedyotideae and Ophiorrhizeae (subfamily Rubioideae). The recently proposed position in the Sabiceeae (subfamily Ixoroideae) is not convincing either, since none of the genera included in the Sabiceeae matches Virectaria with respect to pollen, fruit, flower and growth habit. Exclusion from the Rubioideae and a position near the Sabiceeae is supported by lack of raphides, seed anatomy, placentation, stipule morphology and molecular evidence. Molecular data from a larger number of taxa are needed to confirm the position of the genus.     

Multivariate analyses of morphological characters of Leptolaena Thouars s.l. subgenera Mediusella and Xerochlamys (Sarcolaenaceae)

Leptolaena Thouars is one of the first described genera within Sarcolaenaceae, but represents the last great species-level taxonomic challenge in this endemic Malagasy plant family. As currently circumscribed, this genus comprises three subgenera, two of which, Mediusella Cavaco and Xerochlamys (Baker) Cavaco, exhibit patterns of morphological variation that have been understood differently and have led to an unstable taxonomy, such that a consensus on the delimitation of species has yet to be reached. Principal component analysis of morphological characters was performed on 211 herbarium specimens in order to evaluate the morphological variation within the two subgenera and to clarify historically problematical species boundaries. The results showed that ten entities could be distinguished on the basis of vegetative, floral, and fruit characters, and that they provide a robust basis for proposing a new species-level taxonomic framework.  © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2008, 157 , 559–574.     

Consistent and variable leaf anatomical characters in Carex (Cyperaceae)

The anatomy and morphology of leaves in Carex have the potential to be taxonomically useful. However, studies on the variability of leaf characteristics in the genus are sparse. Researchers therefore risk using leaf anatomical characters without the knowledge of whether they are consistent in a species. We examined 22 qualitative and seven quantitative leaf anatomy characters from transverse leaf sections to test their consistency across 11 Carex spp. The characters were clearly described and primarily microscopic. Some characters were found to exhibit high levels of intraspecific variation, whereas other characters exhibited high levels of consistency in a species, including the shape of the leaf section, the density of papillae and the size of epidermal cells. Caution must be applied when choosing leaf anatomy to delimit taxa because of the intraspecific variability found in some characters, but sufficient numbers of invariant characters exist to provide useful taxonomic separation. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2013, 172 , 371–384.     

Estimation of temperature and precipitation from morphological characters of dicotyledonous leaves

The utility of regression and correspondence models for deducing climate from leaf physiognomy was evaluated by the comparative application of different predictive models to the same three leaf assemblages. Mean annual temperature (MAT), mean annual precipitation (MAP), and growing season precipitation (GSP) were estimated from the morphological characteristics of samples of living leaves from two extant forests and an assemblage of fossil leaves. The extant forests are located near Gainesville, Florida, and in the Florida Keys; the fossils were collected from the Eocene Clarno Nut Beds, Oregon. Simple linear regression (SLR), multiple linear regression (MLR), and canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) were used to estimate temperature and precipitation. The SLR models used only the percentage of species having entire leaf margins as a predictor for MAT and leaf size as a predictor for MAP. The MLR models used from two to six leaf characters as predictors, and the CCA used 31 characters. In comparisons between actual and predicted values for the extant forests, errors in prediction of MAT were 0.6°-5.7°C, and errors in prediction of precipitation were 6-89 cm (=6-66%). At the Gainesville site, seven models underestimated MAT and only one overestimated it, whereas at the Keys site, all eight models overestimated MAT. Precipitation was overestimated by all four models at Gainesville, and by three of them at the Keys. The MAT estimates from the Clarno leaf assemblage ranged from 14.3° to 18.8°C, and the precipitation estimates from 227 to 363 cm for MAP and from 195 to 295 cm for GSP.     

The diversity and paleoenvironmental significance of Calophyllum (Clusiaceae) from the Miocene of southeastern China

Abstract

Three species within the genus Calophyllum collected from middle Miocene Fotan Group sediments in Zhangpu County, Fujian, southeastern China are described in this paper. These fossils include Calophyllum zhangpuensis sp. nov., Calophyllum striatum, and Calophyllum suraikholaensis. The new fossil species C. zhangpuensis sp. nov. is oval, possesses entire leaves with closely spaced parallel secondary veins and has a round, or slightly retuse, apex. These specimens represent the first known fossil records of this relative wide leaf-type form of Calophyllum from China and have a length:width (L:W) ratio less than 3:1. In combination with the known modern geographic distribution and habitats of this wide leaf-type Calophyllum and other plants, data suggest that the middle Miocene Fotan flora is indicative of a warm climate. Thus, based on available fossil data, we speculate that this genus probably originated in India during the Paleocene before spreading from India to Bangladesh and into China, Sumatra, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Java during the Neogene, leading to its modern distribution. At least, the 3 fossil species in this region can explain floristic exchange between India, Fujian, and South China, which is consistent with previous studies; the occurrence of these 3 species indicates that Calophyllum began to diversity in China no later than the Miocene.     

QTL analysis of leaf morphological characters in a Quercus robur full-sib family (Q. robur × Q. robur ssp. slavonica)

The distinction between white oak species (section Quercus sensu stricto ) is largely based on leaf morphological characters. There is, however, considerable within-species variation and no single species-diagnostic character, possibly due to phenotypic plasticity and/or underlying genetic variation. The aim of the present study was to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) underlying the high within-species variation for leaf morphological characters in an F₁ full-sib family derived from a cross between Q. robur and Q. robur ssp. slavonica . In accordance with an earlier QTL mapping study in an intraspecific Q. robur full-sib family, polygenic inheritance was detected for leaf morphological characters that are used to discriminate between the species Quercus robur and Q. petraea . QTLs were distributed over ten linkage groups, showed a moderate effect in terms of phenotypic variance explained (PVE) in the mapping pedigree (3.6–9.6%), but accounted for a considerable amount of the parental differences. Co-localisation of QTLs on the same linkage group in different genetic backgrounds was found for the number and percentage of intercalary veins (NV, PV) on linkage group 3 and for NV on linkage group 5, revealing a high congruence in the relative QTL positions. The generally low correspondence of the other QTLs in the different mapping pedigrees may be an effect of the genetic background and of the environment. In conclusion, leaf morphological characters were found to be under polygenic control, and a comparison to earlier published results led to the identification of two QTLs that were stable across different genetic backgrounds.     

中国伞形科天胡荽亚科果实解剖特征及其系统学意义

经对中国伞形科天胡荽亚科 (Hydrocotyloideae)中天胡荽属 (HydrocotyleL .)积雪草属 (CentellaL .)和马蹄芹属(DickinsiaFranch .) 10种植物果实解剖结构的观察比较 ,发现 3属的果实横切面以合生面为基准可以分成 2个类型 ,即两侧压扁类型 (天胡荽属和积雪草属 )和背腹压扁类型 (马蹄芹属 )。除此之外 ,中果皮的外侧是否有色素块沉积、内侧是否有木化细胞层或厚壁细胞层以及最内层是否形成晶体细胞层 ,内果皮细胞的层数、排列方向以及有无棱槽油管等性状 ,可以作为区分 3属的重要解剖学特征。在此基础上 ,结合外部形态特征 ,讨论了该亚科及其内部各属的解剖学特征、属间区别及其演化关系。认为马蹄芹属应归属于Mulineae族 ,另外 2个属应归属于天胡荽族(Hydrocotyleae) ;3属中积雪草属原始而马蹄芹属进化 ;天胡荽亚科可能不是自然的类群 ,它的分类系统和演化地位有待深入研究。     

Morpho‐anatomical and physiological differences between sun and shade leaves in Abies alba Mill. (Pinaceae,Coniferales): a combined approach

Morphology, anatomy and physiology of sun and shade leaves of Abies alba were investigated and major differences were identified, such as sun leaves being larger, containing a hypodermis and palisade parenchyma as well as possessing more stomata, while shade leaves exhibit a distinct leaf dimorphism. The large size of sun leaves and their arrangement crowded on the upper side of a plagiotropic shoot leads to self‐shading which is explainable as protection from high solar radiation and to reduce the transpiration via the lamina. Sun leaves furthermore contain a higher xanthophyll cycle pigment amount and Non‐Photochemical Quenching (NPQ) capacity, a lower amount of chlorophyll b and a total lower chlorophyll amount per leaf, as well as an increased electron transport rate and an increased photosynthesis light saturation intensity. However, sun leaves switch on their NPQ capacity at rather low light intensities, as exemplified by several parameters newly measured for conifers. Our holistic approach extends previous findings about sun and shade leaves in conifers and demonstrates that both leaf types of A. alba show structural and physiological remarkable similarities to their respective counterparts in angiosperms, but also possess unique characteristics allowing them to cope efficiently with their environmental constraints.