Chromosomal evolution in Pleurothallidinae (Orchidaceae: Epidendroideae) with an emphasis on the genus Acianthera: chromosome numbers and heterochromatin

In this study, we analysed chromosome number variation and chromomycin A₃/4′,6‐diamidino‐2‐phenylindole (CMA/DAPI) banding patterns in 48 species belonging to 12 genera of subtribe Pleurothallidinae (Orchidaceae) in order to understand the chromosome evolution based on recent phylogenetic hypotheses and taxonomic treatments. All species had small chromosomes, with numbers ranging from 2n = 20 in two Specklinia spp. to 2n = 80 in an unidentified Octomeria sp. In Acianthera, the most highly represented genus in this study, a great diversity of chromosome number and pattern of fluorescent bands was observed, showing heterochromatin accumulation in Acianthera section Sicariae subsection Pectinatae. Interspecific ascending and, mainly, descending dysploidy were the main mechanisms of chromosome number evolution in subtribe Pleurothallidinae. For Pleurothallidinae, x = 20 is suggested as the basic chromosome number, the same suggested for the related subtribe Laeliinae and for the whole tribe Epidendreae. The Brazilian species of the mega‐genus Stelis had chromosomes with small amounts of heterochromatin and chromosome numbers based on x₂ = 16. These are generally divergent from those reported for Andean and Meso‐American species, but in agreement with the monophyletic hypothesis proposed for Stelis spp. with a Brazilian Atlantic distribution. © 2015 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2015, 178 , 102–120.     

A new species of Trichosalpinx (Orchidaceae: Pleurothallidinae) from Costa Rica

Trichosalpinx sanctuarii, a new species of Orchidaceae, subtribe Pleurothallidinae, is described and illustrated. It most resembles T. ringens, from which it is distinguished in the text. The new species is endemic to Costa Rica.     

Floral volatile profile in Pleurothallidinae,an orchid subtribe pollinated by flies: ecological and phylogenetic considerations

The Pleurothallidinae are recognized as the largest orchid group pollinated by Diptera. This subtribe has been focus of ongoing phylogenetic studies, in which the floral biology and mating systems of their representatives have been recently assessed and some synapomorphies pointed out, all of them regarding features or processes occurring in flowers. Data about the flower volatiles are still scarce, although it may offer valuable information about the floral biology of this subtribe. Here, we collected and analyzed the volatiles emitted from flowers at anthesis. We selected seven Brazilian species representing both late and early-divergent clades of Pleurothallidinae aiming to describe the chemical profile of flower volatiles and relate the identified compounds to the reproductive biology of the selected species. The outstanding feature regarding the floral scent profile is the ubiquitous occurrence in remarkable concentrations of alkanes, a situation not found in Laellinae, a closed subtribe of Pleurothallidinae. We also present a discussion concerning the ecological aspects of the flower volatiles and their pollinators.     

A phylogenetic analysis of subtribe Pleurothallidinae (Orchidaceae)

A cladistic analysis of subtribe, Pleurothallidinae (Orchidaceae) is based on 45 anatomical/ morphological characters. The ingroup members comprise 24 genera; the large genus Pleurothallis consists of two subgenera and ten species complexes. Three taxa representing subtribes Laeliinae and Arpophyllinae are designated as outgroup. Eight most parsimonious trees were discovered using computer assisted software (length = 230; CI = 0.27). The hypothesis that subtribe Pleurothallidinae has undergone a unilinear reduction in the number of pollinia is not supported by this study. Although the eight-pollinia state as represented by Octomeria apparently is plesiomorphic, the two-pollinia and four-pollinia states arose early in the phylogeny of the subtribe. Both two-and four-pollinia states subsequently reappeared as parallelisms. The six-pollinia state exhibited in Brachionidium is autapomorphic. This cladistic analysis suggests that Pleurothallis is not a natural genus and, perhaps may be divided into several discrete genera.     

A phylogenetic analysis of subtribe Pleurothallidinae (Orchidaceae)

A cladistic analysis of subtribe, Pleurothallidinae (Orchidaceae) is based on 45 anatomical/ morphological characters. The ingroup members comprise 24 genera; the large genus Pkurothallis consists of two subgenera and ten species complexes. Three taxa representing subtribes Laeliinae and ArpophyUinae are designated as outgroup. Eight most parsimonious trees were discovered using computer assisted software (length = 230; CI = 0.27). The hypothesis that subtribe Pleurothallidinae has undergone a unilinear reduction in the number of pollinia is not supported by this study. Although the eight-pollinia state as represented by Octomeria apparently is plesiomorphic, the two-pollinia and four-pollinia states arose early in the phytogeny of the subtribe. Both two-and four-pollinia states subsequently reappeared as parallelisms. The six-pollinia state exhibited in Brachionidium is autapomorphic. This cladistic analysis suggests that Pkurothallis is not a natural genus and, perhaps may be divided into several discrete genera.     

Stelis zootrophionoides (Orchidaceae: Pleurothallidinae), a New Species from Mexico

Background

Stelis (Orchidaceae) encompasses approximately 1100 species of epiphytic orchids distributed throughout the Neotropics, with the highest diversity in Andean South America. Sixty-two species were recorded previously in Mexico.

Methods

We formally describe here Stelis zootrophionoides as a new species from Chiapas, Mexico. To determine its systematic position, we conducted a morphological comparison with other members of Pleurothallidinae and a phylogenetic analysis of nucleotide sequences from the plastid matK/trnK and trnL/trnF regions, as well as the nuclear ribosomal ITS region for 52 species of Pleurothallidinae. Sequences of 49 species were downloaded from GenBank and those of three species, including the new taxon, were newly generated for this work. The new species is described and illustrated; notes on its ecological preferences and a comparison with closely related species are presented.

Conclusions

The new species, known only from one location and apparently restricted to the cloud forest in the central highlands of Chiapas, Mexico, is considered a rare species. This small epiphyte is unique among the Mexican species of Stelis by the combination of dark purple flowers with the distal third of the dorsal sepal adhered to the apices of the lateral sepals, which are partially united into a bifid synsepal, leaving two lateral window-like openings, and sagittate labellum. Stelis jalapensis, known from southern Mexico and Guatemala, also has the apices of the sepals adhered to each other, but it is distinguished by its larger flowers with lanceolate, acute dorsal sepal, completely fused lateral sepals (i.e. the synsepal is not bifid), and oblong-elliptic labellum. The phylogenetic analysis shows that S. zootrophionoides is closely related to other Mexican Stelis and corroborates previous suggestions that fused sepal apices have arisen independently in different lineages of Pleurothallidinae.     

Chromosome numbers and generic relationships in subtribe Stephanomeriinae (Compositae: Ichorieae)

Chromosome numbers are reported from over 230 populations representing species in eight genera. First counts are reported for three species ofStephanomeria, five species ofLygodesmia, and one species ofPinaropappus. Base chromosome numbers,x = 6, 7, 8, and 9 are known in the subtribe;x = 9 is found in six of the 12 genera and presumably is the ancestral base number for the subtribe. Two phyletic lines, aMalacothrix line and aStephanomeria line are recognized on morphological grounds. A key to the 12 genera is provided.     

TILOSOMES IN ROOTS OF ORCHIDACEAE: MORPHOLOGY AND SYSTEMATIC OCCURRENCE

Tilosomes, also called “fibrous bodies” or “rod bodies” in older literature, are lignified excrescences from the walls of cells of the innermost velamen cell layer adjacent to thin-walled passage cells of the exodermis in roots of many epiphytic orchids. Seven broad morphological types are recognized: spongy, lamellate, discoid, webbed, meshed, baculate, and plaited. Some types characterize specific genera or subtribes of Orchidaceae. Of the 350 species in 175 genera included in a survey of the family, tilosomes occur in 95 species and 39 genera and are concentrated in tribe Polystachyeae and subtribes Sobraliinae, Coelogyninae, Laeliinae, Pleurothallidinae, Bulbophyllinae, Lycastinae, and Maxillariinae. With the exception of the pantropical genera Bulbophyllum and Polystachya and the Paleotropical subtribe Coelogyninae, tilosomes are almost exclusively Neotropical phenomena.     

A new genus and species from Borneo and a new species from Java and Sumatra of Cicadini (Hemiptera: Cicadidae)

A new cicada genus and species, Minilomia triquetra, gen. and sp. nov., is described from Borneo. The new genus Minilomia is closely allied to Platylomia Stål and is placed in the subtribe Dundubiina of the tribe Cicadini. Another new cicada species, Pomponia brevicaudata, sp. nov. (subtribe Psithyristriina), is described from Java and Sumatra. The new species belongs to the Pomponia linearis species group and the P. linearis species complex but is distinguished from its congeners by the unusually short male abdomen.     

Flavonoid glycosides from Egyptian species of the tribe Asclepiadeae (Apocynaceae,subfamily Asclepiadoideae)

The flavonoids of 11 Egyptian species of the tribe Asclepiadeae (Apocynaceae, subfamily Asclepiadoideae) were studied: Pentatropis nivalis, Pleurostelma schimperi (subtribe Astephaninae), Glossonema boveanum, Solenostemma arghel (subtribe Glossonematinae), Cynanchum acutum, Oxystelma esculentum (subtribe Metastelmatinae), Calotropis procera, Gomphocarpus fruticosus, Gomphocarpus sinaicus, Pergularia tomentosa and Pergularia daemia (subtribe Asclepiadinae). These 11 species were found to produce flavonol glycosides. In addition, flavonol sulphates and disulphates were found in a specimen of P. nivalis. The flavonoids may provide useful taxonomic characters at several levels of classification.     

A review of the buprestid genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cochinchinula</Emphasis> Volk. With description of new taxa from Thailand,and notes on the composition and classification of the tribe Acmaeoderini (Coleoptera,Buprestidae, Polycestinae)

A review of the Oriental genus Cochinchinula Volk. (Coleoptera, Buprestidae, Polycestinae, Acmaeoderini) comprising three species is presented. The new species C. thailandica and C. bilyi spp. n. and the new genus Thaichinula gen. n. (type species T. ohmomoi sp. n.) from Thailand are described. A key to species of the genera Cochinchinula and Thaichinula is provided. The Nearctic genus Paracmaeoderoides Bellamy and Westcott is transferred from the subtribe Nothomorphina to the subtribe Acmaeoderoidina, and the South African genus Richtersveldia Bellamy is transferred from the subtribe Nothomorphina of Acmaeoderini to the tribe Ptosimini. The generic status is restored for another South African genus, Brachmaeodera Volkovitsh and Bellamy. The main evolutionary trends are discussed, and the taxonomic composition and classification of the tribe Acmaeoderini are clarified.     

Weitere isocedren-derivate aus Trixis paradoxa

The investigation of two further species from the tribe Mutisieae afforded in addition to known compounds three new sesquiterpene lactones and two further sesquiterpene esters, all closely related to compounds isolated before from other Trixis species. The isolation of these new substances from Trixis further establishes the chemotaxonomic situation in the subtribe Nassauviinae. From the Dinoseris species, among others, 1β-hydroxyalantolactone was isolated, indicating a relationship to the subtribe Gochnatiinae.     

Phylogenetic relationships in Pleurothallidinae (Orchidaceae): combined evidence from nuclear and plastid DNA sequences

To evaluate the monophyly of subtribe Pleurothallidinae (Epidendreae: Orchidaceae) and the component genera and to reveal evolutionary relationships and trends, we sequenced the nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacers (ITS1 and ITS2) and 5.8S gene for 185 taxa. In addition, to improve the overall assessments along the spine of the topology, we added plastid sequences from matK, the trnL intron, and the trnL-F intergenic spacer for a representative subset of those taxa in the ITS study. All results were highly congruent, and so we then combined the sequence data from all three data sets in a separate analysis of 58 representative taxa. There is strong support in most analyses for the monophyly of Pleurothallidinae and in some for inclusion of Dilomilis and Neocognauxia of Laeliinae. Although most genera in the nine clades identified in the analyses are monophyletic, all data sets are highly congruent in revealing the polyphyly of Pleurothallis and its constitutent subgenera as presently understood. The high degree of homoplasy in morphological characters, especially floral characters, limits their usefulness in phylogenetic reconstruction of the subtribe.     

MULTIPLE ORIGINS OF SELF-COMPATIBILITY IN LINANTHUS SECTION LEPTOSIPHON (POLEMONIACEAE): PHYLOGENETIC EVIDENCE FROM INTERNAL-TRANSCRIBED-SPACER SEQUENCE DATA

Phylogenetic reconstruction based on sequence variation in the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA was used to investigate the evolutionary dynamics of homomorphic self-incompatibility in Linanthus section Leptosiphon (Polemoniaceae), a group of annual plant species. Hand-pollination experiments revealed that five species were self-incompatible and four were self-compatible. Optimization of breeding systems onto the tree resulting from maximum-likelihood analysis, with no assumptions made about the ancestral condition, indicated that self-incompatibility has been lost four times in this section. An alternative tree rearrangement conforming to the hypothesis of three losses of self-incompatibility did not have a significantly lower likelihood than the maximum-likelihood tree as determined by a paired-sites test, but all rearrangements resulting in fewer than three losses were statistically rejected. Linanthus bicolor, a selfing species, was found to be polyphyletic, with populations from different geographic regions occurring in three well-supported clades. Morphological similarity in these distinct lineages is likely to have resulted from convergent evolution of traits associated with self-fertilization. Selection for reproductive assurance is hypothesized to have played an important role in the recurrent transformations from self-incompatibility to selfing in this group of annual species.     

Chromosome numbers in callirhoe (Malvaceae)

Forty-four chromosome counts from the North American genusCallirhoe are reported, including first-recorded counts ofC. alcaeoides, C. digitata, C. bushii, C. triangulata, andC. involucrata var.tenuissima. Information concerning chromosome numbers from present and previous reports is summarized and evaluated. Observations are presented on meiosis for the genus in general, for male sterile individuals of gynodioecious species, and for selected F₁ hybrids. Pollen fertility data are recorded for the latter. Chromosomally three species groups are recognized: an exinvolucellate, diploid species group withn=14; an involucellate, tetraploid and octoploid species pair,n=28 and 56; and an involucellate, diploid and tetraploid species group withn=15 and 30. Intrageneric relationships and those within the tribe Malveae subtribe Malvinae are discussed.     

Phylogenetic relationship and taxonomic position of Xylanthemum tianschanicum (Krasch.) Muradyan (Compositae,Anthemideae) as inferred from nrDNA ITS data

The central Asian endemic Xylanthemum tianschanicum (Krasch.) Muradyan (Compositae, Anthemideae) is the only species of Xylanthemum Tzvelev with radiate capitula. While the species was formerly found to be closely related to members of the subtribe Handeliinae, other representatives of the genus were considered to be similar to members of Tanacetum. In order to assess its phylogenetic relationships and taxonomic classification, a molecular analysis based on ITS sequences of 13 representatives of the subtribe Handeliinae and 17 species of three other subtribes (Anthemidinae, Artemisiinae and Matricariinae) was performed. Due to the close relationship of the X. tianschanicum to the type species of Richteria (Richteria pyrethroides) in a well supported clade (PP = 1, BS = 100%), which is supported by morphological features concerning the indumentum, capitulum morphology, and pappus structure, the combination Richteria tianschanica (Krasch.) Sonboli & Oberpr. is proposed based on the basionym Pyrethrum tianschanicum Krasch.     

Progress and prospects for interspecific hybridization in buckwheat and the genus Fagopyrum

Cultivated buckwheat, such as common (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench.) and tartary (Fagopyrum tataricum (L.) Gaertn.) buckwheat, is one of the most versatile crops for forage and food and has several benefits for human health. Interspecific hybridization between Fagopyrum species is of great importance to improvement of buckwheat. Hybridization would allow the transfer of agronomical beneficial characteristics from wild Fagopyrum species, including self-pollination and increased fertility, frost tolerance, and higher content of beneficial compounds. However, conventional breeding methods are only partially applicable because of the self-incompatibility and incompatibility barriers between different species. Present review summarizes the morphology of self-incompatibility, the genetic and cellular basis of incompatibility between different Fagopyrum species. In many interspecific crosses hybrid embryos are aborted after successful pollination due to post-zygotic incompatibility. The use of in vitro embryo rescue after interspecific hybridization has been successful in circumventing breeding barriers between Fagopyrum species. Methods applied successfully for the construction of interspecific hybrids are discussed in detail.     

Taxonomic study of the subtribe Pemphredonina Dahlbom, 1835 (Hymenoptera: Crabronidae) with a new species and six new records from China

In this revision of the subtribe Pemphredonina (Crabronidae: Pemphredoninae: Pemphredonini) from China, we reported several species present in respected subtribe, out of which one species is new to science Passaloecus frontirugatus Bashir and Ma, sp. nov., and six species are recorded for the first time from China, including Polemistus palawanensis Tsuneki, Diodontus insidiosus Spooner, Diodontus handlirschi Kohl, Diodontus tiemudzhin Tsuneki, Diodontus spinicerus Kazenas, and Diodontus kuroo Tsuneki. A key to genera and the species of Diodontus and Passaloecus from China is also provided. Distributional records from China of each genus are also given.     

Phylogenetics of Stelis and closely related genera (Orchidaceae: Pleurothallidinae)

Stelis, one of the largest genera within Pleurothallidinae, was recently recircumscribed to include a few hundred more species, most of which had previously been assigned to Pleurothallis. Here, a new phylogenetic analysis of Stelis and closely related genera based on DNA sequences from nuclear ITS and chloroplast matK, based on a much larger sample, is presented; it includes more than 100 species assigned to Stelis and covers all proposed groupings within the genus, many of which have not previously been represented. Clades are proposed to enable easier discussion of groups of closely related species; each clade is characterized morphologically, ecologically, and geographically to explain the evidence found in the molecular analysis. Discussion of the evolutionary trends of character states found in the genus in its broad sense is given. The current taxonomy of the group is given and the possible taxonomical implications of the findings presented here are discussed.     

Pollination of Specklinia by nectar-feeding Drosophila: the first reported case of a deceptive syndrome employing aggregation pheromones in Orchidaceae

Background and Aims The first documented observation of pollination in Pleurothallidinae was that of Endrés, who noticed that the ‘viscid sepals’ of Specklinia endotrachys were visited by a ‘small fly’. Chase would later identify the visiting flies as being members of the genus Drosophila. This study documents and describes how species of the S. endotrachys complex are pollinated by different Drosophila species.Methods Specimens of Specklinia and Drosophila were collected in the field in Costa Rica and preserved in the JBL and L herbaria. Flies were photographed, filmed and observed for several days during a 2-year period and were identified by a combination of non-invasive DNA barcoding and anatomical surveys. Tissue samples of the sepals, petals and labellum of Specklinia species were observed and documented by SEM, LM and TEM. Electroantennogram experiments were carried out on Drosophila hydei using the known aggregation pheromones ethyl tiglate, methyl tiglate and isopropyl tiglate. Floral compounds were analysed by gas chromatography–mass spectometry using those same pheromones as standards.Key Results Flowers of S. endotrachys, S. pfavii, S. remotiflora and S. spectabilis are visited and pollinated by several different but closely related Drosophila species. The flies are arrested by aggregation pheromones, including ethyl tiglate, methyl tiglate and isopropyl tiglate, released by the flowers, and to which at least D. hydei is very sensitive. Visible nectar drops on the adaxial surface of sepals are secreted by nectar-secreting stomata, encouraging male and female Drosophila to linger on the flowers for several hours at a time. The flies frequently show courtship behaviour, occasionally copulating. Several different Drosophila species can be found on a single Specklinia species.Conclusions Species of the S. endotrachys group share a similar pollination syndrome. There seem to be no species-specific relationships between the orchids and the flies. It is not expected that Specklinia species will hybridize naturally as their populations do not overlap geographically. The combination of pheromone attraction and nectar feeding is likely to be a generalized pollination syndrome in Pleurothallidinae.