A demographic study of the apomictic blackberry, Rubus nessensis (Rosaceae)

Ten stands of Rubus nessensis , an apomictic blackberry, were studied. Perennial stools produce biennial shoots that flower in their second year. The stools tend to produce shoots of similar height for several consecutive years. Flowering, but not relative fruit set, is dependent on shoot height. Shoot height and density appear to be positively related, implying that intraspecific competition is of little importance for plant vigour. Depletion time varies greatly between stands (4–29 years), being comparatively longer in stands with short shoots. New establishment is sparse and takes place mostly by root suckering.     

Flowering and fruiting phenology in the apomictic blackberry, Rubus nessensis (Rosaceae)

Five stands of an apomictic blackberry, Rubus nessensis , were studied. Biennial shoots flower and fruit in their second year on lateral branches developed from axillary buds. Most premature death of reproductive units occurs by withering of entire laterals, presumably due to damage by frost during the preceeding autumn or winter. Health status of the floricane, assessed as percentage live axillary buds in the spring, was positively correlated with the reproduction parameters. Shoot height as well, is positively correlated with number of flower buds and flowers produced on each lateral but, however, negatively correlated with number of berries, probably because tall shoots tend to suffer more damage by frost which seriously afflicts the vascular tissues of the laterals.
The position of the axillary buds on the shoot affects survival and degree of fertility, those situated medially greatly surpassing apical and basal ones.     

Biometry and DNA fingerprinting detect limited genetic differentiation among populations of the apomictic blackberry Rubus nessensis (Rosaceae)

Clonal plant species have in many recent studies exhibited unexpectedly high levels of genetic differentiation. This seems to hold true also for several apomictic (agamospermous) species in spite of their potential ability to spread single genotypes over large areas through seed dispersal. By contrast, previous DNA fingerprint studies have demonstrated apomictic Rubus species to be extremely homogeneous. The present study was undertaken to estimate the extent and distribution of intraspecific genetic variation in R. nessensis . Populations differed significantly for many biometrical characters but this variation was evenly distributed, with few significant differences between single pairs of populations. Patterns indicating ecoclinal variation, which could be adaptive in origin, were not found. Populations also clustered close together in a two-dimensional CVA plot, with only one population being somewhat further removed. DNA analysis of later collected material from this population as well as from three others yielded identical DNA fingerprints with each of two different multi-locus DNA probes. Taken together with previous DNA fingerprint studies, these results indicate that a major part of the R. nessensis plants in Northern Europe have been derived from a single recombinational event, possibly making this genet the most widespread land-living organism in the world. The encountered variation in biometrical characters is probably instead caused by e.g. minor somatic mutations. Rubus species have relatively large, bird-dispersed seeds that probably travel further than the small, wind-dispersed seeds found in most previously investigated apomicts (e.g. in Asteraceae). The potential for single genotypes to disperse over large areas should therefore be greater in Rubus than in many other apomictic species groups.     

DNA fingerprint variation in some blackberry species (Rubus subg.Rubus,Rosaceae)

We have analysed samples from Sweden, Denmark, and Germany of six facultatively apomictic blackberry species to investigate the accordance between a taxonomy based on morphological characters on the one hand, and distribution of genetic variation estimated by DNA fingerprinting on the other hand. DNA fingerprint variation was found to be quite restricted in all species investigated. The first taxonomic group included three species related toRubus nessensis, two being characterized by one very widespread DNA fingerprint in all three countries and a few rare ones, whereas the third species differed between Sweden and Germany. The second taxonomic group included species related toR. gracilis. Two of these species exhibited very similar DNA fingerprints, whereas the third species deviated clearly. The utilization of DNA fingerprinting as a tool in taxonomy is discussed; most likely this method could become a useful complement to morphology, especially in plant groups with reduced levels of genetic recombination.     

Active self-pollination in blackberries (Rubus subgen. Rubus, Rosaceae)

Most blackberry species are apomictic but pseudogamous, i.e. embryo development is dependent on prior pollination. Two different types of stamen arrangement were noted in senescing flowers of 18 Swedish species and 2 common cultivars. The stamens of 'cross-pollinating' species seldom touch the stigmas while those of 'self-pollinating' species instead arch over the pistils and dry up in this position. All species set seed well after artificial self-pollination and are thus self-compatible. Isolation experiments were carried out during 3 years. When inflorescences were bagged, seed set was drastically lowered in 'cross-pollinators' but remained almost unaltered in 'self-pollinators'. The different responses to isolation are probably due to the inherent stamen behaviour.     

Pollen Morphology and Wall Stratification in Rubus L. (Rosaceae) in the Iberian Peninsula

A palynological study using LM and SEM was made of the morphology, ornamentation, apertural system and structure of the pollen wall, of the 18 species of the genus Rubus which are present in the Iberian Peninsula. We demonstrate: a) the stenopalynous character of the genus (isopolar, subprolate, 3-lobate, 3-zonocolporate and striate-perforate, except for R. genevierii whose ornamentation is striate-gemmate-perforate and with a striated margin); b) the lalongate shape of the endoaperture, due to the disappearance or thinning of the nexine; and c) the existence of two structural types, Type I granular and Type II columellar with clearly-defined columellar spaces or compact without intercolumellar spaces.     

Apomixis versus sexuality in blackberries (Rubus subgen.Rubus,Rosaceae)

InRubus L. a connection seems to exist between the degree of meiotic disturbances on the one hand, and the production of unreduced embryo sacs, pollen fertility and relative seed set on the other hand. Severe meiotic disturbances commonly encountered in apomictic taxa decrease pollen fertility and thereby seed set since pollen is necessary for endosperm development. By contrast interspecific hybrids between apomictic taxa appear to be sexual and exhibit high pollen fertilities, probably due to an improved meiosis. Thus, apomixis leads to a decreased fertility inRubus, not the opposite, as often discussed.     

Chromosome numbers of European blackberries (Rubus subg.Rubus,Rosaceae)

Chromosome numbers are presented for 32 collections of 29 European blackberry species (Rubus subg.Rubus) from Germany. One species is triploid (2n = 21), 27 species are tetraploid, (2n = 28), and one species is pentaploid (2n = 35). Chromosome numbers are reported for the first time ofR. adspersus, R. amisiensis, R. calvus, R. conothyrsoides, R. contractipes, R. demissus, R. elegantispinosus, R. ferocior, R. foliosus, R. hypomalacus, R. leucandrus, R. nemorosus, R. platyacanthus, R. praecox, R. rhombifolius, andR. rhytidophyllus. Chromosome numbers forR. dasyphyllus, R. gelertii, R. glandithyrsos, R. lamprocaulos, R. lindebergii, R. macrophyllus, R. montanus, R. muenteri, R. pedemontanus, R. polyanthemus, R. senticosus, R. silvaticus, andR. vigorosus are confirmed.     

Secondary metabolites of Rubus caesius (Rosaceae)

The European dewberry (Rubus caesius) is a perennial shrub that is widely distributed in Europe but can also be found in North America. In folk medicine, the European dewberry is used to treat hyperglycaemia, diarrhoea and inflammation. LC-MS analysis of the European dewberry confirmed the presence of 35 compounds, mostly flavonoids, phenolic acids and derivatives of ellagic acid. Phytochemical analysis of R. caesius leaves led to the isolation of nine phenolics, namely: quercetin 3-O-β-D-rutinoside (1), kaempferol 3-O-β-D-glucuronide (2), quercetin 3-O-β-D-glucuronide (3), methyl brevifolincarboxylate (4), kaempferol 3-O-β-D-(6″-O-(E)-p-coumaroyl)-glucoside (5), kaempferol (6), quercetin (7), pedunculagin (8), and ellagic acid (9). Compounds 1–8 were isolated from this species for the first time. The chemophenetic significance was discussed.     

Redberry mite, Acalitus essigi (Hassan) (Acari: Eriophyidae), an additional biological control agent for Rubus species (blackberry) (Rosaceae) in Australia

Abstract  Acalitus essigi , the eriophyoid mite that causes red berry disease in Rubus species (Rosaceae), was collected from the fruits of three species of weedy blackberry, R. anglocandicans , R. laudatus and R. ulmifolius , in south-west Australia. This is the first record for this species in Western Australia and these plants appear to be new host records for A. essigi , which causes uneven ripening of fruit. Information on the mite is reviewed in the context of determining its potential as a biological control agent for Rubus species, especially those that are not susceptible to Phragmidium violaceum (Uredinales), the rust fungus being released against species of European blackberry in Australia. Published records also show that A. essigi will attack a wide range of Rubus species including species of North American origin that currently escape biological control in Australia. It may also be useful for preventing the spread of commercial varieties of Rubus (e.g. raspberry and loganberry) that have escaped to become weedy. However, the mite may have limited dispersal ability and thus require redistribution.     

Pollen viability assessments in blackberries (Rubus subgen.Rubus)

Pollen viability has been investigated in 20 blackberry species using 3 methods, (1) cotton blue, (2) TTC, and (3) germination in a sucrose solution. Significant differences were found between species. Correlations between high pollen viability and high seed set were also obtained.     

甜茶,悬钩子属一新种

本文报道蔷薇科悬钩子属的一个新种,Rubus suavissimus。 、     

钻地风的三萜类成分

从钻地风根的乙醇提取物中分离得到12个三萜及三萜皂苷类化合物,通过波谱分析并与有关对照品比较, 其结构鉴定为熊果酸(1),坡模酸(2),tormentic acid (3),蔷薇酸(4),sericic acid (5),23-hydroxytormentic acid (6), kaji-ichigoside F1 (7),野蔷薇苷 (8), sericoside (9), quadranoside VIII (10), crataegioside (11)和niga-ichigoside F1 (12).初步研究结果表明,这些化合物在体外5?mg/ml浓度下对耐药金黄色葡萄球菌(MRSA)无抑制作用.     

国产蔷薇科绣线菊亚科的花粉形态

本文报道了国产蔷薇科绣线菊亚科(Spiraeoideae)8属9种植物花粉形态。该亚科花粉近球形,极面观三裂圆形。花粉通常较小,最小花粉见于Spiraeapurpurea,为1487(1275～1658)μm×1517(1275～1734)μm,其中Physocarpusamurensis的花粉比较大,为2797(1989～3825)μm×3091(2677～3366)μm。三孔沟,内孔为长方形,部分种内孔明显外突。沟较长,两端较窄,在Physocarpusamurensis观察到合沟现象。合沟出现时通常三沟在一极汇合,在另一极常不汇合。花粉外壁具穴状、条纹-穴状、条纹-网状、条纹状等数种纹饰。迄今为止,在Rosaceae观察到的所有花粉外壁纹饰中,除较为特化的刺状纹外,其余纹饰在该亚科均存在。在Rosaceae所有的花粉外壁纹饰中,穴状纹饰可能是较为原始的类型,条纹状-网状和条纹状依次是较为进化的,而刺状是最进化的纹饰。在Spiraea中,外壁纹饰有相对进化的条纹-网状和条纹状,然而未观察到穴状这一最原始类型,这表明该属及其属下种的分化程度可能较高。但因Spiraea所含种数较大,这一推论有待进一步深入论证。此外,花粉形态特征支持Takhtajan(1997)关于Spiraeoideae亚科下族与属的排序。     

两种悬钩子属植物在中国的重新发现

报道了蔷薇科两种悬钩子属植物在中国的重新发现,分别为美叶悬钩子(Rubus calophyllus C.B.Clark)和拟针刺悬钩子(R.parapungens H.Hara),并提供了简要的描述和标本照片。     

Rediscoveries of two species of Rubus (Rosaceae) in China

报道了蔷薇科两种悬钩子属植物在中国的重新发现,分别为美叶悬钩子(Rubus calophyllus C.B.Clark)和拟针刺悬钩子(R.parapungens H.Hara),并提供了简要的描述和标本照片.     

Rubus laconensis and Rubus pignatti (Rosaceae), two new species from Sardinia (Italy)

Rubus is poorly represented in Sardinia, mainly by the widespread R. ulmifolius and further by two narrow endemic species. Two new species, R. laconensis and R. pignatti, here described and illustrated, grow in two neighbouring small areas of the Sarcidano country. Both are characterized, in particular, by fruits with a low number of large drupelets. R. laconensis is for the time being attributed to the R. caesius aggregate, and R. pignatti to R. subg. Rubus.     

Cytotoxic,hypoglycemic activity and phytochemical analysis of Rubus imperialis (Rosaceae)

Rubus imperialis, Artemia salina, 3-O-methylellagic-4'-O-alpha-rhamnose Acid Screening of different extracts, fractions and compounds from Rubus imperialis Chum. Schl. (Rosaceae) has been conduced using the brine shrimp microwell cytotoxicity assay. Three parts of the plant (methanolic extract from leaves, roots and stems), three fractions from roots (hexane, ethyl acetate and butanol) and three isolated compounds (niga-ichigoside F1, 23-hydroxytormentic acid, ellagic acid derivative) were tested. The most promising material (LC50 <1000 microg/ml) were the methanolic extract and ethyl acetate fraction from roots. However, there was little correlation observed in the degree of toxicities observed between the isolated compounds. On the other hand, the cytotoxicity and in vivo assays confirmed the hypoglycemic activity of methanolic extract and validated the Brazilian popular use of R. imperialis as an antidiabetic agent.