Phylogenetic relationships inCrossostylis (Rhizophoraceae) inferred from restriction site variation of chloroplast DNA

Phylogenetic relationships among the nine species ofCrossostylis (Rhizophoraceae) were elucidated using cladistic analysis of restriction site variations of chloroplast DNA. As a result, this genus was found to comprise two pronounced monophyletic groups as follows:C. biflora, C. grandiflora, C. multiflora andC. sebertii; andC. cominsii, C. pachyantha, C. parksii, C. richii andC. seemannii. Moreover, the monophyly ofC. biflora, C. grandiflora andC. sebertii in the former group and the monophyly ofC. pachyantha, C. parksii, C. richii andC. seemannii in the latter group were also suggested. The molecular tree corresponded well with that inferred from morphological data and no discrepancy was recognized. Many of the floral morphological characters reflected lineage, but all seed coat characters were homoplasious. Evolutionary trends in some morphological characters were optimized on the cpDNA tree obtained. Species from New Caledonia and Polynesia were monophyletic, as were those from the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and the Fiji Islands. All species endemic to the Fiji Islands made a cluster, and this suggests that speciation occurred from a single ancestral species on the Islands.     

Karyomorphology ofCrossostylis (Rhizophoraceae)

We present the first report on somatic chromosome numbers and morphology in eight of 13 recorded species ofCrossostylis, one of inland genera of Rhizophoraceae. The chromosome number ofCrossostylis is 2n=28 in all species examined; therefore, the genus hasx=14, a number which is the smallest and unknown elsewhere in the family. Based onCrossostylis raiateensis, we further present that 24 of 28 chromosomes at metaphase have centromeres at median position, and the remaining four at submedian or subterminal position. The chromosome morphology seems to imply thatCrossostylis might be a tetraploid with the original base numberx=7, but an extensive study in the other inland genera is needed to find such a small chromosome number.     

Seed coat anatomy ofCrossostylis (Rhizophoraceae): its evolutionary and systematic implications

The seed coat structure of all 13 species ofCrossostylis was studied to contribute to an understanding of species delimitation and relationships within the genus. The mature seed coat is relatively uniform and consistently constructed mainly by a well-developed exotesta and a well-developed fibrous exotegmen. The species differ in the thickness of the exotesta and exotegmen, the anatomy of exotestal cells, the presence and absence of persistent mesotesta, and so forth. On the basis of comparisons of these characters, close relationships are suggested in the species groups such as:Crossostylis banksiana andC. cominsii; C. biflora, C. raiateensis andC. multiflora; C. gandiflora, C. sebertii andC. imera; and five species in the Fiji Islands. These relationships except for those of Fijian five species are also supported by cladistics as their common characters are evaluated as synapomorphy. Species-level separation ofC. banksiana, C. pedunculata andC. raiateensis each from the closest species is doubted based on the results of seed coat structure.     

Floral anatomy and morphology in thePolygalaceae

Floral morphology and anatomy of 15 genera in thePolygalaceae have been studied. The pentamerous origin of the polygalaceous flower is confirmed and shown to apply to all genera in the family. The keel is interpreted as a single petal, and the androecium as of bimeric origin. Vascular structure in the receptacles ofCarpolobia andMonnina subg.Monnina is described in detail, and a compilation of results, focusing on the vascular supply for the androecium and gynoecium, is given for all genera. Based on similarities and differences in vascularization it is concluded that present taxonomy, in particular the tribal system, needs to be reviewed.     

Floral morphology and late-acting self-incompatibility inApocynum cannabinum (Apocynaceae)

Scanning electron and fluorescence microscopy were used to clarify some aspects of the floral morphology ofApocynum cannabinum. Insects are required for pollination, since the floral morphology prevents autogamy and minimizes intrafloral self-pollination. Flowers hand-pollinated with self-pollen never set fruit, but 10.6% of cross-pollinations produced fruit. Self-pollen did germinate, however, and produced abundant tubes that grew through the pistil and entered the ovule micropyles. The proportion of ovules penetrated by self- and outcross-pollen tubes was not statistically significantly different. These results suggest thatA. cannabium possesses late-acting self-incompatibility, similar to that in the closely related Asclepiadaceae.     

Floral structure and relationships ofHortonia (Monimiaceae)

The flowers ofHortonia angustifolia were investigated for their phyllotaxis, morphology, anatomy and development of the perianth, androecium and gynoecium. Certain features were also studied inH. ovalifolia. Characters so far overlooked further support the isolated and intermediate position of the genus between theAtherospermataceae andMonimiaceae s. str. and its archaic position among theLaurales. Dedicated to Professor Dr.W. Leinfellner on the occasion of his 70th birthday.     

Floral anatomy and systematic position ofVivianiaceae

The floral anatomy of four species ofViviania has been studied. In the basic floral plan and essential floral anatomical featuresViviana closely resembles theGeraniaceae. Evidence from vegetative and floral anatomy, ultrastructural studies on phloem as well as phytochemistry supports geranialean affinity ofViviania; the placement within thePittosporales sensuHutchinson being unnatural.     

Floral anatomy ofHypseocharis (Oxalidaceae) with a discussion on its systematic position

The floral anatomy of threeHypseocharis spp. has been studied. The genus resemblesOxalidaceae as well asMonsonia andSarcocaulon of theGeraniaceae. As it is closer toGeraniaceae than toOxalidaceae, it perhaps serves as a connecting link between them.     

Floral structure and ontogeny in Globba (Zingiberaceae)

We present new comparative morphological and ontogenetic data on flowers and bulbils of Globba (Zingiberaceae) to clarify their homologies. Globba flowers are characteristically Zingiberaceous, possessing a single stamen and epigynous (``supragynopleural') nectaries, but are unusual as the anther bears triangular lateral outgrowths and the style is held tightly in position across the curvature of the filament like a bowstring. Floral ontogeny in Globba is similar to other Zingiberaceae. Characteristic features, such as anther wings, occur late in development, shortly before anthesis. Unusually Globba has zygomorphic style anatomy with only two abaxial vascular bundles, in contrast to most other Zingiberaceae, which possess three stylar traces. The ovary is unilocular and lacks septa. Bulbils have enclosing bracts and replace flowers in the lower part of the inflorescence; they consist of a shoot with an enlarged corky storage root forming the bulk of the propagule.     

Morphological studies on the genusClematis linn. VIII. Floral and inflorescence anatomy inClematis patens with eight-sepaled flowers

The vascular anatomy of inflorescence axes and flowers ofClematis patens have been studied. The species shows a unique behaviour of the vascular bundles in the transition node from vegetative stem to pedicel: stelar bundles increase in number from six to eight as they ascend through the transition node so that the number of vascular bundles coincides with that of sepals. In the pedicel stele the resulting eight bundles are disposed opposite to eight sepals. respectively; each sepal receives its vascular supply from the bundle facing it. Morphological and anatomical evidence suggests that the calyx of eight sepals in this species should be interpreted as having consisted originally of four pairs of opposite organs, rather than as having been derived secondarily through chorisis of sepals from a calyx of four sepals as seen in most other species ofClematis.     

Floral development in Adonideae (Ranunculaceae)

Floral development and floral phyllotaxis in species of Adonis, Callianthemum, and Trollius (Ranunculaceae) were studied with scanning electron microscopy. The floral organs are initiated in spiral sequence and the flowers have spiral phyllotaxis. The sepal primordia are broad, crescent-shaped, and truncate, but those of petals, stamens, and carpels are rather hemispherical. A relatively long plastochron appears to be present between the last sepal and the first petal as compared with the short and equal plastochrones of all subsequent floral organs. Maturation of the stamens within the androecium appears to be centripetal. The carpels have a short ascidiate zone. Placentation is uniformly lateral, even in Adonis and Callianthemum, which have only one fertile ovule per carpel (versus median in other genera of Ranunculoideae with a single fertile ovule). In Adonis and Callianthemum at the tip of the carpel the ventral slit is gaping and the stigma is broadly exposed, whereas in Trollius the stigma is narrower and more pronouncedly decurrent along the ventral slit. The petals in Callianthemum and Trollius are more conspicuously delayed in development than those in Adonis as compared with sepals and stamens. A short carpel stipe is formed early in Callianthemum but later in Adonis and Trollius. In Trollius farreri (commonly having only five carpels in contrast to other species of Trollius) the carpels form a single (spiral) series. Thus floral development is similar in all three genera and, at a lower level, Adonis and Callianthemum are especially close but have different autapomorphies, which reflects the current classification of the genera.     

Head morphology of Caurinus (Boreidae, Mecoptera) and its phylogenetic implications

External and internal head structures of Caurinus dectes were examined and described in detail. The features are compared to conditions found in other groups of Antliophora. Caurinus is obviously crucial for the reconstruction of the mecopteran and antliophoran groundplan. It displays a remarkable series of plesiomorphic character states such as a complete clypeolabral suture, the presence of M. hypopharyngomandibularis (M. 13) and M. frontohypopharyngalis (M. 41), a subdivided clypeus, a short head without rostrum, a dorsal tentorial arm attached to the head capsule, the absence of a cranial dilator of the antenna, and large mandibles with a well developed apical tooth, two distinct subapical teeth, and a basal molar part. The first three plesiomorphic features render potential autapomorphies of Mecoptera in the traditional sense invalid. Autapomorphies of Caurinus are the distinctly flattened labrum, the absence of the labroepipharyngeal muscle, the very large size of M. 13, the strongly enlarged penultimate palpomeres, the partition of M. 41, the very strongly developed precerebral sucking chamber, strongly curved optic lobes, the presence of a large protocerebral extension in the genal region and deep posterior excavations of the protocerebrum. The maxillolabial plate, the absence of cardines as separate structures, the reduction of ocelli, and the origin of maxillary palp muscles on a median ridge or area of the maxillolabial plate are likely autapomorphies of Boreidae. Another potential autapomorphy of the family is the presence of longitudinal furrows on the mandibles. However, they are absent in Boreus. The thick strongly sclerotised, median ridge of the maxillolabial plate, the missing retractibility of the prementum, the absence of extrinsic labial muscles, and the presence of a median ridge on the prepharyngeal roof suggest a clade Boreus + Hesperoboreus. The origin of extrinsic maxillary muscles from the clypeus has probably evolved independently in Boreus and Hesperoboreus, and in Panorpa, respectively. The absence of M. craniolacinialis and the presence of a row of several subapical mandibular teeth are autapomorphies of Boreus. The presence of a specific intrinsic muscle of the salivary duct and a membranous galea enclosing the labrum and mandibular base are derived features shared by Boreidae and Pistillifera (galea absent in Nannochorista, Siphonaptera and Diptera). The loss of M. frontolabralis (M. 8) is a potential apomorphy of Mecoptera incl. Siphonaptera. A sister group relationship between Boreidae and Siphonaptera is not supported by characters of the adult head. Head structures of Siphonaptera are extremely modified in correlation with ectoparasitic habits.     

Floral ontogeny inMazus pumilus (Scrophulariaceae)

InMazus pumilus, all the floral appendages are initiated in acropetal sequence in the second cell layer (except stamens) of the floral primordium by periclinal divisions. The actinomorphic calyx tube is formed due to zonal growth. The zygomorphy in corolla is evident from the inception of petal primordia which arise sequentially as independent units in order of one anterior, a pair of anterio-lateral followed by a pair of posterio-lateral. Later these primordia exhibit differential growth because of which zygomorphy becomes more pronounced. The upper corolla tube is formed by interprimordial growth and lower corolla tube by zonal growth. Stamens are initiated in the third layer of the floral apex. Unlike sepals and petals, in the development of stamens (4) underlying cells of corpus also contribute. Posterior stamen is absent. The stamens become epipetalous because of interprimordial and zonal growth in the common region below the bases of petals as well as stamens. The two carpel primordia arise as crescent shaped structures which become continuous due to interprimordial growth. The ovary is formed by a ring of zonal meristem. The style develops later between stigma and ovary because of intercalary growth. The residual apex grows vertically along with the ovary and forms the septum of the ovary. All the floral appendages exhibit similar pattern of histogenesis and early growth suggesting thereby the appendicular nature of these appendages.     

臭越橘(杜鹃花科)的花部形态

对中国杜鹃花科特有种：臭越橘（Vaccinium foetidissimum H. Lév. & Vaniot）的花部形态特征进行了描述。基于新补充的花部特征,讨论了该种与其相似种的区别。     

Floral ontogeny of five species ofTalinum and of related taxa (Portulacaceae)

The floral development of five species ofTalinum is studied. Each flower is surrounded by two involucral bracts. The perianth consists of five tepals initiated in a 2/5 phyllotaxis. In all species studied a first whorl of 10–13 stamens is initiated, except inT. napiforme where this whorl is reduced to five stamens. In multistaminate androecia, additional whorls develop centrifugally. InT. paniculatum, T. portulacifolium andT. napiforme the first stamens are initiated in pairs opposite the outer tepals. In several flowers ofT. paniculatum andT. portulacifolium ten stamens are incepted in spiral sequence resembling diplostemony. Similar ontogenetic patterns are present in several species ofPhytolacca. However, within the genusTalinum the ontogenetic pattern of the firstly initiated stamens is not consistent with traditional diplostemony. InT. triangulare the firstly initiated stamens are incepted in sectors on a ring meristem, resembling the early inception in several species ofAnacampseros andPortulaca. The nectaries are associated with the filament bases and can be defined as caducous nectaries of the staminal type. The development of the tricarpellate, syncarpous gynoecium is very similar in all species studied; it is characterised by a leptate carpel-form.     

Floral biology of Nuphar pumila (Timm) DC. (Nymphaeaceae) in China

Anthesis in individual flowers of Nuphar pumila (Timm) DC. occurs for four consecutive days. First-day flowers are protogynous and functionally female. Flowers can open completely on the first day of anthesis. This contrasts with all previous reports, which state that first-day flowers of Nuphar are characterized by partial expansion of the calyx, leaving a distal small triangular opening just above the stigmatic disc. Flowers close completely on the first night of anthesis and remain partially open on the subsequent three nights. During the entire anthesis period the stigmas emit a sweet, fruity odor and the petal nectaries produce visible nectar drops. The stigma of N. pumila is secretory and unicellular-papillate. Pollen grains are monosulcate with long spines. Our observations on the mating system of N. pumila indicate that neither asexual seed production nor spontaneous self-pollination occurs. Cross-pollination of second-, third- and fourth-day flowers produced few seeds. Flowers of N. pumila were mainly pollinated by sweat bees, with flies playing a minor pollination role. No beetle visits were observed. Our insect-pollination observations substantiate the view that the relative contribution of flies, bees, and beetles to pollination in a single Nuphar population depends on two factors: the relative abundance of the insects, and presence of alternative food sources.     

大钟花属和黄秦艽属花部解剖

对大钟花属和黄秦艽属进行了花部解剖学研究,并以此讨论了它们的系统演化关系。大钟花属和黄秦艽属的雌花部分花萼维管束与花冠维管束来源于同一维管束迹,而雄蕊维管束来源于雄蕊迹,每心皮具1条背维管束2条腹维管束,因此,花被维管束为融合型;黄秦艽属的雄花每个花萼、花瓣和雄蕊的维管束均来源于单个维管束迹,每心皮具1条背维管束2条腹维管束,属于基本型。从花部解剖结构看出,大钟花属与假龙胆演化支关系较近;黄秦艽属较獐牙菜属进化。     

Floral mechanisms in the tribeSalpiglossidae (Solanaceae)

SinceDelpino (1869),Juel (1894, 1911), andMüller (inMöller 1921: 164), the flowers ofSolanaceae have received little attention with regard to function and pollination syndromes. The present paper deals with representatives of 6 of the 9 known salpiglossidean genera. Previous observations are updated and discussed at the tribal level. Most species studied are butterfly- or moth-pollinated. With the exception ofSalpiglossis, the fertile floral parts are concealed in the corolla tube, and their arrangement is specially suited for deposit of the pollen on the lepidopteran tongue. Particularly notable are (a) abundant stigmatic secretion that makes the pollen sticky, and (b) versatile anthers that optimize contact between the tongue and the thecae.Brunfelsia andBrowallia exhibit a mechanism analogous to that ofApocynaceae, however, with two entrances instead of five. When the tongue is inserted, it is forced to contact the stigma and becomes glued with its secretion. When the tongue is pulled out, it touches the anthers and causes slight balancing movement. InStreptosolen, very probably an ornithophilous descendant of theBrowallia stock, the mechanism is much simplified.Leptoglossis andHunzikeria bear a novel device for pollen deposition: there are two fertile wheel-like anthers that are capable of full rotation up to eight turns.     

A phylogenetic analysis of the Euterpeinae (Palmae; Arecoideae; Areceae) based on morphology and anatomy

The Euterpeinae contains six neotropical genera. There has been continual disagreement on generic and subgeneric boundaries in the subtribe.Euterpe andPrestoea, andJessenia andOenocarpus, have been repeatedly united and separated. A phylogenetic analysis based on 54 morphological and anatomical characters gave one tree of 127 steps.Euterpe is separate fromPrestoea, butJessenia andOenocarpus are best treated as one genus. Subgeneric relationships ofEuterpe andOenocarpus are also analyzed and discussed.