Pollen morphology of some species of Vernonia s. l. (Vernonieae,Asteraceae) from Argentina and Paraguay

Pollen morphology is widely used in taxonomic treatments of tribe Vernonieae, and differences in exine structure and aperture form have been described for many species within the genera comprising the tribe. However, in recent years a number of new species have been described and, in the present paper, we describe in detail the pollen of 24 species of the tribe which are either endemic or uncommon to certain regions of Argentina or of Paraguay. The pollen of these species are radially symmetrical and more or less spheroidal, 3‐colporate or, in one species, 3‐porate; the exine may be tectate or semitectate and microperforate, with echinate lophae or, in the 3‐porate example, psilate lophae. Using a range of characteristics related to size, shape, wall thickness, apertures and tectum surface morphology, five of the six pollen types previously described for tribe Vernonieae, and a subtype, are recognized. Our results support the usefulness of pollen morphology in helping to determine the taxonomic position of species within tribe Vernonieae.     

倭竹族花序演化的探讨

倭竹族隶于禾本科之竹亚科。本族计有10属约150余种。分布于东南亚季风带的印度、越南、中国及日本等国,我国产8属约120种,占该族全部属种的80％。其中唐竹属、短穗竹属、筇竹属、八月竹属等均为我国所特产,唐竹属1种早期引入日本栽培,倭竹属、大节竹属、方竹属、刚竹属等也主要分布于我国,只有少数种分布于其它国家,业平竹属和阴阳竹属为日本特产。 刚竹属计有70种之多,我国产50种以上,是本族中种类最多的属,其中有许多种类分布广、适应能力强,用途多、产量大。是重要的植物资源.尤其是毛竹,是我国亚热带地区的主要栽培竹种。 倭竹族花序演化的研究对于进一步认识和鉴别竹类植物.了解竹类植物的演化关系。使竹类植物的系统安排更加合理都是有益的。倭竹族的花序属于假花序.与真花序相比较属于原始类型。本族中花序轴反复分枝.具有极多小穗的短穗竹属,业平竹属等是比较原始的,大节竹属、唐竹属的花序简化、花序轴不分枝或仅有少数分枝,含小穗数很少是进化类型。     

Medical education must make room for student-specific ethical dilemmas

Most contemporary undergraduate courses in medical ethics leave a critical gap unfilled because they fail to address student-specific issues, says third-year student Joye St. Onge. In this article, which won third prize in CMAJs 1996 Dr. William Logie Medical Ethics Essay Contest, St. Onge outlines the importance of discussing student-specific ethical dilemmas and suggests ways to introduce such teaching in medical schools.     

缘蝽科的比较形态学研究Ⅲ（异翅亚目：缘蝽总科）

缘蝽科的比较形态学研究　Ⅲ（异翅亚目：缘蝽总科）李新正（中国科学院海洋研究所青岛２６６０７１）１５棒缘蝽亚科（Ｐｓｅｕｄｏｐｈｌｏｅｉｎａｅ）（图６８—８３）棒缘蝽类包括２８个属,除ＶｉｌｇａＳｔａｌ为新世界分布,ＣｅｒａｌｅｐｔｕｓＣｏｓｔａ和颗缘...     

中脉叶蜂族系统分类研究(膜翅目:叶蜂科)

本文系统厘订了中国中脉叶蜂族叶蜂,记述了１个新记录属种和２个新种：斑角狭脉叶蜂Ｍｅｇａｄｉｎｅｕｒａ ｇｒａｎｄｉｓ Ａｎｄｒｅ中国新纪录属种,黑背樟叶蜂Ｍｏｒｉｃｅｌｌａ ｎｉｇｒｉｔａ ｓｐ．ｎｏｖ．新种,中华中脉叶蜂Ｍｅｓｏｎｅｕｒａ ｓｉｎｉｃａ ｓｐ．ｎｏｖ．新种。恢复樟叶蜂属Ｍｏｒｉｃｅｌｌａ Ｒｏｈｗｅｒ的有效属地位,该属与近缘的Ｍｅｓｏｎｅｕｒａ属在上颚、触角、复眼、淡膜区、爪、翅     

Notes on the Genus Prismatomeris Thw. (Rubiaceae) of China

In the classification of J. D. Hooker (1873) and of K. Schumann (1891), the genus Prismatomeris Thw. is included in the tribe Morindeae of Rubiaceae. In the modern classifications, e. g. Bremekamp (1966), however, the taxonomic position of the genus is still uncertain. The genus agrees with the tribe Morindeae in the downward radicle, valvate aestivation of the corolla lobes and presence of raphides, but it differs significantly from the latter in the free flowers, bilocular ovary and the peltate ovule attached to the upper half of septum. Therefore, it would be more suitable that the genus is separated from the tribe Morindeae Miq., and is raised to the rank of tribe, placed in the subfamily Rubioideae based on Bremekamp’s delimitation. In the present paper ten character pairs of the genus and the notes on their taxonomic value are presented and two following species are recognized: 1. P. tetrandra (Roxb.) K. Schum. is found in northern India. Its subspecies, which is distributed in Yunnan of China and in Thailand, was previously called P. tetrandra (Roxb.) K. Schumann, and is now revised as P. tetrandra (Roxb.) K. Schum. subsp. multiflora (Ridley) Y. Z. Ruan. 2. P. connata Y.Z. Ruan is described as a new species, that has been treated as P. tetrandra (Roxb.) K. Schum. by previous auth rs. It is native to the subtropic region of South China. Its tropical new subspecies, P. connata. Y. Z. Ruan subsp. hainanensis Y. Z. Ruan, is found on Hainan Island.     

Atelinae phylogenetic relationships: The trichotomy revived?

This research examines phylogenetic relationships between members of the Atelinae subfamily (Alouatta, Ateles, Brachyteles, and Lagothrix), based on analysis of three genetic regions. Two loci, cytochrome c oxidase subunit II (COII) and the hypervariable I portion of the control region, are part of the mitochondrial genome. The other is a single-copy nuclear gene, Aldolase A Intron V. Analysis of these genetic regions provides support for tribe Alouattini containing the Alouatta species, while tribe Atelini contains the other three genera. However, these three genetic regions produce conflicting results for relationships among tribe Atelini members. Previous genetic studies supported grouping Brachyteles with Lagothrix, leaving Ateles in a separate subclade. The present data sets vary based on the genetic region analyzed and method of analysis suggesting all possible cladistic relationships. These results are more consistent with investigations of morphology and behavior among these primates. The primary cause of discrepancy between this study and previous genetic studies is postulated to reside in increased sampling in the present study of genetic variation among members of the Atelinae, specifically Ateles. The present study utilized samples of Ateles from all postulated species for this genetically variable primate, while previous studies used only one or two species of Ateles. This paper demonstrates that shifting relationships are produced when different species of Ateles are used to reconstruct phylogenies. This research concludes that a trichotomy should still be supported between members of tribe Atelini until further analyses, which include additional Atelinae haplotypes are conducted.     

Tertiary leaves of the tribe Banksieae (Proteaceae) from south-eastern Australia

Leaves from the tribe Banksieae of the Proteaceae are well represented in Tertiary deposits in south-eastern Australia. Four new species of Banksieaephyllum are erected, taking the total to 11, and two species are described in a new genus, with leaves with architectural similarities to the tribe Banksieae but without organic preservation. The fossil species demonstrate that the tribe was diverse by the end of the Eocene, but it is difficult to determine the ancestral type from the fossil evidence at present. The vegetation associated with some of the fossil species suggests that the tribe may have had its origins in rainforest, and became adapted to the typically dry, nutrient-poor conditions of sclerophyllous vegetation during the course of the Tertiary.     

CLADISTIC ANALYSIS AND HIGHER CLASSIFICATION OF COREOIDEA (HETEROPTERA)

Abstract  A cladistic analysis of tribes and subfamilies included in Coreidae, Rhopalidae and Alydidae of the superfamily Coreoidea, based on 60 apomorphies, has been made in the present paper. The results indicate that both the Pseudophloeinae and Hydarinae of Coreidae are monophyletic and occupy the two lowest positions in the cladogram in comparison with the other coreid groups; the tribe Chariesterini of Coreinae is a sister group with Meropachydinae; Serinethini (the only tribe of "Serinethinae", Rhopalidae) is a sister group with Harmostini of Rhopalinae in the rhopalid offset of the cladogram. These mean the traditional Coreidae, Coreinae, and Rhopalinae are paraphyletic groups. According to the results of the snalysis and their characteristics, the "Pseudophloeinae" and "Hydarinae" are raised to family category respectively, the tribe Chariesterini is raised to subfamily category in family Coreidae; the traditional Serinethinae is suppressed to tribe category (no subfamilial ranks will be set up in Rhopalidae), so that all the groups are natural and the paraphyletic groups are avoided in the superfamily, and no this basis a new higher classification system of Coreoidea is suggested.     

缘蝽总科支序分析及其高级分类系统(半翅目:异翅亚目)(英)

本文在已有大量比较形态学研究和各科支序分析研究基础上,对缘蝽总科的科、亚科、族等亚群的系统发育关系作了支序分析研究,结果表明,缘蝽总科、蛛缘蝽科、姬缘蝽科的单系群地位得到证明。而缘蝽科由于其棒缘蝽亚科和希缘蝽亚科分别占据支序图的两个最低位置,它们在缘蝽总科中具有较多的原始特征,缘蝽亚科的Chariesterini族与南美缘蝽亚科互为姐妹群而与缘蝽亚科其它族差异较大;姬缘蝽科的红缘蝽亚科处在该分支的最高位置且与姬缘蝽亚科中的Harmostini族互为姐妹群,与姬缘蝽亚科其它族关系也较近,因而传统的缘蝽科、缘蝽亚科、姬缘蝽亚科为并系群。为使各分类单元为单系群即自然类群,使分类系统更忠实于系统发育关系,本文将棒缘蝽亚科和希缘蝽亚科分别提升为科,Chariesterini族提升为亚科;红缘蝽亚科降为族,姬缘蝽科不设亚科。据上述分类学变动提出了缘蝽总科族以上高级阶分类系统。     

An embryological contribution to systematics of the Chrysobalanaceae I. Tribe Chrysobalaneae

In this paper we present the first results concerning the embryology of Chrysobalanaceae. In it, we document developmental features of anthers, ovules, seeds and gametophytes ofChrysobalanus andLicania (tribe Chrysobalaneae). Based on our results with these two genera, Chrysobalanaceae have a distinctive combination of embryological features. They differ from Rosaceae (in which Chrysobalanaceae were once placed as a tribe or subfamily) in having a tenuinucellate ovule, a small nucellus with the tissue soon disintegrating, and an endothelium. None of our embryological of Rosales, or with other groups such as Fabaceae or Myrtales, which have also been suggested as relatives. We propose, based upon the evidence from embryology, vegetative features, and reproductive morphology, that Chrysobalanaceae might best be placed in the order Theales, probably near the family Theaceae.     

Molecular systematic studies on the tribe Polygonateae (s. l.) in China based on RFLPs data of PCR-amplified chloroplast DNA fragments

Phylogenetic relationships in the tribe Polygonateae s. l. of Liliaceae were investigated with an RFLP analysis of two PCR-amplified chloroplast genome DNA fragments. One fragment is the transfer RNA gene for lysine( trnK gene) including the maturase-encoding gene matK, and the other is the rpl16 gene which codes for a chloroplast ribosomal protein in large subunit. The trnK gene is ca. 2600 bp in length in all the taxa, but the rpl16 gene ranges from ca. 1140 bp to ca. 1320 bp in length among different genera and in Polygonatum. The results suggested that the tribe Polygonateae s. str. consisting of Polygonatum, Disporopsis, Smilacina and Maianthemum is closely related to Convallaria in Convallarieae, and supported the earlier results that Streptopus and Disporum should be removed out from the tribe Polygonateae s. l.. The results also showed that Polygonatum formed a clad with Disporopsis, while Smilacina lumped with Maianthemum in the tribe Polygonateae s. str.. In addition, the present study supports the view that S. ginfoshanicumshould be transferred from Smilacina to Polygonatum.     

A Revision of Subtribe Pleioblastinae Keng & Keng f.

This paper deals with the taxa of tribe Arundinarieae Steud. subtribe Pleiobalastinae Keng and Keng f. which comprised three genera (Pseudosasa Makino, Pleioblastus Nakai and Brachystachyum Keng) when it was established in 1957. With the analysis of morphological characters and geographical distribution, a number of revisions connected with the taxon are made as follows: (1) Genus Brachystachyum Keng is transferred to the tribe Shibataeeae Nakai according to its false inflorescence. (2) Genus Pseudosasa Makino is transferred to subtribe Sasinae Keng f. according to our study on the numerical taxonomic method. (3) Some species of Pleioblastus Nakai established by Keng and Keng f. should be revised. Pleioblastus actinotrichus (Merr. and Chun) Keng f. should be Ampelocalamus actinotrichus (Merr. and Chun) S. L. Chen, T. H. Wen and G. Y. Sheng in subtribe Thamnocalaminae Keng f.; Pleioblastus dolichanthus (Keng) Keng f. is the synonym of Sinobambusa tootsik (Sieb.) Makino, belonging to tribe Shibataeeae Nakai. The rest species remain in this genus. Since the genus Pleioblastus is related to genus Arundinaria Michaux., subtribe Pleioblastus Keng and Keng f. does not seem to have a reason to be retained as a subtribe in tribe Arundinarieae Steud., according to the newest Code (1978). A part of it should be a synonym of subtribe Arundinariinae and we may cite it as follows: Subtribe Arundinariinae——Subtribe Pleioblastinae Keng and Keng f. pro parte, syn. nov. The other parts of it should be transferred to other subtribes or tribes. In addition, one new variety in Branchystachyum, two new species, one new variety in Pseudosasa and six new species, three new varieties in Pleioblastus, are described in this paper.     

CHROMOSOME NUMBERS IN THE COMPOSITAE. XIV. LACTUCEAE

Reports of 150 original chromosome counts are recorded, including reports of 22 genera and 57 species and subspecific taxa in tribe Lactuceae. Also included are first reports for 12 specific or subspecific taxa. x = 9 appears to be the ancestral base of the tribe. Chromosome numbers are known for over 85% of the genera of the tribe and the frequency of polyploidy is ca. 23%, which is about one-half that of the angiosperms.     

Trichome anatomy of the Saxifragaceae S. l.from the southern hemisphere

Trichome anatomy was examined by light and scanning electron microscopy in 25 genera of Engler's Saxifragaceae from the southern hemisphere. Four principal categories of trichome were recognized: (1) multiseriate with a glandular head; (2) uniseriate with a glandular head; (3) uniseriate, eglandular; (4) unicellular, eglandular. The shape of eglandular hairs ranges from erect to sickle-shaped to T-shaped. The main taxonomic conclusions are as follows: (a) Vahlia should be excluded from tribe Saxifrageae and a possible relationship with Montinia investigated; (b) Francoa and Tetilta (tribe Francoeae) are closely related, although the relationship of the tribe to its parent subfamily, Saxifragoideae, is unclear; (c) Eremosyne is probably allied to the Escallonioideae; (d) subfamily Brexioideae is heterogeneous in trichome anatomy, but the relationships of its constituent genera remain problematic; (e) subfamily Escallonioideae is heterogeneous in trichome anatomy, although similarities between and within the constituent tribes do exist. Thus Cuttsia and Abrophyllum form a natural group (tribe Cuttsieae), to which Carpodetus (tribe Argophylleae) may also be related; similarity in trichome anatomy between Argophyttum and Corokia (tribe Argophylleae) is substantiated by an extensive survey of all the species, and the data tentatively suggest a possible hydrangeoid affinity for these two genera.Forgesia (tribe Forgesieae) is shown to possess the same kind of hairs in the flowers as Quintinia (tribe Escallonieae), and Choristylis (tribe Forgesieae) is shown to be remarkably similar to Escallonia, prompting a suggestion that the two tribes be merged. Trichome data support the inclusion of Anopterus and Polyosma in their own tribes, although their wider affinities remain unclear. Doubts about the inclusion of the glabrous Tribeles in Escallonioideae are expressed. Our material of the following additional genera Lepuropetalon, Tetracarpaea and Brexia was glabrous and little comment could be made about them.     

Evaluation of antipyretic activity of leaf extracts of Mallotus peltatus (Geist) Muell. arg. var acuminatus: a folk medicine.

A study was carried out to evaluate the anti-pyretic potential of the methanol extract of Mallotus peltatus (Geist) Muell. Arg. var acuminatus leaf, a folk medicine of Onge tribes of Bay Islands, on normal body temperature and yeast-induced pyrexia in Wister albino rats. The leaf extract at oral doses of 100, 200 and 300 mg kg(-1), p.o., showed significant reduction in normal body temperature and yeast-provoked elevated temperature in a dose-dependent manner and the anti-pyretic effect was comparable to that of standard anti-pyretic agent paracetamol (150 mg kg(-1), p.o.). The effect also extended up to 5 hours after the drug administration.     

Morphological studies in the tribe Colletieae (Rhamnaceae): analysis of architecture and inflorescences.

A morphological study of vegetative and reproductive structures was carried out on the tribe Colletieae (Rhamnaceae) composed of six genera and 20 species. The plant habit variation, from trees (up to 8 m high) to prostrate shrubs and tangled bushes, suggests structural differences within the group. All the species have an architecture represented by a sequence of monopodial shoots with limited growth, linked sympodially and with acrotonic dichasial ramification. Foliage leaves are decussate and an axillary complex with two serial meristems is associated with each leaf axil. Ancillary shoots (thorn-tipped branches, short shoots, secondary branches and reproductive shoots) are present at the nodes. A single structural plan was observed throughout the tribe. Most of the variability may be ascribed to different strategies for adaptation to environmental conditions, specially xeromorphy. Reproductive structures, in terms of inflorescences, also show conspicuous variation throughout the tribe. Three different models are described; in the first two models individual flowers or 3–7 flowered cymes constitute the paracladia of either deciduous monotelic synflorescences, or of synflorescences proliferating into vegetative long shoots; in the third, uniflorous paracladia arise from perennial short-shoots. Nevertheless, a link within them can be established through steps of truncation, proliferation, reduction and acquisition of rhythmic growth.     

小玉竹的胚胎学研究

小玉竹Polygonatum humile Fisch．ex Maxim．的花药四室．绒毡层腺质型,发育后期出现双核至多核。小孢子四分体左右对称型,偶见四面体型,胞质分裂连续型。成熟花粉具2细胞。子房3室,中轴胎座。胚珠倒生,双珠被,厚珠心,珠孔由内珠被形成。胚囊发育为葱型。受精后,子房壁和外珠被细胞中含有草酸钙针晶。胚发育类似于紫菀型,基细胞有时纵裂形成两个子细胞。胚乳核型。根据实验结果,并结合前人的资料,本文提出了黄精属的胚胎学特征,并在此基础上对黄精族的概念以及属间系统关系进行了探讨。