Phytoecdysterones from Cucubalus baccifer(Caryophyllaceae)

Six phytoecdysterones have been isolated from the n -BuOH portion of Cucubalus baccifer L., a Chinese folk medicinal plant. Their structures were elucidated as ecdysterone (1), 24(28)-ecdysterone (2), 22-deoxyecdysterone (3), 25-hydroxypanuosterone (4), rubrosterone (5) and 2,22-dideoxyecdysterone 3β-O-β- D -glucopyranoside (6) respectively on the basis of spectroscopic and chemical methods. Among them compound 6 was a new phytoecdysterone glycoside and 1-5 were first obtained from this plant.     

Recherches Cytotaxonomiques et Cytogéographiques surMinuartia sect.Sabulina en Turquie (Caryophyllaceae)

25 populations from Turkey and one of Syria belonging to theSabulina section of the genusMinuartia have been karyologically examined. New chromosome numbers have been recorded forM. mesogitana andM. hybrida subsp.turcica, and a new variety was found in theM. hybrida complex. The origin of the taxa with n = 23 and n = 35 is discussed.

     

Markhamia cauda-felina (Hance) Craib — eine neue Fledermausblume

Ohne ZusammenfassungErgebnisse Chinesisch-Deutscher Biologischer Sammelreisen seit 1956, Nr. 7     

Is the enigma a variation? Sagina boydii F. B. White (Caryophyllaceae), Boyd's pearlwort

Sagina boydii F. B. White (Caryophyllaceae), Boyd's pearlwort, is an enigmatic taxon of unknown geographical origin which is only known in cultivation and is of uncertain taxonomic status. Morphological, cytological and geographical evidence suggests that it is most similar to S. procumbens L. and S. saginoides (L.) H. Karst., but it differs in its compact growth form. Genetically, AFLP analysis shows that it can be included as part of the variation in S. procumbens . In cultivation, it will grow true from seed. Other compact growth forms occur in S. procumbens but do not grow true from seed. As S. boydii is part of the variation in S. procumbens , is of uncertain geographical origin, is known only in cultivation, and grows true from seed, it is best treated as a new cultivar, Sagina procumbens 'Boydii'. A neotype and standard specimen is designated.  © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2005, 147 , 203–211.     

Pyrola chlorantha Sw.—eine beachtenswerte Art des Osthimalaya

Zusammenfassung Aus dem zentralen Bhutan wird ein neues Taxon beschrieben:Pyrola chlorantha Sw. subsp.fallax Kísa (SektionChlorantha Kísa, SeriesChloranthae Kísa). Die nächsten Fundorte der disjunktnordhemi-sphärisch verbreitetenP. chlorantha subsp.chlorantha liegen im mongolisch-sowjetischen Grenzgebiet (Baikal-Dahurien)     

Wulfenia carinthiaca Jacqu. — eine Pflanze der alpinen Kampfregion

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Tillandsia mollis (Bromeliaceae) — eine neue Art aus Südbolivien

Tillandsia mollis sp. n. is related toT. usneoides (L.) L. but differs mainly in the densely lepidote sepals and the soft and thick round leaves.     

Leptothorax (Mychothorax) kutteri N. Sp., eine sozialparasitische ameise (Hymenoptera,formicidæ)

Résumé Leptothorax (Mychothorax) kutteri n. sp. est décrit. La nouvelle espèce n'a pas d'ouvrières. Elle vit comme parasite dans des nids polygynes deLeptothorax (Mychothorax) acervorum Fabr. à côté des femelles fertilisées de cette espèce. Les colonies mixtes produisent des sexués des deux espèces. La nouvelle espèce n'a pas de spécialisations dans sa morphologie externe par comparaison avecL. acervorum. L'origine probable d'un tel parasite dans des espèces polygynes est discutée.

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Summary Leptothorax (Mychothorax) kutteri n. sp. is described. The new species is living as a workerless social parasite in polygynous nests ofLeptothorax (Mychothorax) acervorum Fabr. together with fertilized females of this species. Sexuals of both species are bred in the mixed colonies. The new species shows no morphological specialisation in comparison withL. acervorum. The probable origin of such a social parasite in polygynous ant species is discussed.

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Zusammenfassung Leptothorax (Mychothorax) kutteri n. sp. wird beschrieben. Die neue Art lebt sozialparasitisch in polygynen Nestern vonLeptothorax (Mychothorax) acervorum Fabr. neben begatteten dieser Art.L. kutteri ist arbeiterlos. In den gemischten Nestern werden Geschlechtstiere beider Arten aufgezogen. Die neue Art weist im äusseren Körperbau keine Spezialisierung gegenüber,L. acervorum auf. Die vermutliche Entstehung eines solchen Sozialparasiten in polygynen Ameisenarten wird diskutiert.

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Vorstand: Prof. Dr.K. Gösswald.     

Ligand substitution reactions of bis(μ-acetato)dichlorodicarbonyldiiridium(II)

Seven diiridium(II) complexes were synthesized by ligand substitution reactions of [Ir₂(μ-O₂CMe)₂Cl₂(CO)₂] (1) and [Ir₂(μ-O₂CMe)₂Cl₂(CO)₂(py)₂] (2).The reaction of 2 with the silver salt of a less coordinating anion, AgSbF₆, gave a cationic complex [Ir₂(μ-O₂CMe)₂Cl(CO)₂(py)₃]SbF₆ (3).A tricarbonyl cationic complex [Ir₂(μ-O₂CMe)₂(CO)₃Cl(py)₂]SbF₆ (4) was obtained under a CO atmosphere.Complex 2 reacted with AgO₂CCF₃ to give [Ir₂(μ-O₂CMe)₂Cl(O₂CCF₃)(CO)₂(py)₂] (5) in toluene.[Ir₂(μ-hiq)₂(CO)₂Cl₂] (Hhiq = 1-hydroxyisoquinoline, 6) was synthesized by the bridging-ligand substitution of 1 with Hhiq.Its axial adducts [Ir₂(μ-hiq)₂Cl₂(CO)₂L₂] (L = Mepy (4-methylpyridine), 7 or PPh₃, 8) were synthesized by addition of the ligands to a suspension of 6.In the structures of 7 and 8, two iridium atoms are bridged by two hiq ligands in a head-to-tail arrangement.The reaction of 1 with Hmhp (2-hydroxy-4-methylpyridine) led to triply bridged [Ir₂(μ-mhp)₃(CO)₂Cl(Hmhp)] (9).In complex 9, all the mhp ligands bridge between the Ir atoms in a head-to-head manner.The Ir-Ir distances of 3, 4, 5, 7 and 8 are 2.6047(7), 2.6216(9), 2.5899(9), 2.5933(5) and 2.634(2) Å, respectively, which are similar to those observed in[Ir₂(μ-O₂CMe)₂Cl₂(CO)₂L₂]. The Ir-Ir distance of 2.5512(4) Å in 9 is shorter than in the other complexes.     

The adaptation of Dianthus carthusianorum L. (Caryophyllaceae) to growth on a zinc–lead heap in southern Poland

Plants of Dianthus carthusianorum from a calamine (zinc–lead) waste heap and from unpolluted stands were compared in the field and under controlled laboratory conditions. It was found that the waste-heap plants differed significantly from those in the normal population in respect to the following morphological traits: lower weight of aerial parts, shorter and narrower leaves, smaller number of leaves per plant. In combination with shorter, less numerous shoots, these features reduce the transpiration area of the plants. The general habit (predominance of forms with short and trailing shoots) of the waste-heap population points to adaptation to a xeric environment. Under controlled conditions all of the above traits were maintained through three successive generations. They are thus genetically controlled. Root tolerance tests showed that the waste-heap plants had higher tolerance to zinc and lead. These results indicate that strong selection processes have generated a clear ecotypical differentiation for heavy metal tolerance and drought tolerance in a zinc–lead-rich waste-heap population of D. carthusianorum (variety).     

Ruthenium PCP–bis(phosphinite) pincer complexes

The reactions of [RuHCl(CO)(PPh₃)₃] with resorcinol bis(phosphinite) pincer ligands lead to complexes of the general formula [RuCl(PCP)(CO)(PPh₃)]; the crystal structure of one example has been determined. The structures of the bulky resorcinol 2-methyl-4,6-di-tert-butyl resorcinol and its mono-diisopropylphosphinite derivative were also determined. Reactions of [RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃] with resorcinol bis(phosphinite) ligands yield complexes of the type [RuCl(PCP)(PPh₃)], while the reaction of C₆H-2-Me-4,6-^tBu₂-1,3-(OPPh₂) with [RuHCl(CO)(PPh₃)₃] provides a PCP–pincer complex in which the ligand has undergone 2-methyl C–H activation.     

Alchemilla austriaca,spec. nova,(Rosaceae) — eine neue Art aus den Ostalpen

Alchemilla austriaca is a new species which belongs to the group ofA. demissa, A. frigens, A. longana, A. longiuscula, A. semisecta, andA. sinuata. The holotype specimen as well as leaf and flower details are illustrated (Figs. 1–3). A complete character analysis is given, differences and similarities of allied species are presented in two tables, and the position of the group within the genus is discussed.A. austriaca so far is known only from the Austrian Alps and mainly from the central ranges (distribution map: Fig. 4). Its wet subalpine and alpine habitats are characterized by species lists.

     

Thuringopteryx — eine „permische“ Eintagsfliege im Buntsandstein (Insecta, Pterygota)

The Misthodotida have been known from the Permian only. However,Thuringopteryx gimmi Kuhn, 1937 from the middle Buntsandstein of Thuringia, Germany, usually considered to be a representative of the Odonatoptera, Palaeodictyptera or Saltatoria-Ensifera, belongs in the stem group of the mayflies, sharing with the Misthodotida a one-branched CuA and withMisthodotes a short Sc. Hence, the Misthodotida survived at least until the early Mesozoic. The phylogenetic relationships ofMisthodotes and its closest allies are outlined.     

C,O – flavonoid glycosides and oleanane-type bidesmosides from Gypsophila perfoliata L. “tekirae” (Caryophyllaceae): Chemophenetic implications

In-depth characterization of specialized metabolites in the endemic Gypsophila perfoliata L. “tekirae” (G. tekirae Stef.) by liquid chromatography – quadrupol-Orbitrap mass spectrometry allowed dereplication/annotation of 22 flavonoids including 11 2″-O-pentosyl/deoxyhexosyl/hexosyl-C-hexosyl-flavones in the aerial parts and 23 gypsogenin- and quillaic acid-bidesmosides in the roots. Saponins were mainly mono-and diacetyl, and methoxycinnamoyl derivatives of 16 core structures forming isobaric isomers. Three acetylated derivatives of 2″-O-deoxyhexosyl-6-C-hexosyl-flavones are annotated for the first time in the genus Gypsophila together with five quillaic acid-based saponins. Aerial parts extract revealed prominent antioxidant and tyrosinase inhibitory activity, while roots demonstrated higher capacity against acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase and α-glucosidase. The chemophenetic significance of acetylated 2″-O-glycosyl-6-C-hexosyl-flavones and GOTCAB saponins with methoxycinnamoyl-substituted α-chains was discussed.     

Studies on copper and cobalt tolerance in three closely related taxa within the genusSilene L. (Caryophyllaceae) from Zaïre

Summary Experiments were carried out on the tolerance to and uptake of copper and cobalt by three members of a phylogenetic series of taxa within the genusSilene from Zaïre which were reputed to represent a progression of increasing adaptation to metalliferous soils. Plants studied were the widespread and presumably non-tolerantSilene burchelli var.angustifolia (B), a more tolerant variant of this taxon (E) designated an ecotype, and the metallophyteS. cobalticola (C). Studies on the effects of both metals, singly and in combination, on seed germination, seedling and plant performance and yield, and metal uptake from soil cultures, confirmed in general the sequence B<E<C in relation to tolerance of both copper and cobalt. The experimental evidence also supports the ecotypic status of E and points to E and C being relatively more tolerant to copper than to cobalt.     

Reticulate or tree-like chloroplast DNA evolution in Sileneae (Caryophyllaceae)?

Despite sampling of up to 25kb of chloroplast DNA sequence from 24 species in Sileneae a number of nodes in the phylogeny remain poorly supported and it is not expected that additional sequence sampling will converge to a reliable phylogenetic hypothesis in these parts of the tree. The main reason for this is probably a combination of rapid radiation and substitution rate heterogeneity. Poor resolution among closely related species are often explained by low levels of variation in chloroplast data, but the problem with our data appear to be high levels of homoplasy. Tree-like cpDNA evolution cannot be rejected, but apparent incongruent patterns between different regions are evaluated with the possibility of ancient interspecific chloroplast recombination as explanatory model. However, several major phylogenetic relationships, previously not recognized, are confidently resolved, e.g. the grouping of the two SW Anatolian taxa S. cryptoneura and S. sordida strongly disagrees with previous studies on nuclear DNA sequence data, and indicate a possible case of homoploid hybrid origin. The closely related S. atocioides and S. aegyptiaca form a sister group to Lychnis and the rest of Silene, thus suggesting that Silene may be paraphyletic, despite recent revisions based on molecular data.     

DNA binding by Ru(II)–bis(bipyridine)–pteridinyl complexes

The interactions of five bis(bipyridyl) Ru(II) complexes of pteridinyl-phenanthroline ligands with calf thymus DNA have been studied. The pteridinyl extensions were selected to provide hydrogen-bonding patterns complementary to the purine and pyrimidine bases of DNA and RNA. The study includes three new complexes [Ru(bpy)(2)(L-pterin)](2+), [Ru(bpy)(2)(L-amino)](2+), and [Ru(bpy)(2)(L-diamino)](2+) (bpy is 2,2'-bipyridine and L-pterin, L-amino, and L-diamino are phenanthroline fused to pterin, 4-aminopteridine, and 2,4-diaminopteridine), two previously reported complexes [Ru(bpy)(2)(L-allox)](2+) and [Ru(bpy)(2)(L-Me(2)allox)](2+) (L-allox and L-Me(2)allox are phenanthroline fused to alloxazine and 1,3-dimethyalloxazine), the well-known DNA intercalator [Ru(bpy)(2)(dppz)](2+) (dppz is dipyridophenazine), and the negative control [Ru(bpy)(3)](2+). Reported are the syntheses of the three new Ru-pteridinyl complexes and the results of calf thymus DNA binding experiments as probed by absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy, viscometry, and thermal denaturation titrations. All Ru-pteridine complexes bind to DNA via an intercalative mode of comparable strength. Two of these four complexes-[Ru(bpy)(2)(L-pterin)](2+) and [Ru(bpy)(2)(L-allox)](2+)-exhibit biphasic DNA melting curves interpreted as reflecting exceptionally stable surface binding. Three new complexes-[Ru(bpy)(2)(L-diamino)](2+), [Ru(bpy)(2)(L-amino)](2) and [Ru(bpy)(2)(L-pterin)](2+)-behave as DNA molecular "light switches."