Two new species for the flora of Panama

Two new species from upland Panama,Licania chiriquiensis Prance (Chrysobalanaceae), andDichapetalum gentryi Prance. (Dichapetalaceae), are described and illustrated, and their relationships within their respective genera are discussed.     

Notes on Couepia and Hirtella (Chrysobalanaceae)

Three new species of Chrysobalanaceae from South America are described:Couepia bernardii, Hirtella barnebyi andH. confertiflora. TheCouepia guianensis complex is discussed, redefined and divided into three subspecies that include material previously recognized as separate species. Observations are also made on recent collections of three poorly known species ofHirtella, H. araguariensis,H. dorvalii andH. leonotis.     

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.     

Notulae de Chrysobalanaceis Malesianis Praecursoriae

In preparation for the treatment of Chrysobalanaceae forFlora Malesiana, New and critical taxa are discussed and described. Two new species were found,Atuna cordata andParastemon grandifructus.Hunga fusicarpa is transferred to the genusLicania asL. fusicarpa. Species complexes aroundParinari costata andP. papuana are discussed; in both cases previously recognized species are reduced to subspecific rank within rather polymorphic species.     

The uses ofAtuna racemosa Raf. (Chrysobalanaceae) in Samoa

The Uses of Atuna racemosaRaf. (Chrysobalanaceae) in Samoa. Economic Botany 58(3):470-475, 2004. An ethnobotanical study was made of the uses ofAtuna racemosa subsp.racemosa (Chrysobalanaceae) in Samoa. The main use is of the cotyledons to extract an anti-inflammatory massage oil and a putty to caulk boats. Minor uses as a medicinal and of the wood are reported and a survey of herbarium material shows that the fruit of Atuna is widely used throughout the Pacific region.     

A new combination in Maranthes (Chrysobalanaceae)

Maranthes, previously known in the Neotropics only from Panama, has recently been collected in Nicaragua and Costa Rica. Prior to publication of the Chrysobalanaceae of theFlora de Nicaragua, the new combinationMaranthes panamensis (Standl.) Prance & F. White is made and based onCouepia panamensis, previously considered conspecific with the AsiaticM. corymbosa Blume.     

New genera and species of Chrysobalanaceae from Malesia and Oceania

Two new genera of Chrysobalanaceae are described.Hunga distributed in New Caledonia, the Loyalty Islands and Papua and New Guinea, contains eight species, three new, and five formerly placed in the generaAngelesia, Licania andParinari.Kostermanthus is described to accommodate two species with united filaments formerly placed inParinari andAcioa. Both new genera are quite as distinct as others of the family and have been overlooked by undue emphasis placed on the single character of a bilocular ovary.Licania palawanensis Prance is also described; it is the second species of its genus from Malesia.     

An Assassin among Predators: The Relationship between Plant-Ants,Their Host Myrmecophytes and the Reduviidae Zelus annulosus

Tropical plants frequently live in association with ants that protect their foliage from defoliators. Among them, myrmecophytes have evolved mutualisms with a limited number of plant-ants that they shelter and feed, and, in return, benefit from some protection. Hirtella physophora (Chrysobalanaceae), for example, houses Allomerus decemarticulatus (Myrmicinae) that build gallery-shaped traps to catch large prey. In French Guiana, we frequently observed the assassin bug Zelus annulosus (Reduviidae, Harpactorinae) on the leaves of H. physophora. Here, we studied the distribution of Zelus annulosus among understory plants in the Guianese rainforest and found it only on pubescent plants, including H. Physophora, whether or not it was sheltering an A. decemarticulatus colony, but only rarely on other myrmecophytes. The relationship between Z. annulosus and its host plants is, then, also mutualistic, as the plant trichomes act as an enemy-free space protecting the nymphs from large predatory ants, while the nymphs protect their host-plants from herbivorous insects. Through their relationship with A. decemarticulatus colonies, Z. annulosus individuals are protected from army ants, while furnishing nothing in return. In those cases where H. physophora sheltered both an A. decemarticulatus colony and Z. annulosus nymphs, certain plant individuals repeatedly sheltered nymphs, indicating that female bugs may select not only pubescent plants but also particular H. physophora treelets having characteristics more favourable to the development of their progeny.     

Chemosystematic studies in the chrysobalanaceae. I. Flavonoids in Parinari

A survey of flavonoids in 31 Asian, African and Neotropical species of Parinari showed a predominance of flavonol glycosides based on myricetin, quercertin, and kaemp-ferol. The African taxa split into two groups based on the presence or absence of myricetin glycosides. The Neotropical taxa, a complex of closely related species, are chemically very similar to each other and lack myre?etin, as does one group of African species. The Asian taxa are similar to the Neotropical ones in their flavonoid patterns and lack of myricetin glycosides. The presence of myricetin considered a primitive flavonoid character, suggest that te African species pro-ducing this flavonol represent a primitive nucleus eastward and westward ex-pansion to two myricetin-lacking phytogeographic lines. This hypothesis is in agreement with current proposals for geographic evolution in the Chrysobalanaceae.     

Protective effects of Parinari curatellifolia flavonoids against acetaminophen-induced hepatic necrosis in rats

In the present study, we investigated the hepatoprotective potential of Parinari curatellifolia Planch (Chrysobalanaceae) in experimental rats in order to ascertain the validity of folkloric claims of its effectiveness in the treatment of hepatic-related disorders. Flavonoid extract of P. curatellifolia seed, PCF (10-, 20- or 30 mg/kg body weight) or silymarin (25 mg/kg), dissolved in corn oil, was administered by gavage to experimental animals once daily for 14 consecutive days before liver damage was chemically induced through the administration of acetaminophen (2 g/kg p.o.) on the 14th day. Hepatoprotection was assessed by analyzing liver homogenate and serum for markers of hepatotoxicity – alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities as well as prothrombin time (PT). Evaluation of biochemical indices of oxidative stress – level of lipid peroxides (LPO), activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase, along with histological assessment of hepatic tissue sections were also carried out. Results revealed that all doses of PCF significantly (P < 0.001) and dose dependently prevented acetaminophen-induced increase in serum activities of hepatic enzymes (ALT, AST, GGT, LDH) and PT. Furthermore, PCF (10- and 20 mg/kg) significantly (P < 0.001) reduced lipid peroxidation in liver tissue and restored the activities of the antioxidant enzymes SOD and catalase toward normal levels. Histopathology of the liver tissue showed that PCF mitigated the toxicant-induced hepatocellular necrosis, reduced inflammatory cell infiltration and enhanced hepatocyte regeneration. The results indicated that P. curatellifolia flavonoids demonstrated remarkable hepatoprotective activity in acute liver injury caused by acetaminophen.     

Two new species of neotropical chrysobalanaceae

Two new species of Chrysobalanaceae from recent collections are described, discussed and illustrated:Couepia nutans, an upland species from the Andes in El Valle, Colombia, andLicania anneae, a lowland species from the Tapajos River basin of Amazonian Brazil.     

Additions to Neotropical Chrysobalanaceae

A study of collections of Chrysobalanaceae provides range extensions of some species and additional information for a few poorly known ones. Ten new species are here described and illustrated:Licania cabrerae, L. montana, L. morii, L. jefensis, L. pakaraimensis, L. marlenei, L. stewardii, L. aracaensis, Hirtella arenosa, H. conduplicata. Several of these are from high elevations, showing that the family is not exclusively of lowlands.     

Comparative floral structure and systematics in Chrysobalanaceae s.l. (Chrysobalanaceae, Dichapetalaceae, Euphroniaceae, Trigoniaceae; Malpighiales)

Chrysobalanaceae s.l. , one of the few suprafamilial subclades of Malpighiales that is supported by molecular phylogenetic analyses, and containing Chrysobalanaceae, Dichapetalaceae, Euphroniaceae, and Trigoniaceae, was comparatively studied with regard to floral structure. The subclade is well supported by floral structure. Potential synapomorphies for Chrysobalanaceae s.l. are the following shared features: floral cup; flowers obliquely monosymmetric; sepals congenitally united at base; sepals of unequal size (outer two shorter); fertile stamens concentrated on the anterior side of the flower and sometimes united into a strap; staminodes absent in the posteriormost antepetalous position; anthers extremely introrse, with thecae almost in one plane; endothecium continuous over the dorsal side of the connective; dorsal anther pit; gynoecium completely syncarpous up to the stigma; carpel flanks slightly bulged out transversely and thus carpels demarcated from each other by a longitudinal furrow; flowers with dense unicellular, non-lignified hairs, especially on the gynoecium; light-coloured, dense indumentum on young shoots and inflorescences. Potential synapomorphies for Chrysobalanaceae + Euphroniaceae include: spur in floral cup; clawed petals; lignified hairs on petals; nectary without lobes or scales and mostly annular. Potential synapomorphies for Dichapetalaceae + Trigoniaceae include: special mucilage cells in sepals in mesophyll (in addition to epidermis); anthers almost basifixed; gynoecium synascidiate up to lower style; nectary with lobes or scales and semi-annular.  © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2008, 157 , 249–309.     

Pollination and Breeding System of two Co-Occurring Hirtella Species (Chrysobalanaceae) in Central Brazil

The phenology, major floral characteristics, breeding systems and fruiting success of two co-occurring species of Hirtella: H. glandulosa and H.gracilipes (Chrysobalanaceae) were studied in Central Brazil. The two species occur as trees in mesophyllous forests but H. glandulosa is frequent also in dense savanna areas. Both species flower at the end of the dry season (September) and have flowers with one-day longevity. In both species flowers produce nectar and are pollinated exclusively by butterflies. The number of visits recorded and pollination rate in each species were significantly different and indicate that pollinators prefer H. glandulosa flowers. Natural and controlled fruit sets were low in both species. The index of self-incompatibility (ISI) was 0.17 in H. glandulosa and 0.86 in H. gracilipes. Although ISI in H. glandulosa could denote an incompatibility system, the presence of fruits with aborted embryos at different degrees of development point to an inbreeding depression situation. Low pollen viability and fruit set in H. gracilipes suggested reproductive problems which may be linked to hybridization events.     

Genome skimming by shotgun sequencing helps resolve the phylogeny of a pantropical tree family

Whole genome sequencing is helping generate robust phylogenetic hypotheses for a range of taxonomic groups that were previously recalcitrant to classical molecular phylogenetic approaches. As a case study, we performed a shallow shotgun sequencing of eight species in the tropical tree family Chrysobalanaceae to retrieve large fragments of high‐copy number DNA regions and test the potential of these regions for phylogeny reconstruction. We were able to assemble the nuclear ribosomal cluster (nrDNA), the complete plastid genome (ptDNA) and a large fraction of the mitochondrial genome (mtDNA) with approximately 1000×, 450× and 120× sequencing depth respectively. The phylogenetic tree obtained with ptDNA resolved five of the seven internal nodes. In contrast, the tree obtained with mtDNA and nrDNA data were largely unresolved. This study demonstrates that genome skimming is a cost‐effective approach and shows potential in plant molecular systematics within Chrysobalanaceae and other under‐studied groups.     

Phylogenetic analyses of Malpighiales using plastid and nuclear DNA sequences, with particular reference to the embryology of Euphorbiaceae sens. str.

We present phylogenetic analyses of Malpighiales, which are poorly understood with respect to relationships within the order, using sequences from rbcL, atpB, matK and 18SrDNA from 103 genera in 23 families. From several independent and variously combined analyses, a four-gene analysis using all sequence data provided the best resolution, resulting in the single most parsimonious tree. In the Malpighiales [bootstrap support (BS) 100%], more than eight major clades comprising a family or group of families successively diverged, but no clade containing more than six families received over 50% BS. Instead, ten terminal clades that supported close relationships between and among families (>50% BS) were obtained, between, for example, Balanopaceae and Chrysobalanaceae; Lacistemataceae and Salicaceae; and Phyllanthaceae and Picrodendraceae. The monophyly of Euphorbiaceae sens. str. were strongly supported (BS 100%), but its sister group was unclear. Euphorbiaceae sens. str. comprised two basally diverging clades (BS 100%): one leading to the Clutia group (Chaetocarpus, Clutia, Pera and Trigonopleura), and the other leading to the rest of the family. The latter shared a palisadal, instead of a tracheoidal exotegmen as a morphological synapomorphy. While both Acalyphoideae (excluding Dicoelia and the Clutia group) and Euphorbioideae are monophyletic, Crotonoideae were paraphyletic, requiring more comprehensive analyses.     

A quarter of a century at The New York Botanical Garden

Personal reflections are given on 25 years at The New York Botanical Garden working on the taxonomy of the Chrysobalanaceae and Lecythidaceae, the flora of the Amazon region, and in latter years being responsible for directing the scientific program.     

Comparison between the anatomical and morphological structure of leaf blades and foliar domatia in the ant-plant Hirtella physophora (Chrysobalanaceae)

Background and Aims: Myrmecophytes, or ant-plants, are characterized by their abilityto shelter colonies of some ant species in hollow structures,or ant-domatia, that are often formed by hypertrophy of theinternal tissue at specific locations (i.e. trunk, branches,thorns and leaf pouches). In Hirtella physophora (Chrysobalanaceae),the focal species of this study, the ant-domatia consist ofleaf pouches formed when the leaf rolls over onto itself tocreate two spheres at the base of the blade. Methods: The morphological and anatomical changes through which foliarant-domatia developed from the laminas are studied for the firsttime by using fresh and fixed mature leaves from the same H.physophora individuals. Key results: Ant-domatia were characterized by larger extra-floral nectaries,longer stomatal apertures and lower stomatal density. The anatomicalstructure of the domatia differed in the parenchymatous tissuewhere palisade and spongy parenchyma were indistinct; chloroplastdensity was lower and lignified sclerenchymal fibres were morenumerous compared with the lamina. In addition, the domatiawere thicker than the lamina, largely because the parenchymatousand epidermal cells were enlarged. Conclusions: Herein, the morphological and anatomical changes that permitfoliar ant-domatia to be defined as a specialized leaf structureare highlighted. Similarities as well as structural modificationsin the foliar ant-domatia compared with the lamina are discussedfrom botanical, functional and mutualistic points of view. Theseresults are also important to understanding the reciprocal evolutionarychanges in traits and, thus, the coevolutionary processes occurringin insect–plant mutualisms.     

Species richness and floristic composition in four hectares in the Jaú National Park in upland forests in Central Amazonia

Four hectares were inventoried for all trees with diameter at breast height (DBH) of 10cm or greater in a terra firme forest 200km Northeast of Manaus, Central Amazonia. The number of species varied from 137 to 168, the number of individuals from 639 to 713, total basal area from 32.8 to 40.2 and total biomass from 405 to 560 tons per hectare. The majority of trees, 90%, had a DBH between 10 and 30 cm. Leguminosae, Lauraceae, Sapotaceae, Chrysobalanaceae and Moraceae were the most rich families (number of species) in all sampled hectares. The most abundant families in all sampled hectares (number of trees) were Leguminosae, Burseraceae, Myristicaceae, Moraceae and Chrysobalanaceae. The most dominant families in all sampled hectares (basal area and biomass) were Leguminosae, Lecythidaceae, Chrysobalanaceae, Bombacaceae and Moraceae. Similarity indexes at family level varied from 67 to 86% between the four hectares sampled. Alexa grandiflora (Leguminosae) was the most abundant species in the hectares one and three, while Scleronema micranthum (Bombacaceae), and Oenocarpus bacaba (Palmae) were the most abundant species in hectares two and four. S. micranthum was the most dominant species (basal area) in hectares one and two, while Bertholletia excelsa (Lecythidaceae) and Goupia glabra (Celastraceae) were the most dominant species in hectares three and four. S. micranthum (Bombacaceae), Buchenavia sp. 2 (Combretaceae), B. excelsa (Lecythidaceae) Couepia obovata (Chrysobalanaceae) were the most dominant species (biomass) in hectares one to four, respectively. Similarity indexes at species level varied from 26 to 44% between the four sampled hectares. This inventory is compared with previous studies and it was found that, in our study area, there was a greater proportion of trees of 60cm diameter or more and consequently a considerably higher total basal area. It is concluded that there are still an inadequate number of inventories of Amazonian terra firme forests to elucidate the major floristic pattern a both regional and local levels. Since the area is a mosaic of distinct floristic communities it is essential to obtain further standardized inventory data in order to set adequate conservation policies for the region.