Is Pteropyrum a pathway to C4 evolution in Polygonaceae? An integrative approach to the taxonomy and anatomy of Pteropyrum (C3), an immediate relative of Calligonum (C4)

Abstract Pteropyrum is a small genus of Polygonaceae with four species from the arid regions of Iran and adjacent countries. Pteropyrum spp. are not precisely delimitated and are difficult to identify because of their high plasticity in morphological characters. Pteropyrum (C3) has a close affinity to Calligonum (C4) and is therefore a suitable case for C4 evolutionary studies. We investigated the morphology and micromorphology (including pollen morphology) of Pteropyrum and elucidated the phylogenetic relationships with Atraphaxis and Calligonum using nuclear ITS sequences. Characteristics of the photosynthetic tissues such as volume and number of layers of primary carbon assimilation tissues (PCA) and photosynthetic carbon reduction tissue (PCR) were studied. In addition, the leaf and cotyledon anatomical characters of Pteropyrum (C3), Atraphaxis (C3) and Calligonum (C4), and their δ 13C values were compared to look for evolutionary changes in assimilating organs. The molecular phylogenetic tree identifies two strongly supported clades in Pteropyrum and its close relationship with Calligonum, confirming previous studies. Some morphologically similar species belong to different clades, which is probably due to convergent evolution and homoplasy. Leaf anatomical studies show that Atraphaxis has a multilayered mesophyll tissue, whereas Calligonum has one-layered mesophyll cells. The volume and layer number of mesophyll tissue cells decreases, whereas water storage tissue area significantly increases from Atraphaxis to Pteropyrum and Calligonum. This phenomenon confirms previous studies in other lineages with C4 salsoloid anatomy that have evolved through increasing of water storage tissue and succulence of assimilating organs. In the taxonomic part of the paper, a key to identification of accepted taxa of Pteropyrum, description of species and distribution maps are presented based on numerous herbarium specimens and our own rich collections from the field. Four new species are described based on a combination of morphology of seedlings and mature plants, pollen morphology and molecular data. A subspecific classification is suggested to show morpho-geographical variation of Pteropyrum aucheri s.l.

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Leaf anatomical adaptation of eighteen mangrove plant species from the Sundarbans in Bangladesh

Bangladesh Journal of Botany ◽

10.3329/bjb.v49i4.52496 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 49 (4) ◽

pp. 903-911

Author(s):

Parveen Rashid ◽

Kishwar Jahan Shethi ◽

Asfaque Ahmed

Keyword(s):

Plant Species ◽

Glandular Trichomes ◽

Water Storage ◽

Capillary Water ◽

Storage Tissue ◽

Mangrove Plant ◽

Mesophyll Tissue ◽

Anatomical Adaptations ◽

Mesohaline Zone ◽

Anatomical Adaptation

Investigation on leaf anatomical adaptation of 18 mangrove plant species was carried out. Among the 18 species 13 were dorsiventral and five were isobilateral type. All the species had special stomatal structure and variable cuticle layer to minimize transpiration. Most of the species had succulent leaves with leaf thickness ranging from around 232 to 1363 μm. As an indication of salt secretion, both glandular and non-glandular trichomes were observed in several species. Although presence of single to multilayered hypodermis might effectively function as water storage tissue, several studied mangrove plant species e.g. Cynometra ramiflora L., Phoenix paludosa Roxb., Pongamea pinnata (L.) Pierre, Sonneratia apetala Buch. - Ham., S. caseolaris (L.) Engl. and Xylocarpus moluccensis (Lamk.) M. Roem. showed complete absence of hypodermis. This might be due to moderate saline condition. In addition, marked terminal tracheids in mesophyll tissue of a number of species might help with capillary water storage within the leaf. To enhance mechanical support several species were found to develop considerable amount of diverse sclereids within the mesophyll tissue and surrounding vascular bundle. Although maximum anatomical adaptations are common for plants growing in saline habitat it may be suggested that these features were differentially developed in plants specifically grown in mesohaline zone.

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On the identity of two Mexican species of Ageratina (Eupatorieae, Asteraceae): A. grandifolia and A. rivalis

Botanical Sciences ◽

10.17129/botsci.2143 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 97 (2) ◽

pp. 250

Author(s):

Oscar Hinojosa-Espinosa ◽

José Luis Villaseñor ◽

Enrique Ortiz

Keyword(s):

Mexico City ◽

Geographical Distribution ◽

Geographic Distribution ◽

Vascular Plants ◽

Distinct Species ◽

Herbarium Specimens ◽

Similar Species ◽

Distribution Maps ◽

Number Of Species ◽

Mexican Species

Background: Ageratina, with 167 species, constitutes the most diverse genus of the Mexican Asteraceae and the sixth most diverse of the vascular plants in Mexico. The taxonomy of the genus is complex, due to its number of species and the numerous inadequately delimited taxa or with intricate and confusing nomenclature. In addition, little known species have sometimes remained under the synonymy of another different species, as in the case of A. rivalis, which has been considered as a synonym of A. grandifolia.Question: Is it possible to recognize Ageratina rivalis as a distinct species of A. grandifolia by critically analyzing its circumscription, nomenclature and geographical distribution?Taxon: Ageratina grandifolia and A. rivalis.Study site: Mexico.Method: A thorough review of herbarium specimens, field material, descriptions and geographic distribution of the species was made to contrast them.Results: Several differences exist in the morphology and geographical distribution of Ageratina rivalis and A. grandifolia. Descriptions, pictures, distribution maps, synonymy and a key to distinguish them from similar species are provided. The presence of A. grandifolia in Mexico City is also documented. Lectotypes are designated for Eupatorium conspicuum, E. conspicuum var. pueblense, E. grandifolium, and E. rivale.Conclusions: Morphology and geography support the distinction between A. grandifolia and A. rivalis. However, further research is desirable to corroborate or refute this statement, and especially to clearly circumscribe several similar species that seem to be related. This work contributes to a better understanding of the taxonomy and biogeography of the genus Ageratina in Mexico.

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New Findings on Scrophularia sect. Mimulopsis (Scrophulariaceae) from Iran

Novon A Journal for Botanical Nomenclature ◽

10.3417/2019271 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 27 (4) ◽

pp. 238-247

Author(s):

Massoud Ranjbar ◽

Narges Rahchamani

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

Pollen Morphology ◽

Conservation Status ◽

Morphological Characters ◽

Northern Iran ◽

Distribution Maps ◽

New Findings ◽

Tehran Province ◽

Micromorphological Characters ◽

A New Species

Scrophularia dianatnejadii Ranjbar & Rahchamani, a new species from Tehran Province in northern Iran, is described and illustrated. It is closely related to S. amplexicaulis Benth. and shares with it some diagnostic morphological characters such as habit, plant indument, phyllotaxy, and corolla shape and color. Both species are placed in Scrophularia L. sect. Mimulopsis Boiss. Macro- and micromorphological characters of the two are examined and compared. Pollen morphology of these species is investigated using SEM. Detailed descriptions, illustrations, distribution maps, and conservation status of both species are provided.

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A Synopsis of Orthotrichum s. lato (Bryophyta, Orthotrichaceae) in China, with Distribution Maps and a Key to Determination

Plants ◽

10.3390/plants10030499 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. 499

Author(s):

Vítězslav Plášek ◽

Zuzana Komínková ◽

Ryszard Ochyra ◽

Lucie Fialová ◽

Shuiliang Guo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Single Species ◽

Herbarium Specimens ◽

Distribution Maps ◽

First Time

A total of 46 species and two varieties of the traditionally interpreted genus Orthotrichum are currently known to occur in China. They represent five genera, including Orthotrichum (29 species), Lewinskya (14 species and two varieties), and Nyholmiella and Leratia that are represented by a single species each. The fifth genus Florschuetziella, also consisting of only one species, F. scaberrima, is an entirely neglected representative of the China’s moss flora. A list of all accepted taxa is presented and for each taxon all literature records and herbarium specimens are enumerated for provinces in which they have been recorded, and their distribution is mapped. A key to determination of Chinese orthotrichalean mosses is presented. A chronological list of 63 species and varieties and two designations, O. catagonioides and O. microsporum which have never been validly published, reported from China in the years 1892–2020 is presented. Four species, Orthotrichum brasii, O. hooglandii, O. elegans and O. gymnostomum are excluded from the bryoflora of China and Lewinskya affinis var. bohemica and Orthotrichum schimperi are recorded for the first time from this country. Phytogeography of the Chinese taxa of the orthotrichalean mosses is considered and they are grouped into eight phytogeographical elements and five sub-elements.

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Amaioua longipedicellata (Rubiaceae, Gardenieae), a new species from the Brazilian Atlantic coast

Plant Ecology and Evolution ◽

10.5091/plecevo.2019.1529 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 152 (1) ◽

pp. 84-92

Author(s):

Piero G. Delprete ◽

Jomar G. Jardim

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

Atlantic Forest ◽

Atlantic Coast ◽

Morphological Characters ◽

Herbarium Specimens ◽

Similar Species ◽

Field Observations ◽

Undescribed Species ◽

Semideciduous Forest ◽

A New Species

Background – Ongoing studies of Brazilian Rubiaceae revealed an undescribed species of Amaioua endemic to Atlantic Forest (Restinga and Semideciduous forest) of the state of Bahia, which is here described and illustrated, and its morphological characters are discussed and compared with those of similar species. Methods – This study is based on examinations of herbarium specimens, samples preserved in 60% ethanol, field observations, and digital images. Herbarium specimens of the CAY, CEPEC, HBR, IBGE, K, MBM, NY, RB, U, UB, UFG, and US herbaria were directly studied. Additional images of herbarium specimens were studied online. Results – Amaioua longipedicellata Delprete & J.G.Jardim is here described, illustrated and compared with the two most similar species, i.e., A. glomerulata (Lam. ex Poir.) Delprete & C.H.Perss. and A. intermedia Mart. A table comparing the morphological characters of these three species, and an appendix with selected specimens studied of A. glomerulata and A. intermedia are included.

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Anemopaegma kawense (Bignoniaceae), a new species from the Kaw Mountain (French Guiana), with notes on related species and a key to the genus in the Guianas

Plant Ecology and Evolution ◽

10.5091/plecevo.2021.1775 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 154 (2) ◽

pp. 296-306

Author(s):

Olivier Lachenaud ◽

Fabiana Firetti ◽

Lúcia G. Lohmann

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

French Guiana ◽

Conservation Status ◽

Iucn Red List ◽

Herbarium Specimens ◽

Similar Species ◽

Centre Of Diversity ◽

North Eastern ◽

The Guianas ◽

A New Species

Background and aims – The genus Anemopaegma (Bignoniaceae) includes around 47 species and has its centre of diversity in Brazil. Here, we describe and illustrate a new species from French Guiana, Anemopaegma kawense, and compare it to the two most similar species, A. foetidum and A. granvillei. We further assess the conservation status of all three species.Material and methods – Morphological descriptions are based on herbarium specimens deposited at BM, BR, CAY, INPA, K, MO, P, SPF, and U, and, in the case of the newly described species, also on field observations. The conservation status assessments follow the IUCN Red List criteria.Key results – Anemopaegma kawense differs from both A. foetidum and A. granvillei by its densely villose twigs, longitudinally plicate leaflets with secondary veins not or hardly prominent below, and tertiary veins impressed below. It is further separated from A. foetidum by the leaflets that are villose below and the calyx that is entirely pubescent outside. On the other hand, A. kawense differs from A. granvillei by the densely lepidote outer surface of the corolla, shorter petiolules, leaflets with midrib impressed above, shorter bracts and bracteoles, inflorescence peduncle exceeding the rachis, and pedicels densely puberulous, not lepidote or only sparsely so at the apex. This species is endemic to the Kaw Mountain in north-eastern French Guiana, where it grows in low stunted forest on laterite; it is assessed as Endangered according to the IUCN criteria. New descriptions are provided for A. granvillei, which is newly reported from Suriname, and for A. foetidum, which is newly reported from French Guiana; these two species are assessed as Endangered and Least Concern, respectively. Lectotypes are designated for A. maguirei, which is here synonymised with A. foetidum, and for A. umbellatum, another synonym of that species. A key to the 12 species of Anemopaegma occurring in the Guianas is presented.

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Unravelling the Potamonautes lirrangensis (Rathbun, 1904) species complex (Potamoidea: Potamonautidae), with the description of two new species

European Journal of Taxonomy ◽

10.5852/ejt.2021.744.1309 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 744 ◽

Author(s):

Neil Cumberlidge ◽

Emily Johnson ◽

Paul F. Clark ◽

Martin J. Genner

Keyword(s):

Species Complex ◽

Central Africa ◽

Taxonomic Status ◽

Lake Malawi ◽

Molecular Evidence ◽

Similar Species ◽

Freshwater Crab ◽

Distribution Maps ◽

Congo River ◽

Two New Species

The taxonomic status of the widely distributed freshwater crab Potamonautes lirrangensis (Rathbun, 1904) sensu lato is revised because morphological and molecular evidence indicates that this taxon is a complex comprising more than one species. Four taxa are now recognized: Potamonautes lirrangensis (Rathbun, 1904) s. str. and P. kisangani sp. nov. from the Middle Congo River in Central Africa, P. amosae sp. nov. from the drainages of Lakes Kivu and Tanganyika, and P. orbitospinus (Cunnington, 1907) from Lake Malawi which had been previously synonymised with P. lirrangensis s. lat. Diagnoses, illustrations and distribution maps are provided for each of these taxa and they are compared to similar species from Central and Southern Africa.

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A taxonomic revision of the Brazilian species of Encyclia (Orchidaceae: Epidendroideae: Epidendreae)

Phytotaxa ◽

10.11646/phytotaxa.342.1.1 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 342 (1) ◽

pp. 1

Author(s):

CLÁUDIA A. BASTOS ◽

THIAGO E. C. MENEGUZZO ◽

CÁSSIO VAN DEN BERG

Keyword(s):

Taxonomic Revision ◽

Minas Gerais ◽

Herbarium Specimens ◽

Nomen Nudum ◽

Distribution Maps ◽

Brazilian Species ◽

New Occurrences

A taxonomic revision of the Brazilian species of Encyclia is presented, based on analysis of roughly 1,400 herbarium specimens, including types. Thirty-nine species and one variety are listed for Brazil; we indicate 101 synonyms, of which eight are newly proposed. Lectotypes are chosen for five names (E. chironii, E. dutrae, E. paraënsis, E. tripartita and Epidendrum capartianum), including accepted names and synonyms. Two names are indicated as invalid (E. randii var. rondoniensis and E. vazzoleri), one name as a nomen nudum (E. guesneliana) and another as superfluous (Epidendrum pabstii). The occurrence of E. auyantepuiensis and E. thienii is confirmed for Brazil, and new occurrences are documented of E. fimbriata in Minas Gerais (in addition to Bahia) and E. linearifolioides in Maranhão and possibly Paraná (in addition to Matto Grosso and Tocatins States and Bolivia and Paraguay). All species are described and illustrated, and distribution maps are included. For both varieties of E. patens, nomenclatural and taxonomic notes are provided.

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Integrative description of Hypsibius repentinus sp. nov. (Eutardigrada: Hypsibiidae) from Sweden

Zoosystematica Rossica ◽

10.31610/zsr/2021.30.1.101 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 30 (1) ◽

pp. 101-115

Author(s):

D.V. Tumanov ◽

G.S. Avdeeva

Keyword(s):

18S Rrna ◽

Species Group ◽

Integrative Approach ◽

Similar Species ◽

28S Rrna ◽

Morphometric Characters ◽

Morphological Diagnosis ◽

A New Species ◽

Scanning Electron ◽

Hypsibius Dujardini

A new species of tardigrade from the genus Hypsibius Ehrenberg, 1848 is described from the bottom sediments of a small lake in the central part of Scandinavian Peninsula (Sweden), using an integrative approach, i.e. morphological techniques (light and scanning electron microscopy) combined with a molecular analysis (18S rRNA, 28S rRNA, ITS-2 and COI markers). Hypsibius repentinus sp. nov. belongs to the Hypsibius dujardini species–group and differs from the most similar species of this group in having a second macroplacoid with a definite constriction and in some other morphometric characters. Morphological diagnosis for the Hypsibius dujardini species–group is proposed, and its composition is discussed.

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A taxonomic revision of the genus Sorbaria (Rosaceae) with a new infrageneric classification based on morphology, micromorphology, and palynology

Phytotaxa ◽

10.11646/phytotaxa.487.1.1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 487 (1) ◽

pp. 1-25

Author(s):

JUN-HO SONG ◽

SUK-PYO HONG

Keyword(s):

Taxonomic Revision ◽

Identification Key ◽

Herbarium Specimens ◽

Field Observations ◽

Morphological Examination ◽

Infrageneric Classification ◽

Distribution Maps ◽

Palynological Data ◽

Diagnostic Characteristics ◽

Sectional Classification

In the present study, we presented a taxonomic revision of the genus Sorbaria (Sorbarieae; Amygdaloideae) with a new infrageneric classification. Moreover, we extensively reviewed various data for Sorbaria species, including previous anatomical, micromorphological, and palynological data. The new sectional classification was based on morphological, micromorphological, and palynological evidence, with two sections: sect. Sorbaria aut. and sect. Kirilowiana J.-H. Song & S.-P. Hong (sect. nov.). Overall, four species and five varieties (including two nomenclatural novelties) were recognized: S. sorbifolia (Linnaeus) A. Braun var. sorbifolia, S. sorbifolia var. glandulifolia J.-H. Song & S.-P. Hong, S. sorbifolia var. stellipila Maximowicz, S. pallasii (G. Don) Pojarkova, S. tomentosa (Lindley) Rehder var. tomentosa, S. tomentosa var. angustifolia (Wenzig) Rahn., S. kirilowii (Regel & Tiling) Maximowicz var. kirilowii, S. kirilowii var. arborea (C.K. Schneider) J.-H. Song & S.-P. Hong (comb. & stat. nov.), and S. kirilowii var. dubia (C.K. Schneider) J.-H. Song & S.-P. Hong (comb. nov.). Some illustrations and syntype were designated as the lectotype for several names. The classification was based on a comprehensive morphological examination of herbarium specimens, including field observations and observations of types, micromorphological, and palynological characteristics. In addition, we provided an identification key, diagnostic characteristics, full descriptions, comprehensive nomenclatural treatments and taxonomic notes (including complete synonymy), and distribution maps of Sorbaria species.

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