A revision of the Rhododendron taipaoense complex (subg. Tsutsusi sect. Tsutsusi, Ericaceae), based on observations of morphological characters and seed micromorphology

Phytotaxa ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 92 (2) ◽  
pp. 25
Author(s):  
XIAO-FENG JIN ◽  
BING-YANG DING ◽  
YING-YING ZHOU ◽  
SHUI-HU JIN ◽  
WANG-WEI YANG

In this paper, we present a revision of the Rhododenron taipaoense complex, including R. taipaoense and eight other named species, based on literature survey, field collections and observations, inspection of herbarium specimens, statistical analysis of morphological characters, and SEM observation of seed shape and testa. We evaluated all characters that have previously been used to diagnose these species: indumentum of young shoots and abaxial surfaces of leaves; filament dimensions; style base; leaf color, size, and apex shape; flower number per inflorescence; corolla length; and length of the stamen and pistil. Cluster analysis of 146 individuals showed that individuals from different populations are interdigitated, irrespective of traditional taxonomic limits. Analysis of morphological data using principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) likewise shows a continual gradation between populations, rather than disjunctures between named species. Consequently, only one species is recognized in the present paper, and R. apricum, R. falcinellum (R. apricum var. falcinellum), R. florulentum, R. hepticum, R. piceum, R. rufulum, R. spadiceum, and R. rufoindumentum (nom. nud.) are all reduced to synonyms of R. taipaoense.

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 509-533
Author(s):  
Ali Gaafar ◽  
◽  
Monier Abd El-Ghani ◽  
Azza El Hadidy ◽  
Ethar Hussein ◽  
...  

This study aims at examining and confirming the patterns of phenetic relationships and the levels of variations within and among the species of Lotus L., 1753 in Egypt by using morphometric analysis techniques. We have evaluated 24 morphological characters from about 300 herbarium specimens representing 19 species of Lotus that are currently recognized. Based on numerical analyses of macromorphological characters (cluster analysis, principal coordinate analysis and principal component analysis), 19 species of Lotus were recognized from Egypt. These species were clustered in six species-specific groups: (I) Lotus halophilus Boiss. & Spruner, L. angustissimus L., L. glinoides Delile and L. schimperi Steud. ex Boiss., (II) Lotus glaber Mill. and L. palustris Willd., (III) Lotus polyphyllos E.D. Clarke, L. creticus L. and L. cytisoides L., (IV) Lotus gebelia Vent., L. lanuginosus Vent. and L. arenarius Brot., (V) Lotus edulis L., L. tetragonolobus L. and L. conjugatus L. and (VI) Lotus ornithopodioides L., L. peregrinus L., L. arabicus L. and L. hebranicus Hochst. ex Brand. As a result of this study, we proposed that some characters, not previously examined in detail, showed significant characters in species delimitation: pod length, seed dimensions, features of upper and lower leaflets, calyx, length of corolla, length of style, numbers of flowers and ovules.


Phytotaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 478 (2) ◽  
pp. 179-200
Author(s):  
SHABIR A. RATHER ◽  
WANG SHU ◽  
MAYANK DHAR DWIVEDI ◽  
CHANG ZHAOYANG

In this study, we explored the evolutionary history and taxonomic treatment of the Caragana opulens complex taking information from morphological and molecular data. The complex consists of three species, C. opulens, C. licentiana and C. kansuensis. Moreover, the morphological characters currently used to differentiate the species present in the complex have been found insignificant and inconsistent and do not help diagnose the species. For the present study, we investigated its range and sampled 139 accessions from the different populations of the genus Caragana and 17 accessions of the complex. DNA sequence data from one nrDNA ITS and one cpDNA trnH-psbA loci were sequenced and analyzed using Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian methods. The resulting phylogenies were congruent in topologies. Based on morphological and molecular data, it is concluded that all three species of the complex are one of the same with significant morphological variations. Hence C. opulens is accepted as the correct name along with C. licentiana and C. kansuensis as synonyms.


Phytotaxa ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 317 (1) ◽  
pp. 29
Author(s):  
XIAO-FENG JIN

In this paper, Carex chungii and other five names at species rank, plus one variety and one form, all from of C. sect. Mitratae, were revised. They constitute a group of morphologically very similar taxa, difficult to tell apart. Our study was based on literature survey, fieldwork, herbarium specimens, statistical analysis of morphological characters and SEM observations of achenes and perigynia. Analysis of morphological data of 94 individuals from eleven populations using principal component analysis (PCA) revealed five clusters, which we consequently considered to correspond to five species. The achenes of Carex genkaiensis were strikingly different from all the other species regarding achene apex contracted into a 0.2–0.5 mm long neck-like appendage (vs. into a discoid-annulate style-base), as well as its perigynium indumentum (pubescent vs. sparsely pubescent). Carex anhuiensis, C. xuanchengensis and C. truncatirostris f. erostris are all synonymized to C. truncatirostris. The previously recognized Carex kamagariensis from Japan is synonymized to C. chungii. Carex chungii var. rigida is recognized as specific rank and the new name C. nanpingensis is proposed. Our study is the first effort to address the taxonomy of this complicate group as a whole in its entire range.


Webbia ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-67
Author(s):  
Abdulwakeel Ayokun-nun Ajao ◽  
Annah Ntsamaeeng Moteetee

Rhynchosia is the largest genus in the subtribe Cajaninae, tribe Phaseoleae. Due to the lack of a recent taxonomic revision in the genus, the species are poorly known and as a result, are difficult to identify. As part of our ongoing taxonomic studies on the genus in southern Africa, this paper presents a comparative study of vegetative and floral morphological variation in the 47 species currently recognised in the type section Rhynchosia in the region. This is with a view to provide useful diagnostic morphological characters that can be used to correctly identify species in the type section and in other sections. The study used morphological data from field observation, herbarium specimens, and literature. Stems, leaves, and floral structures were examined with a dissecting microscope. A stereoscope with a camera lucida attachment was used to draw the reproductive morphology. Although morphological characters seem to overlap between the sections, characters such as leaflets size, type of indumentum on leaflet surfaces, stipules shape, type and length of inflorescences, presence or absence of indumentum on standard petals, presence and absence of sculpturing on wing petals, as well as length of upper lobes of the calyx are useful in identifying species.


2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (4) ◽  
pp. 584-592
Author(s):  
Burcu Yilmaz-Çitak ◽  
Hüseyin Dural

Background: This paper investigates whether the fruit and seed micromorphology of eight Turkish Iberis (Brassicaceae) species can be used as a further aid in their taxonomic delimitation. Questions: Are the micro-morphological characters of the fruits and seeds of Iberis useful to support the taxonomic delimitation of its species? Studied species / data description /Mathematical model: The eight species of Iberis present in Turkey were examined. The fruit and seed characteristics were obtained and statistical analysis was performed using UPGMA. Study site and dates: Fifteen localities in Turkey, from 2015 to 2019. Methods: Samples of fruit and seed of eight species of Iberis were collected, stored, and later measured and described with aid of light and scanning electron microscopies. Results: All eight species had different fruit and seed characters; particularly differing from each other with respect to fruit and seed size, seed shape and seed ornamentation. Two fruit ornamentation types were evident, smooth and striated. The seed coat surface were separated into three types: reticulate, reticulate-rugose and reticulate-papillate, being reticulate the most common. Further differences were noted for the seed surface epidermal structures, notably species had rectangular, tetragonal, or pentagonal patterning. An identification key was constructed based on a similarity analysis. Conclusions: Fruit morphology, seed dimensions, colour, and epidermal cell patterning are useful microcharacters that enabled species-level determinations in the Iberis species sampled.


2019 ◽  
Vol 104 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alejandro Zuluaga ◽  
Martin Llano ◽  
Ken Cameron

The subfamily Monsteroideae (Araceae) is the third richest clade in the family, with ca. 369 described species and ca. 700 estimated. It comprises mostly hemiepiphytic or epiphytic plants restricted to the tropics, with three intercontinental disjunctions. Using a dataset representing all 12 genera in Monsteroideae (126 taxa), and five plastid and two nuclear markers, we studied the systematics and historical biogeography of the group. We found high support for the monophyly of the three major clades (Spathiphylleae sister to Heteropsis Kunth and Rhaphidophora Hassk. clades), and for six of the genera within Monsteroideae. However, we found low rates of variation in the DNA sequences used and a lack of molecular markers suitable for species-level phylogenies in the group. We also performed ancestral state reconstruction of some morphological characters traditionally used for genera delimitation. Only seed shape and size, number of seeds, number of locules, and presence of endosperm showed utility in the classification of genera in Monsteroideae. We estimated ancestral ranges using a dispersal-extinction-cladogenesis model as implemented in the R package BioGeoBEARS and found evidence for a Gondwanan origin of the clade. One tropical disjunction (Monstera Adans. sister to Amydrium Schott–Epipremnum Schott) was found to be the product of a previous Boreotropical distribution. Two other disjunctions are more recent and likely due to long-distance dispersal: Spathiphyllum Schott (with Holochlamys Engl. nested within) represents a dispersal from South America to the Pacific Islands in Southeast Asia, and Rhaphidophora represents a dispersal from Asia to Africa. Future studies based on stronger phylogenetic reconstructions and complete morphological datasets are needed to explore the details of speciation and migration within and among areas in Asia.


2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 70-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Afzal Rizvi ◽  
Syed Abid Ali ◽  
Iqra Munir ◽  
Kousar Yasmeen ◽  
Rubina Abid ◽  
...  

Aim: Quinoa is a popular source of protein, minerals and alternative to traditional grains. The objective of this study is to introduce the Quinoa in the semi-arid zone of Sindh province of Pakistan. Method: A variety of NARC-9 from the agricultural Punjab province was cultivated and subjected to analyze the growth, morphological characters of the varieties obtained, saponin, protein and the elemental composition viz. Cd, Cu, Fe, K, Na, Pb, and Zn. Result: The result demonstrated the optimum growth and no disease were found in the experimental area. At least three major varieties of quinoa were obtained. Seed morphological data of these three quinoa cultivars were collected. The average saponin levels were quite reasonable. Overall proteins band pattern revealed very high polymorphism in quinoa cultivars and the results were also in good agreement with earlier studies. Conclusion: All quinoa cultivars of Madinat al-Hikmah showed high concentrations of albumin than globulin concentrations (i.e. 48-52% and 24-27%, respectively) as compared to control seeds from market that had similar concentrations of the two fractions i.e. 35.58% and 37.68%, respectively. Likewise, low concentrations of prolamin 14-16% and glutelin 11-12% compared to control seeds 13% rank our crop much better quality than the imported one in the market. The trend of elemental accumulation was followed as K >Na >Fe >Zn >Cu >Pb >Cd, while for comparison it was Na >K >Zn >Fe >Cu >Pb >Cd >Pb for wheat grown under similar conditions. Traditional grains together make a major contribution to the total nutritional element intake of the average Pakistani citizen through diet, not only because of large amounts consumed, but also in part by suitable levels of their proteins and elemental up take for good health. Thus the successful cultivation of quinoa in the semi-arid zone of Sindh will certainly prove beneficial.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Edoardo Massa ◽  
Roberto Guidetti ◽  
Michele Cesari ◽  
Lorena Rebecchi ◽  
K. Ingemar Jönsson

AbstractKristianstads Vattenrike Biosphere Reserve [KVBR] is a UNESCO designated area of Sweden possessing high biological value. Although several studies on tardigrades inhabiting Sweden have been performed, the KVBR area has been neglected. The current study investigates the tardigrade fauna of five areas of the biosphere reserve and includes 34 samples of different substrates analysed quantitatively and qualitatively. In total, 33 species of tardigrades were found in the samples, including 22 new records for the Skåne region, 15 new records for Sweden, and four species new to science. Mesobiotus emiliae sp. nov., Xerobiotus gretae sp. nov., Itaquascon magnussoni sp. nov., and Thulinius gustavi sp. nov. were described with an integrative approach (when possible) using morphological characters (light, electron scanning, and confocal laser scanning microscopies) and molecular markers (ITS2, 18S, 28S, cox1). A new protocol to increase morphological data was developed recovering mounted specimens within old slides for SEM analysis. Emended diagnoses for the genus Itaquascon and the transfer of Platicrista itaquasconoide to the genus Meplitumen are proposed. This study enriches the knowledge of the tardigrade biodiversity both within the KVBR and in Sweden and contributes to the rapidly increasing number of tardigrade species reported worldwide. The 33 species identified in the KVBR area represents 28% of all water bear species found in Sweden so far. The restricted study areas and limited number of samples collected suggests that the KVBR is very rich of tardigrades.


2021 ◽  
Vol 307 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pau Carnicero ◽  
Núria Garcia-Jacas ◽  
Llorenç Sáez ◽  
Theophanis Constantinidis ◽  
Mercè Galbany-Casals

AbstractThe eastern Mediterranean basin hosts a remarkably high plant diversity. Historical connections between currently isolated areas across the Aegean region and long-distance dispersal events have been invoked to explain current distribution patterns of species. According to most recent treatments, at least two Cymbalaria species occur in this area, Cymbalaria microcalyx and C. longipes. The former comprises several intraspecific taxa, treated at different ranks by different authors based on morphological data, evidencing the need of a taxonomic revision. Additionally, some populations of C. microcalyx show exclusive morphological characters that do not match any described taxon. Here, we aim to shed light on the systematics of eastern Mediterranean Cymbalaria and to propose a classification informed by various sources of evidence. We performed molecular phylogenetic analyses using ITS, 3’ETS, ndhF and rpl32-trnL sequences and estimated the ploidy level of some taxa performing relative genome size measures. Molecular data combined with morphology support the division of traditionally delimited C. microcalyx into C. acutiloba, C. microcalyx and C. minor, corresponding to well-delimited nrDNA lineages. Furthermore, we propose to combine C. microcalyx subsp. paradoxa at the species level. A group of specimens previously thought to belong to Cymbalaria microcalyx constitute a well-defined phylogenetic and morphological entity and are described here as a new species, Cymbalaria spetae. Cymbalaria longipes is non-monophyletic, but characterized by being glabrous and diploid, unlike other eastern species. The nrDNA data suggest at least two dispersals from the mainland to the Aegean Islands, potentially facilitated by marine regressions.


2010 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 151-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Kumar ◽  
A. Pandey ◽  
I. S. Bisht ◽  
K. V. Bhat ◽  
P. S. Mehta

Genetic structure of five populations of a locally common rice (Oryza sativa L.) landrace Jaulia from parts of Uttarakhand state of India was studied using sequence tagged microsatellite site (STMS) markers. Of these, four populations were on-farm managed, assembled from different niche environments, and one population was conserved ex situ and represented static conservation. The 16 STMS primer pairs fully differentiated the inter- and intrapopulation diversity. A total of 72 alleles were recorded with a mean of 4.5 alleles per locus. Population wise, the total number of alleles ranged from 21 to 41, with maximum number of alleles for population IC 548358 and minimum number of alleles for population IC 100051 representing static conservation. A greater number of alleles specific to populations under farmer management could be recorded. Changes in yield parameters also seemed to be affected under farmer management besides other environmental adaptations for qualitative morphological characters. The marker diversity using STMS primer pairs indicates the genetic differentiation among populations resulting from joint effects of several evolutionary forces operating within the historical and biological context of the crop landrace. The variations in adaptations, on the other hand, indicate the degree to which populations are adapted to their environments and their potential for continued performance or as donors of characters in plant breeding. Both biotic and abiotic aspects of the environment are involved.


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