Evaluation of seed morphology characteristics of Alnus taxa in Iran

Alnus Mill. is a problematic genus of Betulaceae, and there are several intrageneric classifications for the genus. Alnus species are widely distributed in the Hyrcanian forest of Iran, and different species with some intraspecific taxonomic ranks including subspecies and varieties have been reported from this country. We evaluate seed micromorphology characteristics of ten taxa using scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy in the current study. The data were analyzed using SPSS and MVSP software. Results revealed that qualitative characteristics such as seed shape, surface sculpturing pattern, presence of indumentum, and its type vary among the studied taxa and have diagnostic value. However, seed color was nearly stable among the taxa. Besides, quantitative variables highly differed among the taxa. In the UPGMA tree, Alnus taxa were clustered into three groups, and these groups were supported by PCA and PCO plots. According to the PCA bi-plot, some taxa were characterized by the particular characteristic(s) that was useful for their identification. In some cases taxa clustering was similar to those of previous phylogenetic and morphological studies. Our findings revealed that seed morphology characteristics are a valuable taxonomical tool in identifying most Alnus taxa, except for A. glutinosa subspecies, which have similar seed morphology features in common.

Pollen morphology of chestnut cultivars in southern China by using scanning electron microscope

The morphological characteristics of pollen grains of 16 cultivars belonging to two species of the genus Castanea (Castanea mollissima and C. henryi) collected from southern China were observed by using scanning electron microscope (SEM). The length of polar axis (PL), the equatorial diameter (ED), the length of colpus (CL) of grain, P/E ratio (polar axis to equatorial diameter), P/C ratio (polar axis to colpus length), and C/E ratio (colpus length to equatorial diameter) were measured and their variations were compared among studied taxa. The result of this study indicated that chestnut pollen grain was a tricolporate in aperture type, and aperprolate type in equatorial view. The morphological characteristics were mainly represented by PL, ED and CL as revealed by principal components analysis, which accounted for 99.56% of the total variations. The cluster analysis by the UPGMA tree divided the taxa into three groups and showed a great morphological affinity among the 16 cultivars.

Essential oil analysis of eight 'Nepeta' taxa in Iran

Nepeta is one of the largest and important genera of Lamiaceae that is found in many parts of the world as wild plants. These aromatic plants produce essential oil for various pharmaceutical and industrial products. The essential oil composition in eight taxa of Nepeta was analyzed. One natural population from each taxon was selected, and their essential oils extracted using Clevenger apparatus. Moreover, GC and GC/MS analysis methods allowed to reveal the variability in essential oil composition and profile among the studied taxa. The oxygenated monoterpenes were dominant in the oils of N. meyeri, N. mirzayanii, N. racemosa, N. binaludensis, and N. glomerulosa. Phytol was the major compound in the essential oil of N. kotschyi var. persica and N. saccharata (11.56% and 27.04%, respectively). 4aα,7α,7aβ-nepetalactone (73.89%) and 4aα,7β,7aα-nepetalactone (83.92%) were the major constituents in essential oil of N. mirzayanii and N. meyeri, respectively. 1,8-cineol was the principal constituent in the oil of N. glomerulosa var. carmanica, N. binaludensis, N. pogonosperma and N. racemosa (23.34%, 43.49%, 53.94% and 70.89%, respectively). The studied taxa were classified into four distinct groups according to the UPGMA tree with high level of bootstrapping support. Each group was characterized by special trait(s) that could be used for identification of them. Therefore, four chemotypes were separated among the studied taxa: 1,8-cineol, 4aα,7α,7aβ-nepetalactone, 4aα,7β,7aα-nepetalactone, and carvacrol. It was also noticed that the composition of essential oil was highly varied compared to previous results.

Analysis of leaf flavonoid composition of some Iranian Cotoneaster Medik. (Rosaceae) species

The genus Cotoneaster consists of unarmed shrubs that naturally distributed in north parts of Iran. It is a problematic genus, and there are many discussions about its species number in Iran as well the World. Recently, M Khatamsaz has been listed 19 species of it in Iran. In the current research, we studied leaf flavonoid composition of seven Cotoneaster species from Iran. These species were harvested from the northern provinces of the country and their leaf ethanolic extracts were subjected to HPLC, for detection the types and amounts of their flavonoid compounds. We identified four flavonoid compounds: rutin, myricetin, quercetin, and kaempferol. The concentration of these flavonoids differed between the species, moreover amount of each flavonoid also varied among the studied species. All of them were registered in the studied species, except for myricetin, which was not observed in C. nummularius. The highest amount of flavonoids were detected in C. nummularius, while C. discolor had the lowest one. The evaluated species divided into four distinct group in UPGMA tree. According to CA-Joined plot, each group was characterized by species amount of flavonoid(s). All of evaluated species belonged to the same section of the genus, therefore our findings revealed that the flavonoid data were useful at sectional level for identification of the species.

Infraspecific morphological and genetic variations of Ficus carica L. from Iran

Ficus carica L. (Moraceae) is one of the most important crop plants widely cultivated in different parts of the world. Several wild or cultivated populations of it grow in various regions of Iran. In the current research, we evaluated morphological and molecular SSR methods in order to investigate infraspecific variations in this species and introduce possible phenotypes/genotypes among its populations. For this, 14 populations were selected from different parts of the country. We evaluated 27 qualitative and quantitative morphological traits of both reproductive and vegetative organs. The ANOVA test revealed significant variations for most of the quantitative variables; moreover, qualitative features differed among populations. Significant correlations were found between some morphological characteristics with ecological factors of habitats. According to the UPGMA tree, four morphotypes existed among these populations. CA-joined plot revealed that each group was identified by some morphological variables. In addition, parameters of genetic diversity varied among the studied populations, while the AMOVA test showed significant variations, most of which belonged to the variations within the population. According to the UPGMA tree, MDS and PCoA plots, the studied populations were divided into four distinct genotypes. In addition, the UPGMA tree based on Nei genetic diversity and Structure analyses confirmed these groups. Three groups were monotypic and the fourth was composed of eleven populations. Patterns of population clustering based on the morphological traits were not similar to those of SSR data. Therefore we concluded that environmental factors had strong effects on the population’s phenotype and genotypes were not recognized by their phenotypes.

Infraspecific morphological variations of Salvia limbata in Iran

Salvia limbata is an aromatic herb of Lamiaceae, which distributed in different parts of Iran. Studies have revealed that this species has several benefit compounds for human health. In this study, we investigated infra‒specific morphological difference in this species. In total, 21 inflorescence morphological features were evaluated in eight populations; ten individuals were evaluated per each population. Data were analysed using SPSS and MVSP softwares. Morphological traits highly differed among the studied populations and ANOVA test revealed significant differences among most of them. According to UPGMA tree, PCA and PCO plots of morphological characteristics, we reported four distinct phenotypes among the studied populations. CA. Joined plot revealed each of these group were characterized by special traits, which were useful in identification of them. Two phenotypes were monotypic, while the rest were composed of two to four populations. This species has a relative large geographical distribution, the distribution of its populations in diverse area will prevent the focus of natural selection in a given direct. Therefore different phenotypes were found in its different populations.

Analysis of trichome morphology and density in Salvia nemorosa L. (Lamiaceae) of Iran

Salvia nemorosa L. is an aromatic herb distributed widely in various regions of Iran, and is used in traditional and modern medicine. In the present study, leaf trichome densities and also type were investigated in six populations of the species, because the effective substances of this species exist in essential oil of glandular trichomes. For this, the mature intact leaves of each population were fixed in FAA solution, and then transverse hand sections were double-stained and studied using light microscopy. Leaf indumentum in all of the populations was dense pilose, with the exception of Tehran population that had loose pilose. Thirteen kinds of trichomes were identified, the main of which were peltate and capitate. PCA-biplot showed that each of these populations had prominent trichome trait(s). Furthermore, significant positive/negative correlations were found between some trichome types with main ecological factors of habitat. The studied populations clustered separately in the UPGMA tree, moreover, PCA and also PCO plots produced similar results. Our findings confirmed that ecological parameters of a habitat have strong effects on trichome morphology and density.

MORPHOLOGICAL VARIATION OF TEMPLE PIT-VIPER Tropidolaemus Wagleri Wagler, 1830 (SERPENTES: VIPERIDAE) IN WEST SUMATRA, INDONESIA

Tropidolaemus wagleri commonly known as complex species who widely distributed at tropical areas in Southeast Asia. We predicted that widespread distribution may affect the morphological variation among different population geographycally. This study were conducted based on direct survey and sampling in the fieldwork. The study sites was divided into two categories based on Bukit Barisan range which streching from North to South Sumatra island consist of Padang, Padang Panjang in western part of Bukit Barisan, and Payakumbuh, Dharmasraya in eastern part of Bukit Barisan. In total 21 individual T.wagleri were analysed based on 20 mensural characters (morphometric) and 19 multistate characters (meristic). Male and female was analysed separately based on non parametric statistics Kruskall Wallis and Mann Whitney U Test. The relationship between population were analysed based on UPGMA tree and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) plot. The result showed the significant variation between female T. wagleri between western and eastern part of Buki Barisan range. In contrast, the variation has not detected among the population of T. wagleri male. The morphological character which showed the significant value are Head Length (HL) and Neck Scales Row (NSR). The west population of T. wagleri has more shorter Head Length (HL) and Snouth Length (SnL) than east population. Howefer, the west T. wagleri population has more number in Neck Scales Row (NSR) character than east population. The population of female T. wagleri in Padang Panjang has more close relationship to Padang than to female population T. wagleri in Dharmasraya based n UPGMA tree.

Pollen characters as taxonomic evidence in some species of Dipsacaceae from Iran

Pollen morphology of nine species representing four genera: Cephalaria Schrad, Dipsacus L., Pterocephalus Vaill. and Scabiosa L. of the family Dipsacaceae in Iran has been investigated by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that pollen grains were triporate and tricolpate. The pollen type of Scabiosa rotata Bieb. (tri- and tetraporate) is the first report in the world. The sizes of pollen grains fall into the classification group magna (pollen grain diameter 50–100 μm). Pollen shapes vary from preoblate to prolate and their polar views were triangulate and lobate. The exine ornamentation varies from gemmate in S. rotata to spinulate in the rest studied species. Species of Scabiosa have been dispersed in UPGMA tree that this confirmed the previous studies about taxonomic problems and species complexity in this genus. These results show the transfer of the some Scabisoa species to Lomelosia Raf. based on palynological characters. Pollen morphology of the family is helpful at the generic and specific level.Bangladesh J. Plant Taxon. 24(2): 129–136, 2017 (December)

Genetic diversity of lactoferrin gene insilico on selected mammalian species

A total of 17 lactoferrin gene sequences belonging to 6 species: cattle (3), buffalo (3), sheep (3), goat (3), horse (2) and camel (3), were retrieved from Genbank (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov). Sequences alignment, translation and comparison were done with ClustalW of the MEGA 6.0. The present study therefore aimed at examining the genetic diversity of Lf gene in-silico on selected mammalian species. The Dxy inferred using p-distance revealed a maximum value of 0.50 between buffalo, sheep and goat whereas a minimum value of 0.01 was realized between sheep and goat. The maximum Dxy value of 0.15 were observed between horse and camel whereas no minimum value was recorded during the investigation. The Neighbour Joining tree from the phylogenetic analysis showed trans-species evolution however, UPGMA tree topology was species-wise. This genetic tree obtained advance some form of proximity and differentiation in Lactoferrin gene sequences within and among the mammalian species studied which provide basis for selection of livestock in terms of genetic relationship.