Analysis of Morphological Characteristics and Variation in Five Populations of Zabelia tyaihyonii in South Korea

Background and objective: Native to the limestone zones of the Korean Peninsula, Zabelia tyaihyonii is a popular plant for landscaping. As it is now classified as a rare species, the conservation of its genetic resources is necessary.Methods: In this study, which aimed to understand the morphological variation of Z. tyaihyonii, 18 characteristics of Z. tyaihyonii from five habitats were examined.Results: Of these 18 characteristics, 16 characteristics showed significant differences among sites, and the coefficient of variation ranged from 5.4% (for corolla lobe number) to 31.3% (for flower number). Notable variations were observed in the size of flower and calyx lobe. When the corolla length and calyx lobe length were used as the classification key of Z. tyaihyonii, the sites were divided into those with small, intermediate, and large values. Hair was observed on the filament of all samples, a finding which conflicts with an earlier report. Rather than classifying Z. tyaihyonii into different species on the basis of corolla length (COL) and calyx lobe length (CALL) values, we recommend modifying the species description to incorporate the variation in these characteristics of interest. Principal component analysis results showed that the first main component was highly correlated with the traits related to the size of the calyx lobe (length: 0.819, width: 0.758), and the second main component was highly correlated with the traits related with the size of the inflorescence (length: 0.790, width: 0.626).Conclusion: Several notable variations were identified among the characteristics related to inflorescence and calyx lobe. There is little genetic exchange among groups, or each group is influenced by micro environmental factors, because sites that are located nearby. In addition, the difference between COL and CALL, which is used as the classification key for Z. tyaihyonii, was divided into small group, large group, and intermediate group, regardless of the sites’ geographical distance.

Morphometrics and Redescription of Aphyllon fasciculatum and Aphyllon franciscanum, Two Widespread but Previously Conflated Species in Western North America

Abstract— We continue the taxonomic reevaluation of Aphyllon sect. Aphyllon by describing a widespread species throughout western North America previously recognized within a polyphyletic A. fasciculatum. To support our description and revised key, we analyzed fifteen continuous and discrete characters sampled from 186 herbarium specimens and iNaturalist observations representing the geographic and host ranges. Principal component and multiple correspondence analyses reveal clear variation in floral characters. Discriminant analyses show that three aspects of floral color, corolla lobe tip shape, the calyx cup to calyx lobe ratio, calyx lobe length, and degree of bend in the corolla tube are useful distinguishing features, but not diagnostic in every case.

Cuscuta sect. Californicae (Convolvulaceae) Revisited: ‘Cryptic’ Speciation and Host Range Differentiation

Abstract—Cuscuta californica complex (sensu lato, s. l.) is a western North American group of species in which the infrastaminal scales are reduced, making the morphological delimitation of species particularly challenging. A revision of this group was prompted by the discovery of an apparent new species from central California based primarily on molecular means. Driven by this finding, the morphological limits of C. californica s. l. species were comprehensively re-evaluated through a morphometric study. DNA sequences from plastid (trnL‐F region and rbcL), nuclear ribosomal ITS and 26S rDNA, as well as a low-copy nuclear pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) gene were used to reconstruct evolutionary relationships among taxa. Last but not least, the host range of relevant taxa was determined using herbarium specimens. Molecular results strongly supported the new species, C. difficilis, which was found to be morphologically separated from C. brachycalyx only by subtle calyx lobe and corolla tube shape differences. Despite sharing some of the hosts, all the members of C. californica s. l. exhibited a differentiation of their host ranges. An identification key and description of the new species were provided together with a discussion on the systematics and host range of C. californica s. l.. Hybridization, accompanied by plastid capture, was suggested as a possible mechanism of speciation for C. brachycalyx.

Record of Oldenlandia hygrophila Bremek. (Spermacoceae: Rubiaceae), a lesser known herb from Palghat Gap of Western Ghats, Kerala, India

Oldenlandia hygrophila Bremek., a lesser known taxon has been relocated from the type location in the Palghat (Palakkad) gap region of southern Western Ghats, Kerala, India, and is described. Setiform cuticular protuberances all over the plant, branching pattern, stipule length, axillary solitary blue flower, corolla lobes not spreading during anthesis, size of flower, presence of hyaline hairs inside corolla tube, calyx lobe reaching one-fourth of the corolla tube, exerted anthers with glabrous filaments, sub - globose capsule and seed surface pattern are some of the peculiar features which makes this taxa different from other Oldenlandia species. After its type collection in 1972, this endemic taxa could not be relocated from its type locality till date.

Justicia carajensis, a new species of Acanthaceae from the Serra dos Carajás, Pará, Brazil

A new species, Justicia carajensis, is described from the Serra dos Carajás as part of the ongoing taxonomic study of Justicia from the state of Pará in northern Brazil. Morphologically, it belongs to Justicia sect. Chaetothylax, and differs from other species by a combination of characters of calyx lobe length and indumentum, corolla tube shape, anther morphology, and ovary and fruit indumentum.

Comparative genetic variability and traits’ heritability in vegetative and floral characters in accessions of two minor legumes

This study evaluated genetic variability and heritability in vegetative and floral characters among two minor legumes (Sphenotylis stenocarpa Ex. A. Rich. Harms and [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] of five accessions each. Six (6) floral and ten (10) vegetative characters were pooled for analysis on one hundred (100) plants of the two minor legumes. Appropriate statistical analyses were employed for comparative evaluation. Significant differences (P = 0.05) were observed in all the traits except rachis length. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed significant contributions of traits in lengths of calyx lobe, stipule, rachis and petiole; also in numbers of flowers per peduncle and of main branches to the expressed variability. The cluster analysis segregated the accessions into two major cluster groups. The broad sense heritability of traits was high (>95 %). The study is important in selection of valuable traits for conservation, management of genetic resources and hybridization programs of the two species.

Leptodermis hechiensis (Rubiaceae), a new species from Guangxi, China

Leptodermis hechiensis from Guangxi, China, is described as a new species. The species differs from similar L. yangshuoensis by triangular calyx lobe and 3-lobed style, and from L. coriaceifolia by subcoriaceous leaf blade and shorter bracteoles. Its leaf epidermis and pollen morphology were observed by SEM. Diagnostic characters and distribution maps of the above three species are provided too.

Genetic diversity and phylogenetic behavior of some minor legumes

Twenty-four accessions of twelve species minor legumes collected from the germplasm unit of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture Ibadan, Nigeria were evaluated for their genetic diversities and phylogenetic relatedness. The accessions were planted into plots of 5 ridges of 5 meters long, spaced 1 meter apart and replicated three times at the Federal University Oye-Ekiti Teaching and Research Farm. The diversity and the relative phylogeny of the accessions were assessed through their floral morphological differences and the mean values between two accessions were evaluated by descriptive statistics. Principal component analysis was employed to identify the most discriminatory floral morphological traits and the similarities among the 24 accessions were assessed by cluster analysis (CA). Descriptive statistics through Duncan multiple range test adopted revealed genetic diversity and phylogenetic relatedness among the accessions. The first two principal component axes explained 64.66% of the total floral morphological variation. Standard petal length, calyx lobe length and stipule length contributed most of the variations in the legume accession. CA grouped the 24 accessions into six clusters. The study revealed intra-specific similarities and inter-specific floral morphological differences among the studied accessions.