Studies of Vietnamese Pteridophyte Flora 1

The history of the study on pterido-flora in Vietnam is reviewed. Two new records, Adiantum capillus-junonis and Actinostachys wagneri are reported for Vietnam based on our new collections. A new species, Hymenophyllum bryoides, is described to accommodate its morphological and genetic distinctiveness from other congeneric species. Photographs of key characters, distributions, ecology, and notes on all the above species are provided.Keywords—Fern, Indochina, new species

Genotyping by RAD Sequencing Analysis Assessed the Genetic Distinctiveness of Experimental Lines and Narrowed down the Genomic Region Responsible for Leaf Shape in Endive (Cichorium endivia L.)

The characterization of genetic diversity in elite breeding stocks is crucial for the registration and protection of new varieties. Moreover, experimental population structure analysis and information about the genetic distinctiveness of commercial materials are essential for crop breeding programs. The purpose of our research was to assess the genetic relationships of 32 endive (Cichorium endivia L.) breeding lines, 18 from var. latifolium (escarole) and 14 from var. crispum (curly), using heterologous Cichorium intybus-derived simple sequence repeats (SSR) markers and single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) markers. We found that 14 out of 29 SSR markers were successfully amplified, but only 8 of them were related to polymorphic loci. To overcome the limitation of the low number of informative SSR marker loci, an alternative SNP-based approach was employed. The 4621 SNPs produced by a restriction site-associated DNA marker sequencing approach were able to fully discriminate the 32 endive accessions; most importantly, as many as 50 marker loci were found to distinguish the curly group from the escarole group. Interestingly, 24 of the marker loci mapped within a peripheral segment of chromosome 8 of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), spanning a chromosomal region of 49.6 Mb. Following Sanger sequencing-based validation, three genes were determined to carry nonsynonymous SNPs, and one of them matched a putative ortholog of AtELP1, subunit 1 of the Elongator complex. Considering that several previously characterized Elongator complex subunit mutants exhibited elongated and/or curly leaf phenotypes, this gene should be taken into consideration for a better understanding of the underlying mechanism controlling leaf shape in endive.

A morphological and molecular revision of lizards of the genus Marisora Hedges & Conn (Squamata: Mabuyidae) from Central America and Mexico, with descriptions of four new species

The skink genus Marisora ranges from Mexico to northern South America and occurs on some islands in the Caribbean Sea. We conducted a revision of the genus Marisora from Mexico and Central America, using new morphological and molecular data, and find support for the five previously described species (Marisora alliacea, M.aurulae, M. brachypoda, M. magnacornae, and M. roatanae) and describe four new species: Marisora lineola sp. nov., M. aquilonaria sp. nov., M. syntoma sp. nov., and M. urtica sp. nov. We show that two species previously known only from Central American islands, M. magnacornae and M. roatanae, also occur on the adjacent mainland and that two species recently placed in Alinea belong to this evolutionary clade: Marisora berengerae n. comb. and Marisora pergravis n. comb. Together with M. falconensis and M. unimarginata, these 13 species of Marisora arose mostly in the Pliocene and are largely allopatric but are sympatric and nearly sympatric at several locations in Central America where they maintain their morphological and genetic distinctiveness.

The length, number, and endodermis area of needles discriminate two genetically distinct populations of Cedrus atlantica Manetti in the Moroccan Middle Atlas

The variation in some adaptive characters of cedar needles was studied in two different regions of the Moroccan Middle Atlas that have different local environmental conditions and levels of genetic diversity. The two populations are localized in the Azrou and Ifrane regions. Tukey’s tests showed that the needle/brachyblast number (Nn/R), length (Nl), and needle width (Nw) showed the greatest variation. In addition, all anatomical characters studied showed a significant correlation with Nw, whereas only the area of the vascular bundles (AVb) was related to Nl. Discriminant analysis revealed that Nn/R, Nl, and the area of the central cylinder (ACc) are high-discriminating characters among populations of Azrou and Ifrane and confirms their isolation. These adaptations of the morphological and anatomical traits of the Atlas cedar needles of the Azrou and Ifrane regions are discussed in relation to the local environmental conditions and have been found to be in harmony with their genetic distinctiveness revealed previously.