Inventory of leaf and flower odorants in plants associated with the life cycle of Japanese Papilio butterflies

The odorants of eight Japanese mainland native species (Citrus x deliciosa, Zanthoxylum ailanthoides, Z. schinifolium, Z. piperitum, Phellodendron amurense, Orixa japonica, Skimmia japonica, and Boenninghausenia albiflora), one tropical species (Euodia meliifolia), and one invasive species (Ruta graveolens) of the Rutaceae family and three Japanese mainland native species (Angelica keiske, Heracleum lanatum, Anthriscus sylvestris, and one invasive species (Foeniculum vulgare) of the Apiaceae family were analyzed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry with dynamic–headspace and thermal–desorption methods. These plants are hostplants to Japanese Papilio butterflies. Herein, these 14 plants were classified into six major groups based on the odorant volatiles, which did not correspond to the current phylogenetic classification. Similarly, floral odorant analysis of the six plant species (Clerodendrum trichotomum, Cayratia japonica, Robinia pseudoacacia, Lonicera japonica, C. deliciosa, Z. ailanthoides) visited by Papilio butterflies for nectaring, revealed the presence of linalool in all the flowers. Floral volatiles in C. deliciosa and Z. ailanthoides exhibited moderate resemblance to their respective leaf volatiles. Interestingly, our results in C. trichotomum was not in complete agreement with previous reports, emphasizing the need for newer methods of extraction and analysis.

Inventory of leaf and flower odorants in plants associated with the life cycle of Japanese Papilio butterflies

The odorants of eight Japanese mainland native species (Citrus x deliciosa, Zanthoxylum ailanthoides Siebold & Zucc, Z. schinifolium Sieb. et Zucc., Z. piperitum L., Phellodendron amurense Ruprecht, Orixa japonica Thunb., Skimmia japonica Thunb., and Boenninghausenia albiflora (Hook.) Rchb. ex Meisn.), one tropical species (Euodia meliifolia (Hance) Benth.), and one invasive species (Ruta graveolens) of the Rutaceae family and three Japanese mainland native species (Angelica keiskei (Miq.) Koidz., Heracleum lanatum W. Bartram, Anthriscus sylvestris (Blume) DC), and one invasive species (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) of the Apiaceae family were analyzed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry with dynamic–headspace and thermal–desorption methods. These plants are hostplants to Japanese Papilio butterflies. Herein, these 14 plants were classified into six major groups based on the odorant volatiles, which did not correspond to the current phylogenetic classification. Similarly, floral odorant analysis of the six plant species (Clerodendrum trichotomum Thunb., Cayratia japonica (Thunb.) Gagnep., Robinia pseudoacacia L., Lonicera japonica Thunb., C. deliciosa, Z. ailanthoides) visited by Papilio butterflies for nectaring, revealed the presence of linalool in all the flowers. Floral volatiles in C. deliciosa and Z. ailanthoides exhibited moderate resemblance to their respective leaf volatiles. Interestingly, our results in C. trichotomum was not in complete agreement with previous reports, emphasizing the need for newer methods of extraction and analysis.

Altitudinal Gradients Affecting Floristic Diversity in Shingan Valley of Rakchham-Chitkul Wildlife Sanctuary District Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh

A study to understand and assess the impact of altitudinal gradients on the floristic diversity in Shingan valley falling in Rakchham-Chitkul Wildlife Sanctuary district Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh was carried out during the year 2008. The altitudinal gradient in the present case varied from 2800m to 4300m above msl. Total number of plant species as recorded was 118 belonging to 46 families and 87 genera. The dominant families registered were Rosaceae, Asteraceae, Lamiaceae, Ranunculaceae and Ploygonaceae. The number of tree species was 11 and 4 with the dominance of Pinus wallichiana and Betula utilis at 2800-3300m and 3300-3800m elevation respectively. The number of shrub species was 15, 13 and 6 with the dominance of Salix fragilis, Juniperus indica and Rhododendron anthopogon at the elevation of 2800-3300m, 3300-3800m and 3800-4300m. The number of herbs species was 63, 55 and 40 at 2800-3300m, 3300-3800m and 3800-4300m elevation respectively. Caltha palustris, Anaphalis triplinervis and Thymus linearis were the dominant shrub at these elevations respectively. The distribution pattern of species was mostly contiguous in all the altitude ranges. Index of diversity for herb species in different elevations ranges was 3.75, 3.66 and 3.44 for 2800-3300m 3300-3800m and 3800-4300m elevation respectively. Out of the 58 medicinal plant species as recorded from the valley, 14 species like Dactylorhiza hatagirea, Angelica glauca, Betula utilis, Podophyllum hexandrum, Picrorhiza kurrooa, Rheum australe, Taxus wallichiana, Heracleum lanatum, Polygonatum verticillatum, Rheum webbianum , Rhodiola heterodonta, Rhododendron anthopogon, Rhododendron campanulatum, Rhododendron lepidotum etc. fall in the category of threatened plants as per IUCN categorization.

Paleoecology of late-glacial terrestrial deposits with in situ conifers from the submerged continental shelf of western Canada

Extensive portions of the continental shelf off the coast of British Columbia were subaerially exposed during Late Wisconsinan deglaciation due to lowering of relative sea level by as much as 150 m. Paleoecological analyses were conducted at two sites on the emergent continental shelf where terrestrial surfaces with in situ conifers are preserved. The woody plant remains confirm that, during the latest period of subaerial exposure, terrestrial vegetation was established on the continental shelf. Microscopic identification of fossil wood, and analyses of pollen and plant macrofossils from the associated paleosols and overlying shallow pond sediments indicate that productive Pinus contorta-dominated communities with abundant Alnus crispa and ferns grew on the shelf adjacent to and on the Queen Charlotte Islands around 12,200 14C yr B.P. Dwarf shrubs including Salix and Empetrum, and herbaceous plants such as Heracleum lanatum and Hippuris vulgaris, were also important components of the shelf vegetation. Near northern Vancouver Island, mixed coniferous forests dominated by Pinus contorta with Picea, Tsuga spp., Alnus spp., and ferns occupied the shelf at 10,500 14C yr B.P.

The diet of grizzly bears in the Flathead River drainage of southeastern British Columbia

Based on the analysis of 1100 feces or scats, the seasonal diet of grizzly bears (Ursus arctos) in the Flathead drainage between 1979 and 1991 was estimated. In the early spring, major foods included ungulates and hedysarum roots (Hedysarum sulphurescens). Later in the spring and early summer, green vegetation that mainly included horsetails (Equisetum arvense), graminoids, and cow parsnip (Heracleum lanatum) dominated the diet. Later in the summer, berries, particularly huckleberries (Vaccinium spp.) and soopolallie (Shepherdia canadensis), were most common. In the autumn, berries, ungulates, and hedysarum roots were major foods. Seasonal changes in nutrients were measured for major foods. The volume of a food consumed within a season was inversely related to food quality, suggesting that food availability and handling time may have been more important factors influencing diet selection. The proportions of food items in the scats, and species of fruit in particular, varied among years. The Flathead and contiguous Waterton Lakes National Park are so far the only study areas in North America that contain all major bear foods found across the interior of the continent, and in particular, both major berry species, huckleberries and soopolallie. This observation supports the hypothesis that a favourable food base in the Flathead is partially responsible for the high density of bears found there. It is important for managers to realize the possible uniqueness of the Flathead area and not extrapolate information without due caution.

Psoralens on the surface of seeds of Rutaceae and fruits of Umbelliferae and Leguminosae

Linear furanocoumarins (psoralens) were present both inside and on the surface of dry fruits of seven species of Umbelliferae and one species of the Leguminosae and on seeds of three of Rutaceae examined. Surface concentrations varied between traces and 40 μg/g of the mature fruits or seeds, amounting to 0.38–43% of the total. In the whole fruits concentrations were very high in Angelica archangelica, Heracleum lanatum, Pastinaca saliva, and Psoralea bituminosa, reaching levels of milligrams per gram fresh weight of fruits. This high concentration inside the fruit may be the cause of poor germination of embryos in A. archangelica and H. lanatum. Seeds of the Rutaceae had much smaller concentrations of furanocoumarins both on the surface and within the seed. Key words: fruits, seeds, surface, furanocoumarins, Umbelliferae, Rutaceae, dermatitis, plant defense.

Furocoumarin resistance in the larvae of Phytomyza spondylii (Diptera: Agromyzidae) feeding on Heracleum lanatum is associated with the enzymatic breakdown of 8-methoxypsoralen

The larvae of Phytomyza spondylii feed and produce characteristic tunnels or mines on the leaves of Heracleum lanatum, a plant which is rich in both angular and linear furocoumarins. These molecules, in the presence of near ultraviolet light, photosensitize cells by producing DNA adducts which, unless repaired, arc lethal. Thus, many plants belonging to the Umbelliferaceae are often considered to be resistant to insect foraging because of the presence of furocoumarins. The larvae of Phytomyza spondylii rapidly break down 8-methoxypsoralen into photobiologically inactive compounds. This is an enzymatic reaction requiring the presence of an electron generating and accepting system not unlike that seen with the mixed function microsomal oxidases of mammalian liver microsomes. This reaction may be specific as it was not observable in the fall webworm (Hyphantria cunea) on red alder or in Papilio zelicaon feeding on dill or parsley. It is postulated, therefore, that the presence of this detoxifying system in Phytomyza spondylii is related to the host specificity and distribution of the insect.