New data on the winged fruits of Carpolithus prangosoides Berry from the Eocene of western Tennessee and Kentucky.

We reexamined the morphology of the winged fruits Carpolithus prangosoides Berry (later synonym: Terminalia vera Berry) from the Eocene Claiborne Formation of southeastern North America, based on original and more recently collected specimens from several localities in Tennessee and Kentucky, USA. Physical and virtual sections of the fossils allow for more detailed documentation of wing morphology. The fruits are ellipsoidal, with five main lateral wings which bear radiating reticulate venation that forms loops near the margin. None of the fruits show pedicel or style remnants, but a basal pedicel scar was observed at the end opposite to the prominent, persistent sepals, indicating that the perianth was epigynous. A comparison with all known families having fin-winged fruits was conducted to assess possible affinities of C. prangosoides. Although no modern genus was found to match these fossils, the available characters, including the five sepals, suggest that it belongs to the Eudicot clade, likely in the Pentapetalae. However, the prior suggestion of combretaceous affinity is rejected based on differences in wing number and venation. We reviewed other North American reports of combretaceous fossils, concluding that only a few of them are reliable records for the family.

Griffinia meerowiana, a remarkable new species of Amaryllidaceae from Espírito Santo state, Brazil

The Atlantic Forest, known for its high biodiversity and endemism levels, now reduced to about 7% of its original area (Myers et al. 2000, Oliveira-Filho & Fontes 2000, Ribeiro et al. 2009), is the main center of diversity for Griffinia Ker Gawler (1820: t. 444). The genus is represented by about sixteen species (Preuss 1999, Campos-Rocha 2015, Campos-Rocha et al. 2017), the majority considered threatened with extinction (MMA 2014). Griffinia is morphologically characterized by having usually pseudopetiolate leaves with reticulate venation, bluish or sometimes white zygomorphic flowers with a hypanthium of variable length, and whitish globose seeds lacking phytomelanin in the testa and with an elaiosome. Currently, it is divided into two subgenera, Griffinia, and Hyline (Herbert 1840: t. 3779) Ravenna (1969: 63), with several ecological and morphological differences (Preuss 1999, Campos-Rocha 2015), though they may not constitute monophyletic groups (Meerow et al. 2000). Subgenus Griffinia, with about fourteen small to large-sized species, are generally understory plants of the Atlantic Forest, with pseudopetiolate leaves and bluish or occasionally white flowers. Subgenus Hyline has two recognized species of the understory of Cerrado and Caatinga primarily, with fragrant and ephemeral large white flowers, rarely pink (Preuss 1999, Campos-Rocha 2015). Griffinia, together with the monotypic genus Worsleya Traub (1944: 89), constitute a strongly supported clade (Meerow et al. 2000), tribe Griffinieae Ravenna (1974: 65), the only Amaryllidaceae tribe endemic to Brazil.

A COMPARATIVE PHARMACOGNOSTICAL EVALUATION OF THREE BOTANICAL SOURCE PLANTS OF JIVANTI

Objective: This study was undertaken to carry out a comparative pharmacognostical evaluation of three botanical source plants used in the name of classical Ayurvedic drug Jivanti.Methods: Leaves of three source plants of jivanti belonging to Asclepiadaceae family i.e. Leptadenia reticulata (Retz.), Holostemma ada-kodien Schult. and Wattakaka volubilis (Linn. f.) Stapf were evaluated for morphological and microscopical characters including quantitative microscopy, surface study, powder microscopy and histochemical studies.Results: Morphologically all the three species showed some similar characters like simple, opposite leaves with reticulate venation. The shape of the leaves were ovate to oblong in L reticulata and H ada-kodien whereas W volubilis was having broadly ovate or suborbicular leaves. Multicellular glandular warty trichomes, rosette crystals of calcium oxalate, lactiferous cells were observed in all the three species whereas prismatic crystals were also present in W volubilis. Palisade ratio and stomatal index were higher in H ada-kodien followed by L reticulata. Characteristic differences in the organoleptic characters like colour, taste, touch were observed in individual powder samples. Test for lignin, calcium oxalate crystal, starch grain and tannin showed a positive result in all the three samples.Conclusion: The present study reports specific pharmacognostical characteristics for the identification and differentiation of each botanical source plant. The observed results can also serve as a reference for any further investigations.

Problematode: an enigmatic new genus of Membracidae (Hemiptera) with two new species from Venezuela

The new Neotropical genus Problematode gen. nov. is described and illustrated to accommodate two new closely related species from the Coastal Montane Forests of Venezuela, P. sakakibarai sp. nov. and P. inerme sp. nov. Problematode gen. nov. appears to be closely related to Euwalkeria Goding on the basis of the reticulate venation of the forewing and lack of posterior pronotal processes, and to Smergotomia Dietrich and Smerdalea Fowler in the configuration of the anal veins of the forewing. The widely separated mid- and hind coxae, exposing the thoracic ventral sternites, and the fused mesothoracic trochanter and femur are unique features of these taxa, which are considered of uncertain position within Membracidae.

Micrometric Study and Random Amplified Polymorphic Deoxyribonucleic Acid Analysis of Wattakaka volubilis (Linn. f.) Stapf. Leaves

ABSTRACT The leaves of Jīvantī are considered to be the best among the vegetables in the classical texts of Ayurveda. In some parts of India, Wattakaka volubilis (Linn. f.) Stapf. is used in the name of Jīvantī for treatment of pyoderma, fever, cough, cold, rheumatic pain, diabetes, eye diseases, snake bite etc. The present study deals with the micrometric evaluation and molecular characterization of Wattakaka volubilis (Linn. f.) Stapf. leaves by random amplified polymorphic deoxyribonucleic acid (RAPD) markers by following standard parameters. Morphological study showed that leaves are 6.5–14 × 4.5–11 cm, in size, broadly ovate or suborbicular with reticulate venation. Transverse section of petiole measures about 2.7 μm, showing single-layered epidermis with multicellular, warty trichomes. Cortex contains chloroplast and several prismatic and rosette crystals. Section through midrib measures about 3.4 × 3.2 μm, having centrally located bicollateral vascular bundle supported by ground tissue. Powder microscopy showed the presence of multicellular and glandular trichomes, paracytic stomata, rosette crystals of calcium oxalate, oil globules and chlorophyll pigments. In RAPD analysis, all the 10 primers showed good amplification. The unique bright and light bands obtained in polymerase chain reaction amplification along with quantitative pharmacognostical characters can be considered as a measure for authentication and standardization of the plant. How to cite this article Naik R, Harisha CR, Acharya R. Micrometric Study and Random Amplified Polymorphic Deoxyribonucleic Acid Analysis of Wattakaka volubilis (Linn. f.) Stapf. Leaves. J Drug Res Ayurvedic Sci 2017;2(1):23-29.

A new genus and species of grass specialist short-winged leafhopper from Chile and Argentina (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae: Faltalini)

Ackbaria vermiformis gen. & sp. nov. (Deltocephalinae: Faltalini) is described from Chile (Bío Bío and Araucanía Regions) and Argentina (La Pampa and Entre Ríos Provinces). It is differentiated from other Faltalini by the following combination of characters: narrow and dorsoventrally compressed body, brachypterous, forewing without reticulate venation, male pygofer with ventroapical tooth and side with 10-15 macrosetae dorsoapically, and female pygofer with many macrosetae. Resumen. Se describe Ackbaria vermiformis gen. & sp. nov. (Deltocephalinae: Faltalini) de Chile (Regiones del Bío Bío y la Araucanía) y Argentina (Provincias de La Pampa y Entre Ríos). El género se diferencia de los otros Faltalini por la siguiente combinación de caracteres: cuerpo angosto y dorsoventralmente comprimido, braquíptero, ala anterior sin venación reticulada, pygofer masculino con diente ventroapical y 10-15 macrosetas por lado, y pygofer femenino con numerosas macrosetas.

Antifungal Activities of bark extract of Calotropis procera (Ait.) R.Br. (Asclepiadaceae)

The present, manusrcript deals with the antifungal activities of bark extract of Calotropis procera (Ait.) R.Br. a significant member of family Asclepiadaceae. The plant is glabrous herb or shrub with lower woody portion having erect, solid, branched and cylindrical stem with white latex. The leaves are simple, opposite, cauline, ramal, exstipulate, entire, glabrous and having reticulate venation. The fruit is characteristic follicle type. The leaf extract, flowers and latex is applied as folk-medicines over ringworm infection, rotting nails and other fungal diseases of skin as revealed out by the concerned authors during the Ethnomedico botanical survey of Hardoi and Shahjahanpur districts of Uttar Pradesh between December 2008 to June 2012. Therefore, the present investigation was carried out to confirm its antifungal activities expermentally.Four dermatophytes namely Candida albicans (MTCC#183). Tinea capitis (MTCC#7739) Epidermophyton floccosum (RV # 71625) and Microsporum canis (CRV#66973) were cultured in the laboratory. The bark was dried, crushed and powdered by mortar and pestle with the use of electric grinder too. The powder was extracted at room temperature and ethanol extract was prepared. The sterile Whatman filter paper disks (6mm) were saturated with the extract and applied over culture media. The zone of inhibition were recorded to find out the efficacy of bark extract against aforesaid fungi. In the present investigation Ketoconazole was used as control.

The fracture toughness of the leaf of the dicotyledon Calophyllum inophyllum L. (Guttiferae)

The fracture toughness (specific work of fracture) of the leaf of the dicotyledonous angiosperm, Calophyllum inophyllum L. (Guttiferae), which has a lamina with a reticulate venation comprising secondary and tertiary veins only, was investigated by cutting, notched tensile and punch-and-die tests. Toughness was found to depend on the presence of veins in the fracture path, with both tensile and cutting tests in agreement that fracture at right angles to secondary veins was 2.5-3.0 times as tough as fracture parallel to them. Values from tensile tests were smaller than those from cutting tests. The cutting method had the advantage of specifying the direction of fracture and of severing structures serially, allowing easy recognition of tough structures from force-displacement records. This showed that the fracture toughness of the lamina could be modelled by a ‘rule of mixtures’ whereby the veins (vascular bundles supported by sclerenchyma strands above and below), with a combined toughness of about 6000 J m -2 , are contrasted to other tissues - the mesophyll and the epidermis and its cuticle — which together probably have an average toughness of only 220-300 J m -2 . Bounds on the toughness of mature leaves are probably set close to these limits. However, we could not test all these tissues separately to confirm this. The model predicted the fracture toughness expected in a cylindrical punch-and-die test, which is the commonly used test in ecological studies. However, observed values from this test were twice those expected, which is mostly attributable to yielding of a large volume of mesophyll but also in part due to the debonding of secondary veins from the rest of the lamina. The results suggest that relevant classifications of leaves (sclerophyll, pachyphyll, etc.) should pay close attention to the venation of the leaf and the structure of these veins. It is proposed that the thickening of the walls of smaller veins to form a venous network is a defence against invertebrate herbivores.

Samara development of black maple (Acer saccharum ssp. nigrum) with emphasis on the wing

Black maple (Acer saccharum Marsh, ssp. nigrum (Michx. f.) Desm.) carpels are initiated in late summer and over winter as paired, hood-shaped primordia with a naked megasporangium on each inrolled margin. The biloculate ovary develops from the lower portion of the primordium. The mature pericarp, about 30 cells thick, includes (i) the exocarp: outer epidermis and one to three layers of thick-walled hypodermal cells; (ii) the mesocarp: about 20 cells thick with reticulate venation and an innermost crystalliferous layer; and (iii) the endocarp: five to eight layers of short fibers oriented parallel to the locule surface. The samara wing arises from the dorsal ridge of the carpel primordium. The wing blade is approximately 10 cell layers thick with unifacial anatomy. Vascular bundles from opposite sides of the carpel alternate within the wing, thus xylem and phloem are oriented oppositely in adjacent bundles. The chlorenchymatous ground tissue ranges from compact subepidermal cells to elongated spongy cells, with increasing lateral orientation of cell arms in the mid-lamina. These central cells become sclerified, forming curved, branched fibers that buttress the vascular framework. Wing development and structure suggest early photosynthetic activity, which declines as sclerification and drying progress. Key words: Acer saccharum, anatomy, development, fruit, maple, samara.