Aroid Species Research Articles

Vegetation structure of associated flora in Amorphophallus gigas Teijsm. & Binn. (Araceae) habitats, North Padang Lawas Regency, North Sumatra

Amorphophallus gigas, a native aroid species found in the tropical forests of Sumatra, Indonesia, lacks robust population data despite previous spatial distribution studies. While not officially protected, A. gigas is considered rare in field documentation and faces potential habitat loss due to its proximity to the popular corpse flower. This 2023 study conducted in Halongonan District, North Padang Lawas Regency, North Sumatra, Indonesia, aimed to gather information on the habitat characteristics and associated flora of A. gigas to guide land conservation initiatives. The research focused on a forested area within three villages: Bargot Topong Julu, Napa Lancat, and Pangirkiran, utilizing a purposive random sampling approach. Plots covering 1 ha each were selected based on Amorphophallus in the generative phase across various land covers. Ecological analysis and indices were derived from collected vegetation data. The survey unveiled varying numbers of generative and vegetative A. gigas individuals across the three study sites. The understorey community at each site exhibited different levels of association with A. gigas, with Selaginella willdenowii, Clidemia hirta, and Leersia virginica showing strong positive correlations. The floral community in A. gigas habitats displayed diverse species richness and diversity across different growth stages and locations. Findings suggest that altitude, slope, pH, light intensity, air temperature, and humidity may influence A. gigas abundance in distinct ways. This study offers valuable insights into the biological and ecological factors influencing the distribution and abundance of A. gigas populations, providing guidance for conservation and management efforts.

AN UNUSUAL FLOWER AMONG THE TRADITIONAL ANTHEMION IN SMINTHEION: ARUM MACULATUM

Anthemion frieze in Greek and Roman architecture consists of lotus and palmette flowers, whose origins are based on Egyptian and Assyrian art. Compared to the classical and Hellenistic architectural samples, there is much more variety in the architectural decorations of the Roman period, apart from the lotus-palmette. The reason for this diversity in decoration stems from the idea of Rome to emphasize the local and to increase the richness in decoration. During this period, the change in the arrangement of the lotus-palmette shows itself with the different arrangement and style of the lotus and palmettes on the same structure. In this thought, which aims to create richness instead of uniformity, decorations can either increase or decrease in size or be adorned in high relief or shallow, depending on where they are used. Vivid specimens that show the highest quality of workmanship and are pleasing to the eye are preferred in visible areas. Anthemion decoration has been widely used in the Hellenistic triple arrangement since the Augustus period and the Julius-Claudian period. In the Traian and Hadrian Periods, a return to the classical style of the Augustus period was made, and the triple arrangement became fashionable again. One example that adds a new type to this traditional lotus-palmette (anthemion) frieze is the Smintheion frieze block fragment. Here, the arum maculatum is placed instead of the lotus flower between the alternating open and closed palmettes seen in the most common anthemion decoration. Arum maculatum and arum species have been used in the treatment of some diseases since ancient times to find healing and continue to be used today. The fact that this plant is the most powerful and showy plant that survived around Gülpınar-Smintheion must have had a great impact on people. Arum is a plant that impresses people with its external appearance and leaves different implications with its sexual connotation. At the same time, it is different from other plants in that it contains both male and female flowers and its physical structure. Due to this structure, it attracts insects to itself and makes extraordinary fertilization. The appearance of the plant and its use in the field of health caused it to be named differently. The depiction on the frieze block in Smintheion must be related to the healing properties of Apollo

A new Spathiphyllum (Araceae) from Mexico segregated by its morphology and floral scent from closely related species

AbstractSpathiphyllum is a mostly Neotropical genus of the Araceae plant family. Many species have a long flowering period and emit a strong, pleasant, and species‐specific floral scent. In Mexico, Spathiphyllum is represented by 14 species, 9 of which are endemic. Here, we describe the morphology, floral scent composition, and flowering phenology of a hitherto unknown species, S. hentrichianum sp. nov. This species is characterized by having a petiole not sheathed to the geniculum, leaf blades with less than 25 primary lateral veins per side, 1–2 ovules per locule, and 3–5 ovules per ovary. The strong scent consists of various terpenes and aromatic compounds, mainly (E,E)‐α‐Farnesene, (E)‐Cinnamyl acetate and (E)‐Cinnamyl alcohol. The new species is morphologically similar to S. cochlearispathum, but the latter differs in having a petiole sheathed to the geniculum, leaf blades with up to 31 primary lateral veins per side, 2–6 ovules per locule and 6–16 ovules per ovary, and the floral scent is also different between both species. In S. cochlearispathum, the scent is dominated by aromatic compounds, one terpene and one nitrogen‐containing compound, such as Methyl salicylate, Methyl p‐anisate, Methyl (E)‐cinnamate, (R)‐Linalool and 2‐Phenylacetonitrile. The flowering cycle of an inflorescence in S. hentrichianum lasted between 25 and 29 days. We suggest that detailed volatile organic compounds in the floral scent could be useful when defining a new taxon, especially among cryptic and sympatric aroid species.

Susceptibility of centipede tongavine (Epipremnum pinnatum) commercially grown in nurseries in Florida to aroid leaf rust (Pseudocerradoa paullula).

Epipremnum pinnatum (L.) Engl., (Araceae, Monocots) known as dragon-tail plant or centipede tongavine, is the most cultivated aroid species worldwide (Boyce 2004). In 2022, symptomatic dragon-tail plants, collected from plant nurseries in south Florida (e-Xtra Fig.1). Symptoms included round leaf spots often with a yellow halo and erupting pustules mainly distributed in the underside of the leaves. Visits to the nurseries revealed a 60% incidence of approximability 50 mature plants, with some leaves showing up to 30% of tissue damage. The putative pathogen was identified morphologically as Pseudocerradoa paullula (Syd. & P. Syd.) M. Ebinghaus & Dianese (Pucciniaceae, Basidiomycota) (Ebinghaus et al. 2022), characterized by the production of pseudosuprastomatal uredinia with globose to subglobose urediniospores, light-brown, echinulate (1 µm height), 24-31 µm diam with thick walls, 1.5-2.5 µm in height (n=30). Identical morphological features reported by Urbina et al. (2023) (e-Xtra Fig. 1). PCR amplification followed by Sanger sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and large subunit (LSU) of the ribosomal RNA genes (Aime 2006) together with LSU internal species specific primer (Urbina et al. 2023) were used to confirm the identification of the pathogen (GenBank ON887194-ON887196). MegaBlast (Chen et al. 2015) searches resulted in a >99% sequence similarity to a P. paullula specimen collected in Florida (2019-101665, GenBank ON887197). Host identification was made by using the Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase-oxygenase (rbcL. GenBank ON887186, ON887187) and Maturase K (matK) loci (GenBank ON887190, ON887191) (Fazekas et al. 2012). Both barcodes resulted in >99.13% sequence similarity to voucher J.R. Abbott 24912 FLAS (GenBank GU135198 and GU135036, respectively). Symptomatic dried specimens were deposited in the Plant Industry Herbarium (PIHG 16229 - 16232). Koch's postulates were fulfilled using urediniospores collected from an infected E. pinnatum sample that was kept in darkness at 4°C for seven days until inoculation. Eight potted dragon-tail plants were inoculated by hand rubbing urediniospores against upper and lower leaf surfaces and three plants were used as controls. All plants were misted with sterile water and covered with plastic bags (23 °C, >90% RH, 12/12 h daylight). Bags were removed 48 h after inoculation, plants were set in a climate-controlled greenhouse (~30 °C, ~65% RH, 12/12 h light cycle) and monitored daily for symptoms. Chlorotic spots appeared after 10 days, and pustules after 25 days while the non-inoculated controls remained symptomless. Aroid leaf rust is known to infect several aroid species, including dragon-tail (Shaw 1995), which some varieties capable to outdoors in USDA 9a hardiness zones (Wunderlin et al. 2023), but the rust fungus has not been observed on any species of Epipremnum in the landscape yet, suggesting that its susceptibility could be driven by plant growth conditions that favor pathogen infection (e.g., excess of humidity and nutrients, dense planting, overhead irrigation, etc.). Here we encourage dragon-tail plant growers to be aware of its susceptibility to P. paullula and to stay vigilant of the culture conditions to avoid plants from getting infected with this airborne pathogen.

Purification and Characterization of Glutathione Reductase Enzyme from Arum Maculatum Leaf

Arum species grow in temperate and Mediterranean climates and have been used for hundreds of years for food and medicinal purposes, although they are highly toxic if not cooked using proper techniques. Glutathione reductase (GR) is a member of the pyridine nucleotide disulfide oxidoreductase family of flavoenzymes that catalyzes the reduction of glutathione disulfide (GSSG) to reduced GSH using NADPH or NADH. In this study, GR enzyme was characterized by partial purification processes including homogenate preparation, ammonium sulfate precipitation and dialysis from the leaf of Arum maculatum plant. The highest enzyme activity was found at 40-60% saturation range. Optimum ionic strength, pH and substrate concentration were investigated for GR enzyme from A. maculatum leaf. As a result of the study, these values were found to be 150 mM potassium phosphate buffer, pH 7.00, and 0.18 mM, respectively. The GR enzyme was partially purified from the leaf of the A. maculatum with a specific activity of 1.640 EU mg-1 in 34.9% yield, 1.108-fold. This study is the first study in terms of purification and characterization of GR enzyme from A. maculatum leaf.

Assessment of ethnobotanical uses, household, and regional genetic diversity of aroid species grown in northeastern India.

Aroids are an important group of indigenous tuber crops, grown widely for their leaves, petioles, stolons, corms, and cormels. A total of 53 genotypes were evaluated for their genetic diversity in northeastern region of India. At household level, a total of 16 landraces of Aroids were recorded having different ethnobotanical uses. Based on the population study under Jhum/Shifting farming, landrace Rengama was dominant in area with 47% of the total population followed by Tamachongkham and Tasakrek. However, Pugarkusu and Chigi occupied 33.0 and 24.0% of the population, respectively under backyard farming, and were considered as major landraces. Tamachongkham, high in acridity and total oxalate content (0.82%), was used for cooking with meat, while Tasakrek was used as a baby food due to high total sugar (>3.0%), low in acridity, and total oxalate content (<0.12%). The Simpson's diversity index of the backyards was higher (0.80) as compared to Jhum field (0.63). The genotypes showed wider variability in growth and yield attributes like; plant height (89.4-206.1 cm), number of side shoots (1.84-5.92), corm weight (38.0-683.3 g), cormel weight (14.0-348.3 g), yield (0.24-1.83 kg plant-1). Similarly, wide variations were also observed for quality traits like total sugar (1.93-4.94%); starch (15.32-32.49%), total oxalate (0.10-0.82%), and dry matter (16.75-27.08%) content. Except for total oxalate, all the growth and yield attributes have shown high heritability and moderate to high genetic advance. Molecular analysis (33 polymorphic SSR markers) detected a total of 136 alleles, ranged 3 to 8 alleles per marker. The observed heterozygosity (0.24) was less than expected heterozygosity (0.69). The group-wise maximum genetic divergence was observed between Colocasia fallax (cv. Chigi) to C. esculenta var. aquatilis (cv. Tharsing); C. fallax (cv. Chigi) to C. gigantea (cv. Ganima) and C. gigantea (cv. Ganima) to Xanthosoma spp., while it was least between eddo and dasheen. The findings indicated, a wider diversity and distinct ethnobotanical uses of Aroid landraces at the house hold levels, which should be conserved and popularized to ensure nutritional security.

Выращивание Аронника Королькова (Arum Korolkowii) в малообъемной гидропонике

This experimental study presents the results of the growth of herbaceous plants of the genus Arum (Arum korolkowii) of a red-book nature. The experiments were carried out by the DWC (deep-sea culture) method in a low-volume hydroponic installation in the conditions of the South clinical and genetic laboratory (South Kazakhstan Medical Academy). The paper also presents analyses and analysis of various substrates for conducting experiments in closed and open ground, growing and developing plants for industrial and private purposes, and also examines the patterns of substrate selection depending on the goals of the experiment. Solutions to the noted problems are proposed. Conclusions about the optimal conditions of cultivation of the studied crops are formulated. A review of the literature data on the medicinal plant Arum endemic to the territory of Kazakhstan and of great interest for phytochemical study. The main reasons for the disappearance of many types of these plants in recent years are the negative interference of wild animals and humans, and the deterioration of environmental conditions. When discussing the medicinal properties of plants of the Araceae family, it is doubly sad, especially their importance cannot be underestimated. Despite the fact that these herbs reduce the signs of a number of pathologies and facilitate their course, medicinal species of Arum in Kazakhstan are in danger of extinction. On October 31, 2006, the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan entered a list of plants in the Red Book, including the plant of the Arum.

Chemical Attraction of Gall Midge Pollinators (Cecidomyiidae: Cecidomyiinae) to Anthurium acutangulum (Araceae)

Flowering plants often use chemical signals to attract their pollinators, and compounds that elicit attraction are known for several groups of pollinators. For other pollinators such as gall midges, however, compounds responsible for their attraction to flowers are largely unknown. Here, we describe the pollination biology of Anthurium acutangulum, a Neotropical aroid species found to be attractive to gall midges. We collected and analyzed its floral scent by dynamic headspace collections and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry, and identified compounds responsible for pollinator attraction. The inflorescences were almost exclusively visited by gall midges (females; Cecidomyiidae: Cecidomyiinae) and released a strong scent reminiscent of freshly cut cucumber, mainly (5S,7S)-trans-conophthorin, (E2,Z6)-2,6-nonadienal, and cis-conophthorin. Behavioral assays with the two most abundant compounds identified (E2,Z6)-2,6-nonadienal as being highly attractive to the female gall midge pollinators, whereas (5S,7S)-trans-conophthorin was not attractive. Overall, we introduce a new specialized gall midge pollination system and identify the chemical mediating communication between the pollinators and their host plants.

Establishing an efficient protoplast transient expression system for investigation of floral thermogenesis in aroids.

Floral thermogenesis is an important reproductive strategy for attracting pollinators. We developed essential biological tools for studying floral thermogenesis using two species of thermogenic aroids, Symplocarpus renifolius and Alocasia odora. Aroids contain many species with intense heat-producing abilities in their inflorescences. Several genes have been proposed to be involved in thermogenesis of these species, but biological tools for gene functional analyses are lacking. In this study, we aimed to develop a protoplast-based transient expression (PTE) system for the study of thermogenic aroids. Initially, we focused on skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus renifolius) because of its ability to produce intense as well as durable heat. In this plant, leaf protoplasts were isolated from potted and shoot tip-cultured plants with high efficiency (ca. 1.0 × 105/g fresh weight), and more than half of these protoplasts were successfully transfected. Using this PTE system, we determined the protein localization of three mitochondrial energy-dissipating proteins, SrAOX, SrUCPA, and SrNDA1, fused to green fluorescent protein (GFP). These three GFP-fused proteins were localized in MitoTracker-stained mitochondria in leaf protoplasts, although the green fluorescent particles in protoplasts expressing SrUCPA-GFP were significantly enlarged. Finally, to assess whether the PTE system established in the leaves of S. renifolius is applicable for floral tissues of thermogenic aroids, inflorescences of S. renifolius and another thermogenic aroid (Alocasia odora) were used. Although protoplasts were successfully isolated from several tissues of the inflorescences, PTE systems worked well only for the protoplasts isolated from the female parts (slightly thermogenic or nonthermogenic) of A. odora inflorescences. Our developed system has a potential to be widely used in inflorescences as well as leaves in thermogenic aroids and therefore may be a useful biological tool for investigating floral thermogenesis.

Taxonomic studies of Araceae in Myanmar II: Typhonium edule, a remarkable new aroid species from Monywa District, Sagaing Region

Recent fieldwork in Monywa District, Sagaing Region, Myanmar resulted in the discovery of a species new to science, Typhonium edule, which is herein described and illustrated. It superficially resembles T. lineare but differs in having wider spathe diameter, spathe limb 3–4 times longer than the tube, downwardly curved sickled-shaped staminodes and strongly stipitate appendix. Detailed description, colour plates, distribution map, phenology and ecology of this new Typhonium species are provided below.

Distribution and photosynthetic assimilation of rosulate aroid epiphytes in a Costa Rican lowland rainforest

Relatively few studies are available to characterize the distribution, abundance and ecophysiology of aroid epiphytes, distinct from aroid hemiepiphytes which are more common and abundant. The rosulate growth form is restricted to a relatively small number of aroid species. Field and experimental growth studies and ecophysiological measurements on rosulate aroids were carried out at La Selva Biological Station in the premontane rainforest of the Atlantic lowlands of Costa Rica. Rosulate aroids occur in habitats from forest understory to high canopy, and from old growth wet forest to secondary forest in Costa Rica. The distribution of rosulate and acaulescent aroid epiphytes were determined in multiple stands of old growth and secondary tropical forests at La Selva. Anthurium upalense and Philodendron wendlandii exhibited a preference for upper canopies on trees over 50 cm dbh where irradiance levels are high for much of the day. Anthurium consobrinum and A. bakeri occurred lower in the canopy in more shaded positions. To evaluate how these habitat preferences are related to plant traits, controlled shadehouse growth experiments were conducted to characterize species response to different ambient light environments. We applied conditions of high light (50% full sun), medium light (10% full sun), and low light (2% full sun) to simulate a gradient of canopy and understory light environments. Anthurium consobrinum and A. bakeri exhibited photosynthetic traits characteristic of shade-adapted understory epiphytes. In contrast, A. upalense and Ph. wendlandii, typically high canopy species, had maximum photosynthetic rates of 10.5 and 8.7 µmol m−2 s−1, respectively, higher than those previously reported for other vascular epiphytes. The variability in distribution of epiphytic aroids in Costa Rican premontane rainforest is consistent with their diversity of ecological and ecophysiological traits demonstrating adaptation to diverse canopy habitats in this aroid growth form.

The Effects of Hydroalcoholic Extract ofArum orientaleon CLP-Induced Sepsis in Rats

Background: Sepsis is a lethal clinical syndrome that results from dysregulated systemic inflammatory response of the body due to the invasion of pathogens, especially bacteria. Despite advances in medical care and therapy, sepsis is still one of the major causes of death in intensive care units and no decisive medical treatment is available against that. Studies have suggested that some Arum species have anti-bacterial properties. The present study investigated the effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Arum orientale, on cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) induced sepsis in rats. Methods: CLP method was used for induction of sepsis in rats. Hydroalcoholic extract of A. orientale was injected intraperitoneally with doses of 80 and 640 mg/Kg body weight at times of 0, 1, 3, 6 and 24 h after the surgery. Antibacterial activity, hemodynamic parameters, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and survival rate were measured after 72 h. Results: Hydroalcoholic extract of A. orientale showed antibacterial activities as potent as gentamycin against Escherichia coli. Administration of the extract with a dose of 80 mg/Kg body weight increased significantly hemodynamic parameters such as mean arterial pressure (p&lt;0.05)and decreased optical density (OD) (p&lt;0.05) of blood. The extract also increased serum MPO activity (p&lt;0.01) and reduced survival rate to 20%. Conclusion: This study for the first time showed that hydroalcoholic extract of A. oriental acts as a double edge sword in the treatment of CLP-induced sepsis. This extract showed antibacterial properties and also improved hemodynamic parameters but decreased survival rate, that might be through pro-inflammatory effects.

Morphological Characterization of Arum cyrenaicum Hruby Plant in Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar Region - Libya

: The Araceae family is one of the widely distributed plant families globally and among the native species representing this family in Libya, especially in Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar region, is Arum cyrenaicum. which has not been studied morphologically since 1977. Therefore, this study aims to give a detailed morphological characterization of Arum cyrenaicum. and verify that there are no other species of Arum in nineteen locations of Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar for two seasons 2019-2020, and as a study to be added to the Libyan flora data. The results of the field study showed the presence of Arum cyrenaicum. in all studied locations. The study was also able to record it for the first time at 14 new locations and did not record any other genus Arum species. The results of the morphological study also showed that it is a tuber discoid herbaceous annual plant, which grows in the early fall season. It is characterized by simple sagittate and hastate leaves with long petiole, single inflorescence (spadix), sail shaped, dark purple in color, and it consists of two parts (spathe, spadix). It has the smell of dung, is bisexual, monoecious, with female flowers situated at the bottom of male flowers, anther consistes of two thecae, superior ovary with single locule, parietal placentation, fruit berries red when ripe, and a seed shape ovate.

The potential of Arum spp. as a cure for hemorrhoids: chemistry, bioactivities, and application

Hemorrhoids become pathological when swollen or inflamed. They can be very painful and occasionally cause serious anemia as they often break and hardly heal. Orthodox medicine usually treats hemorrhoids through surgery combined with medication containing the flavonoid diosmin. Our previous ethnobotanical and ethnopharmacological research in Bulgaria (Balkan Peninsula) revealed that Arum maculatum and possibly its relatives were more efficient to cure hemorrhoids. The aim of this study is to review the traditional use, biologically active compounds and pharmacological activities of Arum species. Biologically active compounds identified in various parts of Arum species include: alkaloids, terpenoids, phenolic compounds as well as carbohydrate-binding proteins. Arum species extracts have analgesic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties. According to ethnobotanical data, the most frequent biological activity of several Arum species which deserves special attention is against hemorrhoids and it is still poorly studied with modern pharmacological tests.

Prospects for the utilisation of cocoyam corm meal in poultry feeding

Context The increasing demand for maize for human food and industrial uses has stimulated research interest into alternative low value crops as energy sources for poultry. Several high yielding species of aroids, commonly known as taro or cocoyam, are currently in less demand for food or industrial uses and readily available for poultry feeding. Aims To review the production, nutritional profile and antinutritional factor and current uses of cocoyam corm and the effect of processing on its utilisation in poultry feeding. Key findings The nutritional profile of cocoyam with protein content comparable or higher than maize, high starch content and starch digestibility make it a suitable energy ingredient for poultry. The major issues affecting the utilisation of cocoyam include the high moisture and low dry matter contents and the presence of antinutritional factors, mainly calcium oxalate. These constraints may preclude the utilisation of cocoyam corm in commercial diets but it could be used to reduce the cost of production on small-holder farms. Conclusion With adequate processing and proper diet formulation, cocoyam corm meal may be fed up to 280 g/kg diet but unprocessed meal may exert adverse effects on poultry performance even as low as 44 g/kg. Several animal factors including age, species and type of bird (meat or egg) affect the utilisation of cocoyam corm meal by poultry. Implications Reduction of cost of animal protein production and value addition to underutilised aroids. More research is needed into animal factors and feed processing that would allow optimum utilisation of the corm by poultry.

Vertical and Horizontal Trophic Networks in the Aroid-Infesting Insect Community of Los Tuxtlas Biosphere Reserve, Mexico.

Insect-aroid interaction studies have focused largely on pollination systems; however, few report trophic interactions with other herbivores. This study features the endophagous insect community in reproductive aroid structures of a tropical rainforest of Mexico, and the shifting that occurs along an altitudinal gradient and among different hosts. In three sites of the Los Tuxtlas Biosphere Reserve in Mexico, we surveyed eight aroid species over a yearly cycle. The insects found were reared in the laboratory, quantified and identified. Data were analyzed through species interaction networks. We recorded 34 endophagous species from 21 families belonging to four insect orders. The community was highly specialized at both network and species levels. Along the altitudinal gradient, there was a reduction in richness and a high turnover of species, while the assemblage among hosts was also highly specific, with different dominant species. Our findings suggest that intrinsic plant factors could influence their occupation, and that the coexistence of distinct insect species in the assemblage could exert a direct or indirect influence on their ability to colonize such resources.

Five pollination guilds of aroids (Araceae) at Mulu National Park (Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo)

ABSTRACTThis study aimed to investigate the floral biology and pollinators of 21 aroid species representing 10 genera at Mulu National Park to ascertain if additional guilds were active in this, on...

Feeding Specialization of Flies (Diptera: Richardiidae) in Aroid Infructescences (Araceae) of the Neotropics.

Evolution and radiation between insects and flowering plants are both opportunistic and obligatory when the former feeds on the reproductive structures of the latter, whereas direct and indirect effects can influence the fitness of individuals, populations, and plant communities. The Araceae family constitutes an important element of the tropical rainforest of the Neotropics, and its morphology and floral biology provide a remarkable system for studying trophic interactions with insects, including the Richardiidae flies (Diptera). We studied the trophic interactions of the aroid-fly system, assessing infestation rates under natural conditions over an annual cycle. In the Neotropical region, we discovered for the first time that seven aroid species became infested by four richardiid species: Beebeomyia tuxtlaensis Hernández-Ortiz and Aguirre with Dieffenbachia oerstedii Schott and D. wendlandii Schott; B. palposa (Cresson) with Xanthosoma robustum Schott; Beebeomyia sp.3. in association with Philodendron radiatum Schott, P. tripartitum (Jacq.) Schott, and P. sagittifolium Liebm.; while Sepsisoma sp. only infested Rhodospatha wendlandii Schott. Infestation rates differed significantly among hosts, but comparisons with morphological traits did not provide evidence of a causal factor of the infestation. In contrast, larval density and time of development both exhibited significant differences between hosts. The findings suggest the high specialization of the flies, and that intrinsic factors of the plants, such as the presence of secondary metabolites and their maturation periods, may influence their infestation rates.

Genetic diversity of Arum L. based on plastid marker

TrnL-F region including intron trnL (UAA) and trnL (UAA) - trn (GAA) spacer in the large single-copy region of the chloroplast genome is widely used to infer phylogenetic relationships in plants. In this study, we obtained the trnL-F sequences from 8 samples of Arum L. in Iran. Phylogenetic analyses were conducted by the Bayesian inference, maximum parsimony, and maximum likelihood methods. The cladistics analysis of phylogenetic relationships indicated that all species constituted a monophyletic group within the Arae clade. Eminium spiculatum were considered as outgroups. Biarum and Arum species were placed in a monophyletic clade. A. conophalloides Schott. and A. virescense Stapf. were placed in one clade. A. kotschyi Boiss.and A. korolkowii L. formed a sister group. Arum giganteumGhahreman. has been introduced as a new species in Iran, but in Arum monograph it is mentioned as potential equivalent to Arum rupicola Boiss. Molecular studies in this research can separate these two species and confirm previous studies.

Medicinal Plants from Near East for Cancer Therapy.

Background: Cancer is one of the major problems affecting public health worldwide. As other cultures, the populations of the Near East rely on medicinal herbs and their preparations to fight cancer.Methods: We compiled data derived from historical ethnopharmacological information as well as in vitro and in vivo results and clinical findings extracted from different literature databases including (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar) during the past two decades.Results: In this survey, we analyzed the huge amount of data available on anticancer ethnopharmacological sources used in the Near East. Medicinal herbs are the most dominant ethnopharmacological formula used among cancer’s patients in the Near East. The data obtained highlight for the first time the most commonly used medicinal plants in the Near East area for cancer treatment illustrating their importance as natural anticancer agents. The literature survey reveals that various Arum species, various Artemisia species, Calotropis procera, Citrullus colocynthis, Nigella sativa, Pulicaria crispa, various Urtica species, Withania somnifera, and others belong to the most frequently used plants among cancer patients in the Near East countries. Molecular modes of action that have been investigated for plant extracts and isolated compounds from Near East include cell cycle arrest and apoptosis induction with participation of major player in these processes such as p53 and p21, Bcl-2, Bax, cytochrome c release, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage, activation of caspases, etc.Conclusion: The ethnopharmacology of the Near East was influenced by Arabic and Islamic medicine and might be promising for developing new natural and safe anticancer agents. Further research is required to elucidate their cellular and molecular mechanisms and to estimate their clinical activity.