Capsular Fruits Research Articles

Comparative morphoanatomic, histochemical, and phytochemical characterization of leaves of two species of the genus Cynophalla (DC.) J. Presl

Considering the morphological similarities, taxonomic complexity of the genus Cynophalla of the family Capparaceae A. Juss. an the medicinal use of its species and its potential as green energy, this study aimed to compare potential morphoanatomical diagnostic characters of the species Cynophalla flexuosa and Cynophalla hastata to determine authenticity parameters. Furthermore, it aimed to perform a histochemical study of the leaf blades due to their medicinal use. The morphological analysis was carried out using different characters, such as phyllotaxis, shape, among others. For microscopic analyzes semi-permanent slides were prepared containing cross-sections of the stems, petioles and leaf blades. We also prepared paradermal sections of the leaf blades. The analyses were carried out using light microscopy. For the histochemical analysis, we used different reagents according to the target metabolite and analyzed them using light microscopy. Phytochemical tests of the methanolic extracts of the leaves were performed using Thin Layer Chromatography. C. flexuosa has erect branches, elliptical to obtuse leaves with an obtuse to acute apex and obtuse base, globose flower buds, and fruit in a follicular, torulous capsule shape. C. hastata has gently curved branches, oblong-elliptical leaves with a rounded apex and obtuse base, corymb axillary inflorescences with quadrangular flower buds, and cylindrical foliolate capsular fruit. The anatomical characterization showed the characters of general occurrence in the Capparaceae family and those that allow the differentiation of C. flexuosa and C. hastata. The histochemical and phytochemical characterization revealed the sites of synthesis and/or storage of metabolites. Thus, the results presented comparative data on the anatomical characters and histochemical and phytochemical characterization of the species, thus increasing the taxonomic knowledge of the genus Cynophalla and contributing data for future in-depth studies on the species’ potential as renewable energy.

Merianthera calyptrata sp. nov. (Melastomataceae, Myrtales), a new candelabriform species from Minas Gerais, Brazil

Merianthera is a genus of flowering plants with up to now seven species occurring in eastern Brazil, in the states of Bahia, Espírito Santo, and Minas Gerais. It belongs to the tribe Pyramieae (Melastomataceae), and can be recognized by its shrubby or treelet habit with caducous leaves, 5-merous flowers with a strongly zygomorphic androecium, the latter with dimorphic stamens bearing complex dorsal connective appendages, as well as an inferior ovary and capsular fruits. We describe here a new species of Merianthera from two collections and a photographic record, all from the same locality, an inselberg in the Municipality of Jacinto, in northeastern Minas Gerais. Its candelabriform habit, with a fistulose stem, and solitary, axillary or cauliflorous flowers are only shared with M. burlemarxii. However, M. calyptrata R.Goldenb., Bochorny & Fraga sp. nov. has at least three characters that are absent in M. burlemarxii and all other species in the genus: the total absence of both a peduncle and bracteoles, the calyptrate calyx and the fruits developing from inferior ovaries and dehiscing through longitudinal slits. The first character appears to be unknown in other species in the family.

A synopsis of Meriania (Melastomataceae: Merianieae) in Peru

A synopsis of the genus Meriania in Peru is presented here, where 36 species are recognized, 25 of which are endemic. This synopsis includes a key to the genera in the tribe Merianieae, a key to the recognized Meriania species for Peru, illustrations, comments on affinities, distribution and phenology, and nomenclatural notes. Peru is now the country with the second highest diversity of the genus. The departments in Peru with the highest number of species are Amazonas (18 species), Cajamarca (11 species) and San Martín (9 species), and 24 species are located within Amatope-Huancabamba Zone in northern Peru. Meriania in Peru is characterized by being trees and shrubs, lacking malpighiaceous trichomes, inflorescences panicles or rarely dichasia, or solitary, (4–)5–6-merous flowers, usually large, with lobed, subcalyptrate or calyptrate calyces with regular, irregular or circumscissile dehiscence, spreading to campanulate corollas, stamen connectives with dorsal and dorso-basal appendages, anthers usually with a dorsally inclined pore, and capsular fruits. We propose one new combination, Meriania sessilifolia (Cogn.) Rob.Fern., R.Goldenb. & Michelang. Lectotypes for Axinaea purpurea, Centronia sessilifolia. Graffenrieda acida, Meriania prunifolia, M. raimondii, M. rigida, M. rugosa, M. spruceana and Pachymeria rigida are also designated.

Morphological and taxonomical treatments of fruits in the subclass Rosidae Takht. of the flora of Ukraine

Introduction. Rosids is the pivotal clade of eudicots, whose taxonomic composition was significantly changed based on molecular phylogeny. Molecular insight led to the re-evaluation of many phenotypic features, especially in reproductive morpho­logy. Although the floral structure and evolution within the current scope of rosids were actively investigated, the morphological structure of fruit was almost fully neglected. The present study aimed to survey the morphological diversity of fruits in rosids (subclass Rosidae) in the flora of Ukraine to reveal the most common fruit types, analyze the distribution of the basic fruit types among rosids, and survey some comparative-morphological features of gynoecium and fruit. Materials and Methods. Fruit features have been surveyed based on many carpological sources. We also analyzed the gynoecium characteristics crucial for fruit deve­lop­ment, i.e., the type of ovary insertion, placentation, and ovule and locule number. For Rosidae, seven basic fruit types were recognized using the approach previously elaborated for the monocot plants of Ukraine: aggregate fruit, multi-seeded monocarp, capsule, berry, multi-seeded pyrenarium, schizocarp, and one-seeded fruit. Results. As a result, the annotated list of morphological characteristics for each of the 54 families of Rosidae occurring in Ukraine was composed. In this list, the complementary and the most contrasting definitions of fruits from different sources were combined. Discussion. According to our calculations, the subclass Rosidae in the flora of Ukraine is represented by 326 genera and at least 1617 species. Our results demon­strated that the most widespread fruit types at the family level seem to be capsular and one-seeded fruits, while at genus and species level the portion of multi-seeded monocarps and aggregate fruits is also significant. Nine families reveal more than one basic fruit type in the flora of Ukraine. Some fruits are ambiguously classified into one or another fruit type because of their intermediate features. Thus, fuzzy boundaries between most fruit types are evident. Conclusions. The obtained results have been compared with our previously reported results for the monocot clade in the flora of Ukraine. In both cases, the predominance of capsular fruits at the family-level spectrum of basic fruit types was clearly demonstrated. The results of our analysis suggest that the model of basic fruit types has the potential to be applied to the formal treatment of fruit structure in other groups of angiosperms.

Pollinators and plants as ecosystem engineers: post‐dispersal fruits provide new habitats for other organisms

Ecosystem engineering consists of a ubiquitous and fundamental class of interactions where some organisms promote state changes in biotic and abiotic materials which indirectly affect others. Since the concept was created as a counterpoint to traditional flux‐based models, pollinators have never been considered to promote ecosystem engineering because they modulate the supply of resources used by seed/fruit consumers. However, dry fruits may persist in the environment for long periods after seed dispersion as empty structures that are an additional alternative for occupancy. These increase the realized niche of some organisms, being a clear example of biogenic habitats. Here, we demonstrate how pollination may boost ecosystem engineering using an illustrative case study based on a specialized interaction between a bee and an orchid with characteristic capsular fruits. We demonstrate that the orchid is fully dependent on the pollinator to set fruits. Post‐dispersal fruits are voluminous and remain attached to the plant for several years. By investigating the occupation patterns of arthropods, we show that post‐dispersal fruits are highly suitable for occupants when compared to pre‐dispersal and dispersing fruits. Only 13.3% of post‐dispersal fruits were never occupied, 33.3% had organisms inside and 53.3% showed signs of previous occupation. We propose that pollinators are allogenic engineers and plants autogenic, since they promote state changes through their actions and their own physical structure, respectively. Thus, pollination is a case of cooperative ecosystem engineering whereby the effects of the interaction between two or more species expand habitat suitability. Since most plants rely on pollination to set fruits, we suggest that pollination‐mediated engineering constitutes a widespread phenomenon. This offers a new perspective about the effects of pollination in nature, highlighting the importance of pollinators and opening new avenues of investigation of ecosystem dynamics and biodiversity maintenance.

The first Gondwanan Euphorbiaceae fossils reset the biogeographic history of the Macaranga-Mallotus clade.

The spurge family Euphorbiaceae is prominent in tropical rainforests worldwide, particularly in Asia. There is little consensus on the biogeographic origins of the family or its principal lineages. No confirmed spurge macrofossils have come from Gondwana. We describe the first Gondwanan macrofossils of Euphorbiaceae, represented by two infructescences and associated peltate leaves from the early Eocene (52 Myr ago [Ma]) Laguna del Hunco site in Chubut, Argentina. The infructescences are panicles bearing tiny, pedicellate, spineless capsular fruits with two locules, two axile lenticular seeds, and two unbranched, plumose stigmas. The fossils' character combination only occurs today in some species of the Macaranga-Mallotus clade (MMC; Euphorbiaceae), a widespread Old-World understory group often thought to have tropical Asian origins. The associated leaves are consistent with extant Macaranga. The new fossils are the oldest known for the MMC, demonstrating its Gondwanan history and marking its divergence by at least 52 Ma. This discovery makes an Asian origin of the MMC unlikely because immense oceanic distances separated Asia and South America 52 Ma. The only other MMC reproductive fossils so far known are also from the southern hemisphere (early Miocene, southern New Zealand), far from the Asian tropics. The MMC, along with many other Gondwanan survivors, most likely entered Asia during the Neogene Sahul-Sunda collision. Our discovery adds to a substantial series of well-dated, well-preserved fossils from one undersampled region, Patagonia, that have changed our understanding of plant biogeographic history.

Rubiacearum Americanarum Magna Hama Pars L: New Species, Combinations, and Notes for Some South American Genera of Dialypetalantheae (Former Condamineeae)

Review of Dialypetalantheae (formerly called Condamineeae; Rubiaceae) with capsular fruits in western South America has clarified the identities of several names in our current circumscriptions of these genera, discovered some new species, and found new specimens that shed light on some poorly known species. Here, updated generic circumscriptions and characterizations are outlined for Bathysa C. Presl, Elaeagia Wedd., Holtonia Standl., and Warszewiczia Klotzsch, with several species reclassified among them. Five new combinations are published here: B. grandis (Rusby) C. M. Taylor & Maldonado is based on Malanea grandis Rusby; B. mollis (Rusby) C. M. Taylor & Maldonado is based on E. mollis Rusby; B. subspicata (Standl.) C. M. Taylor is based on E. subspicata Standl.; E. ambigua (Standl.) Maldonado & C. M. Taylor is based on W. ambigua Standl.; and H. microcarpa (Ruiz & Pav.) C. M. Taylor is based on Macrocnemum microcarpum Ruiz & Pav. Seven new species are described here: B. schunkei C. M. Taylor, from central Peru; E. homeieri C. M. Taylor, from Ecuador; Rustia delpreteana C. M. Taylor, from northern Colombia; R. ucayalina C. M. Taylor, from central Peru; Schizocalyx ecuadorensis C. M. Taylor, from northwestern Ecuador; S. magdalenae C. M. Taylor, from northern Colombia; and S. magnorum C. M. Taylor, from Bolivia. The typification of several names is clarified here: the types of E. utilis (Goudot) Wedd. and W. peltata Wedd. have been located, and lectotypes are designated here for Exostema (Pers.) Bonpl. sect. Pseudostemma DC., Elaeagia mariae Wedd., Elaeagia mollis Rusby, Elaeagia obovata Rusby, Malanea grandis Rusby, and W. cordata Spruce ex K. Schum. The identities of some additional names are clarified here: Chimarrhis goudotii Baill. and Sickingia myriantha Standl. are synonyms of H. microcarpa; Elaeagia glomiflora Standl. is a synonym of B. mollis; Ferdinandusa leucantha Standl. is a synonym of Agouticarpa isernii (Standl.) C. H. Perss.; and W. peltata Wedd. and W. cordata Spruce ex K. Schum. are separate species from W. coccinea (Vahl) Klotzsch.

Herbaceous eudicot Fairlingtonia from the Lower Cretaceous of Jiuquan Basin, Northwest China and its radiation in Laurasia

AbstractEudicots exhibit diverse life forms and occupy a wide variety of habitats in the modern terrestrial ecosystems, and the diversification began during the Early Cretaceous; however, few Early Cretaceous fossils are preserved as multiorgan whole plants that can provide sufficient morphological characters for detailed phylogenetic assessment. Here, Fairlingtonia microgyna sp. nov. is reported from the upper Lower Cretaceous of Zhonggou Formation, Hanxia Section, Yumen City, western Gansu Province, Northwest China. The specimen is exceptionally preserved as multiorgan whole plant fossil with fibrous adventitious roots, simple and deeply dissected leaves, solitary and dehiscent capsular fruits attached to the creeping stems. As such, it was interpreted as a herbaceous eudicot. Phylogenetic analyses support a placement within the Papaveraceae, most likely in Papaveroideae, but there are obvious differences in morphological characteristics, which cannot confirm the systematic position within the Papaveraceae. Fossil records of Fairlingtonia from contemporaneous deposits (late Aptian to early Albian) in Northwest China and eastern North America provide direct evidence of the geographical radiation of Fairlingtonia on Laurasia. And the morphological characters of F. microgyna, including creeping leafy branches, fibrous adventitious roots, small and deeply dissected leaves as well as small capsular fruits with tiny seeds probably indicate that it was a colonizer of lake‐shore environments under wet and bright conditions and possessed fast‐growing and rapid propagation habitats, which allowed it to expand its geographic range with both sexual and asexual reproduction.

Еволюційна й екологічна інтерпретація структури плодів однодольних рослин флори України

Background. Monocot plants in the flora of Ukraine embrace about 1000 species. The members of this group have various fruit types and ways of dissemination. In this review, the results of the evolutionary-morphological analysis of fruits in monocot plants of the flora of Ukraine and their structural adaptations to dispersal are presented. Gynoecium structure and morphogenetic fruit types in monocots. The features of the inner gynoecium structure and the relation between gynoecium and fruit structure were analyzed, and the main problems of fruit classification were detected. It was revealed that apocarpous fruits are often polymerous or oligomerous, composed of 3–6 one-seeded fruitlets. The species with inferior ovary often develop capsular fruits. One-seeded fruits represent the most reduced variant of the gynoecium structure and fruit wall anatomy, providing few structural traits for analysis. Ecological and functional features of fruits in monocots. The characteristics of dehiscent and indehiscent fruits, as well as adaptations to various ways of dispersal: myrmeco-, endozoo-, epizoo-, anemo-, hydro- and autochory are presented. Dehiscent fruits (follicle and capsule) reveal ventral, dorsal or double, dorsoventral dehiscence. One-seeded fruits and fruitlets are often adapted to hydrochory or anemochory. Trends of evolutionary changes of fruits in monocots. The most diverse fruits are found in low-species taxa of early monocots. Within the monocots, we can observe certain evolutionary trends: incomplete carpel fusion, the occurrence of superior one-seeded fruits and inferior many-seeded fruits. Each of these trends may be evoked by adaptations for pollination in gynoecium at the flowering stage. Conclusions. The present evolutionary morphological and ecological studies of fruits in monocot plants of the flora of Ukraine are impeded by controversial structural types of the gynoecium in some species and a scarcity of data on ways of dispersal of fruits and seeds. The precise carpological and carpoecological investigations of the monocots are desirable for many plants of the flora of Ukraine.

Revisions to the Eocene carpoflora of Anjou, western France, with new data from X-ray tomography

ABSTRACT Selected fruits and seeds preserved as molds and casts in sediments from the Anjou flora of Maine-et-Loire have been reexamined with the aid of X-ray tomography. Virtual casts and surface renderings from micro-CT scanning data reveal external and internal morphological characters that were not visible by standard reflected light microscopy. Application of this methodology leads to a revision of the fruit formerly treated as Juglandicarya. It is a 5-valved capsule of likely sapindalean affinity, and is placed in Vaudoisia gruetii (Vaudois-Miéja) gen. et. comb. nov. A seed with the characteristic rumination of Anonaspermum is also recognized for the first time, as are capsular fruits of Ericaceae. We note that many disseminules are hidden from optical viewing because they are buried within the hand samples. A more extensive micro-CT scan investigation of more samples, including those showing only fossil leaf impressions at the surface, may be expected to yield a wealth of new information on this classic flora.

Mahechadendron puntecascarillo (Vochysiaceae), a new genus and forest tree species from Colombia

The new genus and species Mahechadendron puntecascarillo are described based on specimens first collected in the ‘60s but only recently found with flowers and fruits. It grows in the moist forests of the Middle Magdalena River in Colombia. The highly durable wood of this forest tree species is still used intensively for construction. Morphological and rbcL sequence data place this genus in the Vochysiaceae, most likely closely related to Callisthene. Mahechadendron shows inflorescences in compound dichasia, compact, only developed laterally, traits not previously recorded in this family. Mahechadendron puntecascarillo exhibits the tiniest flowers known in the Vochysiaceae, with the fourth sepal basally sacciform, and copious villous-lanose indumentum in the internal portions of the fourth sepal, petal, filament, and ovary; the flowers also have the single petal non-clawed, a feature not very common in Vochysiaceae. In addition, the capsular fruit has a thick and persistent central column, and the exocarp is fused to the endocarp even at maturity, with seeds unilaterally winged. Moreover, this species bears mirror-image flowers, indicating enantiostyly, a sexual polymorphism already known in some Vochysiaceae. The conservation status suggested for the new species is Endangered (EN). A key to the genera of Vochysiaceae is provided.

Seeds and indehiscent fruit of Anarthriaceae and Australian Restionaceae: a gallery of micromorphology

The diaspores of Anarthriaceae and Australian Restionaceae are seeds or small nuts and are illustrated by scanning electron microscopy or multifocus microscopy and considered in relation to a previously published phylogeny based on plastid genes. Loculicidal trilocular capsular fruits are the basal condition in the restiid clade, but indehiscent fruits have evolved many times. In the Australasian members, indehiscent fruits are found in Anarthriaceae (Hopkinsia); Restionaceae: Centrolepidoideae (Aphelia); Sporadanthoideae (Calorophus); Leptocarpoideae (Empodisma, Winifredia and the whole of the Leptocarpus and Desmocladus clades). Seeds of dehiscent fruits show a diversity of surface ornamentation with distinctive surface patterns characterising genera such as Lyginia, Chordifex and Loxocarya. Pericarps are membranous in subfam. Centrolepidoideae but in the Leptocarpus clade range from hyaline in much of Leptocarpus to hard and woody in Alexgeorgea and Hypolaena. Pericarps are parenchymatous in most of the Desmocladus clade, but woody in Catacolea. Indehiscent fruits are mostly shed with tepals and floral bracts attached or, in Baloskion and some Lepidobolus species, also with the subtending glume. Seed weights were not comprehensively sampled but vary from 0.08 mg in Centrolepis to >600 mg in Alexgeorgea, with most in the range 0.3–3 mg [dry weight]. The smaller weights are mostly either in perennials of habitats with more reliable rainfall or in ephemeral annuals that avoid drought by their brief growing season, but the association between seed type and habitat has not been investigated. We see no convincing evidence to link to Restionaceae the fossil taxon Restiocarpum and the Milfordia pollen that occurs with it in Eocene–Oligocene sediments of Queensland.

Phylogenetics of Serjania (Sapindaceae-Paullinieae), with emphasis on fruit evolution and the description of a new species from Michoacán, Mexico

Serjania is among the largest Neotropical genera of Sapindaceae and comprises ∼240 species. Traditionally, the genus has been defined by its schizocarpic fruits separating into three distally winged mericarps. However, recent phylogenetic studies have revealed that fruit type is not consistent within the genus and that it also includes a few species having capsular fruits that were previously placed in other genera. A phylogenetic analysis is presented based on nuclear ITS and chloroplast trnL-F sequences. The ingroup consisted of 48 species broadly sampled from across the geographic range and taxonomic spectrum of Serjania and focusing on species with atypical fruits. An ancestral character state reconstruction of fruit type was performed and demonstrated that the ancestral fruit type of the genus is strongly supported to be a schizocarp, but there are at least five independent derivations to capsular fruits and at least one transition back from capsules to schizocarps. Also, transitions from winged to wingless mericarps have occurred at least twice. Infrageneric classification is problematic and all of the sections that were represented by more than one species come out as poly- or paraphyletic. Our limited sample of taxa precludes the possibility of a new classification at present and a broader phylogenetic sample of the genus will be needed to understand relationships and determine which lineages warrant formal recognition. In addition to the phylogenetic study, Serjania frutescens, a new capsular-fruited species from Michoacán, Mexico, is described, illustrated, and compared with its putative closest relatives. A key is provided to differentiate this species from other Mexican Serjania with capsular fruits, and new synonymies and lectotypifications associated with capsular-fruited Serjania tortuosa and S. sonorensis are established. Phylogenetic results suggest that these two are cryptic species and at least superficially indistinguishable by morphology.

Flora of Espírito Santo: tribe Microlicieae (Melastomataceae)

Abstract Microlicieae is one of the most diverse tribes in Melastomataceae, comprising three genera: Microlicia (including the former Chaetostoma, Lavoisiera, Stenodon, and Trembleya), Poteranthera, and Rhynchanthera. It is characterized by anthers with a prolonged pedoconnective, capsular fruits, and reniform, oblong seeds with a foveolate testa. This study presents a taxonomic treatment for the species of Microlicieae in the state of Espírito Santo. A total of ten species were registered in two genera, Microlicia (9 spp.) and Rhynchanthera (1 sp.). Of these, three are new species of Microlicia: M. caparaoensis is endemic to the Caparaó National Park; M. capixaba and M. misteriosa are endemic to a single inselberg, the “Alto Misterioso”, in São Roque do Canaã. A fourth species was kept as Microlicia sp., since further studies will be necessary to confirm its identity. We also provide an identification key, morphological descriptions, distribution data, and comments for all species.

Angiosperm affinities of Surangea from the late Cretaceous Deccan Intertrappean Beds of central India

The genus Surangea Chitaley et Sheikh, based on permineralized specimens from the Deccan Intertrappean Beds of central India, was originally considered to represent a fern megasporangium. Reexamination of original material and new specimens has revealed that the structures are capsular fruits with well-defined seeds, rather than megasporangia. We describe Surangea fruits in detail, based on peels and micro-CT scanning, and document its distribution among multiple localities of the Deccan Intertrappean Beds. The fruits are pentacarpellate septicidal capsules with ~8–12 seeds per locule. The seeds are prominently ornamented with parallel ridges and have a curved embryo/endosperm cavity and a prominent aril. This set of features indicates eudicotyledonous affinities for Surangea. In particular, the combination of septicidal capsules, axile placentation and arillate campylotropus seeds suggests affinity with the order Myrtales, but it does not fit cleanly within an extant family. Surangea fruits add to the diversity of angiosperms known from this late Maastrichtian flora. It joins several other fruit types known from the Deccan flora that do not fall neatly into extant families, possibly representing parts of an endemic community that succumbed to environmental stress associated K-Pg boundary events and/or subsequent northward rafting of the Indian subcontinent.

Plant growth-promoting abilities and community structure of culturable endophytic bacteria from the fruit of an invasive plant Xanthium italicum.

Diversity of endophytic bacterial communities of capsular fruit, upper and lower seeds of an invasive plant Xanthium italicum growing in Xinjiang, China, was investigated. All isolates from the seed capsules, the upper seeds, and the lower seeds were identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and sequences were compared to bacterial databases to define operational taxonomic units (OTUs). Finally, we obtained 316 endophytic isolates corresponding to 58 OTUs based on 16S rRNA gene sequences. The most common OTU corresponded most closely to Bacillus zhangzhouensis and comprised 9.49% of all bacterial isolates. The richness and diversity of endophytes in lower seeds were higher than that of the upper seeds; moreover, the Chao estimator and Shannon index of endophytes in the lower seeds were approximate to that in the seed capsules. Bacillus and Staphylococcus were found as the common taxa in three different tissues that were investigated (OTUs belong to these genera constituted > 70% of the total community). The bacterial endophytic communities differed significantly among these three fruit tissues, especially Bacillus strains, which have been reported to contribute to plant growth promotion and stress resilience to their hosts in harsh environment; abundance of Bacillus species was in the following order: capsules (78 OTUs) > lower seeds (55 OTUs) > upper seeds (40 OTUs). The lower seeds harboring more Bacillus species might be responsible for their earlier seed germination compared with the upper seeds.

Note on the Distribution of Polycarpaea corymbosa (Caryophyllaceae) in Brazil

This paper presents the distribution of Polycarpaea corymbosa in Brazil with particular attention to the state of Maranhão. Polycarpaea corymbosa is an herb with lanceolate leaves and capsular fruits. This paper provides data on area of distribution and taxonomy of the species.

Baccatocarpon patanii sp. nov. A New Species of Capsular Fruit from the Deccan Intertrappean Beds of Marai Patan, Tahsil- Jiwati, Dist. Chandrapur, Maharashtra, India

The present paper deals with the description of a new species of petrified capsular fruit. The fruit is dicotyledonous, capsular formed from pentacarpellary, syncarpous ovary with parietal placentation. The fruit measures 0.12 mm in length and 0.11mm in width. It is circular, pentalocular with two fertile locules having single seed in each locules and three sterile locules. The three sterile locules contain circular parenchymatous cells which act as reserve food materials or provide buoyancy for floating mechanism. The fruit wall or pericarp measures about 4.46-5.42 µm in width and is differentiated into epicarp, mesocarp and endocarp. Outer layer epicarp is multilayered having hexagonal sclerenchymatous cell and measures about 1.10 µm in thickness. Middle layer mesocarp is multilayered having hexagonal sclerenchymatous cell and measures about 1.23 µm in thickness and inner layer endocarp is measures about 2.13 µm in thickness. The fruit is baccate type, different from any existing living family or recorded fossil fruit from the Deccan Intertrappean beds. Therefore, it is named as Baccatocarpon patanii sp. nov. The generic name is being after the baccate nature of the fruit and the specific name indicates the locality from where it was collected.

A Taxonomic Treatment of Rogiera (Guettardeae, Rubiaceae)

Abstract—Rogiera (Guettardeae, Rubiaceae) is a Neotropical genus distributed from Mexico to northern South America that includes shrubs, treelets, or trees, which were previously treated in the taxonomically controversial and confused Rondeletia complex. Rogiera can be recognized among other Rubiaceae by the combination of multiflowered inflorescences, heterostylous flowers, quincuncial corolla aestivation, a hairy ring at the corolla mouth, and capsular fruits with loculicidal dehiscence. Despite the recent taxonomic circumscription of Rogiera there is not a comprehensive taxonomic treatment to it. Moreover, regional floristic treatments disagree on the species circumscriptions, with discrepancies in the number of species of Rogiera from 11 to 20. Based on molecular and morphological evidence studied on field and herbarium specimens, we present a taxonomic revision of Rogiera. We recognize ten species; Mexico is the center of diversity with nine species, four of them endemic. An identification key, descriptions, distribution maps, nomenclatural history, phenological data, and illustrations of all the species in the genus are provided for the first time. Several names required lecto- or epitypifications designated here.

Seed dispersal in Neuwiedia singapureana: novel evidence for avian endozoochory in the earliest diverging clade in Orchidaceae

BackgroundSeed dispersal allows plants to colonize new habitats that has an significant influence on plant distribution and population dynamics. Orchids produce numerous tiny seeds without endosperm, which are considered to be mainly wind-dispersed. Here, we report avian seed dispersal for an early diverging orchid species, Neuwiedia singapureana, which produces fleshy fruits with hard seed coats in the understory of tropical forests.ResultsNeuwiedia singapureana produced fleshy fruits that turned red in autumn, and birds were confirmed to be the primary seed dispersers. As compared to its sister species, N. veratrifolia with dehiscent capsular fruits, embryos of N. singapureana were larger and enclosed by thickened and lignified seed coats. After passing through the digestive tracts of birds, the seeds still stayed alive, and the walls of seed coat contained several cracks. The germination percentage increased significantly for digested seeds as compared with seeds from intact fruits.ConclusionThe thickened and lignified seed coat may protect seeds as they passed through the digestive tracts of birds. Taken together with a recent report of insect-mediated seed dispersal system in the subfamily Apostasioideae, the animal-mediated seed dispersal may be an adaptive mechanism promoting the success of colonization in dark understory habitats.