Onagraceae Research Articles

The complete chloroplast genome sequence of Ludwigia adscendens (L.) Hara, 1953 (Onagraceae)

Ludwigia adscendens (L.) Hara, 1953 (L. adscendens) belongs to the family Onagraceae, which is a traditional medicinal plant distributed worldwide. In this study, the first complete chloroplast genome of L. adscendens was sequenced and assembled. The assembled chloroplast genome of L. adscendens is 159,560 bp in length, containing a pair of inverted repeat region A (IRA) of 24,762 bp, inverted repeat region B (IRB) of 24,762 bp, separated by a large single-copy (LSC) sequence of 90,276 bp and a small single-copy (SSC) region of 19, 760 bp, respectively. A total of 129 genes were annotated in the entire chloroplast genome, consisting of 37 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, 8 ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, and 84 protein-coding genes, with a total GC content of 37.27%. The phylogenomic analysis showed that L. adscendens was closely related to L. octovalvis in the Onagraceae family. Further evolutionary studies of the genus Ludwigia could benefit from the complete chloroplast genome of L. adscendens present in this study and the obtained results would provide useful information for future phylogenetic, taxonomic, and evolutionary studies on Onagraceae.

Studies in the family Onagraceae Juss. for the Flora of Sikkim

Taxonomic studies on the family Onagraceae for Flora of Sikkim have revealed occurrence of 23 taxa in three genera. The family has been systematically treated here with brief description, citation, phenology, distribution and voucher specimens examined from Sikkim. Illustrative photoplates of important species have also been provided to facilitate easy identification.

A phylogeny of the evening primrose family (Onagraceae) using a target enrichment approach with 303 nuclear loci

BackgroundThe evening primrose family (Onagraceae) includes 664 species (803 taxa) with a center of diversity in the Americas, especially western North America. Ongoing research in Onagraceae includes exploring striking variation in floral morphology, scent composition, and breeding system, as well as the role of these traits in driving diversity among plants and their interacting pollinators and herbivores. However, these efforts are limited by the lack of a comprehensive, well-resolved phylogeny. Previous phylogenetic studies based on a few loci strongly support the monophyly of the family and the sister relationship of the two largest tribes but fail to resolve several key relationships.ResultsWe used a target enrichment approach to reconstruct the phylogeny of Onagraceae using 303 highly conserved, low-copy nuclear loci. We present a phylogeny for Onagraceae with 169 individuals representing 152 taxa sampled across the family, including extensive sampling within the largest tribe, Onagreae. Deep splits within the family are strongly supported, whereas relationships among closely related genera and species are characterized by extensive conflict among individual gene trees.ConclusionsThis phylogenetic resource will augment current research projects focused throughout the family in genomics, ecology, coevolutionary dynamics, biogeography, and the evolution of characters driving diversification in the family.

Morphology, anatomy and sleep movements of Ludwigia sedoides

The diurnal motion of higher plants, responding to the alternation of day and night, known as nyctinastic movements or “sleep movements”, has been discussed frequently. We present the first description of the circadian rhythm of the water plant Ludwigia sedoides (Humb. & Bonpl.) H.Hara of the family Onagraceae, furthermore its morphology and anatomy. Our results indicate that the plant’s movements are endogenous, although environmental factors certainly have an influence. The majority of plants with nyctinastic leaf movements have a pulvinus, as the crucial part of the plant enabling this movement. Although the basal section of the L. sedoides petiole is not swollen, the tissue functions similarly to a pulvinus. It consists of a central conducting tissue with thick-walled cells, which is surrounded by thin-walled motor cells that can undergo visible shrinking and swelling. Thus, the tissue functionally corresponds to a pulvinus. Examinations of cellular processes, like measurements of the turgor pressure in the petiole, need to be evaluated in future studies.

Biological features of flowering of the genetic collection of plants of the family Onagraceae Juss. in the forest-steppe conditions of Western Siberia

Data on the timing of the onset of phenological phases and the duration of the flowering period of the genetic collection of annual flowering plants from three sections of the family Onagraceae Juss. are presented: Rhodanthos, Godetia and Phaeostoma of the Clarkia Pursh. generic complex, outside their natural habitats (ex situ), on the collection site of the Novosibirsk State Agrarian University. As a result of the evaluation of the flowering phenomena of Clarkia sections, two flowering periods were identified. The species were distributed into summer-flowering plants C. purpurea from the Godetia section - with a vegetation duration of 102 ± 2 days and summer-autumn C. amoena and C. amoena subsp. Lindleyi from the Rhodanthos section with a vegetation duration of 123 ± 2 days and a species of C. unguiculata blooming throughout the period from the Phaeostoma section with a vegetation duration of 126 ± 2 days. Correlation analysis showed a high dependence of the growth and development periods of Clarkia species on the sum of biologically active temperatures > 10 °C (0.77 - 0.99). Cpurpurea from the Godetia section has the greatest adaptive potential to local climatic conditions, it requires the least amount of biologically active temperatures of the growing season (1903 °C) for growth and development than two other sections: Phaeostoma (2090 °C), Rhodanthos (2188 °C). Thus, all three sections of the Clarkia family Onagraceae Juss. they are characterized by prolonged flowering in the conditions of the forest-steppe of Western Siberia, are promising for urban gardening, differ in the possibility of sowing seeds in the open ground and are suitable for flower beds of continuous flowering.

Molecular Phylogenetics Reveals Multiple Transitions to Self-Compatibility in a Primary Subclade of Oenothera (Onagraceae)

Evolutionary shifts in breeding system are thought to have played key roles in the diversification of many lineages of plants, including the evening primrose family (Onagraceae), which includes the genus Oenothera L. Diversification in Oenothera has been accompanied by frequent breeding system shifts, but it is not clear whether these differences are due to shared evolutionary history or reflect repeated independent adaptations to varying ecological conditions. In this study, we focus on “Subclade B,” one of two primary clades within Oenothera, and combine phylogenetic reconstructions and breeding system data to evaluate evidence for multiple transitions to self-compatibility. This study includes 46 of the 58 named taxa (species and subspecies) of Oenothera Subclade B. Some taxa were sequenced in earlier analyses, available from GenBank, one was resampled here to add new sequences, and 28 taxa are newly sequenced here. We base our phylogeny on sequencing of portions of four chloroplast markers (rps16, ndhF, trnL-F, and rbcL) and two nuclear genes (ITS and ETS). We used pollination tests to verify or determine the breeding system of these taxa.
 Our phylogeny supports the current classification of Oenothera with minor changes and provides greater insight and clarity to the relationships of these species. Our results provide support for the monophyly of most of the sections in Oenothera Subclade B, as well as greater resolution for topology within sections Gaura (L.) W. L. Wagner & Hoch, Hartmannia (Spach) Walpers, Kneiffia (Spach) Walpers, and Megapterium (Spach) Walpers. Relationships among these monophyletic lineages, and the placement of sections Paradoxus W. L. Wagner and Peniophyllum (Pennell) Munz, and of the allopolypoid O. hispida (Benth.) W. L. Wagner, Hoch & Zarucchi, are not uniformly well-supported and need further clarification, but these phylogenetic uncertainties had minimal impact on the inference of transitions in self-compatibility in Subclade B.
 We use maximum likelihood, Bayesian inference and stochastic character mapping to estimate the minimum and maximum number of transitions necessary to explain the phylogenetic distribution of self-compatible lineages. Our results confirm at least 12 and possibly up to 15 independent transitions from self-incompatibility to self-compatibility in Oenothera Subclade B. This lability in breeding system, which is also seen broadly across Oenothera, lends strong support to the hypothesis that this trait plays a key role in the diversification of the genus.

Zonal features of bioecological properties and honey productivity of species of the family Onagraceae Juss

Representatives of the cypress family (Onagraceae) are among the most valuable melliferous plants of the herbaceous flora of temperate latitudes in Russia. These honeybees are inferior to linden and white acacia among woody plants. It is known that maximum honey yields from the narrow-leaved willow (Epilobium angustifolium L.) are obtained in fresh heaths (3-5 years). The paper considers the dynamics of nectar production in different geographical zones depending on the bioecological characteristics of the honeybee. The ecological conditions on the unforested lands of the Middle Taiga in the Northwest region (Leningrad region) differ significantly from those of the rangelands. Distinct from particularly young havens, which form during certain periods of plant community development. Therefore, the willow herb on forest edges and glades is not as abundant (20 pcs./m2). The number of flowers per plant is lower (62 pcs.) than that of plants on fire sites (92 pcs.). The honey productivity is 140 kg/ha on fallow land and 50 kg / ha at the forest edges. In the taiga zone of western Siberia after deforestation and fires, narrow-leafed willow (Epilobium angustifolium) produces abundant nectar for the first 5-7 years. Control hive readings reach 18-24 kg per day, honey production reaches 350 kg/ha. Analysis of the main pollinators and honey collectors on Cypress flowers showed that in the southern regions of Western Siberia, beekeepers do not feel the presence of competing honeybees. A census of melliferous species in the Vasyugany region revealed the presence of marsh bunting (Epilobium palustre L.), from which bees collect pollen (21.31 g, 2.09 % of total pollen) in July in a beige-purple color. In the south, the honey productivity of the strong bearer cypress (Epilobium angustifolium L.) reaches 800 kg/ha, while in the north it does not produce nectar. On the territory of the Republic of Mari El, the productivity of honey in the burned areas of pine and linden spruce forests, where powerful thickets of willow herb develop, reaches 492 kg/ha.

Target Enrichment and Extensive Population Sampling Help Untangle the Recent, Rapid Radiation of Oenothera Sect. Calylophus.

Oenothera sect. Calylophus is a North American group of 13 recognized taxa in the evening primrose family (Onagraceae) with an evolutionary history that may include independent origins of bee pollination, edaphic endemism, and permanent translocation heterozygosity. Like other groups that radiated relatively recently and rapidly, taxon boundaries within Oenothera sect. Calylophus have remained challenging to circumscribe. In this study, we used target enrichment, flanking noncoding regions, gene tree/species tree methods, tests for gene flow modified for target-enrichment data, and morphometric analysis to reconstruct phylogenetic hypotheses, evaluate current taxon circumscriptions, and examine character evolution in Oenothera sect. Calylophus. Because sect. Calylophus comprises a clade with a relatively restricted geographic range, we were able to extensively sample across the range of geographic, edaphic, and morphological diversity in the group. We found that the combination of exons and flanking noncoding regions led to improved support for species relationships. We reconstructed potential hybrid origins of some accessions and note that if processes such as hybridization are not taken into account, the number of inferred evolutionary transitions may be artificially inflated. We recovered strong evidence for multiple evolutionary origins of bee pollination from ancestral hawkmoth pollination, edaphic specialization on gypsum, and permanent translocation heterozygosity. This study applies newly emerging techniques alongside dense infraspecific sampling and morphological analyses to effectively reconstruct the recalcitrant history of a rapid radiation. [Gypsum endemism; Oenothera sect. Calylophus; Onagraceae; phylogenomics; pollinator shift; recent radiation; target enrichment.].

Comparative Analysis of Complete Chloroplast Genomes of 13 Species in Epilobium, Circaea, and Chamaenerion and Insights Into Phylogenetic Relationships of Onagraceae.

The evening primrose family, Onagraceae, is a well defined family of the order Myrtales, comprising 22 genera widely distributed from boreal to tropical areas. In this study, we report and characterize the complete chloroplast genome sequences of 13 species in Circaea, Chamaenerion, and Epilobium using a next-generation sequencing method. We also retrieved chloroplast sequences from two other Onagraceae genera to characterize the chloroplast genome of the family. The complete chloroplast genomes of Onagraceae encoded an identical set of 112 genes (with exclusion of duplication), including 78 protein-coding genes, 30 transfer RNAs, and four ribosomal RNAs. The chloroplast genomes are basically conserved in gene arrangement across the family. However, a large segment of inversion was detected in the large single copy region of all the samples of Oenothera subsect. Oenothera. Two kinds of inverted repeat (IR) region expansion were found in Oenothera, Chamaenerion, and Epilobium samples. We also compared chloroplast genomes across the Onagraceae samples in some features, including nucleotide content, codon usage, RNA editing sites, and simple sequence repeats (SSRs). Phylogeny was inferred by the chloroplast genome data using maximum-likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference methods. The generic relationship of Onagraceae was well resolved by the complete chloroplast genome sequences, showing potential value in inferring phylogeny within the family. Phylogenetic relationship in Oenothera was better resolved than other densely sampled genera, such as Circaea and Epilobium. Chloroplast genomes of Oenothera subsect. Oenothera, which are biparental inheritated, share a syndrome of characteristics that deviate from primitive pattern of the family, including slightly expanded inverted repeat region, intron loss in clpP, and presence of the inversion.

Herbicide-Resistant Invasive Plant Species Ludwigia decurrens Walter.

Ludwigia decurrens Walter is a dicotyledonous plant belonging to the family Onagraceae. It is native to Central Eastern USA but has been spreading quickly and has naturalized in aquatic and riparian ecosystems (including rice paddy fields) in many countries; therefore, it is now considered an invasive noxious weed. L. decurrens is highly competitive with rice and causes a significant reduction in rice production. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of the herbicide penoxsulam for the control of L. decurrens in rice fields. The seeds of L. decurrens were collected from four villages in Indonesia, and penoxsulam was applied to L. decurrens in seven dosages (0, 2.5, 5, 10, 20, 40, and 80 g a.i. ha−1) 3 weeks after seed sowing. The plant populations from Hegarmanah, Jatisari, and Joho showed complete mortality at the recommended dosage of penoxsulam (10 g a.i. ha−1). However, the plants from Demakan grew, flowered, and produced seeds 56 days after treatment with 40 g a.i. ha−1 of penoxsulam. The resistance index value of the population was 36.06. This is the first report of a penoxsulam-resistant weed from a dicotyledonous plant species and also the first report of a herbicide-resistant population of L. decurrens. The appearance of herbicide-resistant L. decurrens is a serious issue from both an environmental and an economic perspective, especially since protected forest and freshwater ecosystems are located at a short distance from the study area. Further research is needed to evaluate herbicide mixtures and/or the rotation of herbicide action sites. The identification of the penoxsulam-resistance mechanism in L. decurrens is also necessary to develop a herbicide resistance management strategy.

Comparative Volatile Profiling of Ludwigia stolonifera Aerial Parts and Roots Using VSE-GC-MS/MS and Screening of Antioxidant and Metal Chelation Activities.

Ludwigia stolonifera (Guill. & Perr.) P.H.Raven belonging to the family Onagraceae is an important aquatic herbal plant of economic importance in water bioremediation. We explored the compositional heterogeneity in the aroma profile of L. stolonifera aerial parts and roots. Volatile profiling was employed for the first time using volatile solvent extraction (VSE-GC-MS/MS) of both aerial parts and roots. A total of 85 volatiles were identified belonging to eight classes, viz., aliphatic, aromatic, and oxygenated hydrocarbons, monoterpenes, diterpenes, alcohols, acids/esters, and sterols. Aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons were found to be the most abundant metabolite groups in both aerial parts and roots. Furthermore, antioxidant and metal chelation activities of aerial parts and roots were investigated, revealing a potent activity as an antioxidant and high metal chelation capacity for heavy metals.

Water-Soluble Melanoidin Pigment as a New Antioxidant Component of Fermented Willowherb Leaves (Epilobium angustifolium).

Willowherb (Epilobium angustifolium L., family Onagraceae) is a well-known food and medicinal plant used after fermentation as a source of beverages with high antioxidant potential. Despite this long history of use, only a few papers have described the chemical profile and bioactivity of fermented willowherb tea in general. To understand the basic metabolic differences of non-fermented and fermented E. angustifolium leaves, we used general chemical analysis, high-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection and electrospray ionization triple quadrupole mass spectrometric detection assay, and an isolation technique. As a result, the content of 14 chemical groups of compounds was compared in the two plant materials; 59 compounds were detected, including 36 new metabolites; and a new water-soluble phenolic polymer of melanoidin nature was isolated and characterized. The fundamental chemical shifts in fermented E. angustifolium leaves relate mainly to the decrease of ellagitannin content, while there is an increase of melanoidin percentage and saving of the antioxidant potential, despite the significant changes detected. The strong antioxidative properties of the new melanoidin were revealed in a series of in vitro bioassays, and a simulated gastrointestinal and colonic digestion model demonstrated the stability of melanoidin and its antioxidant activity. Finally, we concluded that the new melanoidin is a basic antioxidant of the fermented leaves of E. angustifolium, and it can be recommended for additional study as a promising food and medicinal antioxidant agent.

Intraspecific variability of floral and ornamental plants of Onagraceae family and mechanisms of their variety formation

The present review is devoted to intraspecific variability of floral and ornamental plants of the genus Clarkia purch. Family Onagraceae and clarification of the systematic status of the Godetia species introduced into Novosibirsk. Clarkia species from the Godetia and Rhodantos sections are noted for their particular beauty and duration of flowering. A comprehensive study of the influence of environmental conditions on genetic features of populations, ornamental qualities, flowering biology, morphogenesis, organogenesis, seed production and seed quality, agrotechnology’s of growing the above species of Clarkia, for selecting suitable forms and creating local varieties included in the basic assortment of flower crops for climatic conditions of Western Siberia as well as their introduction into urban gardening is necessary. The article discusses taxonomic markers important for determining the systematic position of Clarkia species from Godetia and Rhodantos sections in the family Onagraceae. Experimental data of genetic and cytological analyses carried out by foreign scientists for the last 100 years are presented, which give an idea of morphological, karyological characteristics and genetic variability in various species in the Godetia section. The mechanisms of inheritance of the flower colour trait and numerous variations in the position of the spot on the petals of different clarkia species have been established. Formation of the list of genes responsible for the Clarkia pigmentation system, location and size of the carmine spot will allow targeted selection for qualitative traits. The study of the pattern of multifactorial inheritance of habitus and flower shape traits among C. amoena subspecies contributes to the passage of the most decorative hybrid forms (varieties) as the starting material. In conclusion, a brief overview of promising species of the genus Clarkia from the Godetia and Rhodantos sections for ornamental plant breeding and selection is given.

Genetic characterization of novel polymorphic microsatellite markers for Epilobium nankotaizanense (Onagraceae), an endemic and threatened herb in Taiwan

AbstractEpilobium belongs to the family Onagraceae, which consists of approximately 200 species distributed worldwide, and some species have been used as medicinal plants. Epilobium nankotaizanense is an endemic and endangered herb that grows in the high mountains in Taiwan at an elevation of more than 3300 m. Alpine herbs are severely threatened by climate change, which leads to a reduction in their habitats and population sizes. However, only a few studies have addressed genetic diversity and population genetics. In the present study, we developed a new set of microsatellite markers for E. nankotaizanense using high-throughput genome sequencing data. Twenty polymorphic microsatellite markers were developed and tested on 30 individuals collected from three natural populations. These loci were successfully amplified, and polymorphisms were observed in E. nankotaizanense. The number of alleles per locus (A) ranged from 2.000 to 3.000, and the observed (Ho) and expected (He) heterozygosities ranged from 0.000 to 0.929 and from 0.034 to 0.631, respectively. The developed polymorphic microsatellite markers will be useful in future conservation genetic studies of E. nankotaizanense as well as for developing an effective conservation strategy for this species and facilitating germplasm collections and sustainable utilization of other Epilobium species.

Characterization and pathogenicity of Septoria gaurina associated with leaf blotch disease on Gaura parviflora in China

AbstractGaura parviflora, a flowering plant of the family Onagraceae, is regarded as an invasive plant in China, but is subject to leaf blotch disease. Based on morphological features, we identified the causal agent to be Septoria gaurina. However, the phylogenetic position of S. gaurina remains unknown. Multilocus phylogenetic analysis using the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), β‐tubulin (Tub2), actin (Act), calmodulin (Cal), translation elongation factor 1‐α (EF), and 28S nrDNA (LSU) nucleotide sequences indicated that the isolates belonged to the Septoria genus. Pathogenicity tests demonstrated that the isolates produced symptoms on the leaves of G. parviflora. These symptoms included small, water‐soaked, circular lesions formed on leaves inoculated with conidial droplets, and bigger, water‐soaked lesions on leaves inoculated by conidial spraying. To our knowledge, this is the first report of S. gaurina as the causative agent of leaf blotch disease of G. parviflora in China.

Сircaea lutetiana l. өсімдігінің полифенолды қосылыстарының зерттелуі

One of the renewable sources of plant material is the plants of the Onagraceae L. family, growing on the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The plant Circaea lutetiana L., (bipartite of Paris) of the genus Circaea L., (bipartite) of the family Onagraceae L., (fireweed), which belongs to medicinal, dyeing and food plants, was taken as an object of study. The presence of polyphenolic compounds was detected by paper chromatography in an ascending manner in solvent systems: butanol-acetic acid-water (BAW) (41:5), (40:12.5:29), 2%, 15% acetic acid with specific developers: diazotized sulfanilic acid (DZSA), diazotized para-nitroaniline (DZPNA), ammonia vapors, aluminum chloride (AlCl3), ferric chloride (FeCl3), ammonium-iron alum (AIA), vanillin reagent in sulfuric acid. The content of gallic and ferulic acids was determined in the roots and fruits of the plant, and ellagic acid in the leaves and fruits. Flavonoids and tannins of the hydrolyzable type were found in all plant organs, the largest number of them in fruits and the smallest in roots. Using the method of spectrophotometry in all plant organs, the content of flavonoids in terms of State standard sample (SSS) quercetin was determined (roots 0.96%, stems 2.03%, leaves 2.74%, fruits 3.67%), the content of tannins in terms of tannin (roots 0.005%, stems 1.19%, leaves 3.69%, fruits 5.99%).

ИЗУЧЕНИЕ ЭЛЕМЕНТНОГО СОСТАВА РАСТЕНИЯ CHAMERION ANGUSTIFOLIUM И ЕГО ПИЩЕВОЙ ЦЕННОСТИ ДЛЯ ЧЕЛОВЕКА

Chamerion angustifolium (L.) Holub., the family Onagraceae (kipreyny), is an herbaceous plant that grows abundant in the wild of Eurasia and North America, since the 16th century widely used in fresh and dried form as a medicinal plant in folk medicine, and in fermented form for the preparation of infusions (tea drinks). It is known from scientific publications that 61 elements have been found in the mineral component of this plant, the content of which depends on the area of its growth. At the same time, most works provide results of determination of gross content of elements, on the basis of which many researchers refer to Ch. angustifolium to a possible source of vital human elements. It does not take into account that many of these elements cannot be fully absorbed by the body during digestion. During this work by means of a mass spectrometry method with the inductive and connected plasma (ISP-MS) the maintenance of 25 the elements, most important for the person was studied (Al, B, V, Fe, I, K, Cd, Ca, Co, Si, Li, Mg, Mn, Cu, As, Na, Ni, Sn, Hg, Pb, Se, Sr, P, Cr, Zn). These elements are converted into a water-soluble form in the conventional method of preparing a tea beverage from dry veg-etable raw materials - Ch leaves. angustifolium collected in 2018 in the wild in the territory of the Nizhnevartovsky district of Khanty-Mansi Autonomous District - Ugra, as well as comparison of the obtained results with reference values of standards of adequate daily consumption of human elements. As a result, Ch was found to be in the leaves. angustifolium the most important elements for human nutrition are manganese and magnesium, contained in the amount of 3.3%/g and 1.1%/g (respectively) of daily consumption of these elements by adults. This plant raw material is not toxic to humans since the known daily level of human toxicity in Ch leaves. angustifolium as defined will primarily be achieved by manganese (0.33%/g) and potassium (0.22%/g). The remaining elements reach less than 0.1% of the known daily toxicity level, or have no toxic effect on humans at all when ingested with food.

Phylogeny, host use, and diversification in the moth family Momphidae (Lepidoptera: Gelechioidea).

Insect herbivores and their hostplants constitute much of Earth’s described biological diversity, but how these often-specialized associations diversify is not fully understood. We combined detailed hostplant data and comparative phylogenetic analyses of the lepidopteran family Momphidae to explore how shifts in the use of hostplant resources, not just hostplant taxon, contribute to the diversification of a phytophagous insect lineage. We inferred two phylogenetic hypotheses emphasizing relationships among species in the nominate genus, Mompha Hübner. A six-gene phylogeny was constructed with reared exemplars and collections from hostplants in the family Onagraceae from western and southwestern USA, and a cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) phylogeny was inferred from collections and publicly available accessions in the Barcode of Life Data System. Species delimitation analyses combined with morphological data revealed ca. 56 undescribed species-level taxa, many of which are hostplant specialists on Onagraceae in the southwestern USA. Our phylogenetic reconstructions divided Momphidae into six major clades: 1) an Onagraceae flower- and fruit-boring clade, 2) a Melastomataceae-galling clade, 3) a leafmining clade A, 4) a leafmining clade B, 5) a Zapyrastra Meyrick clade, and 6) a monobasic lineage represented by Mompha eloisella (Clemens). Ancestral trait reconstructions using the COI phylogeny identified leafmining on Onagraceae as the ancestral state for Momphidae. Our study finds that shifts along three hostplant resource axes (plant taxon, plant tissue type, and larval feeding mode) have contributed to the evolutionary success and diversification of momphids.

Stochastic Character Mapping of State-Dependent Diversification Reveals the Tempo of Evolutionary Decline in Self-Compatible Onagraceae Lineages.

A major goal of evolutionary biology is to identify key evolutionary transitions that correspond with shifts in speciation and extinction rates. Stochastic character mapping has become the primary method used to infer the timing, nature, and number of character state transitions along the branches of a phylogeny. The method is widely employed for standard substitution models of character evolution. However, current approaches cannot be used for models that specifically test the association of character state transitions with shifts in diversification rates such as state-dependent speciation and extinction (SSE) models. Herein, we introduce a new stochastic character mapping algorithm that overcomes these limitations, and apply it to study mating system evolution over a time-calibrated phylogeny of the plant family Onagraceae. Utilizing a hidden state SSE model we tested the association of the loss of self-incompatibility (SI) with shifts in diversification rates. We found that self-compatible lineages have higher extinction rates and lower net-diversification rates compared with self-incompatible lineages. Furthermore, these results provide empirical evidence for the "senescing" diversification rates predicted in highly selfing lineages: our mapped character histories show that the loss of SI is followed by a short-term spike in speciation rates, which declines after a time lag of several million years resulting in negative net-diversification. Lineages that have long been self-compatible, such as Fuchsia and Clarkia, are in a previously unrecognized and ongoing evolutionary decline. Our results demonstrate that stochastic character mapping of SSE models is a powerful tool for examining the timing and nature of both character state transitions and shifts in diversification rates over the phylogeny.

Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis) Biological Activity Dependent on Chemical Composition.

Evening primrose (Oenothera L.) is a plant belonging to the family Onagraceae, in which the most numerous species is Oenothera biennis. Some plants belonging to the genus Oenothera L. are characterized by biological activity. Therefore, studies were conducted to determine the dependence of biological activity on the chemical composition of various parts of the evening primrose, mainly leaves, stems, and seeds. Common components of all parts of the Oenothera biennis plants are fatty acids, phenolic acids, and flavonoids. In contrast, primrose seeds also contain proteins, carbohydrates, minerals, and vitamins. Therefore, it is believed that the most interesting sources of biologically active compounds are the seeds and, above all, evening primrose seed oil. This oil contains mainly aliphatic alcohols, fatty acids, sterols, and polyphenols. Evening primrose oil (EPO) is extremely high in linoleic acid (LA) (70–74%) and γ-linolenic acid (GLA) (8–10%), which may contribute to the proper functioning of human tissues because they are precursors of anti-inflammatory eicosanoids. EPO supplementation results in an increase in plasma levels of γ-linolenic acid and its metabolite dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA). This compound is oxidized by lipoxygenase (15-LOX) to 15-hydroxyeicosatrienoic acid (15-HETrE) or, under the influence of cyclooxygenase (COX), DGLA is metabolized to series 1 prostaglandins. These compounds have anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative properties. Furthermore, 15-HETrE blocks the conversion of arachidonic acid (AA) to leukotriene A4 (LTA4) by direct inhibition of 5-LOX. In addition, γ-linolenic acid suppresses inflammation mediators such as interleukin 1β (IL-1β), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and cytokine - tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α). The beneficial effects of EPO have been demonstrated in the case of atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, Sjögren’s syndrome, asthma, and anti-cancer therapy.