Gymnosperm Families Research Articles

De novo Whole-Genome Assembly of the 10-Gigabase Fokienia Hodginsii Genome to Reveal Differential Epigenetic Events Between Callus and Xylem.

Fokienia hodginsii (F. hodginsii), belonging to the genus Fokienia of the Cupressaceae. F. hodginsii has significant application value due to its wood properties and great research value in evolutionary studies as a gymnosperm. However, the genome of F. hodginsii remains unknown due to the large size of gymnosperms genome. Pacific Bioscience sequencing, Hi-C mapping, whole-genome Bisulfite Sequencing (BS-Seq), long-read isoform sequencing (Iso-Seq), direct RNA sequencing (DRS), quantitative proteomics, and metabonomics analysis are employed to facilitate genome assembly, gene annotation, and investigation into epigenetic mechanisms. In this study, the 10G F. hodginsii genome is assembled into 11 chromosomes. Furthermore, 50521 protein-coding genes are annotated and determined that 65% of F. hodginsii genome comprises repetitive sequences. It is discovered that transposable element (TE)-including introns is associated with higher expression. The DNA methylome of F. hodginsii reveals that xylem has a higher DNA methylation level compared to callus. Moreover, DRS reveals the significant alterations in RNA full-length ratio, which potentially associated with poly(A) length (PAL) and alternative polyadenylation (APA). Finally, the morphology measurement and metabonomics analysis revealed the difference of 14 cultivars. In summary, the genomes and epigenetics datasets provide a molecular basis for callus formation in the gymnosperm family.

Gymnosperms demonstrate patterns of fine‐root trait coordination consistent with the global root economics space

Abstract Gymnosperms encompass a diverse group of mostly woody plants with high ecological and economic value, yet little is known about the scope and organization of fine‐root trait diversity among gymnosperms due to the undersampling of most gymnosperm families and the dominance of angiosperm groups in recent syntheses. New and existing data were compiled for morphological traits (root diameter, length, tissue density, specific root length [SRL] and specific root area [SRA]), the architectural trait branching ratio, root nitrogen content [N] and mycorrhizal colonization. We used phylogenetic least squares regression and principal component analysis to determine trait–trait relationships and coordination across 66 species, representing 11 of the 12 extant gymnosperm families from boreal, temperate, subtropical and tropical biomes. Finally, we compared the relationship between family divergence time and mean trait values to determine whether evolutionary history structured variation in fine‐root traits within the gymnosperm phylogeny. Wide variation in gymnosperm root traits could be largely captured by two primary axes of variation defined by SRL and diameter, and root tissue density and root nitrogen, respectively. However, individual root length and SRA each had significant correlations with traits defining both main axes of variation. Neither mycorrhizal colonization nor root branching ratio were closely related to other traits. We did not observe a directional evolution of mean trait values from older to more recently diverged gymnosperm families. Synthesis. Despite their unique evolutionary history, gymnosperms display a root economic space similar to that identified in angiosperms, likely reflecting common constraints on plants adapting to diverse environments in both groups. These findings provide greater confidence that patterns observed in broad syntheses justly capture patterns of trait diversity among multiple, distinct lineages. Additionally, independence between root architecture and other traits may support greater diversity in below‐ground resource acquisition strategies. Unlike angiosperms, there were no clear trends towards increasingly thin roots over evolutionary time, possibly because of lower diversification rates or unique biogeographic history among gymnosperms, though additional observations are needed to more richly test evolutionary trends among gymnosperms.

Quantitative assessment of paclitaxel in Taxus wallichiana zucc. bark using HPTLC densitometry: Insights for germplasm selection and toxicological studies

Taxus wallichiana Zucc. [Synonym: Taxus baccata subsp. Wallichiana (Zucc.) Pilg.] or Himalayan Yew belonging to the evergreen gymnosperm family Taxaceae, grows in temperate regions and has been used in traditional medicines to treat cancer, bronchial disorders, colds, cough, etc. The plant is known to contain paclitaxel (PTX), a key bioactive component with anticancer properties. High-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) was used in the present study to estimate paclitaxel from the bark of T. wallichiana obtained from 15 different geographical locations in the eastern and western Himalayas of India. HPTLC method was determined to be a reliable and efficient technique for the quantification of paclitaxel, offering rapid outcomes.The bark materials of T. wallichiana chemotype obtained from Sikkim (Samanden) contained the highest concentration of paclitaxel, followed by West Bengal (Sandakphu), Arunachal Pradesh (Dibang Valley), and respectively. The present study also examined the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of the aqueous bark extract of the TW1 chemotype at various doses on the meristematic cells derived from the roots of Allium cepa L.. The bark extracts demonstrate considerable cytotoxic and mitotic properties. This study could be useful to the pharmaceutical industry for selecting elite (high paclitaxel-producing) chemotypes of T. wallichiana. The toxicological evaluation of the T. wallichiana chemotypes (using Allium cepa test) could also help to determine the genotoxic properties of the bark extract.

Antioxidant Activity of Essential Oils from Pinaceae Species.

With a widespread distribution throughout the Northern Hemisphere and 11 genera, Pinaceae is the largest family of Gymnosperms in the world. Essential oils are an important chemotaxonomic marker for the species of this family, although the degree of chemical and biological investigation has not been the same for all genera. Essential oils from Abies and Cedrus (from the abietoid clade) or Pinus and Picea (from the pinoid clade) have been more extensively investigated with respect to their chemical composition and biological or pharmacological properties, including their antioxidant effects. Instead, essential oils from the other genera of the family have been less explored in this respect or even have not been investigated at all. This is a narrative review looking into the knowledge acquired up to date, the variability and limitations of the current methods used to estimate antioxidant effects, and multiple comparisons between EOs obtained from different genera, species, and plant parts, as well as potential applications and future directions of research and utilization of essential oils derived from Pinaceae species.

The first record of Pisolithus arhizus (Sclerodermataceae, Basidiomycota) in Central Asia

Pisolithus is a genus of gasteroid mycorrhizal symbionts associated with trees of several families of angiosperms and gymnosperms and distributed almost worldwide. Here we report a new record of Pisolithus arhizus from Tashkent, Uzbekistan, the first record of this species in Central Asia. The fruit bodies of P. arhizus were collected in several locations within the city and identified based on morphological characters. The ectomycorrhizal fungus formed symbiotic relationships with Juniperus sp. and Quercus sp. We provide its morphological description and photographs and also discuss our findings in the context of previously known records of this species.

Traditional use of Polypores in Georgia (the Caucasus)

Background: The present work was intended to explore the quantitative ethnobotany and conservation status of flora of Koh-e-Suleman range, Razmak valley, North Waziristan, Pakistan. For the first time, significant traditional knowledge of the uses of reported flora was documented. Objective: The aim of the present study was to: (i) elucidate local populations' traditional knowledge of indigenous plants used for various purposes (ii) compile ethnomedicinal data using quantitative analyses for in-depth pharmacological evaluation of medicinal plants. (iii) evaluate the reported flora's conservation status. Methods: Ethnobotanical data were analyzed using quantitative tools, i.e., Relative frequency citation (RFC), use value (UV), and fidelity level (FL). Results: 102 participants including 75 men and 27 women were interviewed. The participants reported a total of 68 plant species, belonging to 57 genera and 19 families. There was 1 family of pteridophytes (1 species), 1 family of gymnosperms (4 species) and 63 species belonging to 17 families of angiosperms. Of the total reported plants, 38 were fodder species, 37 were medicinal species, 5 were timber species, 9 were fuel species, 8 were fruits species, 1 was vegetable species, 5 were condiment species, 2 were thatching species, 9 were ornamental species while none of the species was poisonous in nature. Conservation status revealed that 49 species (72.05 %) were vulnerable, 12 species (17.64 %) were rare, 6 species (8.82 %) were endangered, and 1 species (1.47 %) was found infrequent. Conclusion: The current study showed the majority of the species were used as fuel wood, medicines, and fodder. As most plant species have significant curative properties, a rotational and moderate grazing system is required to conserve the plants. Local residents must inculcate in their children the importance of floral diversity and conservation. Keywords: Anthropogenic activities, Conservation status, Endangered species, Quantitative ethnobotany, Razmak valley.

A pioneering riparian community dominated by Nystroemiaceae gymnosperms from the Guadalupian (middle Permian) of China

A new fossil plant community is documented from the Upper Shihhotse Formation on the North China Block with an extremely unusual composition and diversity. Zircon U–Pb dating yields an age of 268.3 ± 2.3 Ma during the mid-Roadian to early Wordian stages of the Guadalupian. The community occurs in two beds and is dominated by fossils of the gymnosperm family Nystroemiaceae, which account for up to 99% of specimens recovered and comprise stems, branches, roots, ovuliferous complexes of Nystroemia pectiniformis and N. sp., and leaves of Chiropteris reniformis. The two different species of Nystroemia are distinguished on size and apical features of ovules, with N. pectiniformis having two apical bicornuate horns, whereas N. sp. has apical auricular extensions. Leaves of C. reniformis are megaphyllous and possess a long petiole and net venation. In the Cathaysian flora, different species of Nystroemiaceae are distinguished by features of their ovules and habit, but all bear leaves of C. reniformis which suggests evolutionary modularity and different rates of evolution between the ovules and leaves. Both N. pectiniformis and N. sp. are shown to have been short, uptight trees. Sedimentary evidence shows the community grew in a meandering fluvial setting with repeated river channel changes. Compared with contemporaneously diverse Cathaysian floral communities in the Upper Shihhotse Formation, the vegetation has a very restricted diversity and is a rare occurrence of a gymnosperm-dominated community. The Nystroemiaceae demonstrates an r-selective ecological strategy as pioneering plants adapted to living in unstable habitats and newly opened gaps in the riparian zone.

Floristic inventory of S. R. T. campus of HNB Garhwal University (Badshahi Thaul, Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand): A semi-natural environment

The paper provides a floristic account of the S. R. T. Campus (HNB Garhwal University, Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand) which enumerates 193 taxa, distributed under 158 genera and 70 families of Angiosperms, Gymnosperms and Pteridophytes. Life form analysis revealed the presence of 65.28% herbs, 17.62 % shrubs 12.44 % trees, and. climber 4.66%. Asteraceae, Poaceae, Fabaceae, Lamiaceae, and Rosaceae revealed as the dominant families (in term of number of species) which together contributed 36.46% in the total species count. Desmodium with 4 species revealed as the dominant genus followed by Carex, Solanum, and Indigofera (3 species each). Of these, 17.13% species bears white flower, 15.47% yellow, 11.61% Pink, 9.94% green, blue 7.185.52 purple, 4.42% red while rest of the species (28.74%) bears flowers of other than colour class.

Structure and chemical nature of intercellular protuberances in Dennstaedtiaceae rhizomes (Polypodiopsida)

Intercellular protuberances (IPs) are projections on the cell surface and have been reported for families of ferns, Gymnosperms, and Angiosperms. Data on the type, chemical composition, and distribution of these structures among vascular plants are still scarce. Here, we investigate the occurrence, distribution, type of IPs among species of eight Dennstaedtiaceae genera and verify the taxonomic significance of these protuberances in the family. Rhizomes of 23 species of Dennstaedtiaceae from field and herbaria collections were analyzed by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Histochemical tests were performed to identify the main classes of IPs chemical compounds. Two types of IPs were observed in Dennstaedtiaceae species: strand and filament types. They were observed in the intercellular spaces of the parenchyma in the cortex and pith regions. Overall, protuberances are irregularly shaped, with angustate or spheroidal apices. Their polysaccharide nature and pectic constitution were confirmed by histochemical tests. Concerning Pteridium arachnoideum (Kaulf.) Maxon subsp. arachnoideum, IPs have confirmed phenolic composition. Evidence indicates that IPs in Dennstaedtiaceae originate from the fragmentation of the middle lamella and that they have a structural function as well as protection against pathogens. In lateral-line aerenchyma, the occurrence of filament-type IPs may be related to the larger intercellular spacing in the cortex region, providing greater mechanical resistance. We have expanded the data on the occurrence of IPs in the Dennstaedtiaceae, which appear to be notable characters for the family. Moreover, the data presented herein confirmed the polysaccharide and pectic nature of these structures. However, we were unable to find links between IPs and taxonomy and evolution of the Dennstaedtiaceae. On the other hand, different IPs types were identified between the clades Dennstaedtioideae (strand-type IPs) and Hypolepidoideae (filament-type IPs, with exceptions).

Classification of Vascular Plants in Vietnam According to Modern Classification Systems.

Vietnam is extremely rich in biodiversity, with a remarkable range of habitats and more than 13,500 species of vascular plants recorded for the flora of Vietnam. This number represents about 3 to 5% of the world's diversity of vascular plants. Over the past 30 years, there were two important documents on the vascular plants of Vietnam published, An Illustrated Flora of Vietnam (IFV) and Checklist of Plant Species of Vietnam (CPSV). During the past half century, the advent of molecular phylogenetics has witnessed dramatic changes in the classifications of vascular plants, and some modern classification systems of vascular plants have been established, e.g., PPG I, GPG, and APG. However, the vascular plants of Vietnam have not yet been classified according to these modern classification systems. In this paper, we present the history of the classification of vascular plants in Vietnam, compare the circumscription of all families of vascular plants occurring within Vietnam in IFV, CPSV, and the modern classification systems when applicable, and summarize familial assignments of all controversial genera in the different classifications. Furthermore, we also arrange the 37 families of lycophytes and ferns occurring within Vietnam according to the latest classification system (PPG I) and the 8 families of gymnosperms according to the latest Christenhusz's system (GPG). The 246 families of angiosperms are arranged according to the fourth edition of the latest Angiosperm Phylogeny Group (APG IV). These results are the foundation stones and would be helpful for future research on the flora of Vietnam and the arrangement of plant collections in Vietnamese herbaria based on the updated classifications.

游荡型黄河滩涂植物群落多样性及种间联结性

PDF HTML阅读 XML下载 导出引用 引用提醒 游荡型黄河滩涂植物群落多样性及种间联结性 DOI: 10.5846/stxb202108202317 作者: 作者单位: 作者简介: 通讯作者: 中图分类号: 基金项目: 国家自然科学基金委员会重点项目(41930643);河南省高校科技创新人才(22HASTIT033);河南省重大科技专项(201300311700) Plant diversity and interspecific associations of different floodplains in the wandering Yellow River Author: Affiliation: Fund Project: 摘要 | 图/表 | 访问统计 | 参考文献 | 相似文献 | 引证文献 | 资源附件 | 文章评论 摘要:黄河干流流量季节性变化和小浪底"调水调沙"形成了黄河河南段特殊的游荡型滩涂生态系统,为揭示游荡型黄河滩涂(嫩滩、二滩、高滩和大堤)群落组成和种间关系及群落稳定性规律,于2015年9月至2018年11月,采用典型样方法在郑州黄河湿地自然保护区游荡型黄河滩涂开展群落学调查,利用149个草本层样方分析群落物种组成、多样性、种间联结性和群落稳定性。结果表明:(1)研究区植物共有90科289属445种,其中被子植物87科286属440种,裸子植物2科2属3种;蕨类植物仅见1属2种。(2)不同滩涂生境优势种具有显著差异,且总体狗牙根(Cynodon dactylon)、芦苇(Phragmites australis)和小蓬草(Erigeron canadensis)为优势种,国家二级保护植物野大豆(Glycine soja)呈斑块聚集分布,且为嫩滩和二滩亚优势种。(3)大堤物种多样性各指标取值最大,嫩滩次之,二滩和高滩较小。(4)χ2检验、Jaccard指数、Pearson相关检验和Spearman秩相关检验表明,优势种种对种间联结性不强,各物种间相对独立。(5)二滩总体联结性呈现不显著负关联,其他3种类型均为显著负关联,M. Godron稳定性分析说明群落总体均处于不稳定演替阶段。因此,游荡型黄河滩涂生态系统总体不稳定,河道的游荡多变导致滩涂植物更新频繁,这可为黄河流域生态保护和高质量发展国家战略提供重要基础数据和科学指导。 Abstract:The seasonal flow variation of the Yellow River mainstream and water-sediment regulation by the Xiaolangdi project have formed a special wandering floodplain ecosystem. In order to reveal the community composition, interspecific relationship and community stability of the wandering Yellow River floodplains (Newly-formed floodplain, Second floodplain, Highly-formed floodplain, Levee), we utilized the typical quadrat method to investigate plants in Zhengzhou Yellow River Wetland Provincial Nature Reserve of the typical wandering Yellow River floodplains from September 2015 to November 2018. We delved into the community species composition, species diversity, interspecific association and community stability based on 149 herb layer quadrats. The results showed that: (1) 445 species were occurred in our four floodplains, belonging to 289 genera and 90 families. Among them, there were 440 species, 286 genera and 87 families of angiosperms, and three species, two genera and two families of gymnosperms, and only one genus and two species of pteridophytes. (2) There were significant differences in dominant species among four floodplains. In general, Cynodon dactylon, Phragmites australis, and Erigeron canadensis were the dominant species. In Newly-formed floodplain and Second floodplain, Glycine soja (Class II protected plant, in China) was subdominant species, which distributed sporadically in patches. (3) The species diversity indices of the Levee were the largest, followed by the Newly-formed floodplain, and those of the Second floodplain and Highly-formed floodplain were smaller. (4) χ2 test, Jaccard index, Pearson correlation test and Spearman rank correlation test showed that the dominant species pairs were not strongly interspecific linked, and each species was relatively independent. (5) The overall association of Second floodplain showed non-significantly negative association, while that of the rest were significantly negatively associated. Combined with the M. Godron's stability analysis, the community was in an unstable successional stage. These results indicated that the wandering Yellow River floodplain ecosystem was generally unstable, and the wandering and variable river channel led to the frequent regeneration of floodplain community. This provides important basic data and scientific guidance for national strategies of ecological protection and high-quality development in the Yellow River Basin. 参考文献 相似文献 引证文献

Floristic and ecological investigation of Wadi Al—Agar in Al—Jabal Al— Akhdar—Libya

Floristic and ecological investigation of Wadi Al—Agar was carried out. The study area lies between 20 45'00" and 20 01' 42" E longitude and 30 35' 00" and 32 01' 15" N latitude of the northeast region of Libya (known as Al—Jabal Al—Akhdar). An open scrub represents the vegetation of the Wadi, which is a very characteristic and natural type of Mediterranean plant communities. A large number of maquis species are found at several elevation parts of the Wadi. About 317 taxa of the vascular plants are investigated in the area. The results revealed that, these taxa are belonging to 66 families two families of Gymnosperms and the remaining 64 families are belonging to Angiosperms. Dicotyledons are represented by 262 species, 171 genera and 55 families and Monocotylendons are represented by 51 species, 37 genera and 9 families. In addition to that, the ten largest families according to the number of species are Asteraceae (46 species), Poaceae (26 species), Lamiaceae (19 species), Apiaceae (13 species), Brassicaceae (13 species), Boraginaceae (11 species), Geraniaceae (11 species), Liliaceae (11 species), and Ranunculaceae (9 species). In this study, there are 18 endemic taxa have been collected. In addition to 23 species reported by some authors, there are no specimens for these species have been collected in Libya. The species Clematis vatalba and Clematis montana have been collected for the first time and they form a new record for Libya.

A Comprehensive Evolutionary Study of Chloroplast RNA Editing in Gymnosperms: A Novel Type of G-to-A RNA Editing Is Common in Gymnosperms.

Although more than 9100 plant plastomes have been sequenced, RNA editing sites of the whole plastome have been experimentally verified in only approximately 21 species, which seriously hampers the comprehensive evolutionary study of chloroplast RNA editing. We investigated the evolutionary pattern of chloroplast RNA editing sites in 19 species from all 13 families of gymnosperms based on a combination of genomic and transcriptomic data. We found that the chloroplast C-to-U RNA editing sites of gymnosperms shared many common characteristics with those of other land plants, but also exhibited many unique characteristics. In contrast to that noted in angiosperms, the density of RNA editing sites in ndh genes was not the highest in the sampled gymnosperms, and both loss and gain events at editing sites occurred frequently during the evolution of gymnosperms. In addition, GC content and plastomic size were positively correlated with the number of chloroplast RNA editing sites in gymnosperms, suggesting that the increase in GC content could provide more materials for RNA editing and facilitate the evolution of RNA editing in land plants or vice versa. Interestingly, novel G-to-A RNA editing events were commonly found in all sampled gymnosperm species, and G-to-A RNA editing exhibits many different characteristics from C-to-U RNA editing in gymnosperms. This study revealed a comprehensive evolutionary scenario for chloroplast RNA editing sites in gymnosperms, and reported that a novel type of G-to-A RNA editing is prevalent in gymnosperms.

Molecular and carbon isotope composition of hydrocarbons from ambers of the Eocene Shenbei coalfield (Liaoning Province, NE China)

The molecular and (bulk and compound-specific) stable carbon isotope composition of ambers from the Shenbei coalfield, northeastern China, were analysed to determine their origin and palaeobotanical affinitions. The applicability of the δ13C data of saturated diterpenoid hydrocarbons for palaeoenvironmental reconstruction was addressed by comparison with published carbon isotope ratios of diterpenoids from adjacent areas. The detected sesquiterpenoids are common biomarkers for the gymnosperm families of Pinaceae and Cupressaceae. The diterpenoids dominate the saturated hydrocarbon fraction with high abundances of kaurane-type compounds. Abietane-type, cadalene-type and alkylated compounds are the main biomarkers in the aromatic hydrocarbons in the ambers. Proposed typical biomarkers for amber (e.g., amberene and homoamberene) have also been detected and probably derived from the diagenesis of the abietane-type terpenoids in the studied ambers. The biomarker composition suggest that the ambers probably originated from gymnosperms such as Taxodium and Pinus. The δ13C values of bulk amber and individual compounds fall within the range of ancient ambers, but the δ13C values of bulk amber are isotopically more enriched than modern ambers. The δ13C values of compounds in hydrocarbon fractions vary in broad ranges. In the saturated hydrocarbon fraction, the δ13C value of sesquiterpenoids (–28.0‰ to –24.5‰) fluctuates more than that of diterpenoids (–22.5‰ to –21.8‰), and the average δ13C value of the latter is approximately 4‰ higher than the former. Aromatic hydrocarbons are on average enriched in 13C by around 2‰ compared to the δ13C of non-aromatic compounds, the result is influenced by isotopically light sesquiterpenoids in the saturated fraction. The similar carbon isotope compositions of aromatic abietane-type compounds and abietane confirm that progressive aromatization does not have a significant impact on the δ13C value of compounds. The obtained higher δ13C values of saturated diterpenoids in contrast to that of lower Eocene lignite from the nearby regions provide evidence for growth of the precursor plants of the amber in dryer habitats or differences in precipitation distribution between different locations and ages.

Assessment of ITS2 Region Relevance for Taxa Discrimination and Phylogenetic Inference among Pinaceae

The internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) is one of the best-known universal DNA barcode regions. This short nuclear region is commonly used not only to discriminate taxa, but also to reconstruct phylogenetic relationships. However, the efficiency of using ITS2 in these applications depends on many factors, including the family under study. Pinaceae represents the largest family of extant gymnosperms, with many species of great ecological, economic, and medical importance. Moreover, many members of this family are representatives of rare, protected, or endangered species. A simple method for the identification of Pinaceae species based on DNA is necessary for their effective protection, authentication of products containing Pinaceae representatives, or phylogenetic inference. In this study, for the first time, we conducted a comprehensive study summarizing the legitimacy of using the ITS2 region for these purposes. A total of 368 sequences representing 71 closely and distantly related taxa of the seven genera and three subfamilies of Pinaceae were characterized for genetic variability and divergence. Intra- and interspecies distances of ITS2 sequences as well as rates of sequence identification and taxa discrimination among Pinaceae at various taxonomic levels, i.e., the species complex, genus, subfamily, and family, were also determined. Our study provides a critical assessment of the suitability of the ITS2 nuclear DNA region for taxa discrimination among Pinaceae. The obtained results clearly show that its usefulness for this purpose is limited.

Floristic diversity in Cold Desert regions of Uttarakhand Himalaya, India

Cold desert regions of Uttarakhand are one of the least explored remote ecosystems in the Himalaya with fragmented database. To address the issue, the task of documenting the floristic diversity of cold deserts of Uttarakhand was taken up in the present study. A total of 932 taxa (908 species, 05 subspecies and 19 varieties) belonging to 371 genera and 76 families of angiosperms and gymnosperms were recorded. In view of conservation of plant diversity, methods such as in-situ conservation, popularizing cultivation of endemic, threatened and high value medicinal plants and controlling the livestock grazing can be adopted.

Phylotranscriptomics reveals the evolutionary history of subtropical East Asian white pines: further insights into gymnosperm diversification

Floristic composition within a geographic area is driven by a wide array of factors from local biotic interactions to biogeographical processes. Subtropical East Asia is a key biodiversity hotspot of the world, and harbors the most families of extant gymnosperms and a large number of endemic genera with ancient origins, but rare phylogenetic studies explored whether it served as a diversification center for gymnosperms. Here, we investigated the evolutionary and biogeographical history of subtropical East Asian white pines using an integrative approach that combines phylotranscriptomic and ecological analyses. Using 2,606 orthologous nuclear genes, we reconstructed a fully resolved and dated phylogeny of these species. Two main clades first diverged in the early Miocene, and by the late Miocene, all species appeared. Two white pines endemic to Taiwan Island experienced independent colonization events and regional extinction, which resulted in the present disjunctive distribution from mainland China. Ecological and biogeographical analyses indicate that the monsoon-driven assembly of evergreen broadleaved forests (EBLFs) might have significantly affected the diversification of subtropical East Asian white pines. Our study highlights the interactions of biotic and abiotic forces in the diversification and speciation of subtropical East Asian white pines. These findings indicate that subtropical East Asia is not only a floristic museum, but also a diversification center for gymnosperms. Our study also demonstrates the importance of phylotranscriptomics on species delimitation and biodiversity conservation, particularly for closely related species.

Интродукционный анализ древесно-кустарниковых растений дендрария Алтайского ботанического сада

The article presents the results of the long-term introduction of collection plants of the arboretum of the Altai Botanical Garden. The authors of the article collected woody introduced species for primary testing from North America, Siberia, the Far East, China, Japan, Central Asia, and Europe. The objects of the study were 643 species, forms, varieties of woody plants from 102 genera and 40 families of gymnosperms and angiosperms taxa. Plants were collected by seed material, living samples and green cuttings. The assessment of the introduction resistance of the garden arboretum gene pool was given based on complex indicators of plant viability according to the data of long-term experimental research. To determine the indicators of viability, adaptation, the method of phenological observations in botanical gardens was applied. The prospect of taxa for use in the landscaping of the region was determined according to the integrated scales of M.P. Kosarev, P.I. Lapina, S.V. Aristova. According to the complex of biological and economic characteristics, 370 species, forms, varieties of coniferous and angiosperms are recommended for use in landscaping of region. Materials for monitoring the introduction resources of the arboretum of the Altai Botanical Garden can be used to expand the introduction work in Kazakhstan and in regional green construction.

Morpho-palynological investigation of gymnospermal flora from subalpine and alpine zones of northern Pakistan using LM and SEM.

The pollen morphology, with special reference to exine sculpture, of some species of the gymnosperms was assessed for the first time from the subalpine and alpine zones of western Himalayas northern Pakistan. The pollen of all these species is airborne and allergenic, so pollen morphology helps for identification of this allergenic pollen at specific level. Different morpho-palynological characteristics were analyzed including size range of pollen, polar and equatorial diameter ratio, exine ornamentation, sculpturing, exine thickness, pollen type, and shape. For accurate and quick identification of species, taxonomic key was made based on different morpho-palynological characteristics. The quantitative data were processed using SPSS software. Gymnospermal pollen includes inaperturate, rarely 1-colpate observed in (Cupressaceae), hexazonocolpate in (Ephedraceae), vesiculate, bissacate in (Pinaceae), and inaperturate in (Taxaceae). Different pollen shapes observed were prolate (4 spp), sub-spheroidal (7 spp), and oblate (1 spp). Variation was observed in exine sculpturing granular (4 spp), reticulate (1 spp), areolate-punctate (3 spp), and psilate (2 spp). This is based on the analysis of 10 plants belonging to four families of gymnosperms. Distinct pollen shape has emerged as the most diagnostic feature to separate some genera such as spheroidal in (Cupressaceae, Taxaceae), prolate and radiosymmetrical in (Ephedraceae), and bilateral in (Pinaceae). Exine thickness and sculpturing proved to be helpful at generic and specific levels. The results reinforced the significance of gymnospermal pollen morphological features which were used as aid for valuable taxonomic tool in plant systematics.

Investigation and Evaluation of Common Medicinal Plant Resources in Southern Henan

Through field investigation, specimen collection and identification, the species, efficacy, types and utilization value of medicinal plant resources in Southern Henan province were analyzed and evaluated. The results showed that there were 624 species of medicinal plants in 137 families in Southern Henan. Among them, there were 28 species in 12 families of pteridophytes, 16 species in 4 families of gymnosperms and 580 species in 121 families of angiosperms. There were various types of medicinal plants on campus, which could be divided into 7 types according to their medicinal parts. Among them, whole herb medicinal plants were the most abundant, accounting for 39.3%, and can be divided into 10 types according to the use. The species of heat clearing and detoxifying medicinal plants were the most, accounting for 44.2% of the total species. There wre 185 kinds of common medicinal plants, 113 poisonous plants and 10 kinds of wild plants under state key protection in south Henan province.