Flora Reipublicae Popularis Sinicae Research Articles

Complete Chloroplast Genome of Bamboo Species Pleioblastus ovatoauritus and Comparative Analysis of Pleioblastus from China and Japan

Pleioblastus ovatoauritus T.H.Wen ex W.Y.Zhang is bamboo species published in 2018, originated from and existing in southeastern China. The chloroplast genome of Pl. ovatoauritus was obtained using a high-throughput sequencing platform. The chloroplast genome is up to 139,708 bp in length and displays a typical quadripartite structure with one large single-copy region, one small single-copy region, and two inverted repeat regions. There are 82 protein-coding genes, 8 rRNA genes, and 39 tRNA genes in the plastome genome. However, the interspecific relationship of Pleioblastus species originated from China and Japan has not been revealed explicitly. To understand their relationship, data from four Chinese species and four Japanese species were selected to investigate the distinctions between their genome structures, codon usage patterns, and SSR sites. We moved forward to examine the sequence divergence and polymorphic sites between the eight species. Phylogenetic trees were then plotted using the maximum likelihood method based on different parts of the sequences. Obvious difference found in the JLB boundary and a split in the phylograms contributed to our decision to split Pleioblastus species of China and Japan into different clades. Moreover, taxonomy using the subgenera concept in Flora Reipublicae Popularis Sinicae proved untenable. Nine SSR primers for Pleioblastus genus were then developed from cp genomes, aimed at facilitating identification and germplasm investigation.

Spatial genetic patterns and distribution dynamics of Begonia grandis (Begoniaceae), a widespread herbaceous species in China.

Begonia L., one of the 10 largest plant genera, contains over 2,100 species, most of which have a very limited distribution range. Understanding the spatial genetic structure and distribution dynamics of a widespread species in this genus will contribute to clarifying the mechanism responsible for Begonia speciation. In this study, we used three chloroplast DNA markers (ndhF-rpl32, atpI-atpH, and ndhA intron), coupled with species distribution modeling (SDM), to investigate the population genetic structure and distribution dynamics of Begonia grandis Dryand., the species of Begonia with the widest distribution in China. Thirty-five haplotypes from 44 populations clustered into two groups, and haplotype divergence began in the Pleistocene (1.75 Mya). High genetic diversity (H d = 0.894, H T = 0.910), strong genetic differentiation (F ST = 0.835), and significant phylogeographical structure (G ST/N ST = 0.848/0.917, P < 0.05) were observed. The distribution range of B. grandis migrated northwards after the last glacial maximum, but its core distribution area remained stable. Combined, the observed spatial genetic patterns and SDM results identified the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, the Three Gorges region, and the Daba Mountains as potential refugia of B. grandis. BEAST-derived chronogram and haplotype network analysis do not support the Flora Reipublicae Popularis Sinicae and Flora of China for subspecies classification based on morphological characteristics. Our results support the hypothesis that population-level allopatric differentiation may be an important speciation process for the Begonia genus and a key contributor to its rich diversity.

Sasa guangdongensis, a new synonym of Acidosasa carinata (Poaceae: Bambusoideae)

Sasa guangdongensis is a little-known species, which was not treated in Flora Reipublicae Popularis Sinicae or Flora of China. Based on examination of herbarium specimens and fresh material, it is confirmed that Sasa guangdongensis is conspecific with Acidosasa carinata. Thus, the former is treated as a synonym of the latter. The lectotypes for S. guangdongensis and A. carinata are designated. Taxonomic notes on this species are also provided.

Nomenclatural notes of Sabinaconvallium var. microsperma (Cupressaceae).

The name Sabinaconvalliumvar.microsperma W.C.Cheng & W.T.Wang was not validly published when it was first described in 1975, but was validated in 1978 at the same time as the specific combination Sabinaconvallium (Rehder & E.H.Wilson) W.C.Cheng & W.T.Wang was validly published in Flora Reipublicae Popularis Sinicae. Under Art. 41.6 of the Shenzhen Code, other names based onSabinaconvalliumvar.microsperma were valid, including Sabinamicrosperma (W.C.Cheng & L.K.Fu) W.C.Cheng & L.K.Fu, Juniperusconvalliumvar.microsperma (W.C.Cheng & L.K.Fu) Silba, Juniperusmicrosperma (W.C.Cheng & L.K.Fu) R.P.Adams, despite the reference of the basionym being erroneously cited when these authors made the new combinations.

Vegetation classification of Stipa steppes in China, with reference to the International Vegetation Classification

Aims: The vegetation classification system of China (China-VCS) is not completed. Stipa steppes are the most important steppes in China. Here we made optimal use of available plot data to classify Stipa steppes into associations in a way that is consistent with International Vegetation Classification. Study Area: the Songnen Plain, Inner Mongolian Plateau, Loess Plateau, Tibetan Plateau, and the northwest mountain areas of China. Methods: We used 1337 plots to partition the Stipa steppes of China into clusters using hierarchical clustering. Supervised noise clustering was used to improve the classifications at the group, alliance, and association levels. Non-metric multidimensional scaling ordination was used to visualize the homogeneity of plots within each cluster, and we overlaid site and climatic vectors. Diagnostic species were identified for each cluster using Indicator Species Analysis. Results: We defined five biogeographic groups, 26 alliances, 91 associations, and 12 communities of Stipa steppes of China. The Stipa-dominated alliances in the framework of the current China-VCS were verified, but the four vegetation subformations of Tussock Steppe were not completely supported by this study. Conclusions: This is the first systematical and comprehensive classification for Stipa steppes in China based on plot data. Our classification used a set of dominant species and diagnostic species to define biogeogrpahic groups, alliances and associations, ensuring compatibility with the International Vegetation Classification. Taxonomic reference: Flora Reipublicae Popularis Sinicae, Flora of China Abbreviations: AMT = Annual Mean Temperature; AP = Annual Precipitation; China-VCS = vegetation classification system of China; IVC = international vegetation classification; MTCQ = Mean Temperature of Coldest Quarter; MTWQ = Mean Temperature of Warmest Quarter; NC = noise clustering; NMDS = non-metric multidimensional scaling; PDQ = Precipitation of Driest Quarter; PS = Precipitation Seasonality; PWQ = Precipitation of Wettest Quarter; TS = Temperature Seasonality

Phylogenetic position of Ligusticopsis (Apiaceae, Apioideae): evidence from molecular data and carpological characters.

Ligusticopsis (Apiaceae, Apioideae) is now considered to have an East-Asia and Sino–Himalaya distribution. The genus was not recognized as a natural and separate genus and was treated as a synonym of Ligusticum both in Flora Reipublicae Popularis Sinicae and Flora of China since first established, though Pimenov et al. have made many taxonomic revisions to Ligusticopsis, phylogenetic relationships between Ligusticopsis and Ligusticum have been in dispute. Thirty-four plastomes and 35 nrITS from Apioideae were analysed by RAxML and MrBayes to reconstruct the phylogenetic relationships, along with carpology of 10 species and comparative analyses of 17 plastomes to investigate the evidence supporting the independence of Ligusticopsis. As a result, nine species suggested to be Ligusticopsis formed a highly supported monophyletic branch (Subclade A) inside Selineae both in maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference; the results of the comparative analyses further supported the monophyly of Subclade A, mainly in the location of genes at the IRa/LSC boundary, the sequence diversity exhibited by various genes (e.g. trnH-GUG–psbA and ycf2) and same codon biases in terminator TAA (relative synonymous codon usage = 1.75). Species in Subclade A also had shared characters in mericarps, combined with other characters of the plant, ‘base clothed in fibrous remnant sheaths, pinnate bracts, pinnate bracteoles longer than rays of umbellule, mericarps strongly compressed dorsally, median and lateral ribs filiform or keeled, marginal ribs winged, and numerous vittae in commissure and each furrow’ should be the most important and diagnostic characters of Ligusticopsis. Our phylogenetic trees and other analyses supported the previous taxonomic treatments of Pimenov et al. that Ligusticopsis should be a natural and separate genus rather than a synonym of Ligusticum.

Study on phytochemical and pharmacological activities of four Rhododendron plants endemic to Northeast China

Rhododendron micranthum Turcz., Rhododendron capitatum Maxim., Rhododendron dauricum L. and Rhododendron schlippenbachii Maxim. are four species of Rhododendron with the same geographical distribution, mainly distributed in the northeast of China and abundant in sources. This paper is the first comprehensive review on the chemical composition and pharmacological activities of these four species. The review, showed 323 compounds including terpenoids, flavonoids, coumarins, lignans, and volatile components were found in the four plants, and these four plants of Rhododendron not only had many chemical constituents of novel structures but also possessed extensive pharmacological effects, such as insecticide, analgesic, antibacterial, antitumor and so on. These research papers and literatures about the four plants were carried out using resources including classic books about Chinese herbal medicine, Flora Reipublicae Popularis Sinicae, and scientific databases including Web of Science, Sci-Finder, CNKI, Pubmed, etc. In recent years, our research group has engaged in the study of chemical composition and pharmacological activities of Rhododendron plants. The terpenes and volatile components isolated from Rhododendron plants contributed greatly to insecticidal activity. Therefore, it is of great significance to review researches of the four endemic resource-rich Rhododendron plants to help make full use of them especially on plant-derived insecticide. This comprehensive review will be significant for the discovery of new bioactive compounds from the above four endemic plants and will be informative for researchers seeking for new pharmacological activity of the four species. • Four species of Rhododendrons from northeast China. • Main chemical components, pharmacological activities of these four Rhododendrons. • Volatile components (Essential oils) and some special compounds contributed to insecticidal activity. • Terpenes and some monomeric compounds with special chemical groups contributed greatly to the insecticidal. • Insecticidal mechanism, some special proteins especially odor-binding proteins (OBPs) of insect was briefly discussed.

A review: The phytochemistry, pharmacology, and pharmacokinetics of Curcumae Longae Rhizoma (Turmeric)

Curcumae Longae Rhizoma (CLR) is the rhizome of Curcuma longa L. Pharmacological studies show that CLR can be used to treat cervical cancer, lung cancer, lupus nephritis, and other conditions. In this paper, we review botany, traditional application, phytochemistry, pharmacological activity, and pharmacokinetics of CLR. The literature from 1981 to date was entirely collected from online databases, such as Web of Science, Google Scholar, China Academic Journals full-text database (CNKI), Wiley, Springer, PubMed, and ScienceDirect. The data were also obtained from ancient books, theses and dissertations, and Flora Reipublicae Popularis Sinicae. There are a total of 275 compounds that have been isolated from CLR, including phenolic compounds, volatile oils, and others. The therapeutic effect of turmeric has been expanded from breaking blood and activating qi in the traditional sense to antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antioxidation, neuroprotection, antibacterial, hypolipidemic effects, and other benefits. However, the active ingredients and mechanisms of action related to relieving disease remain ill defined, which requires more in-depth research and verification at a clinical level.

A response to “Comments on author citations for nomenclatural novelties published in volume 15 of the Flora Reipublicae Popularis Sinicae (FRPS)” by Y. L. Peng &amp;amp; L. B. Zhang, with a reference to all nomenclatural novelties and all authors of taxonomic accounts in this volume

Recently, the present author has read a paper “Comments on author citations for nomenclatural novelties published in volume 15 of the Flora Reipublicae Popularis Sinicae (FRPS)” published by Peng &amp; Zhang (2016: 236), in which these authors corrected some authorships of nomenclatural novelties (only names of new taxa) published in volume 15 contrary to the authorships as recognized by Zhu (2015: 292–294). In the present contribution I would like to review the material again in lights of the arguments presented by Zhu (2015) and Peng &amp; Zhang (2016).

Identification of a Natural Hybrid between Castanopsis sclerophylla and Castanopsis tibetana (Fagaceae) Based on Chloroplast and Nuclear DNA Sequences

Castanopsis × kuchugouzhui Huang et Y. T. Chang was recorded in Flora Reipublicae Popularis Sinicae (FRPS) as a hybrid species on Yuelushan mountain, but it is treated as a hybrid between Castanopsis sclerophylla (Lindl.) Schott. and Castanopsis tibetana Hance in Flora of China. After a thorough investigation on Yuelushan mountain, we found a population of C. sclerophylla and one individual of C. × kuchugouzhui, but no living individual of C. tibetana. We collected C. × kuchugouzhui, and we sampled 42 individuals of C. sclerophylla from Yuelushan and Xiushui and 43 individuals of C. tibetana from Liangyeshan and Xiushui. We used chloroplast DNA sequences and 29 nuclear microsatellite markers to investigate if C. × kuchugouzhui is a natural hybrid between C. sclerophylla and C. tibetana. The chloroplast haplotype analysis showed that C. × kuchugouzhui shared haplotype H2 with C. sclerophylla on Yuelushan. The STRUCTURE analysis identified two distinct genetic pools that corresponded well to C. sclerophylla and C. tibetana, revealing the genetic admixture of C. × kuchugouzhui. Furthermore, the NewHybrids analysis suggested that C. × kuchugouzhui is an F2 hybrid between C. sclerophylla and C. tibetana. Our results confirm that C. × kuchugouzhui recorded in FRPS is a rare hybrid between C. sclerophylla and C. tibetana.

Genetic Divergence and Relationship Among Opisthopappus Species Identified by Development of EST-SSR Markers.

Opisthopappus Shih is an endemic and endangered genus restricted to the Taihang Mountains that has important ornamental and economic value. According to the Flora Reipublicae Popularis Sinicae (FRPS, Chinese version), this genus contains two species (Opisthopappus longilobus and Opisthopappus taihangensis), whereas in the Flora of China (English version) only one species O. taihangensis is present. The interspecific phylogenetic relationship remains unclear and undefined, which might primarily be due to the lack of specific molecular markers for phylogenetic analysis. For this study, 2644 expressed sequence tag-simple sequence repeats (EST-SSRs) from 33,974 unigenes using a de novo transcript assembly of Opisthopappus were identified with a distribution frequency of 7.78% total unigenes. Thereinto, mononucleotides (1200, 45.39%) were the dominant repeat motif, followed by trinucleotides (992, 37.52%), and dinucleotides (410, 15.51%). The most dominant trinucleotide repeat motif was ACC/GGT (207, 20.87%). Based on the identified EST-SSRs, 245 among 1444 designed EST-SSR primers were selected for the development of potential molecular markers. Among these markers, 63 pairs of primers (25.71%) generated clear and reproducible bands with expected sizes. Eventually, 11 primer pairs successfully amplified all individuals from the studied populations. Through the EST-SSR markers, a high level of genetic diversity was detected between Opisthopappus populations. A significant genetic differentiation between the O. longilobus and O. taihangensis populations was found. All studied populations were divided into two clusters by UPGMA, NJ, STRUCTURE, and PCoA. These results fully supported the view of the FRPS, namely, that O. longilobus and O. taihangensis should be regarded as two distinct species. Our study demonstrated that transcriptome sequences, as a valuable tool for the quick and cost-effective development of molecular markers, was helpful toward obtaining comprehensive EST-SSR markers that could contribute to an in-depth assessment of the genetic and phylogenetic relationships between Opisthopappus species.

The valid publication of Abroma (Malvaceae)

“Abroma” Jacq. and “Ambroma” L.f. have been alternatively adopted in different publications for the same genus of Malvaceae. The correct spelling and ascription of this generic name remain in dispute. Fosberg reviewed the nomenclature of this genus and concluded that Jacquin did not validly publish Abroma in 1776 because he failed to provide a separate generic description or diagnosis, and because validation with a combined genus/species description or diagnosis was not possible, as another prior name (Theobroma augustum L.) was included based on the same type as his sole species A. fastuosum. However, Jacquin had, in fact, validly published his new genus by providing both a generic diagnosis and description after his species description. Given the inconsistent opinions about the author and spelling of the genus in different publications and databases, a detailed clarification is presented here to promote nomenclatural stability of the genus. We hope this explanation will eliminate the erroneous adoption of “Ambroma” L.f., as in the Flora Reipublicae Popularis Sinicae and Flora of China.

De novo Assembly and Transcriptome Characterization of Opisthopappus (Asteraceae) for Population Differentiation and Adaption.

Opisthopappus Shih (Asteraceae), an endangered genus endemic to the Taihang Mountains of China, is a high-value ornamental and medicinal plant consisting of two species, Opisthopappus longilobus shih and Opisthopappus taihangensis (Ling) Shih. However, the evolutionary relationships and the taxonomic characteristics between the two species remain unknown. In this study, high-throughput transcriptome sequencing was used to analyze the differential metabolic activity and gene expression and screened special molecular markers for exploring the genetic variation and species differentiation in Opisthopappus Shih. The results showed that 33,974 unigenes with an average size of 801 bp were obtained with optimization of de novo assembly. The comprehensive functional annotation based on Gene Ontology (GO), Cluster of Orthologous Group (COG) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway database (KEGG) revealed that these unigenes were mainly related to many physiological, metabolic, and molecular processes. Furthermore, the comparative transcriptome analysis indicated that 3,410 differentially expressed genes were mainly involved in lipid, carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism, xenobiotics biodegradation and metabolism as well as environment adaptation via KEGG. Such as the CYP710A, GST, HSP90A and so on, could be the potential candidate genes for further investigating the molecular mechanism of physiological variations between O. taihangensis and O. longilobus. In addition, the potential 71,804 high quality single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 1,444 simple sequence repeats (SSRs) were estimated. Based on the predicted SNP, we have developed eight SNP markers for population genetic analysis in Opisthopappus Shih. A significantly high level of genetic differentiation between the populations of O. longilobus and O. taihangensis were found, and they were clearly grouped into two distinct genetic clusters. These results conformed to the record of Flora Reipublicae Popularis Sinicae (FRPS) and unsupported the taxonomic status in the Flora of China. The transcriptome analysis of Opisthopappus Shih can contribute to in-depth exploring of internal mechanisms in species variation and differentiation based on molecular evidence. With the rich and valuable data resources, the more novel structural, functional, and comparative genomic studies will provide comprehensive insights into the evolutionary relationships between O. taihangensis and O. longilobus.

Two illegitimate superfluous names in Premna (Lamiaceae, Premnoideae)

When compiling Flora Yunnanica, Wu (1977) described six new species in the genus Premna Linnaeus (1771: 587), including P. laevigata Wu (1977: 440), P. oligantha Wu (1977: 434), P. punicea Wu (1977: 433), P. rubroglandulosa Wu (1977: 431), P. straminicaulis Wu (1977: 426), and P. velutina Wu (1977: 428). All these species were recognized in the account of Premna of Flora Reipublicae Popularis Sinicae (P’ei &amp; Chen, 1982), and in its English updated edition, Flora of China (Chen &amp; Gilbert, 1994). Unfortunately, P. laevigata C.Y.Wu and P. velutina C.Y.Wu are two illegitimate names according to Art. 53.1 of the ICN (McNeill et al. 2012) because they are later homonyms of P. laevigata Miquel (1858: 895) and P. velutina Gürke (1895: 338), respectively. The illegitimacy of the two names was later realized by Boufford &amp; Bartholomew (2012) and Li et al. (2013), proposing the names P. wuii (noting this “wuii” as “wui”) Boufford &amp; Bartholomew (2012: 1) to replace the name P. velutina C.Y.Wu, and P. menglaensis Li (2013: 58) to replace the name P. laevigata C.Y.Wu, respectively.

Ex situ Flora of China

The role of living collections-based research and discovery has been a prominent feature throughout the history of evolution and advance of botanical science: such research is the core and soul of the botanical gardens. Currently, there are c. 162 Chinese botanical gardens, harboring c. 20,000 species in China. As an example of initiatives to utilize the garden cultivated flora to address plant diversity conservation and germplasm discovery for sustainable agriculture and the bio-industries, the Ex situ Flora of China project aims to catalog and document this mega-diversity of plants that are cultivated in the Chinese botanical gardens. The concept of Ex situ Flora of China is a complete new formulation of species, based on garden cultivated individuals and populations, to obtain better morphological descriptions, provide multi-purpose applicability and a fundamental data service that will support national bio-strategies and bio-industries. It emphasises integrative information, accurately collected from living collections across different Chinese botanical gardens, on biology, phenology, cultivation requirements and uses of plant resources, which are normally not available from traditional Floras based on herbarium specimens. The ex situ flora should provide better information coverage for taxonomy, biological and introduction and collection data and color photos of stems, leaves, flowers, fruits and seed, as well as useful information of cultivation key points and main use of each plant. In general, the Ex situ Flora of China provides more useful information than the traditional Flora Reipublicae Popularis Sinicae. The project of Ex situ Flora of China is planned to be one of the most important initiatives of the plant diversity research platform for sustainable economic and social development in China.

Comments on author citations for nomenclatural novelties published in volume 15 of the Flora Reipublicae Popularis Sinicae (FRPS)

Zhu (2015) stated that “the correct author citation for nomenclatural novelties in volume 15 of Flora Reipublicae Popularis Sinicae (Wang &amp; Tang 1978) was not adequately explained in the publication”. He then used the information provided in Chen et al. (1993) as external evidence and applied Art. 46.9 of the Melbourne Code (McNeill et al. 2012) to reconsider the authorship citations of the 11 species and one variety. Thus, he (Zhu 2015) suggested to add an “ex” citation of the individual contributors after the original authors “Wang &amp; Tang [Fa-Tsuan Wang (1899–1985) &amp; Tsin Tang (1897–1984)]”.

Author citations for nomenclatural novelties published in volume 15 of Flora Reipublicae Popularis Sinicae (FRPS)

The correct author citation for nomenclatural novelties in volume 15 of the 126-volume Flora Reipublicae Popularis Sinicae (FRPS) (1958–2004) was not adequately explained in the publication. Although this volume was edited by Prof. Fa-Tsuan Wang (1899–1985) and Prof. Tsin Tang (1897–1984) and all of the authors that contributed to it are listed on the two pages next to the last one, the contributor(s) to each generic account was not provided. However, they were provided by Chen et al. (1993), which should be treated as external evidence for correct citation for nomenclatural novelties in volume 15 (Art. 46.9; McNeill et al. 2012).

Announcement of the awards of JSE Outstanding Papers

Journal of Systematics and Evolution (JSE) has a long history of publishing papers on plant taxonomy and systematics in general.The journal can be traced back to the 1920's as "Contributions from the Biological Laboratory of the Science Society of China,Botanical Series," an influential Chinese journal at that time.In 1951,it was established as Acta Phytotaxonomica.

Comparison of classifications of vascular plants of China

AbstractChina has 31,362 species of vascular plants, more than any country on the planet except Brazil and Colombia, and this number represents 8%–12% of the world diversity of vascular plants. With the two largest completed floristic projects in the world, a full documentation of the vascular plants of China has been published twice over the past 54 years: the Chinese‐language Flora Reipublicae Popularis Sinicae (FRPS), 1959–2004, and the English‐language Flora of China (FOC), 1994–2013. With the advent of molecular phylogenetics the past half century has witnessed dramatical changes of classifications of vascular plants. In this paper, we compare the circumscriptions of all families of vascular plants occurring within China in FRPS, FOC, and the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group (APG) III system when applicable, and summarize familial assignments of all controversial genera in the different classifications. Such comparison to some extent reflects the history of classification of vascular plants and differences between classical morphology‐based classifications and modern DNA (mainly chloroplast) sequence data‐based classifications of vascular plants.

Families and genera of Chinese angiosperms: a synoptic classification based on APG III

Angiosperms constitute the most diverse lineage of higher plants and are represented by ca. 300,000 living species that dominate the vegetation of terrestrial ecosystems. Number and composition of families, genera, and species are important to understanding global and regional biodiversity. Due to the rapid development of molecular systematics, circumscriptions of many traditional angiosperm families and genera have been revised. This study investigates circumscriptions of families and genera of native and introduced angiosperms in China according to the APG III classification system and recent phylogenetic studies. Results showed that there are 258 native and 55 introduced families (including 6 naturalized families), and 2,872 na- tive and 1,605 introduced genera (including 152 naturalized genera) in China. A brief introduction to the his- torical and recent changes of circumscriptions of families and genera occurring in China was also provided. Our list included 115 newly recorded families and 1,729 newly recorded genera when compared to Flora Reipublicae Popularis Sinicae, and 85 newly recorded families and 1,531newly recorded genera when com- pared to Flora of China.