Genus Acer Research Articles

Development of Novel Genomewide Simple Sequence Repeat Markers for Acer truncatum Bunge and Assessment of Their Transferability to Other Closely Related Species

Acer truncatum Bunge is a versatile woody tree species with high economic and medicinal value in the production of bioactive substances and unsaturated fatty acids (especially nervonic acid). However, the exploitation and evaluation of A. truncatum germplasm resources are limited owing to a lack of sound molecular marker systems. In this study, a large set of genomewide simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers of A. truncatum was developed based on its whole-genome sequences. A total of 462,331 SSR loci were identified in the genome sequences, 99.3% (459,193) of which were located on 13 chromosomes. The chromosome length was significantly positively correlated with the number of SSR loci on the chromosome (r = 0.977, p < 0.001). The (A/T)n, (AT/TA)n, and (AAT/ATT/TAA/TTA/TAT/ATA)n were the most frequent motifs for mono-, di-, and trinucleotide repeat motifs, respectively, showing A/T-base bias. After BLASTN and electronic polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analyses, 199,990 loci with specific physical positions were screened. Most of the SSR loci were located in the intergenic regions and fewest in the coding sequences (CDSs). The frequency of loci with tri- and hexanucleotide repeat motifs was the highest in the CDSs, potentially serving to maintain the stability of gene function and structure. In randomly selected 105 SSR markers, 82 (78.1%) showed allelic polymorphism, with polymorphism information content (PIC) values of 0.032–0.926 (0.481 on average). The SSRs in the noncoding regions exhibited significantly higher PIC values than those in the CDSs. The transferability of the 105 markers was 48.6%–59.0% to seven other Acer species. The large set of valid SSR markers provides a powerful tool for studies on population genetics, conservation genetics, linkage mapping, comparative genomics, and marker-assisted breeding of the genus Acer.

Maple samara flight is robust to morphological perturbation and united by a classic drag model

Winged, autorotating seeds from the genus Acer, have been the subject of study for botanists and aerodynamicists for decades. Despite this attention and the relative simplicity of these winged seeds, there are still considerable gaps in our understanding of how samara dynamics are informed by morphological features. Additionally, questions remain regarding the robustness of their dynamics to morphological alterations such as mass change by moisture or area change by damage. We here challenge the conventional approach of using wing-loading correlations and instead demonstrate the superiority of a classical aerodynamic model. Using allometry, we determine why some species deviate from interspecific aerodynamic behavior. We alter samara mass and wing area and measure corresponding changes to descent velocity, rotation rate, and coning angle, thereby demonstrating their remarkable ability to autorotate despite significant morphological alteration. Samaras endure mass changes greater than 100% while maintaining descent velocity changes of less than 15%, and are thus robust to changes in mass by moisture or damage. Additionally, samaras withstand up to a 40% reduction in wing area before losing their ability to autorotate, with the largest wings more robust to ablation. Thus, samaras are also robust to wing damage in their environment, a fact children joyfully exploit.

Distribution and host range of the citrus flatid planthopper (Metcalfa pruinosa (Say, 1830)) in Kyiv

Metcalfa pruinosa (Say, 1830), the citrus flatid planthopper, has exhibited a rapid spread throughout Ukraine and established its presence in Kyiv since 2016. Despite this, comprehensive data regarding its host range and distribution within the Kyiv region remains scarce. Therefore, this study aimed to inspect the vegetation in various districts of Kyiv to discover distribution and host plants of citrus flatid planthopper. To do this, we inspected the flora in 2021–2023. In 2021, we researched the only two plots located in the Darnytskyi and Holosiivskyi districts of Kyiv, respectively. Vegetation in different locations of the Darnytskyi, Holosiivskyi, and Podilskyi districts of Kyiv was examined in 2022. In 2023, the flora in 23 distinct locations, ensuring coverage of all administrative districts within Kyiv, was surveyed. As a result, the presence of citrus flatid planthopper in all districts of Kyiv was registered. Furthermore, the distribution of M. pruinosa did not encompass the whole area of Kyiv, but only their parts. Hence, it is deduced that the distribution pattern of M. pruinosa in Kyiv is characterized by disjunction. In addition, the study found that in Kyiv, the citrus flatid planthopper damages 55 plant species belonging to 49 genera, 35 families, and 23 orders. However, given the previously known hosts of M. pruinosa in Kyiv, the total host range of citrus flatid planthopper in Kyiv includes at least 130 plant species belonging to 95 genera, 57 families, and 30 orders. Moreover, according to both this and previously known data, the most represented order, family, and genera in host range of M. pruinosa in Kyiv were order Rosales Bercht. & J. Presl, family Rosaceae Juss., genera Acer L. and Prunus L., respectively. Most frequently M. pruinosa damaged Humulus lupulus L., Juglans regia L., and species of the genus Acer L. Further investigation is needed to reveal distribution rate of M. pruinosa in all type of localities in Ukraine, to list host plants within them and to study pest biology in the newly occupied territories. Key words: hop, maple, walnut, Humulus lupulus, Acer, Juglans regia, pest, parasite.

Tree seedling shade tolerance arises from interactions with microbes and is mediated by functional traits

Shade tolerance is a central concept in forest ecology and strongly influences forest community dynamics. However, the plant traits and conditions conferring shade tolerance are yet to be resolved. We propose that shade tolerance is shaped not only by responses to light but also by a species’ defense and recovery functional traits, soil microbial communities, and interactions of these factors with light availability. We conducted a greenhouse experiment for three temperate species in the genus Acer that vary in shade tolerance. We grew newly germinated seedlings in two light levels (2% and 30% sun) and controlled additions of microbial filtrates using a wet-sieving technique. Microbial filtrate treatments included: <20 µm, likely dominated by pathogenic microbes; 40-250 µm, containing arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF); combination, including both filtrate sizes; and sterilized combination. We monitored survival for nine weeks and measured fine root AMF colonization, hypocotyl phenolics, stem lignin, and stem+root nonstructural carbohydrates (NSC) at three-week intervals. We found that differences in seedling survival between low and high light only occurred when microbes were present. AMF colonization, phenolics, and NSC generally increased with light. Phenolics were greater with <20 µm microbial filtrate, suggesting that soil-borne pathogens may induce phenolic production; and NSC was greater with 40-250 µm filtrate, suggesting that mycorrhizal fungi may induce NSC production. Across species, microbe treatments, and light availability, survival increased as phenolics and NSC increased. Therefore, shade tolerance may be explained by interactions among soil-borne microbes, seedling traits, and light availability, providing a more mechanistic and trait-based explanation of shade tolerance and thus forest community dynamics.

CONTENT OF PHOTOSYNTHETIC PIGMENTS IN LEAVES OF THE GENUS ACER L. SPECIES IN URBAN ENVIRONMENT

Background. Pigment concentration is a species trait, and is an integral indicator of adaptive response to changes in environmental factors and the growing conditions. The intensive development of modern cities imposes certain requirements on the selection of plants for landscaping, one of which is a high level of adaptive responses.
 Purpose. The purpose of this study was to determine the content of photosynthetic pigments in the leaves of the genus Acer species in urban conditions of the city of Maуkop, the Adygea Republic.
 Materials and methods. We used the spectrophotometric method to determine the content of photosynthetic pigments in the leaves of the genus Acer L. species: A. platanoides, A. pseudoplatanus, A. saccharinum, A. negundo, A. campestre in an urban environment of the city of Maуkop and the zone of conditional control (Botanical garden). We carried out statistical processing of experimental data by using the MS Excel 2010 package.
 Results. We have revealed that in the conditions of an urbanized environment the total content of chlorophylls is 1.1-2.2 times higher in comparison with that of the zone of control. Taking into account the level of variability of the total content of green pigments in the city, we arranged the studied species in the following order: A. saccharinum A. campestre ˂ A. pseudoplatanus ˂ A. platanoides ˂ A. negundo. The ratio of the amount of chlorophylls to carotenoids reacted very sensitively to the impact of urban environmental factors. A. campestre and A. saccharinum differed from A. negundo, A. pseudoplatanus, and A. platanoides for this indicator.
 Conclusion. The study made allow us to state that in the conditions of an urbanized environment, the studied species of the genus Acer undergo restructuring in the structure of pigment complexes. An increase in the synthesis of chlorophylls and carotenoids raises their adaptive capabilities to the negative impact of urban environmental factors.

Adventive Component of the Flora of the Forest Experimental Station of Russian State Agrarian University – Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy

At present, much attention is paid to the study of the adventive component of the flora of urban forests, the appearance of which is due to anthropogenic impact. The aim of the work is to evaluate the contribution of alien species to the diversity of the flora of the Forest Experimental Station of Russian State Agrarian University – Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy. Adventive species from the current floristic list of the Forest Experimental Station were identified. It was established that 99 vascular plant species belonging to 66 genera and 34 families are adventive. The largest number of these species belong to Magnoliophyta (91 species). Among the families of the adventive fraction, Rosaceae (22 species) and Aceraceae (10 species) are the most multispecies. The dominant position is occupied by the genus Acer, which includes 10 adventive species. The analysis of the florogenetic structure revealed that most of the representatives of the adventive flora are representatives of the North American, European and European-West Asian florogenetic groups. This is associated with the introduction experiments in the Forest Experimental Station. An analysis of the distribution of species of adventive flora of the Forest Experimental Station by life forms indicated the predominance of trees (38%) and shrubs (34%) over herbaceous plants (28%). It was established that the proportion of adventive species in the flora is 28.1%, which allows it to be considered natural and slightly disturbed and indicates the resistance of plant communities to an aggressive urban environment despite the high level of recreational load and pollution from road transport. The biogeocenoses of the Forest Experimental Station continue to retain signs of a natural object that correspond to the natural conditions of the Moscow region.

Dyscrituluseuropaeus sp. nov. (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Aphidiinae): description of a new aphid parasitoid species with an identification key for species of the genus.

The braconid genus Dyscritulus Hincks is a small member of the subfamily Aphidiinae, distributed in Europe and Central Asia. All its species are highly specialized parasitoids of aphids of the genera Drepanosiphum Koch and, probably, Periphyllus van der Hoeven which are mostly associated with maple and sycamore trees (genus Acer). Upon examination of specimens from the Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden, we unexpectedly noted unusual variability in morphological characters compared to other known Dyscritulus species. Further inspection of other material previously identified as Dyscritulusplaniceps Marshall, 1896 revealed additional specimens with the same morphological variability. Here we describe a new species of the genus, Dyscrituluseuropaeussp. nov., associated with Drepanosiphum aphids on Acer.

Ginnalin A and hamamelitannin: the unique gallotannins with promising anti-carcinogenic potential.

Tannins are secondary metabolites that belong to the family of polyphenolic compounds and have gained a huge interest among researchers due to their versatile therapeutic potential. After lignin, these are the second most abundant polyphenols found in almost every plant part like stem, bark, fruit, seed, leaves, etc. Depending upon their structural composition, these polyphenols can be divided into two distinct groups, namely condensed tannins and hydrolysable tannins. Hydrolysable tannins can be further divided into two types: gallotannins and ellagitannins. Gallotannins are formed by the esterification of D-glucose hydroxyl groups with gallic acid. The gallolyl moieties are bound by a depside bond. The current review focuses mainly on the anti-carcinogenic potential of recently discovered gallotannins, ginnalin A, and hamamelitannin (HAM). Both of these gallotannins possess two galloyl moieties linked to a core monosaccharide having anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-carcinogenic abilities. Ginnalin A is found in plants of the genus Acer whereas HAM is present in witch hazel plants. The biosynthetic pathway of ginnalin A along with the mechanism of the anti-cancer therapeutic potential of ginnalin A and HAM has been discussed. This review will certainly help researchers to work further on the chemo-therapeutic abilities of these two unique gallotannins.

Vital state of species of the genus Acer L. in the urban systems of the steppe zone of Ukraine

Vital state of species of the genus Acer L. in the urban systems of the steppe zone of Ukraine

Indicators of adaptability of representatives of the genus Acer in an urban environment

A topical task has been set to assess the state of arboreal vegetation used in the landscaping of the city on the example of five species of the genus Acer. The main physiological and biochemical characteristics associated not only with the functionality of plants, but also involved in the formation of the plant's response to stress are involved for evaluation. It is shown that species differ in their physiological and biochemical characteristics and different reactions are observed in species to anthropogenic stressors. A significantly lower number of all groups of photosynthetic pigments was observed in species A. negundo and A. saccharinum, A. negundo it also differs in low indicators of the specific surface area of the sheet. In all five maple species in the urban environment, there was a significant increase in the total fund of green and yellow pigments compared to the background; there is an increase in the ratio Σchl / Σcar by 1.1-1.7 times, mainly due to a decrease in the level of chlorophylls and an increase in the proportion of carotenoids. A. negundo has significantly lower water deficiency and water loss by leaf tissues. The highest values of ascorbic acid were noted in the species A. saccharinum. To interpret the responses of species to the stressors of an urbanized area, cluster analysis was used, which divided the species into two clusters; at the same time, common mechanisms of responses were identified in maples that are introduced from different habitats.

The complete chloroplast genome of Acer Pubipetiolatum var. pingpienense (Sapindaceae)

The genus Acer is widespread throughout the northern temperate zone, and many species within the genus are of ecological and economical importance. Here we report the newly sequenced chloroplast genome of Acer pubipetiolatum var. pingpienense. This chloroplast genome has a total length of 156,730 bp, and contains a pair of inverted repeats (IRs, 26,743 bp), a large single-copy (LSC) region of 71,582 bp and a small single-copy (SSC) region of 18,092 bp. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that A. pubipetiolatum var. pingpienense is closely related to A. laevigatum, and both fall into Section Palmata. The complete A. pubipetiolatum var. pingpienense chloroplast genome will provide an important genetic resource for future research into the conservation and evolution of this genus. Our findings also suggest that further research is necessary to elucidate the phylogenetic relationships between plant species within this genus.

The chromosome-scale genome provides insights into pigmentation in Acer rubrum

Acer rubrum L. is one of the most prevalent ornamental species of the genus Acer, due to its straight and tall stems and beautiful leaf colors. For this study, the Oxford Nanopore platform and Hi-C technology were employed to obtain a chromosome-scale genome for A. rubrum. The genome size of A. rubrum was 1.69 Gb with an N50 of 549.44 Kb, and a total of 39 pseudochromosomes were generated with a 99.61% genome. The A. rubrum genome was predicted to have 64644 genes, of which 97.34% were functionally annotated. Genome annotation identified 67.14% as the transposable element (TE) repeat sequence, with long terminal repeats (LTR) being the richest (55.68%). Genome evolution analysis indicated that A. rubrum diverged from A. yangbiense ∼6.34 million years ago. We identified 13 genes related to pigment synthesis in A. rubrum leaves, where the expressions of four ArF3′H genes were consistent with the synthesis of cyanidin (a key pigment) in red leaves. Correlation analysis verified that the pigmentation of A. rubrum leaves was under the coordinated regulation of non-structural carbohydrates and hormones. The genomic sequence of A. rubrum will facilitate genomic breeding research for this species, while providing the valuable utilization of Aceraceae resources.

Leaf heteroblasty and morphotypes of Acer monspessulanum (Djurdjura, Algeria) as revealed by traditional and geometric morphometrics

The genus Acer which is largely distributed in the Northern hemisphere is represented in Algeria by four species of which Acer monspessulanum is the most common. These four species and their putative hybrids are coexisting in many parts of their Algerian distribution range but their leaf morphology has not been the subject of quantitative analyses despite the interest of such kind of data in taxon delineation particularly in the case of interspecific hybridization. The present work is the first step towards a quantitative analysis of leaf morphology in Acer species in Algeria. We presently relied on traditional and geometric morphometrics methods in the study of Acer monspessulanum subsp. monspessulanum leaf morphology in two sites of the Djurdjura Mountain with consideration of tree and within-shoot effects. The results showed congruence between the two methods which both highlighted the presence of a marked heteroblasty. Basal leaves are twice as large as apical ones for all measured leaf features. The petiole is longer than the blade in basal leaves and inversely in apical ones. The median leaves have intermediate values. The results revealed also the coexistence of two contrasted leaf morphotypes on distinct trees of both sites.

Inflorescence and floral development of Dipteronia sinensis (Sapindaceae): Demonstration of developmental constraints in the shaping of the flower

The inflorescence, floral structure and ontogeny, and breeding system of the relict woody species Dipteronia sinensis was investigated to understand the developmental basis for its floral Bauplan, more particularly the octandrous androecium, dimerous gynoecium and the occurring flower symmetry in comparison with Sapindaceae.The functionally unisexual flowers arise in thyrses. Structural floral dimorphism was clearly observed in the different lengths of style and filaments and in the presence or absence of fructifications. Functionally pistillate flowers are found in a terminal position of each cincinnus maturing before the functionally staminate flowers. Petals are initiated unidirectionally and there is a time overlap with stamens. No common petal-stamen primordium was observed. There are two empty stamen positions, always opposite the first initiated petal, between sepals 1 and 3, and opposite the second petal between sepals 2 and 4; subsequently stamens are displaced to accommodate to the available space. Two median carpels are almost apocarpous in early stages and produce two parallel ovules each that become later superposed. Floral dimorphism develops as a late event when pollen and ovules are formed.Empty stamen positions are inversely correlated with the sequence of initiation and delayed growth of the petals, suggesting that a subtle heterochronic shift is responsible for the balance between petal and stamen initiation. Although the flower is initially polysymmetric to weakly monosymmetric, the bicarpellate gynoecium causes a shift to disymmetry during the mid-developmental stage as in the sister genus Acer, differently from tricarpellate Sapindaceae. Floral development demonstrates the flexibility in building symmetry in Sapindaceae, which is linked with available space and subtle changes in the sequence of initiation, rate of development and reduction of floral organs. This study underlines the importance of analyzing developmental constraints responsible for the floral diversity of Sapindaceae and provides further support for a monosymmetric ancestry in Sapindaceae.

Strategies of tolerance reflected in two North American maple genomes.

Significance StatementThe first chromosome‐scale assemblies for North American members of the Acer genus, sugar maple (Acer saccharum) and boxelder (Acer negundo), as well as transcriptomic evaluation of the abiotic stress response in A. saccharum are reported. This integrated study describes in‐depth aspects contributing to each species' approach to tolerance and applies current knowledge in many areas of plant genome biology with Acer physiology to help convey the genomic complexities underlying tolerance in broadleaf tree species.

Complete chloroplast genome and phylogenetic analysis of Acer leipoense (Sapindaceae), a rare plant from Southwest China

Acer leipoense is a rare and endangered species of the Sapindaceae with a very restricted distribution in Sichuan, China. In this study, the complete chloroplast genome of A. leipoense was characterized by de novo assembly using high-throughput sequencing. The chloroplast genome was 155,702 bp in length; it contained a large single copy region (85,890 bp) and a small single copy region (18,100 bp), which were separated by a pair of 25,856-bp inverted repeat regions. A total of 128 genes were predicted, including 83 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, and eight rRNA genes. A phylogenetic analysis of 23 chloroplast genome sequences from the genus Acer revealed that A. leipoense was closely related to A. yangbiense.

Identification of species of the genus Acer L. using vegetation indices calculated from the hyperspectral images of leaves

Selection of the most suitable spectral vegetation indices which are applicable to the remote sensing of the forest species composition and status, is an important task aimed at the evaluation of the large-scale plant communities. There are 80 vegetation indices have been collected in the present work using the hyperspectral data, including that for the Acer platanoides L., A. saccharinum L. and A. pseudoplatanus L. The obtained data showed that 40 vegetation indices were significantly differed between species in their values simultaneously (all over the experiment) in all the following pairs: A. saccharinum ― A. platanoides, A. saccharinum ― A. pseudoplatanus and A. platanoides ― A. pseudoplatanus. A. platanoides ― A. pseudoplatanus: Boochs2, MCARI2, TCARI2, Vogelmann2 and Vogelmann4; A. platanoides ― A. saccharinum: Carter2, Carter3, Carter4, Carter5, CI, CI2, CRI3, CRI4, Datt, Datt2, Datt3, Datt5, DDn, DWSI4, EGFN, EGFR, EVI, GI, GMI1, GMI2, Green NDVI, Maccioni, MCARI2, mSR2, MTCI, NDVI2, NDVI3, OSAVI2, PARS, PSSR, REP_Li, SR1, SR2, SR3, SR4, SR8, Vogelmann2 and Vogelmann4; A. pseudoplatanus ― A. saccharinum: Carter3, Carter5, CRI3, Datt5, Datt6, DWSI4, EGFN, EGFR, GI, GMI1, Green NDVI, NDVI3, PARS, SR3, SR4, SR5, SR8 and TGI. The selected list of the vegetation indices may be recommended for the identification of the maple species using the method of the remote hyperspectral sensing.

Древесные растения скверов города Уссурийска (Приморский край)

The species and quantitative composition of woody-shrub plants in public gardens in Ussuriysk (Primorye Territory) have been studied. A total of 63 taxa from 41 genera and 21 families have been recorded. Among them, by the number of species the rose family is the leader (28,6% of the total number of species), 10 families are represented by only one genus and species. The largest genus is the genus Acer L., 6 species of which are used in landscaping in the studied public gardens. The composition of woody plants is dominated by aboriginal species (69,8% of their total number), among introduced species there are plants of East Asia (9 species), North America (4 species), as well as plants of Eurasian (3 species) and European (3 species) origin. Life forms (biomorphs) are dominated by summer-green trees over 10 m in height (23 species), summer-green shrubs over 2 m in height (13 species) and summer-green shrubs 1-2 m in height (12 species). Most often in the landscaping of public gardens in the Ussuriysk city there are Siberian elm (Ulmus pumila L.), Asian white birch (Betula platyphylla Sukacz.), common ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolia (L.) Maxim.), ash-leaved maple (Acer negundo L.) and Manchu ash (Fraxinus mandshurica Rupr.). Keywords: PUBLIC GARDEN, LANDSCAPING, ARBORIFLORA, LIFE FORM (BIOMORPH), USSURIYSK, PRIMORYE TERRITORY, RECREATION ZONE

Biochemical characteristics of plant species of the genus Acer L.

The plants of the genus Acer section Palmata, which grow on the territory of M. M. Gryshko National Botanical Garden of NAS of Ukraine were investigated. It was found that the vast majority of A. palmatum and its cultivars were winter hardy. A study of the content of photosynthetic pigments revealed that the lowest content was in A. palmatum ‘Bloodgood’. The lowest content of malonic dialdehyde and proline was found in the leaves of A. palmatum ‘Dissectum’ and A. palmatum ‘Orange dream’, and the highest — in A. palmatum ‘Atropurpureum’ and A. palmatum. The greatest catalase activity was found in plants of A. palmatum ‘Atropurpureum’, and flavonoids — in A. palmatum.

Tree selection and use by the polyphagous xylophage Anoplophora glabripennis (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) in Canada

Two breeding populations of the non-native Asian longhorned beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis Motschulsky), a pest of broadleaf trees in its native China, were discovered in Ontario in 2003 and 2013, respectively. Both populations were eradicated by removing all trees injured by the beetle and all uninjured trees deemed at high risk of injury. We used data collected during this removal to study host selection. Signs of A. glabripennis injury were observed on 732 stems from seven (i.e., Acer, Salix, Populus, Betula, Ulmus, Fraxinus, and Tilia) of the 45 tree genera available. Complete beetle development was confirmed on only the first four of these seven genera. Most signs of injury were on the genus Acer and on trees with a diameter at 130 cm above ground ranging between 15 and 40 cm. On most trees, the lowest sign of injury was within 3 m of the ground or within 40% of tree height. Tree height explained 63% of the variance in the location of the lowest sign of injury. Initial attacks were typically near the middle of the tree and expanded both upward and downward with successive attacks over time. We discuss how these findings could improve survey efforts for A. glabripennis.