Leaf Border Research Articles

Integrative Taxonomy Reveals Hidden Diversity in the Aloina catillum Complex (Pottiaceae, Bryophyta)

Aloina catillum is a variable moss typical of xerophytic environments in the Neotropics, characterized against other closely allied Aloina species with well-differentiated leaf border by its setae twisted to the left throughout. In order to clarify its variability and its relationships with the allied species with differentiated leaf border A. brevirostris, A. obliquifolia, and A. rigida, we performed an integrative study including sequence data from four markers (nuclear ITS, plastid atpB-rbcL, trnG, trnL-F), morphometry, and species assembling by automatic partitioning (ASAP) algorithm. Our data suggest that A. catillum consists of at least three species: A. calceolifolia (an earlier name for A. catillum), and two species described here as a new, A. bracteata sp. nov. and A. limbata sp. nov. This latter species includes the specimens previously identified as A. obliquifolia from South America. Additionally, some morphological and molecular variability was also detected in A. limbata, but was not consistent enough to be recognized taxonomically. The study supports the presence of A. brevirostris in the Neotropics and A. rigida is tentatively excluded from South America. Full descriptions of the A. catillum s.l. species and a diagnostic key to this complex in South America are provided.

Two new Neotropical taxa of Radula Dumort. (Marchantiophyta: Radulaceae) with bordered leaves

Radula pallens var. marginata and R. smithii (subg. Volutoradula) are newly described from montane forests of Venezuela and Peru, respectively. Both taxa stand out by the presence of bordered leaf lobes. The new variety differs from R. pallens var. pallens in its narrow leaf border of one row of colorless cells with bulging trigones, while R. smithii stands out by a broad, 3‒5 cell rows wide, reddish-brown border made up of evenly thick-walled cells. A broad, pigmented leaf border of evenly thick-walled cells is also found in R. ligula from Brazil and Argentina, and in R. marginata (subg. Amentuloradula), from New Zealand, but the latter two species have very different lobules and stem anatomy. A full description and illustration of the two new taxa as well as comments on morphology, taxonomy and distribution are provided.

Secretory system in Cuphea calophylla (Lythraceae): the bi-compartmentalization of epidermal cells, reclassification of glandular appendages, and the first report of hydathodes

Cuphea calophylla Cham. & Schltdl. is a Lythraceae subshrub that occurs in different environmental conditions. The aerial portions of this plant have medicinal properties and are used for soap production. We assessed the structure, ultrastructure, and histochemistry of the secretory cells and tissues in C. calophylla leaves and stems to further understand its secretory system. Hydathodes with epithem, tracheary elements, and water pores occur at the leaf border and are here described for the first time for a Cuphea species. Glandular appendages occur in leaves and stems and are characterized by a wide basis and a narrower apical portion that exuded sticky material. Ontogenetical analysis showed that these appendages are glandular emergences; phenolic compounds, mucilage, and lipids were produced in their cells which exhibited Golgi bodies, vesicles, smooth endoplasmic reticulum, oil drops, and plastids. The epidermis of the leaf blade has bi-compartmentalized secretory cells divided by a cellulosic septum in their equatorial region. These cells contain phenolic compounds in the upper compartment and mucilage in the lower compartment. Our results shed light on the sites producing bioactive compounds in C. calophylla and expand the knowledge on the secretory system in Lythraceae, promoting a reclassification and an identification of new structures.

Phenotypic and Genotypic Diversity of the Tomato Germplasm From the Lazio Region in Central Italy, With a Focus on Landrace Distinctiveness.

Italy is a recognized secondary center of diversification for cultivated tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). The study of phenotypic and genetic diversity in landrace collections is important for germplasm conservation and valorization. Here, we set up to study the tomato germplasm collected in the region of Lazio in Central Italy, with a focus on the distinctiveness among landraces and the attribution of membership to unnamed accessions. Our regional collection included 32 accessions belonging to eight different locally recognized landraces and 19 unnamed accessions. All accessions were gathered from local farmers and are preserved in the collection held at the Regional Agency for the Development and the Innovation of Lazio Agriculture (ARSIAL) and at the University of Tuscia. We included 13 control genotypes comprising nine landraces from neighbor regions and four reference cultivars. The collection showed wide phenotypic variability for several qualitative and quantitative traits, such as leaf border and shape, inflorescence type, fruit shape, green shoulder, fruit weight (range 14–277 g), locule number (2–12), shape index (0.54–2.65), yield (0.24–3.08 kg/plant), and soluble solids (3.4–7.5°B). A few landraces showed uncommon phenotypes, such as potato leaf, colorless fruit epidermis, or delayed ripening. Multivariate analysis of 25 cardinal phenotypic variables separated the accessions into two distinct groups; accessions showing a flattened-ribbed fruit were distinguished from those with round to elongate fruits with smooth structure. Genotyping analysis of 7,720 SNPs was performed using the tomato array platform SolCAP, to point out the genetic relationship among the studied accessions. A neighbor-joining tree analysis allowed to confirm or deny phenotypic data and to assign some of the unnamed accessions to recognized groups. Allelic status at marker loci linked to resistance genes commonly used in breeding identified accessions putatively derived from modern material or commercial hybrids, thus not classifiable as landraces. Overall, this study provided the information useful to preserve, valorize, and juridically protect tomato local landraces from the Lazio region and will in addition be helpful to their improvement by breeding.

A new species of Casearia Jacq. from Brazil

Abstract A new species of Salicaceae growing in the state of Espírito Santo and in the south of the state of Bahia, Casearia valenciana R.Marquete & R.B.Torres, is described and illustrated here. It is similar to C. cotticensis Uittien, which grows further north in Amazonian Forest, by its pedunculate inflorescence, coriaceous leaves, and glabrous ovary. Yet, it differs from C. cotticensis by its shrub to small tree habit (vs. tree up to 27 m tall), smaller stipules, elliptic leaves (vs. lanceolate, broadly lanceolate, oblong-lanceolate), elongated anthers with longitudinal slits (vs. slightly deltoid, transversal slits), and larger fruits and seeds. Other diagnostic features of this new species include short-serrulate leaf border, and disc lobes fused with filaments at the base forming a small tube.

Laboratory Microprobe X-Ray Fluorescence in Plant Science: Emerging Applications and Case Studies

In vivo and micro chemical analytical methods have the potential to improve our understanding of plant metabolism and development. Benchtop microprobe X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (μ-XRF) presents a huge potential for facing this challenge. Excitation beams of 30 μm and 1 mm in diameter were employed to address questions in seed technology, phytopathology, plant physiology, and bioremediation. Different elements were analyzed in several situations of agronomic interest: (i) Examples of μ-XRF yielding quantitative maps that reveal the spatial distribution of zinc in common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) primed seeds. (ii) Chemical images daily recorded at a soybean leaf (Glycine max) infected by anthracnose showed that phosphorus, sulfur, and calcium trended to concentrate in the disease spot. (iii) In vivo measurements at the stem of P. vulgaris showed that under root exposure, manganese is absorbed and transported nearly 10-fold faster than iron. (iv) Quantitative maps showed that the lead distribution in a leaf of Eucalyptus hybrid was not homogenous, this element accumulated mainly in the leaf border and midrib, the lead hotspots reached up to 13,400 mg lead kg-1 fresh tissue weight. These case studies highlight the ability of μ-XRF in performing qualitative and quantitative elemental analysis of fresh and living plant tissues. Thus, it can probe dynamic biological phenomena non-destructively and in real time.

Contour recognition of complex leaf shapes.

The leaf shape is an important taxonomic character. Compared to the classic morphological leaf features such as veins, margin indentations, sinuses, etc., the shape is simpler to obtain by using the 'magic wand' or other contouring tools that are available in most of imaging applications. The only exception is when leaves develop large lobes that get in touch or overlap each other, as the presence of hidden or closed portions of the leaf border precludes the application of automatic methods and forces the leaf contour to be traced manually. This is a time consuming and relatively accurate operation that, nevertheless, can not be avoided, as overlapping lobes are characteristic features of the leaves of several plant species and varieties. The method described in the paper overcomes this problem as it allows the leaf contour to be achieved even in the presence of touching or overlapping lobes. The method involves three steps: (1) the acquisition of leaf images using a transilluminator, (2) a two-level image segmentation that allows all leaf components (blade, overlapping lobes and closed sinuses) to be represented in a single binary image, and (3) the contouring and concatenation of all binary outlines in a single, self-intersecting closed contour that reproduces accurately the leaf shape. The method can be extended to acquire the shape of leaves of herbarium specimens, that are often overlapped but can not be easily handled and repositioned because of their extreme fragility and relevant taxonomic value.

Morfología y distribución de Dolotortula mniifolia y Trachyphyllum dusenii (Bryophyta) en Panamá.

El género Dolotortula y la especie D. mniifolia, se registran por primera vez para Panamá. Se describen por primera vez para las poblaciones de Centroamérica de D. mniifolia tallos ramificados y borde de la hoja de color amarillo, éste en corte transversal, con 5-6 hileras de células de paredes engrosadas. Se detalla y amplía la morfología y distribución geográfica de Trachyphyllum y la especie T. dusenii, recientemente reportados para Panamá. Se reportan por primera vez hojas periqueciales débilmente serruladas para esta especie. La distribución de esta especie en Panamá es la más septentrional conocida para la América tropical, e incluye las únicas poblaciones del género conocidas para la vertiente del Pacífico. Se incluyen mapas con la distribución geográfica actualizada para las dos especies.

Identification and Characterization of Pseudocercospora pyricola Causing Leaf Spots on Aronia melanocarpa

Leaf spot disease on black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) was observed at several locations in Korea during 2014–2015. Leaf spots were distinct, scattered over the leaf surface and along the leaf border, subcircular to irregular and brown surrounded by a distinct dark color, and were expanded and coalesced into irregularly shaped lesions. Severely infected leaves became dry and fell off eventually. The causative agent was identified as Pseudocercospora pyricola. Morphological observations and phylogenetic analyses of multiple genes, including internal transcribed spacer, translation elongation factor 1-alpha, actin, and the large subunit ribosomal DNA were conducted. The pathogenicity test was conducted twice yielding similar results, fulfilling Koch’s postulates. To our knowledge, this is the first report on P. pyricola infection of A. melanocarpa globally.

Resistencia al achaparramiento del maíz mediante infestaciones de Dalbulus maidis en maíz.

A method consisting of infesting maize plants during their first fifteen days was used to detect CSS resistance sources. Four leafuoppers infested with the CSS complex were placed on each seedling. Highly significant differences were found among lines evaluated according to grain yield (p = 0,0001). The best lines were LT- 173 with 3,818 kg/ha, LT-183 with 3,808 kg/ha, and LT - 184 with 3,626 kg/ha. LT-183 and LT-184 did not show any CSS symptoms, and LT-173 had only chlorosis in leaf borders and phylodia [proliferation of leaves in the ear]. Two closelyrelated symptoms are leaf chlorosis and short intemode (r = 0.83), which also appear most frequently in the CSS syndrome (r = 0.45). Other variables affecting CSS are also discussed.

Spatial Distribution of Nymphs of Triozoida limbata Enderlein, 1918 (Hemiptera: Triozidae) in Guava Orchards

Triozoida limbata is considered one of the leading pests of guava crop in Brazil. Its nymphs are responsible for sucking leaf borders, causing curling and drying of the leaves, and leaving them with a necrotic appearance. Knowledge of the spatial distribution of nymphs of T. limbata is essential for improving sampling and control techniques. The objective of this study was to perform probabilistic analyses of patterns of spatial distribution of nymphs of T. limbata in guava orchards. The study was conducted in four guava orchards in Ivinhema, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Samplings were performed every 15 days, from April 2012 to March 2014. To obtain the nymph counts, a sampling area was demarcated in each orchard, comprising 50 sampling units. In each unit, a sample was taken randomly from a shoot of 10 cm to 15 cm in length at the median height of the central plant. Dispersion rates were calculated (variance/mean ratio, Morisita index, and Exponent k of Negative Binomial Distribution) and the data obtained in the field were adjusted to the theoretical frequency distributions (Poisson and Negative Binomial). Following the analyses, we concluded that nymphs of T. limbata in the studied populations were randomly organized in the four areas that were evaluated, and the sampling data have been adjusted to the Poisson distribution model.

Orthomnion javense (Mniaceae), a formerly Malesian species newly confirmed for China and new to Laos, with O. loheri as a new synonym

We evaluated the taxonomic status of Orthomnion javense and O. loheri based on morphological characteristics. The primary distinction between the two species on the basis of the leaf border differentiation does not uphold with a prudent examination of Chinese and other Asian specimens. Orthomnion loheri is a new synonym of O. javense, a formerly Malesian species which is newly confirmed for China and is here reported new to Laos. The previously reports of Plagiomnium elimbatum in China were based on some misidentifications of O. javense, and the former is excluded from the Chinese moss flora.

Brachymenium Regnellii and Bryum Leptotorquescens (Bryaceae) New to Suriname

Abstract The previously Brazilian endemic species, Brachymenium regnellii Hampe, has been found in Suriname. It is a member of sect. Rostrata Ochi, distinguished from all other members of that section in Suriname by its percurrent costae. Brachymenium Schwägr. is characterized by the sporophytic features of: erect to suberect capsules; conic-apiculate to short-beaked opercula; and diplolepideous peristomes with narrow, densely papillose exostome teeth and greatly reduced endostomes. Bryum leptotorquescens Müll. Hal ex Broth., previously known from Mexico to western South America, and tropical Africa is reported from Suriname. It differs from other similar mosses in Suriname by the combination of weakly developed leaf borders; strongly decurrent leaves; and costae in cross section with well-developed stereid bands. Bryum billarderei Schwägr. is the correct spelling of that often mis-spelled name.

Functional study of TCP23 in Arabidopsis thaliana during plant development

The TCP class of genes is found only in plants and is represented by the first three identified genes: teosinte branched 1, cycloidea and pcf. Members belonging to this class are important regulators of plant growth, development and control multiple traits in diverse plant species, including flower and petal asymmetry, plant architecture, leaf morphogenesis and senescence, embryo growth and circadian rhythm. Here we described a member of the TCP-P subfamily called AtTCP23. Using qRT-PCR we present evidence that AtTCP23 is ubiquitously express in all organs examined. To ascertain AtTCP23 localization, we fused GFP at the C-terminal position and analyzed stable expression by confocal microscopy. Transgenic lines harboring the full-length protein (OxTCP23:GFP) seems to accumulate GFP in the nucleus. In order to analyze AtTCP23 function, we obtained a T-DNA insertional line and developed AtTCP23 over-expression (OxTCP23) lines. Phenotypic analysis indicates that tcp23-1 knockout line has an early-flowering phenotype while overexpression lines (OxTCP23 and OxTCP23:eGFP) presents opposite phenotype. Besides that those lines have leaf morphology alteration, pale leaf borders and smaller roots. Thus we propose in this study that AtTCP23 may be involved in flowering time control and plant development.

Distribuição de ovos de Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) e o parasitismo por Trichogramma pretiosum Riley (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae)

Oviposition site preference of Plutella xylostella (L.) and the parasitism by Trichogramma pretiosum Riley on cabbage plants at pre- and post-head formation were investigated in commercial cabbage field. Groups of six plants were randomly caged. In each cage three pairs of 24h-old P. xylostella moths were released, followed by 1,200 T. pretiosum females released 12h later. After 48 h from parasitoid release, plants were harvested and fully inspected with the oviposition mapped according to the leaf position and their parts (basal, median and border) and upper and bellow leaf surfaces. Moth oviposition and egg parasitism were equally distributed across the plant leaves at the pre-head formation stage. At this stage, the basal part and the upper leaf surface were the preferred places for oviposition and egg parasitism, respectively. Cabbage plants at the post-head formation stage exhibited greater oviposition and egg parasitism in the inner leaf attached to the head. At this stage, the leaf border and the upper leaf surface were the preferred places for oviposition and egg parasitism, respectively. The infestation of P. xylostella on cabbage can be determined by egg counting at the pre- and post-head formation stages at the basal part of the leaves or at the border of the leaf attached to the head, respectively. And, in both plant stages parasitized eggs by T. pretiosum are more likely to be found at the upper leaf surface.

Dialytrichia fragilifolia (Bryopsida: Pottiaceae) in Berkshire and Caernarvonshire, new to Britain

Dialytrichia fragilifolia (Bizot & Cl. Roux) F.Lara has been found at two localities near the River Thames in Berkshire (v.-c. 22), southern England and also identified as a herbarium specimen from Caernarvonshire (v.-c. 49), North Wales. A description is presented based on the British material which is sterile. This moss is similar to D. mucronata but possesses fragile leaves and a bistratose leaf border with markedly crenate margins, particularly in the apical one-third of the leaf. Mature shoots often have a brush-like apex produced by the persistent costas. It appears to require shadier and less-frequently flooded conditions than D. mucronata. An earlier record of Syntrichia (Tortula) fragilis from Mont-St-Michel in north-west France is shown to be erroneous; the specimen (in E) is also D. fragilifolia. A survey of numerous Dialytrichia specimens held at NMW revealed a further British specimen of D. fragilifolia and also drew attention to the widespread occurrence in Britain, previously overlooked, of D. mucronata plants with fragile leaves. The pattern of leaf fragility differs between the two species. Previously, D. fragilifolia was known only from southern France, Portugal and western Spain. The new records together with other recent finds in Europe extend the range of this moss significantly northwards in western Europe.

Incidence and transmission of Faba bean necrotic yellows virus (FBNYV) in Spain

Information on the distribution of Faba bean necrotic yellows virus (FBNYV) in Spain was gathered by sampling different legume crops (faba bean "Muchamiel", forage faba bean, pea and chickpea) in four regions (Murcia, Andalucía, Castilla y León, and Extremadura). The virus was detected by TAS-ELISA in faba bean "Muchamiel" and peas only in the Murcia region. A portion of 272 bp within the C5 component of a FBNYV from Murcia was amplified by IC-PCR and directly sequenced. The Spanish FBNYV was 93.75% identical to two previously sequenced isolates of FBNYV from Syria and Egypt. Periodic samplings of faba bean "Muchamiel" over one growing season (Oct. 1999 to Jan. 2000) in Murcia provided no clear evidence of any spread of the disease either within or beyond the affected fields. Mixed infections of FBNYV and Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV), Bean leaf roll virus (BLRV) and Bean yellow mosaic virus (BYMV) were commonly observed. The necrotic symptoms developed on the leaf borders were more pronounced in these mixed infections. Transmission experiments using a Spanish isolate as inoculum source and the aphid species Acyrthosiphon pisum and Aphis craccivora showed that both are efficient FBNYV vectors. In these experiments, the faba bean cvs. "Aguadulce", "Muchamiel" and "Valenciana"were all susceptible to FBNYV.

Asymmetric Auxin Response Precedes Asymmetric Growth and Differentiation of asymmetric leaf1 and asymmetric leaf2 Arabidopsis Leaves

We have analyzed the development of leaf shape and vascular pattern in leaves mutant for ASYMMETRIC LEAVES1 (AS1) or AS2 and compared the timing of developmental landmarks to cellular response to auxin, as measured by expression of the DR5:beta-glucuronidase (GUS) transgene and to cell division, as measured by expression of the cycB1:GUS transgene. We found that the earliest visible defect in both as1 and as2 first leaves is the asymmetric placement of auxin response at the distal leaf tip. This precedes visible changes in leaf morphology, asymmetric placement of the distal margin gap, formation of margin gaps along the leaf border, asymmetric distribution of marginal auxin, and asymmetry in cell division patterns. Moreover, treatment of developing leaves with either exogenous auxin or an auxin transport inhibitor eliminates asymmetric auxin response and subsequent asymmetric leaf development. We propose that the initial asymmetric placement of auxin at the leaf tip gives rise to later asymmetries in the internal auxin sources, which subsequently result in asymmetrical cell differentiation and division patterns.

(1609) Proposal to conserve the name Dicranoloma against Megalostylium (Dicranaceae, Bryophyta)

TAXONVolume 53, Issue 1 p. 196-197 Proposals to Conserve or RejectsFree Access (1609) Proposal to conserve the name Dicranoloma against Megalostylium (Dicranaceae, Bryophyta) Niels Klazenga, Niels Klazenga niels.klazenga@rbg.vic.gov.au Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, Birdwood Avenue, South Yarra Vic., 3141 Australia.Search for more papers by this author Niels Klazenga, Niels Klazenga niels.klazenga@rbg.vic.gov.au Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, Birdwood Avenue, South Yarra Vic., 3141 Australia.Search for more papers by this author First published: 01 February 2004 https://doi.org/10.2307/4135515Citations: 1AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article.Citing Literature Volume53, Issue1February 2004Pages 196-197 RelatedInformation

A taxonomic reassessment of the Vittiaceae (Hypnales, Bryopsida): evidence from phylogenetic analyses of combined chloroplast and nuclear sequence data

The Vittiaceae are a small family of aquatic mosses that are defined based on gametophytic traits whose interpretation has led to conflicting taxonomic arrangements. Phylogenetic analyses of two cpDNA regions, trnL-trnF and atpB-rbcL, indicate that Vittia is nested within the Amblystegiaceae s. str., suggesting that the family Vittiaceae should not be recognized. Platylomella lescurii appears nested within the Thuidiaceae/Leskeaceae. This suggests that the series of character states shared by Vittia and Platylomella, including a differentiated leaf border, short laminal cells, stiff stems, and a thick costa, are convergent features that arose independently in unrelated lineages of aquatic Hypnales. Within the Amblystegiaceae, phylogenetic analyses of the two cpDNA regions combined with ITS sequence data show that Hypnobartlettia, Vittia elimbata spec. nov., V. pachyloma, and V. salina, despite their strong morphological similarity to aquatic Amblystegium species, form a clade that is sister to the Drepanocladus/Pseudo-calliergon complex. This combined clade is unresolved at a polytomy that includes Amblystegium serpens and a clade including all the other Amblystegium species. The occurrence of A. serpens outside the strongly supported clade including other Amblystegium species suggests that A. serpens may be better accommodated in a distinct genus. Amblystegium serpens is the type species of Amblystegium and thus retains the name. The other species are accommodated in their own genus, Hygroamblystegium, including H. fluviatile, H. humile comb. nov., H. noterophyllum, H. tenax, and H. varium.