Persistent Styles Research Articles

Cunoniaceae infructescences from the early Eocene Laguna del Hunco flora, Patagonia, Argentina.

Two distinct types of fossil infructescences from the early Eocene Laguna del Hunco flora, Chubut Province, Patagonia, Argentina, preserve features of the family Cunoniaceae. The goal of the study was to assess their affinities within Cunoniaceae and to interpret their evolutionary and biogeographical significance. Specimens were collected from the Tufolitas Laguna del Hunco, Huitrera Formation. They were prepared, photographed, and compared morphologically with similar extant and fossil fruits and infructescences using published literature and herbarium material. The fruit and infructescence morphology place the fossil taxa within Cunoniaceae. They do not conform to any extant genus, supporting the erection of two new fossil genera. Racemofructus gen. nov. shares diagnostic features of the tribe Cunonieae, especially Weinmannia s.l., and exhibits two tribal morphological synapomorphies: a racemose inflorescence and a replum composed of a single column. Cunoniocarpa gen. nov. specimens are paniculate inflorescences with basipetally dehiscent, bicarpellate capsules that have persistent styles and calyces. Its replum morphology suggests an affinity to the tribe Caldcluvieae, particularly to the genus Ackama. The new Patagonian fossils described herein constitute the oldest record of cunoniaceous capsules globally, supplementing a significant body of fossil evidence from pollen, wood, and reproductive structures from southern South America and Antarctica that suggests that the Cunoniaceae were diversified and widely distributed in the southern hemisphere by the early Eocene. Racemofructus and Cunoniocarpa are, respectively, the first fossil records from South America of reproductive structures with affinity to tribes Cunonieae and Caldcluvieae.

Pulsatilla saxatilis (Ranunculaceae), a new species from north-east China

Pulsatilla saxatilis (Ranunculaceae), a new species from Fengcheng in Liaoning province, north-east China, is described and illustrated. Gross-morphologically this species is closely similar to P. chinensis in having 3-foliolate leaves, solitary, erect flowers, and persistent, prolonged styles in fruiting period, but differs by having light blue, whitish-blue or white (vs. violet) sepals and persistent styles 2–2.5 cm (vs. 3.5–6.5 cm) long. Pollen morphology also lends strong support for the description of the new species, with P. saxatilis having pantoporate pollen grains while its putative closest ally, P. chinensis, having tricolpate ones.

Extending beyond Gondwana: Cretaceous Cunoniaceae from western North America.

Cunoniaceae are important elements of rainforests across the Southern Hemisphere. Many of these flowering plants are considered Paleo-Antarctic Rainforest Lineages that had a Gondwanan distribution since the Paleocene. Fossils of several modern genera within the family, such as Ceratopetalum, have indicated biogeographical connections between South America and Australia in the Cenozoic. Here, we report a dramatic geographical range extension for Ceratopetalum, and Cunoniaceae as a whole, based on two exceptionally preserved fossil winged fruits from Campanian (c. 82-80 Ma old) deposits on Sucia Island, Washington, USA. The fossils were studied using physical sectioning, light microscopy, micro-computed tomography scanning and multiple phylogenetic analyses. The fossil fruits share diagnostic characters with Ceratopetalum such as the presence of four to five persistent calyx lobes, a prominent nectary disk, persistent stamens, a semi-inferior ovary and two persistent styles. Based on morphological comparisons with fruits of extant species and support from phylogenetic analyses, the fossils are assigned to a new species Ceratopetalum suciensis. These fossils are the first unequivocal evidence of crown Cunoniaceae from the Cretaceous of North America, indicating a more complicated biogeographical history for this important Gondwanan family.

<strong><em>Thalictrum minshanicum</em> and <em>T. pseudoramosum</em> (Ranunculaceae), two new species from China</strong>

Thalictrum minshanicum and T. pseudoramosum (Ranunculaceae), two new species from southern Gansu and northwestern Sichuan, China, are illustrated and described. Thalictrum minshanicum is somewhat similar to T. brevisericeum in habit and in having puberulent stem and leaves, but differs by having conspicuously 3-lobate (vs. slightly 3-lobate) leaflets, glabrous (vs. puberulent abaxially) sepals, longer (ca. 7 mm vs. ca. 4 mm) and clavate (vs. oblanceolate-linear) filaments, conspicuous (vs. inconspicuous) stigmas, and persistent styles slightly recurved (vs. circinate) at apex. Thalictrum pseudoramosum is closely similar to T. ramosum in habit and in having slightly recurved styles at apex, but differs by having subcoriaceous (vs. herbaceous) leaflets, more numerous stamens (40‒60 vs. 16‒24), and elliptic-fusiform (vs. lanceolate-fusiform) achenes.

Trollius austrosibiricus (Ranunculaceae), a new species from South Siberia

Trolliusaustrosibiricus Erst & Luferov, sp. nov., a new species from Russian South Siberia is described and illustrated. This new species is endemic to Western and Central Siberia. Morphologically, it is close to the East Asian species T.chinensis and T.macropetalus. However, it differs from the aforementioned species due to the morphology of the rhizomes, aerial shoots, sepals and petals. This species is also distinguished from T.asiaticus, which is widespread in Russia (Western and Eastern Siberia), Mongolia, China, north-eastern Kazakhstan and in the northeast of the European part of Russia, in having a smaller number of sepals, longer persistent styles and petals longer than sepals. In addition, an identification key for all Russian species is given and all species have been discussed.

Taxonomic studies of Glochidion (Phyllanthaceae) from the Indo-China Peninsula (II): The identities of G.anamiticum and G.annamense.

The names Glochidionanamiticum (Kuntze) Kuntze ex Merrill and G.annamense Beille were previously reduced to synonyms of G.eriocarpum Champ. ex Benth. However, literature examination and morphological comparison suggest that G.annamense is conspecific with G.anamiticum and the species can be readily distinguished from G.eriocarpum by its styles connate into a long cylindric column and up to 3 mm long, ovaries usually 3-locular, stigma usually 3-lobed, capsules pubescent and usually 6-grooved, persistent styles 3‒4 mm long. Thus, the specific status of G.anamiticum is here reinstated and G. annamense is treated as its synonym.

Liquidambar (Altingiaceae) and associated insect herbivory from the Miocene of southeastern China

The infructescences and associated leaves of Liquidambar from the middle Miocene Fotan Group, southeastern China, were assigned to a new species, Liquidambar fujianensis sp. nov., based on their long persistent styles, fruit morphological and anatomical characters. The comprehensive anatomical information on the infructescences, including the seeds, inner carpel wall cells and outer fruit tissue cells, were discussed and compared in detail. The infructescences and leaves are considered to belong the same plant and have a close relationship with the modern species Liquidambar formosana. Insect-mediated damage was investigated on the leaves of L. fujianensis sp. nov., and five principal types of damage, hole feeding, margin feeding, surface feeding, skeletonization, and galling, were categorized. The damage richness indicates that our fossils were distributed in a region with a warm and wet climate, and we inferred that the possible phytophagous insect as herbivore culprits against L. fujianensis sp. nov. of the middle Miocene Fotan flora belong to the insect orders Coleoptera, Lepidoptera and Hemiptera.

A Fluctuating Capacity to Mentalize: Affect Scripts and Self-State Systems as (not so) “Strange Attractors”: A Discussion of Margy Sperry's “Putting our Heads Together: Mentalizing Systems”

Margy Sperry identified the potential for interpersonal and intersubjective dimensions of experience to explain observed fluctuations of a capacity for mentalization and reflective function, and she illustrated this with a pertinent case that contained an enactment. Additional exploration of her premise and the case reveals the potential to understand some aspects of a more universal fluctuating capacity for mentalization as a function of unconscious or implicit affect scripts (in this case, containing shame) as well as the related naturalistic shifting of self-states in a clinical dyad. Persistent childhood styles of thinking such as psychic equivalence, pretend, and teleological modes (Fonagy et al., 2003) may predict some fluctuation as the capacity for mentalization is achieved. Additional factors to consider might also be shifting self-states and activation of related toxic affects and the secondary protective modes of behavior that help to create the safety of distance in the context of deep narcissistic wounding (Lansky, 1992) and fears of annihilation (Hurvich, 2003;Kohut, 1971) in both patient and therapist.

Credneria and Platanus (Platanaceae) from the Late Cretaceous (Santonian) of Quedlinburg, Germany

Foliage and reproductive structures of Platanaceae from the Upper Cretaceous (Santonian) of Quedlinburg, Central Germany, were comparatively studied and their systematic affinities established. One type of foliage preserved in sandstone and rarely in clayish siltstone belongs to the extinct genus Credneria. The leaves are typically obovate with a pinnate-actinodromous venation and distinct suprabasal veins. In addition, a substantial number of leaves preserved in siltstone and rarely in sandstone are identical to modern Platanus based on leaf architecture and epidermal features. As in modern Platanus leaf margin and size were found to be of no systematic significance in both fossil leaf types. Further, staminate flower heads preserved as cleavage compressions in siltstone were found in association with Platanus leaves; they contain pollen that is identical to modern Platanus in size and type of tectum. In addition, a few three-dimensionally preserved staminate flower heads with ca. 50 flowers on a receptaculum are described. Each flower appears to have a two-whorled perianth and six or seven stamens. The organs of the outer perianth whorl show a distinct epidermal cell pattern different from the inner ones. All perianth organs have the same length as the stamens. Stamens are bithecate and contain pollen identical to that found in compression fossils. Pistillate heads preserved in siltstone consist of numerous achenes with persistent styles, which show close similarity to modern Platanus. It remains unclear, whether additional inflorescence heads of uncertain sex found in sandstone that are slightly larger than those preserved in siltstone belong to the leaves of Credneria. Association evidence links vegetative and reproductive structures preserved in siltstone and indicates the presence of the modern genus Platanus in the Santonian.

A New Species of Begonia Section Platycentrum (Begoniaceae) from Vietnam

A new species of Begonia (Begoniaceae) from Vietnam, Begonia brevipedunculata Y. M. Shui, is described and illustrated. It belongs to section Platycentrum (J. F. Klotzsch) A. DC., which is distinguished by having two persistent styles and two locules in every ovary. Its chief diagnostic characters are the dense clavate glandular pubescence on the abaxial leaf surface and the scape much shorter than the petiole. The characters distinguishing the new species from Begonia howii Merrill & Chun and B. psilophylla Irmscher are noted. In addition, a key to six similar species at the border of China and Vietnam is presented.

Anatomically Preserved Staminate Inflorescences ofGynoplatananthus oysterbayensisgen. et sp. nov. (Platanaceae) and Associated Pistillate Fructifications from the Eocene of Vancouver Island, British Columbia

Anatomically preserved specimens of globose staminate and pistillate inflorescences belonging to Platanaceae have been found in concretions at the Eocene Appian Way fossil locality on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. The structure of inflorescences and individual flowers, vascular architecture, and pollen morphology were examined. Flowers occur on globose unisexual heads and are supplied at their bases by branching pentagonal vascular traces. Flowers of staminate inflorescences have a well‐developed perianth with at least two whorls of tepals. Five stamens with elongate anthers surround a single whorl of five (rarely four) free, nonfunctional carpels that are ovate in longitudinal section and roughly triangular in transverse section. In situ tricolpate pollen 16 μm in polar diameter is found in the anthers. This same pollen is found among the persistent styles of larger pistillate fructifications. The pistillate flowers are identical in structure to staminate flowers but have five fully developed carpels, and they lack stamens. Fruits are glabrous achenes up to 8 mm long. Staminate inflorescences compare most closely to those of Platananthus sp., but the regular co‐occurrence of both stamens and rudimentary carpels in the same flower has not previously been reported in the fossil record, and, thus, these specimens have been placed in a new genus and species, Gynoplatananthus oysterbayensis. These platanaceous inflorescences add to our knowledge of the Appian Way flora and provide evidence that rudimentary carpels are an ancient feature within staminate flowers of Platanaceae.

Ulmus leaves and fruits from the Early–Middle Eocene of northwestern North America: systematics and implications for character evolution within Ulmaceae

Leaves and fruits of Ulmus from the Early–Middle Eocene of British Columbia and Washington are assigned to two species. Ulmus okanaganensis sp.nov. is based on leaves attached to flowering and fruiting twigs and isolated leaves and fruits. Leaves display a polymorphism ranging from large leaves with compound teeth with a blunt apex to small ones with simple teeth resembling those of Zelkova. In extant Ulmus, sucker-shoot leaves, elongation-shoot leaves, and leaves on short annual branches often display a very similar polymorphism. In the fossil, flowers are arranged in fascicles having short pedicels. Fascicles are formed in the axils of leaves of current-year shoots and appear together with the leaves. This is uncommon in modern species of Ulmus, where leaves appear either in spring on previous-year shoots or in autumn in the axils of leaves of current-year shoots. Fruits of U. okanaganensis are samaras with extremely reduced or absent wings. Unwinged fruits of modern Ulmus are typically ciliate along the margin of the endocarp and the persistent styles but only a single fruit of U. okanaganensis has been found preserving hairs. The small, shallowly lobed perianth is situated below the endocarp. A second type of foliage is assigned to Ulmus chuchuanus (Berry) LaMotte. This foliage is wider than that of U. okanaganensis and has more densely spaced secondary veins. It also has characteristic compound teeth with primary and subsidiary teeth displaying conspicuously different orientations. Leaves of U. chuchuanus co-occur with a second type of fruit but have not been found in attachment. These fruits are larger than in U. okanaganensis, with a narrow wing, persistent styles, and a large and wide persistent perianth that tapers abruptly into the perianth tube. A cladistic analysis suggests that U. okanaganensis is nested within the subgenus Ulmus, which is a paraphyletic grade basal to the subgenus Oreoptelea. Ulmus chuchuanus foliage shows affinities to the subgenus Ulmus, while the associated fruits display affinities to the subgenus Oreoptelea.

Testing moffitt's neuropsychological variation hypothesis for the prediction of life-course persistent offending

Although neuropsychological deficits have been linked to antisocial behavior, theories of crime have been slow to develop formal processes and predictions for neuropsychological deficits. One recently articulated theory, however, places emphasis on the influence of neuropsychological variation in the development of antisocial behavior. In her developmental taxonomy. Moffitt outlines a theory of antisocial behavior that rests on the presence of two groups of offenders: life-course persisters and adolescent-limiteds. Both groups occupy distinct etiologies for antisocial involvement and are believed to engage in different antisocial activities. One of the main differences between the two groups is the role that neuropsychological deficits play in the production of antisocial behavior. Moffitt hypothesizes that neuropsychological deficits are predictive of antisocial involvement for life-course persisters but not for adolescent-limiteds. Using data from the Philadelphia portion of the National Collaborative Perinatal Project, proxy measures of neuropsychological deficits are used to predict four different manifestations of life-course persistent offending. Results support Moffitt's hypothesis about the relationship between poor neuropsychological test scores and life-course persistent styles of offending.

PHYLOGENY OF CAREX IN THE LIGHT OF PARASITISM BY THE SMUT FUNGI

By using evidence derived from the relationships with smut fungi (Cintractia and Planetella) that attack its members, new light has been shed on the phylogeny of Carex. The genus is believed to be essentially monophyletic and derived from Kobresia. It has been found necessary to erect a new subgenus, Kuekenthalia, composed principally of those sections with persistent styles and bladdery perigynia that were formerly placed in Eucarex. Uncinia is shown to be an offshoot of the evolutionary line that gave rise to Kuekenthalia.

Societies and Academies

LONDON. British Mycological Society, November 17.—Mr. F.T. Brooks, vice-president, in the chair.—A. A.Pearson: An account of the fungus foray of the Societe Mycologique de France.—W. J. Dowson: A mould causing a disease of sweet-pea. The mould causes a white mealy growth, in. some cases covering both sides of the leaf. No damage apparently is caused under ordinary climatic conditions, but in warm moist temperatures there is considerable effect: spots develop in ten days after infection, and produce spores in about a week. The fungus simulates a white form of Hormodendrum cladosporioides.—J.Jackson Clarke: Some mycological chromidia. A comparison of nuclear phenomena observed in Synchytrium and its allies with those of Molluscum contagium and other human diseases.—R. Paulson: Field observations on mycorrhiza. Fungus-roots occur most frequently at a depth of one to three inches below the surface of masses of decaying leaves or under moss. In the birch, most of the roots become infected within the first few weeks. The seed while still on the tree frequently has fungal hyphae between the persistent styles. These are carried down by hook-shaped processes on the hypocotyl. What part is played by this fungus (Sporotrichum) in mycorrhiza formation is as yet uncertain.—E. C. Stakman: The rust problem in America. An extempore account of the damage caused to cereals by rust, and the methods being used to overcome the disease.—A. S. Home and G. N. Jones: A new species of Eidamia. The species differs from E. acremonioides morphologically in its tuberculate macrospores and physiologically in its ability to hydrolyse starch, invert sugar, etc. The authors prove the identity of Monopodium uredopsis and E. acremonioides.—R. Bracher: Notes on Rhytisma acerinum and R. Pseudoplatani. Infection takes place from an ascospore germ tube penetrating a stoma on the lower surface. The mycelium ramifies in the palisade layer, but finally concentrates in the upper epidermal cells, subsequent development occurring in these cells and killing them, the walls being ruptured and pushed apart. Black sclerotium formation is first apparent in the thickened outer walls of the upper epidermal cells, and is later increased by the formation of an inferior plectenchymatous layer. Splitting of the apothecia is accompanied by the development of a special mechanism whereby the sclerotium is broken down by hyphal secretion in the region of the split.