Radula Species Research Articles

High liverwort diversity in the tropical Andes as evidenced by the discovery of three new species of Radula (Radulaceae)

We describe three new species of Radula subg. Volutoradula from above 3000 m in the tropical Andes: R. ilkiuborgesiae from Colombia (Dept. Santander), and R. longicarinata and R. magna from Bolivia (Dept. La Paz). The new species stand out by the unusual shape of their lobules. Full descriptions, illustrations as well as comments on the morphology, taxonomy, ecology and distribution of the new species are provided. The discovery of the new species adds three further endemic taxa to the rich bryophyte flora of the tropical Andes, the richest area for Radulaceae in the Neotropics.

Molecular and morphological evidence support the recognition of three genera within Radulaceae (Porellales: Marchantiophyta)

The discovery of new fossil bryophytes allows refined estimates of divergence times when the fossils have unambiguous synapomorphies enabling their confident assignment to nodes within molecular phylogenies. We use two fossil Radula species from Cretaceous age Burmese amber to estimate divergence times for Radula. One of these fossils, R. cretacea which has synapomorphies of subg. Odontoradula, has been used previously; the other, with relative synapomorphies of subg. Amentuloradula, has not. In combination these two fossils, when used to constrain the crown node age of their respective subgenera, result in median age estimates for the Radula crown node of 263 million years, under our preferred time-calibration scenario where subgeneric crown-node fossil assignments are coupled with a secondary maximum age constraint on the Porellales crown node. We explore other time-calibration scenarios, including deeper fossil assignments, and conclude that, under all, Radula as currently circumscribed is an outlier among land plant genera on the basis of its age. While this violates no established norms regarding how old genera should be, the absolute age, the relative ages of other families within Porellales, and the morphological distinctiveness of the two serial sister lineages, subg. Cladoradula, with seven species, and subg. Dactyloradula with one species, motivates our proposal to elevate these two subgenera to generic rank, resulting in three genera within the family Radulaceae. We provide diagnoses for genera, new combinations for species, and an emended circumscription for Radula, that reflect this change.

Radula heinrichsii (Radulaceae, Porellales), a leafy liverwort from the mid-Cretaceous of Myanmar

With ca. 250 extant species, Radula is one of the largest genera of the Porellales and the sole extant genus of the leafy liverwort family Radulaceae, widely distributed around the world. The earliest fossils of Radula were described from the mid-Cretaceous Kachin amber of Myanmar, namely R. cretacea and R. heinrichsii. Here, we report two new exquisitely preserved specimens of R. heinrichsii from Kachin amber, yielding new morphological characters for an extended description of this taxon. Cladistic analysis based on a matrix of fourteen morphological characters and a molecular backbone constraint suggests its close relationship with extant species of Radula subgenus Amentuloradula. But due to distinctive morphological characters in R. heinrichsii and the younger estimated age for the crown group, it is likely that R. heinrichsii represents a stem group of the subgenus Amentuloradula. The genus Radula is characterized by a high degree of morphological homoplasy, which makes the assignment of fossils to this extant taxon difficult and requires profound knowledge of the morphology of fossils.

Phytocannabinoids Biosynthesis in Angiosperms, Fungi, and Liverworts and Their Versatile Role.

Phytocannabinoids are a structurally diverse class of bioactive naturally occurring compounds found in angiosperms, fungi, and liverworts and produced in several plant organs such as the flower and glandular trichrome of Cannabis sativa, the scales in Rhododendron, and oil bodies of liverworts such as Radula species; they show a diverse role in humans and plants. Moreover, phytocannabinoids are prenylated polyketides, i.e., terpenophenolics, which are derived from isoprenoid and fatty acid precursors. Additionally, targeted productions of active phytocannabinoids have beneficial properties via the genes involved and their expression in a heterologous host. Bioactive compounds show a remarkable non-hallucinogenic biological property that is determined by the variable nature of the side chain and prenyl group defined by the enzymes involved in their biosynthesis. Phytocannabinoids possess therapeutic, antibacterial, and antimicrobial properties; thus, they are used in treating several human diseases. This review gives the latest knowledge on their role in the amelioration of abiotic (heat, cold, and radiation) stress in plants. It also aims to provide synthetic and biotechnological approaches based on combinatorial biochemical and protein engineering to synthesize phytocannabinoids with enhanced properties.

Phytocannabinoids: Origins and Biosynthesis.

Phytocannabinoids are bioactive natural products found in some flowering plants, liverworts, and fungi that can be beneficial for the treatment of human ailments such as pain, anxiety, and cachexia. Targeted biosynthesis of cannabinoids with desirable properties requires identification of the underlying genes and their expression in a suitable heterologous host. We provide an overview of the structural classification of phytocannabinoids based on their decorated resorcinol core and the bioactivities of naturally occurring cannabinoids, and we review current knowledge of phytocannabinoid biosynthesis in Cannabis, Rhododendron, and Radula species. We also highlight the potential in planta roles of phytocannabinoids and the opportunity for synthetic biology approaches based on combinatorial biochemistry and protein engineering to produce cannabinoid derivatives with improved properties.

Distribution of Bibenzyls, Prenyl Bibenzyls, Bis-bibenzyls, and Terpenoids in the Liverwort Genus Radula.

Plants of the Radula genus are chemically very distinct from the other liverworts since they mainly elaborate bibenzyls including bibenzyl cannabinoids and prenyl bibenzyl derivatives, as well as bis-bibenzyls. Several of these components show biological activities such as psychoactivity, vasopressin antagonist, antimicrobial, antifungal, and NO production inhibitory activity, and cytotoxic activity against human cancer cell lines. While distribution of terpenoids in Radula species is in general very limited, some Portuguese species are rich sources of sesquiterpenoids. Among 679 liverwort species so far examined chemically, 264 species contained α-tocopherol, which may play an important antioxidative role for the constituents of oil bodies of liverworts.

Integrative Taxonomy Substantiates the Presence of ThreeRadulaSpecies in Austria:Radula Complanata, R. Lindenbergiana,andR.visianica(Porellales, Jungermanniopsida)

A chloroplast DNA phylogeny of Radula substantiates the presence of three Radula species in Austria, R. complanata, R. lindenbergiana and R. visianica, all members of subg. Radula. Radula visianica has been observed at a few localities in the Austrian Alps, and is resolved in a sister relationship with a clade comprising R. complanata, R. jonesii, R. lindenbergiana and R. quadrata. Radula visianica resembles tiny alpine forms of R. lindenbergiana but differs in its more narrowly ovate leaf lobes and slightly more elongate leaf lobules. Despite extensive morphological overlap, molecular evidence unambiguously supports separate species status.

Revision of the leafy liverwort genus Radula (Porellales, Jungermanniopsida) in Baltic and Bitterfeld amber

The phylogenetically isolated leafy liverwort genus Radula comprises ~200 extant species and has a near-worldwide distribution. Most species are obligate or facultative epiphytes on tree bark or leaves in humid, tropical or warm-temperate regions. The fossil record of the genus is limited to a few specimens in amber that all deserve re-examination. Based on a revision of Baltic and Bitterfeld amber inclusions from the Geoscientific Museum Göttingen, the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin, and the collection Gröhn we accept three fossil Radula species, R. baltica sp. nov., R. oblongifolia and R. sphaerocarpoides. Radula baltica is known from only a single piece of Baltic amber, whereas the other two species have been reported in Baltic and Bitterfeld amber. A neotype is designated for Radula oblongifolia. Radula oblongifolia and R. sphaerocarpoides are both morphologically variable, yet we are currently unable to discriminate accessions from the different deposits.

Radula(Radulaceae, Marchantiophyta) in India with Three New Additions from Arunachal Pradesh in Eastern Himalaya

Three East and South-east Asian species of the genus Radula Dumort., viz. R. chinensis Steph., R. kojana Steph. and R. sumatrana Steph. are newly reported for the Indian bryoflora, from Arunachal Pradesh in Eastern Himalaya. Asexual reproduction through caducous leaves is described for the first time in R. sumatrana. Descriptions and illustrations of the three species based on Indian material are presented. A key to the Indian species of Radula is provided.

Additions to Himalayan Species of Radula Dumort. (Marchantiophyta: Radulaceae) from Arunachal Pradesh, India

Two species of Radula Dumort., R. acuta Mitt., and R. pandei Udar & Dh.Kumar, are described for the first time in Indian Himalayan bryoflora from West Siang and Anjaw districts respectively of Arunachal Pradesh in the Eastern Himalaya.

Molecular, phytochemical and morphological characterization of the liverwort genus Radula in Portugal (mainland, Madeira, Azores)

Relationships of the eight species of the liverwort genus Radula occurring in Portugal (mainland, the Madeira and Azores archipelagos), including the Macaronesian endemics R. jonesii and R. wichurae, were evaluated based on molecular, phytochemical and morphological–anatomical data. Maximum parsimony and Bayesian analyses were performed with sequences from three plastid DNA markers (trnS GGA-rps4 spacer, rps4 gene, trnL UAA intron), volatile oil compounds, as well as qualitative morphological–anatomical characters. In addition, the molecular data were subjected to maximum likelihood analysis. The eight taxa, R. aquilegia, R. carringtonii, R. complanata, R. holtii, R. jonesii, R. lindenbergiana, R. nudicaulis and R. wichurae, can be clearly distinguished from each other, either by molecular data alone or by combination of characters from all three data sets. Radula aquilegia is monophyletic according to the molecular data, but shows considerable, yet undescribed intraspecific morphological and phytochemical variability. Recognition of R. complanata and R. lindenbergiana as separate species, previously based solely on the paroecious vs. dioecious sexual condition, is moderately supported by the molecular phylogenetic analyses and strongly supported by the phytochemical data. The Radula species, narrowly distributed in Macaronesia and Atlantic Europe, probably have two different origins. For Radula holtii and R. nudicaulis, connections with Radula species from the Neotropics are indicated. The other species, among them the two Macaronesian endemics, are closely related with the R. complanata/R. lindenbergiana complex, which is widely distributed in the northern hemisphere.

Liverwort Radula species from Portugal: chemotaxonomical evaluation of volatiles composition

AbstractThe volatiles isolated by distillation‐extraction from 48 samples of seven liverwort Radula species collected on Azores and Madeira archipelagos and mainland Portugal, as well as one from Switzerland, were analysed by GC and GC–MS. Cluster analysis of the volatiles composition resulted in two major clusters. The chemically very diverse cluster I included the oil samples of Radula aquilegia from Madeira, R. jonesii, R. holtii, R. nudicaulis, R. lindenbergiana as well as R. complanata from Switzerland. Cluster II was characterized by high relative amounts of several sesquiterpenes and included the oil samples of R. aquilegia from the Azores as well as R. carringtonii and R. wichurae. 3‐Methoxy bibenzyl was the major oil component from R. complanata and R. lindenbergiana. Except for R. aquilegia and the closely related species R. complanata and R. lindenbergiana, the cluster analysis allows distinction of all studied species, indicating the chemotaxonomical value of the volatile oil characters. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Diterpenoids and Aromatic Compounds from the Three New Zealand Liverworts Jamesoniella kirkii, Balantiopsis rosea, and Radula Species.

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Diterpenoids and Aromatic Compounds from the Three New Zealand Liverworts Jamesoniella kirkii, Balantiopsis rosea, and Radula Species

Three new aromatics were isolated from the New Zealand liverwort Balantiopsis rosea. A new bibenzyl was isolated from an unidentified Radula species, together with known bibenzyls. Jamesoniella kirkii yielded three known ent-isopimarane and two ent-kaurane diterpenoids. Their structures were confirmed by NMR techniques, chemical reaction, and X-ray crystallographic analysis.

<p><strong>El género <em>Radula </em>Dum. (Radulaceae, Hepaticae) en el Noreste de Argentina</strong></p>

Eight species of Radula (R. macrostachya Lindenb. & Gott., R. episcia Spruce, R. kegelii Gott. ex Steph., R. ligula Steph., R. aurantii Spruce, R. montana Steph., R. quadrata Gott. and R. voluta Tayl.) are found in the province of Misiones, and two species (R. aurantii and R. kegelii) in Buenos Aires. These are described and illustrated, and habitat and geographic distribution of the species are indicated. Keys for the identification of these species and a synopsis with their systematic position are provided. R. ligula is transferred to the section Marginatae Castle ex Grolle. R. flaccida Lindenb. & Gott. is excluded from the study area.

<p><strong>The Genus <em>Radula </em>(Hepaticae) in the </strong><strong>Galapagos Islands</strong></p>

Seven species of Radula are reported from the Galapagos Islands, including Radula santacruziana spec. nov. The majority of the species are common and widespread in the neotropics; two (including the new species) are endemic to the Galapagos. R. cornucopiae Spruce and R. mollis Lindenb. et Gott. are reduced to synonymy, resp. under R. episcia Spruce and R. quadrata Gott. et al.

Prenyl bibenzyls from the liverwort Radula kojana

Fourteen new bibenzyl derivatives have been isolated from the liverwort Radula kojana together with two previously known bis(bibenzyls) and their structures characterized by spectral and chemical evidence. Seven new bibenzyls, 3,5-dihydroxy-2-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)-, 3-methoxy-5-hydroxy-2-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)-, 3-hydroxy-5-methoxy-2-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)- and 2-geranyl-3,5-dihydroxybibenzyls, 2,2-dimethyl-7-methoxy-5-(2-phenylethyl)-, 2,2-dimethyl-5-methoxy-7-(2-phenylethyl)- and 2-methyl-2-(4-methyl-3-pentenyl)-7-methoxy-5-(2-phenylethyl) chromenes have been synthesized from pinosylvin and its dimethyl ether. 3,5-Dihydroxy-2-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)- and 2-geranyl-3,5-dihydroxybibenzyls showed 5-lipoxygenase and calmodulin inhibitory activity. Radula kojana belonging to the subgenus Odontoradula is chemically different from species of the subgenera Radula and Cladoradula as it produces chromene derivatives (six-membered) and the latter two genera elaborate dihydrooxepins (seven-membered) and benzofurans with a propenyl group (five-membered). Our chemical results support the modern classification of Radula species.

New localities of two Radula species from North Korea

New localities of two Radula species from North Korea

Notes on new record of three Radula species (Hepaticae) from Fiji

Notes on new record of three Radula species (Hepaticae) from Fiji

Oil bodies in three species of Radula from Iriomote Island

Oil bodies in three species of Radula from Iriomote Island