Rare Endemic Plant Research Articles

Domestication of Osbeckia octandra

Osbeckia octandra (Melastomataceae) is a rare endemic perennial plant with a highmedicinal value which can also be used as an ornamental species as it bear beautiful violetcolour flowers. Though the availability of these plants have restricted to certain areas of thecountry and has a limited distribution it should be propagated using successful masspropagation techniques.Osbeckia octandra found at the Pilikuththuwa forest reserve located in Gampaha district, SriLanka was use in this study. Stem cuttings of O. octandra with 4 to 5 nodes were tested usingdifferent potting mixtures (sand alone, compost: sand (1:1) and compost: coir dust (1:1) todetermine the best growth medium for vegetative propagation. Length of roots, number ofroots and the dry weights of roots were measured after four months of the growth.Based on one way ANOVA analysis it was observed that there was a significant difference(P<0.05) between the three media compositions used on rooting of stem cuttings. Tukey’spairwise comparison proved, mean root lengths, mean number of roots and mean root dryweights of stem cuttings planted on compost: coir dust medium at the fourth month differsignificantly from sand medium and the compost: sand medium. Compost: coir dust (1:1)medium produced the highest number of roots, highest length and highest dry weights ofroots of stem cuttings. From the results obtained it could be suggested that out of all threemedia used compost: coir dust (1:1) was the most suitable medium for rooting of O. octandrastem cuttings.

Accumulation and trends in distribution of three triterpenoids in various parts of Achyranthes coynei determined using RP-UFLC analysis.

Background:Achyranthes coynei Sant. (Family: Amaranthaceae) is a rare endemic medicinal plant used by local traditional practitioners to treat various diseases. The plant has been reported for promising antibacterial and antioxidant activities. However, the plant is not explored for its phytocompounds, especially triterpenoids.Objective:To study the accumulation and trends in distribution of triterpenoids: betulinic, oleanolic and ursolic acids (BA, OA and UA) in leaf, stem, root and inflorescence of A. coynei.Materials and Methods:Extraction was achieved using refluxing and reversed phase-ultra flow liquid chromatographic (RP-UFLC) technique was employed for determination. Separation of triterpenoids was achieved on a Hibar 250-4.6 mm, 5 μ, Lichrospher 100, C18e column using methanol and water (90:10) as mobile phase (pH adjusted to 5.0 using GAA) in an isocratic mode.Results:Oleanolic acid was higher in leaf (0.172 ± 0.009%) followed by stem (0.035 ± 0.002%) and root (0.028 ± 0.001%). Ursolic acid was accounted to be highest in the inflorescence (0.099 ± 0.005%). The contents of BA and UA were lower than OA in leaf and stem while it was remained undetected in roots of A. coynei.Conclusion:The triterpenoids: BA, OA and UA were detected, quantified and reported for the first time from A. coynei. In the present study leaves were found to be the major source of BA and OA, whereas inflorescence was for UA.

Caralluma bicolor Ramach. et al., (Apocynaceae: Asclepiadoideae) - a rare and little known endemic plant as a new record from Palakkad District, Kerala State, India

Caralluma bicolor V.S. Ramach., S. Joseph, H.A. John and Sofiya (Apocynaceae, Asclepiadoideae) was known only from Tamil Nadu. Recent collections from Ranganathapuram and Cheerakadavu of the Eastern Attappady Hills of the Palakkad District, Kerala are not only a new report for the state of Kerala but also extend its distribution towards the Western slopes of the Western Ghats.

Effects of NaOCl treatment on in vitro germination of seeds of a rare endemic plant, Oreorchis coreana Finet

Oreorchis coreana Finet is threatened globally by over-collection from its natural habitats for horticultural purposes. Its rarity in nature makes this plant one of the most endangered species in Korea. In this study, we investigated the effects of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) on orchid seed viability and seed germination. An in vitro bioassay swelling test using immature seeds was compared with a standard chemical procedure using triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) to test seed viability. In general, the bioassay was more appropriate for estimating embryo viability after a prolonged pre-treatment (more than 1 h) in 1% NaOCl, a surface sterilant often used to enhance germination of seeds of terrestrial plants. Therefore, an efficient method for investigating in vitro swelling of immature seeds is urgently needed. We established a method for determining the viability and swelling of O. coreana seeds via in vitro examination of immature seeds. Treatment of immature seeds with 1% NaOCl for 10 min greatly enhanced the extent of swelling of immature zygote embryos when compared to untreated seeds. These data obtained here appear to be comparable to viability and swelling that occurs in O. coreana seeds via asymbiotic germination.

GIS를 이용한 야생동물의 공간적·환경적 분포특성 분석: 강원도 백두대간 보호지역을 대상으로

The purpose of this study was to understand the geographical and environmental distribution of wild animals in Baekdudaegan region using field survey and GIS data. Crucial factors were selected and analyzed to understand the distributional characteristics of wild animals (7 species in 6 families) and rare endemic plants (14 species in 11 families). These crucial factors include stand factors (forest type, DBH class, and crown density), soil factors (bed rock, soil texture, and organic matter), geographical factors (elevation, slope, aspect) and climatic factors (temperature, rain fall, humidity). Finally, 10 factors were selected by statistical analysis and categorized for analyzing geographical and environmental features. Four families such as Muridae, Sciuridae, Suidae and Talpidea in wild animal showed the similar habitat characteristics with the 10 factors.

Eragrostis episcopulus – a newly described grass species endemic to the island of St Helena, its ecology and conservation

A description is provided for Eragrostis episcopulus (Poaceae), a previously undetermined grass species from the South Atlantic island of St Helena, together with notes on its ecology, history and conservation. The taxon appears to belong to subgen. Eragrostis, and shows affinities with southern African species including E. minor. E. episcopulus has an estimated world population of just over 2,000 individuals, 90% of which occur in two sites, with the remainder scattered along 15 km of the island’s south coast. All sites are located on the upper parts of cliffs facing prevailing mist-laden winds, between 250 and 550 m altitude. The communities are rich in other rare endemic vascular plants (e.g. Bulbostylis lichtensteiniana, Ceterach haughtonii, Eragrostis saxatilis) and Ramalina lichens. They represent refugial pockets of native diversity amongst degraded scrub, which is now heavily dominated by non-native invaders and thus many locations merit protection. Threats are posed from grazing by rabbits and competition from invasive plant species. As a first step in the long-term conservation of Eragrostis episcopulus, seeds have been collected and an ex situ collection established on St Helena and at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. E. episcopulus is evaluated as critically endangered CR B1ab(ii,iii,iv,v) + B2ab(ii,iii,iv,v) based on the IUCN Red List categories v3.1.

Inbreeding Depression under Drought Stress in the Rare Endemic Echium wildpretii (Boraginaceae) on Tenerife, Canary Islands

How climate-change induced environmental stress may alter the effects of inbreeding in patchy populations of rare species is poorly understood. We investigated the fitness of progeny from experimental self- and cross-pollinations in eight populations of different size of Echium wildpretii, a rare endemic plant of the arid subalpine zone of the Canarian island of Tenerife. As control treatments we used open pollination and autonomous selfing. The seed set of open-pollinated flowers was 55% higher than that of autonomously selfed flowers, showing the importance of animal pollination for reproductive success. The seed set, seed mass and germination rate of seedlings of hand-selfed flowers was similar to that of hand-crossed flowers, indicating weak inbreeding depression (seed set –4.4%, seed mass –4.1%, germination –7.3%). Similarly, under normal watering there were no significant effects of inbreeding on seedling survival (–3.0%). However, under low watering of seedlings inbreeding depression was high (survival –50.2%). Seed set of open- and hand-outcrossed-pollinated flowers was higher in large than in small populations, possibly due to more frequent biparental inbreeding in the latter. However, later measures of progeny fitness were not significantly influenced by population size. We predict that increasing drought duration and frequency due to climate change and reductions of population sizes may increase inbreeding depression in this charismatic plant species and thus threaten its future survival in the longer term.

Antiviral chlorinated daphnane diterpenoid orthoesters from the bark and wood of Trigonostemon cherrieri

The chemical study of the bark and the wood of Trigonostemon cherrieri, a rare endemic plant of New Caledonia, led to the isolation of a series of highly oxygenated daphnane diterpenoid orthoesters (DDO) bearing an uncommon chlorinated moiety: trigocherrins A-F and trigocherriolides A-D. Herein, we describe the isolation and structure elucidation of the DDO (trigocherrins B-F and trigocherriolides A-D). We also report the antiviral activity of trigocherrins A, B and F (1, 2 and 6) and trigocherriolides A, B and C (7-9) against various emerging pathogens: chikungunya virus (CHIKV), Sindbis virus (SINV), Semliki forest virus (SFV) and dengue virus (DENV).

Occurrence of Morphological and Anatomical Adaptive Traits in Young and Adult Plants of the Rare Mediterranean Cliff SpeciesPrimula palinuriPetagna

Cliffs worldwide are known to be reservoirs of relict biodiversity. Despite the presence of harsh abiotic conditions, large endemic floras live in such environments. Primula palinuri Petagna is a rare endemic plant species, surviving on cliff sites along a few kilometres of the Tyrrhenian coast in southern Italy. This species is declared at risk of extinction due to human impact on the coastal areas in question. Population surveys have shown that most of the plants are old individuals, while seedlings and plants at early stages of development are rare. We followed the growth of P. palinuri plants from seed germination to the adult phase and analysed the morphoanatomical traits of plants at all stages of development. Our results showed that the pressure of cliff environmental factors has been selected for seasonal habitus and structural adaptive traits in this species. The main morphoanatomical modifications are suberized cell layers and accumulation of phenolic compounds in cell structures. These features are strictly related to regulation of water uptake and storage as well as defence from predation. However, we found them well established only in adult plants and not in juvenile individuals. These findings contribute to explain the rare recruitment of the present relict populations, identifying some of the biological traits which result in species vulnerability.

Pollen source affects female reproductive success and early offspring traits in the rare endemic plant Polemonium vanbruntiae (Polemoniaceae)

Understanding the relative magnitudes of inbreeding and outbreeding depression in rare plant populations is increasingly important for effective management strategies. There may be positive and negative effects of crossing individuals in fragmented populations. Conservation strategies may include introducing new genetic material into rare plant populations, which may be beneficial or detrimental based on whether hybrid offspring are of increased or decreased quality. Thus, it is important to determine the effects of pollen source on offspring fitness in rare plants. We established pollen crosses (i.e. geitonogamous-self, autonomous-self, intrasite-outcross, intersite-outcross and open-pollinated controls) to determine the effects of pollen source on fitness (seeds/fruit and seed mass) and early offspring traits (probability of germination, number of leaves, leaf area and seedling height) in the rare plant Polemonium vanbruntiae. Open-pollinated, intrasite-outcross and geitonogamous-self treatments did not differ in fitness. However, plants receiving autonomous-self pollen had the lowest fitness and the lowest probability of seed germination. Intersite-outcross plants contained fewer seeds/fruit, but seeds germinated at higher frequencies and seedlings were more vigorous. We also detected heterosis at the seed germination stage. These data may imply that natural populations of P. vanbruntiae exhibit low genetic variation and little gene flow. Evidence suggests that deleterious alleles were not responsible for reduced germination; rather environmental factors, dichogamy, herkogamy and/or lack of competition among pollen grains may have caused low germinability in selfed offspring. Although self-pollination may provide some reproductive assurance in P. vanbruntiae, the result is a reduction in germination and size-related early traits for selfed offspring.

Discovery of nuclear and plastid microsatellites, and other key genomic information, in the rare endemic plant (Caulanthus amplexicaulis var. barbarae) using minimal 454 pyrosequencing

Next-generation Roche 454 pyrosequencing was used to rapidly identify 149 novel nuclear microsatellite loci and five plastid microsatellites from non-enriched genomic DNA of the rare endemic Santa Barbara Jewelflower (Caulanthus amplexicaulis var. barbarae). Analysis of this dataset showed a high level of orthology to annotated genes of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, as well as low levels of repetitive DNA sequences (particularly transposon-like elements). Thus, a modest sequencing effort using the 454 (or equivalent long-read platform) is a cost-effective and highly informative first step in the development of molecular-genetic resources for a non-model organism.

Miami Dade County's Environmentally Endangered Lands Program: Local Efforts for a Global Cause

We reviewed Miami-Dade County's Environmentally Endangered Lands (EEL) Program, created in 1990 for the purpose of acquiring and managing threatened native forests and wetlands within Miami-Dade County, Florida. Funds for the program were initially raised from a two-year extraordinary property tax millage approved by voters, with additional funding coming from various state, county, and private sources. To date, the program has protected over 9000 ha of natural areas within the urban and agricultural matrix of eastern Miami-Dade. Although many of these reserves are small, all are important for the conservation of numerous rare endemic upland plants and are used frequently by a variety of animal species. Their preservation also offers a series of ecosystem services that directly and indirectly benefit the community, such as flood control and aquifer recharge. Many issues remain concerning the program, however. The County has not yet opened most EEL sites to the public, and all sites are threatened by edge effects—including the introduction of invasive exotic plants—that require continual management. None-the-less, the program is popular with residents, successful for its stated purpose, and arguably important for the conservation of rare endemic flora—especially that found within South Florida's pine rocklands, a globally imperiled ecosystem type.

Small-size bees reduce male fitness of the flowers of Ononis masquillierii (Fabaceae), a rare endemic plant in the northern Apennines

Most plant species are visited by a diverse array of visitors that may contribute differently to reproductive success. In particular, the size of visitors, relative to flower size, may have severe implications for plant fitness, as it can affect the mechanics of the pollination process. Ononis masquillierii, a rare endemic legume in northern Italy, is visited by numerous bee species of different families and sizes. To evaluate the effect of bee guilds on seed set, we compared the relative efficiency of four size classes of bees visiting flowers in eight plant populations occurring in the Apennines. Size classes were assorted by body weight. Reproductive success was positively related to plant population size and affected by the visitation frequency of the bee size guilds: higher visitation rates by larger bees (medium–large Andrenidae and large Apidae) increased seed set, whereas high visitation rates by smaller bees (small Halictidae and small−medium Megachilidae) reduced seed set. We conclude that the influence of bee size on seed set is related to the pollen foraging techniques of the different bee guilds. Larger bees paying short visits to flowers remove one ‘batch’ of pollen and transfer it to another flower. In contrast, smaller bees enter the flower entirely and activate the pump-like pollen dispensing mechanism several times, resulting in a higher degree of selfing. These behaviours may result in differential seed sets as the flowers are self-incompatible, i.e. seed set may be reduced after visitation by smaller bees. Such variations in pollinator quality among populations coupled with the ephemeral nature of the habitat of O. masquillierii may represent a risk for its persistence. Our results show that such a risk can be confronted only through the conservation of large plant populations and of large bees capable of flying long-distances. © 2011 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2011, 165, 267–277.

Distribution of Rare Plants and Endemic Plants in Jirisan National Park

The results of the study of the rare and regional species of the Jirisan (Mt.) Korea National Park has reported 3 CR species, including the Allium victorialis var. platyphyllum, 4 EN species, including Rhododendron tschonoskii, 7 VU species, including Cacalia pseudo-taimingasa, 11 LC species, including Lilium distichum, and 3 DD species, including Aconitum chiisanense, which makes a total of 28 species. In terms of species exclusive to the region, a total of 7 species, including Fraxinus chiisanensis, Pseudostellaria heterophylla, Filipendula formosa and Cirsium chanroenicum, were confirmed, and since they were distributed widely in the Jeonji region of Jirisan (Mt.), there was minimal damage. Since rare species are localized in the region of Agosan (Mt.), there has been continuous damage due to visitors and hikers to the area, and there seems to be the need to handle the decreasing habitat for Allium victorialis var. platyphyllum, Juniperus chinensis var. sargentii and Trientalis europaea.

Micropropagation of Cotoneaster wilsonii Nakai—a rare endemic ornamental plant

A simple and efficient micropropagation system was developed for Cotoneaster wilsonii through node and shoot tip explants obtained from mature field-grown plants. Of the two explants, node explants were found to be the most effective for axillary shoot proliferation. The highest frequency of shoot induction was achieved when nodal explants were incubated on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 0.5 mg L−1 thidiazuron (TDZ) and 0.1 mg L−1 α- naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) with an average of 34 shoots per explant. The microshoots were separated from the multiple shoots and subcultured on MS medium supplemented with 3% (w/v) sucrose and 0.8% (w/v) agar for further shoot growth. Maximum rooting was obtained on half-strength MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mg L−1 indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). The in vitro-grown plantlets were successfully acclimatized in a glasshouse with 98% of survival. High concentrations of TDZ (1.5–2.0 mg L−1) and repeated subcultures resulted hyperhydric shoots. Supplementation of the culture medium with silicon significantly reduced the induction of hyperhydric shoots. Increasing silicon concentration significantly decreased malondialdehyde content of the regenerated shoots. Data indicate that addition of silicon to the culture medium can effectively control hyperhydricity.

Genetic diversity and structure of the endangered species Megaleranthis saniculifolia in Korea as revealed by allozyme and ISSR markers

The genetic diversity and structure of 12 populations of Megaleranthis saniculifolia, a rare endemic Korean plant, were analyzed using 14 allozyme loci coding 10 enzymes and 78 ISSR loci using seven primers. The genetic diversity of M. saniculifolia at the species level was similar to that observed in out-crossing and long-lived perennials, while at the population level, it was significantly low. The high FIS value of many populations as well as homozygote excess occurred relatively evenly in many populations in relation to the Hardy-Weinberg expectation, suggesting that inbreeding was occurring within the M. saniculifolia populations. The degree of genetic differentiation based on the two markers was high, and there was no correlation between geographic and genetic distance. Bayesian cluster analysis did not reveal any remarkable geographic trends. Positive correlations were observed between genetic diversity (He and h) and population size. Therefore, low genetic diversity within the population and high population differentiation of M. saniculifolia were closely related to the influence of genetic drift, particularly in highly isolated populations. In addition, the fixation of the main alleles at several loci in the opposite direction provided good evidence for genetic drift. The genetic diversity of M. saniculifolia could be compromised if the distribution area or the size of the population were further reduced. In particular, the isolated populations that are fragmented within an area could be at high risk of extinction due to accelerated inbreeding or genetic drift. Considering this, a close monitoring of the population size and of the changes in the genetic structure must be performed. Some practical measures for genetic conservation are also proposed.

Effects of moist chilling, gibberellic acid, and scarification on seed dormancy in the rare endemic Pedicularis olympica (Scrophulariaceae)

We investigated the germination requirements of a rare endemic plant species, Pedicularis olympica Boiss. (Scrophulariaceae), which grows in wet habitats on Uludag Mountain, Turkey. We studied the effects of scarification, moist chilling (+4 °C) for 15 days, different doses of gibberellic acid (GA3; 100, 150, and 250 ppm) and combined hormone and moist chilling treatments under dark (20 °C) and photoperiod (20/10 °C; 12/12 h, respectively) conditions. GA3 was able to break dormancy. The highest germination rate was found in the seeds treated with 250 ppm GA3; 64% of these seeds germinated when treated with moist chilling and incubated in the dark, while 75% germinated under photoperiod conditions. Moreover, mean germination times were significantly lower in the seeds treated with 250 ppm GA3. Significant differences in final germination percentages and mean germination times were found only for treatments under photoperiod conditions. Scarification also permitted germination; the highest germination rate (78%) was found with 15 min of scarification. Dormancy was not broken by moist chilling for up to 90 days. The germination requirements of dormant P. olympica seeds are found to be consistent with characteristics of its habitat. This can be considered an ecological advantage for the species' establishment and persistence.

Status of the Red-Listed Plant Species, Smilax wightii A. DC. in Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, the Western Ghats, India

The rare endemic plant, Smilax wightii, is generally distributed in shola forests at high altitudes in Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, the Western Ghats, southern India. To determine the ecological status of the species, we surveyed 11 major shola forests in that region. S. wightii has a limited distribution in all sholas (frequency value of < 13%). The density of the species is generally around <TEX>$15/100\;m^2$</TEX> in the sholas except in Thiashola where it occurred at a density of 40 individuals/<TEX>$100\;m^2$</TEX>. The density of S. wightii was generally greater in the margins of the shoals, while the interior forests contained fewer individuals per unit area. The basal cover occupied by this species ranged between 2246 and <TEX>$3144\;mm^2/100\;m^2$</TEX>. The importance value index for S. wightii was >2 in all shoals, which indicates that the species occupies an important position in the lower stratum of shola forests of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.

Influence of plant growth regulators on axillary shoot multiplication and iron source on growth of Scrophularia takesimensis Nakai - a rare endemic medicinal plant

An efficient protocol for the in vitro propagation of Scrophularia takesimensis, a rare endemic medicinal plant, is described. Shoot multiplication was induced by culturing nodal explants on MS medium containing 3% (w/v) sucrose, 0.8% (w/v) agar, and different concentrations and combinations of plant growth regulators. The greatest percentage of shoot induction was achieved when nodal explants were cultured on MS medium supplemented with 2.0 mg l-1 BAP and 1.0 mg l-1 IAA with an average of 16 shoots per explant. The microshoots were separated from the multiple shoots and sub-cultured onto MS medium with 3% (w/v) sucrose and 0.8% (w/v) agar for further growth, and rooting. The plantlets growth was slow and often showed chlorosis on leaves. This problem was overcome by transferring microshoots to MS medium modified by increasing FeSO4 (55.6 mg
L-1) and Na2EDTA (74.52 mg
L-1) salts concentration. The iron concentration had a significant effect on chlorophyll content of the leaves. Chlorophyll content was increased by increasing FeSO4 and Na2EDTA salts concentration. Maximum rooting was obtained on modified MS medium supplemented with 1.0 mg l-1 IBA. The in vitro-grown plantlets were successfully established in the field with 96% of survival. This protocol could be utilized for conservation and clonal propagation of this economically important plant.

Otospora bareai, a new fungal species in the Glomeromycetes from a dolomitic shrub land in Sierra de Baza National Park (Granada, Spain)

A new fungal species of the Glomeromycetes was isolated from the rhizosphere of Pterocephalus spathulatus and Thymus granatensis, two rare endemic plants growing on dolomite in the Sierra de Baza (Granada, southern Spain). The fungus was propagated in pot cultures of Sorghum vulgare and Trifolium pratense for 4 y and it is described here on the basis of the spores found in nature and formed in pot cultures. Its brown spores (140–210 μm diam) form laterally on a persistent, brown stalk (=neck) of a sporiferous saccule. They have two walls without ornamentation: a brown, three- to four-layered outer wall and a hyaline two- to three-layered inner wall. The unique combination of spore formation and spore wall structure does not fit with any of the known fungal genera. Spore formation is similar to that of Acaulospora spp. and Archaeospora trappei, but Acaulospora spp. has three spore walls with a characteristic “beaded” wall, and the outer wall of Ar. trappei is simple, thin, hyaline and only bilayered. Spore wall structure of the new fungus is similar to that of Entrophospora infrequens, however this fungus forms its spores internally, inside the hyphal stalk of the sporiferous saccule. Molecular analyses of the small subunit of the ribosomal gene phylogenetically place the new fungus next to Diversispora spurca, which forms one-walled glomoid spores (i.e. terminally on hyphae). Based on these analyses we place the new fungus into a new genus in the family Diversisporaceae under the epithet Otospora bareai.