Reticulate Surface Research Articles

Pollen Structure and Diversity in Liliales

Premise of research. Family relationships in the monocot order Liliales have been revised recently, so that the order now consists of 10 families of geophytes and climbers, with unusually diverse pollen morphology. Corsiaceae are sometimes placed as sister to all other Liliales, probably allied with Campynemataceae. Relationships of the wild card family Petermanniaceae are unresolved. The remaining seven families are arranged in three clades.Methodology. We use SEM and TEM to describe the pollen of representatives of all 10 families of Liliales in order to investigate pollen character evolution.Pivotal results. Liliales pollen is unusually diverse in size (10–<80 μm), shape (mostly ellipsoidal, or circular to oval), apertures, and surface patterning. Apertures are predominantly monosulcate but frequently inaperturate; disulculate, trisulcate, monoporate (or ulcerate), and diporate forms also occur in different taxa. The sulcus or pore is often indistinct and may be covered by an operculum or areolae. Surface sculpturing ranges from perforate, reticulate, rugulate, striate, and crotonoid to types with raised elements, including scabrate, pilate, gemmate, and echinate. The exine is usually tectate-perforate or semitectate and columellate, though it can be reduced to granules or echini on top of a lamellated endexine.Conclusions. Our study indicates a strong potential correlation between pollen size and genome size. Some pollen characters appear to have evolved iteratively (e.g., operculate apertures). On the basis of character optimizations, the plesiomorphic pollen conditions for Liliales are probably small grain size, reticulate surface sculpturing, and a single elongated aperture.

New insights into microbially induced sedimentary structures in alkaline hypersaline El Beida Lake, Wadi El Natrun, Egypt

Microbially induced sedimentary structures (MISS) were studied in detail in the alkaline hypersaline El Beida Lake of Wadi El Natrun in the western desert sector of Egypt, based on field observations and sampling performed in 2013 and 2014. Geomorphologically, the lake can be subdivided into three zones, each with characteristic sedimentary and biosedimentary structures. The marginal elevated zone that borders the lake is characterized by thick blocky crusts devoid of microbial mats. The middle–lower supratidal zone has luxuriant microbial mats associated with knotty surfaces, mat cracks and wrinkle structures. A zone of ephemeral shallow pools and channels is characterized by reticulate surfaces, pinnacle mats, sieve-like surfaces, gas domes and mat chips. In the microbial mats, authigenic minerals include thenardite Na2SO4, trona Na3(CO3)(HCO3)•2H2O and halite NaCl. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses revealed that the minerals are closely associated with the MISS, suggesting some influence of microorganisms on mineral precipitation. Complex interactions between regional hydrological cycles and diagenetic processes imply low preservation potential. MISS signatures of such saline lakes can serve as key analogues for interpreting the geologic record.

First Report of the Powdery Mildews Leveillula taurica and Podosphaera pannosa on Rose Periwinkle in the United States.

In April 2013, unthrifty rose periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don) from a residential garden in Mililani, HI, was sent to the Hawaii Department of Agriculture. Symptoms, present on all plants, included leaf chlorosis, defoliation, and premature flower drop with necrotic spots on the adaxial side of leaves corresponding to patches of grayish mildew-like growth on the abaxial side. Samples were collected and sent to USDA PPQ National Identification Services (NIS) for confirmation. At NIS, stereoscope examination of the plants revealed two distinct powdery mildews. One, on the stems and leaves, had dimorphic conidia, with lanceolate primary (54 to 72 × 14 to 22 μm) and cylindrical secondary conidia (49 to 75 × 11 to 21 μm) (n = 25 for each), both with a reticulate surface. This fungus was identified morphologically as Leveillula taurica (Lév.) G. Arnaud (1). The second powdery mildew appeared confined to the sepals and petals. The external hyphae of this fungus produced upright chains of cylindrical to ovoid conidia (up to eight per chain), which contained fibrosin bodies and measured 22 × 12 μm (n = 50) with straight foot cells averaging 43 μm long, placing this fungus in the genus Podosphaera Kunze (1). Plants containing both fungi were accessioned as BPI892677 in the US National Fungal Collection. For molecular characterization, genomic DNA of the Podosphaera was obtained by scraping conidia from a petal and extracting with Thermo Scientific's Lyse and Go PCR Reagent. DNA of the Leveillula was extracted from 5 mm2 of infected leaf using Qiagen's Plant mini kit. The ITS region of each fungus was amplified and sequenced directly with primers ITS1F and ITS4. Each consensus sequence was created from manually edited chromatograms, searched against NCBI's GenBank using MegaBLAST and phylogenetically analyzed in MEGA5.2 under maximum parsimony (MP) in context with most similar hits and representatives from phylogenetic studies (2,3). Sequences from types of these fungi are not available for comparison. The resulting Podosphaera phylogeny grouped the Podosphaera suspect (GenBank KF703448) within a clade of P. pannosa (e.g., AB525938; bootstrap = 90). The Leveillula phylogeny grouped the Leveillula suspect (KF703447) within a clade (bootstrap = 88) of L. taurica (e.g., AB044346), L. chrozophorae (AB044346), and L. elaeagni (AB048350). Although the ITS sequences of these taxa are phylogenetically indistinguishable, morphological characters differentiate each species and the suspect as L. taurica (1). L. taurica has been recorded on C. roseus in India and Korea (1). This is the first report of L. taurica on C. roseus in the United States. This is the first report of P. pannosa on C. roseus worldwide. P. pannosa is commonly known as a powdery mildew of Rosaceae hosts, and has also been reported on hosts in the Anacardaciae and Oleaceae (1). P. pannosa represents the second Podosphaera species reported on any member of the Apocynaceae, with P. sparsa reported on other Apocynaceae genera (1). The presence of two powdery mildew genera on different parts of the same plant could cause multiple forms of damage and impact the production of this popular landscape ornamental plant.

Microbial mat records in siliciclastic rocks: Examples from Four Indian Proterozoic basins and their modern equivalents in Gulf of Cambay

Microbial mat-related structures (MRS) in siliciclastics have been investigated from four Proterozic formations in India, namely the Marwar Supergroup, the Vindhyan Supergroup, the Chhatisgarh Supergroup and the Khariar Group for their spectral variations, genetic aspects, palaeo–environmental significance and influence on sequence stratigraphic architecture. The maximum diversification of MRS has been experienced in shallow marine coastal Precambrian successions. Observations made from modern environment as well as Precambrian rock records clearly indicates that the features like petee ridges, sand-cracks, gas domes, multi-directed ripples, reticulate surfaces, sieve-like surfaces and setulf are most likely to form in the shallowest part of the marine basins, in upper intertidal to supratidal conditions while wrinkle structures, roll-up structures and patchy ripples had a broader range of palaeogeographic settings from the supratidal to subtidal conditions. Discoidal microbial colony (DMC) represents a special variety of the mat-layer feature in modern environment that may have diverse internal architecture, sometimes falsely resembles Ediacaran medusoids. The uniqueness in sequence stratigraphic architecture of the microbial mat-covered sediment is reflected by the presence of more amalgamated HSTs compare to that of TSTs. The preservation of forced and normal regressive deposits on low-gradient epeiric shelf under low continental freeboard indicates microbial mat-infested sea-floor impedes erosion and concomitant sediment supply may facilitate formation and preservation of regressive packages.

Pollen Morphology of the Oklahoma Endemic PlantsLeavenworthia aurea(Brassicaceae/Cruciferae) andPhlox pilosaSubsp.Longipilosa(Polemoniaceae), With Special Reference To Their Natural History

The morphology, taxonomy, ecology, distribution, and conservation status of the Oklahoma endemics, Leavenworthia aurea (Brassicaceae/Crucifereae) and Phlox pilosa subsp. longipilosa (Polemoniaceae) Pennell, are reviewed and supplemented with original pollen morphological descriptions that include comparisons to related taxa. These descriptions are considered extensions of the original taxonomic descriptions. Leavenworthia aurea is a glabrous winter annual found on limestone glades in Choctaw and McCurtain counties. The taxon is considered imperiled, with Natural Heritage rankings of G2S2. The pollen has three colpi with a reticulate surface enclosing polygonal lumina (openings within reticulations on the pollen surface) with lengths varying from 0.5–2.5 µm, that are either empty or contain inclined free standing columellae approximately 0.5–0.8 µm in height. Granules less than 0.5 µm in diameter also occur in some lumina, but are most common in the colpus. The reticulate surface of Leavenworthia pollen is similar to other Cardamineae, as well as to the pollen of other members of the Brassicaceae. Phlox pilosa subsp. longipilosa, found on granitic soils in the Quartz and Wichita mountains of Greer and Kiowa counties, is a branching spring perennial ranging from 20.0–45.0 cm in height. Like L. aurea, it is considered to be imperiled, with a Natural Heritage ranking of G2S2. Phlox pollen morphology has been broadly characterized but has not been described in P. pilosa subsp. longipilosa. The pollen of P. pilosa subsp. longipilosa is pantoporate and reticulate, with enclosed polygonal lumina often exceeding 5.0 µm. The exine (pollen surface) is multireticulate because all lumina, except those containing pores, enclose smaller reticulate networks composed of thin rods of sporopollenin. In porate lumina, sporopollenin rods are curved, with one end attached to the surrounding ridges, as they are in non-porate lumina; the other end either hangs freely above the pores or is attached to the pore margins. Pollen morphology is similar to well-established Phlox pollen types.

Pollen Morphology of the Oklahoma Narrowly Endemic PlantsPhysaria angustifolia(Brassicaceae/Cruciferae) andPenstemon oklahomensis(Plantaginaceae), With Special Reference To Their Natural History

Abstract The morphology, taxonomy, ecology, distribution, and conservation status of the Oklahoma narrow endemics, Physaria angustifolia (Brassicaceae/Crucifereae) and Penstemon oklahomensis (Plantanginaceae), are reviewed and supplemented with original pollen morphological descriptions that include comparisons to taxa within their respective families. These descriptions are considered extensions of the original taxonomic descriptions, which lacked pollen morphology. Physaria angustifolia is an annual up to 4.0 dm in height found on limestone glades of southeastern Oklahoma and northeastern Texas. The taxon is considered imperiled in Oklahoma, with a state Natural Heritage rank of S2. The pollen has a reticulate surface and five apertures and is identical to most other members of the genus. Penstemon oklahomensis is a perennial herb 4.0–6.0 dm in height found throughout central Oklahoma and at a single site in Texas. The taxon is considered vulnerable, with a state Natural Heritage rank of S3. The pollen ...

Pollen and seed morphology of resurrection plants from the genus Ramonda (Gesneriaceae): relationship with ploidy level and relevance to their ecology and identification

The pollen and seeds of 3 paleoendemic resurrection species, Ramonda myconi (L.) Rchb. (Iberian Peninsula), R. nathaliae Pancic & Petrovic, and R. serbica Pancic (Balkan Peninsula), as well as of natural hybrids between the 2 last species, have been analyzed using light and scanning electron microscopy. Their general structural differences, taxonomic and phylogenetic significance, pollen viability, and seed germination capacity, as well as the correlation of pollen and seed characteristics and plant ploidy levels, have been studied. The pollen grains are small (R. myconi , R. nathaliae) to medium (R. serbica) in size, ranging from 10 to 28 µm, and 3-colporate, isopolar monads with microreticulate-perforate exine. Seeds are small, 309 to 1000 µm long and 80 to 425 µm wide, elongated, with a reticulate surface and auriculate ornamentation. Micromorphologies of the pollen exine ornamentation and seed surface revealed significant differences among the 3 species. Pollen from hybrid individuals was heterogeneous in size and morphology, and the germination of their tiny seeds was very low. A strong correlation was found between pollen size, DNA content, and chromosome number. The environmental influence on pollen and seeds of 3 species and especially of the R. nathaliae population growing on serpentine is also discussed.

The trichotomosulcate asparagoids: pollen morphology of Hemerocallidaceae in relation to systematics and pollination biology

We examined pollen of 19 genera of Hemerocallidaceae by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and one genus (Dianella) by using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Pollen was generally small in size, with a rounded triangular outline when hydrated, and a characteristic three-armed aperture, a distal trichotomosulcus. The pollen surface was finely sculptured and the exine was thin. Microreticulate pollen is a potential synapomorphy for several species of the ‘crown phormioid’ subclade recognised in molecular analyses. Perforate and fossulate pollen supports a relationship between several species of Dianella. Microrugulate pollen is more frequent in the johnsonioids than in the phormioids. Hemerocallis is distinguished by elongated monosulcate pollen, a relatively thick exine with a pronounced reticulate surface, and large globules of attached pollenkitt. We hypothesise that Hemerocallidaceae are ancestrally buzz-pollinated, and their pollen morphology is an adaptation to this pollination type. A reversal to butterfly or moth pollination occurred in Hemerocallis, with associated changes in pollen morphology.

Pollen morphology and wall structure of Neotropical species of Herreria and Clara (Asparagaceae-Agavoideae) and its taxonomic implications

Pollen morphology and wall structure of Clara and Herreria were investigated in order to clarify their taxonomy. Materials treated with a lactic acetolysis method at 40 % were used to obtain measurements, descriptions, and illustrations using light microscopy. Non-acetolyzed pollen grains were analyzed with scanning electron microscopy to characterize the surface details and apertures. As a result of this work, an identification key was prepared for Clara and Herreria species based on pollen morphology. All species present medium-sized pollen that are also heteropolar, elliptic amb, and monocolpate, with perforate, microreticulate, or reticulate surfaces. The two species of Clara differ with regard to their colpus dimensions and sexine ornamentation, and the seven species of Herreria can be distinguished by their sexine ornamentation, confidence interval values for the largest diameters, and colpi width. It was concluded that pollen morphology proved to be uninformative for differentiating the genera Clara and Herreria, but useful for distinguishing between related species.

New species of organic-walled dinoflagellate cysts from the Maastrichtian–Danian boundary interval at Ouled Haddou, northern Morocco

Slimani, H., Louwye, S. & Toufiq, A., September 2012. New species of organic-walled dinoflagellate cysts from the Maastrichtian–Danian boundary interval at Ouled Haddou, northern Morocco. Alcheringa 36, 341–358. ISSN 0311-5518. Seven new dinoflagellate cyst species and subspecies, previously figured under open nomenclature, from Maastrichtian and Danian deposits of Ouled Haddou (eastern external Rif Chain) in northern Morocco are formally described, and their stratigraphic ranges are clarified. Conosphaeridium lifum sp. nov. and Kenleyia chabaka sp. nov. have fibrous and reticulate wall surfaces, respectively. Oligosphaeridium saghirum sp. nov. is a small cyst with funnel-shaped distal process extremities. Spiniferella cornuta subsp. kacira subsp. nov. and Fibrocysta brevispinosa sp. nov. are distinguishable by their very short processes. Riculacysta chaouka sp. nov. is characterized by its perforate spinose ectophragm. Andalusiella bacita sp. nov. is a small and spindle-shaped cyst with only a single antapical horn.

Enhanced Visualization of the Fine Structure of the Stigmatic Surface of Citrus using Pre-fixation Washes

Stigma characteristics and morphology can be useful in taxonomic and phylogenetic studies, indicate relationships in stigma function and receptivity, and be valuable in evaluating pollen–stigma interactions. Problematic is that in some taxa, copious stigmatic exudate can obscure the fine structural details of the stigmatic surface. Such is the case for Citrus, which has a wet stigma type on which abundant exudate inundates surface papillae. The components of stigmatic surface compounds are highly heterogeneous and include carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, glycoproteins, and phenolic compounds. This study evaluated the efficacy of several pre-fixation wash treatments on removing surface exudate to visualize the underlying stigmatic surface. Wash treatments included various buffer solutions, surfactants, dilute acids/bases, and solvents. Stigmas prepared using conventional fixation methods in glutaraldehyde had considerable accumulations of reticulate surface deposits with stigmatic cells obscured. Pre-fixation washes containing solvents such as methanol, chloroform, and ethanol left accumulations of incompletely removed exudate and crystalline deposits. Alkaline water washes produced a crust-like deposit on stigma surfaces. Buffer washes left residues of plaque-like deposits with perforated areas. In contrast, excellent removal of stigmatic exudate was obtained with a pre-fixation wash composed of 0.2 M Tris buffer, pH 7.2, containing 0.2% Triton X-100 surfactant and allowed clear imaging of the stigma and surface papillae morphology. A central sinus and radially arranged openings on the stigmatic surface were clearly visible and shown for the first time using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Reconciling Cladistic and Genetic Analyses in Choreotrichid Ciliates (Ciliophora, Spirotricha, Oligotrichea)

Fifty-six features of halteriid, oligotrichid, and choreotrichid ciliates are cladistically analysed, including an updated hypothesis about the evolution of the somatic ciliary patterns. Based on its morphology, Lynnella clusters with Parastrombidinopsis, Parastrombidium, and Strombidinopsis, while it is basal to the other choreotrichids in the molecular phylogenies. The two clusters of Favella species in small subunit rRNA gene trees are supported by morphological features, justifying a separation at genus and family level. The genus Favella has a smooth lorica surface and a somatic ciliary pattern comprising a left and lateral ciliary field as well as two dorsal kineties and a monokinetidal ventral kinety abutting on the right ciliary field. The new genus Schmidingerella n. gen., established for the second Favella cluster, groups with Metacylis and Rhabdonella in the molecular trees. It differs from Favella in (i) a lorica wall with reticulate surface ridges and minute openings and (ii) a ventral kinety that is distinctly apart from the right ciliary field and composed of a monokinetidal anterior and a dikinetidal posterior portion. The genera Codonaria, Codonella, and Codonellopsis are affiliated with the family Dictyocystidae, whose diagnosis is improved to include the lorica sac.

Bertilanthus scanicus, a New Asterid Flower from the Late Cretaceous (Late Santonian–Early Campanian) of Scania, Sweden

A new genus and species of fossil flowers, Bertilanthus scanicus, is described from the Late Cretaceous of southern Sweden. The flowers of B. scanicus are actinomorphic and bisexual with an inferior ovary. Perianth and androecium are pentamerous. The sepals are small and free, and calyx aestivation is apert; petals are larger, and aestivation of corolla is imbricate. The androecium consists of a single whorl of stamens opposite the petals. The anthers are dithecate, tetrasporangiate, sagittate, and dorsifixed. Pollen observed in the flower is minute and oblate to spheroidal with three colpi and a tectate-punctate pollen wall. The gynoecium is formed from two carpels, and there are two free and stout styles. The epidermal cells of the styles are palisade shaped and form a distinct radiating pattern. The ovary is unilocular with numerous anatropous ovules borne on two intruding parietal placentae. There is a distinct five-parted nectary disk inserted between perianth and styles. The fruit was probably dry and capsular with apical dehiscence between the styles. Bertilanthus scanicus shares the presence of the unusual radiating palisade cells of the styles with Silvianthemum suecicum, another taxon described from the Åsen locality based on fossil flowers. Other critical features shared between Bertilanthus and Silvianthemum, including minute, tectate-punctate pollen, papillate-spiny extension of the palisade cells, free and stout styles, unilocular ovary, parietal placentation with placentae extending almost to the center of the ovary, and numerous anatropous ovules with reticulate surface, indicate that the two genera are closely related and also link these fossils to extant Quintinia, currently placed in the Paracryphiaceae (Paracryphiales) in the asterid clade.

Megaspores and Microspores of the Extant and Paleogene Marsileaceous Fern Regnellidium and Cretaceous Molaspora: Evolutionary and Phytogeographic Implications

In common with the single extant species of the water fern Regnellidium, Regnellidium diphyllum, megaspores of Eocene and Oligocene representatives of this genus are characterized by having twisted, leaflike folds forming an acrolamella around the triradiate suture. The fossil and modern megaspores also have very similar wall ultrastructure and sculpture, and the morphology of the attached microspores of both is indistinguishable. Specimens of one of the species of the Cretaceous megaspore genus Molaspora—namely, Molaspora lobata, with attached microspores from Spain—and spores in the sporocarp Regnellidium upatoiensis from Georgia, United States, share some characters with those of extant Regnellidium, but the surface ornament of the microspores and the ultrastructure of the megaspore and microspore walls are different. The inner layer of the inner perine of M. lobata megaspores is thinner than the outer layer and of more compact, spongiose construction than that of Eocene and Oligocene Regnellidium spores from Eurasia and extant R. diphyllum. The microspores attached to or associated with M. lobata have a reticulate surface formed from muri of an outer perine layer and a thick, two-layered exine, whereas those of fossil and Recent Regnellidium have a closely packed rugulate–papillate sculpture and a thin exine that consists of a single, slightly spongiose layer. These characteristics, therefore, distinguish the Cretaceous fossils from Eocene–Recent members of this group. On the basis of available morphological characters of megaspores and microspores, M. lobata is interpreted as sister taxon to Regnellidium or to the Regnellidium + Pilularia clade. The geographically widespread records of Molaspora, some species of possibly related Arcellites, and fossil megaspores attributable to Regnellidium show that the parent plants of all of these reproductive organs were widely dispersed in the geological past and that the current distribution of Regnellidium—which is restricted to Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina—is relict.

SYSTEMATIC AND ECOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF SEED COAT MORPHOLOGY IN SOUTH AFRICAN CAMPANULACEAE SENSU STRICTO

The seed coat morphology of 50 species of Campanulaceae sensu stricto, representing all 10 South African genera, was studied by scanning electron microscopy to gauge its usefulness in the diagnosis of genera or to support clades. Possible correlations with life form (annual, herbaceous and woody perennial) and ecological requirements such as fire response, rainfall requirements, bedrock and soil preferences, as well as habitat (e.g. fynbos, strandveld, renosterveld, grassland and karoo), were also investigated. Patterns of variation are described and interpreted as conforming to two seed coat types: reticulate (Type 1) and striate/wavy (Type 2). Type 1 seeds are further divided into eight subtypes. Some general trends emerged; for example, Type 1 seeds occur in all major clades of wahlenbergioids, Type 1A with a smooth coarsely reticulate surface being predominant in fynbos taxa, all of which are woody perennials. Several of the Type 1 seeds, together with Type 2 seeds, also occur in species with wider ecological amplitude, for example in karoo, strandveld or montane grasslands. In Siphocodon there is remarkable disparity in seed type between species. These variations in seed type generally appear to accord with current knowledge of climatic changes and soil evolution during the Tertiary of South Africa, and may be useful indicators of generic emergence and mosaic speciation in the major lineages of wahlenbergioids. However, it was concluded that seed coat types do not correlate closely enough with specific ecological requirements or life forms to be of unequivocal predictive value. Also, apart from Merciera and Treichelia, they are of limited use as a diagnostic character for genera, but are useful for distinguishing species.

Palynological contributions to the taxonomy of family Oleaceae, with special empahsis on genus Forsythia (tribe Forsytheae)

Traditionally, the Oleaceae has been divided into subfamilies Oleoideae and Jasminoideae. In the present paper, the taxonomical results so far made on the family were reviewed on the basis of palynology. The subfamilial classification is not well supported palynoligically, because both Myxopyrum of Jasminoideae and Comoranthus of Oleoideae having foveolate surface are well distinguished from the rest of the family having reticulate surface. The recent subfamily Nyctanthoideae (Takhtajan, 1977) including the monotypic Nyctanthus, was suggested to be included within the Jasminoideae although its closest relative on the palynological basis is different from that on the molecular basis. Tribal classification systems of the Jasminoideae are not well supported palynologically on the basis of surface character: presence or absence of bands on the mural ridge surface of the reticulum. On the basis of palynology, tribe Forsythiae including Abeliophyllum, Fontanesia, and Forsythia is monophyletic, and Fontanesia is well distinguished from the rest two. Korean species of Forsythia is divided into two: Forsythia koreana group and F. ovata-nakaii-saxatilis group. Recent discovery of F. saxatilis at a locality of F. ovata raised a question if the distinction between the two species on the basis of hairiness would be right. In the recent molecular studies, F. saxatilis var. lanceolata seems to be identified as F. saxatilis. Molecular studies showed that F. saxatilis (seemingly var. lanceolata or var. pilosa) is close to F. koreana. The fact in which the molecular result showed a close relationship between F. saxatilis varieties and F. koreana, is controversial to the result by floral and vegetative morphology. An intensive taxonomic study of these taxa would be needed.

A taxonomic study of the genus Fibigia Medik. (Brassicaceae)

In this study, Purpureae A.Duran and O.Cetin sect. nov. is described under the genus Fibigia Medik . The taxa of the genus were revised under the sections Fibigia and Purpureae . Fibigia clypeata (L.) Medik was classified as F. clypeata (L.) Medik subsp. clypeata and subsp . anatolica A.Duran & Tustas subsp. nov., and Fibigia eriocarpa (DC.) Boiss. was rearranged as F. clypeata (L.) Medik subsp. clypeata var. eriocarpa in Turkish Flora. The infrageneric and subgeneric keys were revised. Seed and pollen surface ornamentations were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The pollens examined have tricolpate aperture type and reticulate surface ornamentation. Seed surface ornamentation was reticulate. The taxa of the genus Fibigia have a diploid chromosome number of 2n=16. Karyotype analyses of the taxa were carried out for the first time. It was found that each taxon differed in chromosome morphology. Key word s: Fibigia, morphology, pollen, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), new taxa, Turkey.

Pollen Evolution in the Early‐Divergent Monocot Order Alismatales

Alismatales are a key clade in monocot evolution, as they are sister to all other monocots, excluding Acorales. However, phylogenetic relationships within the order are poorly resolved, prompting the need for a reevaluation of pollen and tapetum characters, which have proved useful in other monocot groups, such as lilioids. Development of monosulcate pollen in Aponogeton (Aponogetonaceae) and Butomus (Butomaceae) and of pantoporate pollen in Echinodorus (Alismataceae) is examined here. Phylogenetic mapping of pollen and tapetum characters, based on both original observations and an extensive literature search, demonstrates that Alismatales are characterized by a potential synapomorphy: a plasmodial tapetum. Microsporogenesis is successive, a character shared with Acorus and probably other potential outgroups. Linked character syndromes, involving thin‐walled or exineless, inaperturate (omniaperturate) pollen with a smooth or reticulate surface, have evolved iteratively within the order, probably related to the aquatic or semiaquatic habit of many alismatids. Extremely long (up to 1500 μm) filamentous pollen, associated with hydrophilous pollination, occurs in three closely related families (Cymodoceaceae, Posidoniaceae, and Zosteraceae). Pantoporate spiny pollen is a potential synapomorphy for Alismataceae (including Limnocharitaceae). Alismatales share some characters (plasmodial tapetum and reniform pollen) with Pandanales, although further work is required to investigate whether this apparent homoplasy is of systematic significance. Tofieldiaceae possess two interesting apomorphies (simultaneous microsporogenesis and a secretory tapetum) that are also found in Petrosaviales and some Dioscoreales.

Description of a New Argasid Tick (Acari: Ixodida) from Bat Caves in Brazilian Amazon

Nothoaspis amazoniensis n. sp. (Acari: Ixodida: Argasidae) is described from adult and immature ticks (nymph II, nymph I, larva) collected from bat caves in the Brazilian Amazon. Also, 16S rDNA sequences are provided. The diagnostic characters for adults are the presence of false shield or nothoaspis, an anteriorly projecting hood covering the capitulum, a medial extension of palpal article I (flaps), genital plate extending from coxa I to IV, absence of 2 setae on the internal margin of the flaps, a minute hypostome without denticles, presence of a central pore in the base of hypostome, and a reticulate surface pattern on the posterior half of the nothoaspis in males. The nymph II stage is characterized by a hood that is small in relation to the capitulum, short coxal setae, palpal flaps lacking setae on the internal margin, long hypostome, pointed with dentition 4/4 apically, and the anterior half of the body is covered by a cell-like configuration. Nymph I stage is characterized by a hood, small in relation to the capitulum, dorsum of the body covered by a cell-like configuration, venter integument covered by a cell-like configuration, and hypostome dentition 4/4 with apices that are "V"-shaped. Diagnostic characters of the larvae are the number and size of dorsal setae, and the shape of scutum and hypostome. The new species appears to have a life cycle with a larva that feeds on bats, a non-feeding nymphal stage (nymph I), a feeding nymphal stage (nymph II), and adults that probably represent non-feeding stages.

Palynological insights of the eastern Asian and eastern North American disjunct genus Symplocarpus (Araceae)

Symplocarpus L. (Araceae) is a disjunct genus including S. foetidus (L.) Nutt. var. latissimus (Makino) S. Hara, S. nipponicus Makino, and S. nabekuraensis Otsuka & K. Inoue in temperate eastern Asia; S. egorovii N. S. Pavlova & V. A. Nechaev in the Russian far east; and S. foetidus (L.) Nutt. in temperate northeastern North America. For the first time, pollen morphology of Symplocarpus was investigated by light and scanning electron microscopes. Symplocarpus foetidus var. latissimus and S. foetidus had reticulate surfaces and rounded (obtuse), long, equatorial axis tips, whereas S. nipponicus had microreticulate surfaces and acute tips. Symplocarpus foetidus in North America had larger pollen grains than S. foetidus var. latissimus in eastern Asia. Thus, based on pollen characteristics, S. foetidus var. latissimus is more closely related to S. foetidus than to S. nipponicus. Other lines of evidence, such as molecular phylogenetic studies and phenology, support the phylogenetic relationships among these species proposed in this study. The slightly modified acetolysis procedure conducted in this paper is a promising application to study weak exine or exineless pollen grains.