Short Pedicels Research Articles

A new diminutive euphyllophyte from the Middle Devonian of West Junggar, Xinjiang, China and its evolutionary implications

Xu, H.-H., Wang, Y., Tang, P. & Wang, Y., May 2017. A new diminutive euphyllophyte from the Middle Devonian of West Junggar, Xinjiang, China and its evolutionary implications. Alcheringa 41, 524–531. ISSN 0311-5518.A diminutive euphyllophyte, Douaphyton levigata gen. et sp. nov., is described from the upper Middle Devonian (Givetian) Hujiersite Formation of West Junggar, Xinjiang, China. The plant consists of more than three orders of axis branching, each axis being less than 2 mm wide. The second-order axes are short, laterally and alternately attached to the main axis. The third-order axes are paired and anisotomously divided, bearing the vegetative appendages or the fertile units. The fertile unit consists of a short recurved axis giving off up to four short pedicels along one side, each of which bears one to four pairs of terminal sporangia. Douaphyton has a three-dimensional branching system that has an intermediate form in the evolutionary context of euphyllophytes and lignophytes. It is also proposed that complex branching developed in multiple groups in the Middle Devonian.*Hong-He Xu [hhxu@nigpas.ac.cn], Yao Wang [yaowang@nigpas.ac.cn], Peng Tang [pengtang@nigpas.ac.cn], Yi Wang [yiwang@nigpas.ac.cn] State Key Laboratory of Palaeobiology and Stratigraphy, Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210,008, PR China. Yao Wang [yaowang@nigpas.ac.cn] University of Science and Technology of China. 96 Jinzhai Road, Hefei, Anhui Province, 230,026, PR China.

A new Early Cretaceous Ginkgo ovulate organ with associated leaves from Inner Mongolia, China and its evolutionary significance

A well-preserved Ginkgo ovulate organ and its associated leaves are described from the Early Cretaceous Huolinhe Formation of the Huolinhe Basin, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China. This is the first discovery of the Ginkgo ovulate organ in the Huolinhe Basin. This ovulate organ has a cluster of (up to 6) ovules and an empty collar at the apex of a peduncle. The ovules are each seated in a collar, and five developed ovules are directly attached to the peduncle and one aborted ovule is terminated in a short pedicel. Detailed comparisons between the new Ginkgo organ and other reliable Ginkgo ovulate organs reveal that the new organ differs from any previously described organ. A new species, Ginkgo neimengensis sp. nov., is established. Leaves of Ginkgo coriacea associated with G. neimengensis are also described in detail. The close association and similarities of the cuticular structures between G. neimengensis and G. coriacea suggest that they were probably produced by the same plant. The present study further corroborates that the modern Ginkgo type ovulate organ first appeared in the Early Cretaceous and also provides new evidence for the Ginkgo evolutionary history.

Variability of stem morphology in Lycopodium clavatum (Lycopodiaceae) is not related to ploidy level

Background and aims – Based on pedicel length, three morphological forms of Lycopodium clavatum L. are recognized. It has been previously reported that these are correlated with the ploidy level. The present investigation compares for the first time in Poland the diversity in pedicel length with the corresponding nuclear DNA amount and the ploidy level of L. clavatum. We aimed to find correlation between the morphotypes and the ploidy level in the Polish population of L. clavatum.Methods – Samples of shoots were taken from two clumps of L. clavatum. The ploidy level and 2C DNA content analysis was combined with pedicel length measurements. The ploidy level and genome size estimation were performed using flow cytometry.Key results – We found the occurrence of two morphological types of generative stems. The morphotype A produced distinct long pedicels (10.8–43.3 mm). The morphotype B had visible, but very short pedicels (4.5–9.3 mm). We tested the already existing hypothesis, according to which the A and B morphotypes represent respectively diploid and triploid ploidy level. Surprisingly, we did not find such a correlation. Regardless of the morphotype, all the studied plants were diploid, with 5.04–5.13 pg/2C nuclear DNA content.Conclusions – The occurrence of stems of different morphology in L. clavatum was not linked to the ploidy level. It is not excluded that the morphotypes may be genetically determined, but in the studied material, the ploidy level is certainly not at the origin of their differentiation.

Saprobic Dothideomycetes in Thailand: Neoaquastroma gen. nov. (Parabambusicolaceae) introduced based on morphological and molecular data

In this paper we introduce Neoaquastroma, a novel genus from dead twigs, collected in northern Thailand. The genus is characterized by immersed, globose to subglobose or irregular-shaped ascomata, short papillate ostioles, a thin peridium, clavate asci with short pedicels, and multi-septate, hyaline ascospores with guttules in each cell. The morphological character differences and analyses of combined LSU, TEF, SSU and ITS sequence datasets, from a single ascospore isolate, support the validity of the new genus and its placement in Parabambusicolaceae. The new genus is compared with other genera in the family and a comprehensive description, and micrographs are provided.

Macro- and microscopic investigation of leaves and flowers cultivated species genus Primula L. – drumstick primrose

Topicality. Many species of genus Primula L. are valuable medicinal and vitamins plants, but analysis of scientific literature demonstrates a lack of systematic information on morphological and anatomical structure of some species of mentioned genus, especially drumstick primrose, so they still remain objects of investigation as perspective.The aim of these studies was investigation of morphological and anatomical structure above ground organs of drumstick primrose and establishing macro- and microscopic diagnostic features of plants, that are necessary for identification of new plant raw material.Materials and methods. The objects of the study were leaves and flowers of drumstick primrose harvested during the plants flowering. Microscopic analysis was performed using commonly accepted methodologies, microscopes MBS9, MS 10, microphotographs made by the Samsung camera PL50.Results and discussion. As a result of conducted investigation, it was found: 1. The morphological diagnostic features: leaves without leafstalk, reaches 20-40 cm in length, collected in a dense rosette. Leaf plate wide thick, elongated, on the edge finely serrated, light green, pubescence, wrinkled and lumpy. Thick peduncles, covered at the top by yellowish cilia. Small flowers on short pedicel, gathered in dense spherical umbrella diameter of 4-10 cm; corolla violet, blue, purple, red, pink or white. 2. Anatomical features: Leaf – leaf plate dorsoventral, hipostomatic; upper epidermis without stomata; lower epidermis of anomocytic type; many specialized cells with orange secret; on the edge of the plate located the teeth of secreting epidermis; lower epidermis densely covered with hairs of two kinds. Peduncles – cylindrical; anatomical structure transition. Primary bark a multilayer, many secretory cells and milkmen with brown contents; ring of conductive bundles narrow; core parenchyma contains many dark secretory structures. Epidermis covered by capitate glandular hairs. Flower – calyx; stomata and hairs absent; contain frequent dark secretory idioblast, veins with segmented milkmen with a yellowish secret. Corolla with secretory cells.Conclusions. For the first time, has been conducted investigation of morphological and anatomical structure features of leaves and flowers cultivated species genus Primula L. – drumstick primrose, detected their typical macro- and microscopic diagnostic features, that make it possible to identify the flowers and leaves of this species primrose and that used to develop the project of quality control methods for the new medicinal plant raw material.

Impatiens bokorensis (Balsaminaceae), a new species from Cambodia.

Impatiens bokorensis, a new species of family Balsaminaceae from Phnum Bokor National Park in southwestern Cambodia, is described and illustrated. The species is similar to Impatiens patula, but is readily distinguished by the orbicular-obovate dorsal petal, shorter pedicels and larger seeds.

Taxonomic Rearrangement ofAnthostomella(Xylariaceae) Based on a Multigene Phylogeny and Morphology

The genus Anthostomella is heterogeneous and recent DNA based studies have shown that species are polyphyletic across Xylariaceae. In this study, we present a morphology based, taxonomic treatment, coupled with a molecular phylogenetic reassessment of relationships within Anthostomella. This has resulted in the establishment of two new genera, eight new combinations and three new species among anthostomella-like taxa. Seventeen strains from 16 anthostomella-like species have been revisited. A re-description of morphological characters among these taxa suggests that Anthostomella can be circumscribed based on immersed ascomata, cylindrical asci with short pedicels and pigmented, equilateral ascospores with germ slits, while Anthostomelloides is characterized by oblong-ellipsoidal ascospores lacking germ slits. Anthostomella brabeji, A. forlicesenica, A. leucospermi and A. proteae are transferred to Anthostomelloides. Pseudoanthostomella gen. nov., possesses solitary ascomata, as well as asci with apical rings and is closely related to Neoanthostomella, but can be distinguished based on a combination of characters, such as multiple ascomata and asci completely lacking apical rings. Anthostomella conorum, A. delitescens and A. sepelibilis are reallocated to Pseudoanthostomella with two new species, P. pini-nigrae and P. senecionicola. Neoanthostomella viticola sp. nov. is added to the previously monotypic genus Neoanthostomella. Alloanthostomella gen. nov is introduced to accommodate Anthostomella rubicola. The only anthostomella-like genus diagnosed with hyaline ascospores so far, is Alloanthostomella gen. nov. This study represents a comprehensive molecular phylogenetic study based on four independent molecular markers (ITS, 28S rDNA, RPB2 and β-tubulin) with a broad taxon sampling across Anthostomella.

Selective resource allocation may promote a sex ratio in pollinator fig wasps more beneficial for the host tree

Mutualisms play a key role in most ecosystems, yet the mechanisms that prevent overexploitation of the mutualistic relationship are still poorly understood. In the mutualism between fig trees and their pollinating wasps both partners depend on each other. Fig trees benefit from female wasps that disperse their pollen, whereas wasps frequently benefit from a higher ratio of male offspring. Here we use manipulative field experiments to address whether host trees (Ficus racemosa) can influence the offspring sex ratio of the pollinator wasp. We controlled wasp matings; virgin wasps can lay only male eggs. We found that virgin foundress wasps had fewer offspring than mated foundresses. This was not caused by virgin wasps having a shorter lifespan, or laying fewer eggs. Instead, male wasp larvae were more likely to die during development. Additionally, male eggs were deposited in flowers of equal style length to those of female eggs, yet emerged from galls with shorter pedicels than those of female wasps. We suggest that male larvae are either allocated less resources by the tree, or are less able to attract resources, during development. If the tree orchestrates this difference it would promote a more female-biased wasp brood, thus increasing the tree’s fitness.

Argostemma laotica (Rubiaceae), a new species from Laos

Argostemma laotica, a new species from Laos, is described and illustrated. The species appears most similar to A. concinnum but differs in having pubescent stem, corolla and ovaries, oblique leaf base, shorter pedicel and smaller anthers which a dehiscence by an apical pore. The conservation status of this new species is vulnerable (VU D2).

Fossil species in Boehmerieae (Urticaceae) in Dominican and Mexican amber: a new genus (Ekrixanthera) and two new species with anemophilous pollination by explosive pollen release, and possible lepidopteran herbivory

The first fossil flowers of Neotropical Urticaceae (Boehmerieae) are described from the Dominican Republic and Mexico as belonging to a new genus, Ekrixanthera. Ekrixanthera hispaniolae sp. nov. from Dominican amber has pentamerous staminate flowers on short pedicels with a pilose pistillode and heteromorphic pilose tepals: two are clavate and three linear. Ekrixanthera ehecatli sp. nov. has pentamerous staminate flowers lacking pedicels, a pistillode with greatly reduced pilosity, glabrous and heteromorphic tepals with two linear and three wedge-shaped with truncate tips. The presence or absence of a pedicel, heterotrophic condition of the tepals, and the presence or absence of pilosity of the pistillode and tepals separate the two species. Those characters, together with the pentamerous flowers separate both fossil species from extant genera. The floral structures indicate explosive pollen release and pollination by wind (anemophily). Pistillate flowers have not been found for this usually dioecious tribe. Lepidopteran herbivory is suggested by a damaged stipule in one specimen and a nymphalid butterfly (Vanessa-like) caterpillar that may have used Ekrixanthera as a food plant is illustrated. The fossils establish an early lineage of Boehmerieae with characteristic explosive pollen release and perhaps associated herbivorous insects in the West Indies and North America during the mid-Tertiary.

The genus Lolia from freshwater habitats in Egypt with one new species

A new species of Lolia and the sexual morph of L. aquatica are described, with illustrations, from decayed submerged wood in the River Nile, Egypt. Molecular phylogenetic analyses of partial SSU and LSU rDNA sequence data place the sexual morph of L. aquatica and the new species, L. dictyospora in a monophyletic clade, distant from the closely related fungi in the freshwater family Lindgomycetaceae. Pairwise LSU rDNA sequence alignment of the sexual/asexual morphs of L. aquatica are 99% similar. Lolia species are characterized by pseudothecial or stromatic, immersed to erumpent, dark-brown to black, coriaceous to sub-carbonaceous ascomata, cylindric-clavate, bitunicate, fissitunicate, short pedicellate asci, yellow to reddish-brown, phragmo- or dictyospores, surrounded by prominent gelatinous sheath. Lolia species are phylogenetically distant from the closely related genera: Leptosphaeria (Leptosphaeriaceae) and Massariosphaeria (Pleosporales incert. sed.). Lolia differs from Leptosphaeria in having a prominent large gelatinous ascospore sheath, while this is absent in Leptosphaeria species. Lolia differs from Massariosphaeria in having smaller ascospores and fewer transverse septa. Based on molecular data and morphology, a new species, Lolia dictyospora, is established.

First report of tobacco root rot caused by Phytophthora nicotianae in Mexico

During 2014 and 2015, symptoms of root rot were observed in tobacco fields located in Veracruz, Mexico. Phytophthora colonies developing rosaceous pattern were consistently isolated on potato dextrose agar (PDA) and V8 juice agar media. Sporangia were papillate, noncaducous, measuring 40 to 49 x 33 to 37 μm, and with short pedicels. The sporangial shape was ovoid or ellipsoid. Chlamydospores were mostly solitary, intercalary, or terminal, measuring 29-33 μm in diameter. The oomycete was identified as Phytophthora nicotianae based on descriptions of Gallegly and Hong (2008). To confirm the identification, genomic DNA from a representative isolate was extracted, and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region was amplified by PCR and sequenced using the primers ITS5 and ITS4 (White et al., 1990). The resulting 896 bp sequence was deposited as GenBank Accession No. KR906059. BLASTn analysis showed a 97% similarity with those of P. nicotianae (GenBank Accession No. AB688370). Pathogenicity tests were performed twice on 20 healthy tobacco plants by immersion of roots in a zoospore suspension adjusted to 1 x 104 zoospores ml-1. Ten tobacco plants inoculated with sterile distilled water served as controls. Inoculated plants developed root rot symptoms after 10 days, whereas no symptoms were observed on the control plants. The oomycete present on inoculated plants was morphologically identical to that originally observed on diseased plants, thus fulfilling Koch’s postulates. To our knowledge, this is the first report of tobacco root rot caused by Phytophthora nicotianae in Mexico.

Lentithecium cangshanense sp. nov. (Lentitheciaceae) from freshwater habitats in Yunnan Province, China

Lentithecium cangshanense sp. nov. (Lentitheciaceae, Dothideomycetes), was found on submerged decaying wood in a freshwater stream in Yunnan Province, China. The species is characterized by its black, semi-immersed to superficial, globose ascomata, cylindrical or obclavate, short pedicellate, bitunicate asci and bi-seriate, fusiform, 1-septate, yellowish to brown ascospores. Phylogenetic analyses of combined LSU, SSU and RPB2 sequence data show that L. cangshanense belongs in the family Lentitheciaceae, order Pleosporales and is a distinct species in the genus. The new species is introduced with an illustrated account and compared with morphologically and phylogenetically similar species.

Taxonomy and Phylogeny ofJuncaceicolagen. nov. (Phaeosphaeriaceae, Pleosporinae, Pleosporales)

Abstract In order to establish phylogenetic relationships and resolve a natural classification for species of Dothideomycetes, it is necessary to use multi-gene phylogeny as well as morphology. In this paper we introduce a novel genus, Juncaceicola collected from Italy, in the family Phaeosphaeriaceae, with three new species, Juncaceicola achilleae on dead twigs of Achillea millefolium, J. dactylidis on dead twigs of Dactylidis sp. and J. luzulae on dead herbaceous stems of Luzula nivea. Juncaceicola is characterized by globose to subglobose ascomata with a minute papilla, a peridium composed of pseudoparenchymatous cells arranged in a textura angularis to textura prismatica, cylindric-clavate asci with a short pedicel and yellowish brown, ellipsoidal to fusiform, 3–4-septate ascospores, with the second cell from the apex enlarged. Descriptions and illustrations for each novel taxon and a key for morphological character differences are provided. Combined analyses of ITS, LSU and SSU sequence data support ...

Ophiosimulans tanaceti gen. et sp. nov. (Phaeosphaeriaceae) on Tanacetum sp. (Asteraceae) from Italy

Collections of microfungi on Tanacetum sp. (Asteraceae) in Italy resulted in the discovery of a new genus with characteristics similar to Ophiobolus. Phylogenetic analysis of sequence data showed that the new collection is a sister group to Ophiobolus and a new genus with morphologically distinct characters. In this paper, we introduce Ophiosimulans in the family Phaeosphaeriaceae with O. tanaceti as the type species. A detailed description and illustrations are provided and the new taxon is compared with similar genera in Phaeosphaeriaceae. Ophiosimulans is characterized by cylindrical asci with short pedicels and filiform ascospores with up to 15 septa, separating into two parts in the centre of the spore. Since Leptosphaeria tanaceti is also known from Tanacetum, we examined the syntype to compare it with Ophiosimulans, and provide an illustrated account of the species.

Poaceascoma aquaticum sp. nov. (Lentitheciaceae), a new species from submerged bamboo in freshwater

Poaceascoma aquaticum sp. nov. (Lentitheciaceae) was found on decaying bamboo submerged in a freshwater stream in northern Thailand. The new species is introduced based on its unique morphology and phylogeny. Poaceascoma aquaticum is characterized by black, semi-immersed or erumpent, papillate ascomata, bitunicate, cylindrical to cylindric-clavate, short pedicellate asci and filiform, pale brown to brown ascospores. Phylogenetic analyses of combined LSU, SSU and RPB2 sequence data shows that Poaceascoma aquaticum forms a robust clade with P. helicoides in the family Lentitheciaceae (Pleosporales). Poaceascoma aquaticum is described, illustrated and compared with related taxa.

A new species of Dendropanax (Araliaceae) from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

Abstract. Dendropanax fluminensis, a new species of Araliaceae from the Atlantic Forest of Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil, is here described and illustrated. It is compared with morphologically similar species from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, especially D. monogynus, from which it can be distinguished by the inflorescences with 2–5 secondary axes, shorter pedicels in flower and in fruit, and 3- or 4-carpellate ovaries. The new species has been found in lowland rainforests from sea-level to about 200 m elevation in the central portion of Rio de Janeiro state. Information on the geographic distribution, habitat preferences, and conservation status according with IUCN Red List categories and criteria are also presented.

Novitates Bruneienses, 5. Polyalthia watui (Annonaceae), a new tree species from Brunei, Borneo

A new species, Polyalthia watui, is described. It resembles Polyalthia bullata King in having bullate leaves with a cordate base, but is distinguished by its flowers with shorter pedicels, longer sepals and petals, subsessile monocarps with long stiff erect hairs; and broad-obovate leaves with fewer pairs of secondary veins. The new species is only known from Brunei's Belait and Tutong districts and is very likely endemic to the Belait geosyncline that includes these areas.

НОВЫЙ ВИД РОДА DOLICHOPUS ИЗ РЕСПУБЛИКИ ХАКАССИЯ, СИБИРЬ (DIPTERA: DOLICHOPODIDAE, ГРУППА ВИДОВ DOLICHOPUS LATIPENNIS)

A new long-legged fly species Dolichopus kosterini sp.nov. from Khakassia is described and illustrated. The new species belongs to the Dolichopus latipennis group and appears to be quite distinct in having mostly yellow antenna with relatively short scape and pedicel, in bearing long apicoventral seta on fore tibia, in rather distant from apex position of anterior preapical bristle on hind femur.

Four New Taxa of the GenusEcheveriafrom the State of Oaxaca, Mexico

Abstract Four new taxa of the genus Echeveria from the Mixteca Alta region, Oaxaca, are described and illustrated: Echeveria longissima subsp. brachyantha, E. nuyooensis, E. triquiana, and Echeveria uhlii subsp. coelestis. The first is a variant of Echeveria longissima var. longissima and E. longissima var. aztatlensis from which it differs mainly in the shorter corolla, short pedicels, longer stems and its habitat above 2500 m to the south of the localities of the two other known taxa in the series Longistylae E. Walther. The second taxon belongs to series Spicatae (Baker) A. Berger and is related to E. australis (Nudae), E. pittieri and E. tencho. Its distinguishing factors are size of the floral stem, inflorescence in form of a thyrse, and white nectaries. The third taxon is compared to E. fulgens and E. gibbiflora from which it differs mainly in shorter stems, short floral stem, pink-colored corolla, thick leaves, and white nectaries with reddish margins. The fourth taxon is a subspecies of E. uhlii o...