Species Of Ranunculus Research Articles

A new Ranunculus (Ranunculaceae) from Nevada, U.S.A.

A new species of Ranunculus from Elko County, Nevada, R. legerae, is described and illustrated. It is related to R. triternatus, R. glaberimmus, and R. adoneus. The earliest known collection was made in 1937. Poor label information prevented rediscovery, which did not happen until 2017. The second author discovered a large population in 2022 which led to this study and article.

New data on chromosome numbers of aquatic of Yakutia

Chromosome count data (2n) for 6 species of aquatic and semi-aquatic species from 11 localities are given: Callitriche hermaphroditica 2n = 6, Hippuris vulgaris 2n = 32, Potamogeton berchtoldii 2n = 26, Ranunculus subrigidus 2n = 16, R. trichophyllus 2n = 32, Sagittaria natans 2n = 22. For counting, both materials fixed in the field and seedlings grown in laboratory conditions (species of Ranunculus, section Batrachium) were used. The optimal fixation time for seedlings of Ranunculus spp. for counting the number of chromosomes is 9-10 a.m. The numbers of chromosomes for Potamogeton berchtoldii and Sagittaria natans were found for the first time in Yakutia.

Broad host range species in specialised pathogen groups should be treated with suspicion - a case study on Entyloma infecting Ranunculus.

Plant pathogenic smut fungi in the broader sense can be divided into the Ustilaginomycetes, which cause classical smut symptoms with masses of blackish spores being produced in a variety of angiosperms, and the Exobasidiomycetes, which are often less conspicuous, as many do not shed large amounts of blackish spores. The leaf-spot causing members of the genus Entyloma (Entylomatales, Exobasidiomycetes) belong to the latter group. Currently, 172 species that all infect eudicots are included in the genus. Vánky (2012) recognised five Entyloma species on species of Ranunculus s.lat. Two have been reported only from Ficaria verna s.lat., while three, E. microsporum, E. ranunculi-repentis, E. verruculosum, have been reported to have a broad host range, encompassing 30, 26, and 5 species of Ranunculus, respectively. This broad host range is in contrast to the generally high host specificity assumed for species of Entyloma, indicating that they may represent complexes of specialised species. The aim of this study was to investigate Entyloma on Ranunculus s.lat. using multigene phylogenies and morphological comparisons. Phylogenetic analyses on the basis of up to four loci (ITS, atp2, ssc1, and map) showed a clustering of Entyloma specimens according to host species. For some of these Entyloma lineages, names not currently in use were available and reinstated. In addition, Entyloma microsporum s.str. is neotypified. Six novel species are described in this study, namely, Entyloma jolantae on Ranunculus oreophilus, E. klenkei on R. marginatus, E. kochmanii on R. lanuginosus, E. piepenbringiae on R. polyanthemos subsp. nemorosus (type host) and R. repens, E. savchenkoi on R. paludosus, and E. thielii on R. montanus. For all species diagnostic bases and morphological characteristics are provided. The results in this study once more highlight the importance of detailed re-investigation of broad host-range pathogens of otherwise specialised plant pathogen groups.

Isolation and characterization of thirteen microsatellite loci in four diploid species of Ranunculus cantonensis polyploid complex

Ranunculus is a cosmopolitan genus, and the evolution of the genus has been influenced by both polyploidy and hybridization. The interactions between some species of Ranunculus are regarded as a natural model system for studying hybridization. Four diploid species of the R. cantoniensis polyploid complex have relatively little reproductive isolation from each other, and they form a complicated hybrid pool in a multispecies hybrid zone. To clarify the genetic structure and spatiotemporal dynamics of gene flow in this multispecies hybrid zone, 13 polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated from R. silerifolius var. dolicanthus. The loci's characteristics were observed in 30 individuals. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 6 to 20, and the PIC values ranged from 0.350 to 0.914. Eleven loci were significantly biased from the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. The 13 microsatellite loci were shown to be successfully amplified in three other related species. These polymorphic microsatellites will be powerful molecular tools for further studies of the Ranunculus genetic structure and gene flow.

The native and naturalised species of Peltocalathos and Ranunculus (Ranunculaceae: Ranunculeae) in southern Africa

The five native and naturalised species of Ranunculus L. and Peltocalathos Tamaru (Ranunculaceae: Ranunculeae) from southern Africa are reviewed, with full descriptions and nomenclature, taxonomic history, ecological notes, and distribution data. All species are illustrated. Peltocalathos, a monotypic genus based on R. baurii MacOwan, has been overlooked in the regional literature until now. The new name R. dregei J.C.Manning Goldblatt is proposed as a replacement name for the later homonym R. meyeri Harv., non Lowe. We conclude that the poorly known R. capensis Thunb. represents juvenile forms of the widespread and variable R. multifidus Forssk. and we synonymise the name, along with the three trivial epithets R. pinnatus var. hermannii DC., R. pubescens var. glabrescens Burtt Davy and R. pubescens var. harveyanus Burtt Davy, which have been overlooked in the recent literature. Based on number (mostly 40 achenes per head) and size (mostly 1.2–1.8 mm long) of achenes, we conclude that the southern African material of the aquatic species recently re-identified as R. rionii Lagger is more appropriately treated as R. trichophyllus Chaix.

Inflorescence and floral development in Ranunculus and three allied genera in Ranunculeae (Ranunculoideae, Ranunculaceae)

The development of inflorescences and flowers of three species of Ranunculus and three allied genera (Ceratocephala, Halerpestes, and Oxygraphis) (Ranunculeae, Ranunculaceae) was studied comparatively using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Our results showed that both the inflorescence branching patterns and the floral morphogenesis in Ranunculeae are extremely labile. Inflorescences range from a thyrsoid to a solitary flower, with intermediate branching patterns in which sometimes only the terminal flower of the inflorescence main axis fully develops, such as in Ceratocephala and Halerpestes. Only in Oxygraphis is the flower truly solitary. In all species, sepal primordia are broad, crescent-shaped, and truncate, and the primordia of petals, stamens, and carpels are rather small and hemispherical, and very similar to each other. The plastochron between the last sepal and the first petal is relatively long. At the onset of androecium or gynoecium development, the regular spiral pattern of the perianth may become irregular in Ceratocephala and Oxygraphis, whereas spiral and whorled patterns may co-occur in Ranunculus and Halerpestes. The development of the petals is delayed with regard to that of the other floral organs in all species studied here, except for Oxygraphis. Our study confirms that, for solitary flowers, increased number of petals and the shape of the ventral nectary may have evolved independently many times, as suggested by earlier molecular phylogenetic studies and ancestral character reconstructions. With respect to the remainder of the tribe, Oxygraphis displays several autapomorphies, such as nondelayed development and increased number of petals, which will be of interest for comparative molecular developmental studies.

A new species of the genus Ranunculus from Iran

A new species of the genus Ranunculus named Ranunculus microflorus Pakravan (Ranunculaceae) from Iran is described and illustrated. The smooth fruit and erect stem differentiate it from R. repens L., the straight beak distinguishes it from R. caucasicus M.B., also the small flowers distinguish it from both species. Pollen grains were also studied and provided additional characters. The similarities between this species and other closely related species are also discussed.

Phylogenetic relationships in Ranunculus species (Ranunculaceae) based on nrDNA ITS and cpDNA trnL-F sequences

The genus Ranunculus L., with a worldwide distribution, is the largest member of the Ranunculaceae. Here, nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence data and chloroplast trnLF sequence data were used to analyze phylogenetic relationships among members of the annual and perennial (Group Praemorsa, Group Rhizomatosa, Group Grumosa and Group non-Grumosa) species of Ranunculus in Iran. In the strict consensus tree of nrDNA ITS sequence analyses, seven sub-clades were described, based on morphological, karyological, palynological, and ecological features. Within each clade, there were species belonging to more than one Group, and species of a single Group may fall into different clades, revealing that a classification based on underground system characters does not show natural interspecific relationships and must be revised. This is also apparent from trnL-F sequence analyses. Based on our results, the Praemorsa and Rhizomatosa Groups can be merged. The ITS sequence data show interspecific relationships more clearly than trnL-F sequence data. © 2011 Progress in Biological Sciences, Vol. 1, No.1, 41-47.

The evolution and biogeography of alpine species in Ranunculus (Ranunculaceae): A global comparison

AbstractThe origin and evolution of alpine floras potentially can be shaped by immigration via long‐distance dispersal or migration over mountain chains. Alternatively, origins of alpine species may be referred to regional speciation via origins from lowland ancestors and adaptation to high altitudes. Moreover, evolutionary histories of alpine species have also been influenced by Quaternary glaciations. Range fluctuations due to climatic oscillations have caused vicariant speciation and secondary con‐ tact hybridization. However, comparative phylogenetic studies on alpine floras from mountain systems of different continents are scarce. Here we review the phylogenetic relationships of alpine species of Ranunculus, an almost cosmopolitan genus with alpine representatives in all major mountain systems of the world. Based on molecular phylogenetic analysis of 245 alpine and lowland species (based on a combined dataset of ITS, matK, trnK and psbJ‐petA sequences), we try to elucidate origins of alpine buttercups. Results suggest that most major mountain systems (European Alpine System, Irano‐Turanian mountains, Himalayas, Central Asian mountains, African mountains, and Andes) have been colonized multiple times independently; only the North American alpine species fall all into one clade. In the European and Irano‐Turanian mountains, recruitment of alpine species from lower altitudes of the same area, and migration within the Tethyan area might have played a major role. The alpine species of the Himalayas, the Central Asian mountains, the North American alpine species and the Arctic species fall into another, distinct clade, which may suggest a northern migration route. The North American alpine clade comprises many lowland species and might have diversified via adaptive radiation. In contrast, the Himalayan species have no lowland source flora and might have originated from immigrants of the Central Asian mountains. Tropical alpine Ranunculi in the mountains of Eastern Africa and in Taiwan have originated after long‐distance dispersal from other continents. The origin of the New Zealand alpines could have been referred to long‐distance dispersal, probably following southern migration routes via the Antarctic and South America. The Andes have been colonized multiple times by related genera of Ranunculus. We conclude that autochthonous origins and regional diversification of buttercups play a major role in northern hemispheric mountain systems, where alpine species could have evolved from rich lowland source floras. In subtropical to tropical mountain systems, and in the Southern Hemisphere, alpine species have been rather recruited via immigration, including long‐distance dispersal from other continents. A high adaptive potential of Ranunculus to alpine habitats might have helped to evolve alpine species all over the world.

Phytocontact dermatitis due to Ranunculus arvensis mimicking burn injury: report of three cases and literature review

Ranunculus arvensis (corn buttercup) is a plant species of the genus Ranunculus that is frequently used in the Far East to treat rheumatic diseases and several dermatological disorders. In Turkey, the plant is seen in the eastern and southeastern Anatolian highlands, which are underdeveloped areas of the country. Herein, we report three patients who used Ranunculus arvensis for the treatment of arthralgia and osteoarthritis. A distinctive phytodermatitis developed on the right thumb in one patient (48-year-old male), on the anterior aspect of both knees in another patient (70-year-old female) and all around both knees in a third (59-year-old female). The patients were treated with topical antibiotics and daily wound dressing, and none of them experienced any complications. Ranunculus arvensis was confirmed as the cause of the phytodermatitis in the three cases. Poultices of plants applied to the skin demonstrate beneficial effects on many dermatological and rheumatic diseases; however, they have several adverse effects that should not be ignored. In this study, we also present a review of 25 cases reported in the literature.

Karyotypes in four species of Ranunculus (Ranunculaceae): Karyotypic variation in Mainland China and the Japanese Archipelago

Five species of Ranunculus such as R. brotherusii, R. sieboldii, R. chinensis and R. silerifolius were karyologically studied especially with respect to speciation. Ranunculus brotherusii had the karyotype of 32 small-sized chromosomes (x=8). Ranunculus sieboldii had two different cytotypes such as 2n=48 and 2n=64. The 2n=48 karyotypes of the species from Mainland China were similar to each other and were identical to the 2n=48 karyotype from the Japanese Archipelago. The 2n=48 karyotype consisted of two different chromosomal groups: One chromosomal group comprising 32 and the other chromosomal group comprising 16 chromosomes. The 2n=64 karyotype might be produced by the fertilization of a normal gamete and an unreduced gamete. The karyotypes of R. sieboldii evidenced that the hybridization might play an important role of speciation. Ranunculus chinensis had a single and stable karyotype with 2n=16 under a wide geographical distribution across Mainland China and the Japanese Archipelago. In R. silerifolius specimens from the Mainland China, two different karyotypes such as Mugi and Otaru-C were identified. The Mugi cytotype was widely distributed across Mainland China and the Japanese Archipelago. The new karyotype, Otaru-C, was proposed in specimens from Mainland China. Polymorphism of the cytotype in R. silerifolius in the Japanese Archipelago was pointed out as an example of sympatric speciation.

Analysis of species diversity in Pedicularis associations of Eastern Himalayan

Species diversity of Pedicularis and associated plants in Sikkim Himalaya was studied in the year 2003-2004. On the basis of important value index (IVI) species of Ranunculus and Taraxacum were observed to be dominant in microhabitat associations. Index of richness was maximum 0.91 at Lachen, at the altitude of 3500 m and index of diversity was maximum 0.53 at Changu, 3500 m. Index of diversity was higher in Eastern Sikkim than Northern Sikkim but Index of richness was higher in Northern Sikkim.

Phylogenetic relationships and evolutionary traits in Ranunculus s.l. (Ranunculaceae) inferred from ITS sequence analysis

Ranunculus is a large genus with a worldwide distribution. Phylogenetic analyses of c. 200 species of Ranunculus s.l. based on sequences of the nrITS using maximum parsimony and Bayesian inference yielded high congruence with previous cpDNA restriction site analyses, but strongly contradict previous classifications. A large core clade including Ranunculus subg. Ranunculus, subg. Batrachium, subg. Crymodes p.p., Ceratocephala, Myosurus, and Aphanostemma is separated from R. subg. Ficaria, subg. Pallasiantha, subg. Coptidium, subg. Crymodes p.p., Halerpestes, Peltocalathos, Callianthemoides, and Arcteranthis. Within the core clade, 19 clades can be described with morphological and karyological features. Several sections are not monophyletic. Parallel evolution of morphological characters in adaptation to climatic conditions may be a reason for incongruence of molecular data and morphology-based classifications. In some mountainous regions, groups of closely related species may have originated from adaptive radiation and rapid speciation. Split decomposition analysis indicated complex patterns of relationship and suggested hybridization in the apomictic R. auricomus complex, R. subg. Batrachium, and the white-flowering European alpines. The evolutionary success of the genus might be due to a combination of morphological plasticity and adaptations, hybridization and polyploidy as important factors for regional diversification, and a broad range of reproductive strategies.

Out of Sight, Out of Mind: Thermal Acclimation of Root Respiration in Arctic Ranunculus

Respiration rates, thermal sensitivity, and thermal acclimation potential of root respiration were investigated in Ranunculus from the Arctic. Comparisons of three species (R. glacialis, R. nivalis and R. acris subsp. pumilus) used plants grown on a mountain or in a glasshouse for 6 wk at contrasting soil temperatures (5.4 and 14.5°C, respectively). Northern and southern ecotypes of two species of Ranunculus (R. pygmaeus, and R. acris subsp. acris), together ranging from Svalbard (79 °N) to Scotland (56°N), were similarly compared after 2 wk in a growth cabinet at 5 and 15°C. Respiration rates varied at standard measurement temperatures; R. nivalis and R. pygmaeus grown on the mountain or at 5°C had the highest respiration, followed by other alpine snowbed species (R. glacialis and R. acris subsp. pumilus) and R. acris subsp. acris from the arctic lowland; R. acris subsp. acris from Scotland had lowest rates. Respiration was temperature sensitive for all populations, increasing progressively between 5 and 20°C (Q10 (5–15): 1.2–2.4).Extent and type of acclimation of root respiration varied with no clear latitudinal pattern emerging. Acclimation to a 10°C increase in growth temperature was achieved through: change in temperature sensitivity (shown by changes in Q10 (5–15) values) (R. acris subsp. pumilus); or reduction in absolute rates (R. pygmaeus from Svalbard, R. acris subsp. pumilus and R. nivalis). Complete acclimation occurred in R. acris subsp. pumilus and R. pygmaeus, whereas R. acris subsp. acris from Scotland and R. glacialis did not acclimate. Plants that adjust root respiration (e.g., R. pygmaeus from Svalbard and R. acris subsp. pumilus) to maintain a positive carbon balance, may tolerate predicted temperature increases in arctic regions. Plants with high rates of root respiration and/ or high sensitivity to temperature as well as poor acclimation potential, (e.g., R. glacialis) may only persist in cold microhabitats.

Ranunculus uttaranchalensis (Ranunculaceae): a new species from Western Himalaya, India

A new species of the genus Ranunculus, R. uttaranchalensis, is described from Gangotri National Park, Uttaranchal in Western Himalaya, India. It is distinguished from the closely allied R. lobatus in having radical leaves sub‐cordate with hairy lamina base and petiole hairy above; cauline leaves sessile, 3–7 lobed with linear to narrowly lanceolate lobes; sepals usually reddish brown, externally hairy; petals rounded‐obovate and oblong, receptacle glabrous except 1–3 hairs at the top.

Data patterns in multiple botanical descriptions: Implications for automatic processing of legacy data

An analysis of conventional paper‐based botanical descriptions from Floras was undertaken as part of the development of MultiFlora, a system for the automatic production of a queryable database from such legacy data. The descriptions of five species of Ranunculus L. (buttercups and crowfoots) in six different English language Floras, from Europe and North America, show a surprising lack of uniformity in the suite of properties described. There is also considerable variation in the way property states are recorded. These findings have implications for the automatic production of taxonomic databases. This study is a proof of concept exercise, in which the taxa used are of negligible importance in themselves.

Cytogenetical Studies of Some Species of Himalayan Anemone and Ranunculus (Ranunculaceae).

Karyomorphological studies along with determination of chromosome number in some species of Anemone and Ranunculus (Ranunculaceae) have been made. The species observed include Anemone obtusiloba D. Don., A. obtusiloba subsp. omalocarpella Druhl., A. vitifolia Buch.-Ham., Ranunculus diffusus DC., R. laetus Wall. and R. sceleratus L. Four different types of chromosomes have been observed in R. diffusus, R. laetus and R. sceletatus. Satellited chromosomes have been observed in R. diffusus. In all the cases, chromosomes with centromeres at median regions outnumbered the rest. Chromosomes in all the taxa under present investigation except in R. sceleratus is considerably large and symmetrical showing primitiveness of the species.

The taxonomic significance of achene in the genus Ranunculus L. in Egypt

Morphological characters of achenes for nine species of Ranunculus among R. sardous Crantz. is new record tothe flora of Egypt. from Egypt have been investigated using light (LM) and scanning (SEM) microscopy. Carpelwall structure for some studied species has also been searched. The achene morphology showed considerablevariations in shape, size, surface pattern and wall structure. The macrocharacters as well as microcharacters ofachenes are discussed in relation to taxonomy and proved their significance in the distinction between the studiedspecies. A key and SEM micrographs of achenes are provided.

Chloroplast DNA restriction site mapping and the phylogeny ofRanunculus (Ranunculaceae)

A chloroplast DNA restriction site map forRanunculus sceleratus (Ranunculaceae) was constructed using 14 restriction endonucleases. The total size of the chloroplast genome is 152.4kb. No inversions were detected relative to the tobacco chloroplast DNA. Cladistic analyses of chloroplast DNA restriction site polymorphism were employed in order to elucidate the phylogeny among 76 species of the genusRanunculus in a wide sense and one species ofTrautvetteria. A total of 341 informative restriction site changes were detected. Parsimony jackknifing, bootstrapping and decay analysis were undertaken in order to evaluate the amount of support for the monophyletic groups. The results suggest that the analysed species ofRanunculus are divisible into two main clades. Only few of the traditional sections and subgenera ofRanunculus are monophyletic. The genusTrautvetteria is nested within a clade comprising, e.g.Ranunculus cymbalaria, R. andersonii, R. lapponicus andR. ficaria. SubgenusBatrachium lies within a larger clade containing, e.g.R. sceleratus andR. hyperboreus. Contractions of the inverted repeat due to parallel deletions of 200–300 bp close to the JSB have occurred in many clades and the phylogenetic distribution of this size reduction was mapped among the species.

Breeding systems of Australian Ranunculus in the alpine region

The breeding systems of five species of Ranunculus that co‐occur in the Australian alpine region were investigated in the field and glasshouse. Ranunculus muelleri, R.dissectifolius, R.graniticola, R.millanii and R.niphophilus are all facultatively xenogamous. Flowers appear to promote outcrossing by incomplete protogyny (flowers are female for 1–3 days, then bisexual for 3–10 days). Hand pollinations on plants in the field demonstrate that R.muelleri, R.graniticola, R.niphophilus and R.millanii are fully self‐compatible, while R.dissectifolius is only partly self‐compatible. However, low index of self‐incompatibility values for R.graniticola indicate that this species may also be only partly self‐compatible. Moderate levels of seed set from bagged flowers indicate that autogamous seed set due to automatic and/or possible thrips mediated intrafloral pollination may be common in all five species. Polled ovule ratios ranged from 992 to 3045 for these species of Ranunculus which are consistent with facultative xenogamy. The breeding systems of the Australian Ranunculus species in the alpine region are compared to that of other Ranunculus and examined in relation to the alpine environment.