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Aim: Drylands cover about 41% of Earth's land surface and are home to fragile biota with high levels of endemism. Two hypothetical models, i.e., cradle and museum, have been proposed to account for present‐day species diversity in an ecoregion or biome. We investigated macroevolutionary patterns to test these two different models in Nitrariaceae, a characteristic component of the Eurasian dryland ecosystem. We also used this family to explore the intercontinental disjunct distribution pattern between the deserts of Eurasia and western North America, known as the Madrean–Tethyan disjunction. Location: Drylands in the Northern Hemisphere. Taxon: Nitrariaceae (Sapindales, Angiosperms). Method: We sampled all 16 of the currently recognized extant species of Nitrariaceae and 59 species from the eight other families of Sapindales. A fossil‐calibrated phylogeny was generated using 12 fossil constraints. The ancestral range and climate niche of Nitrariaceae were reconstructed, and diversification rates were estimated. Results: The most recent common ancestor of Nitrariaceae likely inhabited arid habitats with low rainfall in the temperate zone in the Late Cretaceous, which geographically corresponds to present‐day Central Asia. The western North American Peganum mexicanum split from its Central Asian sister group at approximately 39 Ma. Net diversification rates of Nitrariaceae experienced a significant increase around 11 Ma. Within Sapindales, at least seven arid species originated markedly prior to the Miocene. Main Conclusions: The North Atlantic land bridge and global cooling climate in the Late Eocene might have driven the formation of the present‐day disjunct distribution of Nitrariaceae between arid Central Asia and western North America. Nitrariaceae originated in the Late Cretaceous and exhibited long‐term climate niche conservatism, but experienced a rapid diversification in the late Miocene of Eurasia in response to orogenetic and climatic changes. These findings suggest that Eurasian drylands serve as both evolutionary cradles and museums for the diversity of Nitrariaceae and likely for other arid‐adapted lineages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The integration of morphological and molecular data is essential to understand the affinities of fossil taxa and spatio‐temporal evolutionary processes of organisms. However, homoplastic morphological characters can mislead the placement of fossil taxa and impact downstream analyses. Here, we provide an example of how to mitigate effectively the effect of morphological homoplasy on the placement of fossil taxa and biogeographic inferences of Cissampelideae. We assembled three data types, morphological data only, morphological data with a molecular scaffold and combined morphological and molecular data. By removing high‐level homoplastic morphological data or reweighting the morphological characters, we conducted 15 parsimony, 12 undated Bayesian and four dated Bayesian analyses. Our results show that the 14 selected Cissampelideae fossil taxa are placed poorly when based only on morphological data, but the addition of molecular scaffold and combination of morphological and molecular data greatly improve the resolution of fossil nodes. We raise the monotypic Stephania subg. Botryodiscia to generic status and discover that three fossils previously assigned to Stephania should be members of Diploclisia. The Bayesian tip‐dated tree recovered by removing homoplastic morphological characters with a Rescaled Consistency Index <0.25 has the highest stratigraphic fit and consequently generates more reasonable biogeographic reconstruction for Cissampelideae. Cissampelideae began to diversify in Asia in the latest Cretaceous and subsequently dispersed to South America around the Cretaceous–Palaeogene boundary. Two dispersal events from Asia to Africa occurred in the Early Eocene and the Late Eocene–Late Oligocene, respectively. These findings provide guidelines and practical methods for mitigating the effects of homoplastic morphological characters on fossil placements and Bayesian tip‐dating, as well as insights into the past tropical floristic exchanges among different continents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Papaveraceae, commonly known as the poppy family, contains many species with horticultural and/or pharmaceutical importance and has been the subject of various molecular studies. However, a widely accepted tribal classification for Papaveraceae remains lacking. In this study, we used a sampling covering all 48 of the currently recognized genera of Papaveraceae. Our study is to employ broad morphological data in combination with sequence data from two nuclear and seven plastid DNA regions to reconstruct phylogenetic relationships within the family. Our analyses indicate that Pteridophylloideae is sister to the clade containing Hypecooideae and Fumarioideae, and these three lineages are in turn sister to Papaveroideae. The alternative topologies constraining Pteridophylloideae as sister to the other poppy species, to Papaveroideae or to Hypecooideae, as recovered in previous studies, are all rejected. Fumarioideae contains nine main clades, and Fumarieae is nested in traditional Corydaleae. Within Papaveroideae, three main clades are recovered and Platystemoneae is embedded within traditional Papavereae. Both topologies constraining traditional Corydaleae or Papavereae as monophyletic are significantly rejected. Within this phylogenetic framework, the evolution of selected characters is inferred and diagnostic morphological characters at different taxonomic levels are identified and discussed. Based on morphological and molecular evidence, a new tribal classification of Papaveraceae is presented, in which 4 subfamilies, 14 tribes (including 7 newly described tribes), and 43 genera are recognized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Expansion and contraction of inverted repeats can cause considerable variation of plastid genomes (plastomes) in angiosperms. However, little is known about whether structural variations of plastomes are associated with adaptation to or occupancy of new environments. Moreover, adaptive evolution of angiosperm plastid genes remains poorly understood. Here, we sequenced the complete plastomes for four species of xerophytic Ceratocephala and hydrophytic Myosurus, as well as Ficaria verna. By an integration of phylogenomic, comparative genomic, and selection pressure analyses, we investigated evolutionary patterns of plastomes in Ranunculeae and their relationships with adaptation to dry and aquatic habitats. Results: Owing to the significant contraction of the boundary of IRA/LSC towards the IRA, plastome sizes and IR lengths of Myosurus and Ceratocephala are smaller within Ranunculeae. Compared to other Ranunculeae, the Myosurus plastome lost clpP and rps16, one copy of rpl2 and rpl23, and one intron of rpoC1 and rpl16, and the Ceratocephala plastome added an infA gene and lost one copy of rpl2 and two introns of clpP. A total of 11 plastid genes (14%) showed positive selection, two genes common to Myosurus and Ceratocephala, seven in Ceratocephala only, and two in Myosurus only. Four genes showed strong signals of episodic positive selection. The rps7 gene of Ceratocephala and the rpl32 and ycf4 genes of Myosurus showed an increase in the rate of variation close to 3.3 Ma. Conclusions: The plastomic structure variations as well as the positive selection of two plastid genes might be related to the colonization of new environments by the common ancestor of Ceratocephala and Myosurus. The seven and two genes under positive selection might be related to the adaptation to dry and aquatic habitats in Ceratocephala and Myosurus, respectively. Moreover, intensified aridity and frequent sea-level fluctuations, as well as global cooling, might have favored an increased rate of change in some genes at about 3.3 Ma, associated with adaptation to dry and aquatic environments, respectively. These findings suggest that changing environments might have influenced structural variations of plastomes and fixed new mutations arising on some plastid genes owing to adaptation to specific habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anemonopsis Siebold et Zucc. is an unstudied single-species genus belonging to the tribe Cimicifugeae (Ranunculaceae). The only species of this genus—Anemonopsis macrophylla Siebold and Zucc.—is endemic to Japan. There are no data on its chemical composition. This work is the first to determine (with liquid chromatography–high-resolution mass spectrometry, LC-HRMS) the chemical composition of methanol extracts of leaves and flowers of A. macrophylla. More than 100 compounds were identified. In this plant, the classes of substances are coumarins (13 compounds), furocoumarins (3), furochromones (2), phenolic acids (21), flavonoids (27), and fatty acids and their derivatives (15 compounds). Isoferulic acid (detected in extracts from this plant) brings this species closer to plants of the genus Cimicifuga, one of the few genera containing this acid and ferulic acid at the same time. Isoferulic acid is regarded as a reference component of a quality indicator of Cimicifuga raw materials. The determined profiles of substances are identical between the leaf and flower methanol extracts. Differences in levels of some identified substances were revealed between the leaf and flower extracts of A. macrophylla; these differences may have a substantial impact on the manifestation of the biological and pharmacological effects of the extracts in question. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A comparative karyotype analysis of four species of yellow-flowered Eranthis sect. Eranthis, i.e., E. bulgarica, E. cilicica, E. hyemalis, and E. longistipitata from different areas, has been carried out for the first time. All the studied specimens had somatic chromosome number 2n = 16 with basic chromosome number x = 8. Karyotypes of the investigated plants included five pairs of metacentric chromosomes and three pairs of submetacentric/subtelocentric chromosomes. The chromosome sets of the investigated species differ mainly in the ratio of submetacentric/subtelocentric chromosomes, their relative lengths, and arm ratios. A new oligonucleotide probe was developed and tested to detect 45S rDNA clusters. Using this probe and an oligonucleotide probe to 5S rDNA, 45S and 5S rDNA clusters were localized for the first time on chromosomes of E. cilicica, E. hyemalis, and E. longistipitata. Major 45S rDNA clusters were identified on satellite chromosomes in all the species; in E. cilicica, minor clusters were also identified in the terminal regions of one metacentric chromosome pair. The number and distribution of 5S rDNA clusters is more specific. In E. cilicica, two major clusters were identified in the pericentromeric region of a pair of metacentric chromosomes. Two major clusters in the pericentromeric region of a pair of submetacentric chromosomes and two major clusters in the interstitial region of a pair of metacentric chromosomes were observed in E. longistipitata. E. hyemalis has many clusters of different sizes, localized mainly in the pericentromeric regions. Summarizing new data on the karyotype structure of E. sect. Eranthis and previously obtained data on E. sect. Shibateranthis allowed conclusions to be formed about the clear interspecific karyological differences of the genus Eranthis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review summarizes information about the chemical composition and beneficial properties of species of the genus Eranthis Salisb. from the world's flora. To date, seven out of ~14 species found in Asia and parts of Europe have been studied to various degrees. Here, data are presented on the diversity of sets of chromones, furochromones, triterpene saponins, coumarins, and other classes of secondary metabolites of Eranthis species according to the literature. For new compounds—isolated from Eranthis for the first time—structural formulas are also provided. Among the new compounds, chromones and coumarins predominate, as do triterpene saponins of the olean and cycloartane series and lectin. The results of pharmacological studies are presented showing anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral, and other types of biological activities found in extracts, in their fractions, and in individual compounds of the aboveground and underground organs and parts of Eranthis species. Despite the limited geographic range of Eranthis plants, it is possible to search for active substances, develop methods for biological and chemical synthesis of the isolated substances, and create a finished therapeutic substance based on them. In addition, it is feasible to obtain the desired standardized pure materials from Eranthis species grown in vitro. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Arctic tundra is a relatively young and new type of biome and is especially sensitive to the impacts of global warming. However, little is known about how the Arctic flora was shaped over time. Here we investigate the origin and evolutionary dynamics of the Arctic flora by sampling 32 angiosperm clades that together encompass 3626 species. We show that dispersal into the Arctic and in situ diversification within the Arctic have similar trends through time, initiating at approximately 10–9 Ma, increasing sharply around 2.6 Ma, and peaking around 1.0–0.7 Ma. Additionally, we discover the existence of a long-term dispersal corridor between the Arctic and western North America. Our results suggest that the initiation and diversification of the Arctic flora might have been jointly driven by progressive landscape and climate changes and sea-level fluctuations since the early Late Miocene. These findings have important conservation implications given rapidly changing climate conditions in the Arctic. The Arctic tundra is a relatively young biome. Here, the authors sample 32 angiosperm clades encompassing 3600+ species and find that both long-term dispersal and in situ speciation may have contributed to Arctic flora assembly, in association with landscape, climate and sea-level changes since the early Late Miocene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, growth parameters of underground parts and concentrations of phenylpropanoids, phenylethanoids, flavonoids, hydroxybenzoic acids, and catechins in aqueous–ethanol extracts of 6-year-old cultivated plants of Rhodiola rosea (propagated in vitro) of Altai Mountain origin were analyzed, and differences in chemical composition among plant specimens and between plant parts (rhizome and root) were evaluated. High-performance liquid chromatography detected 13 phenolic compounds. Roots contained 1.28 times higher phenylethanoids levels (1273.72 mg/100 g) than rhizomes did. Overall, the concentration of phenylethanoids in underground organs was not high and ranged from 21.36 to 103.00 mg/100 g. High variation among R. rosea individual plants was noted both in growth characteristics and in levels of secondary metabolites under our cultivation conditions. It was found that concentrations of phenylpropanoids, phenylethanoids, and catechins significantly depend on the plant part analyzed (p ≤ 0.05). Specimen No. 4 is characterized by the highest concentration of rosavins (1230.99 mg/plant) and the lowest concentration of cinnamyl alcohol (62.87 mg/plant). Despite the wide range of values, all 10 tested specimens (underground part) met the minimum requirements of the United States Pharmacopeia (2015) for rosavins (0.3%) and of the Russia State Pharmacopoeia (2015) for the average level of rosavins (roots): (1%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims Artemisia is a mega-diverse genus consisting of ~400 species. Despite its medicinal importance and ecological significance, a well-resolved phylogeny for global Artemisia , a natural generic delimitation and infrageneric taxonomy remain missing, owing to the obstructions from limited taxon sampling and insufficient information on DNA markers. Its morphological characters, such as capitulum, life form and leaf, show marked variations and are widely used in its infrageneric taxonomy. However, their evolution within Artemisia is poorly understood. Here, we aimed to reconstruct a well-resolved phylogeny for global Artemisia via a phylogenomic approach, to infer the evolutionary patterns of its key morphological characters and to update its circumscription and infrageneric taxonomy. Methods We sampled 228 species (258 samples) of Artemisia and its allies from both fresh and herbarium collections, covering all the subgenera and its main geographical areas, and conducted a phylogenomic analysis based on nuclear single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) obtained from genome skimming data. Based on the phylogenetic framework, we inferred the possible evolutionary patterns of six key morphological characters widely used in its previous taxonomy. Key Results The genus Kaschgaria was revealed to be nested in Artemisia with strong support. A well-resolved phylogeny of Artemisia consisting of eight highly supported clades was recovered, two of which were identified for the first time. Most of the previously recognized subgenera were not supported as monophyletic. Evolutionary inferences based on the six morphological characters showed that different states of these characters originated independently more than once. Conclusions The circumscription of Artemisia is enlarged to include the genus Kaschgaria. The morphological characters traditionally used for the infrageneric taxonomy of Artemisia do not match the new phylogenetic tree. They experienced a more complex evolutionary history than previously thought. We propose a revised infrageneric taxonomy of the newly circumscribed Artemisia , with eight recognized subgenera to accommodate the new results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims Modern tropical rainforests house the highest biodiversity of Earth's terrestrial biomes and are distributed in three low-latitude areas. However, the biogeographical patterns and processes underlying the distribution of biodiversity among these three areas are still poorly known. Here, we used Tiliacoreae, a tribe of pantropical lianas with a high level of regional endemism, to provide new insights into the biogeographical relationships of tropical rainforests among different continents. Methods Based on seven plastid and two nuclear DNA regions, we reconstructed a phylogeny for Tiliacoreae with the most comprehensive sampling ever. Within the phylogenetic framework, we then estimated divergence times and investigated the spatiotemporal evolution of the tribe. Key Results The monophyletic Tiliacoreae contain three major clades, which correspond to Neotropical, Afrotropical and Indo-Malesian/Australasian areas, respectively. Both Albertisia and Anisocycla are not monophyletic. The most recent common ancestor of Tiliacoreae occurred in Indo-Malesia, the Afrotropics and Neotropics in the early Eocene, then rapidly diverged into three major clades between 48 and 46 Ma. Three dispersals from Indo-Malesia to Australasia were inferred, one in the middle Eocene and two in the late Oligocene–late Miocene, and two dispersals from the Afrotropics to Indo-Malesia occurred in the late Eocene–Oligocene. Conclusions The three main clades of Anisocycla correspond to three distinct genera [i.e. Anisocycla sensu stricto and two new genera (Georgesia and Macrophragma)]. Epinetrum is a member of Albertisia. Our findings highlight that sea-level fluctuations and climate changes in the Cenozoic have played important roles in shaping the current distribution and endemism of Tiliacoreae, hence contributing to the knowledge on the historical biogeography of tropical rainforests on a global scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species, Nitraria iliensis sp. nov., is described from the Ili basin, Almaty region, Kazakhstan. It belongs to section Nitraria ser. Sibiricae and is morphologically similar to N. sibirica Pall. An integrative taxonomic approach based on molecular, biochemical and morphological analyses, along with palynological data, was used to delimit this new species. The studied species of the genus are illustrated, and photographs of authentic specimens of the new species, as well as a distribution map of the new species and segregate taxa, are provided. Morphological characters were investigated, more important traits for identification were found, and a new key to distinguish between all species of the genus was prepared. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper focuses on the growth dynamics and biosynthetic characteristics of the microshoot culture of Spiraea betulifolia ssp. aemiliana obtained in vitro in agar-solidified and liquid media. Microshoots cultured in either type of media showed similar growth dynamics. The most active culture growth was observed from day 35 to day 60. A comparative analysis of the contents of flavonoids and phenol carboxylic acids showed a higher level of phenol carboxylic acids (5.3–6.84%) and a stronger 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical–scavenging activity (half-maximal inhibitory concentration: 341 µg/mL) in S. betulifolia ssp. aemiliana microshoots grown in the liquid medium compared to the microshoots cultured in the solid medium. The flavonoid content of the cultured microshoot did not depend on the consistency of the medium. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was employed to study the profile and levels of phenolic compounds in microshoots, intact plants, and ex vitro–acclimated S. betulifolia ssp. aemiliana plants. The concentration of kaempferol glycosides was found to be higher in microshoots (1.33% in the solid medium, 1.06% in the liquid medium) compared to intact plants and ex vitro–acclimated plants. Thus, the microshoots of S. betulifolia ssp. aemiliana cultured in the liquid medium rapidly increase their biomass and are an inexpensive promising source of biologically active antioxidant substances, mainly phenol carboxylic acids and kaempferol glycosides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spiraea hypericifolia L. is affiliated with the section Chamaedryon Ser. of the genus Spiraea L. (Rosaceae). Similar to many other Spiraea species, S. hypericifolia most often accumulates flavonols among other flavonoids, in particular quercetin and its derivatives. An ethanol–water extract from the aerial part of S. hypericifolia collected in the vicinity of the Ilyichovo settlement (Krasnoyarsk Krai, Russia) was analyzed by liquid chromatography with high-resolution mass spectrometry. Primary and secondary metabolites were found in the extract; structural interpretation consistent with quercetin and its derivatives was proposed for 10 of them. Major compounds were various glycosides of quercetin containing glucose (four compounds), galactose (one compound), xylose (two compounds), arabinose (one compound), or rutinose (one compound) as a carbohydrate residue. Isorhamnetin and 3-O-methylquercetin-3′-O-β-D-glucopyranoside were identified among methyl-containing compounds. The latter compound and reynoutrin, rhamnetin-3-O-β-D-xylopyranosyl-β-D-glucopyranoside, and quercetin-3-O-(6″-O-malonyl)-β-D-glucoside have not been previously found in S. hypericifolia. Data on the presence of quercetin and its derivatives in the extract of S. hypericifolia expand the understanding of the possible practical use of this plant. In addition, the microscopic features of S. hypericifolia leaves were studied. The diagnostic features of the leaf blade necessary for the authentication of raw materials were revealed: straight-walled epidermis cells, stomata located on both sides of the leaf blade (amphistomatic type), two types of trichomes, and wrinkled cuticula with nodi. The main anatomical diagnostic features of the leaves of S. hypericifolia were determined, which makes it possible to assess the authenticity of the raw material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paeonia obovata and Paeonia oreogeton belong to the monotypic family Paeoniaceae. Both are popular as ornamental plants. P. obovata and P. oreogeton have been introduced into Novosibirsk Oblast (Western Siberia) from Primorye (Far East). The aim of the study was to assess their adaptability as well as the effect of seasonal developmental stages on the accumulation of secondary metabolites and reserve substances in the leaves and rhizomes under the conditions of Akademgorodok (Novosibirsk, Russia). According to long-term data (15 years), P. obovata and P. oreogeton complete the entire growth cycle here, including flowering and fruiting. Both species exhibited abundant flowering, but in the first 3 years, P. oreogeton did not bloom; yet under the microclimatic conditions specifically selected for this species (a more shaded area), it started to bloom and fruit yearly. A biochemical analysis (by spectrometric method) of P. obovata and P. oreogeton grown in Akademgorodok showed that the leaves accumulate higher concentrations of flavonols (P. obovata: 1.77%), tannins (P. oreogeton: 16.42%), ascorbic acid (P. oreogeton: 155.2 mg/100 g), and sugars (P. obovata: 20.85%) as compared to the roots. Peony rhizomes contain higher concentrations of protopectins (P. oreogeton: 13.03%), saponins (P. obovata: 21.06%), and starch (P. obovata: 30.20%) than the leaves do. These data can help to increase the levels of these natural compounds in these species. Further investigation into the dynamics of accumulation of biologically active substances in the organs of peonies will help to identify introduced plant species having high biochemical potential for the pharmaceutical industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

4L]; Russian Federation, Voronezhskaya Oblast', Borisoglebskii Raion, town of Borisoglebsk, Matrosovskaya Str., at the walls of house, 51°22'34.09"N, 42°04'34.55"E, 30 Jun 2022, I V.S. Vishnyakov 68063 i (IRK); Russian Federation, Voronezhskaya Oblast', Gribanovskii Raion, 602nd km of Caspii Highway, edge of broadleaf forest, 51°27'07.15"N, 42°01'05.57"E, 18 Jun 2022, I V.S. Vishnyakov 68058 i (IRK); Russian Federation, Voronezhskaya Oblast', Novousmanskii Raion, Venevitinskii settlement, at fence, 51°48'50.12"N, 39°23'06.49"E, 13 Jul 2021, I V.S. Vishnyakov 65464 i (IRK) [Fig. 4K]; Russian Federation, Tul'skaya Oblast', Kireevskii Raion, Don Highway, vicinity of Krasnye Ozera settlement, on lawn, 54°01'13.67"N, 38°00'41.90"E, 14 Jul 2021, I V.S. Vishnyakov 65462 i (IRK); Russian Federation, Vladimirskaya Oblast', Gus'-Khrustalnyi Raion, N of Velikodvorskii settlement, roadside, 55°15'25.2"N, 40°40'08.4"E, 01 Jul 2022, I V.S. Vishnyakov 68080 i (IRK); Russian Federation, Volgogradskaya Oblast', Frolovskii Raion, Vetyutnev farm, on the dam between ponds, 49°46'06.55"N, 43°31'47.82"E, 19 Jun 2022, I V.S. Vishnyakov 68061 i (IRK) [Fig. 4O]; Russian Federation, Yaroslavskaya Oblast', Nekouzskii Raion, Borok settlement, roadside of bypass road, 58°03'38.99"N, 38°14'10.93"E, 17 Jul 2021, I V.S. Vishnyakov 65460 i (IRK); Russian Federation, Yaroslavskaya Oblast', Nekouzskii Raion, Shestikhino settlement, on railway embankment, 57°55'54.80"N, 38°14'33.61"E, 04 Jul 2022, I V.S. Vishnyakov 68088 i (IRK) [Fig. P.Beauv, 2 I n i = 18; Russian Federation, Krasnoyarsk Territory, I DSh EZ736-70 i ; Russian Federation, Republic of Altai, I EZ EZ460 i , I EZ EZ461 i ; Russian Federation, Novosibirsk Region, I EZ & TSh EZ361 i . [Extracted from the article]

Background: Mycoheterotrophy is a unique survival strategy adapted to dense forests and has attracted biologists' attention for centuries. However, its evolutionary origin and related plastome degradation are poorly understood. The tribe Neottieae contains various nutrition types, i.e., autotrophy, mixotrophy, and mycoheterotrophy. Here, we present a comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of the tribe based on plastome and nuclear ITS data. We inferred the evolutionary shift of nutrition types, constructed the patterns of plastome degradation, and estimated divergence times and ancestral ranges. We also used an integration of molecular dating and ecological niche modeling methods to investigate the disjunction between the Loess Plateau and Changbai Mountains in Diplandrorchis, a mycoheterotrophic genus endemic to China that was included in a molecular phylogenetic study for the first time. Results: Diplandrorchis was imbedded within Neottia and formed a clade with four mycoheterotrophic species. Autotrophy is the ancestral state in Neottieae, mixotrophy independently originated at least five times, and three shifts from mixotrophy to mycoheterotrophy independently occurred. The five mixotrophic lineages possess all plastid genes or lost partial/all ndh genes, whereas each of the three mycoheterotroph lineages has a highly reduced plastome: one lost part of its ndh genes and a few photosynthesis-related genes, and the other two lost almost all ndh, photosynthesis-related, rpo, and atp genes. These three mycoheterotrophic lineages originated at about 26.40 Ma, 25.84 Ma, and 9.22 Ma, respectively. Diplandrorchis had presumably a wide range in the Pliocene and migrated southward in the Pleistocene. Conclusions: The Pleistocene climatic fluctuations and the resultant migration resulted in the Loess Plateau-Changbai Mountains disjunction of Diplandrorchis. In the evolution of mycoheterotrophic lineages, the loss of plastid-encoded genes and plastome degradation are staged and irreversible, constraining mycoheterotrophs to inhabit understories with low light levels. Accordingly, the rise of local forests might have promoted the origin of conditions in which mycoheterotrophy is advantageous. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thalictrum is a phylogenetically and economically important genus in the family Ranunculaceae, but is also regarded as one of the most challengingly difficult in plants for resolving the taxonomical and phylogenetical relationships of constituent taxa within this genus. Here, we sequenced the complete plastid genomes of two Thalictrum species using Illumina sequencing technology via de novo assembly. The two Thalictrum plastomes exhibited circular and typical quadripartite structure that was rather conserved in overall structure and the synteny of gene order. By updating the previously reported plastome annotation of other nine Thalictrum species, we found that the expansion or contraction of the inverted repeat region affect the boundary of the single-copy regions in Thalictrum plastome. We identified eight highly variable noncoding regions— infA-rps8 , ccsA-ndhD , trnSUGA-psbZ , trnHGUG-psbA , rpl16-rps3 , ndhG-ndhI , ndhD-psaC , and ndhJ-ndhK —that can be further used for molecular identification, phylogenetic, and phylogeographic in different species. Selective pressure and codon usage bias of all the plastid coding genes were also analyzed for the 11 species. Phylogenetic relationships showed Thalictrum is monophyly and divided into two major clades based on 11 Thalictrum plastomes. The availability of these plastomes offers valuable genetic information for accurate identification of species and taxonomy, phylogenetic resolution, and evolutionary studies of Thalictrum , and should assist with exploration and utilization of Thalictrum plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ex situ origins and dispersal of taxa have played important roles in the assembly of island-like biodiversity hotspots. Insular limestone karsts in Southeast Asia are hotspots of biodiversity and endemism, but the immigration processes of their unique floras are still poorly known. Here, we used Gesneriaceae as a proxy to investigate the immigration dynamics of tropical and subtropical Southeast Asian karst floras. We present the most comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of the Old World gesneriads to date based on twelve loci. By estimating divergence times and reconstructing ancestral states (habitat, soil type and range), we found that immigration into subtropical Southeast Asian karst floras first occurred in the Early Miocene, with two peaks in the Early–Middle Miocene and the Pliocene–Early Pleistocene, whereas immigration into tropical Southeast Asian karsts initiated in the Late Eocene, with two peaks in the Late Oligocene and the Late Miocene. We also discover that Southeast Asian karst biodiversity comprises immigrant pre-adapted lineages and descendants from local acid soil ancestors, although niche shift from acid soil to karst in tropical Southeast Asian islands was lacking. This study advances our understanding of the historical assembly of Southeast Asian karst floras. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comparative karyomorphological analyses of six out of the eight white-flowered species of Eranthis sect. Shibateranthis have been carried out. All studied specimens of E. byunsanensis, E. lobulata, E. pinnatifida, and E. stellata had a somatic chromosome number 2n = 16 with basic chromosome number x = 8. On the contrary, E. tanhoensis and E. sibirica had a basic chromosome number x = 7. The specimens of E. tanhoensis were diploid with 2n = 14, while the specimens of E. sibirica were polyploid with 2n = 42. Monoploid chromosome sets of the investigated diploid species had 4–5 metacentric chromosomes and 2–4 submetacentric/ subtelocentric/acrocentric chromosomes. The highest level of interchromosomal asymmetry, estimated via CVCL, was found in E. byunsanensis and E. pinnatifida. The highest levels of intrachromosomal asymmetry (MCA) and heterogeneity in centromere position (CVCI) were found in E. lobulata and E. byunsanensis, while E. sibirica had the most symmetric karyotype. A multivariate PCoA analysis of basic karyotype parameters (2n, x, THL, CVCL, MCA, and CVCI) highlighted no overlap among species accessions, which was also confirmed by LDA. The average absolute monoploid DNA content (1Cx) of the 23 investigated samples of six Eranthis species varied from 9.26 ± 0.25 pg in E. sibirica to 15.93 ± 0.32 pg in E. stellata. Overall karyological affinity was highlighted between E. lobulata and E. stellata, on one side, and between E. byunsanensis and E. pinnatifida, on the other side. Interestingly, there was no significant correlation between total haploid (monoploid) chromosome length (THL) and 1Cx values in these species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evolutionary history of organisms with poor dispersal abilities usually parallels geological events. Collisions of the Indian and Arabian plates with Eurasia greatly changed Asian topography and affected regional and global climates as well as biotic evolution. However, the geological evolution of Asia related to these two collisions remains debated. Here, we used Eranthis, an angiosperm genus with poor seed dispersal ability and a discontinuous distribution across Eurasia, to shed light on the orogenesis of the Qinghai–Tibetan, Iranian and Mongolian Plateaus. Our phylogenetic analyses show that Eranthis comprises four major geographical clades: east Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau clade (I-1), North Asian clade (I-2), west Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau clade (II-1) and Mediterranean clade (II-2). Our molecular dating and biogeographic analyses indicate that within Eranthis, four vicariance events correlate well with the two early uplifts of the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau during the Late Eocene and the Oligocene–Miocene boundary and the two uplifts of the Iranian Plateau during the Middle and Late Miocene. The origin and divergence of the Mongolian Plateau taxa are related to the two uplifts of the Mongolian Plateau during the Middle and Late Miocene. Additionally, our results are in agreement with the hypothesis that the central part of Tibet only reached an altitude of less than 2.3 km at approximately 40 Ma. This study highlights that organismal evolution could be related to the formation of the three great Asian plateaus, hence contributing to the knowledge on the timing of the key tectonic events in Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evolutionary history of organisms with poor dispersal abilities usually parallels geological events. Collisions of the Indian and Arabian plates with Eurasia greatly changed Asian topography and affected regional and global climates as well as biotic evolution. However, the geological evolution of Asia related to these two collisions remains debated. Here, we used Eranthis, an angiosperm genus with poor seed dispersal ability and a discontinuous distribution across Eurasia, to shed light on the orogenesis of the Qinghai–Tibetan, Iranian and Mongolian Plateaus. Our phylogenetic analyses show that Eranthis comprises four major geographical clades: east Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau clade (I-1), North Asian clade (I-2), west Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau clade (II-1) and Mediterranean clade (II-2). Our molecular dating and biogeographic analyses indicate that within Eranthis, four vicariance events correlate well with the two early uplifts of the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau during the Late Eocene and the Oligocene–Miocene boundary and the two uplifts of the Iranian Plateau during the Middle and Late Miocene. The origin and divergence of the Mongolian Plateau taxa are related to the two uplifts of the Mongolian Plateau during the Middle and Late Miocene. Additionally, our results are in agreement with the hypothesis that the central part of Tibet only reached an altitude of less than 2.3 km at approximately 40 Ma. This study highlights that organismal evolution could be related to the formation of the three great Asian plateaus, hence contributing to the knowledge on the timing of the key tectonic events in Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The taxonomy of perennial Sesuvium species in Africa has been poorly investigated until now. Previously five perennial species of Sesuvium were recognised in Africa (S. congense, S. crithmoides, S. mesembryanthemoides, S. portulacastrum, and S. sesuvioides). Based on the differing number of stamens, S. ayresii is accepted here as being distinct from S. portulacastrum. Field observations in Angola also led the authors to conclude that S. crystallinum and S. mesembryanthemoides are conspecific with S. crithmoides. A new subspecies, Sesuvium portulacastrum subsp. persoonii, is described from West Africa (Cape Verde, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania, Senegal). The molecular phylogeny indicates the position of S. portulacastrum subsp. persoonii within the "American lineage" as a part of the Sesuvium portulacastrum complex which needs further studies. A diagnostic key and taxonomic notes are provided for the six perennial species of Sesuvium found in Africa and recognised by the authors (S. ayresii, S. congense, S. crithmoides, S. portulacastrum subsp. portulacastrum, S. portulacastrum subsp. persoonii, S. verrucosum and the facultatively short-lived S. sesuvioides). The distribution of S. crithmoides, previously considered to be endemic to Angola, is now confirmed for the seashores of Republic of Congo and DR Congo. The American species S. verrucosum is reported for the first time for Africa (the Macaronesian islands: Cape Verde and the Canaries). It is locally naturalised in Gran Canaria, being a potentially invasive species. These findings as well as new records of S. verrucosum from Asia and the Pacific Islands confirm its proneness to transcontinental introduction. Lectotypes of S. brevifolium, S. crithmoides, S. crystallinum and S. mesembryanthemoides are selected. The seed micromorphology and anatomy of the perennial African species is studied. Compared to the seeds of some annual African Sesuvium investigated earlier, those of perennial species are smooth or slightly alveolate. The aril is one-layered and parenchymatous in all species and usually tightly covers the seed. The aril detachments from the seed coat that form a white stripe near the cotyledon area easily distinguish S. verrucosum from other species under study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Bog blueberry, Vaccinium uliginosum is one of the newer fruit crops. Choosing the most appropriate methods for mass vegetative propagation of V. uliginosum cultivars, including in vitro propagation, is crucial. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the effect of growth regulators and light on in vitro rhizogenesis of V. uliginosum to determine the optimal method of propagation. METHODS: The following cultivation techniques were tested on microshoots of bog blueberry varieties 'Golubaya rossyp', 'Nektarnaya', 'Shegarskaya' and 'Iksinskaya': 1) ½ Anderson (A) medium supplemented with 3 and 10 μM indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) or indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and 2) 24-h aqueous treatments of microshoots with 148 μM IBA or 171 μM IAA and further cultivation in ½ A medium. In addition, we tested precultivation in darkness for 3 d versus a 16/8-h photoperiod. RESULTS: 100% rooting was observed in 'Golubaya rossyp' in all treatments of the experiments and with 'Nektarnaya' on the growth-regulator-free ½ A medium and after treating the microshoots with 171 μM IAA solution. Precultivation in darkness produced a positive effect on rooting in 'Shegarskaya' and 'Iksinskaya.' CONCLUSIONS: Response to in vitro rooting techniques varied between cultivars of V. uliginosum. Treatment of microshoots with auxin solutions improved in vitro rooting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents research in eco-coenotic features of cryopetrophyte communities of the Osevoi Ridge in the Western Sayan Mts. All communities studied are in the associationSaxifrago oppositifoliae–Rhodioletum quadrifidae. This association includes all communities with a predominance of alpine and arctalpine petrophytes, which are largely facultative and obligate calciphile plants. The coenoflora of the associationSaxifrago oppositifoliae–Rhodioletum quadrifidaeis represented by 54 species of higher vascular plants. The dominant species in its structure are those of Holarctic distribution and species generally confined to the Altai-Sayan mountain region, withPapaver pseudocanescens,Poa smirnowii,Sajanella monstrosa,Saussurea foliosaandSaxifraga melaleucabeing endemics. In the structure of the belt-zonal groups, arctalpine and alpine species dominate. Among ecological groups, obligate and facultative petrophytes, generally cryophytes, are dominant. The predominance of some particular belt-zonal and ecological groups of species indicates greater specificity of the environmental conditions in which the communities were formed and are currently being formed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The monophyly of Delphinium subg. Delphinium remains unresolved, owing to the controversial systematic position of the monotypic, eastern Asian endemic D. sect. Anthriscifolium. The other section of the subgenus, D. sect. Delphinium, is distributed in the Irano-Turanian (IT) region extending westward to the Mediterranean Basin. Recently, a new genus endemic to Turkey, Pseudodelphinium, was described and considered related with Delphinium (Delphinieae) or Garidella (Nigelleae). In this study, we first conducted a broad phylogenetic analysis within Ranunculaceae using matK sequences and placed Pseudodelphinium in Delphinieae. We then performed a series of analyses using four molecular markers (trnK-matK, trnS-G, trnL-F, ITS) focused on the tribe. The phylogenetic analyses based on the four-marker dataset indicate that Pseudodelphinium is embedded within sect. Delphinium. The Swofford-Olsen-Waddell-Hillis tests also reject the exclusion of Pseudodelphinium from Delphinium and sect. Delphinium. The monophyly of subg. Delphinium is not recognized because sect. Anthriscifolium unites with D. subg. Delphinastrum and Consolida. Based on molecular, morphological, and karyological data, we raise sect. Anthriscifolium to subgeneric status, whereas sect. Delphinium composed subg. Delphinium s.str. An integration of phylogenetic, molecular dating, and biogeographical methods indicates that the subgenus s.str. originated in East Asia during the latest Oligocene and began to diversify in the IT region at 8.45 Ma. Subsequently, the westward colonization events occurred at 7.06 Ma from the IT region to the Italian and Balkan Peninsulas and at 5.4 Ma from Italy to North Africa. A dispersal from North Africa to the Iberian Peninsula was inferred in the late Pliocene, supporting a hypothesis of trans-sea dispersal. Within the Mediterranean Basin, climate aridification and eustatic sea-level changes could have initiated the westward stepwise expansion of Delphinium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coptis (Ranunculaceae) contains 15 species and is one of the pharmaceutically most important plant genera in eastern Asia. Understanding of the evolution of morphological characters and phylogenetic relationships within the genus is very limited. Here, we present the first comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of the genus based on two plastid and one nuclear markers. The phylogeny was reconstructed using Bayesian inference, as well as maximum parsimony and maximum likelihood methods. The Swofford-Olsen-Waddell-Hillis and Bayesian tests were used to assess the strength of the conflicts between traditional taxonomic units and those suggested by the phylogenetic inferences. Evolution of morphological characters was inferred using Bayesian method to identify synapomorphies for the infrageneric lineages. Our data recognize two strongly supported clades within Coptis. The first clade contains subgenus Coptis and section Japonocoptis of subgenus Metacoptis, supported by morphological characters, such as traits of the central leaflet base, petal color, and petal shape. The second clade consists of section Japonocoptis of subgenus Metacoptis. Coptis morii is not united with C. quinquefolia, in contrast with the view that C. morii is a synonym of C. quinquefolia. Two varieties of C. chinensis do not cluster together. Coptis groenlandica and C. lutescens are reduced to C. trifolia and C. japonica, respectively. Central leaflet base, sepal shape, and petal blade carry a strong phylogenetic signal in Coptis, while leaf type, sepal and petal color, and petal shape exhibit relatively higher levels of evolutionary flexibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The method of preservation and in vitro propagation of rare species Dianthus mainensis was offered. Seeds were used as starting material for in vitro propagation. Explants were cultured on MS medium supplemented with BAP and NAA. The greatest number of shoots was obtained when supplementing 3 µM BAP (5.5 shoots per an explant). This medium provided direct morphogenesis without appearance of somaclonal variants. Rooting of shoots in vitro observed when using half strength MS medium without growth regulators. Regenerants of Dianthus mainensis were successfully adapted and transferred to the experimental field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species Dianthus mainensis (sect. Chinenses), which is endemic to the West Sayan is described and illustrated. The species is most close to D. versicolor but differs from the latter in a number of characters (e.g., leaf and stem indumentum; shape and pubescence of epicalyx scales; petal color). Similarly to the other members of this group, D. mainensis is an obligate petrophyte and grows on outcrops of carbonate rocks. (© 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rhodiola rosea L. is a valuable medicinal plant with adaptogenic, neuroprotective, antitumor, cardioprotective, and antidepressant effects. In this study, design of experiments methodology was employed to analyze and optimize the interacting effects of mineral compounds (concentration of NO3− and the ratio of NH4+ to K+) and two plant growth regulators [total 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and α-naphthylacetic acid (NAA) concentration and the ratio of BAP to NAA] on the growth and the production of total phenolic compounds (TPCs) in R. rosea calluses. The overall effect of the model was highly significant (p < 0.0001), indicating that NH4+, K+, NO3−, BAP, and NAA significantly affected growth. The best callus growth (703%) and the highest production of TPCs (75.17 mg/g) were achieved at an NH4+/K+ ratio of 0.33 and BAP/NAA of 0.33, provided that the concentration of plant growth regulators was 30 μM and that of NO3− was ≤40 mM. According to high-performance liquid chromatography analyses of aerial parts (leaves and stems), in vitro seedlings and callus cultures of R. rosea contain no detectable rosarin, rosavin, rosin, and cinnamyl alcohol. This is the first report on the creation of an experiment for the significant improvement of biomass accumulation and TPC production in callus cultures of R. rosea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aqueous-ethanol extracts (70%) from the leaves of Eranthis longistipitata Regel. (Ranunculaceae Juss.)—collected from natural populations of Kyrgyzstan—were studied by liquid chromatography with high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS). There was no variation of the metabolic profiles among plants that were collected from different populations. More than 160 compounds were found in the leaves, of which 72 were identified to the class level and 58 to the individual-compound level. The class of flavonoids proved to be the most widely represented (19 compounds), including six aglycones [quercetin, kaempferol, aromadendrin, 6-methoxytaxifolin, phloretin, and (+)-catechin] and mono- and diglycosides (the other 13 compounds). In the analyzed samples of E. longistipitata, 14 fatty acid–related compounds were identified, but coumarins and furochromones that were found in E. longistipitata were the most interesting result; furochromones khelloside, khellin, visnagin, and cimifugin were found in E. longistipitata for the first time. Coumarins 5,7-dihydroxy-4-methylcoumarin, scoparone, fraxetin, and luvangetin and furochromones methoxsalen, 5-O-methylvisammioside, and visamminol-3′-O-glucoside were detected for the first time in the genus Eranthis Salisb. For all the above compounds, the structural formulas are given. Furthermore, detailed information (with structural formulas) is provided on the diversity of chromones and furochromones in other representatives of Eranthis. The presence of chromones in plants of the genus Eranthis confirms its closeness to the genus Actaea L. because chromones are synthesized by normal physiological processes only in these members of the Ranunculaceae family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eranthis longistipitata Regel is an endemic plant of Central Asia. The flavonoid profile of E. longistipitata leaves was studied by mass spectrometry for the first time (natural populations of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, in 70% aqueous–ethanol extracts by liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry). Mass spectrometry revealed 18 flavonoid compounds. Flavonols featured the highest diversity, and 10 such substances were identified: 2 free aglycones (quercetin and kaempferol), 6 quercetin glycosides (peltatoside, hyperoside, reynoutrin, quercetin 3-sambubioside, rutin, and isoquercitrin), and 2 kaempferol glycosides (juglalin and trifolin). Two flavans (cianidanol and auriculoside), two hydroxyflavanones (6-methoxytaxifolin and aromadendrin), and one C-glycoside flavone—carlinoside—were identified. Dihydroxychalcones aspalathin, phloridzin, and phloretin were found too. Levels of rutin, quercetin, kaempferol, and hyperoside were confirmed by means of standards and high-performance liquid chromatography. Rutin concentration was the highest among all other identified flavonoid compounds: in the leaf samples from Kyrgyzstan, it ranged from 2.46 to 3.20 mg/g, and in those from Uzbekistan, from 1.50 to 3.01 mg/g. The diversity of flavonoid compounds in E. longistipitata leaves is probably due to external ecological and geographic factors and adaptive mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The most serious problem of intergeneric and interspecific hybridization is related to overcoming the reproductive isolation of different species. We assessed the efficiency of reproduction under in vitro conditions and the ex vitro growth capacity of interspecific hybrids of Vaccinium uliginosum × (V. corymbosum × V. angustifolium). The percentage of seed germination in in vitro culture was 88% for V. uliginosum, form No. 8 × (V. corymbosum × V. angustifolium), SC5-8, while it was 42% for V. uliginosum, form No. 8 × (V. corymbosum × V. angustifolium), 'Northcountry'. The analysis of mean value showed that the multiplication rate increased and the shoot height decreased as the 2-isopentenyl adenine (2iP) concentration was increased in the nutrient medium of the studied hybrids. The maximum rate was achieved using 15 μM 2iP. A detailed analysis of the hybrids indicated that the hybrid variant reliably affected growth and development indicators. Inter simple sequence repeat analysis demonstrated that all analyzed hybrids inherited DNA fragments of the parent plants in various combinations, confirming their hybrid nature. Thus, the use of in vitro methods for the propagation and further selection of genotypes is demonstrated as being an effective approach for developing interspecific hybrids of V. uliginosum × (V. corymbosum × V. angustifolium). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Numerous studies have favored dispersal (colonization) over vicariance (past fragmentation) events to explain eastern Asian-North American distribution patterns. In plants, however the disjunction between eastern Asia and western North America has been rarely examined using the integration of phylogenetic, molecular dating, and biogeographical methods. Meanwhile, the biogeographic patterns within eastern Asia remain poorly understood. The goldthread genus Coptis Salisb. includes 15 species disjunctly distributed in North America, Japan, mainland China, and Taiwan. We present a dated phylogeny for Coptis under the optimal clock model and infer its historical biogeography by comparing different biogeographic models. Results: The split of Coptis and Xanthorhiza Marshall occurred in the middle Miocene (ca. 15.47 Ma). Coptis started their diversification in the early late Miocene (ca. 9.55 Ma). A late Miocene vicariance event resulted in the eastern Asian and western North American disjunction in the genus. Within eastern Asia, dispersals from mainland Asia to Japan and from Japan to Taiwan occurred at ca. 4.85 Ma and at ca. 1.34 Ma, respectively. Conclusions: Our analyses provide evidence that both vicariance and dispersal events have played important roles in shaping the current distribution and endemism of Coptis, likely resulting from eustatic sea-level changes, mountain formation processes and an increasing drier and cooler climate from the middle Miocene onwards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]