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Genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships of Oxytropis species from the section Verticillares were studied on the basis of nucleotide polymorphism of cpDNA intergenic spacers psbA-trnH, trnL-trnF, and trnS-trnG at the center of the section origin (Baikal Siberia and adjacent territories of Southern Siberia, Mongolia, and China). Moreover, for the first time, the reconstruction of phylogenetic relationships of species from the section Verticillares based on the analysis of ITS nrDNA has been performed. The article summarizes new material on the topic under study and data for a number of previously unstudied species and populations; 84.4% of populations of 11 species are characterized by a high level of chloroplast haplotype diversity (h varies from 0.700 to 1.000). The majority of populations (71.9%) have high haplotype diversity with low nucleotide diversity. Three haplogroups revealed in the genealogical network of chlorotypes indicate that there are different evolutionary pathways of the species included in these groups: divergence of genetically isolated taxa in the zone of sympatry presumably on the basis of ecological specialization; incomplete sorting of lineages with conservation of ancestral polymorphism in combination with hybridization of weakly diversified taxa; allopatric divergence and polyploidization. The analyses of chloroplast and nuclear genome markers indicate the rapid adaptive radiation of Oxytropis species from the section Verticillares. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lack of diagnostic taxonomic characteristics in some species complexes leave the species delimitation of Oxytropis DC. unresolved. Seed morphological features have proved to be useful diagnostic and taxonomic characteristics in Fabaceae. However, there are few systematic studies on the seed characteristics of Oxytropis. Here, we used scanning electron and stereoscopic microscopy to investigate the seed characteristics of 35 samples obtained from 21 Oxytropis species from northwest China. Our examination showed two main types of hilum positions, terminal and central, and five different types of seed shapes: prolonged semielliptic, reniform, prolonged reniform, quadratic, and cardiform. Seven different sculpturing patterns were identified: scaled, regulated, lophate with stellated testa cells, simple reticulate, rough, compound reticulate, and lophate with rounded testa cells. The seeds ranged from 1.27 to 2.57 mm in length and from 1.18 to 2.02 mm in width, and the length-to-width ratio ranged from 0.89 to 1.55 mm. The seed shape was constant within species and was useful for species delimitation within the genus Oxytropis when combined with other macroscopic traits. In contrast, the sculpturing patterns were highly variable at the species level and could not be used for species identification. Results of the cluster analysis and principal component analysis (PCA) indicated that the seed traits of Oxytropis species are useful for taxa identification at the species level, but have low taxonomic value at the section level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genetic diversity and divergence of closely related species Oxytropis strobilacea,O. adamsiana, and O. vassilczenkoi series Strobilacei section Orobia (Fabaceae) from Asian Russia were studied based on nucleotide polymorphism of cpDNA intergenic spacers psbA-trnH,trnL-trnF, and trnS-trnG, as well as ITS nrDNA. Most populations are characterized by a moderate or high level of chloroplast genetic diversity (h varies from 0.600 to 1.000). In total, 65 chlorotypes have been identified, no shared chlorotypes were found in the taxa, which confirms the status of O. vassilczenkoi as a separate species. Two phyletic lineages have been identified in O. strobilacea, which indicates ongoing intensive diversification processes. One of the seven ITS ribotypes is shared for the three species, which is probably due to their common origin and relatively recent divergence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Oxytropis (Fabaceae) was formed from the ancient species of Astragalus presumably approximately 5.6 Ma ago in Southern Siberia. Our study summarized data on the genetic diversity of 69 populations of 31 Oxytropis species in the center of origin of the genus based on the sequencing of plastid genome markers. Most of the populations (82.6%) are characterized by high gene diversity (0.600–1.000), which indicates a relatively stable state. Phylogenetic relationships between most Oxytropis species remain unresolved. Three genetic complexes and four phyletic lineages have been identified. Some species form weakly differentiated complexes, which is probably caused by their relatively recent divergence and the demography processes, as well as interspecific hybridization and polyploidy characteristic of Oxytropis species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants belonging to the Oxytropis genus, family Leguminosae, are found throughout the world, with about 80 species mainly distributed in northwest and northeast China. The plants have medicinal properties and many plants have been used as folk medicine for the treatment of colds, inflammation of carbuncle swelling, pain, and different types of bleeding. In recent years, due to the reduced availability of wild resources and increased clinical demand, additionalOxytropis species have been used inMongolianmedicine. This study explored the medicinal potential of four Oxytropis species, investigating their phylogeny, chemical components, and pharmacological activities. Oxytropis myriophylla (Pall) DC., Oxytropis hirta Bunge, and Oxytropis bicolor Bge. were found to be closely related at the taxonomic level. While previous investigations on the bioactive constituents of Oxytropis have been limited and have concentrated largely on flavonoids and saponins, the present study established a novel UHPLC-Q-TOF/MS based on metabolite profiling to comprehensively analyze the chemical composition of the four Oxytropis species and to identify marker compounds. A total of 75 compounds were identified from the four species, with 23 identified as characteristic marker components. Twenty-six marker compounds were identified in O. myriophylla from different geographical regions. Analysis of pharmacological activity showed that extracts of O. myriophylla and O. hirta had stronger anti-inflammatory activity than the extracts from the other species. The relationships between the chemical components, traditional curative uses, and pharmacological activities were analyzed to provide a preliminary documentation of the pharmacophylogenetic characteristics of the Oxytropis family as a whole. Several marker compounds, including licoricesaponin G2, licoricesaponin J2, and glycyrrhizic acid found in O. hirta were found to have effective anti-inflammatory activity, consistent with the traditional application of reducing swelling and healing wounds. This preliminary investigation into the pharmacophylogeny of the genus Oxytropis will contribute to the conservation and exploitation of the medicinal resources of this genus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hybrid zones have been widely highlighted for their interest in understanding evolutionary processes. It is generally accepted that hybrid zones can be maintained in a balance between dispersal and selection. However, the selective forces can either be endogenous (i.e., genetic incompatibilities between parental taxa) or exogenous (i.e., parental taxa are adapted to different environments). In this study, we evaluated these alternatives and determined the maintenance of a narrow hybrid zone between parapatric distributed Oxytropis diversifolia and O. leptophylla in Nei Mongol, China. For 507 individuals sampled from two populations in the hybrid zone, 12 O. diversifolia populations and five O. leptophylla populations, we measured leaf‐morphological characteristics, quantified genetic structure using 11 nuclear microsatellite loci and five chloroplast DNA intergenic regions, collected micro‐ and macrohabitat data, and conducted geographical cline analysis. We found that the two species differed in leaf morphology, and putative hybrids showed either intermediacy or a bias to O. diversifolia. Parental taxa formed two genetically distinct clusters, while populations in the hybrid zone consisted of both parental forms and various admixed individuals, exhibiting a bimodal pattern. The hybrid zone was coupled to ecological transitions of both microhabitat (i.e., the slope) and macroclimatic conditions. However, the genetic clines were significantly narrower than the environmental cline. Our results indicate that endogenous selection can be primarily responsible for maintaining the hybrid zone, while local adaptation accounts for the position of the zone. We further suggest the probable outcome of hybridization could be introgression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxytropis pseudoglandulosa plant is used in traditional Mongolian medicine. However, its chemical composition and biological properties are poorly explored. In this study, the total content of polyphenols and flavonoids as well as antioxidant activity were verified in plant extract. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined by spectrometric (6.62 mg GAE/g and 10.32 mg QE/g) and chromatographic (17,598 mg/kg and 17,467 mg/kg) assays. The antioxidant potential was investigated by DPPH assay and yielded IC50 at 18.76 µg/mL. Twelve phenolic compounds were identified as components of O. pseudoglandulosa extract. Kaempferol-3-O-robinosyl-7-O-rhamnoside and kaempferol-3-(p-coumaroyl)-rutinosyl-7-rhamnoside made up 80% of determined components and were found to be the major polyphenolic compounds. The biological properties of O. pseudoglandulosa extracts were determined in vitro using human epithelial adenocarcinoma Caco-2 cell line. Low concentrations of extract (0–30 µg/mL) exhibited protective effects against cell damage caused by chemically induced oxidative stress. Elevated concentrations, on the other hand, resulted in apoptotic-type cell death induction. Metabolic failure, ROS elevation and membrane permeabilization observed in cells upon incubation with extract dosages above 50 µg/mL allowed us to conclude on O. pseudoglandulosa being predominantly a necrosis inducer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The characteristics of the leaf epidermis have proven to be useful criteria to support taxonomic studies within Fabaceae. However, there are few systematic studies on the taxonomic significance of leaf epidermis of Oxytropis DC. Here, we used light and scanning electron microscopy to investigate leaf epidermal characteristics of 18 species of genus Oxytropis from the Northeastern Margin of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Our examination showed two main types of leaf epidermal cells: polygonal and irregular, and four different patterns of anticlinal walls: straight-arched, sinuolate, undulate, and sinuate. All species studied possess anomocytic stomata. Two trichome shapes were identified: strip-like trichomes, that were present only in O. ciliata, and cylindrical trichomes, present in all other species. Epidermal cell shape and anticlinal wall pattern were constant within species and are useful for species delimitation within genus Oxytropis, when combined with other macroscopic traits. The shape of trichomes can be useful for distinguishing O. ciliata from the other investigated species. Stomatal type was the same within the genus and may be used to elaborate the phylogenetic relationships between genera in combination with data on stomata from other genera. Cluster analysis results were largely consistent with the classification of species and sections based on macro morphological data, indicating that foliar epidermis characteristics of Oxytropis can be used as markers for taxonomic identification at the infrageneric classification level. Lastly, our results support the delineation of the section Leucopodia as an independent section but do not support the merging of section Gobicola into section Baicalia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The dataset providing information on the geographic distribution of Oxytropis species on the territory of Asian Russia is discussed. The data were extracted from different sources including prominent floras and check-lists, Red Data books, published research on congeneric species and authors' field observations and mainly cover less-studied, remote regions of Russia. The dataset should be of value to applied, basic and theoretical plant biologists and ecologists interested in the Oxytropis species. New information The dataset includes 5172 distribution records for 143 species and 15 subspecies of genus Oxytropis DC. (Fabaceae Lindl.) in Asian Russia. The dataset fills gaps in the distribution of locoweeds in the study area and contains precise coordinates for many of rare and endemic species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Oxytropis (Fabaceae) was formed from the ancient species of Astragalus presumably approximately 5.6 Ma ago in Southern Siberia. Our study summarized data on the genetic diversity of 69 populations of 31 Oxytropis species in the center of origin of the genus based on the sequencing of plastid genome markers. Most of the populations (82.6%) are characterized by high gene diversity (0.600–1.000), which indicates a relatively stable state. Phylogenetic relationships between most Oxytropis species remain unresolved. Three genetic complexes and four phyletic lineages have been identified. Some species form weakly differentiated complexes, which is probably caused by their relatively recent divergence and the demography processes, as well as interspecific hybridization and polyploidy characteristic of Oxytropis species.

В ходе обработки гербарного материала, хранящегося в Гербарии Алтайского госуниверситета (ALTB, г. Барнаул), выявлен редкий вид, собранный на территории Республики Алтай – Oxytropis krylovii Schipz., который впервые приводится для флоры России. Ранее этот вид был известен только из флор Восточного Казахстана, Китая (Синьцзяна) и Монголии.

On the basis of the analysis of the nucleotide polymorphism of the intergenic spacers psbA–trnH, trnL–trnF, and trnS–trnG of chloroplast DNA of the Oxytropis species from Asian Russia, O. tragacanthoides section Hystrix subgenus Tragacanthoxytropis, O. coerulea, O. filiformis, and O. mandshurica sect. Janthina, and O. deflexa and O. glabra sect. Mesogaea subg. Phacoxytropis, it was found that all populations are characterized by high haplotype diversity (h varies from 0.676 to 1.000), except for species of the sect. Mesogaea (h varies from 0 to 0.333). Species-specific markers were found for O. tragacanthoides, O. deflexa, O. glabra, and O.mandshurica, as well as specific markers for the sect. Mesogaea. Reconstruction of the phylogenetic relationships of the chlorotypes of the species of the subg. Phacoxytropis, Tragacanthoxytropis, and Oxytropis showed that the species of the sect. Janthina are combined into one well-supported clade with the species of the subg. Tragacanthoxytropis and Oxytropis, but their relationships remained unresolved. An analysis of the genealogical relationships of the ribotypes of the ITS of nuclear DNA revealed a common ribotype for the species O. tragacanthoides, O. coerulea, O. lanata, O. chankaensis, O. oxyphylla, and O. triphylla, belonging to three subgenera. The revealed genetic affinity with clear morphological differences is characteristic of taxa with a common origin that have experienced relatively recent rapid adaptive radiation. The obtained data on the variability of markers of the nuclear and chloroplast genomes confirm the status of O. coerulea, O. filiformis, and O. mandshurica as three separate species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leaf shape exhibits tremendous diversity in angiosperms. It has long been argued that leaf shape can affect major physiological and ecological properties of plants and thus is likely to be adaptive, but the evolutionary evidence is still scarce. Oxytropis diversifolia (Fabaceae) is polymorphic for leaf shape (1 leaflet, 1–3 leaflets, and 3 leaflets) and exhibits clinal variation in steppes of Nei Mongol, China. With two close relatives predominantly fixed for one phenotype as comparison (Oxytropis neimonggolica with 1 leaflet and Oxytropis leptophylla with 5–13 leaflets), we used a comprehensive cline-fitting approach to assess the role of natural selection in shaping the spatial pattern of leaf-shape variation in this system. For 551 individuals sampled from 22 populations, we quantified leaf-morphological differentiation, evaluated patterns of neutral genetic variation using five chloroplast DNA intergenic regions and 11 nuclear microsatellite loci, and performed microhabitat and macroclimatic-association analyses. We found that 1-leaflet proportions in O. diversifolia populations significantly increased from west to east, and three phenotypes also differed in leaflet-blade size. However, compared with the other two species, populations of O. diversifolia showed little neutral genetic differentiation, and no population structure was detected at either marker. We further revealed that the leaf-shape cline could largely be explained by three macroclimatic variables, with leaflet number decreasing and leaflet-blade size increasing with annual precipitation and showing the reverse trends with temperature seasonality and isothermality. Our results suggest that spatially varying abiotic environmental factors contribute to shape the leaf-shape cline in O. diversifolia, while the interspecific pattern may be due to both local adaptation and historical events.

Leaf shape exhibits tremendous diversity in angiosperms. It has long been argued that leaf shape can affect major physiological and ecological properties of plants and thus is likely to be adaptive, but the evolutionary evidence is still scarce. Oxytropis diversifolia (Fabaceae) is polymorphic for leaf shape (1 leaflet, 1–3 leaflets, and 3 leaflets) and exhibits clinal variation in steppes of Nei Mongol, China. With two close relatives predominantly fixed for one phenotype as comparison (Oxytropis neimonggolica with 1 leaflet and Oxytropis leptophylla with 5–13 leaflets), we used a comprehensive cline-fitting approach to assess the role of natural selection in shaping the spatial pattern of leaf-shape variation in this system. For 551 individuals sampled from 22 populations, we quantified leaf-morphological differentiation, evaluated patterns of neutral genetic variation using five chloroplast DNA intergenic regions and 11 nuclear microsatellite loci, and performed microhabitat and macroclimatic-association analyses. We found that 1-leaflet proportions in O. diversifolia populations significantly increased from west to east, and three phenotypes also differed in leaflet-blade size. However, compared with the other two species, populations of O. diversifolia showed little neutral genetic differentiation, and no population structure was detected at either marker. We further revealed that the leaf-shape cline could largely be explained by three macroclimatic variables, with leaflet number decreasing and leaflet-blade size increasing with annual precipitation and showing the reverse trends with temperature seasonality and isothermality. Our results suggest that spatially varying abiotic environmental factors contribute to shape the leaf-shape cline in O. diversifolia , while the interspecific pattern may be due to both local adaptation and historical events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxytropis pseudoglandulosa plant is used in traditional Mongolian medicine. However, its chemical composition and biological properties are poorly explored. In this study, the total content of polyphenols and flavonoids as well as antioxidant activity were verified in plant extract. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined by spectrometric (6.62 mg GAE/g and 10.32 mg QE/g) and chromatographic (17,598 mg/kg and 17,467 mg/kg) assays. The antioxidant potential was investigated by DPPH assay and yielded IC50 at 18.76 µg/mL. Twelve phenolic compounds were identified as components of O. pseudoglandulosa extract. Kaempferol-3-O-robinosyl-7-O-rhamnoside and kaempferol-3-(p-coumaroyl)-rutinosyl-7-rhamnoside made up 80% of determined components and were found to be the major polyphenolic compounds. The biological properties of O. pseudoglandulosa extracts were determined in vitro using human epithelial adenocarcinoma Caco-2 cell line. Low concentrations of extract (0–30 µg/mL) exhibited protective effects against cell damage caused by chemically induced oxidative stress. Elevated concentrations, on the other hand, resulted in apoptotic-type cell death induction. Metabolic failure, ROS elevation and membrane permeabilization observed in cells upon incubation with extract dosages above 50 µg/mL allowed us to conclude on O. pseudoglandulosa being predominantly a necrosis inducer.

Plants in the Oxytropis genus can live with the endophytic fungi Alternaria sect. Undifilum. Swainsonine, the mycotoxin produced by the endophyte render the host plant toxic and this has been detrimental to grazing livestock in both China and U.S.A. Despite previous efforts, many questions remain to be solved, such as the transmission mode and life cycle of host–endophyte symbiont, the biosynthesis pathway of swainsonine, and in particular the ecological role and evolution of such symbiosis. In this review, we compile the literature to synthesize ideas on the diversity of the symbiosis and propagation of the endophyte. We further compare the previous work from both Alternaria sect. Undifilum and other swainsonine producing fungi to orchestrate a more comprehensive biosynthesis pathway of swainsonine. We also connect swainsonine biosynthesis pathway with that of its precursor, lysine, and link this to a potential role in modulating plant stress response. Based on this we hypothesize that this host–endophyte co-evolution originated from the needs for host plant to adapt for stress. Validation of this hypothesis will depend on future research on endophytic symbiosis in Oxytropis and help in better understanding the roles of plant–endophyte symbiosis in non-Poaceae species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships of Oxytropis caespitosa, O. grandiflora, O. eriocarpa, O. mixotriche, O. nitens, O. peschkovae and O. triphylla, section Xerobia subgenus Oxytropis, in one of the main speciation centres of the genus Oxytropis (Baikal Siberia and adjacent territories of Northeastern Mongolia) were studied based on sequence analysis of the psbA–trnH, trnL–trnF and trnS–trnG intergenic spacers of cpDNA, as well as the ITS nrDNA. Most populations are characterized by a high level of chloroplast genetic diversity (h varied from 0.327 to 1.000 and π from 0.0001 to 0.0090) due to the ancient origin for some species and to hybridization and polyploidy for others. 67 haplotypes were identified, of which six were shared. Phylogenetic relationships among species could not be satisfactorily resolved. Only the haplotypes of O. triphylla formed a group with rather high support. Probably, O. caespitosa, O. grandiflora, O. mixotriche and O. nitens constitute a single genetic complex. As regards the ITS nrDNA polymorphism, we detected only two ribotypes (RX1, RX2). Both were found in O. caespitosa, O. eriocarpa, O. mixotriche and O. peschkovae, while RX1 was present in O. nitens and O. triphylla, RX2 in O. grandiflora. The absence of diagnostic species-specific variants for the markers studied, together with the sharing of cpDNA haplotypes and nrDNA ribotypes between species, and the resulting polytomies on the phylogenetic trees, confirm the hypothesis on the hybrid origin of some of them. Obviously, the reproductive barriers within the sect. Xerobia are weak. However, morphological differences between the species of the sect. Xerobia are clearly pronounced, even when they grow in sympatry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three intergenic spacers (psbA–trnH, trnL–trnF, trnS–trnG) of chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) and an internal transcribed spacer of nuclear ribosomal DNA (ITS rDNA) were used to study the genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships of the species Oxytropis czukotica, O. exserta, O. gorodkovii, O. kamtschatica, O. mertensiana, O. nigrescens, O. pumilio, O. revoluta, and O. susumanica of the section Arctobia of the genus Oxytropis. According to cpDNA data, most populations are characterized by a low and medium haplotype (h varies from 0.154 to 0.583) and low nucleotide (π varies from 0.0002 to 0.0050) diversity. An analysis of the genealogical relationships of chlorotypes showed a clear separation of the studied taxa and the genetic proximity of O. nigrescens to O. susumanica and O. kamtschatica to O. exserta, the last two being the most diverged from all the others. In O. czukotica, three ITS rDNA ribotypes were detected; in O. nigrescens and O. susumanica, one common ribotype was found; and in all the others, one individual ribotype was identified for each species. According to the data of nucleotide polymorphism of markers of two genomes, the status of O. czukotica, O. gorodkovii, and O. pumilio taxa as a three separate species was confirmed. We suggest that O. susumanica is an intraspecific taxon of O. nigrescens. The revealed genetic similarities and differences of O. revoluta, O. exserta, and O. kamtschatica and their phylogenetic relationships do not correspond to the division of the Arctobia section into subsections; therefore, additional comprehensive studies are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Oxytropis DC. is one of the largest genera in the Fabaceae family. The most plant species belonging to the Oxytropis genus have an important medicinal value. Currently the botanical taxonomy of the genus is complicated due to existence of many subgenera and sections that developed based on morphological traits. Also, in the literature there is luck of knowledge on phylogeny of Oxytropis species from Central Asian region. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was the clarification of taxonomic relationship of two Oxytropis species from SouthEast of Kazakhstan (O. almaatensis Bajt. and O. glabra DC.). The study was based on using phylogenetic analysis and haplotype network assessment based on sequences ITS (internal transcribed spacers), which is DNA marker of nuclear genome. Plant materials of O. almaatensis were collected from 2 populations in two neighboring Gorges in Trans Ili Alatau Mountains, O. glabra plant material was obtained from Herbarium of the Department of Biodiversity and Bioresources, al-Farabi Kazakh National University. Based on DNA sequences of ITS the phylogenetic and network relationships were investigated by using Neighbor Joining and Median Joining methods, respectively. The nucleotide sequences of ITS of O. almaatensis and O. glabra were aligned with sequences of 29 Oxytropis references found in the NCBI database. Out of the 601 aligned positions of ITS 33 (5.6 %) sites were found to be polymorphic nucleotides and used in evaluation of the genetic relationship of species. Constructed MJ haplotype network showed a very high congruence with the NJ phylogenetic tree. MJ network provided valuable additional hints in clarification of the taxonomic relationship among species involved in the analysis. In this study phylogenetic NJ tree and MJ network based on the variation of ITS sequences confirmed the monophyletic origin of the genus. The ITS haplotype network suggested that O. glabra is very diverse species and possibly played important role in the evolutionary processes of the genus in Central Asian region. The study is additional contribution in the molecular taxonomy of complex Oxytropis genus.

The questions about the taxonomic status and phylogenetic relationships of the Far Eastern closely related species Oxytropis ochotensis, O. litoralis, O. erecta, O. ruthenica, and O. kunashiriensis of the section Orobia of the genus Oxytropis still remain unresolved. The study of the polymorphism of nucleotide sequences of the psbA–trnH, trnL–trnF, and trnS–trnG cpDNA intergenic spacers showed that populations of O. ochotensis and O. erecta are characterized by a low (0.378–0.495) haplotype (h) and a low (0.0006–0.0009) nucleotide (π) diversity, and in populations of O. ruthenica, h varies from 0.154 to 0.872 and π varies from 0.0002 to 0.0016. One O. ochotensis population from Magadan oblast and one O. ruthenica population from Russky Island (Primorsky krai) are monomorphic. Low nucleotide divergence of cpDNA between species O. ochotensis, O. erecta, and O. litoralis and also statistically insignificant genetic differentiation between them, the formation of a single haplogroup in the phylogenetic network, and the absence of species-specific molecular markers indicate the unity of their gene pool. A study of the ITS rDNA polymorphism revealed private ribotypes in O. ruthenica and O. kunashiriensis, the presence of a common ribotype in O. ochotensis, O. erecta, and O. litoralis, and the intraspecific polymorphism in O. ochotensis and O. erecta. The differences revealed in the chloroplast and nuclear genomes confirm the independence of O. ruthenica and O. kunashiriensis and suggest that O. erecta and O. litoralis are local phenotypes of the widespread polyploid species O. ochotensis. An analysis of the phylogenetic relationships of the cpDNA haplotypes showed a clear separation of O. ruthenica populations into two evolutionary lineages, but with a single ITS ribotype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

В работе представлены результаты изучения кариотипов редких и эндемичных видов Astragalus chorinensis Bunge, Oxytropis glandulosa Turcz., O. stukovii Palibin, O. varlakovii Serg. На основе полученных данных представлены идиограммы хромосом и формулы кариотипов. Исследование показало, что у A. chorinensis соматическое число хромосом 2n = 16. Хромосомная формула 2n = 2m + 14sm. Средняя суммарная длина гаплоидного набора составляет 40,24 мкм. Размеры хромосом варьируют от 4,29 до 6,31 ± 0,06 мкм. A. chorinensis характеризуется асимметричным кариотипом с преобладанием субметацентрических хромосом. Диплоидный набор у O. glandulosa 2n = 16, хромосомная формула 2n = 16 = 4m + 12sm. Хромосомы достаточно однородны по размеру, средняя длина составила от 1,56 ± 0,05 до 1,93 ± 0,09 мкм. Суммарная длина гаплоидного набора хромосом составила 33,63 мкм. Для O. stukovii установлена хромосомная формула 2n = 16 = 6m + 10sm. Общая длина гаплоидного набора (CL) составила 33,74 мкм. Длина хромосом колеблется от 3,75 ± 0,10 мкм до 4,93 ± 0,14 мкм. Хромосомы O. varlakovii относятся к метацентрическому и субметацентрическому типу. Хромосомная формула 2n = 32 = 4m + 28sm. Размеры хромосом варьируют от 0,74 ± 0,01 до 1,56 ± 0,15 мкм. Суммарная длина гаплоидного набора составила 33,74 мкм. O. stukovii, O. glandulosa и O. varlakovii характеризуются симметричным кариотипом с преобладанием хромосом метацентрического типа.

Abstract Background Oxytropis almaatensis Bajt. is a rare, narrow endemic species of the Trans-Ili Alatau mountains in Kazakhstan. Up to now, no studies regarding the taxonomy and variation of key morphological traits of O. almaatensis were undertaken. The purpose of this analysis was to evaluate phenotypic variation of O. almaatensis and assess the position of the species within the genus based on nucleotide sequences of the nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. Results Two populations of O. almaatensis were collected in neighboring gorges of the Trans-Ili Alatau Mountains. The ITS sequences from the samples of two populations of O. almaatensis were identical. The phylogenetic analysis indicated that O. almaatensis is within Oxytropis genetically close to O. glabra as these species formed a separate subclade. The phenotypic variation of populations was assessed using nine morphological traits and compared to descriptions of O. glabra. The range of variation for the traits between two populations was established. A clear morphological difference of O. almaatensis and O. glabra was found in peduncle length to leaf length ratio. This was in O. almaatensis 1.56, while in O. glabra, it was 1.0. Conclusions The study provides the first phenotypic description and phylogenetic placement of the rare endemic species O. almaatensis. The morphological traits in two O. almaatensis populations showed a high level of phenotypic variability. Although clearly different from O. glabra, the ITS phylogeny grouped these species in a subclade within the genus.

The analysis of nucleotide sequence polymorphism of chloroplast DNA psbA–trnH, trnL–trnF, and trnS–trnG intergenic spacers in the Oxytropis lanata, O. myriophylla, O. oxyphylla, O. selengensis, and O. stukovii (section Verticillares) of the steppe flora of Baikal Siberia demonstrated that the populations are characterized by a high haplotype (0.634–1.000) and relatively low (0.0003–0.0045) nucleotide diversity. Statistically significant values of genetic distances between the populations of the same species change from 0.19382 to 0.43449. Marker nucleotide substitutions and indels were detected in O. lanata, O. gracillima, O. interposita, O. pumila, and O. mongolica, indicating a significant divergence of their chloroplast genomes. A weak differentiation (ΦST = 0.137, P < 0.0001) between O. oxyphylla, O. selengensis, O. stukovii and O. bargusinensis and also low values of genetic distances (0.08939–0.32339) (corresponding to interpopulation distances), absence of differentiating molecular markers, formation of a single haplogroup in the median network, and presence of common haplotypes indicate that these species are a genetically homogeneous group probably formed as a result of relatively recent and rapid divergence from the common ancestor, as well as a high degree of interspecies hybridization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alternaria oxytropis is an endophytic fungus of locoweeds that synthesizes swainsonine toxin. In this work, we evaluated the effect of A. oxytropis on soybean seedlings and quantified swainsonine in different culture conditions. Soybean (Glycine max) seeds were co-cultured with A. oxytropis (at different concentrations of mycelial suspensions) in agar media and soil culture, and swainsonine was assayed using LC-MS/MS. The results showed evidence that A. oxytropis infected soybean seedlings produced detectable swainsonine in agar culture while the toxin was undetectable or below the detection limit (0.006% of swainsonine dry weight) in soil media even at higher concentrations of the fungus. These results suggest that swainsonine detection is highly dependent on culture conditions and that soybeans co-cultured with A. oxytropis in soil could potentially be used to limit toxin production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The first complete chloroplast genome of Oxytropis bicolor Bunge is reported and characterized in this study. The whole chloroplast genome was 122,461 base pairs in length with 110 genes, including 76 protein-coding genes, 30 tRNAs, and 4 rRNAs. In addition, the atpF intron was absent. Maximum-likelihood (ML) phylogenetic analysis indicated that O. bicolor and species of Astragalus were closely related, which is congruent with previous studies.

Graphical abstract Highlights • 16 Glycoconjugated compounds with different volatile aglycones but similar sugars were obtained from Oxytropis falcata. • Five glucuronic acid (1 → 2) glucosides with different volatile aglycones were previously undescribed. • Scientific evidences were presented for better clarifying the volatile compositions of this medicinal plant and genus Oxytropis. Abstract A phytochemical investigation on the whole plant of Oxytropis falcata Bunge yielded 16 glycoconjugated compounds with structurally diverse volatile aglycones but similar sugars. Of these, five were previously undescribed compounds with different volatile aglycones but same glucuronic acid (1 → 2) glucosyl moiety, including three octanol glucuronic acid (1 → 2) glucosides (1 – 3), one acyclic monoterpenoid glucuronic acid (1 → 2) glucoside (4), and one 4-phenyl-butan-2-ol glucuronic acid (1 → 2) glucoside (5), and 11 were biological related known glucoconjugated volatile compounds (6 – 16) isolated from genus Oxytropis for the first time. The structures of these compounds were determined by extensive spectroscopic analysis of MS, 1D and 2D NMR data. The absolute configurations of aglycones and sugar residues were assigned via enzymatic hydrolysis and subsequently comparison of the specific rotations. This is the first report of such structurally diverse glycoconjugated volatile compounds from O. falcata , which might be regarded as the precursor of free volatile compounds, and presents scientific evidences for better clarifying the volatile compositions of this medicinal plant and genus Oxytropis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The central Asian narrow endemic species Oxytropis almaatensis is a highly endangered plant with a very restricted distribution in the Tian Shan Mountains. In this study, we present the basic conservation genetic characteristics of this species based on a DNA fingerprinting approach in order to provide yardsticks for official conservation agencies to develop an informed conservation strategy. The three currently known populations with two allopatric subpopulations at each site were sampled in the Trans-Ili Alatau Mountains (S Kazakhstan) and subject to AFLP analysis using four primer combinations. This was supplemented by flow cytometry of plants with remarkably different body sizes to check for possible ploidy differences. The presence or absence of AFLP bands was used in downstream analyses utilising various population genetic approaches. Genetic diversity of O. almaatensis was found to be on the upper end of the spectrum typical for other outcrossing species of similar life-history characteristics. Most of the genetic variation was attributable to within (sub) population variance, and we also found a remarkable gene flow between the populations. However, the geographically closer populations were found to be more close to each other genetically, and population differentiation showed the same pattern with a significant isolation by distance. Similar patterns were not found for subpopulations of the geographically more close populations, and the subpopulations living along the same river valley were found to be genetically more cohesive. Flow cytometry did not reveal any difference in DNA content between the small and large forms of the species. All these results suggest the presence of two separate populations at the three localities of this species. Conservation efforts should focus on these two populations, and, given the relatively high genetic diversity within each population, both ex situ and in situ conservation measures can be effectively carried out based on the currently known populations of this narrow endemic species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Melanoma remains to be one of the most incurable cancers. Discovery of novel antitumor agent for melanoma therapy is expected. We recently isolated Oxyfadichalcone C from Oxytropis falcate and investigated the anti-proliferative and anti-metastatic activity on human melanoma A375 cells in vitro. Main methods Cell viability was determined using MTT assay and soft agar cloning formation assay. The effect of Oxyfadichalcone C on cell cycle distribution and apoptosis were analyzed by flow cytometry. Cell metastasis was determined by wound healing assay, Transwell assay and Gelatin zymography assay. The effect of Oxyfadichalcone C on signal proteins of PI3K/Akt and MAPK/ERK pathways was examined by western blot analysis. Synergism assay was employed to determine whether combination of Oxyfadichalcone C with Vemurafenib would enhance the anti-proliferative effect. Key findings Oxyfadichalcone C potently inhibited proliferation, induced G1 phase arrest and weak apoptosis in A375 cells. Anti-migration and anti-invasion activities were also indicated. Such effects were associated with upregulation of p27, reduction of cyclin D1, p-pRb, p-Integrin β1, as well as the proteolytic activity of metalloproteinase (MMP)-2/9. Meanwhile, key molecules of PI3K/Akt and MAPK/ERK pathways were downregulated, which might be involved in the inhibition against proliferation and metastasis of A375 cells by Oxyfadichalcone C. In addition, combination of Oxyfadichalcone C with Vemurafenib at a ratio of IC50 Oxyfadichalcone C : 5 × IC 50 Vemurafenib exhibited synergistic anti-proliferative effect on A375 cells. Significance Our findings suggest that Oxyfadichalcone C has the potential to be developed as a promising drug candidate for the treatment of melanoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Seed dormancy and the soil seed bank are crucial to plant regeneration strategy, especially in semiarid ecosystems with unpredictable precipitation. The aim of this study was to investigate how seed dormancy is controlled by environmental factors and how it is correlated with the soil seed bank and regeneration of the perennial legume Oxytropis racemosa, a dominant perennial herb in Mu Us Sandland of semiarid China. Methods Germination and imbibition experiments on fresh intact and scarified seeds of O. racemosa were used to identify physical dormancy (PY) in seeds of this species. Soil seed bank dynamics, timing of seedling emergence and the fate of buried seeds in the natural habitat were investigated. Important Findings PY was broken by mechanical scarification or wet heat/ice water cycles but not solely by dry heat or wet heat treatment. The soil seed bank exhibited seasonal changes in the number of seeds, which was highest in September and lowest in July. Seeds buried at different sand depths gradually lost dormancy; 20-42% of the seeds remained dormant after 20 months of burial. Dormancy break occurs gradually throughout the year. Our results indicate that O. racemosa exhibits hardcoatedness heterogeneity that spreads germination of a seed cohort between seasons and years in the semiarid environment, where the amount of precipitation during the growing season is highly variable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genetic diversity and population structure of the endemic species of Baikal Siberia Oxytropis triphylla, O. bargusinensis, and O. interposita were studied for the first time on the basis of the nucleotide polymorphism of intergenic spacers psbA-trnH, trnL-trnF, and trnS-trnG of chloroplast DNA. All populations of these species were characterized by a high haplotype (0.762-0.924) and relatively low nucleotide (0.0011-0.0022) diversity. Analysis of the distribution of variability in O. triphylla and O. bargusinensis showed that there was no significant genetic differentiation between populations of each species; the gene flow was 4.43 and 8.91, respectively. The high level of genetic diversity in the studied populations indicates a relatively stable state of these populations. A study of the phylogenetic relationships of closely related species confirms the concept of the origin of O. bargusinensis and O. tompudae as a result of intersectional hybridization of the species of the sections Orobia and Verticillares. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Premise of the Study: Microsatellite primers were developed for a perennial legume from northern China, Oxytropis diversifolia (Fabaceae), to investigate population genetic structure of this taxon, as well as potential hybridization events with closely related taxa in this genus. Methods and Results: One hundred and five primer pairs were designed from Illumina sequence data and screened for suitability. Fifteen of these primer pairs were polymorphic, and these primers amplified tri‐, tetra‐, and pentanucleotide repeats with 10–56 alleles per locus. Cross‐amplification tests in three other Oxytropis species from northern China (O. leptophylla, O. neimonggolica, and O. squammulosa) revealed that all of these loci can be amplified successfully and show polymorphism. Conclusions: These primer pairs can be used to assess the genetic diversity and population structure in future studies of O. diversifolia, as well as studies of potential hybridization events with closely related taxa in this genus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excessive vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation and migration accelerate the development of occlusive vascular disease. Therefore, finding a means to control the aberrant proliferation and migration of VSMCs has own clinical significance. In the present study, we examined the feasibility of using extract from medicinal plant Oxytropis pseudoglandulosa (OG) to control pathologic proliferation and migration of VSMCs, which never have been tested. Our data indicate that the extract of OG significantly suppressed proliferation and migration of VSMCs without cytotoxic effect, suggesting the OG extract may be an alternative agent to effectively control the aberrant VSMC proliferation and migration without any serious adverse effect. These data suggest that the extract of OG may be a potent therapeutic agent for the treatment of occlusive vascular disease and warrant further studies to identify the major acting ingredient and to validate in vivo efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excessive vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation and migration accelerate the development of occlusive vascular disease. Therefore, finding a means to control the aberrant proliferation and migration of VSMCs has own clinical significance. In the present study, we examined the feasibility of using extract from medicinal plant Oxytropis pseudoglandulosa (OG) to control pathologic proliferation and migration of VSMCs, which never have been tested. Our data indicate that the extract of OG significantly suppressed proliferation and migration of VSMCs without cytotoxic effect, suggesting the OG extract may be an alternative agent to effectively control the aberrant VSMC proliferation and migration without any serious adverse effect. These data suggest that the extract of OG may be a potent therapeutic agent for the treatment of occlusive vascular disease and warrant further studies to identify the major acting ingredient and to validate in vivo efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Locoweeds are legumes of the Astragalus and Oxytropis genera that live symbiotically with the fungal endosymbionts belonging to Alternaria section Undifilum. These endophytes produce the toxin swainsonine, which causes a neurological syndrome (locosim) when the plant is ingested by grazing animals. Here we characterize the growth of the endophytes within plant tissues using confocal and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to define the physical relationship. Microscopy results revealed the endophyte distribution to be densely networked, with the mycelia aligned parallel to the long axis of the plant stem and with no pathology to plant cell walls, xylem, or phloem. The autofluorescent mycelia were located intercellulary in the pith of stems. Stereofluoroscope observations of Alternaria oxytropis, A. cinerea, and A. fulva in phytoagar showed that mycelial growth occurred at the tip of hyphae. The growth rate of A. cinerea was significantly faster than for A. oxytropis or A. fulva. All three species of endophytes grew significantly faster at 3 days age of culture and grew slowly or not at all after 20 or 30 days. Analyses of the growth of these fungi support the hypothesis that there is a nonpathogenic symbiosis between the fungal endophytes and their host plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complex genus Oxytropis of Iran was revised by the present author in 2013. The new species O. sutakensis Maassoumi is described here based on recent collections from high lands of the central Elburz Mountains, province Mazandaran. Also some new records, new synonyms, as well as further additions and remarks are given for the genus in Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus-group Hystricella R. T. Lowe, 1855 is revised on the basis of conchological, anatomical and genetic characteristics. A new genus Wollastonia gen. n., two recent species, W. jessicae sp. n. and W. klausgrohi sp. n., and one recent subspecies, W. jessicae monticola ssp. n. are described as new to science, as well as five fossil taxa, H. microcarinata sp. n., W. beckmanni sp. n., W. falknerorum sp. n., W. ripkeni sp. n., and W. inexpectata sp. n. For Helix vermetiformis R. T. Lowe, 1855, H. leacockiana Wollaston, 1878, H. oxytropis R. T. Lowe, 1831, H. duplicata R. T. Lowe, 1831 and H. oxytropis var. ß subcarinulata Wollaston, 1878 lectotypes are designated. For the taxa Helix bicarinata G. B. Sowerby I, 1824, Helix bicarinata var. ß aucta Wollaston, 1878 and Discula bulverii W. Wood, 1828 neotypes are selected. The taxa aucta and subcarinulata are elevated to specific rank. For the hitherto monospecific (sub-) genus Callina R. T. Lowe, 1855 it is shown that it is not closely related to the genus Discula but to the Hystricella-group and its generic rank is confirmed. The taxon D. bulverii W. Wood, 1828 is transferred from the genus Discula s. str. to the genus Callina. A further fossil taxon C. waldeni sp. n. is described as new to science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxytropis glandulosa Turcz. (Fabaceae) is a rare perennial plant endemic to Buryatia (Russia). We sequenced three intergenic spacers (the psbA-trnH, trnL-trnF, and trnS-trnG) of chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) in specimens of four populations from two geographic regions (Barguzin and Yeravna depressions) within this species range. The levels of haplotype and nucleotide diversity varied in the range of 0.133-0.911 and 0.0002-0.0059, respectively. The highest values of these parameters are characteristic of populations located in the Barguzin depression. Variable sites detected within the intergenic spacers allowed the identification of eleven haplotypes; nine of them were found in the populations from the Barguzin depression and only two haplotypes were found in the populations from the Yeravna depression. No common haplotypes for all four populations were found. A high level of population differentiation (FST = 0.758, P < 0.0001) and the absence of evidence for isolation by distance were also found in O. glandulosa. Genealogical and phylogenetic analyses and Bayesian analysis of the genetic structure showed a clear division of the studied populations of O. glandulosa into three major lineages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]