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The diaspores of Anarthriaceae and Australian Restionaceae are seeds or small nuts and are illustrated by scanning electron microscopy or multi-focus microscopy. Their morphology is considered in relation to a previously published phylogeny based on plastid genes. Loculicidal trilocular capsular fruits are the basal condition in the restiid clade, but indehiscent fruits have evolved many times. In the Australasian members, indehiscent fruits are found in Anarthriaceae (Hopkinsia); Restionaceae: Centrolepidoideae (Aphelia); Sporadanthoideae (Calorophus); Leptocarpoideae (Empodisma, Winifredia and the whole of the Leptocarpus and Desmocladus clades). Seeds of dehiscent fruits show a diversity of surface ornamentation with distinctive surface patterns characterising genera such as Lyginia, Chordifex and Loxocarya. Pericarps are membranous in subfam. Centrolepidoideae, but in the Leptocarpus clade range from hyaline in much of Leptocarpus, to hard and woody in Alexgeorgea and Hypolaena. Pericarps are parenchymatous in most of the Desmocladus clade, but woody in Catacolea. Indehiscent fruits are mostly shed with tepals and floral bracts attached or, in Baloskion and some Lepidobolus species, also with the subtending glume. Seed weights were not comprehensively sampled but vary from 0.08 mg in Centrolepis to >600 mg in Alexgeorgea, with most in the range 0.3-3 mg [dry weight]. The smaller weights are mostly either in perennials from habitats with more reliable rainfall or in ephemeral annuals that avoid drought by their brief growing season, but the association between seed type and habitat has not been investigated. We see no convincing evidence to link the fossil taxon Restiocarpum and the Milfordia pollen that occurs with it in Eocene--Oligocene sediments of Queensland to Restionaceae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several phytochemicals, such as extracts and essential oils, are among the ecological alternatives that have been studied for the control of pathogens that affect humans, animals, and plants. Essential oils are aromatic oily liquids obtained from plant material and their use to control pathogens is widespread. However, they can have adverse effects when taken in high concentrations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the survival and palatability of a balanced-energy protein diet with the addition of two essential oils, Lippia junelliana (Mold.) Tronc. and Elionorus muticus (Spreng.) Kuntze, in newly hatched worker bees (Apis mellifera L.) during a period of 15 days. Consumption and number of live bees were measured daily for each treatment. For L. junelliana, our results showed a non-toxic trend in long-term survival trials (15 days) at low concentrations. In the case of E. muticus, a toxic effect with low survival was observed at all concentrations. Both essential oils showed good palatability, even at toxic levels. Our results allow us to propose the use of L. junelliana essential oil in field experiments of A. mellifera hives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Neotropical Yellow-Headed Gecko Gonatodes albogularis commonly use cavities in the trees as a microhabitat for egg-laying. Here, we present the first record of this species in Colombia using the tank bromeliad Tillandsia elongata as nesting sites, along with the occurrence of communal egg-laying in that microhabitat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • The below-ground biomass and N uptake of annual and perennial crops were determined. • Root biomass was significantly greater in perennial than annual crops. • Root N uptake of perennial was 3–6 times greater than that in annual crops. • Difference in root N uptake by the two crops accounted for difference in NO 3 leaching. Abstract The aim of this study was to determine the importance of below-ground (root) plant biomass and nitrogen (N) uptake with perennial cropping system (PCS) as a mechanism of reducing nitrate leaching. The experimental design was a split plot with main plot being cropping system [annual cropping system (ACS) versus PCS] and subplots being manure treatment [N-based liquid pig manure (LPM), N-based solid pig manure (SPM), and a control with no manure addition (CON)]. The ACS was seeded to barley (Hurdeum vulgare L.) and canola (Brassica napus L.) in the spring of 2014 and 2015, respectively, whereas the PCS was seeded to a mixture of timothy (Phleum protense L.) and orchard (Dactylis glomerata L.) grass in the fall of 2013. LPM and SPM were applied to meet N requirement of each crop in spring of each year. In 2014, above-ground and root biomass were collected at harvest and in 2015, above-ground and root biomass were collected at mid-season. The PCS had significantly greater root biomass and N uptake than ACS in both years. Root biomass in PCS ranged from 5.3–9.7 Mg ha−1 compared to a range of 1.1–1.5 Mg ha−1 in ACS. Consequently, root N uptake in PCS ranged from 43 to 118 kg N ha−1 in both years while that in ACS was 9–20 kg N ha−1. In 2014, PCS had significantly greater above-ground N than ACS, whereas in 2015, PCS had significantly greater above-ground N than ACS in the LPM only. This study shows that the differences in nitrate leaching between the two cropping systems as previously determined from field core lysimeters at the same plots was mainly due to differences in root N uptake (34–98 kg N ha−1) between the cropping systems rather than above-ground N uptake. It is important that studies comparing N losses by ACS and PCS should consider the role of plant root biomass in N recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phylogenetic relationships within the monocot order Poales have been well studied, but several unrelated questions remain. These include the relationships among the basal families in the order, family delimitations within the restiid clade, and the search for nuclear single-copy gene loci to test the relationships based on chloroplast loci. To this end two nuclear loci (PhyB, Topo6) were explored both at the ordinal level, and within the Bromeliaceae and the restiid clade. First, a plastid reference tree was inferred based on matK, using 140 taxa covering all APG IV families of Poales, and analyzed using parsimony, maximum likelihood and Bayesian methods. The trees inferred from matK closely approach the published phylogeny based on whole-plastome sequencing. Of the two nuclear loci, Topo6 supported a congruent, but much less resolved phylogeny. By contrast, PhyB indicated different phylogenetic relationships, with, inter alia, Mayacaceae and Typhaceae sister to Poaceae, and Flagellariaceae in a basally branching position within the Poales. Within the restiid clade the differences between the three markers appear less serious. The Anarthria clade is first diverging in all analyses, followed by Restionoideae, Sporadanthoideae, Centrolepidoideae and Leptocarpoideae in the matK and Topo6 data, but in the PhyB data Centrolepidoideae diverges next, followed by a paraphyletic Restionoideae with a clade consisting of the monophyletic Sporadanthoideae and Leptocarpoideae nested within them. The Bromeliaceae phylogeny obtained from Topo6 is insufficiently sampled to make reliable statements, but indicates a good starting point for further investigations. We find that matK is remarkably good at retrieving the chloroplast phylogeny, that Topo6, despite low resolution, is suitable to test the generality of the plastid phylogeny as a taxic phylogeny, that PhyB might be too complex to be really useful at the level of families within an order, that the inclusion of the centrolepids in Restionaceae might be valid, but that there is no phylogenetic support for or against including the Anarthria clade in Restionaceae. The basal arrangement of families in the Poales (Bromeliaceae, Typhaceae, Rapateaceae) remains unresolved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a new worldwide phylogenetic classification of 11 506 grass species in 768 genera, 12 subfamilies, seven supertribes, 52 tribes, five supersubtribes, and 90 subtribes; and compare two phylogenetic classifications of the grass family published in 2015 (Soreng et al. and Kellogg). The subfamilies (in descending order based on the number of species) are Pooideae with 3968 species in 202 genera, 15 tribes, and 30 subtribes; Panicoideae with 3241 species in 247 genera, 13 tribes, and 19 subtribes; Bambusoideae with 1670 species in 125 genera, three tribes, and 15 subtribes; Chloridoideae with 1602 species in 124 genera, five tribes, and 26 subtribes; Aristidoideae with 367 species in three genera, and one tribe; Danthonioideae with 292 species in 19 genera, and one tribe; Micrairoideae with 184 species in eight genera, and three tribes; Oryzoideae with 115 species in 19 genera, four tribes, and two subtribes; Arundinoideae with 40 species in 14 genera, two tribes, and two subtribes; Pharoideae with 12 species in three genera, and one tribe; Puelioideae with 11 species in two genera, and two tribes; and the Anomochlooideae with four species in two genera, and two tribes. We also include a radial tree illustrating the hierarchical relationships among the subtribes, tribes, and subfamilies. Newly described taxa include: supertribes Melicodae and Nardodae; supersubtribes Agrostidodinae, Boutelouodinae, Gouiniodinae, Loliodinae, and Poodinae; and subtribes Echinopogoninae and Ventenatinae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wheat- Dasypyrum villosum translocations were induced in the progeny of the amphiploid Triticum durum- D. villosum (AABBVV) by pollen irradiation. The rearranged V genome chromosomes were characterized by genomic/fluorescence in situ hybridization (GISH/FISH) and molecular markers. Twenty wheat- D. villosum translocation chromosomes were selected, including four centric, seven large segments, and nine small segments in a Chinese Spring (CS) background. The four centric translocations were subsequently identified by GISH/FISH and by molecular markers specific to chromosome arms of the Triticeae linkage groups. They were T5DL.4VL, T4BL.7VS, and T4BS.7VL as well as the compensating translocation T7AL.7VS. Using a combination of previously developed V chromosome alterations, 52 translocations or deletions that divided V chromosomes into 42 bins were employed for deletion mapping of molecular markers specific to D. villosum in a wheat background. Ninety-five expressed sequence tag (EST)-sequence-tagged site (STS) and seven SSR markers that were previously reported, as well as 72 STS markers screened in the present study, were physically allocated into 37 of 42 chromosome bins of D. villosum. Multiple loci of EST-STS markers were also mapped using CS nullisomic tetrasomic (NT) and ditelosomic (DT) genetic stocks. Most EST-STS homoeoloci were located on homoeologous chromosomes, suggesting a high degree of homology between the genomes of D. villosum and wheat. Four 4VL-specific markers detected homoeoloci on group 7 chromosomes of wheat, indicating that chromosome 4V of D. villosum shows some affinity to both wheat homoeologous groups 4 and 7. This is the first physical map of D. villosum, which will provide insight into the V genome for molecular breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the mechanisms of species coexistence is key to predicting patterns of species diversity. Historically, the ecological paradigm has been that species coexist by partitioning resources: as a species increases in abundance, self-limitation kicks in, because species-specific resources decline. However, determining coexistencemechanismshas been a particularpuzzle for sedentary organisms with high overlap in their resource requirements, such as plants. Recent evidence suggests that plant-associated microbes could generate the stabilizing self-limitation (negative frequency dependence) that is required for species coexistence. Here, we test the key assumption that plant-microbe feedbacks cause such self-limitation. We used competition experiments and modelling to evaluate how two common groups of soilmicrobes (rhizospheric microbes and biological soil crusts) influenced the self-limitation of two competing desert grass species. Negative feedbacks between the dominant plant competitor and its rhizospheric microbes magnified self-limitation, whereas beneficial interactions between both plant species and biological soil crusts partly counteracted this stabilizing effect. Plant-microbe interactions have received relatively little attention as drivers of vegetation dynamics in dry land ecosystems. Our results suggest that microbialmechanisms can contribute to patterns of plant coexistence in arid grasslands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Central European Agriculture is the property of Journal of Central European Agriculture and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

More intense and frequent droughts, coupled with elevated temperatures, are projected for grasslands worldwide. Although it has been suggested that alterations in temperature and precipitation will increase the success of biological invasions, studies that combine these climate change scenarios are limited. These changes in climate may increase the success of non-native, invasive plant species directly, as these species often possess traits that are favored by variable climates, or indirectly through negative impacts on native vegetation or alterations in soil microbial communities, such as arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi. The goal of our research was to assess above- and below-ground production and mycorrhizal fungal abundance of functionally similar native and invasive non-native grass species under projected climate-change scenarios. We assessed plant biomass, intra-radical AM root colonization, and relative abundance of extra-radical fungal biomass of two native ( Schizachyrium scoparium (Michx.) Nash, Pascopyrum smithii (Rydb.) Á.Löve) and two invasive ( Bothriochloa ischaemum (L.) Keng, Bromus inermis Leyss.) grass species subjected to increased temperature and decreased soil water availability. Regardless of temperature or soil moisture, the invasive grasses in our study displayed greater seedling growth as compared with paired native species. Invasive grasses were also generally characterized by greater intra-radical colonization by AM fungi, compared with native species. Our data suggest that invasive grasses will continue to be problematic and successfully out-compete native grasses following increased temperatures and reduced water availability, as projected by climate-change models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Botany is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Photorespiratory glycine shuttling and decarboxylation in bundle sheath (BS) cells exhibited by C2 species is proposed to be the evolutionary bridge to C4 photosynthesis in eudicots. To evaluate this in grasses, we compare anatomy, cellular localization of glycine decarboxylase (GDC), and photosynthetic physiology of a suspected C2 grass, Homolepis aturensis, with these traits in known C2 grasses, Neurachne minor and Steinchisma hians, and C3 S. laxum that is sister to S. hians. We also use publicly available genome and RNA-sequencing data to examine the evolution of GDC subunits and enhance our understanding of the evolution of BS-specific GDC expression in C2 and C4 grasses. Our results confirm the identity of H. aturensis as a C2 species; GDC is confined predominantly to the organelle-enriched BS cells in H. aturensis and S. hians and to mestome sheath cells of N. minor. Phylogenetic analyses and data obtained from immunodetection of the P-subunit of GDC are consistent with the hypothesis that the BS dominant levels of GDC in C2 and C4 species are due to changes in expression of a single GLDP gene in M and BS cells. All BS mitochondria and peroxisomes and most chloroplasts in H. aturensis and S. hians are situated centripetally in a pattern identical to C2 eudicots. In S. laxum, which has C3-like gas exchange patterns, mitochondria and peroxisomes are positioned centripetally as they are in S. hians. This subcellular phenotype, also present in eudicots, is posited to initiate a facilitation cascade leading to C2 and C4 photosynthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comparisons of flowering plant genomes reveal multiple rounds of ancient polyploidy characterized by large intragenomic syntenic blocks. Three such whole-genome duplication (WGD) events, designated as rho (p), sigma (CT), and tau (t), have been identified in the genomes of cereal grasses. Precise dating of these WGD events is necessary to investigate how they have influenced diversification rates, evolutionary innovations, and genomic characteristics such as the GC profile of protein-coding sequences. The timing of these events has remained uncertain due to the paucity of monocot genome sequence data outside the grass family (Poaceae). Phylogenomic analysis of protein-coding genes from sequenced genomes and transcriptome assemblies from 35 species, including representatives of all families within the Poales, has resolved the timing of rho and sigma relative to speciation events and placed tau prior to divergence of Asparagales and the commelinids but after divergence with eudicots. Examination of gene family phylogenies indicates that rho occurred just prior to the diversification of Poaceae and sigma occurred before early diversification of Poales lineages but after the Poales-commelinid split. Additional lineage-specific WGD events were identified on the basis of the transcriptome data. Gene families exhibiting high GC content are underrepresented among those with duplicate genes that persisted following these genome duplications. However, genome duplications had little overall influence on lineage-specific changes in the GC content of coding genes. Improved resolution of the timing of WGD events in monocot history provides evidence for the influence of polyploidization on functional evolution and species diversification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Luziola comprises nine monoecious, aquatic species and has its center of diversity in South America. Due to the morphological similarities among Luziola species in the vegetative stage, the micromorphology and anatomy of the leaf blade of five Luziola species were studied to survey potentially useful features for taxon identification. Oryzoid silica bodies; silicified unicellular trichomes with a rounded apex; stomata in furrows on the adaxial surface; a complex midrib consisting of at least two vascular bundles; superposed vascular bundles in the mesophyll; and fusoid cells are features shared by some of these species. Conversely, features unique to a single species include: vertically elongated epidermal cells surrounding pointed unicellular trichomes, flat midrib and leaf margin dimorphism ( L. fragilis), and an obtuse leaf blade margin ( L. subintegra). L. spruceana and L. subintegra show the greatest micromorphological and anatomical affinity among the five species herein studied, and L. fragilis has the greatest number of unique features. All species are recognized by the structure of the midrib, a strong feature for the identification of taxa within Luziola. A key for the identification of the studied species is presented based on the leaf blade features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Brazilian Journal of Biology is the property of Instituto Internacional de Ecologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Ongoing examination of Panicum sensu lato in the grass tribe Paniceae (Poaceae) has resulted in the need to provide new combinations in Dichanthelium for four species previously assigned to Panicum: P. bicknellii Nash, P. filiramum Ashe, P. malacon Nash, and P. pinetorum Swallen. The four species have either been treated as synonyms of other Dichanthelium taxa in recent manuals and monographs, or not treated at all. The new combinations are: Dichanthelium bicknellii (Nash) LeBlond, D. filiramum (Ashe) LeBlond, D. malacon (Nash) LeBlond, and D. pinetorum (Swallen) LeBlond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Generalist insect herbivores, such as grasshoppers, may either avoid feeding on exotic plants, potentially enabling these plants to become invasive in the introduced range, or insects may incorporate exotic plants into their diet, contributing to the biotic resistance of native communities and potentially preventing plant invasions. Accurate determination of insect diet preferences with regard to native and exotic plants can be challenging, but this information is critical for understanding the interaction between native herbivores and exotic plants, and ultimately the mechanisms underlying plant invasions. To address this, we combined behavioral and molecular approaches to accurately compare food consumption of the polyphagous red-legged grasshopper, Melanoplus femurrubrum (De Geer) ( Orthoptera: Acrididae), on native [ Andropogon gerardii Vitman and Bouteloua curtipendula ( Michx.) Torr.] and exotic, potentially invasive grasses [ Miscanthus sinensis Andersson and Bothriochloa ischaemum (L.) Keng] (all Poaceae). We found that M. femurrubrum grasshoppers demonstrated strong feeding preferences toward exotic grasses in experiments with intact plants under both field and greenhouse conditions, but they showed no preference in experiments with clipped leaves. Additionally, we sampled the gut contents of M. femurrubrum collected in the field and identified the ingested plant species based on DNA sequences for the non-coding region of the chloroplast trnL ( UAA) gene. We found that exotic plants were prevalent in the gut contents of grasshoppers collected at study sites in Ohio and Maryland, USA. These results suggest that the generalist herbivore M. femurrubrum does not avoid feeding on exotic grasses with which they do not share coevolutionary history. In addition, by demonstrating greater food consumption of exotic plants, these grasshoppers potentially provide biotic resistance should these grasses escape cultivation and become invasive in the introduced range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spatiotemporal pattern of the late Cenozoic spread of C 4 vegetation is an important indicator of environmental change that is intertwined with the uplift of the Himalaya and Tibetan Plateau, and the development of the East Asian monsoons. To explore the spread of C 4 vegetation in China and shed new light on regional climatic evolution, we measured δ 13 C values of more than 200 small mammal teeth (primarily rodents and lagomorphs) using a laser ablation isotope ratio mass spectrometry approach. Small mammals are highly sensitive indicators of their environment because they have limited spatial ranges and because they have minimal time-averaging of carbon isotope signatures of dietary components. The specimens originate from four classic Late Miocene fossil localities, Lufeng, Yuanmou, Lingtai, and Ertemte, along a southwest-northeast transect from Yunnan Province to Inner Mongolia. In Yunnan (Lufeng, Yuanmou) and on the Loess Plateau (Lingtai), the small mammal δ 13 C values record nearly pure C 3 ecosystems, and mixed but C 3 -based ecosystems, respectively, in agreement with previous studies based on carbon isotopes of large herbivores and soil carbonates. In Inner Mongolia, the micromammalian tooth enamel δ 13 C record picks up the presence of C 4 vegetation where large mammal samples do not, indicating a mixed yet C 3 -dominated ecosystem at ~ 6 Ma. As a whole, the results support a scenario of northward increasing C 4 grass abundance in a pattern that mirrors northward decreasing precipitation of the summer monsoon system. The results highlight differences between large and small mammals as indicators of C 4 vegetation in ancient ecosystems, particularly the ability of small mammal δ 13 C values to detect the presence of minor components of the vegetation structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Planting grasses that require low maintenance is a good option for reducing the management input required. The objective of this study was to obtain information about turfgrass characteristics based on spaced-plant characterization and turf performance in turf plots of two selections (Paula hard fescue and Casero colonial bentgrass) recently released for public distribution by the Plant Production Area of the University of Oviedo. The plants were grown under conditions of no irrigation, no fertilizer, no pesticide application and minimal mowing over a 3-year period (2012-2014). The following morphological measurements were done in a spaced- plant nursery: heading date, plant height, inflorescence length and flag leaf length and width. The turf plots were evaluated for several traits including overall turfgrass quality (turf score), leaf texture and genetic colour. In both the spaced-plant nursery and turf trials, hard fescue genotypes displayed better morphological characteristics (narrow leaves, reduced plant height) and performed better (overall high turfgrass quality, fine leaf texture, dark green colour) than bentgrass genotypes under conditions of low maintenance. For areas in which climate, soil characteristics and management conditions are similar to those encountered in this trial, the selection of Paula hard fescue is recommended for use in low-maintenance turf settings because of the good turfgrass performance and morphological characteristics of this selection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the largest (ca. 450 accepted names) and most widely distributed genera of Bromeliaceae is Pitcairnia, with species occurring in Mexico, Central America, the West Indies, and throughout much of South America. The present study developed a phylogenetic hypothesis based on macro- and micromorphology, and tested the monophyly of the genus and subgenera, as well as the position of P. feliciana. The study included 67 species of Pitcairnia and 12 outgroup taxa selected to represent the morphological diversity and areas of endemism of Bromeliaceae. The results supported the monophyly of Pitcairnia, as indicated by two non-homoplasious and five homoplasious synapomorphies. Pitcairnia subgenus Pepinia and Pitcairnia subgenus Pitcairnia did not form a monophyletic group. Pitcairnia feliciana appeared to be related to the Atlantic Forest taxa. Phylogenetic relationships among the species recorded in the three Brazilian phytogeographic domains (Atlantic Forest, Cerrado, and Amazon) were obtained, and the relationships showed that the members of Pitcairnia occupied the three Brazilian domains through several routes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genetic concepts within the Bromelioideae are highly problematic, in particular within the tank-forming 'core bromelioid' clade. Previous molecular studies showed that the largest genus, Aechmea, and allied genera are polyphyletic and require revision. Here we focus on one group within the Aechmea alliance, the Portea/Gravisia group. To assess whether species of this group form a distinct lineage within the core bromelioid clade, and to clarify generic limits and interspecific relationships within the group, we generated and analyzed amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLP). In total, 69 species were sampled, including 26 species previously assigned to the Portea/Gravisia group. Neighbor joining, maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses of the AFLP data consistently retrieved the Portea/Gravisia group as a monophyletic clade with several subclades, comprising species from the genera Aechmea, Canistrum and Portea. The phylogenetic distribution of polyporate pollen of the resulting trees indicates this character state arose once within the core bromelioids and thus can be regarded as a synapomorphy for the Portea/Gravisia clade. Further, our study shows that within the Portea/Gravisia group, subclades are characterized by petal color and geographic distribution. Thus, the present study is a further advance in the challenging task of elucidating phylogenetic relationships within the core bromelioids as the basis for a revised taxonomy of this ecologically important group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

* Background and Aims Accurate identification of species is essential for the majority of biological studies. However, defining species objectively and consistently remains a challenge, especially for plants distributed in remote regions where there is often a lack of sufficient previous specimens. In this study, multiple approaches and lines of evidence were used to determine species boundaries for plants occurring in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, using the genus Orinus (Poaceae) as a model system for an integrative approach to delimiting species. * Methods A total of 786 individuals from 102 populations of six previously recognized species were collected for niche, morphological and genetic analyses. Three plastid DNA regions (matK, rbcL and trnH-psbA) and one nuclear DNA region [internal transcribed space (ITS)] were sequenced. * Key Results Whereas six species had been previously recognized, statistical analyses based on character variation, molecular data and niche differentiation identified only two well-delimited clusters, together with a third possibly originating from relatively recent hybridization between, or historical introgression from, the other two. * Conclusions Based on a principle of integrative species delimitation to reconcile different sources of data, the results provide compelling evidence that the six previously recognized species of the genus Orinus that were examined should be reduced to two, with new circumscriptions, and a third, identified in this study, should be described as a new species. This empirical study highlights the value of applying genetic differentiation, morphometric statistics and ecological niche modelling in an integrative approach to re-circumscribing species boundaries. The results produce relatively objective, operational and unbiased taxonomic classifications of plants occurring in remote regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dairy cattle farming in temperate regions often relies on grass herbage (GH)-based diets but the effect of several grass management options on enteric CH4 emission has not been fully investigated yet. We investigated the combined effect of N fertilization rate and length of regrowth period of GH (predominantly ryegrass) on CH4 emission from lactating dairy cows. In a randomized block design, 28 lactating Holstein-Friesian dairy cows received a basal diet of GH and compound feed [85:15; dry matter (DM) basis]. Treatments consisted of GH cut after 3 or 5 weeks of regrowth, after receiving either a low (20 kg of N/ha) or a high (90 kg of N/ha) fertilization rate after initial cut. Feed intake, digestibility, milk production and composition, N and energy balance, and CH4 emission were measured during a 5-d period in climate respiration chambers after an adaptation to the diet for 12 d. Cows were restricted-fed during measurements and mean DM intake was 15.0 ± 0.16 kg/d. Herbage crude protein content varied between 76 and 161 g/kg of DM, and sugar content between 186 and 303 g/kg of DM. Fat- and protein-corrected milk (FPCM) and feed digestibility increased with increased N fertilization rates and a shorter regrowth interval. Increasing the N fertilization rate increased daily CH4 emission per cow (+10%) and per unit of DM intake (+9%), tended to increase the fraction of gross energy intake emitted as CH4 (+7%), and (partly because of the low crude protein content for the low fertilized GH) only numerically reduced CH4 per unit of FPCM. The longer regrowth interval increased CH4 emission per unit of FPCM (+14%) compared with the shorter regrowth interval, but did not affect CH4 emission expressed in any other unit. With increasing N fertilization CH4 emission decreased per unit of digestible neutral detergent fiber intake (--13%) but not per unit of digestible organic matter intake. There was no interaction of the effect of N fertilization rate and regrowth interval on CH4 emission, but effects of N fertilization were generally most distinct with GH of 5 wk regrowth. The present results suggest that altering grass quality through an increase of N fertilization and a shorter regrowth interval can reduce CH4 emission in zero-grazing dairy cows, depending on the unit in which it is expressed. The larger amount of CH4 produced per day and cow with the more intensively managed GH is compensated by a higher feed digestibility and FPCM yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improved nutrient utilization efficiency is strongly related to enhanced economic performance and reduced environmental footprint of dairy farms. Pasture-based systems are widely used for dairy production in certain areas of the world, but prediction equations of fresh grass nutritive value (nutrient digestibility and energy concentrations) are limited. Equations to predict digestible energy (DE) and metabolizable energy (ME) used for grazing cattle have been either developed with cattle fed conserved forage and concentrate diets or sheep fed previously frozen grass, and the majority of them require measurements less commonly available to producers, such as nutrient digestibility. The aim of the present study was therefore to develop prediction equations more suitable to grazing cattle for nutrient digestibility and energy concentrations, which are routinely available at farm level by using grass nutrient contents as predictors. A study with 33 nonpregnant, nonlactating cows fed solely fresh-cut grass at maintenance energy level for 50 wk was carried out over 3 consecutive grazing seasons. Freshly harvested grass of 3 cuts (primary growth and first and second regrowth), 9 fertilizer input levels, and contrasting stage of maturity (3 to 9 wk after harvest) was used, thus ensuring a wide representation of nutritional quality. As a result, a large variation existed in digestibility of dry matter (0.642-0.900) and digestible organic matter in dry matter (0.636-0.851) and in concentrations of DE (11.8-16.7 MJ/kg of dry matter) and ME (9.0-14.1 MJ/kg of dry matter). Nutrient digestibilities and DE and ME concentrations were negatively related to grass neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) contents but positively related to nitrogen (N), gross energy, and ether extract (EE) contents. For each predicted variable (nutrient digestibilities or energy concentrations), different combinations of predictors (grass chemical composition) were found to be significant and increase the explained variation. For example, relatively higher R² values were found for prediction of N digestibility using N and EE as predictors; gross-energy digestibility using EE, NDF, ADF, and ash; NDF, ADF, and organic matter digestibilities using N, water-soluble carbohydrates, EE, and NDF; digestible organic matter in dry matter using water-soluble carbohydrates, EE, NDF, and ADF; DE concentration using gross energy, EE, NDF, ADF, and ash; and ME concentration using N, EE, ADF, and ash. Equations presented may allow a relatively quick and easy prediction of grass quality and, hence, better grazing utilization on commercial and research farms, where nutrient composition falls within the range assessed in the current study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports that bromeliads found in the canyon are limited to two genera, Hechtia and Tillandsia. The most impressive and obvious representative of the latter genus is T. grandis, with its aptly named grand vases clinging firmly to the abundant sheer rock faces, growing to around 4-5 feet wide within the canyon. Some of the T. albida are growing on the rock faces, but some can also be found crawling around the low scrub on the river banks like the T. latifolia of South America.

Poales represents a major part of Angiosperm and Monocot diversity. The families encompass ca. 20,000 species which is about 7% of the Angiosperms and 33% of the Monocots. Bromeliaceae, Cyperaceae, Eriocaulaceae, Juncaceae, Mayacaceae, Poaceae, Rapateaceae, Thurniaceae, Typhaceae, and Xyridaceae are the families represented in the Neotropics. In general terms some areas in the Neotropics could be considered hotspots for Poales with a high number of species in several genera and several centers of endemism - the Guayana Shield, Espinhaço Range and Atlantic Forest are highly diverse in Poales. In terms of the Brazilian flora, the order is well represented in the entire country with almost 4,400 species. It represents more than 50% of the total number of species of Monocotyledons in Brazil. The main goal here is to summarize the available information and provide an overview of the Poales in the Neotropics. The state of knowledge for each family, focused on the Brazilian flora, is provided and reinforces the importance of new studies in key-groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current phylogenetic hypotheses support that ancestral Poales were animal-pollinated and that subsequent shifts to wind pollination have occurred. Ten of the 16 Poales families are widely distributed in the Neotropics, however a comprehensive understanding of their pollination systems' diversity is still lacking. Here we surveyed studies on pollination biology of Neotropical species of Poales. Poaceae, Cyperaceae and Juncaceae are predominantly wind-pollinated but insect pollination also occurs. Thurniaceae and Thyphaceae fit on anemophily but empirical data are missing. Pollen flowers with poricidal anthers have evolved independently in Mayacaeae and Rapateaceae. Pollen- and nectar-flowers occur in Xyridaceae, which are mainly pollinated by bees. Eriocaulaceae flowers secrete minute quantity of nectar and are pollinated by "diverse small insects". Pollination of Bromeliaceae is carried out by a great variety of animal groups, mainly hummingbirds, and includes anemophily. The diversity in floral forms is very high within the order but more constant within the families. This trend indicates that many events of species diversification may have occurred without divergence in the pollination mode. Still, parallel shifts in pollination modes are found, including possible reversals to wind- or animal-pollination, changes in the type of pollinators (e.g. from hummingbirds to bee or bats) and the arising of ambophily. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phylogenetic analyses within Poaceae tribe Poeae subtribes Puccinellinae (=Coleanthinae), Phleinae, Poinae s.l. (including Alopecurinae), and Miliinae (PPAM clade), revealed that one species formerly placed in Poa represents a new monotypic genus belonging to subtribe Poinae s.l., Dupontiopsis gen. nov., D. hayachinensis comb. nov. (based on Poa hayachinensis), endemic to wet, gravelly, serpentine, alpine habitats in northern Japan. This genus forms a strongly supported clade (DAD) with two circumarctic Poinae genera, Arctophila and Dupontia, in phylogenetic analyses of plastid and nuclear ribosomal DNA sequence data. Both morphology and DNA sequence analyses provide support for D. hayachinensis as a lineage distinct from either Arctophila or Dupontia, with moderate DNA support for a position as sister to these two genera. Dupontiopsis resembles these other monotypic genera in its several-flowered spikelets, lemmas usually 3-nerved, with frequently awned attenuate scarious apices (as in Dupontia) and calluses with a crown of hairs around the base of the lemma, but differs in its keeled lemmas, scabrous palea keels, glumes shorter than the first lemma. Our investigation suggests that the most recent shared ancestor of the DAD clade evolved from a single hybridization event, as a hexaploid, probably in western Beringia. The probable parentage of the ancestor is considered to be within the Poinae-Alopecurinae clade excluding Poa. We provide evidence for possible secondary hybridization and introgression of duodecaploid Dupontia fisheri with Puccinellia. A key to perennial genera of PPAM with hairy calluses, and a supplemental table of morphological characters in the genera accepted in PPAM are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on recent molecular and morphological studies we present a modern worldwide phylogenetic classification of the ± 12074 grasses and place the 771 grass genera into 12 subfamilies (Anomochlooideae, Aristidoideae, Arundinoideae, Bambusoideae, Chloridoideae, Danthonioideae, Micraioideae, Oryzoideae, Panicoideae, Pharoideae, Puelioideae, and Pooideae), 6 supertribes (Andropogonodae, Arundinarodae, Bambusodae, Panicodae, Poodae, Triticodae), 51 tribes (Ampelodesmeae, Andropogoneae, Anomochloeae, Aristideae, Arundinarieae, Arundineae, Arundinelleae, Atractocarpeae, Bambuseae, Brachyelytreae, Brachypodieae, Bromeae, Brylkinieae, Centotheceae, Centropodieae, Chasmanthieae, Cynodonteae, Cyperochloeae, Danthonieae, Diarrheneae, Ehrharteae, Eragrostideae, Eriachneae, Guaduellieae, Gynerieae, Hubbardieae, Isachneae, Littledaleeae, Lygeeae, Meliceae, Micraireae, Molinieae, Nardeae, Olyreae, Oryzeae, Paniceae, Paspaleae, Phaenospermateae, Phareae, Phyllorachideae, Poeae, Steyermarkochloeae, Stipeae, Streptochaeteae, Streptogyneae, Thysanolaeneae, Triraphideae, Tristachyideae, Triticeae, Zeugiteae, and Zoysieae), and 80 subtribes (Aeluropodinae, Agrostidinae, Airinae, Ammochloinae, Andropogoninae, Anthephorinae, Anthistiriinae, Anthoxanthinae, Arthraxoninae, Arthropogoninae, Arthrostylidiinae, Arundinariinae, Aveninae, Bambusinae, Boivinellinae, Boutelouinae, Brizinae, Buergersiochloinae, Calothecinae, Cenchrinae, Chionachninae, Chusqueinae, Coicinae, Coleanthinae, Cotteinae, Cteniinae, Cynosurinae, Dactylidinae, Dichantheliinae, Dimeriinae, Duthieinae, Eleusininae, Eragrostidinae, Farragininae, Germainiinae, Gouiniinae, Guaduinae, Gymnopogoninae, Hickeliinae, Hilariinae, Holcinae, Hordeinae, Ischaeminae, Loliinae, Melinidinae, Melocanninae, Miliinae, Monanthochloinae, Muhlenbergiinae, Neurachninae, Olyrinae, Orcuttiinae, Oryzinae, Otachyriinae, Panicinae, Pappophorinae, Parapholiinae, Parianinae, Paspalinae, Perotidinae, Phalaridinae, Poinae, Racemobambosinae, Rottboelliinae, Saccharinae, Scleropogoninae, Scolochloinae, Sesleriinae, Sorghinae, Sporobolinae, Torreyochloinae, Traginae, Trichoneurinae, Triodiinae, Tripogoninae, Tripsacinae, Triticinae, Unioliinae, Zizaniinae, and Zoysiinae). In addition, we include a radial tree illustrating the hierarchical relationships among the subtribes, tribes, and subfamilies. We use the subfamilial name, Oryzoideae, over Ehrhartoideae because the latter was initially published as a misplaced rank, and we circumscribe Molinieae to include 13 Arundinoideae genera. The subtribe Calothecinae is newly described and the tribe Littledaleeae is new at that rank. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the general interaction between native and exotic plants and specialist insect herbivores has received considerable attention in ecological studies, plant responses to herbivory by generalist insects, as well as feeding preferences of generalist insects, are still poorly understood. Experimental studies comparing leaf damage of native and exotic plants to generalist insects have provided inconsistent results due to irregularities in methodology such as using only one type of experiment or using non-standard measurements. Our study addresses these issues by examining leaf damage caused by generalist Melanoplus grasshoppers in morphologically and physiologically similar native ( Andropogon gerardii and Bouteloua curtipendula) and exotic grasses ( Miscanthus sinensis and Bothriochloa ischaemum) in Ohio and Maryland. In a 2-year study, we explored whether exotic grasses sustain less damage than native grasses, and consequently, whether generalist grasshoppers may potentially pose biotic resistance to exotic grasses. Using a combination of choice and no-choice feeding experiments with intact plants and with clipped leaves under different (field and greenhouse) conditions, we found that overall both herbivory and grasshopper performance (body length) were greater on the exotic grasses compared to native grasses. Our results suggest that exotic grasses which do not share a coevolutionary history with native generalist Melanoplus grasshoppers might have lower physical and chemical defenses than native plants. Consequently, Melanoplus grasshoppers may provide biotic resistance to these exotic grasses should these plants invade natural areas at the study regions. These results have important applications for predicting the interaction between exotic plants and generalist herbivores in the introduced range, which is critical for understanding factors facilitating plant invasions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poales [represented by rice (Oryza sativa L.)] in angiosperms and Equisetum (horsetails) in Pteridophytes are two major groups of heavy silicon (Si) accumulators. In rice, Si is polymerized preferentially in the epidermal cell wall, forming Si–cuticle double layers and Si–cellulose double layers beneath the cuticle. This Si layer is thought to exert various beneficial effects on the growth and development of land plants. Although the recent discovery of the influx and efflux transporters of silicic acid has shed some light on the molecular mechanisms of Si uptake and transport in rice, the mechanism underlying the final incorporation of polymerized Si into the cell wall remains elusive. Despite their phylogenetic distance, the cell walls of the two Si accumulators, Poales and Equisetum, share another common component, i.e. (1;3,1;4)-β-d-glucan, also known as mixed-linkage glucan (MLG), a matrix polysaccharide not found in other plants. Based on this coincidence, a possible correlation between the functions of Si and MLG in the cell wall has been suggested, but no experimental evidence has been obtained in support of this functional correlation. Here, we present an analysis of the correlative action of Si and MLG on the mechanical properties of leaf blades using a transgenic rice line in which the MLG level was reduced by overexpressing EGL1, which encodes (1;3,1;4)-β-d-glucanase. The reduction in MLG did not affect total Si accumulation, but it significantly altered the Si distribution profile and reduced the Si-dependent mechanical properties of the leaf blades, strongly suggesting a functional correlation between Si and MLG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Garnotia (Gramineae) in Malesia and Thailand has eight taxa, one new, and with one new combination. Garnotia tenella also occurs in Oman. A nomenclatural history, key, descriptions, and notes are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biorefineries aim to convert low value biomasses into high value products. The feedstock biomasses are often high-silica agricultural waste products such as rice straw, wheat straw, corn stover, sugarcane bagasse, or empty fruit bunches. This causes challenges, since silica is problematic in industrial processes, where it forms water-insoluble precipitates that are hard to remove, block filtration systems, and cause instrumental defects. In this paper we review various industries that experience issues with silica. These include paper pulping and waste-water treatment, where they try to solve their problems with silica in different ways. High pH and co-precipitation with mineral elements are some common ways of alleviating silica problems. Reviewing the literature for the fundamentals of silica revealed a complex chemistry that is not yet fully understood. Much is still to be learned about the interactions between silica and organic material as well as the mechanisms of silica precipitation and dissolution. Understanding the fundamental and complex chemistry of silica might help developing better solutions than those existing today, allowing efficient use of high silica biomasses in biorefineries. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In an effort to assess salt tolerance of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), herbage yield, leaf ascorbate peroxidase (APX), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POX) activities and malondialdehyde (MDA) content were measured in nine alfalfa cultivars grown in the field. Plants were grown under 20 (control), 60, and 120 mM NaCl salinity in Isfahan, Iran during 2010 to 2013. Based on correlation coefficients among the measured traits under salt-stress levels, MDA content had the highest correlation with herbage yield followed by CAT and POX activities, respectively. Based on the reduction in herbage yield, under 120 mM NaCl stress, Isfahani and Rehnani were the most salt tolerant, while Bami, Pioneer, and Nikshahri were the most sensitive cultivars. According to the relation between the salt tolerance and the measured traits, MDA content (r = 0.93) was the most important marker for salt tolerance followed by CAT (r = 0.58) and POX (r = 0.53) activities, respectively. However, the relationship between salt tolerance and antioxidant enzymes activities was not as strong as that for MDA, and MDA content was well correlated with salt tolerance. Given the simplicity of MDA content measurement and the complexity of extractions and assays of the enzymes, CAT, APX, and POX activities may not be used as markers, whereas, MDA content would be a much better indicator for assessing salt-tolerant cultivars in alfalfa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A large fraction of grasslands world-wide is undergoing a rapid shift from herbaceous to woody-plant dominance, while in other parts of the world, the opposite transition from woodland to grassland is the dominant phenomenon. These shifts have received increasing attention in the ecological literature during the last two decades due to their global extent and their impacts on ecosystem functioning., This Special Feature includes a series of contributions on key topics within the study of grass-woodland transitions, including three articles addressing the drivers of these vegetation shifts and another three evaluating their ecological consequences. These articles, which include reviews, modelling and empirical studies, highlight the multiplicity of approaches and spatial scales being currently used when studying grass-woodland transitions., The first articles focus on the role of fire in driving the dynamics of mesic grasslands in the USA, on the effects of climate change on the transition zones between treeless vegetation, savanna and forest in tropical and subtropical Americas and on the role of the internal structure of vegetation as a determinant of grassland-woodland transitions. The articles devoted to exploring the consequences include a modelling study on the ecohydrological consequences of shrub removal in western North America and an empirical study aiming at understanding how abiotic and biotic attributes influence above-ground net productivity across Patagonian grasslands and shrublands, as well as a review of the consequences of brush management on the provision of ecosystem services., Synthesis. Identifying the best actions to avoid or take advantage of grass-woodland transitions requires a mechanistic understanding of both the drivers of these shifts and their ecological consequences. The collection of reviews, empirical and modelling studies included in this Special Feature contributes to forecasting how ongoing global change will affect grass-woodland transitions and their consequences for the provisioning of ecosystem services from drylands, which account for a large fraction of Earth's surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drought stress is severely damaging during seedling stage of rice ( Oryza sativa L.), which can lead to significant yield reductions. Dongxiang common wild rice ( Oryza rufipogon Griff., hereafter referred to as DXWR), with strong drought resistance, could be a favorable genetic resource to improve the drought resistance of cultivated rice. Xieqingzao B ( O. sativa L. ssp. indica, hereafter referred to as XB) is a representative maintainer line in hybrid rice breeding system in China. By using DXWR as donor parent, XB as recurrent parent, through continuous selfing, backcrossing and strict drought-resistant screening, we developed a strong and stable drought-resistant introgression line IL395 (BCF), whose ability of drought resistance was significantly increased than that of the recurrent parent XB at the seedling stage. Meanwhile, no significant differences existed among other major agronomic traits under normal condition, except for plant height. Physiological assessment revealed that IL395 exhibited a significant increase in levels of free proline and soluble sugars, which was associated with drought resistance. Whole genome marker analyses identified genomic segments of DXWR linking with RM171 and RM590 (chr. 10) and RM235 (chr. 12) that require further analysis as possible sources of drought resistance trait. These results suggest that DXWR could be a favorable genetic resource to improve the drought resistance of cultivated rice, and the IL395 might be a useful resource for excavating the drought-resistant genes from DXWR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A number of factors influence dairy cow preference to be indoors or at pasture. The study reported here investigated whether herbage mass and distance affects preference and if continuously housed cows exhibited behavioral and production differences compared to cows that had free access to pasture. Dairy cows (n = 16) were offered a free choice of being in cubicle housing (1.5 cubicles/cow) or at pasture with a high (3,000 ± 200 kg DM/ha) vs. low (1,800 ± 200 kg DM/ha) herbage mass. A control group (n = 16) was confined to cubicle housing for the duration of the study. Each herbage mass was offered at either a near (38 m) or far (254 m) distance in a 2 x 2 factorial crossover design to determine motivation to access pasture. Overall, dairy cows expressed a partial preference to be at pasture, spending 68.7% of their time at pasture. This was not affected (P > 0.05) by herbage mass. Both grass intake (P = 0.001) and grazing time (P = 0.039) was greater when cows were offered the high herbage mass. Neither total mixed ration intake (P > 0.05) nor milk yield (P > 0.05) was affected by herbage mass or distance. Additionally, no interaction existed between herbage mass and distance (P > 0.05). Distance affected preference: overall time on pasture was greater at the near distance (P = 0.002); however, nighttime use was not affected by distance (P = 0.184). Housed cows produced less milk than free-choice cows and this was potentially due to a combination of decreased lying time in housed cows (P < 0.001) and grass intake (1.22 kg/d) in free-choice cows. This study shows that herbage mass is not a major factor driving dairy cow preference for pasture, but distance does affect preference for pasture during the day. Additionally, there are clear production and welfare benefits for providing cows with a choice to be at pasture or cubicle housing over being continuously housed. Further research is necessary to quantify the effect of lying time on milk yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers are a major molecular tool for genetic and genomic research that have been extensively developed and used in major crops. However, few are available in African bermudagrass ( Cynodon transvaalensis Burtt-Davy), an economically important warm-season turfgrass species. African bermudagrass is mainly used for hybridizations with common bermudagrass [ C. dactylon var. dactylon (L.) Pers.] in the development of superior interspecific hybrid turfgrass cultivars. Accordingly, the major objective of this study was to develop and characterize a large set of SSR markers. Genomic DNA of C. transvaalensis '4200TN 24-2' from an Oklahoma State University (OSU) turf nursery was extracted for construction of four SSR genomic libraries enriched with [CA], [GA], [AAG], and [AAT] as core repeat motifs. A total of 3,064 clones were sequenced at the OSU core facility. The sequences were categorized into singletons and contiguous sequences to exclude redundancy. From the two sequence categories, 1,795 SSR loci were identified. After excluding duplicate SSRs by comparison with previously developed SSR markers using a nucleotide basic local alignment tool, 1,426 unique primer pairs (PPs) were designed. Out of the 1,426 designed PPs, 981 (68.8 %) amplified alleles of the expected size in the donor DNA. Polymorphisms of the SSR PPs tested in eight C. transvaalensis plants were 93 % polymorphic with 544 markers effective in all genotypes. Inheritance of the SSRs was examined in six F progeny of African parents 'T577' × 'Uganda', indicating 917 markers amplified heritable alleles. The SSR markers developed in the study are the first large set of co-dominant markers in African bermudagrass and should be highly valuable for molecular and traditional breeding research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A recent phylogeny of the restiid clade of Poales based on chloroplast DNA data has shown several currently recognised genera of Leptocarpoideae to be paraphyletic or polyphyletic. In the largely Western Australian Desmocladus clade, Kulinia, Onychosepalum and Harperia appear embedded in Desmocladus. These are here included in Desmocladus and the new combinations D. confertospicatus, D. eludens, D. eyreanus, D. ferruginipes, D. lateriflorus, D. laxiflorus, D. microcarpus and D. nodatus are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poales represents more than one-third of all monocotyledons ( c. 20 000 species in 16 families) and constitutes a microcosm of the angiosperms. The extreme variation in species richness among the families of Poales is still not understood: Poaceae includes ∼10 000 species, whereas six families have fewer than ten species. Here, using the largest phylogenetic analysis of Poales to date, molecular dating, ancestral reconstructions and diversification analyses, we develop a macro-evolutionary and macro-ecological approach to seek correlates for changing diversification patterns. We show that the poalean families diverged in the Late Cretaceous, a time of high levels of CO2 and high rainfall. Our habitat reconstructions indicate that Poales inhabited open and dry habitats in this environment. We also demonstrate that lineages with CO2-concentrating mechanisms inhabiting dry and open environments exhibited higher diversification rates than C3, shade and wet lineages. CO2-concentrating mechanisms counteract the effects of low atmospheric CO2 and reduce phototranspiration. It is believed that the parallel evolution of C4 and CAM (Crassulacean acid metabolism) photosynthesis in Poaceae, Cyperaceae and Bromeliaceae is an adaptation to changes in atmospheric CO2 concentrations. Combinations of extrinsic and intrinsic factors might have played a role in shifts in diversification rates and may explain the variation in species richness in Poales. © 2014 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2014, 175, 4-16. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Sesleria juncifolia calcareous grasslands in the Apulia region (southern Italy) were studied on the basis of 24 phytosociological relevés. According to UPGMA cluster analysis division and NMDS ordination the relevés were classified into four major groups which gave rise to three sub-associations (Gargano) and a geographically impoverished variant (Alta Murgia). The new association Stipo austroitalicae-Seslerietum juncifoliae ass. nova was proposed. Due to the relict and scattered distribution of Sesleria juncifolia in Apulia region, the variances in species composition amongst the different subassociations are mainly influenced by local factors. The community Stipo-Seslerietum should be included in the south-eastern Italian alliance Hippocrepido-Stipion austroitalicae while at the rank of order it exhibits intermediate coenological features between the Central-South Apennine endemic suborder Festuco-Seslerienalia nitidae and the North-West Balkan order Scorzonero-Chrysopogonetalia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three families, Anarthriaceae, Restionaceae and Centrolepidaceae, are generally recognised in the restiid clade of Poales. A new phylogeny is presented, with fuller sampling of Australian taxa, based on analyses of trnL-F, trnK and rbcL data from the chloroplast genome. The findings agree with the major groups shown in previous molecular studies but provide a more substantial basis for reviewing the classification at family and generic levels. Anarthriaceae is sister to Restionaceae, with Anarthria sister to Lyginia+Hopkinsia. Centrolepidaceae, on an extremely long branch, appears embedded in Restion-aceae in Bayesian trees; although it appears as sister to Restionaceae in analyses that are more subject to long-branch attraction (in parsimony analyses and those of data from the less-conserved trnL-F cpDNA region). Accepting the embedded position, which would make this a subfamily of Restionaceae, the basal division in the Restionaceae separates the African subfamily Restionoideae from the Australasian clade (Sporadanthoideae, Centrolepidoideae, Leptocarpoideae). In subfamily Lepto-carpoideae, Eurychorda forms the basal branch. At the next dichotomy the Leptocarpus clade, together with the Winifredia clade, is separated from a diverse assemblage including Loxocarya, Chordifex, Baloskion, Desmocladus, Lepidobolus and allied genera. The phylogeny indicates that several currently recognised genera are not monophyletic and that changes to the generic classification are required. A matrix of morphological characters was prepared and these were mapped onto the Bayesian consensus DNA tree to identify synapomorphies of the clades and genera. Observations on leaf laminae indicate that fully or partially unifacial leaf laminae are a synapomorphy of the restiid clade. The morphological characterisation of the following are considered: the restiid clade, Anarthriaceae, Restionaceae enlarged to include subfamily Centrolepidoideae, Leptocarpus s.l. (including as potential synonyms Meeboldina and Stenotalis) and Desmocladus s.l. (including potentially Harperia, Onychosepalum and Kulinia). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interest in the mechanisms of wood-degrading fungi has grown in tandem with lignocellulose bioconversion efforts, yet many potential biomass feedstocks are non-woody. Using corn stover ( Zea mays) as a substrate, we tracked degradative capacities among brown rot fungi from the Antrodia clade, including Postia placenta, the first brown rot fungus to have its genome sequenced. Decay dynamics were compared against Gloeophyllum trabeum from the Gloeophyllum clade. Weight loss induced by P. placenta (6.2 %) and five other Antrodia clade isolates (average 7.4 %) on corn stalk after 12 weeks demonstrated inefficiency among these fungi, relative to decay induced by G. trabeum (44.4 %). Using aspen ( Populus sp.) as a woody substrate resulted in, on average, a fourfold increase in weight loss induced by Antrodia clade fungi, while G. trabeum results matched those on stover. The sequence and trajectories of chemical constituent losses differed as a function of substrate but not fungal clade. Instead, chemical data suggest that characters unique to stover limit decay by the Antrodia clade, rather than disparities in growth rate or extractives toxicity. High p-coumaryl lignin content, lacking the methoxy groups characteristically cleaved during brown rot, is among potential rate-distinguishing characters in grasses. This ineptitude among Antrodia clade fungi on grasses was supported by meta-analysis of other unrelated studies using grass substrates. Concerning application, results expose a problem if adopting the strategy of the model decay fungus P. placenta to treat corn stover, a widely available plant feedstock. Overall, the results insinuate phylogenetically distinct modes of brown rot and demonstrate the benefit of using non-woody substrates to probe wood degradation mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We provide a checklist of grass flora along with the details of life form a ∼ 6922 km2 area located in the southern part of Assam (Barak valley). This area harbors 98 grass species belonging to 49 genera of the Poaceae. Subfamily Panicoideae (52 species) had the highest number of species followed by Bambusoideae (25 species), Chloridoideae (13 species), Ehrhartoideae (4 species), Centothecoideae (3 species) and Arundinoideae (1 species), while subfamilies like Anomochlooideae, Aristidoideae, Danthonioideae, Pharoideae, Pooideae and Puelioideae were not represented. The region accounts ca. 32% of the diversity of grass flora of the state of Assam. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The order Poales is well known for the presence of holocentric chromosomes, agmatoploidy, symploidy, polyploidy and high variation in chromosome numbers among and within species and genera. The second largest family of this order, Cyperaceae, is very well characterized both karyologicaly and cytologicaly. On the other hand, a smaller family Juncaceae is not so widely investigated from this point of view. The currently known chromosome numbers of the species of all eight genera of the Juncaceae are presented and variation among them is explored. Distribution of diploids, agmatoploids, agmatopolyploids, polyploids, symploids and aneuploids in the family is discussed in the phylogenetic context. Luzula is the best explored group followed by Juncus and Oreojuncus. However, only very little is known for five other Southern hemisphere genera. Fifty-eight percent of taxa from the Juncaceae are still completely unknown. Three different series of chromosome counts have been found in the Juncaceae, one for Luzula ( x = 6), the second for Oreojuncus ( x = 15) and the third for Juncus ( x = 20) with many agmatoploid and aneuploid derivates. This outline summarizes current knowledge in chromosome count variation and karyological research in the family Juncaceae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Genomic resources for a species of Bromeliaceae with ecological importance – leave transcriptome. [•] First identification of conserved and novels miRNAs of a bromeliad species. [•] Identification of Vriesea carinata putative miRNA targets involved in adaptation to stress. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Recent molecular phylogenetic studies indicate that Phaenospermateae and Duthieeae are among the early diverging lineages of Pooideae and that they are closely related to each other. Here, we test this with cytotaxonomical data. The monotypic tribe Phaenospermateae, represented by Phaenosperma globosum, has a chromosome number of 2n = 2x = 24 and a fairly symmetric karyotype consisting of 22 median (m) and 2 submedian (sm) chromosomes varying in length between 1.8–3 μm. Duthieeae, represented by Duthiea brachypodium, Sinochasea trigyna, Stephanachne monandra and Stephanachne pappophorea, also share the chromosome number 2n = 2x = 24 and similar symmetric karyotypes with the chromosomes varying in length between 1.4–5 μm. Thus, the close relationship of Phaenospermateae and Duthieeae is corroborated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]