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The genus Cercis, belonging to the Fabaceae family, is widely distributed in China and traditionally employed in Chinese medicine to treat various disorders, like irregular menstruation, pain, cough and carbuncle swelling. Despite the availability of numerous scientific studies on this genus, reviews that comprehensively cover its phytochemistry and pharmacology remain limited. This review aims to systematically consolidate the scientific literature on the phytochemistry and pharmacology of eight Cercis species, retrieved from databases like PubMed, Web of Science, SciFinder, Google Scholar, and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure platform. Based on a thorough analysis of the literature, more than 100 compounds have been identified from Cercis species, including flavonoids, phenols, terpenoids, lignins, dibenz[b,f]oxepins and others. Extracts and chemical constituents derived from Cercis species exhibited significant antioxidant, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antibacterial activities. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the medicinal potential of Cercis species and their potential applications in healthcare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genera Adenolobus , Cercis and Griffonia are closely related and classified within the subtribe Cercidinae of the Fabaceae family. Since no information exists on the secondary metabolites of the genus Adenolobus , this review focuses on the phytochemistry of Cercis and Griffonia. The genus Cercis is a source of interesting specialized metabolites including 82 phenolic compounds comprising 51 flavonoids, ten terpenoids, three cyanogenic glycosides, 54 volatile compounds, and some compounds from other compound classes. In the genus Griffonia , G. simplicifolia has been traditionally used for a variety of medicinal purposes, and research is mainly focused on this species. This review discusses the chemical structures of nine alkaloids reported from G. simplicifolia and compounds isolated from the genus Cercis along with their chemophenetic analysis. Finally, the review briefly mentions research gaps and potential directions for future investigations. [Display omitted] • Phytochemical papers on the genera of Cercidinae were reviewed. • The genus Adenolobus has so far not been investigated phytochemically. • Flavonoids in the subtribe Cercidinae may have chemophenetic significance. • Cercis species contain a diverse array of compound classes. • Griffonia simplicifolia contains interesting alkaloids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Neogene plant fossils from low latitudes of China are critical for understanding the history of plant diversity and paleoenvironment in that region. Here we describe well-preserved Cercis fruit fossils from the Fotan Group (~14.7 Ma) in Fujian, southeastern China. Based on detailed morphological and anatomical comparisons with extant and fossil species, we refer to these fossils as Cercis zhangpuensis sp. nov. Cercis zhangpuensis, most similar to C. chinensis A.V. Bunge among extant species of the genus. The currently described species is the southmost fossil record of the genus in Asia. In addition, we have studied cuticle structures of Cercis pod fossils for the first time. The occurrence of Cercis fossils indicates that the genus existed in Fujian, China since the middle Miocene. Available fossil records indicate that Cercis firstly appeared in North America during the Eocene, then spread in Europe and Asia since the Oligocene, with its distribution attaining the peak in the Miocene. We conclude that East Asia may represent one of the major centres of diversification of Cercis in the Miocene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The climatic impacts of the Tibetan Plateau since the Neogene and the phytogeographic pattern changes of formerly widely‐distributed forest communities on the plateau remain poorly constrained. Today, Cercis L. (Fabaceae) is a well‐known arborescent genus typically distributed in subtropical to warm temperate zones of the Northern Hemisphere, and Paleogene fossil occurrences from Eurasia and North America show a long history of the genus in mid‐low latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere. Here, we describe a fossil species, Cercis zekuensis sp. nov. based on well‐preserved fruits from the early Miocene of the northeastern Tibetan Plateau. Detailed morphological comparison (e.g., ventral margin with a veinless wing) of extant and fossil members of Cercis and other genera confirmed validity of the present taxonomic identity. Based on the comparison with extant relatives and their climate preferences, this unexpected occurrence of thermophilic Cercis in northeastern Tibetan Plateau indicates this area had higher temperature and precipitation in the Miocene than today. Integrated with inferred (paleo‐)temperature lapse rates, this indicates a low paleoelevation of less than 2.4 km. In contrast with the present‐day alpine climate here (~3.7 km), such a low elevation facilitated a more favorable habitat with comparatively high biodiversity and warm temperate forests at that time, as were evidenced by co‐occurring megafossils. Moreover, the present existence of Cercis implies the genus was widespread in interior Asia during the early Neogene and shows its modern disjunction or diversification between eastern and central Asia was possibly shaped by the late Cenozoic regional tectonic uplift and consequential environmental deterioration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on evolutionary, phylogenomic, and synteny analyses of genome sequences for more than a dozen diverse legume species as well as analysis of chromosome counts across the legume family, we conclude that the genus Cercis provides a plausible model for an early evolutionary form of the legume genome. The small Cercis genus is in the earliest-diverging clade in the earliest-diverging legume subfamily (Cercidoideae). The Cercis genome is physically small, and has accumulated mutations at an unusually slow rate compared to other legumes. Chromosome counts across 477 legume genera, combined with phylogenetic reconstructions and histories of whole-genome duplications, suggest that the legume progenitor had 7 chromosomes – as does Cercis. We propose a model in which a legume progenitor, with 7 chromosomes, diversified into species that would become the Cercidoideae and the remaining legume subfamilies; then speciation in the Cercidoideae gave rise to the progenitor of the Cercis genus. There is evidence for a genome duplication in the remaining Cercidoideae, which is likely due to allotetraploidy involving hybridization between a Cercis progenitor and a second diploid species that existed at the time of the polyploidy event. Outside the Cercidoideae, a set of probably independent whole-genome duplications gave rise to the five other legume subfamilies, at least four of which have predominant counts of 12–14 chromosomes among their early-diverging taxa. An earlier study concluded that independent duplications occurred in the Caesalpinioideae, Detarioideae, and Papilionoideae. We conclude that Cercis may be unique among legumes in lacking evidence of polyploidy, a process that has shaped the genomes of all other legumes thus far investigated.

Based on evolutionary, phylogenomic, and synteny analyses of genome sequences for more than a dozen diverse legume species as well as analysis of chromosome counts across the legume family, we conclude that the genus Cercis provides a plausible model for an early evolutionary form of the legume genome. The small Cercis genus is in the earliest-diverging clade in the earliest-diverging legume subfamily (Cercidoideae). The Cercis genome is physically small, and has accumulated mutations at an unusually slow rate compared to other legumes. Chromosome counts across 477 legume genera, combined with phylogenetic reconstructions and histories of whole-genome duplications, suggest that the legume progenitor had 7 chromosomes – as does Cercis. We propose a model in which a legume progenitor, with 7 chromosomes, diversified into species that would become the Cercidoideae and the remaining legume subfamilies; then speciation in the Cercidoideae gave rise to the progenitor of the Cercis genus. There is evidence for a genome duplication in the remaining Cercidoideae, which is likely due to allotetraploidy involving hybridization between a Cercis progenitor and a second diploid species that existed at the time of the polyploidy event. Outside the Cercidoideae, a set of probably independent whole-genome duplications gave rise to the five other legume subfamilies, at least four of which have predominant counts of 12–14 chromosomes among their early-diverging taxa. An earlier study concluded that independent duplications occurred in the Caesalpinioideae, Detarioideae, and Papilionoideae. We conclude that Cercis may be unique among legumes in lacking evidence of polyploidy, a process that has shaped the genomes of all other legumes thus far investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tanpınar prefers an imagist wording in both his poems and proses and. One realm of existence to which Tanpınar mostly ascribes a meaning is plants, especially flowers and trees. His lectures in Fine Arts Academy certainly have an effect on the way he uses plants with their mythological connotations. In his works, plants and trees like daffodil, fig, pomegranate, ivy, cercis and lily especially appear with their mythological and religious connotations while rose, sycamore and cypress mostly express their meanings in Turkish culture. Most of the time, flowers and trees shadow out the continuousness of life and fend off human beings from pessimism and the thought of death in Tanpınar's works. Plants sometimes appear as important subsidiary components of architecture as well as they gain new meanings by departing from their poetic theme, according to one's gender and attitude against life when individual or community life is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a list of Cercis cultivars including "Appalachian Red," "Avondale" and "Cascading Hearts."

To date 57 species ofTelebasishave been described. Most are Neotropical species, only three extending North of Mexico. From Peru 17 species were known. Most are found in the Amazonian lowlands; two are known from higher elevations in the Andes. From Brazil 26 species were known. In this article another Neotropical species is described, hereby namedTelebasis igapocola. Males of this species differ from other described species ofTelebasiswith a black and red abdomen by the shape of cerci, paraprocts and genital ligula. Cerci are as long as paraprocts with a blunt tip. Genital ligula has a sharp-angled arrow-shape in ventral view. Females can be distinguished from otherTelebasisspecies by the shape of the prothorax with two approximate processes curving caudad. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:99B3663D-199B-4CB6-A380-2F3A71CF2853 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aya Yorgi'ye atfedilen manastır, günümüzde hem Müslümanların hem de Hıristiyanların ortak ziyaret mekanlarından biridir. Bu makalede ilk olarak Aya Yorgi'nin kimliği ve onun tarihsel bir kişilik olup olmadığı tartıştidıktan sonra ona atfedilen Manastırın yapımı ve buna dair aniatılar işlenecektir. Akabinde de Anadolu'ya yerle- şen Türklerin, Aya Yorgi manastırını nasıl ve hangi sebeplerle dini bir ziyeratgah olarak benimsemiş olabileceklerine dair bilgi verilecektir

Se presenta información del género Bauhinia, tribu Cercideae en la provincia biótica de la península de Yucatán. Se reconocen 5 especies nativas: Bauhinia divaricata L., B. erythrocalyx Wunderlin, B. jenningsii P. Wilson, B. herrerae (Britton et Rose) Standl. et Steyerm. y B. ungulata L., así como 2 introducidas: B. monandra Kurz y B. variegata L. Se presenta una clave para identificación, descripciones morfológicas, mapas de distribución, fotografías de las especies e información de los nombres comunes y uso en la región.General information about the genus Bauhinia in the Yucatán Peninsula Biotic Province is presented. Five native species, B. divaricata L, B. erythrocalyx Wunderlin, B. jenningsii P. Wilson, B. herrerae (Britton et Rose) Standl. et Steyerm., B. ungulata L. and 2 exotic species, B. monandra Kurz and B. variegata L., are recognized. Species identification key, morphological descriptions, distribution maps, and photographs are presented. Additional information of common names and uses in the region is included.

Filiform mechanosensory hairs of crickets are of great interest to engineers because of the hairs' highly sensitive response to low-velocity air-currents. In this study, we analyze the biomechanical properties of filiform hairs of the cereal sensory system of a common house cricket. The cereal sensory system consists of two antennalike appendages called cerci that are situated at the rear of the cricket's abdomen. Each cercus is covered with 500-750 flow sensitive filiform mechanosensory hairs. Each hair is embedded in a complex viscoelastic socket that acts as a spring and dashpot system and guides the movement of the hair. When a hair deflects due to the drag force induced on its length by a moving air-current, the spiking activity of the neuron that innervates the hair changes and the combined spiking activity of all hairs is extracted by the cereal sensory system. Filiform hairs have been experimentally studied by researchers, though the basis for the hairs' biomechanical characteristics is not fully understood. The socket structure has not been analyzed experimentally or theoretically from a mechanical standpoint, and the characterization that exists is mathematical in nature and only provides a very rudimentary approximation of the socket's spring nature. This study aims to understand and physically characterize the socket's behavior and interaction with the filiform hair by examining hypotheses about the hair and socket biomechanics. A three-dimensional computer-aided design (CAD) model was first created using confocal microscopy images of the hair and socket structure of the cricket, and then finite-element analyses (FEAs) based on the physical conditions that the insect experiences were simulated. The results show that the socket can act like a spring; however, it has two-tier rotational spring constants during pre- and postcontacts of iris and hair bulge due to its constitutive nonstandard geometric shapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cercis is an ancient member of Fabaceae, often cultivated as an ornamental tree, and can be found in numerous regions around the world. Previous studies have reported Cercis canadensis as being diploid with 2n = 2x = 14. However, there have been no further investigations into ploidy and genome size variation among Cercis taxa. A study was conducted to evaluate the relative genome size and ploidy levels of numerous species, cultivars, and botanical varieties of Cercis, representing taxa found in North America, Asia, and the Middle East. In addition, the genome size of Bauhinia forficata, a close relative of Cercis, was also determined. Genome size estimates (2C values) were determined by calculating the mean fluorescence of stained nuclei via flow cytometry. Propidium iodide was used as the staining agent and Glycine max was used as an internal standard for each taxon analyzed. Genome size estimates for all Cercis sampled ranged from 0.70 to 0.81 pg with an average size of 0.75 pg. The genome size of B. forficata was found to be smaller than any other Bauhinia sp. currently on record, with an average size of 0.87 pg. This study confirmed an initial estimation of the genome size of Cercis chinensis and found that floral buds of Cercis proved to be an excellent source of plant tissue for obtaining intact nuclei. All species, botanical varieties, and cultivars of Cercis surveyed for this study had remarkably similar genome sizes despite their wide range of distribution. This information can facilitate a better understanding of phylogenetic relationships within Cercideae and Cercis specifically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Main conclusion: High-throughput sequencing and degradome analysis for Cercis gigantea identified 194 known miRNAs and 23 novel miRNAs with 61 targets. The comparison results of highly conserved miRNAs and non-conserved miRNAs implied that C. gigantea miRNAs were subjected to the neutral evolution. MicroRNAs play a key role in post-transcriptionally regulating gene expression during plant growth, development and other various biological processes. Although numerous miRNAs have been identified and documented, to date, there are no reports on Cercis gigantea ( C. gigantea) miRNAs. In this study, C. gigantea miRNAs and their target genes were investigated by extracting RNA from young roots, tender stems, young leaves, and flower buds of C. gigantea to establish a small RNA and a degradome library to further sequence. This study identified 194 known miRNAs belonging to 52 miRNA families and 23 novel miRNAs. Among these, 158 miRNAs from 27 miRNA families were highly conserved and existed in a plurality of plants. In addition, 60 different targets for 30 known families and one target for novel miRNA were identified by high-throughput sequencing and degradome analysis in C. gigantea. The comparison results revealed that highly conserved miRNAs have higher expression levels, more family members and more targets than non-conserved miRNAs, indicating that C. gigantea miRNAs were subjected to the neutral evolution. Meanwhile, these conserved miRNAs were also found to be involved in auxin signal transduction, regulation of transcription, and other developmental processes, which will help further understanding regulatory mechanisms of C. gigantea miRNAs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Premise of research. The fossil record of Cercis L. needs to be understood in better detail as a basis for reconstructing the evolution for understanding the radiation of Caesalpinoideae. The genus can now be traced back to the late Eocene of western North America on the basis of fossil fruits and foliage from Oregon and Colorado. Pivotal results. We present a new occurrence of Cercis leaf fossils from Teater Road, Oregon (~36 Ma), that conforms to the species Cercis parvifolia Lesquereux, previously recognized from Florissant, Colorado (~34 Ma). Associated pods of Cercis herbmeyeri sp. n. represent the earliest confirmed fossil fruits of Cercis. In their indehiscent pods with a winglike flange along one margin, the fossils correspond to the main clade of Cercis rather than to the phylogenetically distinct extant species Cercis chingii. A review of other occurrences that we accept from the literature reveals that the genus was widespread in the Northern Hemisphere by the Miocene, although some earlier paleobotanical reports must be rejected. Conclusions. The fossil record indicates that Cercis was established by the late Eocene and had become widespread in the Northern Hemisphere by the Miocene. The late Eocene records have a lamina shape consistent with a mesic habitat but relatively small leaf size, which might indicate adaptation for drying conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The pantropical genus Bauhinia, along with the northern temperate Cercis and several tropical genera, bear bilobate, bifoliolate, or sometimes unifoliolate leaves, which constitute the tribe Cercideae as sister to the rest of the family Leguminosae based on molecular phylogenetics. Hence, the fossil record of Cercideae is pivotal to understand the early evolution and biogeographic history of legumes. Results Three fossil species of Bauhinia were described from the Oligocene Ningming Formation of Guangxi, South China. Bauhinia ningmingensis sp. nov. is characterized by its bifoliolate, pulvinate leaves bearing basal acrodromous primary veins and brochidodromous secondary veins. B. cheniae sp. nov. bears moderately or deeply bilobate, pulvinate leaves, with basal actinodromous primary veins and eucamptodromous secondary veins. B. larsenii D.X. Zhang et Y.F. Chen emend. possesses shallowly or moderately bilobate, pulvinate leaves bearing basal actinodromous primary veins and brochidodromous secondary veins, as well as elliptic, stipitate, non-winged, and oligo-seeded fruits. Meanwhile, previously reported Bauhinia fossils were reviewed, and those pre-Oligocene foliage across the world are either questionable or have been rejected due to lacking of reliable evidence for their pulvini or/and basal actinodromous or acrodromous venations. Besides Oligocene leaves and fruits presented here, foliage and/or wood of Bauhinia have been documented from the Miocene-Pliocene of Thailand, India, Nepal, Uganda, and Ecuador. Conclusions Bauhinia has exhibited a certain diversity with bifoliolate - and bilobate - leafed species in a low - latitude locality - Ningming since at least the Oligocene, implying that the tropical zone of South China may represent one of the centres for early diversification of the genus. The reliable macrofossils of Bauhinia and Cercis have made their debut in the Eocene-Oligocene floras from mid-low latitudes and appeared to lack in the coeval floras at high latitudes, implying a possible Tethys Seaway origin and spread of legumes. However, detailed scenarios for the historical biogeography of Bauhinia and its relatives still need more robust dataset from palaeobotany and molecular phylogeny in future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim The biogeographical congruence hypothesis, that similar spatiotemporal patterns of geographical distribution exist across lineages, is revisited in this study, and biogeographical processes in presumed Madrean-Tethyan plants are investigated by employing phylogenetic analyses. Location Mediterranean and Californian floristic regions. Methods The snapdragons (tribe Antirrhineae, Plantaginaceae) are one of the plant groups that best illustrate disjunctions between the New World (14 genera) and the Old World (15 genera). A time-calibrated phylogeny ( ndhF sequences) and ancestral-area reconstructions were used to test the hypothesis of biogeographical congruence. We estimated support for sister-group relationships together with the probability of temporal congruence of snapdragons and five additional angiosperm groups using a biogeographical approach based on Bayesian inference, parsimony and maximum-likelihood methods. Results Synchronous divergences of four phylogenetically independent Mediterranean/Californian lineages within Antirrhineae were inferred for the Miocene. This result constitutes the first example of high biogeographical congruence within the same plant group. Analyses of five additional angiosperm groups previously considered exemplars of Madrean-Tethyan disjunctions revealed a total of 10 Mediterranean/Californian sister-group lineages, mostly with Miocene divergence times. In particular, our contrasting biogeographical analysis favoured a prevalent colonization process post-dating the separation of America and Eurasia (Eocene) for at least eight angiosperm lineages. Main conclusions Explicit testing of the Madrean-Tethyan hypothesis did not support predominant vicariance for Mediterranean/Californian sister groups as previously proposed. Instead, eight Mediterranean/Californian sister-group lineages displayed a Miocene divergence, including considerable biogeographical congruence within Antirrhineae (four independent lineages) and Cistaceae (two lineages). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Male supra-anal plate, cerci and subgenital plate are considered as external parts of male genitalia. Taxonomic significance of internal genitalia such as epiphallus and aedeagus was already known for identification and classification of Indian Pyrgomorphidae. In the study, a comparative investigation of male supra-anal plate, cerci and subgenital plate was undertaken in twelve species of grasshoppers representing six genera under four tribes belonging to the family Pyrgomorphidae. The present study revealed that shape and size of male supra-anal plate, cerci and subgenital plate have the significant importance in separating the various genera and species of family Pyrgomorphidae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study deals with the influence of growth regulators on the germination of Judas tree (Cercis siliquastrum L.) seed which is double dormant. We simultaneously tested seeds prepared in the conventional procedure: scarification + stratification and scarified seeds treated with phytohormones from the groups of gibberellins, auxin and cytokinins. The results indicate a positive effect of gibberellic acid (GA), as well as some combinations of this phytohormone with others. Recommendations for practice are to combine the conventional procedure with GA. The procedure may shorten the duration of stratification; the application of GA should follow stratification because the temperature of 4°C does not provide growth regulators activity. The study results can serve as the base for easier generative reproduction of this valuable woody ornamental species which could have a wide use in changed climate conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Cercis siliquastrum tree leaves are introduced as a low cost biosorbent for removal of Ag(I) from aqueous solution in a batch system. FT-IR, XRD analysis, and potentiometric titration illustrate that the adsorption took place and the acidic functional group (carboxyl) of the sorbent was involved in the biosorption process. In addition, it was observed that the pH beyond pHpzc 4.4 is favorable for the removal procedure. The effect of operating variables such as initial pH, temperature, initial metal ion concentration, and sorbent mass on the Ag(I) biosorption was analyzed using response surface methodology (RSM). The proposed quadratic model resulting from the central composite design approach (CCD) fitted very well to the experimental data. The optimum condition obtained with RSM was an initial concentration of Ag(I) of 85 mg L−1, pH = 6.3 and sorbent mass 0.19 g. The applicability of different kinetic and isotherm models for current biosorption process was evaluated. The isotherm, kinetic, and thermodynamic studies showed the details of sorbate-sorbent behavior. The competitive effect of alkaline and alkaline earth metal ions during the loading of Ag(I) was also considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study systematically compared the effects of several different in vitro treatment methods and explant types on the induction of polyploidy in Cercis glabra Pamp. Analysis of nuclear DNA content using flow cytometry indicated that treating either apical or lateral buds of in vitro shoot cultures with an aqueous solution of 150μM oryzalin for 12–96h produced tetraploid plants irrespective of the type of bud treated. In contrast, shoots cultured on solidified media containing oryzalin failed to produce polyploid nuclei suggesting limited uptake and/or transport of oryzalin in shoot cultures. Using aqueous treatments of oryzalin and shoot cultures, polyploid C. glabra plants were successfully produced, rooted, and established in the greenhouse. Although an increase in the frequency of polyploid nuclei was detected in callus cultures grown on media containing orzyalin, these treatments significantly reduced callus growth and viability. Results from this study indicate that aqueous treatment of in vitro grown shoot cultures may provide an efficient and simple method for the generation of polyploid plants. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The disjunct genus Cercis has been used to test models of Northern Hemisphere historical biogeography. Previous phylogenetic estimates employing DNA sequences of the ITS region and (in one study) those of ndhF recovered a well supported clade of North American and western Eurasian species that was nested within a paraphyletic group of Chinese species. Resolution and clade support within the tree were otherwise low and the monophyly of Cercis canadensis was uncertain. Here we conduct a phylogenetic analysis of Cercis with a higher number of regions (ITS, ndhF, rpoB-trnC, trnT-trnD, and trnS-trnG) and samples than in previous studies. Results corroborate the initial divergence between the Chinese species Cercis chingii and the rest of the genus. Support is newly found both for a clade of the two North American species as sister to the western Eurasian species, and for the monophyly of C. canadensis. As in a previous study, divergence between North American and western Eurasian Cercis was estimated as mid-Miocene (ca. 13million years ago), and the ancestor in which this divergence occurred was inferred to be xerophytic. Contrary to previous studies, however, our data infer strictly east-to-west vicariance. The timing of the transatlantic divergence in Cercis is too recent to be explained by a postulated continuous belt of semi-arid vegetation between North America and Europe in the Paleogene, suggesting instead the presence of a Miocene North Atlantic corridor for semi-arid plants. In the absence of strong evidence from other sources, the possibility that Cercis has been able to quickly adapt from mesophytic antecedents to semi-arid conditions whenever the latter have arisen in the Northern Hemisphere can be considered a plausible alternative, although parsimony optimization renders this scenario two steps longer. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article describes two Neotropical species of Drosophila peruensis species group, Drosophila itacorubi sp. nov. and Drosophila paraitacorubi sp. nov., focusing on external morphology and traits of the internal and external genitalia. The thorax of Drosophila itacorubi has eight irregular rows of acrostichals and two large prescutellars. The crossveins of its wing are slightly darker than the longitudinal veins and its tergites have broad posterior dark brown bands enlarged paramedically. Its epandrium, cerci and surstylus are mostly microtrichose. The thorax of Drosophila paraitacorubi has two prominent katephisternal with a row of setulae between them. Its wing and abdomen are similar to the first species, while its gonopods are fused with hypandrium and its aedeagus expanded.

Dormancy in Cercis siliquastrum seeds is due to the hard, impermeable seed coat and inhibition by endosperm. The effects of acid scarification, cold moist stratification, and the combination of both on breaking dormancy and enhancing seed germination were evaluated. Seeds were scarified with concentrated (95%-97%) sulfuric acid for various times (0, 20, 40, and 60 min), followed by cold moist stratification for 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4 months. Unscarified seeds did not germinate whether they were stratified (up until 4 months) or not. Similarly, seeds that were scarified (20, 40, and 60 min) and then stratified for 0 or 1 month did not germinate or exhibited very low germination percentages. The interaction between acid scarification and cold stratification treatments significantly affected seed germination. Particularly, after a period of 2 months of cold stratification, increasing the duration of scarification (20 to 60 min) also increased the germination percentages (31% to 65%). High germination percentages equal to 94%, 88%, and 98% were attained after a period of 3 months of cold stratification for seeds that had been scarified for 20, 40, and 60 min, respectively. Longer periods of stratification (4 months) of seeds scarified for 20, 40, and 60 min reduced the germination percentages (81%, 68%, and 59%, respectively). This decrease was higher in seeds that were scarified for 60 min. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the effects of acid (H2SO4) treatment and moist stratification duration on the properties of seed coat, germination rate and duration of the Cercis siliquastrum L. were investigated. The rupture force and firmness of seed coat decrease during the acid treatment and moist stratification, stratification was for more than 30 minutes of these applications. Up to this treatment, rupture force and firmness were highly decreased. Contrary to this decrease, the germination rate was increased. The decrease in rupture force and firmness of seed coat were changed limitedly after 45 minutes and over acid treatments. From the results of this study, we conclude that eight weeks of moist stratification duration was optimal after 30 minutes of acid treatment to remove the physical and physiological dormancy of the seeds of the C. siliquastrum L. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new stick insect family Gallophasmatidae, based on Gallophasma longipalpis gen. et sp.n., from the Earliest Eocene French amber has a pattern of tegmina venation typical of Archaeorthoptera, also present in at least some Mesozoic ‘Phasmatodea’. On the other hand, Gallophasma displays in its body anatomy some apomorphies of the extant Euphasmatodea, e.g. fusion of metatergum and abdominal tergum 1, correlated with the reduction of abdominal sternum 1 to lateral triangular sclerites. A unique autapomorphy of Gallophasma is the presence of annulated and apparently multi-segmented or pseudo-segmented cerci; all other Phasmatodea have one-segmented cerci. The venation of the tegmina of Gallophasma differs from that of extant winged Phasmatodea in the plesiomorphic absence of a knob-like dorsal eversion. This and other differences in the wing venation between extant and extinct Phasmatodea might have been caused by the loss of wings at some point in the evolutionary history of the order and their secondary gain in a subclade of the extant phasmids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the taxonomic implications of morphological variation in Cercis canadensis. It suggests that the morphological distinction among the varieties of Cercis canadensis was purported to have been lost where they grow in intermediate ecological zones and hybridization has occurred. It also found an unresolved clade that comprises the varieties of the species that are closely related to siliquastrum of the Mediterranean region.

The micromorphology of leaf epidermal cells and stomata of all eight species and one form (11 samples) of Cercis were observed by scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy. Both the adaxial and abaxial epidermal cells are polygonal or irregular in shape; the anticlinal walls are straight and arched or undulate. Two types of stomata, which occur only on the abaxial surface of the leaves, are found in the genus. The atypical paracytic type is present in only one species, Cercis chingii, and the anomocytic type is present in all other species. Interspecific differences are minor in the genus with regard to leaf epidermal characters, except for C. chingii, which is characterized by atypical paracytic-type stomata, a two-lipped outer stomatal rim, the highest stomatal density and undulate and densely pitted anticlinal walls in the adaxial epidermis. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 158, 539–547. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three new dibenz[b,f]oxepins: 6-methoxy-7-methyl-8-hydroxydibenz[b, f]oxepin (1), 1,8-dimethoxy-6-hydroxy-7-methyldibenz[b, f]oxepin (2), and 1-hydroxy-6,8-dimethoxy-7-methyldibenz[b,f]oxepin (3), along with two known dibenz[b,f]oxepins pacharin (4) and bauhiniastatin 4 (5), were isolated from Cercis chinensis Bunge (Leguminosae). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic evidence (EI-MS, UV, IR, 1H, 13C and 2D NMR). Compounds 1-5 were isolated from the Cercis genus for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: There has been an increased demand for landscaping plants in Lebanon as a result of numerous reconstruction projects. Sustainable landscape regulations have created a need for regionally adapted taxa, especially those with low water requirements. Therefore, water use of container-grown plants and the impact of fertilization on water use were studied in the following native species: Cercis siliquastrum L. (six mother trees), Malus trilobata Schneid (two mother trees) and Acer syriacum Boin and Gaill (one tree). Two-year-old containerized seedlings were grown at The Ohio State University (Columbus, USA) under two fertilizer rates: 25 or 100mgNL−1 of 21 N–3.1 P–5.9 K water soluble fertilizer. Water use estimates were made by saturating the containers early in the morning, allowing them to drain for 1h, weighing them and re-weighing approximately 5h later. Although there were differences in seedling heights, those grown at 25mgNL−1 were taller than those at 100, there were few differences in water use per seedling. In August, Cercis seedlings grown under 100mgNL−1 had higher height adjusted water use (gwatercm−1 heighth−1, a method for standardizing water use among different sized plants) than those grown under 25mgL−1. However, there were no differences in height adjusted water use in September attributed to fertilizer rates. In September, Acer seedlings had higher water use cm−2 leaf surface area under 25 than 100mgNL−1. There were no differences in water use among the progeny from the six Cercis mother trees. However, the seedlings from one Malus tree had higher water use cm−2 leaf surface area than those from the other tree, even though the extant trees were separated by less than 20m. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Lebanon''s native flora is threatened by loss of natural habitat to rural and urban development and the increased demand of plant materials for landscaping. Despite Lebanon''s floristic richness, most taxa used for landscaping are non-native. This study was done to determine if Cercis siliquastrum (L.) is amenable to container production. Therefore, six open pollinated seeds sources native to Lebanon were grown under two fertilizer rates to study growth, N, P, K uptake efficiency, and partitioning. Two-year-old seedlings were planted in 11L containers in a 3:1 pine bark:compost substrate. Seedlings within each seed source or mother tree were grown at either 25 or 100mgNL−1 from 21N–3.1P–5.9K water-soluble fertilizer. Seedlings of all sources grown under 25mgNL−1 had greater dry weight than those grown at 100mg. Nutrient loading occurred in plants under the high fertilizer rate, although total plant N, P, and K content were not affected by fertilizer rate. There were significant differences in mineral nutrient uptake and nutrient use efficiencies among the seed sources. The results show that C. siliquastrum is amenable to container production. The great variation in growth rate and nutrient use efficiency among the limited number of seed sources studied suggest that significant improvement can be made through mother tree selection and/or clonal propagation of superior individual plants within a source. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]