J Syst Evol

Close Relationship Between Shaniodendron and Parrotia (Hamamelidaceae), Evidence from ITS Sequences of Nuclear Ribosomal DNA

Li Jian-hua, A. Linn Bogle, Anita S. Klein, Pan Kai-yu

J Syst Evol. 1997, 35(6): 481-493.

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The recently described genus Shaniodendron (Chang)Deng, Wei et Wang (Hamamelidoideae, Hamamelidaceae) is monotypic, narrowly distributed in eastern China, and on the verge of extinction. Morphological analysis puts this genus in the Fothergilleae sensu Harms, and implies that Shaniodendron is closely related to Parrotia C. A. Mey. In this study, sequences of the internal transcribed spacers of nuclear ribosomal DNA were analyzed for apetalous genera of the Hamamelidoideae to further evaluate the systematic relationships of Shaniodendron. The ITS-based phylogeny supported the combination of the Distylieae and the Fothergilleae, thus recognizing the Fothergilleae sensu Endress. It also substantiated the close relationship of Shaniodendron and Parrotia. The estimated divergence time of Shaniodendron and Parrotia was the late Miocene, which agreed with the fossil record.

Karyomorphology and Relationships of the Genus Circaeaster Maxim.

Kong Hong-zhi, Yang Qin-er

J Syst Evol. 1997, 35(6): 494-499.

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Investigated in this paper was the karyomorphology of the monotypic genus Circaeaster Maxim. The interphase nuclei and the prophase chromosomes were categorized to be simple chromocenter type and interstitial type respectively;the metaphase chromosomes were rather small, ranging from 3.00μm to 1.20μm in length. The karyotype was formulated as 2n= 30= 22m + 8sm. Its distinctive higher haploid chromosome number, together with its several highly reduced and specialized character states in morphology, suggests that Circaeaster is a relictual paleopolyploid group. The similar karyomorphological characteristics of interphase nuclei and prophase chromosomes between Circaeaster and Kingdonia, as well asthe similar size and morphology of their metaphase chromosomes, support the viewpoint that they are closely related and are probably best treated as a ditypic family.

On the Areal-types of the Chinese Endemic Genera of Seed Plants

Hao Ri-ming

J Syst Evol. 1997, 35(6): 500-510.

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The Chinese endemic genera of seed plants, 220 in total, are mainly distributed in China’s tropical and subtropical regions. Among them, 132 genera, including Taiwania, Poliothyrsis, Heptacodium and Shaniodendron, are restricted to eastern and central China. These genera are obviously closely related to eastern Asian elements both floristically and phylogenetically. Seventy-three genera, which mainly occur in southern China, including Hainania, Chunia, Tetrathyrium, Sinopanax, Allostigma and Gynogyne , actually have extended their ranges to the areas south of the Tropic of Cancer, and thus reached into the Malaysian Forest Subkingdom of the Palaeotropical Kingdom. They are apparently related to Asian tropical elements. Twelve genera, which occur in western China’s Qinghai-Xizang plateau, are relatively closely related to central Asian elements. The remaining three genera　are endemic to northern China, and related to some degree to temperate Asian elements. The present author considers that the Chinese endemic genera of seed plants are heterogeneous in their origin and development and essentially a mixture of several floristic elements. In the light of their distribution patterns in the two kingdoms, seven subkingdoms and 23 regions in China as proposed by professor C. Y. Wu, the author suggests that the distribution of Chinese endemic genera should be divided into four subtypes: (1) Endemic to eastern and central China (15a); (2) Endemic to southern China(15b); (3) Endemic to western China(15c); (4) Endemic to northern China(15d). Floristically, the endemic genera of the subtype 15b, i. e. those endemic to southern China, are tropical elements, and the endemic genera of subtypes 15a, 15c and 15d are all temperate elements. The above division of the endemic genera of seed plants in China can, in the author’s opinion, better highlight their geographical characteristics, and thus may bring some new light on the analyses of the historical development of the Chinese endemic genera of seed plants.

A Study on Karyotypes and Geographical Distribution of Ostericum (Umbelliferae) in China

Pan Ze-hui, Liu Xin-tian, Li Xin-hua, Yao Xin-mei, Zhuang Ti-de, Lin Xiang

J Syst Evol. 1997, 35(6): 511-520.

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There are about 10 species of Ostericum in the world, of which seven are distributed in China. The present paper deals with the karyotypes of five species and one variety (covering 13 populations) within this genus. The karyotype formulae are as follows: O. citriodorum (Hance) Yuan &Shan 2n=22= 16m+ 6sm (Baoan, Guangdong) and 2n= 22=14m + 6sm + 2st(Yingtan, Jiangxi); O. huadongensis Z. H. Pan & X. H. Li 2n = 22 =16m + 6sm (Nanjing, Jiangsu, cultivated) and 2n= 22 = 16m + 4sm + 2sm (SAT) (Guangde,Anhui); O. viridiflorum (Turcz.) Kitagawa 2n = 22 = 18m + 4sm (Ergun Youqi, Nei Mongol) and 2n = 22 = 18m + 2sm + 2st (SAT) (Shuangyashan, Heilongjiang); O. sieboldii (Miq.) Nakai 2n = 22 = 4sm + 16st + 2st (SAT) ( Zhuanghe, Liaoning ); and 2n = 22 = 2sm + 20st (Changbaishan, Jilin); O. sieboldii var. praeteritum (Kitagawa) Huang 2n = 22 =2sm+ 20st (Anshan, Liaoning); O. grosseserratum (Maxim.) Kitagawa 2n = 18 = 2sm +16st (Zhuanghe, Liaoning), 2n = 18 = 2sm + 16st (Yixing, Jiangsu), 2n = 18 = 18st(Guangde, Anhui) and 2n= 18=18st (Tianmushan, Zhejiang). The karyotypes of O. citriodorum, O. huadongensis and O. viridiflorum belong to 2A, while those of O. sieboldii and O. grosseserratum belong to 4A. Besides, O. grosseserratum has decreasing chromosome number (n = 9), which is very unique in the tribe Peucedaneae.Based on the karyotypes and geographical distribution of the species, as well as gross morphology and pollen morphology, we considered that there might be two secondary diversity centres of Ostericum in NE and E China, which have developed and migrated from the Hengduanshan region, the origin and diversity center the of related genus-Angelica.

Micromorphological Characters of Seed Coats of Chinese Najadaceae and Their Systematic Significance

Sun Kun, Wang Qing-feng, Chen Jia-kuan

J Syst Evol. 1997, 35(6): 521-526.

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The Najadaceae is one of families of the subclass Alismatidae. Although the systematic value of characters of seed coats has been appreciated in this family, further micromorphological study of seed coats is still essential to Chinese species. The present authors examined the micromorphological characters of seed coats of the Najadaceae from China using scanning electron microscope. The details about micromorphological characters of seed coats　of six species are given here. The results show that the external tangential walls of exotesta are covered with filamentous stripes or dense verrucae. The latter only exist in Najas ancistrocarpa and N. graminea. The cell of endotegmen is usually narrowly oblong, and endotegmen tuberculae on the internal tangential walls are found in all the six species studied, which is identical with the report of Shaffer-Fehre (1991a) for other species in this family. These characters are useful for taxonomic research at specific level. It is found for the first time that just like endotegmen tubercula, the sculpture patterns on the surface of seed coat,such as filamentous stripes and verrucae, are similar to those of the Hydrocharitaceae, indicating that they have important value for systematics of the Najadaceae. The evidence from seed coat supports the viewpoint of Miki(1937) and Shaffer-Fehre (1991b) that the Najadaceae is closly related to the Hydrocharitaceae and should not be treated under the order Potamogetonales.

Anatomy of Secondary Phloem of Glyptostrobus in Relation to Its Systematic Position

Han Li-juan, Hu Yu-shi, Lin Jin-xing

J Syst Evol. 1997, 35(6): 527-532.

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A anatomical characters of secondary phloem in Glyptostrobus pensilis (Staunt.)Koch were observed by means of both light and scanning electron microscopy(SEM). The secondary phloem is composed of axial and radial systems. In the axial systems, the phloem consists of sieve cells, phloem parenchyma cells, albuminous cell and phloem fibers. In the radial systems, it consists of phloem rays. The alternate arrangement of different cells in cross section results in tangential bands. The sequence of radial arrangement follows the pattern of sieve cells, phloem parenchyma cells, sieve cells and phloem fibers, sieve cells. Many crystals of calbium oxalate are embedded in the radial walls of seive cells. The phloem fibers are of only one type. The phloem rays are homogeneous, uniseriate. According to the anatomical characters of secondary phloem of Glyptostrobus pensilis (Staunt.)Koch and comparison with the other genera of Taxodiaceae, Glyptostrobus, Metasequoia and Taxodium have close relationships.

The Genus Neottianthe Schltr. (Orchidaceae) in China

Lang Kai-yong, Xi Yi-zhen, Hu Yu-shi

J Syst Evol. 1997, 35(6): 533-549.

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Neottianthe is a genus of about 12 species in Orchidaceae, mainly distributed in the temperate and subtropical mountainous regions of Asia, with its distribution and differentiation center in Sichuan and Yunnan of China. In the present paper, all taxa of Neottianthe hitherto recorded in China are discussed from taxonomy, phytogeography, palynology and anatomy. As a result of taxonomical revision, 12 species are recognized, of which nine are endemic to China, including four new species, N. luteola K. Y. Lang et S. C. Chen, N. angustifolia K. Y. Lang, N. oblonga K. Y. Lang and N. ovata K. Y. Lang, and one new combination, N. gymnadenioides(Hand.-Mazz. )K. Y. Lang et S. C. Chen. A key to 12 species is provided.

The Correct Author Citation for Cycas hongheensis and C. parvula (Cycadaceae)

P. Vorster

J Syst Evol. 1997, 35(6): 550-551.

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The names Cycas hongheensis and C. parvula were not validly published in 1994 when they were first proposed, but were validated in 1996 by a different author.

Two New Species of Ampelocissus Planch.(Vitaceae)

Li Chao-luan

J Syst Evol. 1997, 35(6): 552-555.

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New Plants of Cruciferae from Qinghai, China

Huang Rong-fu

J Syst Evol. 1997, 35(6): 556-561.

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A New Species of Bambusoideae from W. Yunnan, China

Hui Chao-mao, Yang Yu-ming, Du Fan, Xue Ji-ru