Micromorphology of endemic Centaurea glaberrima subsp. divergens (Asteraceae)

In this study, the micromorphology of the vegetative and reproductive structures of the endemic Centaurea glaberrima Tausch subsp. divergens (Vis.) Hayek (Asteraceae), using scanning electron microscope (SEM), is presented for the first time. Uniseriate whip-like non-glandular and biseriate glandular trichomes are found on the surface of all aboveground parts (stem, leaves, peduncles, involucral bract). On the adaxial leaf epidermis ribbed thickenings (striation pattern) of outer periclinal cell walls, slightly curved anticlinal cell walls and anomocytic stomata are noticed. Rugose abaxial surface with thorny protuberances of the involucral bract is documented. Corolla is glabrous with longitudinally parallel epidermal cells with distinct straight outline. Isopolar, radially symmetric and tricolporate microechinate pollen grains are seen. Short stylar hairs, without cuticular striations, are present along the outer sides of the style, while the inner sides (abaxial surface) constitute the papillate stigmatic surface. Microcharacters found in cypsela are as follows: slightly ribbed body; rotund base; lateral and concave insertion; short, unicellular curly acute trichomes; smooth epidermis; fine-sulcate ornamentation; rod shaped epidermal cells with short, obtuse end walls and straight anticlinal walls; poorly developed minutely dentate pericarp rim; and dimorphic pappus with bristles of different length and morphology, with pinnules restricted to the margins of the bristles. The results obtained contribute to knowledge about the micromorphology of the studied endemic species and provide features for its better identification. The taxonomic significance of the analyzed characters is discussed. Some well defined microcharacters of the studied species might have taxonomic value

Damage and spatiotemporal dynamics of the Ngaio flat mite, Brevipalpus ferraguti (Trombidiformes: Tenuipalpidae), with observations on the development of the female insemination system

We studied the Ngaio flat mite, Brevipalpus ferraguti Ochoa & Beard, on Myoporum laetum (Scrophulariaceae), a common introduced plant used as hedgerows in gardens and green areas of the Mediterranean, where the mite causes considerable damage. We first describe the damage, and then the patterns of mite seasonal abundance and spatial distribution. Finally, we address the development of the female insemination system at the population level. Damage occurs on both sides of the leaves, starting with a uniform stippling and bronzing and ending in the leaves drying out and extensive defoliation that coincides with summer. Mite population peaked between June and August, maintained moderate levels in autumn and winter and reached its lowest density in early spring. Active motile immatures and eggs were present throughout the year. Females and motile immature forms were more abundant on the abaxial (lower) leaf surface, but eggs were deposited on both surfaces indistinctly, suggesting that females actively move to the adaxial (upper) surface in summer to oviposit. All the developmental stages were aggregated on the leaves throughout the year regardless of their population density. Our study suggests that a binomial or presence-absence sampling, examining only the number of females on the abaxial surface, can accurately estimate the total mite density levels. Only 23.5% of females possessed a fully developed spermatheca, whereas in 76.5% of the cases the seminal receptacle was not present or not developed. Females with a complete spermatheca were less abundant in summer. Average temperatures and host plant species affected the occurrence of this reproductive structure.

Two new species of Andinia (Pleurothallidinae) from the Central Cordillera of Peru

Two new Andinia species are described, A. barba-caprina and A. crassipetala, both found during a botanical expedition to the montane forests of the Central Cordillera of the Peruvian Andes. They are compared with morphologically similar species, and Lankester Composite Dissection Plates (LCDP) are provided. Andinia barba-caprina is more similar to A. tingomariana but is distinguished by having obovate sepals with sparsely erose margins and the lip with narrowly obtuse, short basal lobes and a group of large hairs on the abaxial surface. Andinia crassipetala is distinguished from the two most similar species, A. hernandoi Est.Domínguez & S.Vieira-Uribe and A. persimilis (Luer & Sijm) Karremans & S.Vieira-Uribe for having thick, deltate and obtuse petals.

Microlicia deflexa and M. johnwurdackiana (Melastomataceae), two new species from the Brazilian Cerrado

Microlicia deflexasp. nov. and M. johnwurdackianasp. nov. are described, illustrated and an updated identification key for the species of Microlicia from Clube Caça e Pesca Itororó de Uberlândia is provided. Microlicia deflexa occurs in Minas Gerais and Goiás States and is characterised by its linear-lanceolate and deflexed sepal on flower and immature fruit, long pedicel and indumentum of glandular trichomes, mixed with spherical, golden glands. Microlicia johnwurdackiana is endemic to Uberlândia and characterised by having indumentum of setose trichomes and spherical, golden glands, magenta petal with greenish abaxial surface at the apex and dimorphic stamens with bicolorous and tetrasporangiate anthers.

Senna pluribracteata (Leguminosae, Caesalpinioideae), a New Species from Paraíba State, Brazil, with Notes on Leaf Anatomy

Abstract— A new species of the genus Senna from the Atlantic Forest of Paraíba State, Brazil, is described and illustrated based on a field collection, traditional taxonomic methodologies, and the analysis of Senna collections at RB and the main herbaria in northeastern Brazil. Morphologically, Senna pluribracteata is related to a group of four species of Senna sect. Chamaefistula ser. Bacillares: S. macranthera, S. pinheiroi, S. rizzinii, and S. rugosa, although S. pluribracteata has a set of distinctive anatomical characters that differentiate it: two extrafloral nectaries between leaflets in the rachis; large and conspicuous elliptic bracts 7.0‐9.0 mm long along the inflorescence peduncle; the epidermis on the abaxial surface is conspicuously and compactly papillose; the rounded leaflet margins have palisade parenchyma near the apex; the mesophyll is dorsiventral with a single layer of palisade parenchyma, with isodiametric cells occupying approximately 60% of that structure; the petiole has a somewhat pentagonal shape and is planar adaxially; the rachis is obdeltoid and planar adaxially. Morphological and leaf anatomical descriptions, and a key to identifying the seven species of Senna ser. Bacillares found in Paraíba State are provided. The morphological and anatomical affinities of S. pluribracteata and its allied taxa are discussed.

Diversity in Surface Microstructures of Trichomes, Epidermal Cells, and Stomata in Lentil Germplasm

To develop crops capable of withstanding challenges posed by climate change, breeding strategies must focus on addressing multiple stresses occurring concurrently in plants. Leaf epidermal structures such as trichomes, stomata, and epidermal cells play an important role in mediating plant defense and could be essential traits that impart wide-ranging tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. Consequently, it is important to inform on the underlying diversity in these traits in lentil germplasm (Lens spp.). In this study, we characterized foliar microstructures of 12 genotypes belonging to seven wild and cultivated Lens species. We performed scanning electron microscopy on leaflet and pod surfaces for their qualitative characterization. For quantitative characterization, we observed surface imprints via light microscopy and quantified trichome density (TD), trichome length (TL), stomatal density (SD), epidermal cell density (ECD), and stomatal index (SI) on adaxial and abaxial leaflet surfaces for each genotype. We also assessed the heritability of trichome traits by evaluating interspecific recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from the cross Lens culinaris CDC Redberry × Lens tomentosus IG 72805. Comparing foliar microstructures, we found that TD and TL varied widely among cultivated and wild lentil genotypes. However, in most lentil genotypes, the adaxial leaflet surface had lower TD and longer trichomes compared to the abaxial surface. Pubescence on pods comprised five major phenotypes: no trichomes or glabrous pods, very short trichomes at low density, short trichomes at high density, medium-length trichomes at high density, and long trichomes at high density. Leaves of all species were amphistomatous, and SI, SD, and ECD were all higher on the adaxial compared to the abaxial surface. Adaxial surfaces had slightly sunken stomata, which might be an adaptive trait to conserve water. Quantifying TD and TL on the leaflets of interspecific RILs revealed transgressive segregation of these traits, suggesting that TD and TL are quantitative in nature. While taxonomic implications of this study are limited, a detailed description of agronomically relevant morphophysiological traits presented in this paper along with the mode of inheritance of trichomes may serve as a resource for scientists developing lentil adapted to concurrent biotic and abiotic stresses of the future.

Taxonomic studies of two trifoliate legumes of high economic importance in Ebonyi State, South-eastern Nigeria

Taxonomic studies of Sphenostylis stenocarpa and Centrosema pubescens based macro-morphology and foliar epidermises were carried out to determine their similarities and differences. The taxa are of high economic values as they are used as food and medicine in Nigeria. Standard methods were used to carry out the studies as qualitative and quantitative macromorphological characters of the taxa were obtained by visual observation and measuring with metre rule while foliar epidermal study followed standard methods previously used by other researchers. The taxa studied have trifoliate leaf type with leaf and leaflet arrangement alternate and opposite respectively. From the foliar epidermises, Sphenostylis stenocarpa possesses paracytic stomata on the abaxial surface and anisocytic stomata on the adaxial. The abaxial surface of Centrosema pubescens possesses anomocytic and paracytic stomata and anomocytic stomata on the adaxial surface. Cell shapes of the foliar epidermal surfaces are irregular with undulate anticlinal wall patterns except on the adaxial surface of Sphenostylis stenocarpa with pentagonal cell shape and straight anticlinal wall. The two taxa are similar in their leaf type and arrangement but differ greatly in their stomatal types.

Short Communication: First record of the cassava lace bug Vatiga illudens (Drake, 1922) (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Tingidae) from East Java, Indonesia

Puspitarini RD, Fernando I, Setiawan Y, Anggraini D, Rizqi HA. 2021. Short Communication: First record of the cassava lace bug Vatiga illudens (Drake, 1922) (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Tingidae) from East Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 22: 2870-2876. The cassava lace bug, Vatiga illudens (Drake, 1922) (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Tingidae) is recorded from Indonesia for the first time. This species is found on the abaxial surface of leaves of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz, Euphorbiaceae) in several plantations of East Java and heavily infest this plant. Vatiga illudens is native to the Neotropical Region and seems to be the alien species in the Oriental Region. This tingid has already spread over a wide region of East Java, suggesting that the invasion of the lace bug endangers the other regions cultivating cassava.

Leaf epidermal anatomy of Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. in relation to ecotypic adaptation

Qualitative and quantitative studies were done on leaf epidermal characteristics with special reference to stomatal features to find out the impact of environmental condition on twenty four accessions of Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. collected from different ecological habitats of Bangladesh. The foliar epidermal peels from both surfaces of mature leaves were observed under microscope. The leaves were found to be amphistomatic and stomata were paracytic type. The epidermal cells in this study were found to be sinuous. Silica bodies were found to be saddle and cross shaped. Prickles angular were pointed at the tip. Macro-hairs were present in all the accessions, but no micro-hair was found both adaxially or abaxially. Stomatal frequency and stomatal index were found to vary from accession to accession on both adaxial and abaxial surface of leaves, and the differences were statistically significant in most of the cases. Bangladesh J. Plant Taxon. 28(1): 171-193, 2021 (June)