The Effects of Excess Copper on Antioxidative Enzymes, Lipid Peroxidation, Proline, Chlorophyll, and Concentration of Mn, Fe, and Cu in Astragalus neo-mobayenii

To probe the physiological and biochemical tolerance mechanisms in Astragalus neo-mobayenii Maassoumi, an endemic plant around the Cu-rich areas from the North West of Iran, the effect of different copper concentrations at toxic levels on this plant was investigated. Copper was applied in the form of copper sulfate (CuSO4·5H2O) in four levels (0, 50, 100, and 150 μM). We observed no visible symptoms of Cu toxicity in this plant species. During the exposure of plants to excess copper, the antioxidant defense system helped the plant to protect itself from the damage. With increasing copper concentration, superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) activities increased in leaves and roots () compared with that of the control group. The chlorophyll amount gradually declined with increasing Cu concentrations. However, reduction in the 50 μM level showed insignificant changes. Enhanced accumulation of proline content in the leaves was determined, as well as an increase of MDA content (oxidative damage biomarker) (). The results indicated that Cu contents in leaves and roots enhanced with increasing levels of Cu application. The Fe and Mn contents in both shoots and roots significantly decreased with increasing Cu concentration. Finally, the mechanisms of copper toxicity and copper tolerance in this plant were briefly discussed

ASTRAGALUS ANDABADENSIS (FABACEAE), A NEW SPECIES OF ASTRAGALUS SECT. INCANI FROM ZANJAN PROVINCE, IRAN

Astragalus andabadensis (Fabaceae) an endemic to Zanjan province, Iran is described here as a new species. It is placed in the section Incani DC. due to its medifixed hairs, free stipules, and bibracteolate flowers, and it appears to be most closely related to A. latifolius Lam. An illustration of the species is provided

Goldbachia and Tetracme (Cruciferae) in Iran

Flora Iranica is a very important reference treatment for the vascular flora of Iran. Two genera, Goldbachia DC. and Tetracme Bunge (Cruciferae), are mentioned in Flora Iranica with only one species each for Iran. Additional species of these genera recorded from Iran since the publication of Flora Iranica are listed and discussed here.For Goldbachia, up to now, the only species recorded for Iran in Flora Iranica is Goldbachia laevigata (M. Bieb.) DC.; but here two other Goldbachia species are recorded for the country for the first time: G. pendula Botsch. and G. verrucosa Komarov. For Tetracme the only species recoded for Iran in Flora Iranica is Tetracme recurvata Bunge. T. quadricornis (Steph.) Bunge was recorded later with only one specimen from Semnan province; and T. contorta Boiss. was recorded from Isfahan province. Here more specimens of T. contorta are recorded for the first time from Khorassan province. Identification keys are given for both genera in Iran

Phylogenetic relationships of Ruteae (Rutaceae): new evidence from the chloroplast genome and comparisons with non-molecular data

Phylogenetic analyses of three cpDNA markers (matK, rpl16, and trnL-trnF) were performed to evaluate previous treatments of Ruteae based on morphology and phytochemistry that contradicted each other, especially regarding the taxonomic status of Haplophyllum and Dictamnus. Trees derived from morphological, phytochemical, and molecular datasets of Ruteae were then compared to look for possible patterns of agreement among them. Furthermore, non-molecular characters were mapped on the molecular phylogeny to identify uniquely derived states and patterns of homoplasy in the morphological and phytochemical datasets. The phylogenetic analyses determined that Haplophyllum and Ruta form reciprocally exclusive monophyletic groups and that Dictamnus is not closely related to the other genera of Ruteae. The different types of datasets were partly incongruent with each other. The discordant phylogenetic patterns between the phytochemical and molecular trees might be best explained in terms of convergence in secondary chemical compounds. Finally, only a few non-molecular synapomorphies provided support for the clades of the molecular tree, while most of the morphological characters traditionally used for taxonomic purposes were found to be homoplasious. Within the context of the phylogenetic relationships supported by molecular data, Ruta, the type genus for the family, can only be diagnosed by using a combination of plesiomorphic, homoplasious, and autapomorphic morphological character states

Lake Neor reveals how mountain vegetation responded to 7000 years of hydroclimate variability in northwestern Iran

International audiencePalynological and geochemical analyses provide valuable information about modern and past climatic regimes and vegetation. The impact of climate and humans on past vegetation in the semi-arid areas of northwestern Iran has received increased interest in the wake of warming temperatures in the Middle East. Palynological and down-core XRF elemental abundances from a peat core from Lake Neor enabled a reconstruction of vegetational changes of the past 7000 years over the highlands of northwestern Iran. Periods of increased arboreal pollen (AP) types and high (Artemisia + Poaceae)/Chenopodiaceae ratios along with low titanium abundances, high percentages of total organic carbon, more negative δD values, and higher carbon accumulation rates suggest a relatively wet climate. These conditions have persisted during the periods 6700-6200, 5200-4450 and 3200-2200 cal a BP. The overall low AP values, substantial rise of Chenopodiaceae, high Ti abundances and low values of palaeo-redox proxies, are all evidences of a drier climate, as has been reconstructed for the periods 6200-5200 and 4030-3150 cal a BP and the last 2200 years. An important feature of the last centuries is the increase of anthropogenic and pastoral indicator pollen types. Our results may provide basic data to predict future trends in vegetation dynamics under future climate change in western Asia