Molecular and Morphological Evidence Challenges the Records of the Extant Liverwort Ptilidium pulcherrimum in Eocene Baltic Amber

Preservation of liverworts in amber, a fossilized tree resin, is often exquisite. Twenty-three fossil species of liverworts have been described to date from Eocene (35-50 Ma) Baltic amber. In addition, two inclusions have been assigned to the extant species Ptilidium pulcherrimum (Ptilidiales or Porellales). However, the presence of the boreal P. pulcherrimum in the subtropical or warm-temperate Baltic amber forest challenges the phytogeographical interpretation of the Eocene flora. A re-investigation of one of the fossils believed to be P. pulcherrimum reveals that this specimen in fact represents the first fossil evidence of the genus Tetralophozia, and thus is re-described here as Tetralophozia groehnii sp. nov. A second fossil initially assigned to P. pulcherrimum is apparently lost, and can be reassessed only based on the original description and illustrations. This fossil is morphologically similar to the extant North Pacific endemic Ptilidium californicum, rather than P. pulcherrimum. Divergence time estimates based on chloroplast DNA sequences provide evidence of a Miocene origin of P. pulcherrimum, and thus also argue against the presence of this taxon in the Eocene. Ptilidium californicum originated 25-43 Ma ago. As a result, we cannot rule out that the Eocene fossil belongs to P. californicum. Alternatively, the fossil might represent a stem lineage element of Ptilidium or an early crown group species with morphological similarities to P. californicum

Species composition, diversity and biomass estimation in coastal and marine protected areas of Terengganu, Peninsular Malaysia

We investigated and compared the tree species composition and diversity of different forest types in Setiu Wetlands and on the three major islands of Terengganu. A total of 24 plots of 25 m × 25 m with four plots in each study site were established, viz. Melaleuca swamp forest in Kampung Fikri, freshwater swamp forest in Kampung Gong Batu, mangrove forest in UMT Setiu research station, and the islands, namely Pulau Bidong, Pulau Redang, and Pulau Perhentian. We calculated the basal area, stand density, Importance Value Index, species diversity, and above-ground biomass in the designated study areas. We assessed 139 tree species from 96 genera and 50 families based on a total of 2608 tree samples of 5 cm DBH and above. The freshwater swamp forest harbored the highest number of species with 20 species in Setiu Wetlands, and among the islands, Pulau Redang had the highest with 56 species. Melaleuca cajuputi was the most dominant species in the Melaleuca swamp forest, while Alstonia spatulata and Rhizophora apiculata are expected in the freshwater swamp and mangrove forest, respectively. Pulau Bidong, Pulau Redang, and Pulau Perhentian are mostly represented by Licania splendens, Shorea glauca, and Vatica sp., respectively. All the dominant species but Licania splendens contributed to the highest amount of above-ground biomass. Our current study indicated that different forest types vary in composition and structure, which may contribute to their unique ecological roles within their specific environment

Pharmacological potential of Sargassum sp. of west coast of Maharashtra Kunkeshwar, India

A promising plant group that is important in medicine is the seaweed. In this investigation, we have focused on the pharmacological prospects of brown algae (Sargassum sp). Nutraceuticals refer to products that may combine pharmacological and nutrition. We have collected the plant material close to Kunkeeshwar in Sindhudurg, Maharashtra’s western coast. We focused on the Physicochemical Attributes of Sargassum sp., and the study found that the ash value (41 ± 0.67), moisture content (1.33 ± 0.038), alcohol-soluble extractive value (1.5 ± 0.030), moisture content (1.33 ± 0.038), and total cash value (41 ± 0.67) are all stated in (%).The GCMS findings, which demonstrate that a total of 25 chemicals were discovered in the aqueous extract of Sargassum sp., also represent their nutritional profile. All of these substances have chromatograms that can be observed.1-Hexyl-2-nitrocyclohexane is the substance with the second-largest retention duration and relative areas, followed by n-hexadanoic acid. The presence of ocladecanoic acid was later determined. The explanation for how the activity is concentration-dependent is pharmacological activity, particularly antioxidant activity as shown by the DPPH assay.2μg/mL is -1545.4 ± 0.05. as a minimum. and at (32 g/mL is 7.67 ± 0.05) is the highest. The antifungal activity of Candida albicans (12.8 mm) and Aspergillus niger (14.4 mm) both exhibit zone inhibition when tested against two distinct pathogen however, the antibacterial activity of three different bacteria demonstrates that Staphylococcus aureus (12 mm), Bacillus subtilis (10 mm), Proteus mirabilis (12.8 mm), and Escherichia. coli are all zone inhibited (13mm). Brown algae offer the greatest potential for human health nutrition, while pharmacological analysis is helpful for therapeutic application, according to the overall analysis

Bryophyte flora of Mount Tebu Forest Reserve, Terengganu, Peninsular Malaysia

A checklist of the bryophyte flora of Mount Tebu Forest Reserve in Terengganu, Peninsular Malaysia, is presented. A total of 189 taxa in 71 genera and 26 families were enumerated. This figure represents 63% of the 298 bryophyte species recorded so far for the State of Terengganu. Out of 189 taxa of bryophytes, 26 liverworts are new additions to the bryoflora of Terengganu. The most prominent liverwort family is represented by Lejeuneaceae, with 54 species from 17 genera, while the moss family is the Sematophyllaceae, with 34 taxa in 13 genera. The majority of the species are epiphytes, either corticolous or ramicolous. Almost half of the bryophyte species have wider elevational ranges and occur from the lowlands to the summit of Mount Tebu

A systematic revision of the genus <I>Lejeunea</I> Lib. Marchantiophyta: Lejeuneaceae) in Malaysia

A revision of the genus Lejeunea in Malaysia based on examination of about six hundred fresh collections and about four hundred herbarium specimens leads to the recognition of 30 species and 2 varieties. All species are keyed and illustrated, their morphological characters are described and discussed in detail, and distribution and habitat in Malaysia and world distribution are given. In addition, notes are presented on little-used or neglected morphological characters including superior central cells, oil bodies and vegetative propagules. Two species, Taxilejeunea cuculliflora Steph. [= L. umbilicata (Nees) Nees] and Eulejeunea infestans Steph. (=L. papilionacea Steph.) are new synonyms. Eight species are reported for the first time from Peninsular Malaysia [L. alata Gottsche, L. cocoes Mitt., L. dimorpha Kodama, L. fleischeri (Steph.) Mizut., L. micholitzii Mizut., L. papilionacea Steph., L. tuberculosa Steph., and L. umbilicata (Nees) Nees] and one species from East Malaysia, i.e. L. compacta (Steph.) Steph.</p

Données sur la flore d’hépatiques malaisienne, III: Nouveaux enregistrements de Lejeuneaceae de Sabah et de la Malaisie péninsulaire

De nouveaux signalements malais de la famille des Lejeuneaceae sont présentés, dont quatre espèces nouvelles pour la Malaisie et sept nouvelles pour la Malaisie péninsulaire (Kelantan ou Terengganu). Les nouveaux enregistrements incluent Lejeunea convexiloba M.L.So &amp; R.L.Zhu, qui n’était connu qu’en Chine et Radula grandilobula Promma &amp; Chantanaorr., qui n’était connu que par son type dans le sud de la Thaïlande et à Bornéo. Toutes les espèces sont illustrées, leurs caractéristiques diagnostiques et la comparaison morphologique avec les taxons proches sont fournies et discutées, l’habitat et la distribution sont donnés.New Malaysian records from the family Lejeuneaceae are presented, including four species new to Malaysia and seven new to Peninsular Malaysia (Kelantan or Terengganu). The new records include Lejeunea convexiloba M.L.So &amp; R.L.Zhu, which was only known from China and Radula grandilobula Promma &amp; Chantanaorr. , which was only known from its type from southern Thailand and Borneo. All species are illustrated, their diagnostic characteristics and morphological comparison between their allies are provided and discussed, habitat and distribution are given.</p

Data to the Malaysian liverwort flora, II

A total of 96 epiphyllous liverwort species and 2 infraspecific taxa were collected of which 18 are new to Malaysia, one is new to the Asian mainland and one variety is new to science: Cololejeunea magnilobula var. falcidentata. New synonymy of Cololejeunea stylosa and Cololejeunea papulosa is established. Illustrations for Cololejeunea magnilobula var. falcidentata and several taxa new to Malaysia are provided.</p

An updated checklist of liverworts and hornworts of Malaysia

An updated checklist of the liverworts and hornworts of Malaysia accepts 773 species and 31 infraspecific taxa of liverworts, in 120 genera and 40 families, and 7 species of hornworts (6 genera, 3 families). The largest family is Lejeuneaceae with 312 species in 30 genera, accounting for 40% of the total number of species. The largest genera are Cololejeunea, Bazzania and Frullania with 90, 61 and 55 species, respectively. The greatest number of species has been recorded from Sabah with 568 species, followed by Pahang and Sarawak with 338 and 265 species, respectively

An updated checklist of liverworts and hornworts of Malaysia

An updated checklist of the liverworts and hornworts of Malaysia accepts 773 species and 31 infraspecific taxa of liverworts, in 120 genera and 40 families, and 7 species of hornworts (6 genera, 3 families). The largest family is Lejeuneaceae with 312 species in 30 genera, accounting for 40% of the total number of species. The largest genera are Cololejeunea, Bazzania and Frullania with 90, 61 and 55 species, respectively. The greatest number of species has been recorded from Sabah with 568 species, followed by Pahang and Sarawak with 338 and 265 species, respectively