Relationships among the A Genomes of Triticum L. Species as Evidenced by SSR Markers, in Iran

The relationships among 55 wheat accessions (47 accessions collected from Iran and eight accessions provided by the Institute of Plant Biology of the University of Zurich, Switzerland) belonging to eight species carrying A genome (Triticum monococcum L., T. boeoticum Boiss., T. urartu Tumanian ex Gandilyan, T. durum Desf., T. turgidum L., T. dicoccum Schrank ex Schübler, T. dicoccoides (Körn. ex Asch. & Graebner) Schweinf. and T. aestivum L.) were evaluated using 31 A genome specific microsatellite markers. A high level of polymorphism was observed among the accessions studied (PIC = 0.77). The highest gene diversity was revealed among T. durum genotypes, while the lowest genetic variation was found in T. dicoccoides accessions. The analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed a significant genetic variance (75.56%) among these accessions, representing a high intra-specific genetic diversity within Triticum taxa in Iran. However, such a variance was not observed among their ploidy levels. Based on the genetic similarity analysis, the accessions collected from Iran were divided into two main groups: diploids and polyploids. The genetic similarity among the diploid and polyploid species was 0.85 and 0.89 respectively. There were no significant differences in A genome diversity from different geographic regions. Based on the genetic diversity analyses, we consider there is value in a greater sampling of each species in Iran to discover useful genes for breeding purposes

A taxonomic revision of Eremopoa persica (Trin.) Roshev. and E. songarica (Schrenk.) Roshev. using morphological features and cytological data

A total of 58 accessions of Eremopoa persica and E. songarica belongigng to the family Poaceae and tribe Festuceae (Poacea) were morphologically studied. Three polidy levels diplo, triplo and tetraploid were counted from chromosome number counting of 7 accessions of the root tips as: 2n=14 and 21 for E. persica and 2n=28 for songarica. Based on the results of this study it could be suggested that the two Eremopoa species (E. persica and E. songarica) might to be considered as two varieties of E. persica

Karyotype analysis of some species of Vicia L. section Vicia (Fabaceae Lindl.) in Iran

The somatic chromosome numbers and karyotypic analysis of six taxa belonging to Vicia sect. Vicia (Fabaceae) were performed. We found three basic chromosome numbers (x=5, 6 and 7) in this section. All of the taxa were diploid. The chromosome number of V. lathyroides, V. grandiflora, V. sativa var. cordata and V. sativa var. amphicarpa were presented for the first time in Iran. Karyotype formula was different in the taxa, so that in the taxa V. lathyroides (2n=12), V. sativa var. sativa (2n=12), V. sativa var. angustifolia (2n=12), V. sativa var. cordata (2n=10), V. sativa var. amphicarpa (2n=14), V. grandiflora (2n=14) karyotype the formula were 6st, 2m+4st, 1m+1sm+4st, 5st, 3sm+4st and 5sm+2st respectively. The taxa studied were placed in 3A (V. sativa var. angustifolia and V. grandiflora), 3B (V. sativa var. amphicarpa) and 4A (V. lathyroides, V. sativa var. sativa and V. sativa var. cordata) classes of Stebbines. Based on A1 and A2 parameters, V. grandiflora and V. sativa var. cordata had symmetrical and asymmetrical karyotypes respectively

Notes on Aegilops cylindrica (Triticeae, Poaceae) in Iran

The present paper deals with the study of the taxonomy of one hundred accessions of Aegilops cylindica collected all around the country, and also Iranian materials and type specimens and related species housed in the Natural History Museum Vienna (W), the Botanic Garden and Botanical Museum Berlin (B), were studied morphologically. The results showed that morphological traits such as length of spike, length of awn, number of spikelet in each spike, presence/absence of hair on spikelets and rachis were highly variable among the studied materials. Based on the results of this study A. cylindica was recognized as having three varieties, all new records, for Iran

Centaurea zaferii Negaresh. Recent 2017, nom. nov.

Centaurea zaferii Negaresh, nom. nov. Ξ Centaurea foliosa Boiss. & Kotschy in Boiss., Fl. Orient. 3: 672. 1875 [non C. foliosa Gand.]. Typus: TURKEY. Prov. Hatay: “ in valle Amani occidentalis supra Arsus [Arsuz] prope pagum Ursusa ”, c. 150 m, 4.VII.1862, Kotschy 113 (holo-: G-BOIS [G00150226] images seen; iso-: C [C10007081] image seen, JE [JE00015828] image seen, K [K000794179] image seen, P [P00730189, P00730190] images seen, S [S10-6178] image seen, W0075111, W0075112, W0075110 images seen) (Fig. 1). Biennial herb, 100-150 cm tall. Stem erect, branched in the upper third, greenish, c. 6 mm in diam. at base, cylindrical, with thick yellowish striations, ± densely leafy throughout, subglabrous or with sparsely arachnoid trichomes. Leaves coriaceous (papyraceous when dry), sparsely covered with arachnoid trichomes, denser along midrib and veins. Basal and lower cauline leaves very large 60-77 × 10-15 cm, petiolate, hastate, oblong or oblong-lanceolate, with 1-2 pairs of ± falcate or triangular lobes (4-8 cm long) in lower part, denticulate, truncate at base, obtuse or acute at apex, with prominent and elevated veins on both sides. Median cauline leaves sessile, simple, narrowly oblong or oblong-lanceolate, 10-15 × 3-5 cm, entire, acuminate at apex, decurrent. Upper cauline leaves gradually smaller towards apex, sessile, simple, lanceolate, 4-9 × 1.5-2.2 cm, usually longer than capitula, decurrent, entire, acuminate at apex. Capitula several, (8-)10-25-cephalous, arranged in a subraceme or racemose-dichasium, 2-3 grouped subsessilly at apex of stem and of several short axillary branches. Involucres oblong-ovoid, 23-25 × 13-25 mm. Phyllaries multiseriate, greenish-yellow, imbricate, coriaceous. Appendages large, totally concealing the phyllaries, chartaceous, not decurrent, straw-coloured, lanceolate, 2-3 mm wide at base (excluding cilia); cilia numerous, erect, (8-)12-14 on each side, 1.5-3 mm long; apical spine short, 3-5 mm long, slightly longer than the adjacent cilia. Flowers yellow; central florets hermaphroditic, 28-30 mm long, corolla 12-13 mm long, 5-lobed, lobes 6-7 mm long, anther tube yellowish, apical appendage broadly rounded, style slightly shorter than corolla in length, stigma bifid, ca. 0.5 mm long; peripheral florets sterile, nearly equal in length than the central ones, numerous (15-20 in each capitulum) and conspicuous, finely dissected, slightly radiant, 4-lobed, limb lobes linear. Achenes lanceolate-oblong, c. 4.5-5 × 2-2.5 mm, striate and shiny, brown to dark brown or silverbrown, rounded at apex, glabrous; insertion areole lateral, yellowish or light-brown, c. 0.5 mm long. Pappus double, persistent, multiseriate, scabrous, brown or dark brown, sometimes dark purple, 5-7 mm long, the bristles of the inner side rows shorter than those of the outer side, c. 1.5 mm long. Etymology. – The specific epithet honors Dr. Zafer Kaya a specialist of the genus Centaurea s.l. in Turkey. Phenology. – Flowering from July to August; fruit ripening from July to September. Distribution and habitat. – Centaurea zaferii is a very rare endemic to Hatay Province in southern Turkey. It is an IranoTuranian element (NEGARESH & RAHIMINEJAD, 2016), and grows on rocky slopes, limestone cliffs, gravel slopes, or in forest dominated by Cupressus sempervirens L. This species also grows on forest slopes or scattered between Rosa L. shrubs, and in the low-montane zone at elevation of c. 150 m. Centaurea zaferii is distributed in lower elevation in comparison to the other species of Centaurea sect. Cynaroides. Notes. – BOISSIER (1875) described C. foliosa (Ξ C. zaferii) based on an immature specimens and was not able to study the characters of flowers and achenes. New collections from 1994 and 2014 allow to better understand the morphology of this species. Centaurea zaferii resembles C. charrelii Halácsy & Dörfl. by its yellow flowers and the chartaceous, lanceolate appendages of the capitulum (totally concealing the phyllaries). However, C. zaferii differs from C. charrelii by its taller habit (100-150 cm vs 50-70 cm), basal and lower cauline leaves with 1-2 pairs of ± falcate or triangular lobes (4-8 cm long), denticulate (vs undivided, oblong or oblong-lanceolate, margin smooth), capitula in groups of 2-3 arranged subsessilly at apex of stem and of several short axillary branches (vs a crorymb of 5 to 10 (-15) capitula), involucres 23-25 × 13-25 mm (vs 25-32 × 25-32 mm), appendages 2-3 mm (vs 3-5 mm) wide at base (excluding cilia), peripheral florets equal than the central ones, 4-lobed (vs slightly shorter than the central ones, 5-lobed), achenes c. 4.5-5 mm (vs 5-6 mm) long, and pappus brown or dark brown (vs whitish). Centaurea zaferii is endemic to low elevation (c. 150 m) in Hatay Province in southern Turkey whereas C. charrelii grows at higher elevation (c. 500 m) in eastern Greece (Edhessa, Domokos and Macedonia) (CONSTANTINIDIS et al., 2002). Specimens examined. – TURKEY. Hatay: “Höyük Köy, südöstlich Arsuz (Ulucinar), am Bachufer”, c. 150 m, 11.VIII.1994, Hellwig & Kaya s.n. (GOET); “ Antakya, Kiseciküstleri,” 14.VII.2014, Bona 102867 (ISTE).Published as part of Oreizi, Elaheh, Negaresh, Kazem & Rahiminejad, Mohammad Reza, 2017, A new name in Centaurea (Asteraceae, Cardueae) from Turkey, pp. 319-322 in Candollea 72 (2) on pages 320-322, DOI: 10.15553/c2017v722a7, http://zenodo.org/record/572201

Novelties in Cardueae (Asteraceae)

The current investigations suggest the segregation of Jurinea cartilaginea from Jurinea, and its placement among Centaureinae. Molecular studies, based on the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacers (nrITS), chromosome number data and pollen morphology, support the morphological results. Based on these results, J. cartilaginea is related to and, therefore, transferred to the genus Karvandarina. Due to the morphological characters differing from Karvanderina aphylla, a new subgenus, Pseudojurinea, is described. Molecular study also supports the monophyly of Jurinea

Centaurea stevenii Marschall von Bieberstein 1808

Centaurea stevenii Marschall von Bieberstein (1808: 356). Phaeopappus stevenii (M.Bieb.) Koch (1851: 437). Type:— GEORGIA. Steven s.n. (holotype LE). Perennial plants with long and thick root, vertical or oblique. Stems usually decumbent (or prostrate), at end ascending, 10–40 cm tall, with few short branches, sometimes simple, grayish-green or more or less grayish, loosely covered with arachnoid hairs often mixed with articulate hairs, somewhat stiff or short hairs. Leaves petiolate (or the upper ones subsessile) with narrow base, lyrate to pinnatilobate, with 2–4 pairs of lateral segments or undivided, acute or subacute at apex, often subobtuse; terminal segments very larger, entire, lanceolate or oblanceolate; lateral segments small, oblong-elliptical or ovate-rhombic; loosely covered with arachnoid hairs often mixed with articulate hairs, and covered with sessile punctate glands. Capitula solitary, at tips of stems and lateral branches. Involucres ovoid, 15–20 × 10–15 mm, ± densely covered with arachnoid hairs. Phyllaries coriaceous, imbricate dark green or green-yellowish. Outer and median phyllaries broadly ovate; inner phyllaries oblong-lanceolate.Appendages small, coriaceous, brown or pale reddish-brown, usually reflexed, triangular, with (3–)5–7(–9) digitate spinules 2–3 mm long, almost equal, innermost membranous, unevenly toothed. Flowers yellow; central florets hermaphrodite, ca. 20 mm long, corolla with orange nerves; peripheral florets finely dissected, not radiant, 4-lobed, limb lobes linear-filiform. Achenes ovate-oblong, ovate-lanceolate, 4.5–5.0 mm long, 2.0– 2.5 mm wide, gray-brown, striate, sparsely hairy; hilum lateral, yellowish, ca. 1.5 mm long, glabrous. Pappus whitish, 1–2.5(–4) mm long, inner pappus hairs shorter. Flowering June to July. Taxonomic and distribution remarks: — Centaurea stevenii makes a new record from Iran (Fig. 11). It is occurs in the clay mountains around Bazargan of West Azerbaijan Province, at elevations of 1400–1700 m (Fig. 3). The main distribution area of C. stevenii lies in E Turkey (?), Armenia and Georgia (Fig. 3). The species is relatively far from the main distribution area of other species of C. sect. Pseudoseridia. Chromosome numbers: — Centaurea stevenii is a diploid species with the chromosome number of 2 n = 2 x = 16 (Fig. 11E, Table 1). Our results agree with the report by Poddubnaja-Arnoldi (1931) who reported the same chromosome number 2 n = 2 x = 16 for C. stevenii. Selected specimens examined: — IRAN. Prov. West Azerbaijan: mountains around Bazargan, 1415 m, 22 May 2011, Ranjbar & Negaresh 25787 (BASU!); Bazargan, 1860 m, 24 June 2012, Ranjbar & Negaresh 32152 (BASU!); Maqoo, Ghara Ziaheddin toward Siah Cheshme, 40 km to Siah Cheshme, 1570 m, 10 July 2003, Rahiminejad & Dehghan 15247 (HUI!). GEORGIA. Prov. Tiflis, Dushet, Grossheim s.n. (B!). ARMENIA. Ani, inter stationes viae ferreae Ani et Bagravan, in declivibus stepposis lapidosis, 1500 m, 5 July 1960, Czerepanov & Tzvelev s.n. (B!).Published as part of Negaresh, Kazem, Rahiminejad, Mohammad Reza & Ranjbar, Massoud, 2014, A taxonomic study on Centaurea sect. Rhizocalathium and C. sect. Pseudoseridia (Asteraceae, Cardueae-Centaureinae) in Iran, pp. 43-60 in Phytotaxa 174 (1) on pages 56-59, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.174.1.3, http://zenodo.org/record/514993

Phylogenetic comparison of the A genome using karyotype analysis in some Triticum species

The Karyotype analysis was performed on 46 wheat accessions belonging to five species (Triticum monococcum, T. urartu, T. durum, T. turgidum and T. aestivum) and two subspecies (T. boeoticum subsp. thaodar and T. boeoticum subsp. boeoticum) carrying A genome. All chromosomal sizes were measured with computer-aided program Micro Measure 3.3. Software. RL, TCL, MCL, arm ratio, centromeric index, TF%, mean of long and short arms, AsI%, S%, DRL, A1, A2 and karyotype formula were calculated for each chromosome. All the accessions were placed in 1A category of stebbines asymmetry categories. The scatter diagram based on A1 and A2 constructed three groups of karyotype asymmetry in the accessions studied: 1- T. aestivum with the highest asymmetrical karyotype, 2- T. monococcum, T. boeoticum subsp. thaodar and T. boeoticum subsp. boeoticum with the lowest asymmetrical karyotype and 3- T. urartu, T. turgidum and T. durum being with an intermediate between the two previous groups. T. monococcum based on the A1 and A2 index (asymmetric index) had the oldest and the most primitive karyotype among diploid species. According to the results, it might be suggested that T. durum is more primitive than T. turgidum and T. monococcum could be considered as a donor of A genome to T. durum and T. aestivum

Cladistical study and assessment of evolutionary process based on morphological data in genus of Ferula L. in Iran

The genus Ferula L. belongs to Apiaceae family and tribe Scandiceae with Persian name Koma, Barijeh and Anghouzeh consisting of about 170-187 species worldwide. This genus is the largest member of Apiaceae in Asia and ranks third place in the world. In this study, for the first time, phylogenetical position of the genus of Iranian Ferula s. l. were investigated through cladistics analyses of morphological data based on maximum parsimony method by Win-PAUP* 4.0b10 software. In addition, evolutionary process of the 33 morphological characters of this genus was examined by MacClade 3.01 Macintosh OS program. Most of the investigated species were collected and determined from wild habitats. Comparison and evaluation of consensus tree of molecular and morphological data showed that 2 species of Iranian Leutea Genus must be transferred to Ferula genus. Although Dorema genus was placed in Ferula clade, verified transfer to Ferula needs more investigations. Also, according to this two comb nova. Ferula nematoloba (Rech. f.) Kanani and Ferula avicennia (Mozaff.) Kanani were added to Iranian Ferula