An integrating study of genetic diversity and ecological niche modelling in Salvia aristata (Lamiaceae)

Applying both molecular data and ecological niche modelling is essential to infer the speciation mechanism and species delimitation in organisms. Salvia aristata Auch. ex Benth is an endemic species restricted to western, northwestern and centre of Iran and eastern parts of Turkey with variations in morphological character along its distributions. In this study, we applied SRAP marker and ecological niche modelling using climatic and geographic data to detect and examine the genetic structure and niche differentiation in S. aristata accessions. SRAP marker’s results showed 242 bands highly polymorph. Genetic distance analysis provided two main clusters. The STRUCTURE analysis provided two distinct ecotypes (K = 2). Our ecological niche model produced good results with high performance based on area under curve (AUC > 0.9) for both ecotypes. Altitude was the most important variable contributing in niche model of both ecotypes. The niche space of both ecotypes is different based on niche identity test and background test as well. Based on genetic and ecological evidence, it is concluded that S. aristata gene pool underwent a parapatric speciation process caused by niche divergence and reproductive isolations as a consequence of divergent selection on floral traits

A revision of chestnut-leaved oak (Quercus castaneifolia C. A. Mey.; Fagaceae) in Hyrcanian Forests of Iran

Chestnut-leaved oak (Quercus castaneifolia C. A. Mey) is one of the most important native oaks of Iran distributed in the Hyrcanian Forests. The pure and mixed stands of it cover about 6.5% of these forests. The species represents morphological variations which have resulted in the description of several infraspecific taxa by different authors. Eight taxa were recognized as subspecies and varieties of Q. castaneifolia. In this survey, a set of quantitative and qualitative micro-morphological characteristics such as type of trichome, number and length of trichome rays, type of epicuticular waxes, type and shape of stomata, shape and sculptural features of pollen exine were studied using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. These characters were analyzed by the discriminant analysis method and combined with the macromorphological characters to designate the variation within the species and to evaluate the existing infraspecific taxa. Based on our results, the studied taxa are defined into four infraspecific taxa as follows: Q. castaneifolia subsp. castaneifolia var. castaneifolia, Q. castaneifolia subsp. castaneifolia var. minuta, Q. castaneifolia subsp. aitchisoniana, Q. castaneifolia subsp. undulate. The studied characteristics showed to be diagnostic for identification of the infraspecific taxa

A Palynological Study of Some Helichrysum (Asteraceae) Species in Iran

In this study, palynological characteristics of 23 specimens of Helichrysum Mill., representing 12 Iranian species were investigated. We evaluated pollen grains (25 per specimens) and tested them by 15 qualitative and quantitative characteristics using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Pollen grain descriptions of most species were presented for the first time in the world. The pollen grains were tricolporate, radially symmetrical and isopolar in all examined samples. They were small, and rarely medium in size. The polar outline view (amb) was the same among the species. The overall views of pollen grains were prolate-spheroidal, oblate-spheroidal, subprolate, prolate and spheroidal. However, the more abundant type was prolate-spheroidal. The exine sculpture was echinate, and tectum is perforate. The ANOVA test revealed a significant variation ( P < 0.001) for all the quantitative characteristics. In PCA analysis, the colpus length, width, and length/width ratio traits, polar and equatorial axes length, were the most variable features and some species were characterised by these characters. Results indicated that a few qualitative characteristics such as polar outline view and exine sculpture lack taxonomic importance via their stability among species. Also, the palynological traits had enough potential to separate the taxonomic boundaries of H. rubicundum and H. globiferum , but approximately the species clustering pattern did not agree with Flora Iranica

Morphological, karyological and phylogenetic evaluation of Cyclotrichium: A piece in the tribe Mentheae puzzle [Cyclotrichium cinsinin morfolojik, karyolojik ve filogenetik analizi: Tribus Mentheae bulmacasinda küçük bir çözüm]

The genus Cyclotrichium, a member of the tribe Mentheae subtribe Menthinae (Lamiaceae, Nepetoideae), was analysed with respect to morphological revision, phylogenetic analysis, and cytogenetic properties. All species of the genus were investigated for morphological characters and ITS (internal transcribed spacers) of nrDNA sequence comparison (except C. hausknechtii for ITS). Six members of the genus were also analysed for chromosome numbers. The combined results strongly suggested that Cyclotrichium is a separate genus in Nepetoideae with distinct morphological, phylogenetic, and cytogenetic characteristics. For intrageneric phylogeny of Cyclotrichium, 3 groups were recognised: 1. C. niveum; 2. C. origanifolium; and 3. the remaining 6 species. Clinopodium s.l. and Mentha appear to be most closely related to Cyclotrichium. The phylogenetic relationship of Cyclotrichium with Clinopodium s.l., Mentha, Micromeria, Melissa, and Satureja is discussed. This is the first report on the somatic chromosome numbers of 6 Cyclotrichium species and phylogenetic analysis of Cyclotrichium based on (nrDNA) ITS sequences. © TÜBİTAK