Article
Plant Sciences
He Qiu, Zhi-Hui Zhang, Mei-Zhen Wang, Xin-Jie Jin, Jie-Dong Lin, Hans Peter Comes, Jing-Xuan Chen, Rui-Ning Cui, Ru-Qing Duan, Pan Li
Summary: This study sequenced and analyzed seven new plastomes from Impatiens, revealing three highly variable regions for phylogenetic analysis and DNA barcoding. These findings provide valuable insights into the relationships within the Impatiens genus and have important implications for taxonomy.
Article
Plant Sciences
Sophia V. Yudina, Alexander Kocyan, Ba Vuong Truong, Nikolay A. Vislobokov, Dmitry F. Lyskov, Maxim S. Nuraliev, Margarita V. Remizowa
Summary: This study provides a comprehensive investigation of flowers and inflorescences of the Burmannia genus, describing the diversity of inflorescence architecture and early floral development. Additionally, the study explores the floral vasculature and stamen-style interactions in Burmannia.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Yong-Xiu Song, Shuai Peng, Fredrick Munyao Mutie, Hui Jiang, Jing Ren, Yi-Yan Cong, Guang-Wan Hu
Summary: In this study, we systematically examined the micromorphological characteristics of Impatiens seeds and identified three types of seed coat ornamentation. We found that the seed shape, primary ornamentation, and anticlinal cell wall can be used for classification. The evolution of seed coat ornamentation in Impatiens is complex and related to environmental adaptation and seed dispersal.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Sofia D. Koblova, Paula J. Rudall, Dmitry D. Sokoloff, Dennis W. Stevenson, Margarita V. Remizowa
Summary: This study investigates the developmental morphology and anatomy of Rapateaceae, a plant family with unique inflorescence and gynoecium structures. The research found that this family lacks septal nectaries, but a bird-pollinated tribe within the family possesses a unique non-septal nectary.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Michela Osnato, Elia Lacchini, Alessandro Pilatone, Ludovico Dreni, Andrea Grioni, Matteo Chiara, David Horner, Soraya Pelaz, Martin M. Kater
Summary: Floral homeotic genes in angiosperms, such as OsMADS13 in rice, play a crucial role in determining ovule identity. The interaction between OsMADS13 and other genes, like those in the SEP family, may control a common set of target genes involved in ovule development. This study sheds light on the regulatory pathways in rice gynoecium development and provides insights into the role of OsMADS13 as a repressor of the carpel pathway during ovule development.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Andrea D. Appleton, John J. Schenk
Summary: The research explores the evolution and development of staminodes in Paronychia species, revealing that staminodes originated from fertile stamens and showed variation in shape and development across different species. Some staminodes were highly reduced or remained vestigial, while others were co-opted and interpreted as functional structures, indicating a dynamic history of staminodial evolution within the Paronychia genus.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PLANT SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Kaire de Oliveira Nardi, Lisa M. Campbell, Aline Oriani
Summary: The floral anatomy and development of species within the Xyris genus were compared to investigate gynoecium evolution. It was found that axile placentation may be the ancestral condition, with parietal and free-central placentation derived from it. Basal placentation evolved independently multiple times within section Nematopus. The study suggests a need for a revised infrageneric classification due to uncertainties in the phylogenetic position of certain species.
BOTANICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Bhakta Bahadur Raskoti, Rita Ale
Summary: A new species of Impatiens, named Impatiens nimspurjae, is described based on molecular data and morphological characters from Nepal. The paper provides notes on the distinguishing features of the species and updates the checklist of Balsaminaceae species in Nepal. An identification key for the Impatiens species in Nepal is also provided.
Article
Plant Sciences
Saroj Ruchisansakun, Arne Mertens, Steven B. Janssens, Erik F. Smets, Timotheus van der Niet
Summary: The study on Balsaminaceae reveals that both floral symmetry and pollination syndromes are evolutionarily labile, with shifts in pollination syndromes occurring more frequently. Shifts towards asymmetric flowers are associated with a bee pollination syndrome.
Article
Plant Sciences
Fei Qin, Tiantian Xue, Xiaoxia Zhang, Xudong Yang, Jianghong Yu, Sudhindra R. Gadagkar, Shengxiang Yu
Summary: This study reconstructed the phylogenetic relationships and evolutionary history of Impatiens sect. Impatiens using plastome data and a comprehensive sampling. The results revealed that the section originated in the Hengduan Mountains and Southeast China, and subsequently dispersed to other regions during the Pliocene and Pleistocene. The diversification rate was high in the early history, especially in the Hengduan Mountains, but decreased over time. Species richness was strongly associated with elevation range, elevation, and mean annual temperature.
Article
Plant Sciences
Stefan Abrahamczyk, M. Humphreys, Felix Trabert, Fabian Droppelmann, Maria Gleichmann, Vera Krieger, Marius Linnartz, Sissi Lozada-Gobilard, Marie Elisette Rahelivololona, Marian Schubert, Steven B. Janssens, Maximilian Weigend, Eberhard Fischer
Summary: The species-rich flora of Madagascar is known for its unique floral ecologies, including the Impatiens section Trimorphopetalum with its peculiar floral traits. Analysis of reproductive traits in relation to pollination syndromes revealed similarities with African species, as well as unique floral types within Trimorphopetalum possibly corresponding to different types of fly pollination. The evolution of different reproductive strategies, including autogamy and deception mimicry in combination with fly pollination, may have been triggered by pollinator limitation in the dense, humid forest undergrowth of Madagascar.
PERSPECTIVES IN PLANT ECOLOGY EVOLUTION AND SYSTEMATICS
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Joao Paulo Basso-Alves, Renato Goldenberg, Simone Padua Teixeira
Summary: A comparative study on the stamens of Melastomataceae species revealed notable variations in their merosity, morphology, and connections. The delay in stamen development may be due to the requirement of a pre-existing space for their growth. The diversity of stamens can largely be explained by the formation of the connectives and their appendages.
JOURNAL OF PLANT RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
John J. Schenk, Andrea D. Appleton
Summary: By studying the development of staminodes in carpellate flowers, researchers found that the developmental pathway of staminodes in hermaphroditic flowers is different from that in carpellate flowers.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Eberhard Fischer, Stefan Abrahamczyk, Norbert Holstein, Steven B. Janssens
Summary: The Albertine Rift in Africa is home to a diverse flora with many endemic species, including the Impatiens genus. Through fieldwork, morphological studies, and molecular data analysis, researchers identified a complex of ten species and a natural hybrid within the Impatiens purpureoviolacea group. Two bird-pollinated species were found to have evolved independently within the clade, which began diversifying in the Pliocene due to mountain uplifting and volcanic activity. Further diversification occurred during the Pleistocene, likely driven by forest cover and connectivity changes caused by climatic fluctuations.
Article
Plant Sciences
Vinicius Caldas dos Santos, Roberta dos Santos de Andrade da Silva, Genise Vieira Somner, Barbara de Sa-Haiad
Summary: This study described and analyzed the flowers of Cupania emarginata based on morphometry and anatomy, revealing morpho-structural differences between staminate flowers in different flowering phases and the pollen grains situation in pistillate flowers. The research also found that the floral nectary is functional in all three flowering phases.
BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Saroj Ruchisansakun, Arne Mertens, Steven B. Janssens, Erik F. Smets, Timotheus van der Niet
Summary: The study on Balsaminaceae reveals that both floral symmetry and pollination syndromes are evolutionarily labile, with shifts in pollination syndromes occurring more frequently. Shifts towards asymmetric flowers are associated with a bee pollination syndrome.
Article
Plant Sciences
Ajaree Thonglim, Sylvain Delzon, Maximilian Larter, Omid Karami, Arezoo Rahimi, Remko Offringa, Joost J. B. Keurentjes, Salma Balazadeh, Erik Smets, Frederic Lens
Summary: This study investigated embolism resistance in inflorescence stems of four Arabidopsis thaliana accessions and evaluated vulnerability to xylem embolism using detailed anatomical observations and the centrifuge technique. The results showed that intervessel pit membrane thickness is the key functional trait underlying the variation in embolism resistance amongst the accessions studied.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Richa Kusuma Wati, Esmee F. de Graaf, Diego Bogarin, Reinout Heijungs, Rogier van Vugt, Erik F. Smets, Barbara Gravendeel
Summary: This study investigated the traditional medicinal use of necklace orchids and identified two orchid species with antimicrobial properties. Through molecular phylogeny and bioprospecting methods, it revealed the medicinal potential of these orchids and highlighted the effectiveness of biological response classification in finding species with high medicinal potential.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Maurizio Mascarello, Mario Amalfi, Pieter Asselman, Erik Smets, Olivier J. Hardy, Hans Beeckman, Steven B. Janssens
Summary: Tropical forests are crucial carbon sinks and buffers against climate change, but face threats like illegal logging. A study utilized high-throughput sequencing to obtain complete chloroplast genomes of African timber species, identifying new genetic regions for species discrimination and supporting efforts against illegal logging.
Article
Plant Sciences
Kitty Vijverberg, Monique Welten, Marjan Kraaij, Bertie Joan van Heuven, Erik Smets, Barbara Gravendeel
Summary: Researchers analyzed the homology between the pappus and sepals in dandelions, finding that the pappus originates from a ring primordium at the base of the corolla and expresses sepals-related genes during maturation. The results suggest a highly derived relationship between the pappus and sepals in evolution, providing a basis for further studies on the evolution and development of dandelions.
Article
Horticulture
Dewi Pramanik, Marlies Spaans, Twan Kranenburg, Diego Bogarin, Reinout Heijungs, Frederic Lens, Erik Smets, Barbara Gravendeel
Summary: Phalaenopsis is an important ornamental pot plant for the global horticultural market. This study investigated the lignification patterns and orientation of Phalaenopsis inflorescence stems and found significant differences among different species and hybrids. The study also revealed a positive correlation between inflorescence orientation and the degree of lignification.
SCIENTIA HORTICULTURAE
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Vicky Beckers, Alessandro Rapini, Erik Smets, Frederic Lens
Summary: This study provides a wood anatomical overview of the Apocynaceae subfamilies Secamonoideae and Asclepiadoideae, and also presents a list of derived woody species. The findings reveal that these subfamilies have undergone multiple transitions in growth form and degree of woodiness, with drought possibly being the main driver of these transitions.
Article
Plant Sciences
Xudong Yang, Wendi Zhang, Fei Qin, Jianghong Yu, Tiantian Xue, Yunfeng Huang, Weibin Xu, Jianyong Wu, Erik F. Smets, Shengxiang Yu
Summary: This study used species richness algorithm and complementary algorithm to analyze the distribution patterns of plant species in China and identified biodiversity conservation priorities. It also evaluated the effectiveness of current nature reserves and identified conservation gaps that need to be filled. New nature reserves or national parks should be established to strengthen conservation efforts, particularly in southwestern China where there is a high concentration of species.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Alexander Vrijdaghs, Petra De Block, Karen L. G. De Toni, Erik Smets, Elmar Robbrecht
Summary: This study aims to understand the floral morphology of the genus Dialypetalanthus and compare it with other related genera. The results show that the floral morphology of Dialypetalanthus is linked to other genera in the Rubiaceae family. The origin of the polyandrous androecium is related to the floral development.
PLANT ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Ajaree Thonglim, Giovanni Bortolami, Sylvain Delzon, Maximilian Larter, Remko Offringa, Joost J. B. Keurentjes, Erik Smets, Salma Balazadeh, Frederic Lens
Summary: The synergy between drought-responsive traits across different organs is crucial in influencing drought resilience at the whole-plant level. This study investigated the response to drought in Arabidopsis thaliana genotypes by analyzing the stems and leaves. The findings reveal that anatomical, ecophysiological, and molecular adaptations across organs are intertwined and determine the drought response strategies.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Maurizio Mascarello, Olivier Lachenaud, Mario Amalfi, Erik Smets, Olivier J. Hardy, Hans Beeckman, Steven B. Janssens
Summary: Illegal logging poses a serious threat to forest ecosystems and biodiversity conservation in tropical Africa. Despite efforts to reduce illegal logging, a significant amount of timber is still harvested and traded illegally. To enforce international regulations, it is crucial to develop analytical tools for traceability and identification of wood and related products. This study focused on using DNA barcoding to identify plant species, specifically 17 valuable African timber species. The researchers characterized the genetic diversity of these species and developed novel species-specific genetic barcodes for identification.
Review
Plant Sciences
Julius Jeiter, Erik Smets
Summary: Comparative morphology has been the primary source of information for systematic studies, but with the molecular revolution, DNA-based classification has become the main approach. However, this paper highlights the importance of morphology in the era of molecular phylogenetics.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Richa Kusuma Wati, Barbara Gravendeel, Rob Langelaan, Bertie Joan van Heuven, Jean Claessens, Jacques Kleynen, Erik F. Smets, Anton J. de Winter, Arie van der Meijden
Summary: This study investigated the effect of different types of trichomes on attachment of herbivorous land snails in three orchid species. The results showed that leaf sides covered with a high density of lignin filled epicuticular trichomes made snails detach easier, while the removal of glandular trichomes did not significantly affect the attachment forces. This study highlights the importance of studying micro-ornamentation in combination with performance for understanding the defense mechanisms of orchids against herbivorous snails.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Dewi Pramanik, Annette Becker, Clemens Roessner, Oliver Rupp, Diego Bogarin, Oscar Alejandro Perez-Escobar, Anita Dirks-Mulder, Kevin Droppert, Alexander Kocyan, Erik Smets, Barbara Gravendeel
Summary: This study analyzes the evolution and development of fruit dehiscence zones in orchids. Gene expression analysis reveals that orchids have different fruit dehiscence mechanisms compared to Arabidopsis thaliana. Genes involved in carpel, gynoecium, ovule development, and lipid biosynthesis may play a novel role in the formation of dehiscence zone tissues in orchids.
Article
Plant Sciences
Hye-Kyoung Moon, Suk-Pyo Hong, Erik Smets, Suzy Huysmans
Summary: This study investigated the nutlet morphology of the Mentheae tribe and its systematic value. The results showed significant variation in nutlet shape, scar morphology, trichome distribution, and surface sculpture. Nutlet characters proved to be phylogenetically informative, and incorporating them into molecular data improved the resolution and support values of the phylogenetic analysis.