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Phylogenetic models traditionally represent the history of life as having a strictly-branching tree structure. However, it is becoming increasingly clear that the history of life is often not strictly-branching; lateral gene transfer, endosymbiosis, and hybridization, for example, can all produce lateral branching events. There is thus motivation to allow phylogenetic models to have a reticulate structure. One proposal involves the reconciliation of genealogical discordance. Briefly, this method involves using patterns of disagreement -- discordance -- between trees of different genes to add lateral branching events to phylogenetic trees of taxa, and to estimate the most likely cause of these events. I use this practice to argue for: (1) a need for expanded accounts of multiple-models idealization, (2) a distinction between automatic and manual de-idealization, and (3) recognition that idealization may serve the meso-level aims of science in a different way than hitherto acknowledged.

Pollen micromorphology is not only used to check the functional and structural evolution in plants but also to solve the taxonomic problem related to the classification of plants. Therefore, keeping in view the significance of pollen traits, selected taxa of the subfamily Caesalpiniaceae was collected from different geographical regions of Pakistan. The species were then analyzed under both light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy techniques to investigate the importance of micromorphological characters of pollen in the identification and classification of species. Great variation was recorded in equatorial shape, surface ornamentation, tectum, polar diameter, equatorial diameter, and exine thickness. However, little variation was observed in pollen type, polar shape, and fertility of pollen. The equatorial shape of five types was observed: prolate, prolate-spheroidal, spheroidal-subprolate, subspheroidal-prolate, and subspheroidal. Four types of surface ornamentation, psilate, granulate, clavate, and perforate, were recorded. Tectum of five types, intactate, reticulate regulate, medium reticulate, tactate, and striate, was observed. Sexine was thicker than nexine in all studied species. The largest polar diameter was observed in Caesalpinia pulcherrima 64.1 μm while the smallest in Parkinsonia aculeata 26.1 μm. The largest equatorial diameter was found in C. pulcherrima of 70.25 μm whereas the smallest in P. aculeata 27.57 μm. All the pollens analyzed were tricolporate. All studied species have a fertility ratio of more than 90%. A taxonomic key was developed to show the variation in pollen features and delimit species for the correct identification. In conclusion, the pollen traits were found useful to define species boundaries at various taxonomic ranks and will strengthen the taxonomy of this subfamily. Besides, this study also explored the palynological traits and their implication in the taxonomy of the subfamily Caesalpiniaceae.

SummaryStandard models of plant speciation assume strictly dichotomous genealogies in which a species, the ancestor, is replaced by two offspring species. The reality in wind-pollinated trees with long evolutionary histories is more complex: species evolve from other species through isolation when genetic drift exceeds gene flow; lineage mixing can give rise to new species (hybrid taxa such as nothospecies and allopolyploids). The multi-copy, potentially multi-locus 5S rDNA is one of few gene regions conserving signal from dichotomous and reticulate evolutionary processes down to the level of intra-genomic recombination. Therefore, it can provide unique insights into the dynamic speciation processes of lineages that diversified tens of millions of years ago. Here, we provide the first high-throughput sequencing (HTS) of the 5S intergenic spacers (5S-IGS) for a lineage of wind-pollinated subtropical to temperate trees, theFagus crenata – F. sylvaticas.l. lineage, and its distant relativeF. japonica.The observed 4,963 unique 5S-IGS variants reflect a complex history of hybrid origins, lineage sorting, mixing via secondary gene flow, and intra-genomic competition between two or more paralogous-homoeologous 5S rDNA lineages. We show that modern species are genetic mosaics and represent a striking case of ongoing reticulate evolution during the past 55 million years.Significance statementThe evolution of extra-tropical wind-pollinated tree genera involves dynamic speciation processes. High-throughput sequencing of the multi-copy, potentially multi-locus 5S rDNA reveals a complex history of hybrid origins, lineage sorting and mixing, and intra-genomic competition between paralogous-homeologous loci in the core group of Eurasian beech trees (genusFagus) and their distant relative,F. japonica. The modern species are genetic mosaics and represent a striking case of at least 55 million years of ongoing reticulate evolution.

Garlic chives (Allium tuberosum Rottler ex Sprengel) are an underutilized and neglected food crop of the Allium genus. For the future genetic development of alliums, phenotypic characterization and insights of breeding behaviour could be the aid to breed the new garlic chives varieties. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) was used to reveal the morphological features of male gametophytes. The anther was reticulate, conspicuous, folded surface with scaly plates, and pollen was found to be sub-ovoid morphologies with long regulate and striated sexine. Spectra from FESEM-based Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) revealed the elemental composition and distribution. The micrograph of an anther sample revealed the presence of O, C, K, P, N, Fe, Mn, Zn, and Mg minerals, as well as C, O, N, P, K, Fe, Ca, Mn, Mg, Zn, Cu, Na, and Cl minerals in the pollen grain. These insights of male gametophytes traits and characteristics, relative mineral composition and breeding behaviour could aid in the better understanding, characterization, identification and genetic improvement of A. tuberosum.

Aims: The current study was developed to investigate the influence of grape seeds (GS) and mandarin peels (MP) extracts as powerful antioxidants on the cardiotoxicity induced by cyclophosphamide (CP) in rats. Place of Study: Department of Biochemistry and Nutrition, Faculty of Women for Arts, Science and Education, Ain Shams University. Methodology: Sixty adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 6 groups. Group (1): Rats were received distilled water daily orally for 6 weeks and injected interperitoneally (i.p) with saline (0.9 %) (2.5 ml / kg BW) as single dose at the end of the sixth week of experiment. Group (2): Rats were received distilled water orally and injected with single dose of cyclophosphamide which dissolved in saline (200 mg/kg BW. i.p.) at the end of the sixth week of experiment. Groups (3 and 4): Rats were received grape seeds extracts low and high doses (150 and 300 mg /kg BW), respectively daily orally for 6 weeks then injected with cyclophosphamide as group 2. Groups (5 and 6): Rats were received mandarin peels extracts low and high doses (150 and 300 mg /kg BW), respectively daily orally for 6 weeks then injected with cyclophosphamide as group 2. Results: Our results documented that CP caused a significant increase in serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALK-P), creatine kinase (CK-MB), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK) enzymes activity and serum malondialdehyde (MDA) level. While total antioxidant capacity level (TAC) showed a significant decrease. On the other hand cardiac catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities and cardiac β cell lymphoma (Bcl-2) level showed a significant decrease in CP group while cardiac p53, caspase-3 and DNA fragmentation levels showed a significant increase in CP intoxicated group. Also, some histopathological changes were observed in liver and heart tissues in CP group. Oral administration of GS and MP caused an ameliorative effect in oxidative and apoptotic biomarkers, liver and heart function enzymes activity with an improvement of histopathological changes in liver and heart tissues. Conclusion: Our data proved that the protective effect of grape seeds and mandarin peels in cyclophosphamide intoxicated group may be due to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti- apoptotic properties.

In this study, we sampled 48 species of AsianCinnamomumcovering the species groups that were identified in recent phylogenetic studies and conducted leaf micromorphological observations using both light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Synapomorphies were determined by means of mapping micromorphological characters on a phylogenetic tree. The results indicate thatCinnamomumexhibits two different types of leaf upper epidermis: Type I has smooth/non-reticulate periclinal walls whereas Type II has reticulate periclinal walls and is unusual in the family Lauraceae. We found that the two types of micromorphological characters are clade-specific, sect. Camphora s.s. possesses Type I leaf upper epidermis, and sect. Cinnamomum s.l. has Type II leaf upper epidermis. Our study also reveals thatC. saxatile, a member of sect. Camphora s.l. in the traditional classification, actually has Type II leaf upper epidermis, thus reinforcing the result of a recent molecular phylogeny that has this species in a clade consisting mainly of species of sect. Cinnamomum.

Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels (Family: Myricaceae) commonly known as Jamun is a widely used medicinal plant in Ayurveda. In spite of its numerous medicinal attributes, no published work is available on pharmacognostic characterization, physicochemical analysis of its leaves. The measures taken for pharmacognostic characterization were macroscopy, microscopy, powder microscopy, physicochemical evaluation, fluorescence analysis, and preliminary phytochemical screening. The microscopic evaluation showed useful characters for the recognition of leaf of Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels . Transverse section, showed presence of single layer of wavy epidermal cells with striated cuticle single layer Palisade beneath upper epidermis in lamina region (contains compact elongated cells), Spheraphide in lamina region, collenchyma below the upper epidermis and above the lower epidermis in midrib region, Xylem and phloem in center, Sclerenchyma in between vascular bundle and collenchyma in midrib region. Wavy epidermal cell in the upper epidermis, anisocytic stomata in the lower epidermis, Bordered pitted reticulate vessels, Calcium oxalate crystal sheath in the lamina, fragment of fibers and Spiral vessels were observed in powder microscopy. Physicochemical studies showed total ash (3.1%), acid insoluble ash (0.7%), alcohol soluble extractive values (10.96 %), and water-soluble extractive values (12.32 %). Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of sugar, lipid, Glycoside, saponins, phenols, flavonoids, tannins, tri-terpenoids and steroids. The study forms the first report on pharmacognostic characters and a physicochemical parameter which could be useful for identification and authentication of the plant.

In the present era, environmental glitches associated with extensive emission of greenhouse gases (GHG) and energy crises caused by exhausting fossil fuel reservoirs has diverted researcher's interest toward alternative and renewable energy sources. Biodiesel is a renewable, biodegradable, and sustainable alternative to petro-diesel. Biodiesel synthesized from non-edible seed oils is preferred due its cost effectiveness and eco-friendly nature. Hence, our present study focused on investigation and identification of micromorphological characters of six novel, non-edible seed oil feedstock for biodiesel production via scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results of light microscopy of seeds revealed distinct variation in seed size (15.8-1.8 mm in length and 9.4-1.1 in width), shape (round to Cuneiform), and color (from black to yellowish green). Non-edible seed oil content fall in range of 28-38% (wt/wt). Free fatty acid (FFA) content varied from 0.56 to 2.06 mg KOH/g. Multivariate analysis was performed to investigate correlation between three significant variables of seed oil yielding feedstock such as potential for biodiesel synthesis, oil content, and FFA content via principal component analysis. Ultra morphological investigation of seeds surfaces via SEM exhibited distinctive variation in surface sculpturing, cell arrangement, cell shape, periclinal wall shape, margins, protuberances, and anticlinal wall shape. Seed surface sculpturing varied from reticulate, semitectate, wrinkled, rugose, papillate, perforate, and striate. Periclinal wall arrangements confirmed variation from glabrous, raised, depressed, elevated, smooth, pentagonal, entire, and ripple margins. Whereas, anticlinal walls pattern demonstrated variation from angular, smooth, wavy, deep, dentate, entire, irregular, puzzled, elongated, curved, and depressed. Finally, it was concluded from obtained results that SEM could be a possible useful tool in disclosing veiled micromorphological characters of non-edible oil yielding seeds, which provides useful information to researchers for their correct, authentic identification, and classification in modern synthetic system.

This study aimed to characterize the palynological morphology of melliferous species of family Asteraceae belonged to seven tribes which were categorized into 15 genera and were studied under light and scanning electron microscopy. The pollen grains were acetolyzed, measured, and described qualitatively. Quantitative data were analyzed by descriptive and multivariate statistical analysis. The species were analyzed considering 11 quantitative pollen characteristics. The study revealed that the pollen grains are circular, triangular, angular, semi-angular, quadrangular, pentagonal and hexagonal amb, and 3-colporate or 3-colpate. The size of the pollen is variable among the species, ranged from 56.1 to 23.2 μm. Three pollen types: oblate spheroidal (eight species), prolate spheroidal (six species), and suboblate (two species) were observed. The surface pattern of the exine varies from echinoperforate, echinate, echinate microperforate, fenestrate, echinoperforate reticulate, microreticulate, echinate perforate, tectate, and scabrate. Exine thickness was calculated minimum in Cichorium intybus (2.47 μm) and maximum in Taraxacum campylodes (5.15 μm). A key to studied bee floral species, based on the morphological features of pollen grains, is also provided. The palynomorphological characters here analyzed can be potentially used to correctly identify the Asteraceous honeybee floral species most commonly plants visited by honeybees in the study area.

Annona reticulate (AR) is indigenous to the tropical areas of India and worldwide. The use of plant as remedy for diarrhea and ulcer is well documented in Ayurvedic system of medicine. However, pharmacological evidence does not exist to substantiate its therapeutic efficacy for the same. The aim was to investigate the antiulcer and anti-diarrheal activity of methanolic (ME) and aqueous extracts (AE) of A. reticulate in animal model. The antiulcer activity of extracts was investigated using ethanol and pylorus ligation-induced ulcer. The anti-diarrheal activity of MEAR and AEAR extracts was evaluated by castor oil induced diarrhea and gastro intestinal motility using parameters such as onset of diarrhea, number of wet stools, total number of stool and weight of total number of stools. The antiulcer activity of the extracts was confirmed by a reduction in ulcer index along with the decrease in gastric volume, total acidity, and an increase in pH of gastric content in both the models. A. reticulate extracts were more efficacious in reducing number of total stools in both the models of diarrhea and showed a dose-dependent antidiarrheal effect. The obtained results have established a pharmacological evidence for the folkloric use of the A. reticulate as antiulcer and antidiarrhoeal agent.

Background and Aims In hierarchically reticulate venation patterns, smaller orders of veins form areoles in which stomata are located. This study aimed to quantify the spatial relationship among stomata at the areole level. Methods For each of 12 leaves of M. cavaleriei var. platypetala, we assumed that stomatal characteristics were symmetrical on either side of the midrib, and divided the leaf surface on one side of the midrib into six layers equidistantly spaced along the apical–basal axis. We then further divided each layer into three positions equidistantly spaced from midrib to leaf margin, resulting in a total of 18 sampling locations. In addition, for 60 leaves, we sampled three positions from midrib to margin within only the widest layer of the leaf. Stomatal density and mean nearest neighbour distance (MNND) were calculated for each section. A replicated spatial point pattern approach quantified stomatal spatial relationships at different distances (0–300 μm). Key Results A tendency towards regular arrangement (inhibition as opposed to attraction or clustering) was observed between stomatal centres at distances Conclusions Spatial inhibition might be caused by the one-cell-spacing rule, resulting in more regular arrangement of stomata, and it was found to exist at distances up to ~100 μm. This work implies that leaf hydraulic architecture, consisting of both vascular and mesophyll properties, is sufficient to prevent important spatial variability in water supply at the areole level.

The Mediterranean specimens of the genus Microporella collected from shallow water habitats during several surveys and cruises undertaken mostly off the Italian coast are revised. As a result of the disentanglement of the M. ciliata complex and the examination of new material, three new species, M. bicollarissp. nov., M. ichnusaesp. nov., and M. pachyspinasp. nov., are described from submarine caves or associated with seagrasses and algae. An additional species Microporella sp. A, distinct by its finely reticulate ascopore, is described but left in open nomenclature owing to the limitations of a single infertile fragment. After examination of all available material, based on their identical zooidal morphology, the genus Diporula is regarded as junior synonym of Microporella and the combination Microporella verrucosa is resurrected as first suggested by Neviani in 1896. Fenestrulina joannae is also reassigned to Microporella. The availability of a large number of colonies of the above-mentioned and other species already well known from the area (i.e., M. appendiculata, M. ciliata, and M. modesta), allowed the assessment of their high intraspecific variability as well as the observation, for the first time, of some morphological characters including ancestrulae, early astogeny, and kenozooids. Finally, M. modesta, in spite of M. ciliata as defined by the neotype selected by Kukliński & Taylor in 2008, appears to be the commonest species in the basin.

An experiment was conducted to find out the effect of drip trickle irrigation and hydrogel with black polyethylene mulch on productivity and water use efficiency of Kinnow mandarin. The two years pooled data revealed that highest available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (244, 20 and 164 kgha-1), porosity and maximum water holding capacity (34.5 and 40.9 %) and percent increase height, spread and canopy volume (13.6, 14.8 and 44.5 %), respectively, were obtained with the application of 3 days drip trickle irrigation and 90 g hydrogel with black polyethylene mulch materials of tree. The drip trickle irrigation and hydrogel with black polyethylene mulch produced a significantly (p=0.05) maximum improve in soil moisture content over control treatment. The 3 days drip trickle irrigation and 90 g hydrogel with mulch showed highest fruit yield (9404.7 kg ha-1), length (6.5 cm), weight (116.5 g) and quality of fruit volume (113.9 cc), Juice content (54.1 %) and TSS (13.3 0Brix). The specific gravity and titratable acidity showed reverse trend. The water use efficiency and benefit cost ratio were better in 3 days drip trickle irrigation and 90 g hydrogel with mulch materials of tree.

Discoveries of new Hemiclepsis species (Hirudinea: Glossiphoniidae) in East and Southeast Asia were expected. A peculiar freshwater leech was found on the body surface of Asian Swamp Eel Monopterus albus (Synbranchiformes: Synbranchidae) in Jingzhou, Hubei Province, China. Here, we describe this leech species as Hemiclepsis yangtzenensis sp. nov. It could be distinguished from other congeners based on a combination of morphological features such as very small size, translucent body with dense green reticulate markings throughout dorsum, very large posterior sucker with a characteristic reticulate pattern, and two pairs of well-developed drop-like eyespots. It also represents a phylogenetic lineage that is distant from other members of the genus based on the COI and 18S rRNA sequences. This leech species seems to be a specialized fish parasite that could negatively affect farming and wild stocks of Asian Swamp Eel in China.

The taxonomic status of the subfamily Trigonirhynchiinae is discussed based on the morphological features, together with the geographic and the stratigraphic distribution of the type genus Trigonirhynchia Cooper. The new genus, Ferronirhynchia n. gen., including the type species F. pulgari n. sp., is proposed. The new taxon, close to Trigonirhynchia , occurs in upper Emsian beds of the Moniello Formation, in Asturias, serotinus/patulus conodont zones, Faunal Intervals 14 to 16a. The ontogeny and palaeoecology of F. pulgari are analyzed. Growth of the new species is bicyclic. Juvenile forms are low and biconvex displaying sharp commissures. Adult forms are high, dorsi-biconvex, geniculate, with abrupt anterior and lateral margins. Ferronirhynchia pulgari is an opportunistic species, often found in paraautochtonous rhynchonellid assemblages that occur in quiet and muddy deposits formed below the wave-base level near or in reefal environments in the Cantabrian platfom. Shells of the new species supported a variety of small epizoans, commensalists or mutualists, mostly reticulate bryozoans, serpulid and other tubeworms, and auloporids. This life habit favoured the epizoans to escape from burial in muddy bottoms.

Beyond facilitating transport and providing mechanical support to the leaf, veins have important roles in the performance and productivity of plants and the ecosystem. In recent decades, computational image analysis has accelerated the extraction and quantification of vein traits, benefiting fields of research from agriculture to climatology. However, most of the existing leaf vein image analysis programs have been developed for the reticulate venation found in dicots. Despite the agroeconomic importance of cereal grass crops, like Oryza sativa (rice) and Zea mays (maize), a dedicated image analysis program for the parallel venation found in monocots has yet to be developed. To address the need for an image-based vein phenotyping tool for model and agronomic grass species, we developed the grass vein image quantification (grasviq) framework. Designed specifically for parallel venation, this framework automatically segments and quantifies vein patterns from images of cleared leaf pieces using classical computer vision techniques. Using image data sets from maize inbred lines and auxin biosynthesis and transport mutants in maize, we demonstrate the utility of grasviq for quantifying important vein traits, including vein density, vein width and interveinal distance. Furthermore, we show that the framework can resolve quantitative differences and identify vein patterning defects, which is advantageous for genetic experiments and mutant screens. We report that grasviq can perform high-throughput vein quantification, with precision on a par with that of manual quantification. Therefore, we envision that grasviq will be adopted for vein phenomics in maize and other grass species.

Due to large size and enormous morphological plasticity, the taxonomy of the genus Astragalus is very complex and challenging. The identification and grouping of species chiefly based on macromorphological characters become sometimes difficult in the genus. In the present study, the micromorphology of the seeds of 30 species belonging to 14 sections of Astragalus from India has been examined applying scanning electron microscopy (SEM) along with light microscopy (LM) to evaluate their role in identification and classification. Attention was paid to colour, shape, size and surface of seeds. The overall size of the seeds ranges from 1.5–3.2 × 0.8–2.2 mm. The shape of the seeds is cordiform, deltoid, mitiform, orbicular, ovoid and reniform. The colour of seeds varies from brown to blackish-brown to black. Papillose, reticulate, ribbed, rugulate and stellate patterns were observed on the seed coat surface (spermoderm) among different species. The study reveals that the seed coat ornamentations have evolved differently among species and do not support the subgeneric and sectional divisions of the genus. However, they add an additional feature to the individual species, which may help in identification in combination with other macro-morphological features.

Impatiens bullatisepala (Balsaminaceae), a new species supported by morphological and phylogenetic evidence from Fanjing Mountain, Guizhou province in China, is described here. It is morphologically similar to I. davidii but can be distinguished by its dorsally ridged lateral sepals with sunk reticulate veins and bullate projections on abaxial surface, 2–2.5 cm deep saccate lower sepal with ca. 0.8 cm long narrowly triangular tip at the mouth, and broadly ovate dorsal petal. Phylogenetic analyses of a combined dataset of nuclear ITS and plastid atpB-rbcL intergenic spacer DNA sequences furtherly confirmed its novelty.

Objectives This study aimed to analyze the genetic relationships between honey bee subspecies using reference specimens and recently collected specimens from different parts of the world. The purity of these specimens was discussed in light of the obtained results. Methods The genetic networks were constructed between 21 subspecies of honey bees, Apis mellifera L.: 9 in Africa, 7 in Europe and 5 in Asia. The analysis was performed using the mtDNA of these subspecies and the Population Analysis with Reticulate Trees software. Some subspecies were represented by more than two specimens based on the available online sequences. Results and conclusions The subspecies A. m. sahariensis from Africa showed unique characteristics and is genetically isolated than all other studied bee subspecies. Specimens collected from Saudi Arabia showed genetic relatedness to A. m. jemenitica, A. m. lamarckii, and some European subspecies, suggesting high degree of hybridization. The close genetic relationship between the Egyptian bees, A. m. lamarckii, and the Syrian bees, A. m. syriaca, were emphasized. The overall genetic network showed the presence of three distinct branches in relation to geographical locations. The high accurateness of the used analysis was confirmed by previous phylogenetic studies as well as the genetic relationships between hybrid bees of A. m. capensis and A. m. scutellata. The genetic networks showed the presence of bee subspecies from Africa in all branches including Europe and Asia. The study suggests the impurity of some specimens mostly due to the hybridization between subspecies. Specific recommendations for future conservation efforts of bees were presented in light of this study.

Skimmia anquetilia (Family: Rutaceae) is an aromatic and medicinal plant distributed in west Himalaya. It is widely used in conventional system of medicine. S. anquetilia is used to treat swellings, rheumatism, heal wounds, as an antidote to snake bite and scorpion bite and also in the treatment of fever, cold and headache. Inspite of its tremendous medicinal value, only less information is available on pharmacognostic characterization of S. anquetilia. The present work deals with comparative pharmacognostical and physico-chemical parameters of different parts of S. anquetilia. Plant material was collected from the natural site, fragmented into different parts, shade dried and powdered. The powdered materials were analyzed for various parameters which include organoleptic study, macroscopy, anatomy, powder microscopy, foreign matter analysis, ash values, loss on drying, swelling index, foaming index, pH values, fluorescence analysis and extractive yield. Organoleptic and macroscopic studies revealed that S. anquetilia is a herbaceous perennial with thick and branched root; oblanceolate, simple and coriaceous leaves; solid and glabrous stem; terminal paniculate inflorescence and red and ovoid fruits. Anatomical studies revealed some unique feature such as calcium oxalate crystals in leaves, oil globules in leaves, stem and root The powder microscopy revealed some distinctive characteristics like different trichomes and lignified spiral and pitted vessels in leaf; oil globules, starch granules and lignified pitted vessels in stem; reticulate parenchyma, lignified pitted vessels and prismatic calcium oxalate crystals in root; unicellular trichomes and spherical pollen grains in flowers; oil globules in testa of fruit. Analysis on the pharmacognostic parameters of different parts of S. anquetilia resulted in a valuable data to establish standards for the plant. The present work is the first attempt to provide a comprehensive report on the quality control and standardization parameters of different parts of S. anquetilia, thereby, acting as a platform for correct identification, authentication and development of quality control parameters of the species. Data obtained may be used a standard for future studies.

Pollen morphology of 18 species from the genus Impatiens collected from different localities in Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu was evaluated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) during the period of February 2017 to November 2019. From the observation of pollen it was found to be structurally monad; prolate, sub-prolate and prolate-spheroidal in equatorial view; and circular, rectangular, triangular, quinquangular, elliptic and quadrangular in polar view. The apertures varied from dicolpate, tricolpate to tetracolpate. The main ornamentation type was reticulate in most of the species except Impatiens fruticosa which showed echinate ornamentation. The variations in pollen structure within the species were useful for the identification and classification of the genus Impatiens. The high structural diversity renders important taxonomic value for species differentiation.

The current research work was aimed to determine the morphological variation in the seeds of subfamilies Caesalpinioideae, Mimosoideae, and Papilionoideae using scanning electron microscope to investigate the different seed features including; Seed length, width, weight, hilum shape, position, fracture line pattern, pleurogram shape, texture crudeness, ornamentation wall, and surface ornamentation. A total of 12 species were collected. The study reveals that the seed types alters from psilate to rugose, pleurogram shape from lunar to U shape, hilum shape from elliptical to depressed, hilum position from terminal to subterminal, fracture line pattern from reticulate irregular ridges to psilate with regular ridges, texture crudeness from fine to coarse, surface ornamentation from reticulate to psilate, and ornamentation wall also varies from thin to thick. In all the studied species, it was found that seed surface was brown in color except in Senna alata, in which seed surface was black. Regarding the seed size, it was found that the smallest seed was observed for Sesbania sesban, while the largest seed was observed for Pongamia pinnata. The present research article indicates the taxonomic significance of seed morphology in the subfamilies Caesalpinioideae, Mimosaceae, and Papilionoideae.

Palynomorphic studies of 65 common mellitophilous and 16 allergenic flora of Arid and Northern irrigated agroecological zones of Pakistan are carried out in this study by using field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM). Mellitophilous pollen were extracted from honey samples of selected sites. For collection of local allergenic pollen, previously identified allergy-causing plants were selected. Pollen morphological examination was carried out under FESEM. Diverse range of pollen shapes ranging from monad to polyad and sculpturing ranging from psilate to echinate, scabrate to reticulate, bireticulate, or echinolophate were observed. Brassicaceae, Myrtaceae, Asteraceae, Rosaceae, and Poaceae were observed to be dominant allergenic and mellitophilous families of the selected sites.

Biologists have reported on the chemical defences and the phenetic similarity of net-winged beetles (Coleoptera: Lycidae) and their co-mimics. Nevertheless, our knowledge has remained fragmental, and the evolution of mimetic patterns has not been studied in the phylogenetic context. We illustrate the general appearance of ~ 600 lycid species and ~ 200 co-mimics and their distribution. Further, we assemble the phylogeny using the transcriptomic backbone and ~ 570 species. Using phylogenetic information, we closely scrutinise the relationships among aposematically coloured species, the worldwide diversity, and the distribution of aposematic patterns. The emitted visual signals differ in conspicuousness. The uniform coloured dorsum is ancestral and was followed by the evolution of bicoloured forms. The mottled patterns, i.e. fasciate, striate, punctate, and reticulate, originated later in the course of evolution. The highest number of sympatrically occurring patterns was recovered in New Guinea and the Andean mountain ecosystems (the areas of the highest abundance), and in continental South East Asia (an area of moderate abundance but high in phylogenetic diversity). Consequently, a large number of co-existing aposematic patterns in a single region and/or locality is the rule, in contrast with the theoretical prediction, and predators do not face a simple model-like choice but cope with complex mimetic communities. Lycids display an ancestral aposematic signal even though they sympatrically occur with differently coloured unprofitable relatives. We show that the highly conspicuous patterns evolve within communities predominantly formed by less conspicuous Müllerian mimics and, and often only a single species displays a novel pattern. Our work is a forerunner to the detailed research into the aposematic signalling of net-winged beetles.

The variability of 14 morphometric and seven meristic characters of Boops boops (L.) collected at four stations along the Tunisian coast was examined in 518 samples ranging from 126 to 206 mm in total length and 37 to 78 g in total weight. Statistical analysis of both sets of characters showed significant variation among the four populations in 13 (92.9%) morphometric and four (57.1%) meristic characters. CVA and cluster analysis of the morphometric characters revealed four groups corresponding to four populations, with 95.36% correct classifications of individuals to their populations of origin. However, CVA and cluster analysis of the meristic characters showed a reticulate relationship among the four populations, as there was clear differentiation between those in Monastir and Zarzis and an overlap between those in Bizerte and Kelibia, with only 51.75% of individuals correctly classified to their respective populations. This morphological differentiation among the populations from the four stations was attributed to the differences in the physico-chemical water properties at these stations. However, further studies are needed on the impact of environmental factors and diet at these stations on the morphological population structure of B. boops to better understand the contribution of environmental conditions to morphological variation.

Detailed pollen morphological account of four species of Maesa Forssk. (Primulaceae) [M. chisia, M. indica, M. macrophylla, M. rugosa] from Darjeeling Himalaya and its possible taxonomic implications have been investigated using light (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The pollen grains are 3-zonocolporate with reticulate exine having prominent variations in the muri and lumina dimensions (striato-reticulate, microreticulate to punctate). The shape (sub-prolate, prolate-spheroidal to spheroidal) and size classes (very small to small) show little variation. The structural details of the pollen grains are found to be useful in identifying the grains in different applied palynological studies. The present study reveals the stenopalynous nature of the genus Maesa. The UPGMA study was performed to analyse the phenetic relationship of the studied species with previously published data. The observations further suggest that considering the pollen morphological characters, Maesa is more closely related to the Myrsinaceae and Theophrastaceae (s.s.) and differs greatly from Primulaceae (s.s.).

Liparis aureolabella and L. mengziensis, two new species from the karst region of southwestern China, and L. bingzhongluoensis, a new species from montane region in Yunnan, are described and illustrated. L. aureolabella is easily distinguished from its relatives by having abaxially purple leave with purple reticulate veins prominent adaxially, a lip auriculate at base, and falcate-lanceolate pollinia. Liparis mengziensis is closely related to L. petiolata and L. auriculata, but differs from them by having an ovate to broadly ovate leaf, purple lip and apex connate along the margins. Liparis bingzhongluoensis is similar to Liparis nanlingensis, but the new species is characterized by having a lip with two transparent ridges on its disc, longitudinally concave basal callus and triangular column wings. Phylogenetic analyses based on nuclear ribosomal ITS and plastid matK sequences showed that L. aureolabella and L. mengziensis are nested with L. petiolata or L. auriculata in a monophyletic clade. L. bingzhongluoensis is sister to a clade formed by L. nanlingensis, L. tsii, L. sasakii and L. krameri. Moreover, morphological comparisons strongly support that the three species as separated species newly to science.

Pollen micro-morphological features have proven to be helpful for the plant taxonomists in the identification and classification of plants. The aim of this study was to evaluate the palynological features of family Asteraceae and Lamiaceae from flora of District Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan using both scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and light microscope (LM) for their taxonomic importance. Pollen of seven Asteraceous species belonging to four genera and four Lamiaceae species categorized into four genera were collected from different localities of research area. The present research work provides detailed information of diverse morpho-palynological characters both qualitatively and quantitatively including pollen shape, type, diameter, P/E ratio, exine sculpturing and thickness. Type of pollen in Asteraceae and Lamiaceae was ranged from tricolporate, tricolpate, trizonocolpate and hexazonocolpate. The maximum polar diameter (40.05 μm) and equatorial diameter (37.66 μm) was observed in the Ajuga bracteoosa while minimum polar and equatorial diameter was noted in Isodon rugosus (11.10 μm) and Erigeron canadensis (13.20 μm) respectively. Sculpturing of exine include; echinate, reticulate scabrate, aerolate, reticulate-verrucate, reticulate-scabrate, perforate and reticulate to perforate. Exine thickness was examined maximum 1.50 μm in Helianthus tuberosus, whereas minimum in Conyza Canadensis (0.16 μm). The pollen fertility was found highest in C Canadensis (83.33%) and lowest in Ajuga bracteosa (58.06%). The observed pollen morphology has many valuable qualitative and quantitative attributes for the better understanding of their taxonomy and play significant role in correct identification.

Piezoelectric thin film power generators are one of the future scopes of alternative energy-harvesting sources. In this paper, a wind-driven thin film piezoelectric energy harvester is explored and reported for both parallel and reticulate venation as well as for without venation. The proposed harvester consists of a triangular-shaped cantilever, triangular leaf-like piezoelectric microthin film (PEMF) and a cantilever. The free end of the cantilever is fixed to the PEMF which is capable of harvesting wind energy by vibration. The leaf-like PEMF structure is 122 μm thick, made up of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) coated with silver ink electrode on either side. In this work, the influence of wind velocity, vein structure and cantilever length on overall performance of the system is investigated experimentally. It is seen that under favorable conditions, leaf with reticulate venation showed more than 10% increase in voltage output than in parallel venation. It is found that an increase in cantilever length leads to a substantial increase in voltage output by promoting early onset of flutter. At a velocity of 10 m/s, a maximum open circuit voltage of 1.90 V and power output of 1.2 μW are obtained for L/Lb=1 for reticulate venation PEMF leaf.

A new species of grouper, Epinephelus insularis is described based on 12 specimens (271.6–528.0 mm standard length: SL) from the western Pacific Ocean. The new species, previously confused with Epinephelus chlorostigma (Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes 1828), is distinguished from all congeners by the following combination of characters: dorsal-fin rays XI, 16 (rarely XI, 17); longitudinal scale series 114–132; total gill rakers 21–24; posterior margin of anal fin rounded; caudal fin truncate, its posterior margin with a narrow white line; head, body, and all fins with small polygonal brown spots (expanded on head and body undersurface) on a pale background, forming a reticulate pattern; and pectoral fin brownish. In addition, Serranus areolatus japonicus Temminck and Schlegel 1843, which has been regarded as a junior synonym of E. chlorostigma, is redescribed as a valid senior synonym of Serranus reevesii Richardson 1846 and Epinephelus tankahkeei Wu, Qu, Lin, Tang and Ding 2020. Epinephelus japonicus is characterized as follows: dorsal-fin rays XI, 17; longitudinal scale series 101–119; total gill rakers 23–26; posterior margin of anal fin rounded; caudal fin convex, without white lines; head, body (lateral surface only), dorsal, pelvic, anal, and caudal fins with small polygonal brown spots forming a pale reticulate pattern; and pectoral fin yellowish.

The pollen morphology of 13 native taxa of the Rutaceae from Argentina was studied under optical and scanning electron microscopy to provide new data that would allow delimiting these taxa. The species considered were Balfourodendron riedelianum, Esenbeckia densiflora, E. febrifuga, E grandiflora, Helietta apiculata, Pilocarpus pennatifolius, Zanthoxylum caribaeum, Z. coco, Z. fagara, Z. petiolare, Z. rhoifolium, Z. riedelianum and Zanthoxylum rigidum ssp. hasslerianum. The general morphological characteristics of the pollen grain of these species are: radiosymmetric, isopolar; small, medium or large size; 3-colporate or 4-colporate; colpus with costa colpi; semitectate (reticulate, striate reticulate or striate). Sculpture, shape and size are the main characters that allow differentiating the studied taxa. Morphological characters among the species are discussed and a species key is presented.

The present investigation was carried out at the Department of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, Horticultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore during 2017-2019. The study involved nine jasmine genotypes, four falling under the commercially cultivated types and five belonging to underutilized species or ‘lesser-known species’. The study was undertaken to investigate and document the palynological parameters of jasmines which could serve as a reliable reference for future jasmine breeding programmes. The palynological investigations were carried out using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), haemocytometry, acetocarmine test, and in vitro pollen germination. The pollen morphology analysis indicated wide variation among the species for the shape of the pollen grain, ranging from tricolpate to prolate; the exine ornamentation was reticulate in all the genotypes. Pollen output was the highest in J. rigidum (28,660 pollen/flower) and the lowest in (625 pollen/ flower) in J. sambac cv. Ramanathapuram Gundumalli. The maximum pollen germination rate and pollen tube length were recorded in J. rigidum.

The palinomorphological features of six species of the genus Hypericum (H. аlpigenum, H. elegans, H. hirsutum, H. maculatum, H. montanum, H. perforatum) of the flora of Ukraine have been investigated. All species studied are valuable medicinal plants. However, only two species of raw material are officially permitted: H. perforatum and H. maculatum. Raw materials of other species can also be harvested from natural habitats, as they are wide spread in some regions of Ukraine and morphologically similar to pharmacopoeial species, but their admixture to the raw materials reduces its quality. The aim of research was to make a comparative morphological analysis of pollen grains six species of genus Hypericum of Ukrainian flora for determine the common and distinctive features that will identify the species of raw materials. We used a scanning electron microscope to investigate the pollen grains ultrascultures (CEM, JSM 6060 LA). The studies were performed according to the standard method. As a result of palynomorphological studies of six species of the genus Hypericum of the flora of Ukraine established, that the pollen grains of the species studied are small-sized, 3-colporate, ellipsoidal or spheroidal, outline in polar view ‒ trilobate, rounded-triangular, in equatorial elliptical. In all studied species the colpi are long, mostly with distinct margins, pointed ends and a granular membrane. The pores are undistinct. Sculpture exine in the investigated species of the genus Hypericum of the flora of Ukraine are microreticulate (H. perforatum, H. alpigenum) and reticulate (all other species studied). Morphometric features of pollen grains of the studied species: the length of the polar axis, equatorial diameter, colpus width, mesocolpium width, the diameter of the apocolpium, the ratio of the length of the polar axis to the equatorial diameter, the ratio of the mesocolpium widths and aperture widths can be used as additional diagnostic features in identification species of the genus Hypericum of Ukrainian flora.