Rostaniha
Year:2021 | Volume:22 | Issue:2 (62)|Papers Count:13

Ferula, one of the largest genera of Apiaceae, phytogeographically is distributed in the central and eastern parts of the Irano-Turanian, Mediterranean and northern parts of the Saharo-Sindian regions. Ferula sect. Merwia contains several economically important species that have a distinctive distributional pattern in the Irano-Turanian region. In the present study, a clustering distance analysis was performed with 608 recorded points for 29 species of the sect. Merwia and compared with the phylogenetic analysis on nrDNA ITS sequences. Distribution maps of the species together with richness and prediction maps were drawn through DIVA-GIS program. Through clustering analysis, the sect. Merwia as an Irano-Turanian element is classified into seven groups and the concentration of several groups correlated with the richness areas. It encompasses three regions as hotspots with the highest species richness, including Zagros Mts., Khorassan-Kopet Dagh, and central Afghanistan. The habitat suitability map follows the richness areas with more widespread towards mountainous district. According to AOO criterion of IUCN, the species of sect. Merwia have been categorized as EN and CR that need to be severely conserved from extinction risk.

Somatic chromosome numbers and karyotypes of five populations of Nerium oleander in Iran were determined. karyological studies showed that, all the studied populations were diploid (2n = 2x = 22). The present study is the first report of the karyotype characteristics of N. oleander. The highest values of mean chromosome length (1. 45 μ m) and haploid chromosome length (15. 9 μ m) were found in the Chabahar population. The general shape of the karyotypes, indicated symmetry for all populations, as all chromosomes were metacentric type. According to Stebbin’ s classification (1971), populations fall in class 1A, thus indicating occurrence of chromosome symmetry among the populations. In addition, a detailed account of karyomorphology and estimates of asymmetry indices showed that, all of the populations were symmetric, among which Khash and Kuhdasht populations were considered as the most asymmetrical and symmetrical karyotypes, respectively. Based on karyotypic parameters, the considered populations were categorized into two groups viz. Chabahar, Fanuj, and Khash populations which were previously reported as N. indicum in Flora Iranica, separated from Karaj and Kuhdasht populations.

Concerning the increasing importance of feeding livestock with valuable fodder, the recent study was focused on characterizing the genetic and morphological diversity in bur clover (Medicago polymorpha) samples collected from different regions of Iran by using morphological traits and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) analysis. A total of 14 populations were collected and evaluated morphologically from three regions of Iran in June 2017. ITS-based phylogenetic analysis was carried out through maximum parsimony and Bayesian. The bur clover samples were morphologically categorized into some taxa related to the areas studied. From our results, a high level of diversity for most morphological characteristics was found among populations. Clustering analysis based on morphological information showed correlation with geographical distribution. Phylogenetic analysis based on the ITS data showed that, all accessions of M. polymorpha formed a monophyletic clade. The findings suggest the presence of high variation within bur clover samples accessible in different Iranian regions. The utilization of morphological traits coupled with ITS analysis found useful to track the evolution and origin of M. polymorpha in Iran.

Pollen grains micromorphological characteristics in nine genera of Chenopodiaceae (Atriplex, Bassia, Bienertia, Chenopodium, Dysphania, Haloxylon, Kochia, Salsola, and Suaeda) that tolerate more difficult ecological conditions in Iran were examined by Light Microscopy (LM) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The obtained results showed that, the pollen grains quantitative and qualitative micromorphological characters were different in the studied species. A dendrogram obtained from the pollen grain characters in our research placed these taxa on two groups and three pollen types. Although, pollen group 1 had not taxonomical values. Pollen group 2 partly was in agreement with taxonomical level based on recently taxonomical and phylogenetic works including type A (Atriplex), type C (Chenopodium), and type D (Dysphania). Pore number had a major role to construct group 2. The number of echinate on pore membrane and on 10 μ m2 area of exine had major roles in constructing of group 1. The other pollen grains characters were important for the delimitation of both groups.

Original observation on meiotic or mitotic chromosome numbers are reported for 17 taxa in nine families of Angiosperms plant from Iran including: Ammi majus (n=11), Anthemis pseudocotula (n=9), Centaurea kotschyi var. persica (n=27, 2n=54), Jurinea macrocephala (n=17), Scorzonera cana (n=7), Scorzonera raddeana (n=6), Physorrhynchus chamaerapistrum (n=16), Onosma rostellatum (n=12), Silene conoidea (n=10), Umbilicus tropaeolifolius (n=18), Polygala hohenackeriana (n=7), Batrachium rionoo (n=8), Hyoscyamus leucanthera (n=17), Hyoscyamus niger (n=17), H. pusillus (n=34), H. reticulatus (n=17), H. senecionis var. bipinnotisectus (n=34). Chromosome count for six species: H. senecionis var. bipinnatisectus, Onosma rostellatum, H. leucanthera, Polygala hohenackeriana, Scorzonera raddeana, and Umbilicus tropaeolifolius are reported here for the first time and four count including: Ammi majus, Centaurea kotschyi var. persica, Scorzonera cana, and Batrachium rionii is new for the flora of Iran.

The hunting-prohibited area of Dorodzan dam is located at Fars province (Iran). The area is about 30, 000 hectares and its vascular flora has been studied during 2011– 12. In the present study, a total of 1876 plant specimens were collected and 529 taxa, belonging to 345 genera and 76 families were identified. The life form rates of the taxa are as follows: therophytes (40. 6%), hemicryptophytes (30. 92%), cryptophytes (13. 47%), chamaephytes (8. 91%), and phanerophytes (6. 07%), respectively. Large families in terms of number of genera and species are Asteraceae (76 species), Fabaceae (48 species), Poaceae (45 species), Lamiaceae (38 species), Brassicaceae (27 species), Apiaceae (24 species), Caryophyllaceae (21 species), and Boraginaceae (17 species). The richest genera are Astragalus (21 species) Cousinia, Centaurea, Euphorbia, Scorzonera, and Silene (seven species each), Allium, Cyperus, and Nepeta (six species each). Among biogeographical regions, the main phytogeographical affinity of the species, was Irano-Turanian (55. 59%). In addition, 80 taxa (15. 12%) were considered as endemic to Iran.

Tanacetum tenuissimum is reported as a new record from E Azerbaijan province (NW of Iran). The species by having some characters such as plant height (15– 40 cm), length of pappus (0. 2– 0. 4 mm), achene length (1. 8– 3. 2 mm) and ribs (6– 10), margin of pappus (crenulate), length and width of capitula (4. 5 × 8 mm), and basal leaves (5 × 1 cm) are distinguishable from its close relative T. tabrisianum. In addition, the survey of light and scanning electron microscopy showed pollen grains are tricolporate and echinate (Anthemis-type). Based on the P/E ratio (Polar axis/Equatorial diameter), shape and percentage of the pollen grains were found to be oblate-spheroidal (75%), suboblate (15%), and spheroidal (10%). Distribution map of the new record species and two relatives (T. canescens and T. tabrisianum) in the world and Iran, morphological and micromorphological characteristics of pollen grains and identification key are presented herewith.

In the current survey, a detailed account in pollen morphology of 22 species of Sedum s. l. in Iran are presented using light (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The pollen grains are radially symmetrical, isopolar, mostly trizonocolporate and rarely tetrazonocolporate, small-to-medium sized, prolate, subprolate, and prolate-spheroidal in shape. Two types of exine sculpturing (regulate-striate and regulate-striate-perforate) were recognized. Among the examined characters, pollen shape and size were taxonomically useful in the intergeneric classification and segregation of the genera Phedimus and Hylotelephium from Sedum s. s. . Numerical analysis (unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic averages and principal components analysis) of 15 qualitative and quantitative characters also confirmed the delimitation of these genera. The PCA analysis of the selected pollen morphological characters indicated the alliance of two sections Sedum and Epeteium. Pollen morphological characters are also taxonomically informative to provide good data for species delimitation.

Artemisia is a polymorphic and widespread genus from the Asteraceae family. This genus includes more than 500 species out of which 37 species have been reported from Iran. Widely distributed in the desert area of Iran that makes this genus as one of the main elements of the Irano-Turanian region. In this study, eight species of Artemisia from different parts of Isfahan province were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and light microscopy (LM) techniques based on both qualitative and quantitative features of foliar epidermal cells. Type of epidermal cells varied from polygonal to irregular and elongated in shape with wavy to smooth in margins. This study, defined three different types of stomata: anemocytic, anisocytic, and paracytic on both the adaxial and the abaxial sides of Artemisia leaves species. Six different types of both glandular and non-glandular trichomes including capitate, peltate, aduncate, tectorial, conical type, and stinging hair types were observed in these species.

Zataria multiflora is the only known species of the genus Zataria, which usually grows on dry and mountainous areas in the southwest, south and southeast of the Iranian plateau. Excessive harvesting, unfavorable climatic conditions and uncontrolled grazing have endangered its survival in native habitats. Therefore, identifying habitats and investigating morphological diversity are necessary to protect their populations. Between 2018 and 2019, the growth areas of this species were identified in different provinces of Iran and 15 populations in five provinces were selected to evaluate morphological diversity. Twenty-one morphological traits were analyzed by different methods. The number of inflorescences per plant, dry weight, the number of flowers per inflorescences, and fresh weight (coefficient of variation of 93. 76, 73. 08, 71. 01, and 64. 25%, respectively) were the main morphological traits with the highest variation among populations. Phenotypic correlation analysis showed a significant correlation among leaf dimensions, biomass parameters and reproductive traits. Cluster analysis, divided the 15 populations into two independent clusters. Thirteen populations with rather low amounts of morphological traits were grouped in the first cluster. In addition, two populations including Khonj and Juyom populations were placed in the second cluster that was characterized by higher values of important morphological traits in breeding programs of medicinal plants. Finally, in the present study it was observed that, high morphological variations in Z. multiflora populations from different parts of Iran that may be attributed to their different ecological, geographical origin and genetic factors.

Studying the cyanobacteria strains grown on different culture media has led to controversies when they are identified by classic keys. Hence, the main target of this study is to identify cyanobacteria strains and compare their distribution in different soil, then identification the culture media with the highest stability and least effect on their variations. In this regard, soils samples of Ala gol, Aji gol, and Alma gol lakes belong to Golestan province (north of Iran), were collected and cyanobacteria taxa were isolated, and identified. In addition, an attempt was made to determine their incidence with some physicochemical characteristics of the soils. Morphological observation showed that five different strains were identified in Ajigol, four different strains in Alagol, and two different strains in Alma gol. Results of morphological identification showed that, Nostoc punensis and Anabaena sp. are common in Ala gol and Aji gol lakes, except Alma gol lake, where its EC was the highest and Dulcicalothrix alborzica and Neowestiellopsis persica were the only species found in the stands. Then two strains of Nostoc punensis and Desmonostoc salinum which had very variable morphology in culture media, were grown on Z8 and BG-11 culture media without nitrogen, and morphological variations of cells were measured from the inoculating time up to the end of the stationary phase of their growth. In addition, morphological variations showed that, vegetative cells and akinetes of both strains changed into spiral form and large and heterocytes also had a bony form on BG-11 medium but retained their natural form in Z8 medium. Accordingly, the Z8 medium is suggested to be used for its stability as preferred culture media to provide less morphological variations.

Reseda microcarpa subsp. zanjanica is described as a new subspecies from Zanjan province (NW Iran). Morphological and micromorphological characteristics (flowers, leaves, inflorescences, fruits, seeds, and pollen grains), habitat features (ecological conditions that influenced the growth of this taxon such as altitudes and growing beds), distribution, taxonomic notes, and conservation status (IUCN Red List categories and criteria) are provided and compared for new subspecies and R. microcarpa subsp. microcarpa. Moreover, statistical analysis by multi-variate statistical analyses software (MVSP) segregated both the taxa based on morphological and micromorphological characteristics (quantitative and qualitative) with Principal Components Analysis (PCA). All characteristics formed three groups (group B: plant height and inflorescence length, group C: polar pollen axis and minimum and the average of colpus measurements, and group A: includes the rest studied morphological and micromorphological characteristics) except one characteristic (i. e. maximum size of colpus measurements) and two groups had high value for segregation of both taxa based on the statistical analysis (group C for R. microcarpa subsp. microcarpa, and group B for the new subspecies). Although, characteristic group A was valuable in the position of both taxa, the maximum size of colpus had the lowest value.

Human activities specially increasing international trades during last century such as import and export of agricultural products make to occur many alien species in new regions. Some of these species cause major economic and environmental damages to biodiversity and agriculture (Pimentel 2009). Most exotic plants introduced and established in Iran ecosystems were introduced for ornamental purposes (Pahlevani & Sajedi 2011). Among three main phytogeographical regions of Iran, Irano-Turanian, Euro-Siberian (Hyrcanian province) and Sahara-Sindian, the two last ones in north and south Iran, respectively have rarely annual freezing temperature for a longtime and has made these regions have vulnerable ecosystems to the introduced plant species. Euphorbia L. with eight introduced species is the largest group of flowering plants in Iran with weedy or invasive behavior (Pahlevani & Riina 2011). All eight neophytes have New World origin and belong to subgen. Chamaesyce Raf. Of the eight introduced species, five belong to sect. Anisophyllum Roep. subsect. Hypericifoliae Boiss. (Pahlevani et al. 2020). Although, the members of the subsection have C4 photosynthesis pathway, they occur in temperate, warm temperate and tropical regions. The weediness of this group is facilitated by quick generation turnover (several generation per growing season), creeping habit, high seed set, and long-distance seed dispersal (Yang & Berry 2011). During the recent fieldwork in Kerman province (S Iran), a weed specimen of Euphorbia was collected from Henna field at Jiroft Research Center that did not match the descriptions of any known Iranian species. After close examination of the newly collected specimens and check them with the key presented in existing floras and revisions (Radcliffe-Smith 1980, Radcliffe-Smith 1986, Von Raab-Straube & Raus 2015, Mugnai et al. 2021) it was found to be a new record of sect. Anisophyllum subsect. Hypericifoliae with following morphological features: Euphorbia hypericifolia L., Sp. Pl. 454 (1753). Type (lectotype, designated by Fosberg & Mazzeo 1965: 199). — [s. l. ]. Herb. Linn. 630/4 (LINN)...