Rostaniha
Year:2022 | Volume:23 | Issue:2|Papers Count:14

In the present survey, leaf micromorphological characters of 14 species belonging to three genera viz. Lythrum, Ammannia, and Rotala (Lythraceae) were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results revealed two types of trichomes, three types of the papilla, nine types and five sub-types of epicuticular wax ornamentation, three types of anticlinal wall and outer periclinal layer, four types of outer stomatal rim/peristomatal rim pattern on both sides of the leaf surfaces. These characteristics are quite useful from taxonomic point of view. Based on the micromorphological characteristics of the leaves, an identification key is also provided for the studied species. Numerical analyses (unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic averages and principal components analysis) was used to find out the similarities and micromorphological correlations among the studied taxa. The present study revealed the alliance of eight Lythrum species, while some traits overlap between Ammannia, Rotala, and three Lythrum. The results also showed that, numerical analyses of leaf micmorphological traits is unable to determine the delimitation of the studied genera.

The seed morphology of 15 species of Prangos (Apiaceae) from Iran has been examined using light and scanning electron microscopies. Macro-and micromorphological features, including seed shape, color, size, epidermal cell shape, anticlinal boundaries, outer periclinal cell wall, and characteristics of outer cell walls have been investigated. Based on epidermal cell size, cell arrangement, cell anticlinal and periclinal walls, three types of anticlinal cell wall boundaries were recognized. The study showed that, the seed coat ornamentation pattern could be helpful in identification of species. The purpose of this study was to describe and compare external seed morphological characteristics of Prangos species and to evaluate their possible use for taxonomic considerations. In addition, based on the seed exomorphic criteria extracted from LM and SEM, an artificial key to the species of the genus is provided.

In this research, the molecular phylogeny of the genus Sanguisorba including two species (S. officinalis and S. minor), and the three subspecies (S. minor subsp. muricata, S. minor subsp. lasiocarpa, and S. minor subsp. minor) were studied from Iran using nrDNA ITS and cpDNA rpl32-trnL(UAG). For this purpose, 26 taxa, comprising four Iranian samples plus 22 previously sequenced data received from GenBank were analyzed. The phylogenetic relationships were reconstructed within Sanguisorba using maximum parsimony and Bayesian analyses. The results of nuclear sequence analysis showed separation of two subfamilies (Agrimoniinae and Sanguisorbinae), monophyly of Sanguisorba, complete separation of S. officinalis (in Sanguisorba clade) from S. minor and the three subspecies (in Poterium clade). Although, the intraspecific relationship remained unresolved, but it was found that, the use of micro-and macromorphological criteria could be used as an important tool in different taxonomic ranks, especially in intraspecific identification. In addition, average sequence divergence, genetic differentiation, morphological, and micromorphological evidence are discussed.

In the present study, the vegetation of Kaboodan Island, the largest island of saltwater Urmia Lake (northwest of Iran) was documented, predominantly based on a vegetation profile established across the island. For this purpose, vegetation sampling was carried out along a north-south profile together with some scattered points. Vegetation data analysis was accomplished in the form of classification using TWINSPAN and ordination using DCA. The synoptic table of vegetation units and the schematic view of vegetation profile were also presented. From a total of 107 relevés, 24 plant communities were distinguished according to floristic and ecological characteristics in Kaboodan Island. They were categorized into three groups including: 1. Plant communities formed on the dried bed of Urmia Lake (on the island present-day shorelines), 2. Plant communities developed on the island former shorelines, and 3. Plant communities found on hills adjacent to shorelines, steppe areas and valleys of the island. The result of the present survey showed that, Kaboodan Island with a less-touched ecosystem and no anthropogenic activities over decades is a home to various plant species and vegetation types. Considering to unstable hydrological condition of Urmia Lake in recent years, conservation and vegetation monitoring is highly recommended for this and other islands of the lake facing the succession trend.

In studying different taxonomic aspects of the tribe Echinophoreae, the typification status of all species was reviewed. In the present study, authors of the paper designated a syntype for Pycnocycla aucheriana var. aucheriana name and rejected type conditions for a few specimens of Anisosciadium orientale and P. aucheriana var. aucheriana. In addition, some corrections in location and specimen information have been made on a number of type specimens of A. orientale, P. cespitosa, and P. spinosa var. aitchisonii at herbaria C, K, and P.

In the present research, scanning electron microscope (SEM) was employed to observe the outer perianth (sepal) of 14 species of Campanula (Campanulaceae) in the north and northwest of Iran through micromorphological studies. Hence, by a precise observation, the perianths were examined in terms of hairiness, hair shape, hair density and epidermal pattern, and then a table of traits was prepared. The species were further categorized into two groups: hairy and hairless, in terms of hairiness, into five groups: stellate, strigose, villouse, crispate, and hooked, and in terms of hair variations into five groups: striate, rugose, cup-shaped, papillate, and striate-papillate. According to the results, the species complex C. reuteriana and C. propinqua exhibit differences in terms of the hair type, perianth, as well as epidermal pattern of the perianth. Furthermore, based on the results of this research, the micromorphological studies of the epidermal pattern of perianth confirmed the separation of species complex C. trachelium from C. latifolia. In general, the present study revealed that, species are differentiated and identified via their micromorphological features.

Cyanobacteria are important part of microflora in terrestrial ecosystems. Due to the presence of protective mechanisms in these microorganisms, they have potential to tolerate abnormal ecological conditions especially in arid and semi-arid habitats. In the present study, the diversity, distribution and community’s structure of the heterocystous cyanobacteria isolated from natural habitats of Iran with different solar radiation gradient were investigated. In total, 41 heterocystous morphospecies were isolated from soils of 21 studied sites. The isolated taxa were belonged to eight genera including Nostoc (54. 68%) followed by the Calothrix (13. 63%), Cylindrospermum (9. 76%), Anabaena (7. 32%), Trichormus (7. 32%), Wollea (2. 43%), Nodularia (2. 43%), and Hapalosiphon (2. 43%), respectively. According to the results, ecological factors such as solar radiation, relative humidity, and soil salinity can affect the diversity and distribution of these cyanobacteria in terrestrial ecosystems. The results also showed that, some taxa were dominant in stations with high radiation levels. Among the identified taxa, Nostoc was found to be the dominant genus at all stations, especially in sites with higher solar radiation levels. In addition, the presence of the brown Nostoc species in arid areas confirming their resistance due to their high amount of carotenoids content and other protective mechanisms that protect them from high light intensity.

Carduus with about 90 species with diversity center in Eurasia (mainly in Mediterranean region) is also scattered in northern and central Africa. Carduus is usually similar to Cirsium for its medium-to large-sized heads, very spiny leaves, and achenes with apical nectary as well as a long pappus detachable as a single piece. So far, eight species have been reported from Iran, namely, C. thoermeri, C. onopordioides, C. hamulosus, C. transcaspicus, C. seminudus, C. getulus, C. pycnocephalus, and C. arabicus. During the study of the plants collected from W. Azarbaijan province (west of Iran), an interesting specimen was identified as C. lanuginosus which is reported here as a new record for the flora of Iran. Description, distribution map, and some notes for species are presented.

Spiraea pilosa Franch. is encompassing the high elevations (1000–3000 m) in the Tien-Shan and Pamir-Alay mountain ranges (Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Pakistan, Tadzhikistan, and Uzbekistan). Second-step lectotype is designated here for the name S. pilosa Franch. and the lectotype is designated for S. brahuica var. glaucophylla Kitam., a basionym of S. pilosa subsp. glaucophylla (Kitam. ) Schönb.-Tem. Distribution of S. pilosa subsp. pilosa and S. pilosa subsp. glaucophylla (Kitam. ) Schönb.-Tem. is also provided.

Cnidiocapra consists of five species that are distributed in the Caucasus, Southwest Asia, and Central Asia. Up to now, only one species of this genus, namely, C. alata, is known in Iran. During the floristic study of the Aq-Dagh Protected Area (south of Ardabil province, Iran), C. physospermifolia another species of this genus was observed and identified from the subalpine wetland. This species is characterized by striated stems, 2-ternate leaves, absent or one linear bract, scabrous and unequal rays, and 4–6 commissural vittae. This paper provides the description, and diagnostic images of the plant along with its distribution. The identification key for Cnidiocapra species is also presented.

The genus Erodium comprising nearly 74 species is almost a cosmopolitan taxon, however, the Mediterranean basin harboring about 80% of all species is considered the species diversity center of this genus. Erodium amanum reported here as a new record for the flora of Iran, is a dwarf dioecious perennial plant growing in a few restricted habitats at alpine steppes of NW of Iran. The genus is currently represented by 12 annual and four perennial species in Iran, of which only one is endemic. Its description, geographical distribution map, photos, and morphological comparison with its close species are provided.

Coniothyrium Corda belonges to the family Coniothyriaceae, and contains several species mainly pathogenic on plants and immunocompromised patients (Verkley 2014). Members of this genus are characterised by pycnidial conidiomata that mostly produce relatively small, subhyaline to pigmented, 1-or 2-celled conidia. During winter 2020, while conducting a survey on pathogenic and non-pathogenic fungi from Zagrosian forest trees in Dezful (Khuzestan province, Iran), two strains of Coniothyrium were isolated from leaves of Daphne mucronata Royle showing some leaf spots. To isolate fungi, small pieces from the interface between healthy and diseased leaves tissue (3–7 mm) were excised and surface-sterilised in 2% sodium hypochlorite (1–1. 5 min), followed by rinsing three times in sterile distilled water (2 min), and finally dried up on sterile filter paper. The plant pieces were placed on potato-dextrose-agar medium (PDA) supplemented with 30 mgL−1 of streptomycin. After 10 days of incubation at 25 °C, two identical isolates were recovered and purified using single hyphal tip method. One isolate (SCUA-Ar-S9D) was selected for further morphological and molecular analyses. This isolate is preserved at the Iranian Fungal Culture Collection (IRAN 4783C), located at the Iranian Research Institute of Plant Protection (Tehran, Iran).

The campus of Iranian Research Institute of Plant Protection (Tehran, Iran), due to the great extent, rich vegetation, specific geographical location of the boundary between urban and Alborz mountain, high altitude, located within an urban area, also from various aspects of biological, ecological, biodiversity and environment also help to reduce air pollution of the region is an important urban location. In 2013, in the form of a research project, the mycorrhizal fungi of the said place was investigated.

In the framework of collecting and identifying of larger fungi of Iran, specimens of a club fungus were collected from Sangdeh forests (Mazandaran province) in autumn 2022. Specimens were identified as Macrotyphula fistulosa (Holmsk. ) R. H. Petersen (Agaricomycetes, Typhulaceae). This is the first report of a species from genus Macrotyphula in Iran. Morphological characteristics of specimens are as follows: Fruitbodies long-cylindrical, simple clubs with rounded, blunt or mitriform tips, solitary to gregarious, ochre to light brown in color, 7–25 cm high and 5–8 mm broad in tip, fruiting on small pieces of rotting wood. Spores white in prints, lacrimiform (teardrop-shaped), smooth, 10–15 × 5–8 µm, hyaline, inamyloid. The species apparently has widespread geographical distribution, Europe, and United States.