The present survey reports maximum parsimony (MP) and Bayesian phylogenetic analyses of the genus Potentilla L. in Iran using the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of nuclear ribosomal DNA and the trnL-F intergenic region of chloroplast DNA. A total of 25 taxa from 9 sections, 2 intersectional hybrids, and 4 related genera of Iranian taxa plus 40 previously sequenced data were analyzed for both trnL-F and nrDNA ITS regions. Individual and combined analysis of ITS and trnL/F data revealed monophyly of the genus Potentilla. The Potentilla core group was composed of monophyletic subclades of the sections Persicae (Th.Wolf) Juz., Potentilla, Micranthae Sojak., and Speciosae (Th.Wolf) Juz.; unresolved branches of the sections Rivales Poeverl., Aureae (Rydb.) Juz., Terminales, (Döll) Gren. & Godr., and Pensylvanicae Poeverl.; and the American genera Ivesia and Horkelia. The evolutionary trends of some diagnostic morphological traits were evaluated. Anther structure, and style shape and position evolved independently while multiple gains and parallel evolutions were inferred for leaf division.
This paper reports the morphological characters of 18 Iranian species of the genus Alchemilla using light and scanning electron microscopy. The pollen grains are monad, radially symmetrical, isopolar, or subisopolar; small to medium in size; triand tetracolporate; rectangular to cylindrical (from equatorial view) and triangular to circular (from polar view) in outline; and prolate-spheroidal to subprolate and prolate in shape. The exine ornamentation is psilate and microechinate. Based on the exine sculpturing and microechinate distribution pattern, three main types, four subtypes, and two categories of pollen grains were recognized. We used cluster analysis and principal component analysis to determine the potential contribution of pollen morphological characters to the species relationships. Our findings revealed the significance of palynological evidence in explaining the species relationship. The results of two multivariate analyses showed a close affinity among the seven studied species (A. amardica, A. sericata, A. fluminea, A. kurdica, A. hyrcana, A. sedelmeyeriana, and A. pesudocartalinica).
Indumentum types of the leaves in 31 species of Potentilla L. (Rosaceae) and four related genera, especially Tylosperma Botsch., Schistophyllidium (Juz. ex Fed.) Ikonn., Drymocallis Fourr. ex Rydb., and Sibbaldia L. from Iran were investigated. Indumentum ultrastructure was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). SEM observation revealed three type classes based on leaf indumentum: 1) straight (appressed-erect); 2) straight-erect and crispate, and 3) crispate-floccose. The straight hair character (I type class) is widely distributed among all genera sampled and six sections of Potentilla. In contrast the crispate-floccose indumentum (III type class) is confined to all examined species of sections Speciosae and Pensylvanicae. While some sections especially Rectae (straight and straight-crispate hairs) and Terminales (straight-crispate and floccose-crispate) posses two indumentum type classes. The present survey shows that indumentum types are of systematic importance and may form good key characters for identification purposes
A new species, Polygala guilanica (Polygalaceae), is described from Kooh-Roubar, Gasht-Roodkhan protected area in W Guilan province, N Iran. The new species is distinguished based on its prostrate stem; small, lanceolate, ovate and rhombic, sessile leaves; tiny pink-white flowers in lax terminal racemes; 6 or 8 stamens with sessile anthers, a filiform style and brownish seed with 3-lobed caruncle. Detailed morphological description of the new species, photographs and distribution map are provided. Polygala guilanica is compared with the morphologically closest species: P. kurdica, P. hohenackeriana and P. anatolica. An updated identification key is provided for the Iranian species.
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