A Review on the Taxonomic,Evolutionary and Phytogeographic Studies of the Lotus Plant(Nelumbonaceae:Nelumbo)

Nelumbo Adans. （Nelumbonaceae） is an important member of the early-diverging eudicots. It contains two extant species： N. nucifera Gaertn. （the Sacred lotus）, distributed in Asia and Australia and N. lutea Willd. （the American lotus）, occurring in North America. This paper reviews the taxonomic, evolutionary and phytogeographic studies of the genus Nelumbo, and also raises scientific questions about it in further paleobotanic research. There are about 30 fossil species of Nelumbo established since the Early Cretaceous. Based on fossil studies, the ancestors of the extant N. nucifera and N. lutea are respectively considered to be N. protospeciosa from the Eocene to Miocene of Eurasia, and N. protolutea from the Eocene of North American. However, molecular systematic studies indicate that N. nucifera and N. lutea are probably split from a common ancestor during the Late Miocene to Early Pliocene, or even the Pleistocene, rather than separate relicts from extinct species on different continents. The characters of lotus stomatal development, seedling morphology as well as its flowering, pollination and fertilization in air reveal that it evolves from the land plants. Fossil data of Nelumbo indicates that the genus first occurs in mid-latitude area of Laurasia in the Early Cretaceous, then becomes widespread in North America and Eurasia and expands into Africa and South America during the Late Cretaceous; the genus probably colonizes the Indian Subcontinent from Asia during the Early Eocene after the collision of India and the Asian plates; the genus becomes extinct in Europe, but survives in Asia and North America during the Quaternary Ice Age, and later forms the present East Asia and North Australia-North America disjunctive distribution.

Xingxueanthus: An Enigmatic Jurassic Seed Plant and Its Implications for the Origin of Angiospermy

The origin of angiosperms has been tantalizing botanists for centuries. Despite the efforts of palaeobotanists, most of the pre-Cretaceous angiosperms are regarded either non-convincing or misdated. The applications of SEM and LM （light microscope） enable us to recognize a coalified fossil plant, Xingxueanthus sinensis gen. et sp. nov., from the Haifanggou Formation （Middle Jurassic, 〉160 Ma） in western Liaoning, China. Xingxueanthus is an ＂inflorescence＂ with more than 20 female units spirally arranged. Each female unit is situated in the axii of a bract. The female unit is composed of an ovule-container and a style-like projection at the top. There is a vertical column bearing several ovules in the ovule-container. The general morphology and the internal structure of Xingxueanthus distinguish itself from any known fossil and extant gymnosperms, and its structures are more comparable to those of angiosperms. Xingxueanthus, if taken as a gymnosperm, would represent a new class, demonstrate an evolutionarily advanced status of ovule-protection in gymnosperms never seen before, and provide new insights into the origin of angiospermy. Alternatively, if taken as an angiosperm, together with Schmeissneria, it would increase the diversity of Jurassic angiosperms, which has been underestimated for a long time, and suggest a much earlier origin of angiospermy than currently accepted.

Recent advances on phylogenomics of gymnosperms and a new classification

Living gymnosperms comprise four major groups:cycads,Ginkgo,conifers,and gnetophytes.Relationships among/within these lineages have not been fully resolved.Next generation sequencing has made available a large number of sequences,including both plastomes and single-copy nuclear genes,for reconstruction of solid phylogenetic trees.Recent advances in gymnosperm phylogenomic studies have updated our knowledge of gymnosperm systematics.Here,we review major advances of gymnosperm phylogeny over the past 10 years and propose an updated classification of extant gymnosperms.This new classification includes three classes(Cycadopsida,Ginkgoopsida,and Pinopsida),five subclasses(Cycadidae,Ginkgoidae,Cupressidae,Pinidae,and Gnetidae),eight orders(Cycadales,Ginkgoales,Araucariales,Cupressales,Pinales,Ephedrales,Gnetales,and Welwitschiales),13 families,and 86 genera.We also described six new tribes including Acmopyleae Y.Yang,Austrocedreae Y.Yang,Chamaecyparideae Y.Yang,Microcachrydeae Y.Yang,Papuacedreae Y.Yang,and Prumnopityeae Y.Yang,and made 27 new combinations in the genus Sabina.

Phylogenetic analysis of Toxicodendron(Anacardiaceae) and its biogeographic implications on the evolution of north temperate and tropical intercontinental disjunctions

Toxicodendron is a genus in the Rhus complex of Anacardiaceae with a disjunct distribution between eastern Asia and North America, extending to southeastern Asia and the neotropics. Nuclear （internal transcribed spacer, external transcribed spacer, and NIA-i3） and chloroplast （ndhF and trnL-F） sequences were used to construct phylogenetic relationships of Toxicodendron. Phylogenetic analysis of these data strongly support Toxieodendron as a monophyletic group distinct from other genera of the Rhus complex, and the phylogeny does not fully corroborate classification at the sectional level. Two temperate disjunct lineages were detected, one from section Toxicodendron and the other between the eastern North American Toxicodendron vernix and the eastern Asian Toxicodendron vernieifluum. Their divergence times were estimated to be 13.46 （7.95-19.42） and 7.53 （2.76-12.86） mya, respectively. The disjunction between section Griffithii （taxa from warm temperate to tropical Asia） and Toxieodendron striatum （from the neotropics） was supported and their divergence time was estimated to be 20.84 （11.1 6-30.52） mya in the early Miocene. Our biogeographic results and the paleontological data support the Bering land bridge as the most likely route to explain the temperate disjunctions, yet the tropical disjunction in Toxicodendron seems to be best explained by the North Atlantic land bridge hypothesis.

Germination and early seedling growth of Pinus densata Mast.provenances

We studied seed germination and early seedling growth of Pinus densata to explore the range of variability within the species and to inform afforestation practices. Phenotypes were evaluated at a forest tree nursery under conditions that support Pinus yunnanensis, one of the presumed parental species of P. densata. Seeds were col- lected from 20 open-pollinated trees within each of eight autochthonous populations representing the natural distri- bution of P. densata in China to assess variation in ger- mination traits and early seedling growth, and to examine the relationships among these traits. Results showed that seeds from all populations germinated and seedlings established successfully. There were significant differences among populations in 13 of 14 traits evaluated. Seed germination and early seedling growth were strongly related to seed size and seed weight. Bigger seeds germi- nated earlier and faster than small seeds, and seedling size was positively correlated with seed size. Some germination traits were strongly and significantly correlated with cli- matic variables associated with the provenance of the studied populations. Based on these observations, we conclude there were large, significant, and biologically important differences among P. densata populations in seed germination and seedling growth traits. The observed variability probably reflects a high degree of adaptive dif- ferentiation among populations that is likely to be relevant for future afforestation.

Distribution patterns and industry planning of commonly used traditional Chinese medicinal plants in China

Medicinal plants are the primary material basis for disease prevention and treatment in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM).The conservation and sustainable utilization of these medicinal plants is critical for the development of the TCM industry.However,wild medicinal plant resources have sharply declined in recent decades.To ameliorate the shortage of medicinal plant resources,it is essential to explore the development potential of the TCM industry in different geographical regions.For this purpose,we examined the spatial distribution of commonly used medicinal plants in China,the number of Chinese medicinal material markets,and the number of TCM decoction piece enterprises.Specifically,multispecies superimposition analysis and Thiessen polygons were used to reveal the optimal range for planting bulk medicinal plants and the ideal regions for building Chinese medicinal material markets,respectively.Furthermore,we quantitatively analyzed mismatches between the spatial distribution of commonly used medicinal plant richness,Chinese medicinal material markets,and TCM decoction piece enterprises.We found that the areas suitable for growing commonly used medicinal plants in China were mainly distributed in Hengduan Mountain,Nanling Mountain,Wuling Mountain,and Daba Mountain areas.The Thiessen polygon network based on Chinese medicinal material market localities showed there are currently fewer markets in southwestern,northwestern,and northeastern China than in central and southern China.TCM decoction piece enterprises are concentrated in a few provinces,such as Hebei and Jiangxi.We found that the distribution of commonly used medicinal plants,Chinese medicinal material markets and TCM decoction piece enterprises are mismatched in Henan,Shaanxi,Hunan,Hubei,Zhejiang,Fujian,Chongqing,and Xizang.We recommend strengthening development of the TCM industry in Henan,Hunan,Zhejiang,Shaanxi,Hubei,Chongqing,Fujian,and Xizang;building more Chinese medicinal material markets in southwestern,northwestern,and northeastern China;and establishing medicinal plant nurseries in resource-rich provinces to better protect and domesticate local medicinal plants.

Four new species and a new record of Orchidinae(Orchidaceae:Orchideae)from China

Four new species of Orchidaceae from China,Heminium lijiangense,Peristylus fasciculatus,Platanthera milinensis,and Ponerorchis gongshanensis,together with a new country record,Peristylus tenuicallus,are described and illustrated based on morphological and/or phylogenetic analyses.Heminium lijiangense is closely related to H.elisabethae but differs from it by having the dorsal sepal ovate-orbicular and lip midlobe distinctly shorter than lateral lobes.P.fasciculatus is close to Peristylus tradescantifolius but is distinguished from it by having several fascicled and straight,root-like tubers(vs.one or two oblongoid tubers),old stems usually persistent,middle lobe of lip narrowly ligulate-lanceolate and half as long as the lateral lobes(vs.middle lobe deltoid,about a third as long as the lateral lobes or less),a raised callus at the base of each lateral lobe(vs.callus absent),spur gradually attenuate toward the apex(vs.spur clavate).Platanthera milinensis is similar to P.stenochila by sharing small green flowers and lip without a spur,but differs in having a creeping rhizome,a corymbose inflorescence,and a broadly ovate and slightly 3-lobed lip.Ponerochis gongshanensis is similar to P.faberi in its small flowers,but differs in having a linear leaf c.3 mm wide(vs.leaf 5-13 mm wide),in the lip having collar-like raised margins on the sides of the spur entrance,and a mid-lobe which is notched at the apex but not divided into two divergent lobules that are nearly as large as the lateral lobes,as in P.faberi.All the proposed species obtained high support in phylogenetic analysis as new species.The recently described genus Apetalanthe is reduced to synonymy of Ponerorchis and a new combination is made.

A comparative study of mangrove floras in China and India

Species compositions in the mangrove habitats of China and India, especially on Hainan Island （China） and on the Sun- darbans and the Andaman ＆ Nicobar Islands （India）, are of interest, showing several similarities and differences. The total mangrove areas of India cover about 6419 km^2 with 43 species （23 major and 20 minor species）, while the mangrove areas of China cover about 150 km^2 with 26 speices （19 major and 7 minor speices）. We carried out a comparison of mangrove floras in the Indian Sundarbans, Andaman ＆ Nicobar Islands and in Hainan Island. The mangrove areas of the Indian Sundarbans comprise about 66.5% of the total Indian mangroves, presently covering an area of 4267 km^2 with 35 species from 22 genera and 16 families. There are 34 species from 17 genera and l 3 families in the Andaman ＆ Nicobar Islands. Hainan Island is considered a distribution center of mangroves; it has the largest number of mangrove species in China, i.e., 25 species from 15 genera and 12 families, accounting for about 96% of the total number of mangrove species in China. The mangroves of Hainan Island and the Andaman ＆ Nicobar Islands belong to island types, while those of Sundarbans belong to inter-tidal deltaic types. Differences in soil type, rainfall, temperature, tidal fluctuation and other climatic features possibly cause variations in floristic composition of these regions.

New contributions to Goodyerinae and Dendrobiinae(Orchidaceae)in the flora of China

Eight new species from China,Cheirostylis chuxiongensis,C.yei,Myrmechis lingulata,M.longii,Bulbophyllum ximaense,B.xizangense,B.retusum and B.pulcherissimum,are described and illustrated.Cheirostylis chuxiongensis differs from C.thailandica by having 5-9 irregular and papillae-like calli on each side in the sac of the lip,epichile with entire lobes,petals narrowly obliquely obovate and an apex that is not recurved.Cheirostylis yei is easily distinguished from its relatives similar by having a long stem,pubescent ovary and sepals,epichile lobes with irregular and undulate margins,a subquadrate callus without teeth in the saccate hypochile.Myrmechis lingulata differs from M.chinensis by having a simple and lanceolate to ligulate lip,glabrous bracts and ovary,oblique and narrowly ovate petals.Myrmechis longii differs from M.pumila by having white-veined leaves,oblong-lanceolate epichile lobes,and viscidium attached to the middle of the caudicle.Bulbophyllum ximaense is easily distinguished from its relatives similar by having distant pseudobulbs,shorter scape,an inflorescence with 9-16 orange-red flowers,shorter lateral sepals with a long acuminate apex,incurved and tubular apical margins,a papillate lip disk and triangular-subulate stelidia.Bulbophyllum xizangense is easily distinguished from its relatives similar by having narrow lanceolate leaves,shorter inflorescence with 1-3 greenish-yellow flowers,falcate-ovoid lateral sepals,a lip with small lateral lobes and 3 keels at the base.Bulbophyllum retusum differs from B.spathulatum by having shorter inflorescence,peduncles with 2 tubular sheaths,dorsal sepals with a retuse apex,lateral sepals with lower edges that are connate to each other and free and divergent toward the apex,obovate petals with an acute or slightly retuse apex.Bulbophyllum pulcherissimum differs from B.lopalanthum by its 5-veined dorsal sepal,ovate-lanceolate lateral sepals,obliquely ovate-oblong petal,erose-toothed margins and obovate lip with a large,oblong basal callus,and an obtuse base.In addition,three species(Bulbophyllum frostii,B.raskotii and B.nematocaulon)are reported for the first time in China.

Microsporogenesis and meiotic behavior in nine species of the genus Pinus

The meiotic behavior of 10 taxa （nine species and one variety） of the genus Pinus was investigated using pollen mother cells （PMCs） to reveal the differentiation among karyotypes. Chromosome spreads were prepared by conventional squashing. The meiotic index and the average configuration were higher, whereas the frequency of aberrance （chromosomal bridges, fragments, or micronuclei） was lower, in all 10 taxa compared with other gynmosperms. The meiotic index, average configuration, and frequency of irregularity were found to be uniform among the species. It was shown that the genomes of the Pinus species investigated were highly stable, confirming results of previous mitotic analyses in this genus. However, slight differentiation of homologous chromosomes among genomes was revealed by analysis of meiotic configurations in Pinus nigra var. poiretiana. Quadrivalents were observed in 9.31% of PMCs in this species. This is the first time that quadrivalents have been observed in gymnosperms.

Three new species of Liparis s.l.(Orchidaceae:Malaxideae)from Southwest China based on morphological characters and phylogenetic evidence

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.

Genome size evolution of the extant lycophytes and ferns

Ferns and lycophytes have remarkably large genomes.However,little is known about how their genome size evolved in fern lineages.To explore the origins and evolution of chromosome numbers and genome size in ferns,we used flow cytometry to measure the genomes of 240 species(255 samples)of extant ferns and lycophytes comprising 27 families and 72 genera,of which 228 species(242 samples)represent new reports.We analyzed correlations among genome size,spore size,chromosomal features,phylogeny,and habitat type preference within a phylogenetic framework.We also applied ANOVA and multinomial logistic regression analysis to preference of habitat type and genome size.Using the phylogeny,we conducted ancestral character reconstruction for habitat types and tested whether genome size changes simultaneously with shifts in habitat preference.We found that 2 C values had weak phylogenetic signal,whereas the base number of chromosomes(x)had a strong phylogenetic signal.Furthermore,our analyses revealed a positive correlation between genome size and chromosome traits,indicating that the base number of chromosomes(x),chromosome size,and polyploidization may be primary contributors to genome expansion in ferns and lycophytes.Genome sizes in different habitat types varied significantly and were significantly correlated with habitat types;specifically,multinomial logistic regression indicated that species with larger 2 C values were more likely to be epiphytes.Terrestrial habitat is inferred to be ancestral for both extant ferns and lycophytes,whereas transitions to other habitat types occurred as the major clades emerged.Shifts in habitat types appear be followed by periods of genomic stability.Based on these results,we inferred that habitat type changes and multiple whole-genome duplications have contributed to the formation of large genomes of ferns and their allies during their evolutionary history.

Asymmetric migration dynamics of the tropical Asian and Australasian floras

The tropical Asian and Australasian floras have a close relationship,and is a vital distribution pattern of seed plants worldwide.As estimated,more than 81 families and 225 genera of seed plants distributed between tropical Asia and Australasia.However,the evolutionary dynamics of two floras were still vague.Here,a total of 29 plant lineages,represented the main clades of seed plants and different habits,were selected to investigate the biotic interchange between tropical Asia and Australasia by integrated dated phylogenies,biogeography,and ancestral state reconstructions.Our statistics indicated that 68 migrations have occurred between tropical Asia and Australasia since the middle Eocene except terminal migrations,and the migration events from tropical Asia to Australasia is more than 2 times of the reverse.Only 12 migrations occurred before 15 Ma,whereas the remaining56 migrations occurred after 15 Ma.Maximal number of potential dispersal events(MDE) analysis also shows obvious asymmetry,with southward migration as the main feature,and indicates the climax of bi-directional migrations occurred after 15 Ma.We speculate that the formation of island chains after the Australian-Sundaland collision and climate changes have driven seed plant migrations since the middle Miocene.Furthermore,biotic dispersal and stable habitat may be crucial for floristic interchange between tropical Asia and Australasia.

Gapless genome assembly of azalea and multi-omics investigation into divergence between two species with distinct f lower color

The genus Rhododendron(Ericaceae),with more than 1000 species highly diverse in f lower color,is providing distinct ornamental values and a model system for f lower color studies.Here,we investigated the divergence between two parental species with different f lower color widely used for azalea breeding.Gapless genome assembly was generated for the yellow-f lowered azalea,Rhododendron molle.Comparative genomics found recent proliferation of long terminal repeat retrotransposons(LTR-RTs),especially Gypsy,has resulted in a 125 Mb(19%)genome size increase in species-specific regions,and a significant amount of dispersed gene duplicates(13402)and pseudogenes(17437).Metabolomic assessment revealed that yellow f lower coloration is attributed to the dynamic changes of carotenoids/f lavonols biosynthesis and chlorophyll degradation.Time-ordered gene co-expression networks(TO-GCNs)and the comparison confirmed the metabolome and uncovered the specific gene regulatory changes underpinning the distinct f lower pigmentation.B3 and ERF TFs were found dominating the gene regulation of carotenoids/f lavonols characterized pigmentation in R.molle,while WRKY,ERF,WD40,C2H2,and NAC TFs collectively regulated the anthocyanins characterized pigmentation in the red-f lowered R simsii.This study employed a multi-omics strategy in disentangling the complex divergence between two important azaleas and provided references for further functional genetics and molecular breeding.

Genetic and Geographic Patterns of Duplicate DPL Genes Causing Genetic Incompatibility Within Rice:Implications for Multiple Domestication Events in Rice

Strong genetic incompatibilities exist between two primary rice subspecies,indica and japonica.However,the wild ancestors of rice,O.nivara Sharma et Shastry and O.rufipogon Griff.,are genetically compatible.How this genetic incompatibility became established has not been clearly elucidated.To provide insights into the process,we analyzed a pair of hybrid sterility genes in rice,DOPPELGANGER 1(DPL1)and DOPPELGANGER 2(DPL2).Either of the two loci can have one defective allele(DPL1-and DPL2-).Hybrid pollen carrying both DPL1-and DPL2-alleles is sterile.To explore the origination of DPL1-and DPL2-,we sequenced the DPL1 and DPL2 genes of 811 individual plants,including Oryza sativa(132),O.nivara(296)and O.rufipogon(383).We then obtained 20 DPL1 and 34 DPL2 sequences of O.sativa from online databases.Using these sequences,we analyzed the genetic and geographic distribution patterns of DPL genes in modern rice and its wild ancestors.Compared with the ancestral populations,DPL1-and DPL2-showed reduced diversity but increased frequency in modern rice.We speculated that the diversity reduction was due to a historic genetic bottleneck,and the frequency had likely increased because the defective alleles were preferred following this artificial selection.Such results indicated that standing variances in ancestral lines can lead to severe incompatibilities among descendants.Haplotype analysis indicated that the DPL1-haplotype of rice emerged from an O.nivara population in India,whereas the DPL2-haplotype emerged from O.rufipogon in South China.Hence,the evolutionary history of DPLs conforms to the presumed multiple domestication events of modern rice.

Determination of Inorganic Elements in Paris daliensis H.Li et V.G.Souku and Paris dulongensis H.Li et S.Kuritap by ICP-OES

[Objectives] To determine 29 kinds of inorganic elements in samples of Paris daliensis H.Li et V.G.Souku and P. dulongensis H.Li et S.Kuritap produced in different regions, and to measure the content of 10 key inorganic elements: chromium(Cr), manganese(Mn), iron(Fe), copper(Cu), mercury(Hg), zinc(Zn), arsenic(As), antimony(Sr), cadmium(Cd) and lead(Pb). [Methods] The wet digestion and technique of inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry(ICP-OES) were employed. [Results] Under the experimental conditions, elements were not related to each other, and many kinds of elements could be measured at the same time; toxic and heavy metals in samples of P. daliensis H.Li et V.G.Souku and P. dulongensis H.Li et S.Kuritap did not exceed the limit; Hg was not detected in all samples. [Conclusions] This method is simple, easy to operate and reproducible. It can be used for the detection of inorganic elements in P. daliensis H.Li et V.G.Souku and P. dulongensis H.Li et S.Kuritap; the heavy metals and Hg of the rhizome meet the requirements of the limit of medicinal materials.

Determination of Moisture, Ash, Extract Content and TLC identification of Tibetan Medicinal Material Dracocephalum tanguticum Maxim.

[Objectives] The moisture, ash and extract content of Dracocephalum tanguticum Maxim. were measured.[Methods] The moisture, total ash, acid-insoluble ash and extract content of D. tanguticum Maxim collected from 16 producing areas were detected by using the methods in Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2015 edition, volume I), and D. tanguticum Maxim. was identified by thin layer chromatography in Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2015 edition, volume I).[Results] The moisture content of D. tanguticum Maxim collected from 16 producing areas ranged from 8.68% to 10.36%, averaging 9.28%. The content of total ash was between 7.21% and 11.60%, averaging 9.89%. The content of acid-insoluble ash was 0.21%-2.71%, averaging 1.51%. The extract content (water-soluble) was 26.67%-42.91%, averaging 32.65%. According to the results of TLC identification, the 16 samples and reference substance had the same characteristic spots at the corresponding positions.[Conclusions] It was recommended that the moisture, total ash and acid-insolue ash content of D. tanguticum Maxim were not be more than 11%, 12%, and 3% respectively, while the extract content was not less than 26%. It provides reference for filling the gaps in the quality standards of D. tanguticum Maxim.

Comprehensive Evaluation on Impacts of Diseases on Quality of Paris polyphylla var. chinensis Based on Ultraviolet and Infrared Spectra

[Objectives] The research aimed to evaluate impacts of diseases on quality of Paris polyphylla var. chinensis. [Methods]Ultraviolet spectrophotometry was used to determine and contrast content of total saponins in root,stem and leaf from healthy and diseased plants. Infrared characteristic absorption peaks of healthy and diseased plants were found by infrared fingerprint method for comparative analysis.[Results]Total saponins content in root sample J4 of healthy plant reached 4. 89% and was the highest,while it was 0. 13% in stem sample J11 of healthy plant and was the lowest. Total saponins content in root sample B1 of diseased plant was 1. 68% and was the highest,while it was 0. 1% in stem sample B7 of diseased plant and was the lowest. In healthy and diseased plants,total saponins content in root was significantly higher than that in stem and leaf. Content of total saponins in root from healthy plant was significantly higher than that from diseased plant,and there was little difference in stem and leaf of healthy and diseased plants. Root sample Jg of healthy plant had obvious C-O characteristic vibration of polysaccharides and glycosides and absorption peak of O-H bending vibration in steroidal saponin near 1 160. 02 cm-1,while diseased plant had no obvious absorption peak. Near 861. 97 and 768. 07 cm-1,root sample Jg of healthy plant had significant C-C stretching vibration in sugar ring and characteristic absorption peak of characteristic vibration of steroidal saponin,while root sample Bg of diseased plant had no obvious characteristic peak. [Conclusions] Diseases significantly affected composition and content of total saponins and steroidal saponins from P. polyphylla var. chinensis,further affecting quality of P. polyphylla var. chinensis.

The Physalis floridana genome provides insights into the biochemical and morphological evolution of Physalis fruits

The fruits of Physalis(Solanaceae)have a unique structure,a lantern-like fruiting calyx known as inflated calyx syndrome(ICS)or the Chinese lantern,and are rich in steroid-related compounds.However,the genetic variations underlying the origin of these characteristic traits and diversity in Physalis remain largely unknown.Here,we present a high-quality chromosome-level reference genome assembly of Physalis floridana(~1.40Gb in size)with a contig N50 of~4.87Mb.Through evolutionary genomics and experimental approaches,we found that the loss of the SEP-like MADS-box gene MBP21 subclade is likely a key mutation that,together with the previously revealed mutation affecting floral MPF2 expression,might have contributed to the origination of ICS in Physaleae,suggesting that the origination of a morphological novelty may have resulted from an evolutionary scenario in which one mutation compensated for another deleterious mutation.Moreover,the significant expansion of squalene epoxidase genes is potentially associated with the natural variation of steroid-related compounds in Physalis fruits.The results reveal the importance of gene gains(duplication)and/or subsequent losses as genetic bases of the evolution of distinct fruit traits,and the data serve as a valuable resource for the evolutionary genetics and breeding of solanaceous crops.

Distribution and conservation of near threatened plants in China

Plants classified as Near Threatened(NT) are at high risk of becoming threatened because of anthropogenic interference and climate change.Especially in conservation efforts,such species have however long been overlooked.Here,we obtained 98,419 precise occurrence points for 2442 NT plants in China,and used species richness,species complementarity,and weighted endemism that consider all,endemic and narrow-ranged species in order to identify the diversity hotspots of NT plants.Then we evaluated the conservation effectiveness of current nature reserves for them.Our results indicate that the diversity hotspots of NT plants were mainly confined to southwestern and southern China,and only 35.87% of hotspots and 71.5% of species were protected by nature reserves.Numerous hotspots in southwestern China(e.g.,Sichuan,Yunnan,Guangxi,and Hainan) were identified as conservation gaps.Given that NT plants include large proportions of endemic and narrow-ranged species,they represent an important value in conservation priority.So,more conservation efforts in the future should be tilted towards NT plants.Additionally,when comparing with the recently updated NT list,there are already 87 species raised to threatened categories,while 328 species were lowered to least concern,56 species were now categorized as data deficient,and 119 species considered as uncertain due to changes of scientific names.It is essential to carry out a continuous assessment of species’ threatened categories to realize targeting conservation.