The Iranian Journal of Botany
Volume:25 Issue: 2, Summer and Autumn 2019

The divergence time of the largely Asian element, the genus Ferula L. (subtribe Ferulinae, tribe Scandiceae, Apiaceae) was initially analyzed using nrDNA, internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence data followed with three regions of cpDNA (rps16 and rpoC1 introns and rpoB-trnC intergenic spacers) from 141 representatives of subtribe Ferulinae (Ferula, Dorema, Leutea) and relatives. Further analyses of the biogeographical history of the Ferula group were carried out using BEAST, S-DIVA and BBM in RASP on all datasets. The results suggested that the initial split within Ferulinae occurred during Early Pliocene about 4.8 Ma and earlier ancestor of Ferula group has been originated mostly in Armeno-Iranian province. One descendent giving rises to the Ferula clade and another descendent subsequently underwent further divergence to account for Leutea lineages about 1.8-2 Ma. The rapid diversification within Ferulinae clade has occurred since the Middle Pliocene. Subsequent diversification of the Ferula clade intensified in the Irano-Turanian region during the late Pliocene in the Central Asian zone and toward west in Mediterranean zone during early Pleistocene. The ancestor of Chinese group of Ferula spread from Central Asia to eastern Asia in the Pliocene (2.2-4 Ma). The ancestor of the Mediterranean group of Ferula occurred in the West Mediterranean with high marginal probability. These diversifications likely corresponded with the Himalayas-Tibetan plateau uplift-driven climatic changes and aridification of Central Asia and also after refilling the Mediterranean basin and Zanclean flood during the Pliocene respectively.

Astragalus kazempourii is described as a new species from Firuzkuh in Tehran province, Iran. Morphological data and phylogenetic analyses of the nrDNA internal (ITS) and external transcribed spacer (ETS) regions places this species within sect. Hypoglottidei as sister of Astragalus parvarensis. The new species differs morphologically from A. parvarensis by having a short stem densely covered with basifixed hairs, short peduncles and a long calyx. A distribution map of the new species is provided and the habitat condition of the taxon and close relatives, as well as the conservation status of A. kazempourii are discussed. The phylogenetic analyses conducted also support the recent transfer of Astragalus bojnurdensis from A. sect. Brachylobium to sect. Hypoglottidei, which was in accordance with the morphological characters of this species.

Zannichellia L. (Potamogetonaceae) is a cosmopolitan genus widely distributed in aquatic ecosystems of Iran. The last taxonomic treatment of this genus dates back to 1971 in Flora Iranica, with some recent modifications in Flora of Iran. This research aimed to provide a new taxonomic treatment of Zannichellia in Iran based on distributional, morphological, and molecular studies (using ITS, PHYB, trnH-psbA and rpl32-trnL molecular markers). In this research, one species (Zannichellia palustris) with two varieties is distinguished. An identification key to varieties is presented and descriptions of them are provided. A distribution map of the genus in Iran is compiled. The distribution is concentrated in northern, central and southwestern parts of Iran.

This studyrecords Ficus salicifolia belonging to Ficus sect. Urostigma subsect. Urostigma (Moraceae), a species not previously known from Iran, using morphological and molecular (based on nuclear nrDNA) evidences. The species is described based on the specimen collected from south of Iran, southeast of Jiroft Dosari spring. Detailed description of the species with photographs is provided.

Salvia sclareopsis is recorded for the first time for Iraq from Gmo Mountain in Kurdistan region. The species was previously recognized as endemic to Iran. The geographical distribution of the new record and its distinguishing characters are discussed.

Pimpinella kurdica (Apiaceae) is described as a new record to the Flora of Turkey (C9, Hakkâri). The detailed morphological and fruit anatomical characters, along with distribution map are given.

In this study, karyotypes of five Fritillaria species including F. avromanica, F. assyriaca, F. chlorantha, F. persica and F. raddeana belonging to three subgenera are presented. All species were diploid (2n = 2x = 24) with mean chromosome length of 15.86 µm. Four chromosome types (‘‘m’’, ‘‘sm’’, ‘‘st’’, ‘‘T’’) made five different karyotypic formula. Chromosome count of F. avromanica (2n = 2x = 24) is a new report. Analysis of variance for eight chromosomal parameters revealed inter specific chromosomal variation. Based on different karyotype asymmetry indices including TF %, CV %, A2, AI, AsK %, S%, F. assyriaca had the most asymmetrical karyotype. Based on Fluorescence in situ hybridization result, 4 and 6, 35S rDNA loci were observed for F. raddeana and F. persica respectively, which mainly located at distal or telomeric regions of chromosomes.

The somatic chromosome number of 7 species from 5 families of angiosperms is reported from Iran. The chromosome numbers for 4 taxa including Tanacetum dumosum (Asteraceae) 2n=18, Phlomis elliptica 2n=20 & Phlomis aucheri (Lamiaceae) 2n=20and Alcea aucheri (Malvaceae) 2n=42 are new reports.Also,the tetraploid level (2n=4x=32) for Fibigia umbellata is reported for the first time.

Somatic chromosome numbers of 14 species from 6 families were studied in this research. The chromosome numbers of Silene viscosa (2n=24), Leucanthemum vulgare (2n=18), Odontites vernus (2n=40), Pedicularis sibthorpii (2n=16)have been reported here for the first time for the flora of Iran. Ideograms were depicted for each species.

Thymus persicus is an endemic wild species of the genus Thymus in the Lamiaceae, grows in the northwest of Iran. In this research micromorphological feature of trichome, nutlet and pollen grain using light and scanning electron microscopes and anatomical characteristics was performed to evaluate taxonomic implication of these data. The leaf was dorsi-ventral in transverse section, including a one-layered epidermis, 2-3 layers of compact palisade parenchymatous cells, a large median vascular bundle whit one medium-sized and one small vascular bundle in both side of the mesophyll. Vascular bundle cap was found to be dense sclerenchymatous fibre on the phloem side. Bundle sheath was composed of one-layered parenchymatous cells. Indumentum includes a one to five-celled short and long eglandular trichomes, while glandular trichomes were of capitate and rarely peltate types. Stem had a single layer of epidermis covered with a cuticle as well as glandular and non-glandular trichomes and vascular bundles were separated by parenchymatous cells. Nutlets were 0.7  1.0 mm, brown, ovate in outline, glabrous and with star-shaped papillae ornamentation. The pollens were hexacolpate, isopolar and reticulate. The polar axis (P) and equatorial axis (E) of pollen were 37.4-40.4 and 24.8-28.1 µm, respectively. The ratio of P/E was found to be 1.3-1.5. The results showed that the leaf anatomical, nutlet and pollen micromorphological characteristics could be considered as taxonomic characters in species identification and circumscription of the genus Thymus.

Ajuga chamaecistus Ging. ex Benth. (Lamiaceae) is a small subshrub, widely distributed in Iran. It has four subspecies including chamaecistus, scoparia, tomentella and euphrasioides, all endemics of Iran. In this study, three subspecies were collected from 16 provinces, totally 28 regions and their leaf anatomical structure was studied. The studied anatomical traits were leaf type, trichome type (glandular/non-glandular), stomata position, number of the upper and lower palisade parenchyma, number of vascular bundle, presence or absence of the fibre- Sclerenchyma, presence or absence of the vascular sheath, tissue of vascular sheath, upper and lower collenchyma as qualitative traits and thickness of the upper and lower palisade parenchyma, thickness of the upper and lower cuticle, mesophyll/ vascular bundle, diameter of lamina, adaxial and abaxial stomatal density, adaxial and abaxial stomatal length, adaxial and abaxial stomatal width as quantitative traits. This study provided valuable information on the leaf anatomical structure of A. chamaecistus. The results showed that the anatomical structure of the studied subspecies are very similar. Although PCA analysis separated some subspecies, the anatomical traits of the leaf are not enough to separate different subspecies, to do this, other studies, such as anatomical traits of other plants structures such as petiole and stem as well as other biosystematics studies may be helpful.