Karyomorphology of Biebersteinia Stephan (Geraniaceae) and its systematic and taxonomic significance

The systematic and taxonomic position of Biebersteinia Stephan has long been in dispute. The present paper describes for the first time the karyomorphology of two species in Biebersteinia Stephan. Both species commonly showed the interphase nuclei of the simple chromocenter type and the mitotic prophase chromosomes of the interstitial type. The karyotype formulae of both B. heterostemon and B. odora were 2n=10=2m(2sec)+8sm(2sec), belonging to the 3A type of Stebbins' classification. The karyotype of this genus is recorded for the first time. The basic chromosome numbers of four of the five known species of Biebersteinia have been recorded as x=5. The combination of resting nuclei of the simple chromocenter type, mitotic prophase chromosomes of the interstitial type, two pairs of chromosomes with four obvious secondary constrictions at the mitotic prophase and metaphase stages, and the peculiar 3A karyotype in Biebersteinia can be regarded as the karymorphological marker of this genus. The karyomorphological data presented here do not support the traditional grouping of this genus in Geraniaceae. The unique karyomorphology of Biebersteinia justifies its familiar or ordinal status, which is congruent with embryological, anatomical, chemical and molecular data. The systematic position of Biebersteinia needs further study.

Karyomorphology of Sinadoxa (Adoxaceae) and its systematic significance

Karyomorphology of Sinadoxa corydalifolia and the karyotype of the diploid Adoxa moschatellina are investigated for the first time. Karyomorphological data indicate that Sinadoxa is directly akin to other two genera of the Adoxaceae, rather than related to Araliales; and three genera of the Adoxaceae should be a natural group. The karyomorphological combinations of the Adoxaceae delimit it from all taxa assumed to be related to it. The karyotype characteristics of all taxa of the Adoxaceae are compared and summarized. The mechanisms of speciation in the Adoxaceae are discussed.

Isotope geochronology of Dapingzhang spilite-keratophyre formation in Yunnan Province and its geological significance

On the basis of the geological field investigations and isotope geochronological studies the Sm-Nd isochron age (513 Ma?0 Ma), Rb-Sr isochron age (511 Ma? Ma) and K-Ar age (312-317 Ma) of the Dapingzhang spilite-keratophyre formation in Yunnan Province are presented. From these geochronological data it is evidenced that this suite of volcanic rocks was formed in the Cambrian and the parent magma was derived from a depleted mantle, which was influenced by crustal contamination and/or seawater hydrothermal

Sedimentary-volcanic tufts formed during the early Middle Triassic volcanic event in Guizhou Province and their stratigraphic significance

The sedimentary-volcanic tuff （locally called ＂green-bean rock＂） formed during the early Middle Triassic volcanic event in Guizhou Province is characterized as being thin, stable, widespread, short in forming time and predominantly green in color. The green-bean rock is a perfect indicator for stratigraphic division. Its petrographic and geochemical features are unique, and it is composed mainly of glassy fragments and subordinately of crystal fragments and volcanic ash balls. Analysis of the major and trace elements and rare-earth elements （ REE）, as well as the related diagrams, permits us to believe that the green-bean rock is acidic volcanic material of the calc-alkaline series formed in the Indosinian orogenic belt on the Sino-Vietnam border, which was atmospherically transported to the tectonically stable areas and then deposited as sedimentary-volcanic rocks there. According to the age of green-bean rock, it is deduced that the boundary age of the Middle-Lower Triassic overlain by the sedimentary-volcanic tuff is about 247 Ma.