Tandem duplication-random loss is not a real feature of oyster mitochondrial genomes

Duplications and rearrangements of coding genes are major themes in the evolution of mitochondrial genomes, bearing important consequences in the function of mitochondria and the fitness of organisms. Yu et al. (BMC Genomics 2008, 9: 477) reported the complete mt genome sequence of the oyster Crassostrea hongkongensis (16,475 bp) and found that a DNA segment containing four tRNA genes (trnK(1), trnC, trnQ(1) and trnN), a duplicated (rrnS) and a split rRNA gene (rrnL5') was absent compared with that of two other Crassostrea species. It was suggested that the absence was a novel case of "tandem duplication-random loss" with evolutionary significance. We independently sequenced the complete mt genome of three C. hongkongensis individuals, all of which were 18,622 bp and contained the segment that was missing in Yu et al.'s sequence. Further, we designed primers, verified sequences and demonstrated that the sequence loss in Yu et al.'s study was an artifact caused by placing primers in a duplicated region. The duplication and split of ribosomal RNA genes are unique for Crassostrea oysters and not lost in C. hongkongensis. Our study highlights the need for caution when amplifying and sequencing through duplicated regions of the genome.

Floral Organogenesis and Development of two Taxa in Tribe Hyoscyameae (Solanaceae)-Przewalskia tanguitca and Hyoscyamus niger

Floral organogenesis and development of Przeivalskia langutica Maxim, endemic to China and Hyoscyamus niger L. , which belong to the tribe Hyoscyameae (Solanaceae), were studied using scanning electron microscope. They have three common characters of floral organ initiation and development: 1) initia-tion of the floral organs in the two species follows Hofmeister's rule; 2) the mode of corolla tube development belongs to the "late sympetaly" type; 3) primordia of the floral appendages initiated in a pentameroua pattern and acropetal order. But initiation of the calyx-lobe primordia showed different modes in these two species. The calyx-lobe primordia of H, niger have simultaneously whorled initiation, while those of P, tangulica have helical initiation, but the five calyx-lobe primordia form a ring after all five calyx-lobe primordia occur. The systematic significance of the present results in the genera Hyoscyamus and Przeivalskia is discussed in this paper.

Floral organogenesis and development of two taxa of the Solanaceae - Anisodus tanguticus and Atropa belladonna

Floral organogenesis and development of two Solanaceae species, Anisodus tanguticus and Atropa belladonna, were studied by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) as part of a project on systematics and evolution in the tribe Hyoscyameae. These two species share the following common characters of floral organ initiation and development: (1) initiation of the floral organs in the two species follows Hofmeister's rule; (2) the mode of corolla tube development belongs to the "late sympetaly" type, namely, petals are initiated separately and later become joined by fusion of their basal meristem, then rise together and form a corolla tube; (3) primordia of the floral appendages are initiated in a pentamerous pattern and acropetal order: sepals are initiated first, followed by the petals and stamens, and finally the carpels. The whorl of five stamen primordia forms almost simultaneously and originates opposite the sepal primordia, but initiation of the sepal primordia shows different modes in the two species. The sepal primordia of Anisodus tanguticus have simultaneously whorled initiation, while those of Atropa belladonna have helical initiation. The systematic significance of the present results in the genera Anisodus and Atropa is discussed in this paper.

New taxa, names, and combinations in Saxifraga (Saxifragaceae) for the Flora of China

The following new species, new variety, new name, and four new combinations are published for the forthcoming account of Saxifraga L. in the Flora of China, Volume 8: S. epiphylla Gornall & H. Ohba, sp. nov., S. gemmigera Engler var. gemmuligera (Engler) J. T. Pan & Gornall, comb. nov., S. heterotricha Marquand & Airy-Shaw var. anadena (H. Smith) J. T. Pan & Gornall, comb. et stat, nov., S. hypericoides Franchet var. aurantiascens (Engler & Irmscher) J. T. Pan & Gornall, comb. nov., S. hypericoides var. rockii (Mattfeld) J. T. Pan & Gornall, comb. et stat. nov., S. sinomontana J. T. Pan & Gornall, nom. nov., and S. sinomontana var. amabilis H. Smith ex J. T. Pan, var. nov. In addition, the names S. mengtzeana Engler & Irmscher and S. mengtzeana var. cordatifolia Engler & Irmscher are lectotypified here.