Flower color chimera and abnormal leaf mutants induced by C-12(6+) heavy ions in Salvia splendens Ker-Gawl.

The effect of C-12(6+) heavy ions bombardment on mutagenesis in Salvia splendens Ker-Gawl. was studied. Dose-response studies indicated that there was a peak of malformation frequency of S. splendens at 200 Gy. Abnormal leaf mutants of the bileaf, trileaf and tetraleaf conglutination were selected. Meanwhile, a bicolor flower chimera with dark red and fresh red flower was isolated in M1 generation of S. splendens. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis demonstrated that DNA variations existed among the wild-type, fresh and dark red flower shoots of the chimera. The dark red flower shoots of the chimera were conserved and cultivated at a large-scale through micropropagation. MS supplemented with 2.0 mg/L BA and 0.3 mg/L NAA was the optimal medium in which the maximum proliferation ratio (5.2-fold) and rooting rate (88%) were achieved after 6 weeks. Our findings provide an important method to improve the ornamental quality of S. splendens.

3D Fe3S4 flower-like microspheres: high-yield synthesis via a biomolecule-assisted solution approach, their electrical, magnetic and electrochemical hydrogen storage properties

Well-defined 3D Fe3S4 flower-like microspheres were synthesized via a simple biomolecule-assisted hydrothermal process for the first time. On the basis of a series of contrast experiments, the probable growth mechanism and fabrication process of the products were proposed. The electrical conductivity property of the as-synthesized Fe3S4 sample exhibited a rectifying characteristic when a forward bias was applied for the bottom-contacted device. The magnetic properties of the products were studied as well and the results demonstrated that the products presented ferromagnetic properties related to the corresponding microstructure. In addition, we first verified that the Fe3S4 flower-like microspheres could store hydrogen electrochemically, and a discharge capacity of 214 mA h g(-1) was measured without any activation under normal atmospheric conditions at room temperature.

Synthesis, characterization and optical property of flower-like indium tin sulfide nanostructures

We report a simple method for novel flower-like In4SnS8 nanostructure synthesis. A flower-like In4SnS8 nanostructure was synthesized via a one-pot hydrothermal route using the biomolecule L-cysteine as a sulfur source. The structure was characterized using X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), nitrogen adsorption analysis and photoluminescence spectra. This flower-like structure consists of crosslinked nanoflakes and possesses good thermostability and a high BET surface area.

Hydrothermal growth and gas sensing property of flower-shaped SnS2 nanostructures

Unusual 3D flower-shaped SnS2 nanostructures have been synthesized using a mild hydrothermal treatment in the presence of octyl-phenol-ethoxylate ( Triton X-100) at 160 degrees C. The nanostructures have an average size of 1 mu m, and consist of interconnected nanosheets with thicknesses of about 40 nm. Based on time-dependent experimental results, we ascribe the oriented attachment mechanism to the growth of the SnS2 nanostructures. The nonionic surfactant Triton X-100 plays a key role in the formation of the flower-like morphology. Room temperature gas-sensing measurements show that the 3D SnS2 nanostructures could serve as sensor materials for the detection of NH3 molecules.

Pollinator shift and reproductive performance of the qinghai-tibetan plateau endemic and endangered Swertia przewalskii (Gentianaceae)

Reproductive failure results in many plant species becoming endangered. However, little is known of how and to what extent pollinator shifts affect reproductive performance of endangered species as a result of the artificial introduction of alien insects. In this study we examined breeding systems, visitor species, visiting frequency and seed set coefficients of Swertia przewalskii in two years that had different dominant pollinator species (native vs. alien). Flowers of this species were protandrous and herkogamous and insects were needed for the production of seeds. The stigmatic receptivity of this species was shorter than for other gentians. No significant difference in seed set coefficient was found for hand-pollinated plants between the two years, indicating that pollinator shift only had a minor effect on this plant's breeding system. The commonest pollinators in 2002 were native bumblebees, alien honeybees and occasional solitary bees, however, only alien honeybees were observed in 2004. The flower visitation rate in both years was relatively high, although the total visit frequency decreased significantly in 2004. The control flowers without any treatment produced significantly fewer seed sets in 2004 than in 2002. In the past decade the seed production of this species may have partly decreased due to pollination by alien honeybees, however, we suggest that they might have acted as alternative pollinators ensuring seed production of S. przewalskii when native pollinators were unavailable. The main reason that this plant is endangered is probably the result of habitat destruction, but changes in land use, namely intensified agricultural practice and unfavorable animal husbandry have also contributed to its decline. We recommend that in-situ conservation, including the establishment of a protected area, is the best way to preserve this species effectively.

五味子属的花发育形态学和系统学-兼论五味子科的演化

五味子属隶属于木兰亚纲八角目五味子科，全属共15种，呈东亚一北美间断分布，东亚是其分布中心。五味子科因花部器官数目多而不定，螺旋状排列等特征，被确认为原始多心皮类的一员，与八角科、木兰科、Winteraceae等有亲缘关系。同时，因为它具有一些特化的性状，如具3沟或异极6沟型花粉、花单性，而常被视为木兰亚纲中进化水平较高的类群。然而，近年来分子系统学的研究结果显示，五味子科是被子植物最基部的分支之一。这使得该科成为解决原始被子植物起源与演化问题的重要类群之一，而倍受关注。中国是五味子属植物分布最集中的地区，有着得天独厚的资源优势。在论述了该属研究现状和存在问题的基础上，作者重点从花发育形态学和分子系统学，对该类群进行了较为深入的研究，发现了一些重要的新的性状，为该类群的系统发育分析提供了有力的证据。 1. 借助于扫描电镜，对全属成熟雄花的6种变异类型的代表种，进行了全面细致的花形态建成的观察和分析。首次发现该属雄花形态建成的式样有3类，并分别将之命名为柱托型、平托型和球托型，它们的主要特征如下：柱托型在花发育的全过程里，花托部分保持柱状，雄蕊始终螺旋状排列;平托型的花原端在分化出雄蕊原基后，向上的生长减弱而侧向的生长增强，最终形成扁平五边形的花托，雄蕊先螺旋状排列后轮状排列：球托型的雄蕊原基仍是螺旋状向顶发生，但与此同时，雄花花托部分球形膨大，并逐渐在雄蕊着生处产生浅凹和孔穴。显然，这3种式样在花形态发生的早前期相一致，而在雄蕊原基萌动后并开始分化时，它们之间发生分异，导致成熟雄花的形态显著不同。作者认为，雄花形态式样反映了五味子属系统发育的渊源，柱托型是原始类型，平托型和球托型是衍生类型，它们可能在系统发育的较早期就已分异，各自朝不同的方向演化。根据这一新的证据，将五味子属分成3亚属：大花五味子亚属、五味子亚属和团蕊五味子亚属。它们雄花的形态发生式样分别为柱托型、平托型和球托型。还发现在雄花的形态发生同为柱托型的类群中，大花五味子群和少蕊五味子群的雄蕊在成熟时，药室由初始时位于药隔两侧的位置逐渐外转至药隔的背面或侧背面，造成开裂时呈外向或外侧向纵裂：而华中五味子群的雄蕊成熟后，药室仍位于药隔的两侧面，呈侧向纵裂。 南五味子属是五味子属最近缘的类群，以南五味子为代表种，进行了雄花形态发生的研究，该种雄花的形态建成式样属于柱托型，但又不同于五味子属的柱托型，其主要的区别表现在南五味子的雄蕊在成熟时变成轮状排列，该特征使它似乎界于大花五味子群和五味子群之间，呈过渡类型。因而，对于传统分类学中，依据果实的形态将五味子科划分为五味子属和南五味子属，需要重新审视。 2. 根据对花形态发生的观察和分析，文章提出五味子属中雄花形态发生式样为柱托型的大花五味子亚属是最原始的类群，而具平托型和球托型式样的类群演化程度都相对较高。五味子属雄花的演化趋势主要表现在花托从柱状向扁平状和球状演化：雄蕊数目由多数变为少数并最终向定数演化：雄蕊群由螺旋状排列向轮状排列演化。有性生殖过程中的传粉习性可能是导致五味子属雄花形态产生变异的原因。在白垩纪，鞘翅目昆虫仍是最主要的传粉媒介，它们在起到传粉作用的同时，也对植物的花器官造成严重损害。五味子属植物的祖先类群为了适应这种传粉习性，采取了不同的策略。雄花花托柱状，雄蕊螺旋状排列的类群，以多数雄蕊保证传粉得以完成：而在雄蕊数目少的类群中，则补偿性地增大花器官的营养组织部分，达到保护花药的目的。 关于五味子属植物单性花的性质，常被认为是较进化的性状。本研究结果显示，雄花中未出现雌性部分的残存，雌花中也未出现雄性部分的痕迹。因此，在形态上，五味子属表现出完全单性的特征。作者认为，五味子属的单性花性质不同于由两性花退化所形成的单性花，它可能反映了被子植物祖先类群花的另一种演化路线。 另外，作者通过对五味子属雌花形态发生的研究，比较和分析了诸多原始被子植物类群心皮的形态及其发生过程，赞成Endress认为离生多心皮类中既有对折心皮，也有囊状心皮，它们在原始类群中并存的观点。五味子属植物雌花的形态较一致，心皮在原基腹面基部的活动不明显，成熟心皮具明显的腹缝，腹缝两侧形成柱头脊，在类型上属于对折型心皮，体现了该属的原始性。 3. 作者选取了核基因组的rrs区和叶绿体基因组的trnL-F区，对五昧子属的10个种(代表了全部雄花类型)和南五味子属的4个种(分属2个组)以及作为外类群的华中八角，首次进行了序列分析。结果表明，从代表不同基因组的两个片段得到的分支图非常一致，都显示出：a) 五味子属的类群分别聚在3个不同的支上，并且这3个支完全对应于花形态发生的3种式样：b) 南五味子属的成员与五味子群聚在一起并得到Bootstrap分析很高的支持率，说明它们可能是单系的。该结果支持基于花形态发生研究所得到的结论。作者认为过去的分类中，将五味子属和南五味子属分割成两个属可能是不妥当的，值得深入研究。 4. 通过花发育形态学和分子系统学的研究，结合其它方面的资料，作者认为传统分类依据果实形态划分成的五味子属和南五味子属，可能都不是严格的单系类群。南五味子属的类群与五味子属中雄花花托为扁平五边形的类群显示出有很强的相关性。将两个属共同处理，分为3个亚属，似较适宜。由于尚需对南五味子属扩大取样研究，目前暂不对它进行处理。本文仅对传统意义上的五味子属的系统处理如下： 五味子属Schisandra Michx． 亚属1大花五味子亚属 Subgen.1 Pleiostema (Smith)Law 组1大花五味子组 Sect.1 PleiostemaSmith 组2华中五味子组 Sec.2 Sinoschisandra(Law)Liu 组3少蕊五味子组 Secc.3 Maximowiczia(Rupr.)Nakai 亚属2五味子亚属 Subgen.2 Schismxtm 亚属3团蕊五味子亚属 Subgen.3 Sphaerostema(Bl.)Law 5. 五味子科(或包括南五味子属在内的广义五味子属)现代分布格局显示，中国华中、华东和西南至印度支那北部的地域是该类群的多样性中心，而在整个分布区的外围，则零星散布着一些演化水平较高的类群。因此，五味子科很可能是在东亚大陆起源、分化后，往四周扩散。通过白令陆桥或欧美大陆到达北美：受第四纪冰川影响，形成东亚一北美间断分布。在东喜马拉雅、印度尼西亚的分布也都是扩散的结果。

圆叶牵牛花青素代谢途径的基因型变异与花色变异的进化生物学研究

基因型变异和表型变异的相互关系问题是尚未解决的生物学基本问题之一，而解决这个问题的一个有效方法是研究基因组中功能相关基因的分子进化和表型效应的相互关系。在本研究中我们利用圆叶牵牛花青素代谢途径（该途径合成了与花色形成有关的色素）来研究表型变异和基因型变异的进化关系，希望探讨两个问题：1、代谢途径上基因多态性在不同位点的表现程度如何? 2、在中国种群中传粉者对花色有无选择? 在对第一个问题的研究中调查了中国圆叶牵牛花青素代谢途径部分结构基因和调控基因的多态性。所研究的结构基因为途径的第一个关键酶基因CHS-D基因和较下游的ANS基因、UF3GT基因，以及调控基因W位点。其次是在温室中进行人工自交以获得所研究基因的纯合体。在对第二个问题的研究中，首先调查了野外圆叶牵牛不同花色的传粉者和传粉几率，其次是分析有色花个体与白花个体中的遗传变异程度。目前的研究结果表明CHS-D位点有3个等位基因，其中在中国的西南部地区发现了1个新的、在已报道的7个等位基因以外的等位基因;较下游的结构酶基因ANS位点存在有5个等位基因（在中国新发现3个等位基因）;UF3GT位点目前只发现有2个已报道的等位基因。在中国的圆叶牵牛中，新发现调控基因W位点上一个有功能的等位基因Ipmyb2，它与已报道的等位基因Ipmyb1的差异主要存在于内含子部分，而与发生缺失（1个6bp的缺失和1个19bp的缺失）后无功能的等位基因ipmyb2（该基因造成白花）存在外显子部分的8个碱基的差异。野外传粉观察结果表明，白花个体与有色花个体受到传粉者介导的选择，传粉者偏爱有色花而歧视白花，而且与在美洲不同，在中国圆叶牵牛的主要授粉者为蛾类而不是蜂类，从野外观察统计的结果看蛾类的传粉效率要高于蜂类。以上结果表明：1）花青素代谢途径上酶基因的位点均有一定程度的多态，其中尤以ANS为最高;调控基因ipmyb2的核苷酸缺失造成该基因停止功能，使其纯合子的个体开白色花。2）授粉者所介导的花色表型选择确实在中国种群中发生，有可能进一步增加花色代谢途径上基因位点的遗传变异。