Search results for "Rubiaceae"
showing 10 items of 12 documents
Chloroplast genomes of Rubiaceae: Comparative genomics and molecular phylogeny in subfamily Ixoroideae.
2020
In Rubiaceae phylogenetics, the number of markers often proved a limitation with authors failing to provide well-supported trees at tribal and generic levels. A robust phylogeny is a prerequisite to study the evolutionary patterns of traits at different taxonomic levels. Advances in next-generation sequencing technologies have revolutionized biology by providing, at reduced cost, huge amounts of data for an increased number of species. Due to their highly conserved structure, generally recombination-free, and mostly uniparental inheritance, chloroplast DNA sequences have long been used as choice markers for plant phylogeny reconstruction. The main objectives of this study are: 1) to gain in…
A new ursane-type triterpene oxoglucopyranoside from Crossopteryx febrifuga.
2019
Abstract A new saponin, 3-O-β-d-3-oxo-glucopyranosyl-ursa-12,20(30)-diene-27,28-dioic acid (1), was isolated from the methanol extract of stem bark of Crossopteryx febrifuga together with the known 3β-d-glucopyranosyl-ursa-12,20(30)-diene-27,28-dioic acid (2), shanzhiside methyl ester (3), shanzhiside (4), β-sitosterol (5), β-sitosterol-3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (6), ursa-12,20(30)-diene-27,28-dioic acid (7), hederagenin (8), and oleanolic acid (9). The structures were established by comprehensive interpretation of their spectral data 1D- (1H and 13C), 2D-NMR (1H-1H COSY, HMQC, HMBC), spectroscopic, and electrospray ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry analysis. The isolated compounds …
Developmental analysis of merosity and sexual morphs in Rubiaceae: A case study in Rubia and Cruciata
2016
The Rubiaceae is characterized by considerable diversity in floral features. To shed light on the variation of floral developmental patterns in Rubiaceae, a comparative study was carried out on pentamerous flowers of Rubia tinctorum L. and tetramerous flowers of Cruciata (Cruciata laevipes Opiz.; Cruciata glabra (L.) Ehrend.), two herbaceous genera of the tribe Rubieae. We aim to study the mechanism responsible for meristic variation and to discuss the expression of andromonoecy in C. laevipes. Developmental peculiarities include the time overlap in the initiation of petal and stamen whorls in Cruciata, the lack of calyx, and a very weak sympetaly in all species examined. Our results show t…
Volatile components of ripe fruits of Morinda citrifolia and their effects on Drosophila
1996
Abstract The only larval resource of the specialist species, Drosophila sechellia , is ripe fruits of Morinda citrifolia . The chemical composition of this fruit, which is very toxic to most Drosophila species, was investigated and 51 compounds were abundant enough to be identified by GC-MS. The ripe fruit is characterized by a large amount of carboxylic acids, especially octanoic and hexanoic acids. The biological effects of the ripe fruit and its main acids were investigated with behavioural studies. Octanoic acid is responsible for the general toxicity of the fruit to most Drosophila species; D. sechellia is the only species which is resistant to this acid. Hexanoic acid has a unique eff…
The taxonomy of Galium crespianum J.J. Rodr. (Rubiaceae), a Balearic Islands endemic revisited
2001
Abstract Galium crespianum J.J. Rodr. is a perennial plant inhabiting cliffs and crevices on the Balearic Islands. Although it was described from the mountains of Mallorca, several populations from the islands of Eivissa and Formentera have been traditionally considered as belonging to the same species. A careful comparison of specimens from the western and eastern Balearics revealed several discriminant features in gross morphology (robustness and habit of the stems, presence or absence of hairs at the internodes and leaves, waxiness of stems and leaves, shape of the inflorescence, flower colour and scent) and stem anatomy. In addition, several mutations in the ribosomal ITS sequences dist…
Über spezialisierte Verbreitungseinrichtungen anatolischer Galieae
1971
Summary Some annual species of the Rubiaceae native in Anatolia are specialized in their methods of seed dispersal. Contrary to other members of the genus, the frucitficence of Cruriata articulata with its persisting bracts falls to pieces which act as ‘surface:rollers’ transported by the wind. Valantia hispida and Callipeltis cucullaria are heterodissmeniate. Some of the mericarps arc dispersed by different agents, the other ones stay attached to the plant, showing a form of atelechory, a common phenomenon in arid regions. Other aberrant forms of dissemination are studied.
New Biologically Active Triterpene-Saponins fromRandia dumetorum
1990
Two new triterpene-saponins, 3-O-[O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1----4)-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1----3)-( beta- D-glucuronopyranosyl)]oleanolic acid (1), 3-O-[O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1----6)-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl- (1----3)-(beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl)]oleanolic acid (2) together with five known saponins (3-7) were isolated from the methanolic extract of the fruits of Randia dumetorum (Retz) Lam. (Rubiaceae). Their structures were established on the basis of chemical and spectral data. The compounds 1, 3, 4, 5 were found to enhance significantly the proliferation of human lymphocytes in vitro. The crude saponin fraction showed haemolytic, molluscicidal, and immunostimulating activities.
Tradeoffs in the evolution of plant farming by ants
2020
Diverse forms of cultivation have evolved across the tree of life. Efficient farming requires that the farmer deciphers and actively promotes conditions that increase crop yield. For plant cultivation, this can include evaluating tradeoffs among light, nutrients, and protection against herbivores. It is not understood if, or how, nonhuman farmers evaluate local conditions to increase payoffs. Here, we address this question using an obligate farming mutualism between the ant Philidris nagasau and epiphytic plants in the genus Squamellaria that are cultivated for their nesting sites and floral rewards. We focused on the ants' active fertilization of their crops and their protection against he…
Anthraquinones from Ophiorrhiza pumila tissue and cell cultures
1998
We have succeeded in initiating and establishing systems of tissue and cell cultures of Ophiorrhiza pumila. Examination of the constituents of the methanol extract of the cultured calli revealed the presence of 11 anthraquinones including two new ones whose structures have been rigorously proved using advanced spectroscopic methods. These findings demonstrated a remarkable difference in the constituents between the wild plants and the callus tissue or cultured cells; the former is devoid of anthraquinones and contains a variety of camptothecin-related alkaloids whereas the latter contains a significant amount of anthraquinones and shows no indication of the presence of alkaloids after sever…
<p><strong>Typification of the name Asperula rupestris (Rubiaceae)</strong></p>
2021
Asperula rupestris Tineo (1827: 276) is a species endemic to Sicily, southern Italy. It is a chasmophyte growing on north-exposed calcareous rocks and cliffs of the main promontories of NW Sicily and the islands of Favignana and Marettimo, Egadi Islands, NW of Siciliy (see e.g., Giardina et al. 2007).