New taxa of Plagiothecium (Plagiotheciaceae) from Pakistan

A revision of specimens of Plagiothecium deposited in the herbarium of Pakistan Museum of Natural History (PMNH) collected during a Japanese lead project on Cryptogams in the Western Himalaya (Pakistan) shows that the material consists of five taxa. Of the studied samples, the most common taxa were from the P.denticulatum complex, including Plagiotheciumdenticulatumvar.obtusifolium, new to Pakistan. Examination of the rest of the collection showed that it consists of specimens with a unique combination of qualitative and quantitative characteristics of their gametophyte. For example, for small plants, with small asymmetrical, folded leaves, gradually tapering into long, acuminate, not denticulate apex, whose leaf cells are long and narrow, making the cell areolation tight, the name Plagiotheciumfilifolium is proposed. For other plants with large leaves, loosely arranged on the stem, concave, symmetrical to slightly asymmetrical, with denticulate apex and long decurrency composed of rectangular and spherical, inflated cells, the name Plagiotheciumhiguchii is proposed. However, within this material, specimens differ in terms of the length and width of the leaf cells and therefore, within this taxon, two varieties are distinguished: Plagiotheciumhiguchiivar.higuchii and Plagiotheciumhiguchiivar.brevicellum.

Microscopic (LM and SEM) visualization of pollen ultrastructure among honeybee flora from lower Margalla Hills and allied areas

Microscopic visualization of micro-morphological characters were analyzed using a scanning electron microscopic (SEM) tool, which has proven to be very successful to analyze the pollen surface peculiarities. The significant goal of this research was to perform microscopic examination of pollen of some of the most frequently visited honeybee floral species around apiaries. Micro-morphological characterization of frequented honeybees foraged plants were discussed. A total of 15 species, belonging to 11 different families were identified for the foraging activities of honeybees, namely, Lantana camara, Jatropha integerrima, Helianthus annuus, Tecoma stans, Lagerstroemia indica, Duranta erecta, Cosmos sulphureus, Hymenocollis littoralis, Moringa oleifera, Cestrum nocturnum, Parthenium hysterophorus, Volkameria inermis, Catharanthus roseus, Malvastrum coromandelianum, and Citharexylum spinosum. The microscopic slides were prepared using the acetolysis method, and the qualitative and quantitative features were measured and described using microscopic tools. The pollen type sculpture varies from psilate scabrate to echinate and colpi from tricolpate to tetracolpate. Quantitative parameters such as polar diameter, mesocolpium distance, equatorial dimensions, aperture size, spine diameter, and exine thickness were calculated using IBM SPSS Statistics 20. The exine thickness was measured at its maximum in C. roseus (3.85 μm), whereas it was at its minimum of 0.90 μm in L. indica and D. erecta. Pollen fertility was estimated to be highest in H. annus (88%). The current research validates scanning microscopic features of pollen of the honeybee floral species, which is helpful for the accurate identification and commercializing of honey production to generate revenue for beekeepers through the exploration of bee floral diversity.

Leaf Epidermal Morphology of Ten Wild Tree Peonies in China and Its Taxonomic Significance

This research reports for the first time the epidermal characteristics of 10 wild tree peonies belonging to the sect. Moutan group. The leaf micromorphology of 10 wild tree peonies—P. qiui, P. decomposita, P. jishanensis, P. ostii, P. delavayi, P. lutea, P. potanini, P. rockii, P. ludlowii and P. cathayana—were investigated by light and scanning electron microscopy. The characteristics of the leaf epidermis were found to be constant at the species level, but variable among species. Patterns of anticlinal walls were slightly wavy to wavy, very wavy, and straight to curved. All studied tree peonies presented stomata only on the abaxial surfaces of the leaves. The stomatal apparatus was elliptical or rectangular. Stomatal density was highest on the abaxial surface in P. qiui (300.25 per mm2), and lowest in P. jishanensiss (198.41 per mm2). Stomatal Index was highest on the adaxial surface of P. potanini (27.30%), and lowest in P. ludlowii (18.35%). Trichomes were observed in four studied peonies, which appeared only on the abaxial surface of the leaves, and three basic types of trichomes were identified. The long conical trichomes were distinctive of P. jishanensis, and the flat-shaped trichomes were characteristic of P. qiui, P. rockii and P. cathayana, and commonly occurred in the intervenous region and leaf veins. Stomatal shape, stomatal density, anticlinal wall patterns and trichomes may be of great value and significance for the classification of wild tree peonies. The principal component analysis showed that the component 1, component 2 and component 3 were the most components and nearly 79% of the observed variation. The key to the identification of wild tree peonies based on trichomes and stomata diversity was provided.

Pollen morphology of selected melliferous plants and its taxonomic implications using microscopy

This research aimed to explore the melliferous bee flora pollen from arid zones of District Attock, Islamabad Capital and Rawalpindi. Morpho-palynological features has provided key information for the classification and help to explain the taxonomy of several genera and species. Therefore, in this work, we examined the morphological characters of pollen potentially to be used for the species delimitation of bee flora. A total of 18 bee floral species, classified into 12 different families were collected, pressed, identified and then acetolyized to observe the grains under microscopy. Bee pollen can be described by small, medium to large sized morphotypes presenting five types of shapes, prolate spheroidal in (seven species), sub-prolate (six species), oblate spheroidal (three species), oblate and prolate (one species each) was examined. The observed polar and equatorial diameter were found maximum in Zea mays 73.5 μm and Pelargonium inquinans 66.75 μm respectively. Pollen of six different types was found namely: tricolporate, 3-zonocolporate, monoportae, tetracolporate, tetraporate and mononsulcate. Whereas highest value of colpi length was measured in Grewia tenax (24.55 μm). Exine surface nature of pollen was examined echinate psilate and scabrate. Exine thickness noted to be maximum in Verbena tenuisecta (8.40 μm) and minimum in Citrus macrocarpa (0.4 μm). Bee floral species considered difficult to identify based on other morphological traits were successfully distinguished using pollen quantitative and qualitative traits, confirming the importance of pollen morphology to diagnose characters to correctly identify honeybee flora.

Palyno-anatomical microscopic characterization of selected species of Boraginaceae and Fabaceae

Palyno-anatomical characterization of some selected species of Boraginaceae and Fabaceae using light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was conducted. Six species of them belongs to four genera of family Boraginaceae and other six species belongs to four genera of Fabaceae. The current study aimed to investigate palyno-anatomical features for correct identification and taxonomic significance. Pollen grains were acetolyzed and observed both qualitatively and quantitatively through light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Statistical data was analyzed through cluster analysis which categorized plants into clusters. Principal component analysis (PCA) was carried out to illustrate morphological variation among selected plant species. Studied plant species showed variation in shape, size, aperture type, exine ornamentation of pollen, size and shape of epidermal cells, types of stomata, guard cells, subsidiary cells and trichome types. Exine thickness was recorded maximum 2.30 ± 0.1 μm in Lablab purpureus and minimum 1.05 ± 0.2 in Gastrocotyle hispida. PCA summarized 73.78% of accumulative variance. Trichome index was observed highest 62% on the adaxial surface of Heliotropium europaeum and lowest 21% on adaxial surface of L. purpureus. These findings reinforce the importance of palyno-anatomical features in the characterization and identification of taxa. It was concluded that description of palyno-anatomical characteristics presented in this study, highly contribute to our knowledge for correct identification of plant species.

Use of scanning electron microscopy to analyze sculpturing pattern and internal features of pollen grain wall in some members of Astragaleae (subfamily: Papilionoidae)

Palynological features of tribe Astagaleae L. have been observed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), to assess features that can be used to re-examine the placement and taxonomic position of tribe. The palynomorph attributes of 10 species included in three genera of Astragaleae (Astragalus L., Glycyrrhiza L., and Oxytropis DC.) are investigated. The assignment of genus Oxytropis in tribe Astragaleae was also reevaluated based on pollen characters. Pollen appear to be prolate, prolate-spheroidal, and subprolate. Polar axis size (P) varies from 31.3 μm ±1 to 17.5 μm ±1.4 and equatorial axis size (E) varies from 22.2 μm ±1.8 to 13.1 μm ±0.9. Prominent apertures found consistently dispersed along the surface of pollen. Three kinds of ornamentation pattern were recorded, that is, reticulate or reticulate-perforate and perforate. The studied species display variation in equatorial and polar diameter, aperturation and sculpturing pattern, exine thickness, and pollen shape. On the basis of descriptive pollen features, a dichotomous taxonomic key and UPGMA analysis has been made for effortless and quick identification. The study concluded that disparities of the entire features are typically unrelenting and concerned with the species and shows potential systematic significance. The combination of palynological attributes in association with additional traits has prospective for systematic identification at species and genus level.

Implication of scanning electron microscopy as a tool for identification of novel, nonedible oil seeds for biodiesel production

Biodiesel is a promising, bio-based, renewable, nontoxic, environment friendly, and alternative fuel for petroleum derived fuels which helps to reduce dependency on conventional fossil fuels. In this study, six novel, nonedible seed oil producing feedstock were explored for their potential for sustainable production of biodiesel. It is very important to correctly identify oil yielding plant species. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used as reliable tool for authentic identification of oil yielding seeds. Macromorphological characters of seeds were studied with light microscopy (LM). Outcomes of LM of seeds exposed distinctive variation in seed size from 16.3 to 3.2 mm in length and 12.4 to 0.9 mm in width, shape varied from oval to triangular, and color from black to light brown. Oil content of nonedible seed ranged from 25 to 30% (w/w). Free fatty acid content of seed oil varied from 0.32 to 2.5 mg KOH/g. Moreover, ultra structural study of seeds via SEM showed variation in surface sculpturing, cell arrangement, cell shape, periclinal wall shape, margins, protuberances, and anticlinal wall shape. Surface sculpturing varied from rugged, reticulate, varrucose, papillate, and striate. Periclinal wall arrangements confirmed variation from rough, wavy, raised, depressed, smooth, and elevated whereas, anticlinal walls pattern showed variation from profuse undulating, smooth, raised, grooved, deep, curved, and depressed. It was concluded that SEM could be a latent and advanced technique in unveiling hidden micromorphological characters of nonedible oil yielding seeds which delivers valuable information to researchers and indigenous people for precise and authentic identification and recognition.

Palyno-anatomical characters and their systematic significance in the family Apiaceae from Chitral, eastern Hindu Kush, Pakistan

The present study was performed to provide a detailed explanation of leaf epidermal anatomy and pollen micromorphological features of selected species of family Apiaceae from Chitral, eastern Hindu Kush region as the basis of forthcoming studies. In the present article pollen morphology of eight species and foliar epidermal of seven species of family Apiaceae have been examined through microscopic techniques. In results two types of pollen prolate (five species) and perprolate (three species) with three colpi have been recorded. The exine ornamentation was found to be regulate, striate, and cerebroid. Largest pollen was found in Heracleum leucocarpum with the polar diameter of 43.25 μm and equatorial diameter of 21.6 μm. Smallest pollen was observed in Elaeosticta chitralica with the polar diameter of 18.4 μm. The P/E ratio varied from 1.59 to 2.16. Regarding to foliar epidermal anatomy, three types of epidermal cells including rectangular, irregular, and polygonal with variation in anticlinal wall pattern were determined. In the selected species three kinds of stomata comprising anisocytic, anomocytic, and paracytic type were reported in the current research. The size of epidermal cells ranged from 106 × 42.50 μm in Bupleurum falcatum subsp. cernuum and 77.25 × 26.35 μm in Prangos pabularia in adaxial surface. Largest stomatal complex was found in Prangos pabularia both in adaxial 33.55 × 20.05 μm and abaxial 50.25 × 39.40 μm. All the observed quantitative and qualitative features of the species were proved to be useful in the delimitation of species at generic and species level.

Taxonomic investigation of selected rust fungi using scanning electron microscopy from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Rusts comprises the largest natural group of plant pathogens including approximately 8% of all described Fungi. Rust fungi are extremely plant pathogens responsible for great losses to agriculture productivity. Rust species belong to several genera among which more than half are Puccinia species. In Pakistan, rust causes severe damage to agriculture crops. Current study was carried out to identify and characterize different rust species common in the research area through microscopy and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Morpho-anatomical investigation of each collected rust species was carried out using different standard protocols. The dimensions of spores were measured and snapped under a stereomicroscope. SEM was used to examine the shape, size, and ornamentation of the spores of each rust fungus. Results revealed documentation of seven rust fungi, that is, Melampsora euphorbiae, Phragmidium barclayi, Puccinia nepalensis, P. exhausta, P. menthae, Uromyces capitatus, and Uromyces decorates belong to four different genera, were recorded. SEM revealed that spermogonia and Aecia were missing in most of the rust fungus studied. Uredinia was found in a scattered, irregular, lengthy, and epidermis-enclosed form. Urediniospores were found to be ovulating, elongated, echinulate, globose to sub-globose, ellipsoid to ovoid, and globose to sub-globose. Telia was found as sub-epidermal, amphigenous, dispersed, minute, and spherical cells. Teliospores ranged in form from cylindrical to oblong. The germ pores were detected in both apical (top cell) and basal (bottom cell) idiosyncratic and pedicel-attached cells. The techniques used in the current investigation will aid mycologists in rust identification and microscopic characterization.

Taxonomic implications of macro and micromorphological characters in the genus Brachythecium (Brachytheciaceae, Bryopsida) from the Western Himalayas: A combined light and scanning electron microscopic analysis

Brachythecium Schimp. is one of the most complex and diverse genus among the pleurocarpous mosses, having almost 150 species distributed around the world. The current study presents a detailed morphological analysis of the six species of the genus Brachythecium in Western Himalayas, Pakistan. The study reports the first detailed micromorphological investigation of the leaf surfaces (gametophyte) of the studied species because in pleurocarpous mosses, mostly sporophyte micromorphology has been studied. The objective of the study was to present a comparative light (LM) and scanning electron microscopic (SEM) analysis to describe the detailed morphology of bryophytes in Pakistan. A systematic method was used in the field as well as in their microscopic studies. Based on these findings, morphological and micromorphological features based on LM and SEM observations, qualitative and quantitative characters, taxonomic keys, distribution and habitat are discussed. The size of the leaf, leaf cells, seta, and other parts were noted, but slight variation was observed when we compare these measurements with the same species collected from different geographical regions. The leaf micromorphology reveals some interesting features like the nature of cell walls, cell shapes, and the surface of the lumen. Because the specimens used for SEM were air-dried, the cells were mostly constricted and compressed. In almost all species except in Brachythecium garovaglioides, the papillae or cell wall ornamentations were absent. The study will help to contribute to the taxonomy of this genus or its family, especially in relation to the Western Himalayas.

Taxonomic Implications of Leaf Micromorphology Using Microscopic Analysis: A Tool for Identification and Authentication of Korean Piperales

A comparative study of the leaf micromorphology of Korean Piperales, including medicinal materials, was performed through light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, to evaluate their taxonomic significance. Piperales possessed both amphistomatic and hypostomatic leaves. The epidermal area ranged from 38 to 5077 μm², and the stomatal area ranged from 201 to 2129 μm². The stomatal index on the abaxial surface was higher than that on the abaxial surface. Anomocytic stomata occurred most commonly, but actinocytic, anisocytic, tetracytic, and staurocytic stomata were also found in certain taxa. Secretory idioblasts were found on all taxa studied except Aristolochia. Three main types of trichomes were defined—(1) glandular trichome; (2) simple multicellular trichome; and (3) two-armed multicellular Y-shaped trichome. Although the quantitative data on its own had somewhat limited taxonomic value, the various qualitative characteristics (e.g., epidermal surfaces, stomata types and positions, trichome types and density, and secretory idioblast types) had great taxonomic value. These characteristics might be taxonomically relevant and useful for developing an identification key. Additionally, we evaluated and supported the previous taxonomic system of Korean Asarum, using leaf micromorphological characteristics. Finally, through the application for authentication of herbal medicine, we revealed that leaf micromorphological characteristics can be used for accurate authentication.