Phylogeography of pulsatilla vernalis (L.) Mill. (Ranunculaceae): Chloroplast DNA reveals two evolutionary lineages across central Europe and Scandinavia

In this paper the authors analyzed the chloroplast DNA (cpDna) variation in Pulsatilla vernalis. Their goal was to test hypotheses regarding main phylogeographical patterns proposed for European plants, in particular the location of glacial refugia, the post-glacial colonization routes, and genetic affinities between southern (alpine) and northern (boreal) population. They estimated chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) variation along six regions (trnH-trnK, trnK-trnk, trnC-trnD, psbC-trnS, psaA-trnS, trnL-trnF) using PCR restriction fragment lenght polymorphism (PCR-RFLPs). After initial testings on 14 cpDNA regions, Only seven regions were successfully amplified and used for subsequent screening of polymorphism (one of which included our lab regions rpoB/trnC). This region (rpoB-trnC) showed no polymorphism. Overall they found genetic differences of P. vernalis from the south-western Alps with respect to other Alpine populations. They found glacial refugia in Dolomites. They also found isolation for the high mountain populations from the Tatras and Sudetes, which contrasted to the Balkans (where common haplotypes are harboured). Finally, the authors suggest independent post-glacial colonization in eastern and western Scandinavia with possible founder effects.

Ronikier, Costa, Aguilar & et. al. 2008. Phylogrography of Pulsatilla vernalis (L.) Mill. (Ranunculaceae): Chloroplast DNA reveals two evolutionary lineages across central Europe and Scandinavia. Journal of Biogeography 35: 1650-1664.

Angraecopsis parviflora (Thouars)

Jamie Cone and Lennin Castellon are working with Angraecopsis parviflora (Thouars).

Kingdom: Plantae

Order: Asparagales

Family: Orchidaceae

Subfamily: Epidendroideae

Tribe: Vandeae

Subtribe: Aerangidinae

Genus: Angraecopsis

Description: Small sized, hot to warm growing epiphyte with a spreading to pendant, short stem. (picture to the right – shows our actual lab plant)

Habitat: Found in mixed evergreen and riverine forest, often growing fairly low on tree trunks

Distribution: Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Mauritius, Reunion and Madagascar in lower montane forests.

Altitude: found at elevations of 600 to 1600 meters.

Leaves:  5-10, linear to rounded apex with tapering base. Curved and tapering point. Basally twisted, all in one plane, unequally lobed at apex

Flowers:  Blooms in the late spring through fall (Jan – Mar). 2-8 flowers, held in apical third. 2 to 4″ [5 to 10 cm] long. Inflorescence spirally arranged on a long slender peduncle (stem). (Picture below shows a flowering plant growing in the wild)

References

http://www.orchidspecies.com/angparviflora.htm

http://www.zimbabweflora.co.zw/speciesdata/species.php?species_id=118720