- Email: [email protected]
Molecular phylogeny of the southern African endemic genus Sisyranthus (Apocynaceae: Asclepiadoideae-Ceropegieae)
Abstracts
369
Molecular phylogeny of the southern African endemic genus Sisyranthus (Apocynaceae: Asclepiadoideae-Ceropegieae)
to improve crop productivity and food security under water-limiting conditions.
K. Shabangua, S.P. Bestera,b,c, M. Van der Banka a African Centre for DNA Barcoding, Department of Botany and Plant Biotechnology, University of Johannesburg, PO Box 524, Auckland Park 2006, Johannesburg, South Africa b National Herbarium (PRE), South African National Biodiversity Institute, Private Bag X101, Pretoria 0001, South Africa c Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa E-mail address: [email protected] (K. Shabangu)
doi:10.1016/j.sajb.2017.01.177
Sisyranthus E.Mey. species are placed in the tribe Ceropegieae, subtribe Anisotominae (Apocynaceae-Asclepiadoideae). Plants have their fertile parts hidden in the tube of the flowers, and are cryptic in both their habit and small flower size making it difficult to find them in the wild. The genus was first described by Meyer in 1837 and last revised in Flora Capensis (1908) with only one new species described since then. Currently the genus comprises 13 recognised species found in the grasslands of southern Africa, with one species restricted to Zimbabwe. Many of the species are range-restricted and poorly known. The existing key is difficult to use thus leading to confusing identifications. In existing DNA phylogenies, the subtribe Anisotominae has been under sampled and a broader sampling of the southern African taxa is required in order to resolve relationships within and between Sisyranthus and its close allies. A revision will lead to a better understanding of the group and its affinities. The aims of this study was: (1) to produce a molecular phylogeny for Sisyranthus and its close relatives using sequence data from two nuclear markers (ITS and ETS) and five plastid regions (matK, ndhF, rbcLa, trnL-F, and ycf1); (2) to map morphological characters onto the resulting phylogeny; (3) to revise the genus; and to (4) produce a key to properly identify the species. Preliminary results will be discussed.
Molecular systematics of the genus Hypoxis L. and related genera within Hypoxidaceae (Asparagales) S.N.S. Shiba, M. Van der Bank African Centre for DNA Barcoding, University of Johannesburg, PO Box 524, Auckland Park 2006, Johannesburg, South Africa E-mail address: [email protected] (S.N.S. Shiba) The family Hypoxidaceae is placed within the ‘asteloid’ clade of the monophyletic order Asparagales and represented by 10 genera. Of these, four are endemic to southern Africa and remain poorly studied, lacking molecular data. This is especially true for Hypoxis L., the largest genus in the family with about 90 species. The popularity of Hypoxis as a medicinal plant has resulted in unsustainable harvesting practices of rhizomes from the wild. This exploitation has accelerated the need for correct species names and circumscriptions. However, species delimitation in Hypoxis is problematic and despite several attempts, the systematics of the genus remains largely unresolved. This is mainly due to the lack of distinct morphological boundaries separating species. Therefore, in this study phylogenetic relationships within Hypoxidaceae, with an emphasis on Hypoxis, were reconstructed using four plastid DNA regions (rbcLa, trnL-F, ycf1, and trnS-G) for 90 taxa. Data were analysed using Maximum Parsimony and Bayesian methods. Findings from our study indicate that Hypoxis is not monophyletic and is represented by at least three lineages scattered throughout the family. Preliminary results of the phylogenetic analyses will be presented. doi:10.1016/j.sajb.2017.01.178
doi:10.1016/j.sajb.2017.01.176
Mycoflora contamination of South African medicinal plants Root growth under water deficits: Model systems to the field R.E. Sharp Division of Plant Sciences and Interdisciplinary Plant Group, 1-31Agriculture Building, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211, USA E-mail address: [email protected] The growth of roots determines root system architecture and exploration of the soil profile, and is a critical component of plant adaptation to water-limiting conditions. This presentation will focus on one important aspect of root adaptation to water deficits: how root growth is maintained in drying soil. This ability is characteristic of the primary root, in which it is important for seedling establishment, and also of the nodal roots of grasses such as maize. Nodal roots, which are produced from the stem nodes, form the framework of the mature root system and, under drought conditions, have to grow through dry upper soil layers to reach available water. Examples of mechanisms underlying maize primary and nodal root growth responses to water deficits will be highlighted, using both model system approaches in controlled environments and extending to drought conditions in the field. This knowledge base provides a foundation for the long-term goal of developing targeted approaches
P. Sitolea, A.R. Ndhlalaa, Q. Kritzingerb, M. Trutera a Agricultural Research Council, Vegetable and Ornamental Plants, Private Bag X293, Pretoria 0001, South Africa b Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield 0028, South Africa E-mail address: [email protected] (P. Sitole) Medicinal plants have a long history of use as alternative medicine in South Africa. The safety of plant products is of utmost importance. During harvesting, handling, storage and distribution, medicinal plants are subjected to contamination by various microorganisms. Medicinal plants are especially prone to fungal infestation if not properly stored and dried. Ultimately, plant products destined to be sold in markets are at risk of contamination by mycotoxin producing fungi. The aim of the study was to investigate the mycoflora associated with medicinal plant material commonly sold at traditional medicine markets in Gauteng. Medicinal plant samples were purchased from Mai Mai market Johannesburg, Gauteng. Plant species obtained for the study were Aloe ferox, Artemisia sp., Hypoxis sp., Moringa sp. and Siphonochilus sp. Material was oven dried and finely grounded in preparation for the dilution technique for fungi isolation. Dilutions were plated on Malt Extract Agar and Selective Fusarium Agar. After incubation, fungal isolates were selected based
369
Molecular phylogeny of the southern African endemic genus Sisyranthus (Apocynaceae: Asclepiadoideae-Ceropegieae)
to improve crop productivity and food security under water-limiting conditions.
K. Shabangua, S.P. Bestera,b,c, M. Van der Banka a African Centre for DNA Barcoding, Department of Botany and Plant Biotechnology, University of Johannesburg, PO Box 524, Auckland Park 2006, Johannesburg, South Africa b National Herbarium (PRE), South African National Biodiversity Institute, Private Bag X101, Pretoria 0001, South Africa c Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa E-mail address: [email protected] (K. Shabangu)
doi:10.1016/j.sajb.2017.01.177
Sisyranthus E.Mey. species are placed in the tribe Ceropegieae, subtribe Anisotominae (Apocynaceae-Asclepiadoideae). Plants have their fertile parts hidden in the tube of the flowers, and are cryptic in both their habit and small flower size making it difficult to find them in the wild. The genus was first described by Meyer in 1837 and last revised in Flora Capensis (1908) with only one new species described since then. Currently the genus comprises 13 recognised species found in the grasslands of southern Africa, with one species restricted to Zimbabwe. Many of the species are range-restricted and poorly known. The existing key is difficult to use thus leading to confusing identifications. In existing DNA phylogenies, the subtribe Anisotominae has been under sampled and a broader sampling of the southern African taxa is required in order to resolve relationships within and between Sisyranthus and its close allies. A revision will lead to a better understanding of the group and its affinities. The aims of this study was: (1) to produce a molecular phylogeny for Sisyranthus and its close relatives using sequence data from two nuclear markers (ITS and ETS) and five plastid regions (matK, ndhF, rbcLa, trnL-F, and ycf1); (2) to map morphological characters onto the resulting phylogeny; (3) to revise the genus; and to (4) produce a key to properly identify the species. Preliminary results will be discussed.
Molecular systematics of the genus Hypoxis L. and related genera within Hypoxidaceae (Asparagales) S.N.S. Shiba, M. Van der Bank African Centre for DNA Barcoding, University of Johannesburg, PO Box 524, Auckland Park 2006, Johannesburg, South Africa E-mail address: [email protected] (S.N.S. Shiba) The family Hypoxidaceae is placed within the ‘asteloid’ clade of the monophyletic order Asparagales and represented by 10 genera. Of these, four are endemic to southern Africa and remain poorly studied, lacking molecular data. This is especially true for Hypoxis L., the largest genus in the family with about 90 species. The popularity of Hypoxis as a medicinal plant has resulted in unsustainable harvesting practices of rhizomes from the wild. This exploitation has accelerated the need for correct species names and circumscriptions. However, species delimitation in Hypoxis is problematic and despite several attempts, the systematics of the genus remains largely unresolved. This is mainly due to the lack of distinct morphological boundaries separating species. Therefore, in this study phylogenetic relationships within Hypoxidaceae, with an emphasis on Hypoxis, were reconstructed using four plastid DNA regions (rbcLa, trnL-F, ycf1, and trnS-G) for 90 taxa. Data were analysed using Maximum Parsimony and Bayesian methods. Findings from our study indicate that Hypoxis is not monophyletic and is represented by at least three lineages scattered throughout the family. Preliminary results of the phylogenetic analyses will be presented. doi:10.1016/j.sajb.2017.01.178
doi:10.1016/j.sajb.2017.01.176
Mycoflora contamination of South African medicinal plants Root growth under water deficits: Model systems to the field R.E. Sharp Division of Plant Sciences and Interdisciplinary Plant Group, 1-31Agriculture Building, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211, USA E-mail address: [email protected] The growth of roots determines root system architecture and exploration of the soil profile, and is a critical component of plant adaptation to water-limiting conditions. This presentation will focus on one important aspect of root adaptation to water deficits: how root growth is maintained in drying soil. This ability is characteristic of the primary root, in which it is important for seedling establishment, and also of the nodal roots of grasses such as maize. Nodal roots, which are produced from the stem nodes, form the framework of the mature root system and, under drought conditions, have to grow through dry upper soil layers to reach available water. Examples of mechanisms underlying maize primary and nodal root growth responses to water deficits will be highlighted, using both model system approaches in controlled environments and extending to drought conditions in the field. This knowledge base provides a foundation for the long-term goal of developing targeted approaches
P. Sitolea, A.R. Ndhlalaa, Q. Kritzingerb, M. Trutera a Agricultural Research Council, Vegetable and Ornamental Plants, Private Bag X293, Pretoria 0001, South Africa b Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield 0028, South Africa E-mail address: [email protected] (P. Sitole) Medicinal plants have a long history of use as alternative medicine in South Africa. The safety of plant products is of utmost importance. During harvesting, handling, storage and distribution, medicinal plants are subjected to contamination by various microorganisms. Medicinal plants are especially prone to fungal infestation if not properly stored and dried. Ultimately, plant products destined to be sold in markets are at risk of contamination by mycotoxin producing fungi. The aim of the study was to investigate the mycoflora associated with medicinal plant material commonly sold at traditional medicine markets in Gauteng. Medicinal plant samples were purchased from Mai Mai market Johannesburg, Gauteng. Plant species obtained for the study were Aloe ferox, Artemisia sp., Hypoxis sp., Moringa sp. and Siphonochilus sp. Material was oven dried and finely grounded in preparation for the dilution technique for fungi isolation. Dilutions were plated on Malt Extract Agar and Selective Fusarium Agar. After incubation, fungal isolates were selected based