Phylogenetic studies have shown that most clades in Prunus are well-supported by the flower structure, but most taxa in the racemose group have not yet been re-evaluated and could contribute to the understanding of the systematic relationships of the subgenera. We examined the inflorescence and flower development in Prunus laurocerasus L. (subgenus Laurocerasus) and P. serotina Ehrh. (subgenus Padus I) using scanning electron microscopy. Our results indicate that they share several floral development characters but differ in the following aspects: (i) all of their flowers are fully developed and each flower is enclosed by a bract and two bracteoles, which later stop development (vs. the terminal flower degenerates and only a single bract subtends each flower); (ii) the style protrudes from the floral bud (vs. the style is crooked and below the anthers); (iii) the outer integument initiates close to the inner one (vs. in the middle of the ovule); and (iv) an obturator appears after initiation of the two integuments (vs. simultaneously with the inner integument). Although our results are preliminary, differences in floral developmental characters support the different origins of Prunus subgenera Laurocerasus and Padus as based on molecular phylogenetic studies.

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Urophysa is an Asian endemic genus in the Ranunculaceae, but data on floral organogenesis, which would be a useful complement to molecular data in clarifying the relationship with closely related taxa (Aquilegia and Semiaquilegia) in Ranunculaceae, are completely lacking. We used scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy to study the floral development of Urophysa rockii Ulbrich, a recently rediscovered species in this genus. The sepals are initiated spirally, whereas other organs are nonsimultaneously whorled; the floral phyllotaxis is whorled. Primordia of the sepals are lunular and truncate, but those of the petals and stamens are hemispherical and rounded. After sepal initiation, there is a delay in development, but the initiation of petals and stamens is continuous. The developmental sequence of the microspores in the stamens is centrifugal, although the stamens are initiated centripetally. The early developmental stages of the staminodes are similar to those of the stamens, although much smaller, so they may be phylogenetically homologous organs. The carpel primordia are lunular in shape and plicate. The mature ovule is anatropous and bitegmic. Urophysa shows similar floral development features as Aquilegia and Semiaquilegia, although with some differences, which supports the relationship inferred by DNA sequence data.

Cryptosporidium is a zoonotic parasite that causes diarrhea in a broad range of animals, including deer. Little is known about the prevalence and genotype of Cryptosporidium spp. in Père David’s deer. In this study, 137 fecal samples from Père David’s deer were collected between July 2017 and August 2018 in the Dafeng Reserve and analyzed for Cryptosporidium spp. by nested-PCR based on the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene, followed by sequence analyses to determine the species. The 60 kDa glycoprotein (gp60) gene was used to characterize Cryptosporidium spp. Among 137 samples, 2 (1.46%) were positive for Cryptosporidium spp. according to SSU rRNA gene sequencing results. Both samples belonged to the Cryptosporidium deer genotype, with two nucleotide deletions and one nucleotide substitution. The prevalence data and molecular characterization of this study provide basic knowledge for controlling and preventing Cryptosporidium infections in Père David’s deer in this area.

Background Fasciola hepatica is an important zoonotic parasite that causes fasciolosis in a broad range of animals. No information is available about the prevalence of F. hepatica in Père David’s deer (Elaphurus davidianus), an endangered species in the world. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of fasciolosis in Père David’s deer in the Dafeng Elk National Natural Reserve, Jiangsu province, China. Results In this study, 142 fecal samples from Père David’s deer were analyzed for F. hepatica by microscopy and nest-PCR. Only one sample was positive for F. hepatica according to microscopy examination, while 18 of 142 (12.68, 95%CI: 2.841–22.45%) samples were positive for F. hepatica according to nest-PCR results. Conclusions This is the first report of prevalence of F. hepatica in Père David’s deer. The prevalence data indicated that F. hepatica was also present in this endangered animal, which may cause a potential threat to this precious species.