The systematic importance of anatomical data in Gagea (Liliaceae) from the Flora Iranica area

Abstract

Anatomical features of basal leaves, pedicels and tepals of 22 species of Gagea belonging to four sections (Platyspermum, Plecostigma, Gagea and Didymobulbos) are investigated. Anatomical characters are mapped onto a molecular phylogenetic tree and their evolution is evaluated. The systematic importance of the anatomical characters is discussed. Anatomical characters are more systematically useful in the Irano-Turanian taxa than in Euro-Siberian taxa. The presence of collenchyma and/or sclerenchyma and the pentagonal outline of the transverse section of the basal leaf is found in Irano-Turanian taxa of section Platyspermum and is mostly absent in Euro-Siberian taxa. A diagnostic key based on combined anatomical characters is provided. The level of variation in anatomical characters is greater in the basal leaf than the pedicel and lowest in the tepals. Convergent evolution in anatomical characters is associated with ecological shifts between sunny, open, dry habitats and closed, humid habitats.

Gagea antakiensis, a new species from Southern Anatolia, Turkey and the new finding of Gagea lojaconoi (Liliaceae)

“…ex Reichenbach (1830: 102) is one of the 15 genera currently included in the family Liliaceae (Tribe Tulipeae) and is represented by approximately 280 (Peruzzi 2012a) to 300 species worldwide (Tison et al 2013). The members of the genus are largely distributed across the temperate and subtropical regions of Eurasia, Europe, and Western Asia, with a few species in North Africa and North America (Zarrei et al 2007, 2010a, 2010b, Peruzzi 2012a. Mediterranean species represent about 25% of the existing species from all Gagea sections (Peruzzi 2008a).…”

“…In the recent years, many researchers have contributed to taxonomy within the genus (Ali & Levichev 2007, Levichev 1999, 2006, Levichev & Ali 2006, Peruzzi 2003, 2008a, 2012b, 2008a, 2008b, 2009a, 2009b, Peruzzi & Bartolucci 2006, Peterson et al 2004, 2010, Schnittler et al 2013, Tison et al 2013, Zarrei et al 2007, 2010a, 2010b, 2010c. Currently, the genus Gagea includes 15 sections, mainly distinguished according to the morpho-anatomic and ontogenetic features of the basal and cauline leaves, peduncle, pedicels, tepals, and seeds (Peterson et al 2008, Peruzzi 2012a).…”

New insights into the phylogeny and taxonomy of Chinese species of Gagea (Liliaceae)—speciation through hybridization

“…7 species; Levichev in Peterson et al 2008). Anatomical characters (Zarrei et al 2010c) also do not support the placement of G. bulbifera within Sect.…”

“…Minimae the floral leaf (the fourth on a shoot) belongs to the inflorescence and is located above, and in line with, the first basal leaf. In addition, for the determination of species, the cross sections of basal leaves and peduncles (Ajani et al 2010;Zarrei et al 2010c) are very important features.…”

The Classification of Bambusa spp. from Celebes Based on the Micromorphological Characters of Leaf Epidermis

“…Bamboos identification based on leaf anatomical characters were done since 1907 [2]. The nature of the anatomical considered very important in the study of taxonomists at various levels taxa [3,4,5].…”