Project description:Artabotrys pilosus (Annonaceae) is endemic to China, this plant has high medicinal value and broad application prospect. In this study, we assembled and systematically analyzed the chloroplast genome of A. pilosus on the basis of DNA sequencing using high-throughput techniques. The chloroplast sequence of A. pilosus was 178,195 bp in length, including two inverted repeat regions of 42,150 bp, a large single-copy region of 90,797 bp and a small single-copy region of 3098 bp. It was predicted to contain 142 genes, of which 96 are coding, 38 are tRNA genes, and eight are rRNA genes. The overall GC content was 38.8%; this was higher in the IRs (40.4%) when compared to the LSC (37.6%) and the SSC (32%) regions. Phylogenetic analysis showed that A. pilosus is in subfamily Annonoideae.
Project description:Artabotrys pachypetalus sp. nov. is described from Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hunan and Jiangxi in China. A detailed description, distribution data, along with a color plate and a line drawing are provided. In China, specimens representing this species were formerly misidentified as A. multiflorus or A. hongkongensis (= A. blumei). Artabotrys blumei typically has a single flower per inflorescence, whereas both Artabotrys pachypetalus and A. multiflorus have multiple flowers per inflorescence. In addition, A. pachypetalus is readily distinguished from A. multiflorus in having thicker and shorter petals, and connivent and somewhat trigonal or terete inner petal blades. Artabotrys pachypetalus is most similar to A. punctulatus because both have multi-flowered inflorescences and similar petal length, but A. pachypetalus differs in having cream petals in vivo, connivent inner petal blades, and a short, raised rim above the inner petal claw. Artabotrys multiflorus should be excluded from the flora of China because none of the Chinese specimens of Artabotrys collected so far fall within the variation of A. multiflorus.
Project description:Two new species of Artabotrys (Annonaceae) are described from peninsular Thailand. Artabotrys longipetalus J.Chen & Eiadthong, sp. nov., is unique among Artabotrys species in Thailand in having linear petals, relatively long flower pedicels and sessile monocarps. Artabotrys insurae J.Chen & Eiadthong, sp. nov., resembles Artabotrys uniflorus (Griff.) Craib, but can be distinguished by its oblique leaf base, flat petal blades, apiculate anther connective apex and the presence of a monocarp stipe. In addition, two new records for the Flora of Thailand are reported, viz. Artabotrys crassifolius Hook.f. & Thomson and Artabotrys pleurocarpus Maingay ex Hook.f. & Thomson; both species are so far only known from peninsular Thailand. A key to the 20 species of Artabotrys in Thailand is provided.
Project description:Artabotrys hexapetalus (L.f.) Bhandari, 1965, an evergreen climbing shrub of significant value, is prominent in Chinese history and culture. The whole-gene sequencing of its chloroplast genome using Illumina pair-end sequencing data is conducted during this research. The complete chloroplast genome was determined to be 178,457 bp in size, separated by a large single copy (LSC) and a small single copy (SSC) region of 90,803 and 3,066 bp, respectively. A total of 134 genes were identified, including 90 protein-coding genes, 36 tRNA, and eight rRNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis revealed a close relationship between A. hexapetalus and Artabotrys pilosus, forming a sister branch with 100% support. The study suggests that the chloroplast genome of A. hexapetalus provides valuable insights into its evolutionary history and will contribute to the conservation efforts of this species.
Project description:Two new species of Artabotrys are described from Thailand. Artabotrys tanaosriensis J.Chen, Chalermglin & R.M.K.Saunders, sp. nov., is similar to A. oblanceolatus Craib but differs in its symmetrical, cuneate or decurrent leaf base, externally distinct outer petal blades and claws, deltoid and undulate outer petal blades, rhomboid and undulate inner petal blades and shorter, subsessile and slightly beaked monocarps. Artabotrys spathulatus J.Chen, Chalermglin & R.M.K.Saunders, sp. nov., is most similar to A. tanaosriensis but differs in having flat outer petal blades, broadly rhomboid outer petal claws, broadly spathulate and strongly concave inner petal blades and strongly beaked monocarps. Two new records for the Flora of Thailand are furthermore reported here: A. punctulatus C.Y.Wu ex S.H.Yuan and A. byrsophyllus I.M.Turner & Utteridge, which were previously confused with A. aeneus Ast and A. grandifolius King, respectively. A key to Artabotrys species indigenous to Thailand is provided here.