Ching-I Peng

Three new species of Begonia endemic to the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, Palawan

BackgroundBegonia is a mega-diverse genus of flowering plants prone to generating micro-endemic species, especially on limestone habitats. During fieldwork in the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, Palawan (Philippines), three species were encountered which did not match any previously described from the region.ResultsFollowing morphological, anatomical, molecular phylogenetic and cytological investigation a hypothesis of three new species is supported. The three new species belong to a clade endemic to Palawan and Borneo.ConclusionsThe limestone habitats in the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park environs support a unique flora. The description of three new species from a small area within the park demonstrates how much remains to be discovered there, and the importance of its continued protection.

Phylogeny and biogeography of the Viola iwagawae - tashiroi species complex (Violaceae, section Plagiostigma ) endemic to the Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan

In continental island biogeography, geologically age-old straits have been considered to be the most likely barriers in determining geographical patterns of speciation/genetic differentiation among islands. Straits with similar ages may have had different influences if geographical width across the straits had fluctuated differently in the past. However, this issue has seldom been discussed. We explored it by studying the Viola iwagawae-tashiroi species complex in the Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan. The archipelago is divided into three island groups, the northern, central, and southern Ryukyus, by two old straits called the Tokara and Kerama gaps, which are roughly of the same age. Bayesian and maximum parsimony phylogenetic analyses of section Plagiostigma and Bayesian molecular dating using multiple calibration points were conducted based on nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences. To reveal the detailed genealogy of the species complex, statistical parsimony networks were estimated separately for the ITS and chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) sequences and a calibrated multispecies coalescent tree based on both ITS and cpDNA sequences was constructed. Results suggest that the V. iwagawae-tashiroi species complex originated in the Ryukyu Archipelago when this region formed part of the East Asian continental margin or was formed by a few larger islands and that the complex was already distributed across the archipelago by the late Pliocene–early Pleistocene. Divergence time estimations suggest that the Kerama Gap has been a long-term effective barrier to dispersal preventing gene flow across it, whereas recent dispersal over the Tokara Gap was inferred. These contrasting results are likely explained by the fact that the minimum geographical width across the straits is geohistorically and currently greater over the Kerama Gap than at the Tokara Gap.

Integrative Approach to Analyze Biodiversity and Anti-Inflammatory Bioactivity of Wedelia Medicinal Plants

For the development of “medical foods” and/or botanical drugs as defined USA FDA, clear and systemic characterizations of the taxonomy, index phytochemical components, and the functional or medicinal bioactivities of the reputed or candidate medicinal plant are needed. In this study, we used an integrative approach, including macroscopic and microscopic examination, marker gene analysis, and chemical fingerprinting, to authenticate and validate various species/varieties of Wedelia, a reputed medicinal plant that grows naturally and commonly used in Asian countries. The anti-inflammatory bioactivities of Wedelia extracts were then evaluated in a DSS-induced murine colitis model. Different species/varieties of Wedelia exhibited distinguishable morphology and histological structures. Analysis of the ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region revealed significant differences among these plants. Chemical profiling of test Wedelia species demonstrated candidate index compounds and distinguishable secondary metabolites, such as caffeic acid derivatives, which may serve as phytochemical markers or index for quality control and identification of specific Wedelia species. In assessing their effect on treating DSS induced-murine colitis, we observed that only the phytoextract from W. chinensis species exhibited significant anti-inflammatory bioactivity on DSS-induced murine colitis among the various Wedelia species commonly found in Taiwan. Our results provide a translational research approach that may serve as a useful reference platform for biotechnological applications of traditional phytomedicines. Our findings indicate that specific Wedelia species warrant further investigation for potential treatment of human inflammatory bowel disease.

Begonia myanmarica (Begoniaceae), a new species from Myanmar, and molecular phylogenetics of Begonia sect. Monopteron

BackgroundA new species, Begonia myanmarica, was discovered from Myanmar and herein documented. Characterized by a single developed wing in the ovary/fruit, this species would be assigned to sect. Monopteron (sensu Doorenbos et al. in The sections of Begonia including descriptions, keys and species lists: studies in Begoniaceae VI. Wageningen Agricultural University, Wageningen, 1998) that is known by B. griffithiana and B. nepalensis from the Himalaya. To confirm its sectional assignment, we conducted morphological, phylogenetic and cytological studies.ResultsMorphological observations indicated that B. myanmarica was distinguishable from the two known species of sect. Monopteron by the leaf shape and size, 1-locular ovary, parietal placentation and chromosome number. Molecular phylogenetic analysis using nrITS sequences showed that B. myanmarica was not allied with the clade of sect. Monopteron, though both were nested within sect. Platycentrum-sect. Sphenanthera clade.ConclusionsStudies of morphology, molecular phylogenetics and cytology support the recognition of the new species, Begonia myanmarica, which is fully described and illustrated. Our results also indicate that B. myanmarica is not closely related to species previously assigned to sect. Monopteron, suggesting that the fruit morphology of a single developed wing in the ovary/fruit characterizing sect. Monopteron is homoplasious.

Development and Characterization of EST-SSR Markers for Begonia luzhaiensis (Begoniaceae)

Premise of the study: Microsatellite primers were developed for Begonia luzhaiensis (Begoniaceae) to assess genetic diversity and population genetic structure. Methods and Results: Based on the transcriptome data of B. luzhaiensis, 60 primer pairs were selected for initial validation, of which 16 yielded polymorphic microsatellite loci in 57 individuals. The number of alleles observed for these 16 loci ranged from one to nine. The observed and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.000 to 1.000 and from 0.000 to 0.804 with averages of 0.370 and 0.404, respectively. Five loci could be successfully amplified in B. leprosa. Conclusions: The expressed sequence tag–simple sequence repeat markers are the first specifically developed for B. luzhaiensis and the first developed in Begonia sect. Coelocentrum. These markers will be useful for future studies of the genetic structure and phylogeography of B. luzhaiensis.

Three new species of Begonia (Begoniaceae) from Limestone Hills in southwestern Sarawak, Borneo

Most species of Begonia in Borneo, like those of other areas, are narrowly distributed and site-specific. In this study we report three new species of Begonia, namely B. felis C. W. Lin & C.-I Peng, B. kuchingensis C. W. Lin & C.-I Peng (sect. Petermannia) and B. serianensis C. W. Lin & C.-I Peng (sect. Reichenheimia) from the Padawan-Serian limestone hills in southwestern Sarawak. In addition to the taxonomic account, color plates, line drawings, a distribution map, and comparisons with phenetically similar species are provided to aid in identification.

Three new species of Begonia sect. Baryandra from Panay Island, Philippines

BackgroundThe flora of Panay Island is under-collected compared with the other islands of the Philippines.xa0In a joint expedition to the island, botanists from Taiwan and the Philippines found three unknown Begonia species and compared them with potentially allied species.ResultsThe three species are clearly assignable to Begonia sect. Baryandra which is largely endemic to the Philippines. Studies of literature, herbarium specimens, and living plants support the recognition of the three new species:xa0Begonia culasiensis, B. merrilliana, and B. sykakiengii. Somatic chromosomes at metaphase were determined to be 2nxa0=xa030 for B. culasiensis and 2nxa0=xa028 for both B. merrilliana and B. sykakiengii, congruent with those of most species in sect. Baryandra. Molecular phylogenetic evidence is consistent with B. culasiensis being a relict from the late Miocene and B. merrilliana and B. sykakiengii being younger species of Pleistocene origin.ConclusionThe continuing discovery of endemic Philippine species means the remaining fragments of both primary and secondary native vegetation in the archipelago are of increasing value in terms of natural capital. A secure future for the species could be realized through ex situ conservation collections and raising awareness with community groups.