Stomatal clustering in improves water use efficiency by modulating stomatal movement and leaf structure.

Stomata are a pivotal adaptation of land plants and control gas exchange. While most plants present solitary stomata, some plant species experiencing chronic water deficiency display clustered stomata on their epidermis; for instance, limestone-grown begonias. Moreover, the membrane receptor TOO MANY MOUTHS (TMM) plays a major role in spacing stomata on the epidermis in , but the function of its orthologs is unknown.

Six new species of Begonia from Guangxi, China.

Background: With currently 1980 described species, the mega-diverse Begonia is now perhaps the 5th largest flowering plant genus, expanding rapidly from ca. 900 species in 1997 to its current size in merely two decades. In continuation of our studies of Asian Begonia, we report six additional new species from Guangxi, the region/province harboring the second richest Begonia flora of China.

Phylogeography of Begonia luzhaiensis suggests both natural and anthropogenic causes for the marked population genetic structure.

Background: Sino-Vietnamese limestone karsts (SVLK) are a biodiversity hotspot rich in endemic plant species associated with caves and cave-like microhabitats. Based on phylogenetic studies of Begonia sect. Coelocentrum, a species-rich and characteristic SVLK clade, geographic isolation caused by extensive and continuous karstification was proposed as the major driving force triggering population diversification and geographic speciation.

Development and characterization of EST-SSR markers for (Begoniaceae).

Premise Of The Study: Microsatellite primers were developed for (Begoniaceae) to assess genetic diversity and population genetic structure.

Methods And Results: Based on the transcriptome data of , 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.

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

Background: Begonia 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.

Results: Following morphological, anatomical, molecular phylogenetic and cytological investigation a hypothesis of three new species is supported.

Six new species of Begonia (Begoniaceae) from limestone areas in Northern Vietnam.

Background: Species of Begonia are richly represented in limestone karst areas across the Sino-Vietnamese border. More than one hundred species were known, many of which were documented recently.

Results: In continuation of our systematic studies of Asian Begonia, we report six species of Begonia that are unknown to science, namely B.

Two new species of Begonia sect. Coelocentrum, B. guixiensis and B. longa, from Sino-Vietnamese limestone karsts.

Background: In our recent molecular phylogenetic study of Asian Begonia, two undescribed species, B. guixiensis sp. ined.

Begonia wui-senioris (sect. Platycentrum, Begoniaceae), a new species from Myanmar.

Background: The flora of Myanmar is under-collected compared with all other tropical Asian countries. An unknown Begonia was grown from seeds collected from a limestone hill in Central Myanmar, and compared with potentially allied species.

Results: The unknown Begonia is rhizomatous, has peltate leaves, 2-locular ovaries, and is evergreen.

Begonia wuzhishanensis (sect. Diploclinium, Begoniaceae), a new species from Hainan Island, China.

Background: Hainan is the largest island of the Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot and has the best preserved and most extensive tropical forests in China. A recent study on distribution of endangered species in China identifies southern Hainan as one of eight hotspots for plant conservation in the country. In continuation of our studies of Asian Begonia, we report the discovery of an attractive undescribed species, B.

Isolation of compound microsatellite markers in Begonia fenicis (Begoniaceae) endemic to East and Southeast Asian islands.

Premise Of The Study: We developed compound microsatellite markers for Begonia fenicis, a species endemic to eastern and southeastern Asian islands, to investigate geographical genetic structure.

Methods And Results: Using the compound microsatellite marker technique, 21 markers were developed and six polymorphic markers were characterized for samples from four islands in Taiwan and southern Japan. The number of alleles per locus ranged from two to six (mean = 4.