Development and characterization of expressed sequence tag-simple sequence repeat markers for the near-threatened halophyte Limonium tetragonum (Thunb.) A. A. Bullock (Plumbaginaceae).

Next-generation RNA sequencing analysis was performed to develop 13 novel expressed sequence tag-simple sequence repeat markers to evaluate the genetic variation in the near-threatened halophyte Limonium tetragonum (Thunb.) A. A.

Intraspecific divergence in a coastal plant, Euphorbia jolkinii, at a major biogeographic boundary in East Asia.

Premise: Quaternary climatic fluctuations and long-distance seed dispersal across the sea are critical factors affecting the distribution of coastal plants, but the spatiotemporal nature of population expansion and distribution change of East Asian coastal plants during this period are rarely examined. To explore this process, we investigated the genome-wide phylogenetic patterns of Euphorbia jolkinii Boiss. (Euphorbiaceae), which grows widely on littoral areas of Japan, Korea, and Taiwan.

Development of a system for the automated identification of herbarium specimens with high accuracy.

Herbarium specimens are dried plants mounted onto paper. They are used by a limited number of researchers, such as plant taxonomists, as a source of information on morphology and distribution. Recently, digitised herbarium specimens have begun to be used in comprehensive research to address broader issues.

Estimation of rooting depth of Cs uptake by plants.

Understanding the soil-to-plant transfer process of Cs is essential for predicting the contamination levels of plants in contaminated areas. The rooting depth is considered one of the key factors explaining the difference in the activity concentration of Cs in different plant species. In this study, the distributions of Cs and Cs in soils and plants were investigated, and the plants' rooting depth of Cs uptake was estimated using the Cs/Cs ratios in exchangeable fractions of soils and biological samples.

Non-destructive DNA extraction from herbarium specimens: a method particularly suitable for plants with small and fragile leaves.

Protocols for DNA extraction from plants generally involve physical and chemical destruction of tissues. Use of these conventional methods precludes preservation of morphological information from herbarium specimens, especially for small plants with few leaves, and reduces the voucher value of specimens. Here, we developed a new, non-destructive DNA extraction protocol (Protocol 1) that only needs a small piece of leaf (< 25 mm) to obtain DNA suitable for DNA sequencing from fragile herbarium specimens.

Comparative morphological analysis of two parallel mycoheterotrophic transitions reveals divergent and convergent traits in the genus Pyrola (Pyroleae, Ericaceae).

The genus Pyrola includes species with different degree of mycoheterotrophy; some species possess individuals that rely on all carbon through their associations with fungi (full mycoheterotrophy, FM), whereas some species obtain carbon through both fungi and photosynthesis by itself (partial mycoheterotrophy, PM). To investigate how plant functional traits of photosynthesis and reproduction are related to the degree of mycoheterotrophy in the initial stage of the transition from PM to FM, we determined morphological traits in FM (or nearly FM) and PM species in two independent lineages, P. picta and P.

Genetic analysis of Japanese and American specimens of Scirpus hattorianus suggests its introduction from North America.

Scirpus hattorianus is a possible alien species in Japan, and a clarification of its unclear taxonomy is required to reveal its origin. It is not known whether the plants initially described from Japan represent the same species distributed in North America. To clarify the origin of the species, we attempted to sequence old specimens collected about 80 years ago using newly designed primer pairs specific for short sequences, including the variable sites.

Development of microsatellite markers for partially and putative fully mycoheterotrophic varieties of Pyrola japonica sensu lato (Ericaceae).

We developed microsatellite markers to compare the genetic variation and reproductive biology between the partially mycoheterotrophic Pyrola japonica var. japonica and the putative fully mycoheterotrophic P. japonica var.

Variation in vegetative morphology tracks the complex genetic diversification of the mycoheterotrophic species Pyrola japonica sensu lato.

Premise Of The Study: Although the evolution of full mycoheterotrophy has attracted many plant researchers, molecular phylogenetic studies that focus on the transition from partial to full mycoheterotrophy are limited to a few taxa. Pyrola japonica sensu lato is an ideal model for examining the evolution of mycoheterotrophy, owing to its variable leaf size, which suggests that the species comprises several transitional stages.

Methods: To elucidate the molecular and morphological changes that occur during the evolutionary transition between partial and full mycoheterotrophy in P.

Isolation and characterization of novel microsatellite loci for the endangered orchid Cypripedium japonicum (Orchidaceae).

Premise Of The Study: Twenty-six microsatellite markers were developed for the endangered orchid Cypripedium japonicum (Orchidaceae) to estimate the clonal diversity and genetic structure of the remaining populations in Japan.

Methods And Results: Microsatellite loci of C. japonicum were isolated using Ion Personal Genome Machine (PGM) sequencing.

Why does Viola hondoensis (Violaceae) shed its winter leaves in spring?

Premise Of The Study: Viola hondoensis is a perennial herb that inhabits the understory of temperate, deciduous forests. It is an evergreen plant with a leaf life span that is shorter than a year. Its summer leaves are produced in spring and shed in autumn; winter leaves are produced in autumn and shed in spring.