Globulostylis Explained

Globulostylis is a genus of flowering plants in the family Rubiaceae. It comprises 8 species growing in Central Africa.

Description

The main characters of Globulostylis are the few-flowered inflorescences with a pair of bracts at the apex of the peduncle and the style with a swelling in the lower half.[1]

Distribution and habitat

Globulostylis has 8 species in Central Africa, all endemic to the Lower Guinean forests, except G. uncinula, which also occurs in the Congolian forests.[1]

All species are shrubs or small trees of forest understory, never gregarious.

Bacterial leaf symbiosis

Endophytic bacteria are housed in the intercellular space of the leaf mesophyll tissue. The presence of these bacteria can only be microscopically ascertained. The bacteria are identified as Burkholderia, which is a genus that is also found in the leaves of other Rubiaceae species.[2] [3] hypothesis is that these endophytic bacteria provide chemical protection against insect herbivory.[4]

Taxonomy

The genus was described by H.F. Wernham in 1913 to accommodate two species from South Nigeria collected by Mr. and Mrs. P.A. Talbot, viz. G. minor and G. talbotii.[5] A third species, G. cuvieroides, was added later.[6] Globulostylis and Cuviera species are closely related, and therefore at one point Globulostylis was treated as a subgenus of Cuviera.[7] However, the combined analysis of both morphological and molecular data separates both genera.[1]

Species

Accepted species according to the latest revision.[1]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Verstraete B, Lachenaud O, Smets E, Dessein S, Sonké B . 2013. Taxonomy and phylogeny of Cuviera (Rubiaceae-Vanguerieae) and reinstatement of the genus Globulostylis with the description of three new species. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society. 173. 3. 407–441. 10.1111/boj.12062. free.
  2. Verstraete B, Janssens S, Smets E, Dessein S. 2013. Symbiotic beta-proteobacteria beyond legumes: Burkholderia in Rubiaceae. PLOS ONE. 8. 1. e55260. 10.1371/journal.pone.0055260. 23372845. 3555867. free.
  3. Verstraete B, Janssens S, Lemaire B, Smets E, Dessein S . Phylogenetic lineages in Vanguerieae (Rubiaceae) associated with Burkholderia bacteria in sub-Saharan Africa . Am. J. Bot. . 100 . 12 . 2380–7 . 2013 . 24275705 . 10.3732/ajb.1300303 .
  4. Sieber S, Carlier A, Neuburger M, Grabenweger G, Eberl L, Gademann K. 2015. Isolation and total synthesis of kirkamide, an aminocyclitol from an obligate leaf nodule symbiont. Angewandte Chemie International Edition. 54. 27. 7968–7970. 10.1002/anie.201502696. 26033226.
  5. Book: Wernham H. 1913. Globulostylis. Rendle A, Baker E, Moore S . Catalogue of the plants collected by Mr. & Mrs. P.A.Talbot in the Oban district South Nigeria. Printed by order of the Trustees of the British Museum. London. 49–51.
  6. Wernham. 1918. New Rubiaceae from the Belgian Congo. Botanical Journal of Botany, British and Foreign. 56. 309–314.
  7. Verdcourt B. 1987. Notes on African Rubiaceae-Vanguerieae. Kew Bulletin. 42. 1. 123–199. 10.2307/4109900. 4109900. 1987KewBu..42..123V .

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