tailieunhanh - Anatomical findings of Onobrychis sect. Heliobrychis (Fabaceae) in Iran and their taxonomic implications

Results showed that qualitative characters represent considerable variations within the section, some of which such as outline shape of the peduncle cross section, density of papillae on hair surface, and position of cavities in peduncles are taxonomically important characters to differ annual species from perennials in the section. | R. KARAMIAN, A. MORADI BEHJOU, M. RANJBAR Research Article Turk J Bot 36 (2012) 27-37 © TÜBİTAK doi: Anatomical findings of Onobrychis sect. Heliobrychis (Fabaceae) in Iran and their taxonomic implications Roya KARAMIAN*, Ali MORADI BEHJOU, Massoud RANJBAR Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Bu-Ali Sina University, P. O. Box 65175/4161, Hamedan - IRAN Received: Accepted: Abstract: Peduncle anatomy was investigated in 20 species of Onobrychis Miller sect. Heliobrychis Bunge from Iran by light microscopy. Ten quantitative and qualitative characters were studied in the peduncle cross sections. Results showed that qualitative characters represent considerable variations within the section, some of which such as outline shape of the peduncle cross section, density of papillae on hair surface, and position of cavities in peduncles are taxonomically important characters to differ annual species from perennials in the section. Four groups were distinguished within the perennial species according to peduncle anatomical characters. In addition, a key is provided for the taxa based on these characters. Key words: Anatomical characters, cross section, Leguminoseae, Onobrychis, Heliobrychis Introduction The genus Onobrychis Miller (Hedysareae, Fabaceae), with about 130 species in 2 subgenera and 9 sections, includes annual or perennial herbs or shrubs. The genus is mainly distributed in northern temperate regions; however, centres of its genetic diversity are in the eastern Mediterranean area and south-west Asia (Rechinger, 1984; Lock & Simpson, 1991). Onobrychis sect. Heliobrychis Bunge belongs to the subgenus Sisyrosema Bunge and includes annual or perennial plants, caulescent or acaulescent, with sub-orbicular ecristate and setose fruits. The section comprises 3 subsections (Širjaev, 1926). It is predominantly distributed in the Zagros Mountains and north-west Iran. The section with about 24 species is the biggest section