202 Abstracts

Investigations into the cotyledonary node in the Banksia spinulosa Inter-population variation in the size of ringens complex (Proteaceae) reveal functional traits related to seedling () survival G. Theron M.L. Stimpsona,R.D.B.Whalleya, P.H. Westonb,C.J.Prychida,c,J.J.Bruhla Department of Botany Zoology, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, aBotany, School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New Matieland 7602, England, Armidale NSW 2351, Australia bNational Herbarium of New South Wales, The Royal Botanic Gardens and Shifts in traits frequently correspond to changes in habitat, Domain Trust, Mrs Macquaries Road, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia life history, or other ecological parameters. Therefore divergent cRoyal Botanic Gardens Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AB, United Kingdom selection pressures produce intraspecific variation between popula- tions of species with an extensive geographic range, giving rise to Of the 178 species of Banksia only two have had an ontogenetic local adaptations. is one such species, with a wide anatomical study of the cotyledonary node. No studies of the function or distribution across much of the south-western side of South Africa structure of the cotyledons and cotyledonary node have been performed and exhibits intraspecific variation in morphological traits. This on the Banksia spinulosa complex,despitemembersofthecomplex species possesses an extraordinary sterile inflorescence which appearing to be polymorphic for lignotuber development as well as functions as a specialised bird perch, and is an adaptation to position having the broadest altitudinal, latitudinal and longitudinal distribution visiting Malachite sunbirds appropriately during nectar feeding, for of any taxa in the . Taxa in the B. spinulosa complex occur in a large maximum outcrossing of its unusual ground-level flowers. In this proportion of the mesic, fire-prone woodland, heath and wallum of study intraspecific trait variation in Babiana ringens is considered as eastern Australia. Observations on glasshouse grown seedlings at 3, 6, 12, the possible outcome of divergent resource availability, differences in 24 and 28 weeks have shown that all of the taxa in the complex develop mating systems and/or divergent communities. To estab- exogenous adventitious buds at the cotyledonary node if damaged above lish what may have caused this variation, measurements of the the cotyledonary node at the seedling stage. Preliminary investigations resources available to plants were taken and pollinator activities on have shown that when the seedling suffers damage such as wind, water the community level were observed. Additionally, morphological or alkaline stress the cotyledon remains green and healthy for at least 12 measurements of B. ringens and nectar quantity and concentration months as opposed to healthy seedlings where the cotyledon starts from the bird pollinated plant community were recoded, further- senescing at 11 weeks and is completely senesced by 28 weeks. It is likely more floral manipulations performed to determine which factor that the cotyledons function as structures that form both a source and a affect fertility. The diminutive populations appear to be predominately sink of nutrition that enhances the chances of seedling survival long self-fertilising in order to reproduce successfully, as a result of very low enough to reach the juvenile stage. Lignotubers start to develop above or visitation rates. The nectar rich fynbos species which co-occur with below ground at the cotyledonary node, depending on the dislocation of B. ringens appear to be outcompeting them for pollinator visits in the soil and detritus around the seedling. populations in the eastern and Cape Peninsular part of their range. Thus they have likely reduced in size as an adaptation to selfing, or due to doi:10.1016/j.sajb.2015.03.124 inbreeding depression making divergence in mating systems the likely cause for intraspecific size variation in B. ringens.

The species level phylogenetic relationships of the genus Carissa doi:10.1016/j.sajb.2015.03.126 L. (Apocynaceae)

D.W. Stodart, N.P. Barker Reproductive biology towards the conservation of Securidaca Department of Botany, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa longipedunculata Fresen. in the Nylsvley Nature Reserve, Limpopo Province, South Africa The Carissa genus comprises 35 species. The of this genus is quite messy with some scientists not recognizing some species. The aim of this study is to undertake and perform a preliminary molecular A.P. Tiawoun Makuete, M.H. Ligavha-Mbelengwa, M.P. Tshisikhawe phylogenetic study of as many Carissa species as possible. Molecular Department of Botany, School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, studies were performed by using DNA sequencing of various regions of University of Venda, Private Bag X5050, Thohoyandou 0950, the plant DNA. Genetic analyses were done on chloroplast TrnL-F region South Africa and nuclear ITS region. Multiple analyses were performed which Securidaca longipedunculata (Polygalaceae) is a tree with benefi- involved Maximum Parsimony, Maximum Likelihood, and Bayesian Inference. The dataset consisted of Carissa samples, from South Africa, cial attributes, valued by the population for its various uses. The immense value offered for its roots in Limpopo Province, has resulted Australia and from Asia. The Maximum parsimony tree shows there to be two distinct clades, an African and Asian/Australian clade, but with in over-exploitation. Despite its poor reproduction coupled with over-exploitation, and its economic and ecological importance, moderate bootstrap support. The Bayesian inference tree shows slightly different results compared to the maximum parsimony tree. The almost all research has focused on its medicinal aspects; there is little scientific attention to reproduce this species. The objective of maximum likelihood tree shows results very similar to the previous figures, with a distinct African clade compared to the Asian/Australian the study was to investigate the sexual and asexual reproduction of fi clade, but there is still low clade support for these clades. When looking S. longipedunculata under eld, laboratory and greenhouse conditions at the Carissa species there is evidence that the taxonomy of the species to evaluate seedling growth. Different pre-treatment protocols, is very messy especially for the Carissa bispinosa samples. More namely coat removal; sulfuric acid; gibberellic acid; boiled water; fi sequence data from the cpDNA region are needed from all over the cold water and control were tested for their ef cacy to break the known distributions as well as more endemic species of each of these hard seed coat of this tree. Another trial was conducted to assess the regions to compare their genetic structures. reproduction via branch layering and root suckering. The results showed that, pre-treatments of seeds have positive effects on the doi:10.1016/j.sajb.2015.03.125 germination percentage and seedling growth. The highest germina- tion percentage was obtained in greenhouse by coat removal pre-