Chemosystematic markers

Otto A, Wilde V, Sesqui-, di- and triterpenoids as chemosystematic markers in extant conifers. Botanical Review 67 141-238, 2001. 

The distribution of carotenoids in plants [18] and animals [19] has been treated in monographs. The application of carotenoids in chemosystematic markers has received attention [18,20] and has been successful particularly for phototropic bacteria [21] and algae [18,22,23],... 

Diterpenoids as chemosystematic markers have received some attention, especially with reference to Leguminosae phylogeny (181, 302, 317) and distribution in Cupressales (140). 

Gorham(72< ) reported that lunularin (595) and lunularic acid (598) were found in the Hepaticae, but not in the Musci and the Anthocerotae. Chemical differentiation between the Hepaticae and the Musci is also observed with respect to terpenoids and lipophilic aromatic compounds. The Hepaticae produce mono-, sesqui- and diterpenoids as well as lipophilic aromatic compounds. By contrast neither mono- and sesquiterpenoids nor lipophilic aromatic compounds have been found in the Musci which have been analyzed so far, except for the presence of one kaurane-type diterpene (508) in Saelania species (272). This characteristic difference in chemical constituents is due to the following fact. Most species of the Hepaticae possess oil bodies which contain the terpenoids and the lipophilic aromatic compounds, whereas, the Musci do not contain oil bodies. Terpenoids and aromatic compounds are major constituents of the Hepaticae and can be used as important chemosystematic markers at different taxonomic levels 13a, 19, 21, 25a, 26—29, 33, 34, 45—47, 67, 69, 74, 334). Although flavonoids are not major components of the Hepaticae, these can also be used as chemical markers (187—198, 200—205, 259, 264, 310—312, 328, 329). Taxonomic use of biochemical data for all hierarchical levels of the bryophytes was reviewed by Suire and Asakawa (310—312). The chemosystematics of the Marchantiales were reviewed by Markham and Porter (199). 

In Frullania, twenty-five taxa have been investigated chemically (27,34). Fourteen species contained allergy-inducing sesquiterpene lactones such as (322, 338, 339, 345, 349). Eighteen species bibenzyl derivatives (595—598, 600—608). The major constituents are sesquiterpene lactones and bibenzyls, which may be valuable chemosystematic markers of Frullania species. Frullania species are divided into five chemotypes, a sesquiterpene lactone-bibenzyl type (Type I), a sesquiterpene lactone-type (Type II), a bibenzyl-type (Type III), a monoterpene-type (Type IV) and a cyclocolorenone (38)-type (Type V). Except for the cyclocolenone-type, there is no chemical affinity between the Frullaniaceae and the Porellaceae. 

Previous studies have shown that chemical composition of the leaf lipid compounds provide a useful tool to elucidate phylogenetic affinities (1-4). In fact, wax constituents have frequently been chosen as chemosystematic markers for the classification of several plant families. 

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