Bước đầu đánh giá bảo tồn loài thông năm lá Pinus cernua (họ Thông - Pinaceae) và mối quan hệ thân cận giữa các nhóm ở miền Đông Đông Dương

Introduction

Mountains of eastern Indochina form a series of highlands known today as the Truong Son or Annamese Range. This range stretches as a south­eastern extension of the Himalayas for more than 1000 km from the highlands of Yunnan across the entire peninsular territory to the seashore of southern Cambodia. During the long geological history of the region these mountain chains, running in a longitudinal direction, created a corridor for repeated plant migrations from subtropical and temperate Asia to tropical highlands of Indochina. Ancient plant movements and species isolation within numerous mountain peaks resulted in active processes encouraging species formation within Indochina (Averyanov et al., 2003). Isolation of a number of temperate Asian or Holarctic genera led to the creation of endemic and sub-endemic species within the mountain systems of eastern Indochina. Distribution of Pinus within eastern Indochina is a result of these migrations and subsequent isolation within a number of more or less isolated mountain massifs. As a result, eastern Indochina may constitute the region of the world with the highest diversity of Pinus (Farjon, 2001; Hiep, Vidal, 1996; Hiep et al.. 2004; Luu, Thomas, 2004). From 7 to 9 native Pinus species and varieties were inventoried within this territory during recent explorations, observations and taxonomic studies (Businsky, 2013; Phan Ke Loc et al., 2013).

The highlands of southern Vietnam provide a home to Ducampopinus krempfii (Lecomte) A. Chev., a unique relictual endemic within the Chu Yang Sin and Bi Dup Mountains. This peculiar primitive pine is possibly the ancestor of all modern pines (Orlova, Averyanov, 2004). This taxon is sometimes regarded as a monotype subgenus of the genus Pinus (Pinus subgen. of Ducampopinus (A. Chev.) Little et Critchfield. Four well defined allopatric varieties of the endemic Pinus dalatensis Ferré - P. dalatensis var. dalatensis, var. anemophila (Businsky) Aver., var. bidoupensis Businsky and var. procera (Businsky) Aver. inhabit isolated mountain areas within southern and central Vietnam and in Laos. A number of isolated massifs of rocky karstic limestone in northern Vietnam and in adjacent regions of China represent the area of distribution of the subendemic P henryi Masters and four calcium- dependent endemic races of P wangii Hu et W.C. Cheng - P wangii var. wangii, var. kwangtungensis (Tsiang) Silba, var. varifolia (Nan Li et Y.C. Zhang) Aver. and var. eremitana (Businsky) Aver. Two widespread species, Pinus kesiya Gordon and P latteri Mason, occasionally form scattered mixed and coniferous forests throughout Indochina. Meanwhile, many mountainous areas of eastern Indochina, particularly regions along the border with Vietnam remain insufficiently explored because they are often inaccessible. Such areas certainly contain the potential for the discovery of numerous local endemic plants during future scientific explorations. The recent discovery ofthe new 5-leaved pine within the ancient, isolated and highly-eroded sandstone plateau on the border of NE Laos and NW Vietnam is a positive example of this assumption.

This unusual pine was first recognized by Vietnamese geologists at the end of 2011 within the steep cliffs located within the peripheral zone of Pha Luong Mountains and spreading along Laos-Vietnam border between Houaphan and Son La provinces. This remarkable discovery was immediately announced in the January issue of the People’s Army Newspaper widely distributed in Vietnam (Lương Tứ Chấn, 2012) and was also noted in a short scientific article in the Vietnam Environment Administration Magazine (Lê Trần Chấn et al., 2012). In 2012 the discovery of the new species was confirmed and voucher herbarium specimens were collected during field work associated within the Rufford grant program - “Conservation of Conifer Tree Species in Hoa Binh - Son La Limestone Corridor” (Nguyen Duc To Luu, 2013; Phan Văn Thăng et al., 2013). These initial assessments and attempts to understand this newly discovered species resulted in its tentative identification as “Pinus aff. armandii Franchet” (Nguyen Duc To Luu et al., 2013; Phan Ke Loc et al.. 2013). In their publications, however, these authors indicated certain morphological differences found in the Vietnamese pine from P. armandii (Phan Ke Loc et al., 2013). The preliminary identification of the discovered plant as P fenzeliana Hand.-Mazz. was additionally proposed on the basis of speculative studies of plant images available on the Internet (Businský, 2013). Further field and laboratory studies by the authors confirmed the obvious differences between the discovered plant from both P. armandii and P. fenzeliana, the latter known from isolated locations in southern China. Given the clear distinction of the discovered tree and its morphological differences from all known species of the genus, it was described as a new species under the name Pinus cernua L.K. Phan ex Aver., K.S. Nguyen et T.H. Nguyen in Averyanov et al. (2014: 28). A detailed description and preliminary

Assessment of this very rare endangered species is presented below.

Pinus cernua L.K. Phan ex Aver., K.S. Nguyen et TH. Nguyen in Aver. et al., 2014, Nordic J. Bot. 32(6): 792. - P. armandii auct. non Franch.: Nguyen Duc To Luu et al., 2013, Proc. 5th Nat. Sci. Conf. Ecol. Biol. Res. (Hanoi): 152; Phan Văn Thăng et al., 2013, Quide Conif. Hoa Binh, Son La prov.: 20; Phan Ke Loc et al., 2013, Ecol. Econ. J. 45: 42. - p. fenzeliana auct. non Hand.-Mazz.: Businský, 2004, Willdenowia 34: 218; id., 2011, Phyton 51, 1: 84; id., 2013, ibid., 53, 2: 247, 257.

Distribution of Pinus cernua                             yvJVi   -  Maximal estimated area of occurrence (less than 74 km2)

-------  - Border of Xuan Nha Nature Reserve                            _  Maximal estimated area of occupancy (less than 25 km2)

-------  - Border of buffer zone                                           ,      .  Documented localities (1-12)

Fig. 1. Expected distribution area of Pinus cernua in the area of Pha Luong Mountains.

Green line designates the maximum estimated area of the species occurrence (less than 74 km2); pink shading marks the maximum estimated area of the species occupancy (less than 25 km2); red dots (and appropriate black figures) designate the localities where the species was studied; red and blue lines show the border of Xuan Nha Nature Reserve and the border of its buffer zone, respectively.

Described from the border region of northern Laos and Vietnam (“Laos-Vietnamese border between Son La and Houaphan provinces”).

Type. Vietnam, Son La Province, Van Ho District, Chieng Xuan Municipality, Co Hong village, territory of Xuan Nha Nature Reserve, NE. slopes of Pha Luong Mountains. Primary coniferous forest with Pinus cernua on very steep mountain slopes and cliffs composed of brown sandstone at elev. 1000-1050 m a.s.l., 20°42’14.2’’ N, 104°43’53.9’’ E, 12 November 2013, L. Averyanov et al. CPC 6992 (holo - Herbarium of the Center for Plant Conservation!, iso - LE!). Figs 1, locality 7; 2B; 3-5.

Fig. 2. Habitats and localities of Pinus cernua in Pha Luong Mountains.
A - Typical landscape of the central part of Pha Luong Mountais; B - Mature tree of Pinus cernua in its locus classicus; C-G - studied locations of P cernua: C - locality N° 8, D - locality N° 9, E - locality N° 10, F - locality N° 11, G - locality 12

Tree 20-30(35) m tall, 0.4-0.8(1) m dbh. Canopy conical, becoming with irregularly rounded with age; branches suberect to pendulous; leafy branchlets gray-green, olive or yellow-brown, slightly glaucous, glabrous. Bark dull gray-brown to dark brown, roughly fissured into irregular polygonal flat or slightly concave plates, often resinous, inner bark reddish-brown, finely fibrous. Winter buds, orange-brown, often, cylindric, 1-2 cm long, 3-5 mm in diam.; scales narrowly triangular, (3)4-5 mm long, 1-2 mm wide at the base, acuminate, with slightly recurved scarious apex. Needles in fascicles of 5, (12)15-20(22) cm long, 0.6-0.8 mm thick, rich dark green, slender, cernuous, slightly twisted, serrulate, triangular in cross section, with 25-32 rigid erect denticles per cm along the each edge and with 3-4 stomatal lines on the ventral lateral surfaces; vascular bundle 1, large; resin ducts 3, subequal, medial and two lateral; the sheath early deciduous. Pollen cones numerous, in spiral clusters at the base of new shoots, ovoid, later elongate, suberect, more or less stout, 0.8-1.5 cm long, 6-8 mm in diam. Seed cones on stout peduncles 1-2 cm long, commonly clustering 2-6 in a whorl, rarely alone, erect, later facing in all directions, persistent for many years, brown to dark brown, ovoid, 8-11 cm long, 5-7 cm in diam., dehiscent at maturity, often profusely resinous. Seed scales woody, rigid, obovate-deltoid, 2.4-2.8(3) cm long, 1.5-2.5 cm wide, apophysis deltoid, recurved and thickened at apex in form of transversal finely grooved cushion, umbo insignificant, without mucro. Seeds dark brown, smooth, oblique obovoid, 1-1.2 cm long, 0.5-0.7 mm in diam., with rudimentary scarious thin wing 1-2 mm wide disintegrating to seed maturity and occasionally remaining in form of low irregular distal rim. Pollination February-March, seeds September-October.

Paratypes. Vietnam. Sơn La prov., Chiềng Xuân (N.D. Luu et al. 2013): 4 Dec. 2012, P.V Thăng et al. 5 (VNU, PanNature Herbarium); 13 Dec. 2012, N.Đ.T. Lưu et al. 24 (VNU, PanNature Herbarium); 16  Apr. 2013, P.K. Lộc et al. P 11077; 16 Apr 2013, P 11078-11080; 17 April 2013, P 11081-11082; 18 April 2013, 11084-11089 (LE, VNU, PanNature Herbarium).

Documented photo records. NW Vietnam, bor­der area of Houaphan and Son La Prov., Van Ho Distr., Chieng Xuan Municipality, Co Hong village, territory of Xuan Nha Nature Reserve, Pha Luong Mt., 20°42‘07.5“, N, 104°40‘41.7“ E, 1150 m, 12 Nov. 2013, AveryanovL. et N.S. Khang photos, CPC s.n. (Fig. 2C, locality JV°8 on Fig. 1); 20°41‘39.4“, N 104°39‘22.9“ E, 1400 m, 13 Nov. 2013, N.S. Khang photos, CPC s.n. (Fig. 2D, locality N°9 on Fig. 1); 20°41‘24.7“ N, 104°39‘13.8“ E, 1380 m, 13 Nov.

2013,  N.S. Khang photos, CPC s.n. (Fig. 2E, locali­ty tf°10 on Fig. 1); 20°41‘31.0“ N, 104°39‘53.2“ E, 1450 m, 13 Nov. 2013, N.S. Khang photos, CPC s.n. (Fig. 2F, locality M>11 on Fig. 1); 20°41‘47.9“ N, 104°39‘45.6“ E, 1430 m, 13 Nov. 2013, N.S. Khang photos, CPC s.n. (Fig. 2G, locality N°12 on Fig. 1). All photos are deposited at the Center for Plant Conservation and LE Herbarium.

All presently known locations based on published data (Nguyen Duc To Luu et al., 2013) and on original source materials are listed in Table 1 and presented on figs 1 and 2.

Distribution. Endemic of Pha Luong Mountains situated on Laos-Vietnam border between Houaphan and Son La provinces. Hainan?

Table 1. The list of available locations of P. cernuain Pha Luong Mountains presented on figs 1 and 2

at elev. (900)1000-1500(1800) m a.s.l. Sometimes it was observed as a scattered tree in closed evergreen, broad-leaved forests. Its occasional gymnosperm associates are Fokienia hodginsii, Dacrycarpus imbricatus and Podocarpus neriifolius.

Fig. 3. Pinus cernua in its natural habitat.

Fig. 4. Digital epitype herbarium sheet of Pinus cernua

Fig. 5. Microstructure of Pinus cernua needle in its central part.
a - needle cross section; b - abaxial surface; c - lateral adaxial surface (all photos made from herbarium sample -
P.K. Loc et al. P 11178).

Seed fertility of P cernua varies between 50­60% according to observations on germination of seeds collected during autumn of 2013. In nature it was observed that most seedlings die soon after germination (Phan Ke Loc et al., 2013). Meanwhile, seedlings demonstrate good growth and development under cultivation ex situ at least during first year age (Fig. 6).

Saplings are sporadically found on open rocky slopes and cliff shelves. In shady forests on mountain summits regeneration is very poor or absent. Data are available regarding the successful cultivation by seeds and cuttings (Nguyen Duc To Luu, 2013; Phan Văn Thăng et al., 2013).

Taxonomical notes. The discovered species probably has some relation to the variable complex of Pinus fenzeliana and P armandii. Among a series of infraspecific taxa described in a different rank and associated with the mentioned species, our plant may be closer to the Taiwanese P. armandii var. mastersiana (Hayata) Hayata with a very similar morphology of seed cones. At the same time our plant distinctly differs from this taxon in having slender narrow needles more than twice as long as the seed cones, ovoid small persistent seed cones clustering regularly in whorls of 2-6, smaller seed scales with deltoid apophysis recurved and thickened at the apex in the form of a transverse, finely-grooved cushion without a distinct mucro and in seeds with a rudimentary, scarious, early-disintegrating wing. These characteristic features have already been emphasized during the initial studies of the first discovered subpopulation (Nguyen Duc To Luu et al., 2013, Phan Ke Loc et al., 2013). Specimens from Hainan selected as a neotype for P. fenzeliana do not agree with the species protologue (Businský, 2004, 2011). They resemble Vietnamese plants and may be close to our species described here. At the same time according to its original description, P. fenzeliana has a distinct morphologic resemblance with the previously described P. kwangtungensis Chun ex Tsiang, or it may belong to a hybrid of uncertain origin (Table 2).

Table 2. Selected discriminative features between Pinus fenzeliana, P. kwangtungensis, and P cernua

Pinus cernua is probably a local endemic of Pha Luong Mountains occuring on the Laos-Vietnamese border between Houaphan and Son La provinces (Nguyen Duc To Luu, 2013; Nguyen Duc To Luu et al., 2013; Phan Ke Loc et al., 2013; Phan Văn Thăng et al., 2013). Deep erosion of the solid orange-brown sandstones forms unique picturesque landforms with numerous rocky ridges, very steep cliff slopes and rocky outcrops on the tops of remnant mesas (Fig. 2A). The species almost exclusively inhabits steep rocky slopes and cliffs (Fig. 2B-G). This distribution may be caused by its zoochores (most likely birds or rodents) delivering seeds into such inaccessible habitats where they can germinate and develop Annual growth of individual trees of P cernua in observed populations is very variable and depends on habitat conditions.

Timber of plants found on relatively dry open rocky summits exhibits annual rings 0.5—1.5 mm wide which indirectly estimates the age of the oldest observed trees of between 200­250 years.

The name of the assessed pine, P. cernua, refers to the long slender weeping needles and drooping branches of old trees growing on open rocky cliffs. These features make the plant highly desirable for cultivation as ornamental tree, particularly in rock gardens of the Asian style.

Fig. 6. Seedling of Pinus cernua under cultivation 3 month after germination

IUCN Red List status and recommendations for conservation. The distribution of P. cernua is limited to small, isolated, highly-eroded remnant mountain massifs dissected by deep canyons into numerous narrow ridges on its periphery. Trees grow at elevations above 1000 m and this restricts the taxon to an area of less than 75 km2 (Fig. 1). Cliff habitats of the species are small in size and are severely fragmented with a total area of occurrence of less than 25 km2 (Fig. 1). The time to species regeneration is uncertain, but it is highly probable that a single generation would exceed 50 years. In this circumstance the decline of the populations of 25% (or more) during one generation may be reasonably expected, though within some parts of the range of the species (within Vietnam) fits within the area of Xuan Nha Nature Reserve. On the basis of these conditions, the species may be preliminarily assessed (IUCN 2013) both in Lao P.D.R. and Vietnam as a critically endangered (CR) under formal IUCN Red List criteria - B1ab(i, iii), C1, C2a(ii). Occasional, uncontrolled forest fires, sporadic logging, deforestation and loss of habitats are main threats for the species. Protection and monitoring of all known subpopulations, artificial propagation and introduction into cultivation as an ornamental tree may be effective measures to support species conservation.

Related 5-leaved species and varieties known in eastern Indochina also need modern assessment for their conservation protection in the region are listed below with notes on their taxonomy, distribution and ecology.

Five-leaved pine species occurring in eastern Indochina presently in need of assessment for their protection

1. Pinus dalatensis Ferré, 1960, Trav. Lab. Forest. Toulouse 1, 4, 4: 8.

1a. Pinus dalatensis var. dalatensis - P. wallichiana A.B. Jacks. var. dalatensis (Ferré) Silba, 1984, Phytologia Mem. 7: 59.

Described from S Vietnam. Type: Vietnam, Phan Rang, Trai Mat, a 6 km de Da Lat Dec. 1957, Gaussen s.n. (TL).

Distribution. S Vietnam (Lam Dong). SE Laos (Attapeu, Xekong)?

Ecology. Mixed and coniferous primary forests on silicate rocks, preferably granite and gneiss at elev. 1500-2600 m a.s.l.

1b. Pinus dalatensis var. anemophila (Businsky) Aver., comb. et stat. nov. - P. anemophila Businsky, 2010, Acta Pruhonic. 96: 5.

Described from central Laos. Type: Laos, Khammouan Province, E margin of Phou Ak plateau above Mu Gia Pass, ca 200 m W from plateau edge with Vietnam frontier W above road from the Cha Lo border checkpoint to the border pass ... alt. 995 m, 17°40.20.8’’ N, 105°44.54.5’’ E, 22. 04. 2010, Businsky 68102 (holo - PR; iso - BM, G, MO, P).

Distribution. Central Vietnam (Quang Binh), central Laos (Khammouan, Saravan).

Ecology. Mixed and coniferous primary forests on rocky shale and sandstone plateaus at elev. 800­1200 m a.s.l.

1c. Pinus dalatensis var. bidoupensis Businsky, 1999, Candollea 54: 127. - P. dalatensis subsp. bidoupensis (Businsky) Silba, 2009, Journ. Intern. Conif. Preserv. Soc. 16, 1: 19.

Described from S Vietnam. Type: Vietnam, Lam Dong and Thuan Hai Prov. border NE of Dalat, Bi Doup (2287 m) mt. region, W slopes of massif 2010m sit. 6 km SE of Bi Doup, a flat ridge approx. 1 km WNW of elev. point 1978 m; dense mixed forest together with Pinus krempfii et Fokienia hodginsii; 1895 m a.s.l.; 12°02’30’’ N, 108°41’55’’ E; 17. 02. 1994, R. Businsky 39160 (holo - G; iso - HN, K).

Distribution. S Vietnam (Dak Lak, Lam Dong, Ninh Thuan, Khanh Hoa).

Ecology. Mixed and coniferous primary forests on shaly and granite mountains at elev. 1400-2000 m a.s.l.

1d. Pinus dalatensis var. procera (Businsky) Aver., comb. nov. - P. dalatensis subsp. procera Businsky, 1999, Candollea 54: 133. - P fenzeliana Hand.-Mazz. var. annamiensis Silba, 2000, Journ. Intern. Conif. Preserv. Soc. 7, 1: 30. - P. fenzeliana subsp. annamiensis (Silba) Silba, 2009, Journ. Intern. Conif. Preserv. Soc. 16, 1: 21.

Described from S Vietnam without exact locality. Type: Annam: Thua-Luu, Forêt de Duông, coll. Service forestier 14 May 1918, A. Chevalier 38353 (holo-P).

Distribution. S Vietnam (Gia Lai, Kon Tum, Quang Nam, Thua Thien - Hue). Laos (Sekong)?

Ecology. Mixed and coniferous primary forests on shale and granite mountains at elev. 800-2500 m a.s.l.

2. Pinus fenzeliana Hand.-Mazz., 1931, Oe­sterreich. Bot. Zeit. 80: 337.

- P. armandii Franch. var. fenzeliana (Hand.-Mazz.) Eckenwalder, 2009, Conif. World: 647.

Described from Hainan. Type: China, Hainan: “In silvis montium Hungmoleng et Ngitse-leng dispersa inter arbores sempervirentes, in utroque semel tantum inventa, 1000 m X-XI 1929, Fenzel 55” - probably lost, non neotype: “China, Hainan Island, central part, Ying Ge Ling massif (1822 m), E-NE slopes above road pass NE of elev. point 1822 m, below lateral N ridge on a beginning steep stony ENE declivity, together with bamboo, 1040 m, 19°04’20’’ N, 109°32’30’’ E, 22. 12. 1993, Businsky 39103” (B, G, BM, MO, P, PE, PR, W) (Businsky 2004: 218).

Distribution. N Vietnam? S China (Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, SE Sichuan).

Ecology. In China mixed mountain forests on silicate rocks at elev. 1000-1600 m a.s.l. (Liguo Fu et al., 1999).

3. Pinus wangii Hu et W.C. Cheng, 1948 (15 May), Bull. Fan Mem. Inst. Biol. n.s. 1, 2: 191.

3a. Pinus wangii var. wangii - P. parviflora var. wangii (Hu et W.C. Cheng) Eckenwalder, 2009, Conif. World: 647.

Described from SE Yunnan. Type: China, Yunnan: ... Mar-li-po, Hwang-gin-yin, alt. 1100 m, on rocky hills ... “C.W Wang 85830 (holo - KUN; iso - PE N° 1599294). Proposed lectotypification of P. wangii by the duplicate at PE (Lin Qi, Cao Zi-yu, 2007) was unnecessary as the type specimen (“C.W Wang 85830”) was clearly designated as the “type” in the species protologue and its location at KUN was explicitly stated (Hu, Cheng 1948).

Distribution. N Vietnam (Ha Giang, Cao Bang), S China (SE Yunnan, S Kwangsi).

Ecology. Mixed and coniferous primary forests on rocky limestone at elev. 1000-1400 m a.s.l.

3b. Pinus wangii var. kwangtungensis (Chun ex Tsiang) Silba, 1990, Phytologia 68, 1: 64. - P. kwangtungensis Chun ex Tsiang, [Nov.] 1948, Sunyatsenia 7, 1-2: 113. - P wangii subsp. kwangtungensis (Chun ex Tsiang) Businsky, 1999, Acta Pruhon. 68: 11. - P. fenzeliana Hand.-Mazz. subsp. kwangtungensis (Chun ex Tsiang) Silba, 2009, Phytologia 68, 1: 21.

Described from S China (“Hainan: Kwangtung: ... Kwangsi: ... Hunan: ...”). Type: China, Kwangtung: Loh-Chang, in scrub, tree 13 m,16 VI 1929, C.L. Tso 21130 (holo - SYS).

Distribution. NW Vietnam? S China (N Guangdong, S Guizhou, Hainan, S Hunan).

Ecology. Mixed and coniferous primary forests on silicate rocks at elev. 700-1600 m a.s.l., commonly on rocky steep slopes and ridge edges.

3c. Pinus wangii var. varifolia (Nan Li et Y.C. Zhong) Aver. comb. nov. - P. kwangtungensis Chun ex Tsiang var. varifolia Nan Li et Y.C. Zhong, 1997, Novon 7, 3: 262. - P. wangii Hu et W.C. Cheng subsp. varifolia (Nan Li et Y.C. Zhong) Businsky, 1999, Acta Pruhon. 68: 11. - P. fenzeliana Hand.- Mazz. subsp. varifolia (Nan Li et Y.C. Zhong) Silba, 2009, Journ. Intern. Conif. Preserv. Soc. 16, 1: 38.

Described from SW Guangxi. Type: China, Longing Xian, Tiandeng Xian, summits of limestone mountains, ca. 540 m, Y.C. Zhong 80834 (holo - PE; iso - GXF).

Distribution. NE Vietnam (Bac Kan, Cao Bang, Lang Son), S China (Guangxi, S Guizhou).

Ecology. Mixed and coniferous primary forests on rocky limestone at elev. (500)800-1200 m a.s.l.

3d. Pinus wangii var. eremitana (Businsky) Aver., comb. et stat. nov. - P. eremitana Businsky, 2004, Willdenowia 34: 234.

Described from NW Vietnam. Type: Vietnam, Son La Prov., E border near Ha Son Binh Prov., the karstic hills approx. 1.5-2 km W of Pa Co village NW of Mai Chau ... 1480 m, 20°45’ N, 104°53’ E, 1.02. 1994, Businsky 39133 (holo - PR; iso - B, G, HN, K, MO, P).

Distribution. NW Vietnam (Hoa Binh, Son La, Thanh Hoa), NE Laos (Houaphan)?

Ecology. Mixed and coniferous primary forests on rocky limestone at elev. 1100-1500 m a.s.l.

Acknowledgements

Results of field inve­stigations presented in this paper were supported by a grant from the U.S.A. National Geographic Society titled “Exploration of primary woods along constructed highway Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh for their sustainable conservation (in limits of Ha Tinh and Nghe An provinces of central Vietnam)”. We are grateful to Dr. K. Demchenko and Mrs. L. Kartzeva for their kind help in the studies of needle microstructure as well as Dr. A. Sennikov for his valuable critical comments.

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L.V. Averyanov
Russian Academy of Sciences, Komarov Botanical Institute, Prof. Popov, 2; St. Petersburg, RF-197376, Russia

Khang Sinh Nguyen
Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology,
18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Cau Giay,Ha Noi, Vietnam;
Key Laboratory of Plant Resources Conservation and Sustainable Utilization, South China Botanical Garden,
Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, P. R. China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences,
Beijing 100049, P. R. China

Hiep Tien Nguyen
Center for Plant Conservation, No 25/32, lane 191, Lac Long Quan, Nghia Do, Cau Giay, Ha Noi, Vietnam

D.K. Harder
Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History & California Academy of Sciences