A taxonomic aid arising from pollen grains of Cestrum L. and Solanum L. (Solanaceae): differences in ornamentation and aperture

Lorrayne Albernaz Domingues Camilo Landi,Eduardo Custódio Gasparino,Leonardo Caram Sabbag

doi:10.1590/0102-33062020abb0414

Lorrayne Albernaz Domingues Camilo Landi, Eduardo Custódio Gasparino + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/0102-33062020abb0414

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Abstract

Solanaceae is represented by herbs, shrubs, trees and climbing plants and has cosmopolitan distribution, with a large number of native species in the Neotropical region. This study aimed to characterize the pollen morphology of ten species of Solanaceae (especially species of Cestrum and Solanum) from Cerrado forest fragments in Brazil, in order to contribute to the palynology, taxonomy and conservation of degraded areas. Pollen grains were acetolysed, measured and photographed using light and scanning electron microscopy. Qualitative data were described, and quantitative data were analyzed statistically according to sample size. Morphologically, the studied pollen grains vary in size (small to medium), amb (subcircular to subtriangular), shape (oblate spheroidal to subprolate), aperture details (very long, long or narrow colpi, rounded or tapered at the polar ends, colpi with margo, sometimes with a fastigium, endoapertures can present costa and median constriction) and ornamentation (psilate, rugulate, striate or microreticulate). We observed rugulate or striate pollen grains without fastigium for Cestrum species, whereas psilate or microreticulate pollen grains with fastigium were observed for Solanum species. Qualitative data on diameters and aperture measurements were also found to be important in characterizing the two genera. The results obtained here confirm Solanaceae as an eurypalynous family.

Highlights

In tropical regions, there is an increasing process of fragmentation of forest habitats, and understanding the transformation of these areas is fundamental for the conservation of regional biodiversity, in addition to assisting in the management of the sustainable use of the remaining biological resources (Necchi 2012)
This study aimed to characterize the pollen morphology of ten species of Solanaceae from Cerrado forest fragments in Brazil, in order to contribute to the palynology, taxonomy and conservation of degraded areas
In Brazil, the family is represented by 504 species, 237 of which are endemic, distributed in its 36 genera, and Solanaceae species can be found in all Brazilian biomes, being widely distributed in the main ecosystems: Atlantic Forest, Amazon and Cerrado (BFG 2015; Flora do Brasil 2020 2020)

Summary

Introduction

There is an increasing process of fragmentation of forest habitats, and understanding the transformation of these areas is fundamental for the conservation of regional biodiversity, in addition to assisting in the management of the sustainable use of the remaining biological resources (Necchi 2012). In order to identify and reinforce the importance and need to preserve and conserve local biodiversity, Ranga et al (2012) conducted a project in fragmented areas of Cerrado in the Northwestern region of the state of São Paulo, Brazil, listing more than 460 plant species, revealing the occurrence of exclusive species and unique characteristics of the analyzed regions. In Brazil, the family is represented by 504 species, 237 of which are endemic, distributed in its 36 genera, and Solanaceae species can be found in all Brazilian biomes, being widely distributed in the main ecosystems: Atlantic Forest, Amazon and Cerrado (BFG 2015; Flora do Brasil 2020 2020)

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