Abstract
Banisteriopsis is considered one of the largest genera of Malpighiaceae with 58 species, of which 47 occur in Brazil. The typical calyx and leaf glands of Banisteriopsis are considered relevant to the adaptive success of Malpighiaceae. Comparative studies of anatomical and histochemical characteristics may reveal similarities and assist in the interpretation of the functions performed by such glands. The present study aimed to describe the anatomy of the calyx and leaf glands of 38 species ofBanisteriopsis that occur in Brazil, and to analyze these structures histochemically in B. campestris, B. laevifolia and B malifolia, using standard methods. Calyx glands differ from leaf glands by possessing an irregular surface that is covered by a thick cuticle that is released from the epidermis by the accumulation of secretion; the glands are similar in all the other anatomical characteristics. Both types of glands produce secretions composed of a mixture of protein granules, lipids and polysaccharides. These findings reinforce the hypothesis that foliar glands have given rise to calyx glands in response to interactions with pollinators.
Highlights
Malpighiaceae, with ca. 1300 species, is widespread and is very diverse in the New World tropics and subtropics, where 80% of the species are endemic (Anderson 1990)
The present study aimed to describe the anatomy of the calyx and leaf glands of 38 species of Banisteriopsis that occur in Brazil, and to analyze these structures histochemically in B. campestris, B. laevifolia and B malifolia, using standard methods
The present study aimed to describe and compare the anatomy of calyx and leaf glands of species of Banisteriopsis that occur in Brazil, and to histochemically analyze these glands in B. campestris, B. laevifolia and B. malifolia
Summary
Malpighiaceae, with ca. 1300 species, is widespread and is very diverse in the New World tropics and subtropics, where 80% of the species are endemic (Anderson 1990). The taxonomy of Malpighiaceae has changed as a result of recent molecular phylogenetic studies (Cameron et al 2001; Davis et al 2001; Davis & Anderson 2010). The former subfamilies, tribes (except Gaudichaudieae) and some genera were found to be polyphyletic, with some characters being recognized as homoplastic, especially regarding fruit morphology (Cameron et al 2001; Davis et al 2001; Davis & Anderson 2010). The hypothesis for the conservation of floral morphology within the Malpighiaceae for tens of millions of years of evolution is based on the selection imposed by their specialist New World oil-bee pollinators (Davis et al 2014)
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