Ecophysiological aspects of the seed and seedling of Raulinoa echinata (Rutaceae), a species endemic to the riparian forests of Itajaí valley, SC, Brazil

Adriano Antonio Darosci,Maria Terezinha Silveira Paulilo

doi:10.1590/2175-7860201162205

Adriano Antonio Darosci, Maria Terezinha Silveira Paulilo

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/2175-7860201162205

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Journal: Rodriguésia	Publication Date: Jun 1, 2011
Citations: 5	License type: cc-by

Affiliation: Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina

Abstract

Abstract In this study aspects of the ecophysiology and morphology of the seed and seedling of Raulinoa echinata was analyzed aiming to contribute with taxonomic studies, ecology and the preservation of this species. Fruit and seeds were collected from a population located in Apiúna (SC). The seedlings obtained from germination were grown in trays filled with substratum composed of dystroferric red nitosoil and sand (1:1) and were irrigated daily. After 15 days of growth, the morphology of the seedlings was observed. The seeds presented ovoid format, axial embryo and fleshy cotyledons, and were exarillate and exalbuminous like are the seeds of other Rutaceae species. Nevertheless, the seeds presented a conspicuous micropyle, an uncommon feature for Rutaceae. The seedlings did not expose the cotyledons, keeping them in the interior of the integument and below the ground, a characteristic of cryptohypogeal germination. Some of these features are important to elucidate the relationship between the species and the riparian forest and the other taxons of the Rutaceae.

Highlights

Rutaceae, a family of great importance to agronomy and medicine, has approximately 1600 species included in 155 genera (Thorne 1992) and four to six subfamilies, depending on systematic treatment, predominantly distributed in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world (Chase et al 1999)
Like the limonoids, were isolated from this species and presented a moderate antiparasitic inhibition in relation to the trypomastigote form of Trypanosoma cruzi, and a possible use as drugs with analgesic properties (Biavatti et al 2002). Studies on this species are important because of its micro-endemism, and mainly because of the danger of extinction, as it can be found on the list of endangered species of the Brazilian flora issued by the Ministry of Environment (MMA 2008)
Fruits of Raulinoa echinata were collected from individuals in the population located in the city of Apiúna (SC), on the banks of the Itajaí-açu River, 27o02’08”S ; 49o23’23”W, at various times of the year, since the species produced fruit throughout the year

Summary

Introduction

A family of great importance to agronomy and medicine, has approximately 1600 species included in 155 genera (Thorne 1992) and four to six subfamilies, depending on systematic treatment, predominantly distributed in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world (Chase et al 1999). Raulinoa echinata is a species characteristic of and exclusive to the rocky shores and fluvial islands of Itajaí-açu River, located between the cities of Indaial and Ibirama, where many individuals may be partly submerged (Cowan & Smith 1973) when floods occur (Arioli et al 2008) This is usually a shrubby species, 2 to 3 m tall, with a thin and sinuous trunk, presenting thorns and oblong-obovate capsule fruits, which have four locules, are 10 mm in length and 7 mm in width, and have an obtuse horn, at the dorso-apical side, for each locule (Cowan & Smith 1973). In its area of occurrence, the species suffers strong anthropic action, due to the presence of a federal highway, the urbanization and the construction of hydroelectric power plants, that may result in a reduction of the water levels in the Itajaí-Açu River

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