Abstract
Polylepis forests (Family: Rosaceae) are originated in the Andes and are considered one of the most threatened forest ecosystems. Throughout their evolutionary history, they have shown several episodes of polyploidy affecting their process of speciation. Cellular structures such as pollen and guard cells are highly influenced by the number of genes in each species, representing an indirect method to determine the degree of ploidy. In this study, the relationship of pollen grain size and the length of the guard cells were analyzed with genome size and chromosome number, in addition to the pollen viability of Polylepis incana, P. pauta, P. microphylla, P. racemosa y P. sericea collected from the Andean highlands of Ecuador. Stomata and pollen grains were photographed at 400X magnification and their length was measured in micrometers using ImageJ program 1.49v. Staining technique was used to determine the viability of the pollen. The results show a positive correlation that varies from R2=0.32 a R2=0.65 between the variables used depending of the species; therefore, it serves as an indirect analysis method for polyploidy. These data are important for the management and conservation of Polylepis in Ecuador, allowing prior identification of potential hybrid individuals and cytotypes along the Ecuadorian Andes in a quick and inexpensive fashion. Additionally, it opens the possibility of use this data in studies of climate change, as well as the determination of parental in reforestation and restoration projects.https://doi.org/10.25260/EA.18.28.1.1.528
Highlights
Polylepis forests (Family: Rosaceae) are originated in the Andes and are considered one of the most threatened forest ecosystems. Throughout their evolutionary history, they have shown several episodes of polyploidy affecting their process of speciation. Cellular structures such as pollen and guard cells are highly influenced by the number of genes in each species, representing an indirect method to determine the degree of ploidy
The relationship of pollen grain size and the length of the guard cells were analyzed with genome size and chromosome number, in addition to the pollen viability of Polylepis incana, P. pauta, P. microphylla, P. racemosa y P. sericea collected from the Andean highlands of Ecuador
The results show a positive correlation that varies from R2=0.32 a R2=0.65 between the variables used depending of the species; it serves as an indirect analysis method for polyploidy
Summary
Ecología Austral 28:175-187 biológicos singulares de los Andes (Simpson 1986; Kessler 2006; Mendoza and Cano 2011). El estudio de la extensión de las células guardianas u oclusivas del estoma y el diámetro de polen permite una estimación del nivel de ploidía (Masterson 1994; Yang et al 2015). En la presente investigación se utilizaron muestras de colecciones anteriores correspondientes a proyectos enfocados en Polylepis incana, P. pauta, P. microphylla, P. racemosa y P. sericea, especies registradas en las provincias de Pichincha y Chimborazo, para obtener datos morfométricos y responder la pregunta ¿es posible inferir el nivel de ploidía de especies de Polylepis mediante una relación del número cromosómico y el tamaño del genoma con datos morfométricos de células guardianas estomáticas o granos de polen? En la presente investigación se utilizaron muestras de colecciones anteriores correspondientes a proyectos enfocados en Polylepis incana, P. pauta, P. microphylla, P. racemosa y P. sericea, especies registradas en las provincias de Pichincha y Chimborazo, para obtener datos morfométricos y responder la pregunta ¿es posible inferir el nivel de ploidía de especies de Polylepis mediante una relación del número cromosómico y el tamaño del genoma con datos morfométricos de células guardianas estomáticas o granos de polen? Además, también se buscó describir la estructura morfológica de los aparatos estomáticos y los granos de polen utilizando SEM y microscopía con focal, y, finalmente, reportar los primeros registros en el país sobre viabilidad de polen para las especies antes mencionadas
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
