Abstract
Sporophyte morphology has been traditionally used in taxonomic studies of pleurocarpous mosses. However, the gametophyte morphology of the Pilotrichaceae still holds interesting and under-investigated characters. Here, we conducted an in-depth investigation of the morphology and development of Pilotrichaceae leaf papillae and assessed their usefulness in inferring the evolutionary history of the family. Specimens were observed under scanning electron microscopy, and we identified seven morphological types of papillae, as well as two different pathways of development. Our results suggest that papilla morphology and development are phylogenetically informative in the Pilotrichaceae.
Highlights
The Pilotrichaceae is the most diverse family within the Hookeriales, comprising 21 genera and approximately 420 species worldwide (Goffinet et al 2009; Crosby et al 2000)
We use scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to investigate further papillae development and morphology across genera in Pilotrichaceae and a published phylogeny (Buck et al 2005) to determine the possibility of using it to infer the evolutionary history of the family
Seven distinct kinds of mature papillae occur and can be referred to as cylindrical, denticulate, filiform, forked, rounded, semi-conical and stellate (Fig. 1-3). These types can be distinguished as follows: Cylindrical papillae are simple protuberances that are elongate and acute, 1.5-4 μm in diameter at the base and 4-6 μm long. These papillae have “striae” that are vertical in relation to the papilla length and occur as Papilla type Cylindrical* Forked Filiform* Rounded* Semi-conical* Denticulate Stellate *Unipapillose taxa
Summary
The Pilotrichaceae is the most diverse family within the Hookeriales, comprising 21 genera and approximately 420 species worldwide (Goffinet et al 2009; Crosby et al 2000). Within the Pilotrichaceae, light microscopy reveals mostly whether papillae are present or absent, a trait used in distinguishing among various genera and species (Buck 1998; Vaz-Imbassahy et al 2008). We use SEM to investigate further papillae development and morphology across genera in Pilotrichaceae and a published phylogeny (Buck et al 2005) to determine the possibility of using it to infer the evolutionary history of the family.
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