Abstract
Fruit and seed shape are important characteristics in taxonomy providing information on ecological, nutritional, and developmental aspects, but their application requires quantification. We propose a method for seed shape quantification based on the comparison of the bi-dimensional images of the seeds with geometric figures. J index is the percent of similarity of a seed image with a figure taken as a model. Models in shape quantification include geometrical figures (circle, ellipse, oval…) and their derivatives, as well as other figures obtained as geometric representations of algebraic equations. The analysis is based on three sources: Published work, images available on the Internet, and seeds collected or stored in our collections. Some of the models here described are applied for the first time in seed morphology, like the superellipses, a group of bidimensional figures that represent well seed shape in species of the Calamoideae and Phoenix canariensis Hort. ex Chabaud. Oval models are proposed for Chamaedorea pauciflora Mart. and cardioid-based models for Trachycarpus fortunei (Hook.) H. Wendl. Diversity of seed shape in the Arecaceae makes this family a good model system to study the application of geometric models in morphology.
Highlights
The Arecaceae Schultz Sch. (Palmae nom. cons.) is a unique family in the order Arecales, class Monocotyledoneae
Diversity of seed shape in the Arecaceae makes this family a good model system to study the application of geometric models in morphology
[31]. [27], as well as can get about seed morphology inlife wild species or cultivated varieties on aspects of seed shape related to taxonomy and life forms [28,29,30] or habitat [31]
Summary
The Arecaceae Schultz Sch. (Palmae nom. cons.) is a unique family in the order Arecales, class Monocotyledoneae. Cons.) is a unique family in the order Arecales, class Monocotyledoneae. It includes about 2600 species grouped in 181 genera of climbers, shrubs, and tree-like and stemless plants, all commonly known as palms, with a worldwide distribution in tropical and subtropical regions. Current taxonomy presents five subfamilies (Calamoideae, Nypoideae, Coryphoideae, Ceroxyloideae, and Arecoideae) divided into tribes and subtribes [1]. The largest subfamily, the Arecoideae, contains 106 genera grouped into 14 tribes, of which the largest, the Areceae is formed by 11 subtribes. Based on the utility of palms in industry at both subsistence and world market levels, the Arecaceae has been reported to be the third family in applied importance in the Plant Kingdom following the Poaceae and the Fabaceae [5]. Detailed analyses of fruit and seed morphology in this family may provide valuable information
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