Verrucate Ornamentation Research Articles

Spore morphology of Schizaea species (Schizaeaceae) from America

The Schizaeaceae family consists of only two genera, Actinostachys Wall and Schizaea Sm. These genera are mainly found in the tropical regions of the Old and New World with a few of them growing in temperate areas. The spores of the following Schizaea species from America were studied: Schizaea elegans (Vahl) Sw., S. fistulosa Labill., S. fluminensis Miers ex J.W. Sturm, S. incurvata Schkuhr, S. poeppigiana J.W. Sturm, S. pusilla Pursh, S. sprucei Hook. and S. stricta Lellinger. The study was performed with light microscope (LM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The spores are monolete of 33.6–99.4 μm in equatorial diameter and 21–65.8 μm in polar diameter. The ornamentation of the spores is verrucate, verrucate-tuberculate, rugate or reticulate. The most abundant morphology is the verrucate ornamentation. The exospore and the perispore form the ornamentation of the spores. In most of the species analyzed abundant spheroids, variable in size were observed irregularly distributed on the spore surface, even on the laesura. This study describes and illustrates the spores of some species for the first time. The results are discussed with a recent phylogeny of the genus.

Fossil Parkia R.Br. (Fabaceae) pollen from the Miocene of western Amazonia

The legume genus Parkia R.Br. has a pantropical distribution and centre of diversity in the Amazon. The molecular phylogeny of the group indicates a Neotropical origin in the Amazon biome during the Miocene, and habitat reconstruction points to terra firme (unflooded) forests. We examined recently described fossil pollen from the Miocene Solimões Formation in western Brazilian Amazonia attributed to this genus. Aiming to establish an infra-generic affinity, comparisons were performed between fossil pollen of Parkiidites marileae Leite and pollen from extant Parkia species using morphological characters and multivariate analyses. Parkiidites marileae is characterised by large and globose polyads, the polyads are composed of 16 monads, and the monads have a verrucate ornamentation. Analyses suggest two well-defined groups, a non-NLR (nearest living relative) group composed of P. decussata, P. gigantocarpa, P. velutina, P. panurensis, P. platycephala, P. pendula, P. multijuga, and P. ulei; and a NLR group composed of P. cachimboensis, P. discolor, P. igneiflora, P. lutea, and P. nitida. All species of the NLR group belong to the same clade, with a molecular age estimated at ∼12.8 million years, which is virtually the same age as interpreted for the first occurrence of P. marileae in the Solimões Formation. The late Middle to Late Miocene in western Amazonia was a time of gradual change from vast wetlands to more river-dominated landscapes that favoured unflooded forests where Parkia diversified and is distributed today.

On the spore ornamentation of the microsoroid ferns (microsoroideae, polypodiaceae)

Microsoroideae is the third largest of the six subfamilies of Polypodiaceae, containing over 180 species. These ferns are widely distributed in the tropical and subtropical regions of the Old World and Oceania. We documented the spore ornamentation and integrated these data into the latest phylogenetic hypotheses, including a sampling of 100 taxa representing each of 17 major lineages of microsoroid ferns. This enabled us to reconstruct the ancestral states of the spore morphology. The results show verrucate ornamentation as an ancestral state for Goniophlebieae and Lecanoptereae, globular for Microsoreae, and rugulate surface for Lepisoreae. In addition, spore ornamentation can be used to distinguish certain clades of the microsoroid ferns. Among all five tribes, Lecanoptereae show most diversity in spore surface ornamentation.

Índice meiótico e palinologia de cerejeira-do-mato (Eugenia involucrata DC-Myrtaceae)

O índice meiótico e a palinologia foram realizados para a cerejeira-do-mato (Eugenia involucrata DC- Myrtaceae), uma espécie nativa do sul do Brasil que apresenta frutos que podem ser destinados à agroindústria, além de potencial biotecnológico devido às suas propriedades medicinais. Botões florais oriundos de diferentes indivíduos de uma população localizada no município de Campo Erê, Santa Catarina, Brasil, foram coletados e fixados. Anteras em distintos estágios de desenvolvimento foram submetidas a diferentes técnicas para a obtenção de células meióticas e grãos de pólen. As células meióticas, em diferentes estágios do ciclo celular, apresentaram um comportamento cromossômico normal. Os indivíduos analisados apresentaram índices meióticos superiores a 95%, indicando estabilidade citológica. Os grãos de pólen apresentaram-se amido-positivos e lipídeo negativos e percentuais de viabilidade polínica superiores a 95% em todos os testes colorimétricos. A espécie apresenta grãos caracterizados como mônades, pequenos, oblatos, tricolporados, sincolpados e ornamentação verrucada. A alta estabilidade meiótica, a presença de substâncias de reserva e a morfologia polínica evidenciadas no presente estudo possuem importantes implicações para a escolha de materiais genéticos potenciais para o melhoramento genético, para o entendimento de mecanismos de polinização na biossistemática do gênero.

Spore morphology of some bartramiaceae species (bryophyta) in Turkey

In this study, spore morphology of Bartramia pomiformis Hedw., B. halleriana Hedw., Philonotis calcarea (Bruch & Schimp.) Schimp. and Plagiopus oederianus (Sw.) H.A.Crum & L.E.Anderson were examined by light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). All spores are small, the length of the polar axis (P) is between 12.36 µm and 19.14 µm, equatorial diameter (E) is between 19.59 µm and 26.23 µm. The smallest spores of them are Philonotis calcarea and the biggest spores of them are Plagiopus oederianus. The shapes of the spores are determined as suboblate for Bartramia pomiformis, B. halleriana, and oblate for Philonotis calcarea, Plagiopus oederianus. Verrucategranulate, gemmate-microecinate, perforate, gemmate-pilate and verrucate ornamentation types were observed on the distal pole. In addition to spore morphology, capsule structures were also examined and were photographed with SEM. As a result, the spore size, shapes, ornamentation types and the capsule structures show some differences among these species and these differences can be used as distinctive characters in the identifications of them

Taxonomic and evolutionary implications of spore ornamentation in Davalliaceae

AbstractDavalliaceae is a small family of derived ferns that grow epiphytic or occasionally epilithic in the tropics and subtropics of the Old World. Despite recent taxonomic and phylogenetic achievements, some aspects of its classification remain controversial. In this study, we provided new spore observations on Davalliaceae by using scanning electron microscopy. The newly generated data were integrated together with previously reported spore evidence of this group. The evolution of spore ornamentation and taxonomic implications of spore characters was optimized onto a phylogenetic tree based on plastid sequences. Verrucate colliculate spore ornamentation was identified as plesiomorphic character state within Davalliaceae. The Humata clade was characterized by the transition from verrucate colliculate to fused verrucate ornamentation. Several species complexes subject to taxonomic controversy were found to show informative variation in the spore ornamentation. In conclusion, our observations support the utility of spores as a morphological taxonomic trait in ferns, as long as the evolution of spore morphology is considered.

Comparative morphological, palynological and anatomical characteristics of Turkish rare endemics Helianthemum germanicopolitanum and Helianthemum antitauricum (Cistaceae)

The genus Helianthemum Mill. includes 12 annual or perennial species in the Flora of Turkey, four of which are endemic. In this study, morphological, micromorphological, anatomical and palynological characteristics of the rare endemic H.germanicopolitanum Bornm. and H. antitauricum P.H. Davis & Coode are studied for the first time. H. germanicopolitanum is grown on chalky and limestone slopes in Cankiri province. H. antitauricum is grown on rocky limestone slopes in Adana and Kayseri provinces. In morphological studies, detailed descriptions of these species and characteristic features are given. Besides, pollen and seed morphology are studied by SEM. The pollen grains of both species are tricolporate, medium sized and prolate-spheroidal. Exine ornamentation is identified as perforate under LM and striate-perforate under SEM. The seed characteristics clearly appear to have taxonomic significance. The seed coat of H. germanicopolitanum characterized by the rugulate–verrucate ornamentation clearly differs from that of H. antitauricum by striate. Finally, anatomical research characters are studied on H. germanicopolitanum and H. antitauricum samples.

Anatomy, palynology and nutlet micromorphology of Turkish endemic Teucrium sandrasicum (Lamiaceae)

In this study, the anatomical features of the leaf and stem, besides the pollen and nutlet characteristics of Teucrium sandrasicum are investigated. T. sandrasicum, belonging to sect. Teucrium, is an endemic perennial herb growing on serpentine around Mugla province. The anatomical studies on T. sandrasicum revealed that the stem shares the general characteristics of the Labiatae family. The leaves clearly exhibit xeromorphy due to features such as the distribution of stomata on the lower surface (hipostomatic), the occurrence of guard cells below the epidermis (xeromorphic type), inrolled margins, thick cuticle layer, thick outer epidermal cell wall, a high density of trichomes and thick palisade layer of the mesophyll. The anatomical studies showed that the upper epidermal cells of the leaf include many spherocrystals. The pollen grains are prolate, medium in size, 3-colpate with verrucate ornamentation. The nutlets are ellipsoid with a reticulate-verrucate surface. The results have proven that T. sandrasicum is different from the other species of the sect. Teucrium because of the branched trichomes on the stem and the lack of eglandular trichomes on the nutlets.

The pollen morphology of the tribes loteae and coronilleae (papilionoideae: Leguminoseae). 2, Lotus L. and related genera

The pollen morphology of 81 taxa, comprised of 68 taxa ascribed to the genus Lotus and its segregates, 9 taxa to the genys Dorycnium, one taxon to Acmispon and three monotypic genera Podolotus, Pseudolotus and Vermifrux, has been studied with light and electron microscopy. The pollen is 3,4,5 (−6, −7)-zonocolporate, circular, elliptical or rectangular-elliptical in equatorial outline, small or medium in size, P × E = 11−38×7−38 μm. The colpi are long with lalongate endoapertures. The ornamentation is psilate or rugulate-fossulate, sometimes verrucate or striate. The exine 0.5–3 μm thick at the mesocolpium with the endexine thickened at the equator, thinner at the poles; the foot layer very thin or absent; the infratectum columellate; the columellae are sometimes almost granular often widely spaced with expanded bases; the tectum is thick. Three main pollen types are recognised and a number of subtypes. The primary basis for the division into types is aperture number and into subtypes is pollen size, shape, endoapertures and ornamentation. Lotus strigosus has pollen with 5–6(−7) apertures, and remarkable verrucate ornamentation. The pollen of the majority of the North American species is 4-aperturate, rugulate-fossulate but a few species placed in subgenus Acmispon (Ottley, 1923) and in the Microlotus-group by Isely (1981) have unusual striate ornamentation and species placed in subgenus Hosackia by Ottley and the Hosackia-group by Isely (1981) have 3-aperturate pollen. The Old World species show very little variation in pollen morphology being predominantly 3-aperturate, psilate. The pollen of the genera Benedictiella, Bonjeania, Dorycnium, Heinekenia and Tetragonolobus is indistinguishable from that of Lotus. Pollen morphologically the genera Podolotus, Pseudolotus, Vermifrux and the North African Acmispon roudairei differ slightly from each other and from Lotus. Pollen morphology is discussed in relation to the very complex taxonomy of the group and its relationships and evolution within the tribe and subfamily is briefly considered. Pollen morphology suggests that Lotus has a primary radiation in the Old World from a centre in the Mediterranean. The New World species are palynologically more specialised and here the data suggest a secondary radiation of the genus.

Pollen morphology of Browneopsis (Leguminosae: Caesalpinioideae), and its evolutionary significance

Abstract The pollen of the bat- and moth-pollinated Browneopsis is spheroidal to oblate-spheroidal in shape, 3- or 4-colporate or 3- or 4-porate, with verrucate ornamentation. Three types are recognised: (1) 3-colporate with long, distinct colpi and verrucae interspersed with dense adpressed clavae or fine verrucae; (2) 3- or 4-colporate with short, indistinct colpi and irregularly shaped verrucae interspersed with a fine reticulum; (3) 4-porate with large scattered verrucae interspersed with adpressed clavae. There is a trend from colporate to porate pollen which is reflected in the petals which range from well-developed to rudimentary. The closely related bird-pollinated genus Brownea has distinctly different pollen which is prolate to prolate-spheroidal in shape, 3-colporate and with striate, striate-reticulate or reticulate ornamentation. The pollen morphology of the two genera is discussed in relation to pollination biology.

The significance of some pollen morphological characters of the tribe Amorpheae and of the genus Mucuna (tribe phaseoleae) in the biology and systematics of subfamily Papilionoideae (Leguminosae)

Aperture configuration, tectal ornamentation and exine stratification are the most significant pollen characters in the subfamily Papilionoideae (Leguminosae). Some trends in pollen characters are closely correlated with trends towards specialisation in macromorphological characters. The structure of the colpate/colporate aperture and its associated aperture membrane/operculum is described in the tribe Amorpheae. Here the genera Apoplanesia, Eysenhardtia and most species of Errazurizia have small tricolporate pollen with a granular colpus membrane and complete tectum. The pollen of Amorpha, Parryella and one species of Errazurizia have tricolporate pollen with an operculum and reticulate tectum. Dalea, Marina and Psorothamnus have larger tricolpate, operculate, reticulate pollen. Some species of the genus Mucuna have pollen with a columellate interstitium while others have a granular interstitium. These types correspond in general with the proposed macromorphologically based division of the genus. Supratectal verrucate ornamentation occurs in some neotropical species of Mucuna. This pollen character appears to be related to floral morphology and pollinator.

Fertile Pinnae of Biscalitheca (Zygopteridales) from the Upper Pennsylvanian of the Appalachian Basin

Fertile ultimate pinnae of the zygopterid fern Biscalitheca Mamay are described from the Upper Pennsylvanian of Ohio. Ultimate pinnae measure 1.0-2 5 mm in diameter and produce pinnules, aphlebiae, and soral stalks as lateral structures Vascularized aphlebiae are borne alternately along the adaxial pinna surface and are bifurcate apically. Pinnules are up to 3.0 mm long, have a deeply incised margin, and are borne alternately along the pinna A dense covering of scales clothes the adaxial pinna surface and aphlebiae bases. Pinnae have a rounded rectangular xylem strand with sunken adaxial protoxylem that branches laterally in an alternate fashion. Each lateral xylem trace branches to vascularize the three lateral appendages Cylindrical soral stalks originate from the pinna, distal to the pinnule midvein Distally, soral stalks become rectangular and branch to produce laterals that terminate in clusters of seven to 60 sporangia each Sporangia are musaform, 2 0-3.0 mm long, with two parallel lateral annuli extending from the base to near the tip. Dorsal sporangial walls have elongate branched patches of sclerenchyma Dehiscence may occur through any non-annulus portion of the wall but usually occurs next to the annulus. Spores are spherical, trilete, 42-70 μm in diameter, and have a verrucate ornamentation Previously undescribed features of B musata fertile pinnae are pinnules, adaxial aphlebiae, and branching of the soral stalks. The specific diagnosis of B musata is emended to incorporate these features Affinities of the Ohio Biscalitheca are suggested to be with a zygopterid petiole (Etapteris) of a new type