scholarly journals Morphological variability of the leaf epidermis in selected taxa of the genus Ficus L. (Moraceae) and its taxonomic implications

2011 ◽  
Vol 75 (4) ◽  
pp. 309-324 ◽  
Author(s):  
Małgorzata Klimko ◽  
Mariola Truchan

The leaf epidermis of 36 taxa (species, subspecies, varieties and cultivars) of the genus <em>Ficus</em> (subgenera <em>Ficus</em>, <em>Synoecia</em>, <em>Sycomorus</em>, <em>Pharmacosycea</em> and <em>Urostigma</em>) was observed under LM and SEM. Characteristics of the epidermis are of particular taxonomic as well as phylogenetic interest because they differ conspicuously between species. The differences are especially prominent in the size and shape of epidermal cells, the shape of cell walls, peristomatal cuticular rim, the distribution and position of stomata, lithocysts, hydathodes, trichomes, and the types of wax, cuticle and trichomes. Results of this study provided data on new qualitative and quantitative traits of the leaf epidermis in the selected taxa, and confirmed the classification suggested by Berg (1989).

2022 ◽  
Vol 81 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Milan Gavrilović ◽  
Pedja Janaćković

In this study, the micromorphology of the vegetative and reproductive structures of the endemic Centaurea glaberrima Tausch subsp. divergens (Vis.) Hayek (Asteraceae), using scanning electron microscope (SEM), is presented for the first time. Uniseriate whip-like non-glandular and biseriate glandular trichomes are found on the surface of all aboveground parts (stem, leaves, peduncles, involucral bract). On the adaxial leaf epidermis ribbed thickenings (striation pattern) of outer periclinal cell walls, slightly curved anticlinal cell walls and anomocytic stomata are noticed. Rugose abaxial surface with thorny protuberances of the involucral bract is documented. Corolla is glabrous with longitudinally parallel epidermal cells with distinct straight outline. Isopolar, radially symmetric and tricolporate microechinate pollen grains are seen. Short stylar hairs, without cuticular striations, are present along the outer sides of the style, while the inner sides (abaxial surface) constitute the papillate stigmatic surface. Microcharacters found in cypsela are as follows: slightly ribbed body; rotund base; lateral and concave insertion; short, unicellular curly acute trichomes; smooth epidermis; fine-sulcate ornamentation; rod shaped epidermal cells with short, obtuse end walls and straight anticlinal walls; poorly developed minutely dentate pericarp rim; and dimorphic pappus with bristles of different length and morphology, with pinnules restricted to the margins of the bristles. The results obtained contribute to knowledge about the micromorphology of the studied endemic species and provide features for its better identification. The taxonomic significance of the analyzed characters is discussed. Some well defined microcharacters of the studied species might have taxonomic value


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 10807
Author(s):  
Susy ALBERT ◽  
Dhara GANDHI

Eragrostis, the largest genus in tribe Eragrostideae has 36 species in India and with 406 species in the world. The present study investigates the morphological and micromorphological variations of lemma and palea in nine species of the Eragrostis, collected from Panchmahal and Dahod districts of Gujarat. Qualitative and quantitative features of microharis, and epidermal cells in the different regions, apex middle and base of lemma and palae has been observed. Apart from this, undulation patterns also play a key role in species identification. Two major types of undulation pattern ∩ and Ω have been observed in the studied species. The present study concludes that, different types of microhairs, size and shape of epidermal cells and its undulating pattern can be significantly used in delimitation of Eragrostis with the help of all the qualitative and qualitative characteristic features it was possible to prepare a dichotomous key to identify the nine different species of Eragrostis.


Botany ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 90 (9) ◽  
pp. 806-814 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kiriaki Nurit-Silva ◽  
Rafael Costa-Silva ◽  
Ionaldo J.L.D. Basílio ◽  
Maria de Fátima Agra

To evaluate their taxonomic significance, the yet unknown epidermal characters of the leaves of 10 species of Solanum section Torva Nees (Solanaceae) from Brazil were determined using light and scanning electron microscopy. Our results indicated that the leaf epidermis showed epidermal cells of straight to wavy outlines. The curved pattern of anticlinal cell walls was predominant on the adaxial surface, and the wave pattern was predominant on the abaxial surface. Leaves are amphistomatic in six species ( Solanum acutilobum Dunal, Solanum bonariense L., Solanum guaraniticum A. St.-Hil., Solanum metrobotryon Dunal, Solanum scuticum M. Nee, and Solanum torvum Sw.) and hypostomatic in four species ( Solanum adspersum Witasek, Solanum paniculatum L., Solanum subumbellatum Vell., and Solanum variabile Mart.). Four different types of stomata (anisocytic, anomocytic, paracytic, and diacytic) were recognized, with the anisocytic type predominant on adaxial and abaxial surfaces. The combination of some micro-morphological characters such as density, distribution and type of stellate trichomes, the anticlinal walls of epidermal cells, and also the type and distribution of stomata proved to be the most useful and distinctive characters for the separation of species. This set of characters also may help as additional support in quality control of species having medicinal importance.


2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 1234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Piotr Gąsiorek ◽  
Atsushi C. Suzuki ◽  
Reinhardt M. Kristensen ◽  
Dorota Lachowska-Cierlik ◽  
Łukasz Michalczyk

Species constituting the family Echiniscidae are highly derived, armoured and inhabit terrestrial habitats, in contrast to other heterotardigrades that are predominantly marine. The genus Echiniscus C.A.S. Schultze, 1840, nominal for the family Echiniscidae, is currently the most speciose tardigrade genus. However, the great morphological variability, in comparison with other heterotardigrade genera, suggests the polyphyletic character of the genus. Here, we analyse new specimens of Echiniscus pseudelegans Séméria, 1994 collected in Japan and conclude that the species as well as two other related taxa, E. elegans Richters, 1907 and E. latifasciatus Dudichev and Biserov, 2000, represent a new genus, Stellariscus, gen. nov. The new genus is characterised by a mixture of peculiar morphological apomorphies: black eyes, star-like dorsal plate sculpturing, no trunk appendages (only cephalic cirri present), two types of ventral plates, and striking sexual dimorphism in both qualitative and quantitative traits. Morphological phylogeny of the family Echiniscidae suggests a close affinity between Stellariscus, Hypechiniscus Thulin, 1928 and Pseudechiniscus Thulin, 1911. The polyphyletic status of both Echiniscus and Testechiniscus Kristensen, 1987 is also inferred. The taxonomic significance of ventral armature in echiniscid phylogeny and taxonomy is discussed.


Botany ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 91 (7) ◽  
pp. 421-430 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.D. Shafiullah ◽  
Christian R. Lacroix

Myriophyllum aquaticum (Vell.) Verdc. produces two morphologically different forms of leaves based on whether they are aerial or aquatic. The objective of this study was to determine whether there are any similarities or differences between these two growth forms during their early stages of development. A comparative developmental study of aerial and aquatic growth forms of M. aquaticum was conducted from a qualitative and quantitative perspective using a scanning electron microscope. The pattern of leaf and lobe initiation such as their origin and shape were similar in both growth forms until the fourth plastochron (stage P4). Differences between the two growth forms became evident from stage P5 onward, where a larger shoot apical meristem (SAM), elongated epidermal cells, shorter and slightly more numerous lobes, as well as the presence of appendage-like structures characterized aquatic growth forms. On the other hand, aerial growth forms had smaller SAM, bulb-like epidermal cells, and longer and slightly less numerous leaf lobes. Significant differences between growth forms were noted for parameters such as volume of SAM, length of terminal, first, and middle lobes, as well as the length from first to last lobes. The volume of the SAM of aquatic shoot tips was always greater than aerial forms. On the other hand, lobes of aerial forms were always longer than the aquatic counterpart during early stages of development. This study on the development of M. aquaticum shows that the aerial and aquatic growth forms diverge from their early stages of development.


Author(s):  
Álvaro - Monteros-Altamirano ◽  
César - Tapia ◽  
Nelly - Paredes ◽  
Victor Alulema ◽  
Marcelo Tacán ◽  
...  

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is a crop of nutritional and economic importance worldwide, cultivated in more than 100 tropical and subtropical countries including Ecuador, traditionally cultivated in its three continental regions: the Amazon, the Coast and in the valleys of the Sierra. The purpose of this study was to characterize 195 accessions from INIAP's Ecuadorian cassava collection through 1) morphological characterization with qualitative and quantitative descriptors; and 2) ecogeographic characterization to know the climatic, geophysical and edaphic conditions in which cassava grows and which environments are frequent or marginal for its cultivation. For the morphological characterization, 27 morphological descriptors were used (18 qualitative and nine quantitative), and for the ecogeographic characterization, 55 variables (41 climatic, two geophysical and 12 edaphic). As a result, four morphological groups and three ecogeographic groups were identified. In the research, morphological variability was evidenced, mainly in descriptors related to the leaf, stems and inflorescences. In addition, it was possible to identify accessions that can adapt to extreme conditions of drought and poor soils, which could be used for improvement.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document