Pub Date : 2025-07-18DOI: 10.1016/j.flora.2025.152803
Laura Díaz-Godínez , Fernando Santacruz-Ruvalcaba , Patricia Zarazúa-Villaseñor , José Juvencio Castañeda-Nava , Antonia Gutiérrez-Mora , Rosalba Mireya Hernández-Herrera
Microtubers constitute a production alternative to tuber segmentation, storage, and sowing in traditional cultivation systems. Despite existing studies on the conditions necessary for production, descriptive analyses are scarce and have focused on the starches present in microtubers. To address the lack of information, this study aimed to describe the primary stages of microtuber development and the anatomical changes during each stage in different Dioscorea species and varieties produced under in vitro conditions. Forty microtubers were processed by differential staining using the Feulgen method and analyzed by confocal microscopy. The results describe the formation of the main microtuber segments and developmental stages, as well as the formation of the conduction systems within the microtuber, the start of starch granule accumulation, and the different cells of microtuber tissue. In addition, morphological differences were observed in the microtubers derived from Dioscorea sparsiflora, which exhibited an elongated, thickened root-like appearance, in contrast to the microtubers of Dioscorea alata, which were spherical to ovoid in shape and displayed a slight purple hue.
{"title":"Morphological and histological description of the development of microtubers of the genus Dioscorea (Dioscoreaceae)","authors":"Laura Díaz-Godínez , Fernando Santacruz-Ruvalcaba , Patricia Zarazúa-Villaseñor , José Juvencio Castañeda-Nava , Antonia Gutiérrez-Mora , Rosalba Mireya Hernández-Herrera","doi":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152803","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152803","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Microtubers constitute a production alternative to tuber segmentation, storage, and sowing in traditional cultivation systems. Despite existing studies on the conditions necessary for production, descriptive analyses are scarce and have focused on the starches present in microtubers. To address the lack of information, this study aimed to describe the primary stages of microtuber development and the anatomical changes during each stage in different <em>Dioscorea</em> species and varieties produced under <em>in vitro</em> conditions. Forty microtubers were processed by differential staining using the Feulgen method and analyzed by confocal microscopy. The results describe the formation of the main microtuber segments and developmental stages, as well as the formation of the conduction systems within the microtuber, the start of starch granule accumulation, and the different cells of microtuber tissue. In addition, morphological differences were observed in the microtubers derived from <em>Dioscorea sparsiflora</em>, which exhibited an elongated, thickened root-like appearance, in contrast to the microtubers of <em>Dioscorea alata</em>, which were spherical to ovoid in shape and displayed a slight purple hue.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55156,"journal":{"name":"Flora","volume":"331 ","pages":"Article 152803"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-07-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144749380","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-07-18DOI: 10.1016/j.flora.2025.152804
João Victor da Costa Santos , Maria José de Sousa Monteiro , Genilson Alves dos Reis e Silva , E Josiane Silva Araújo
This is the first report of a comparative leaf anatomy study of Calea, a genus of Asteraceae with a markedly complicated taxonomic history. The purely structural analyses allowed us to distinguish anatomical patterns that have not yet been explored in the literature of the group. The different types of trichomes, both tector and glandular, are informative in the taxonomy of the genus. The other secretory structures and the different conformational patterns of the vascular system in the midrib and petiole deserve to be highlighted for contributing to the distinction of Calea species, especially C. serrata from C. pinnatifida, two morphologically similar species. The similarity analysis reinforces the structural similarity between the species of Calea sect., distinguishing them from the outgroup, whose leaves are distinct due to the absence of laticifers and isobilateral mesophyll. Histochemical studies are needed to investigate the metabolites secreted by the cavities, laticifers, nectaries and secretory trichomes. Many of these structures have chemical content that has not yet been explored in the genus. We present an identification key and a binary/multistate matrix that can support future proposals for infrageneric classification in Calea.
{"title":"Revealing leaf anatomical characters that impact the taxonomy of Calea sect. Calea (Asteraceae)","authors":"João Victor da Costa Santos , Maria José de Sousa Monteiro , Genilson Alves dos Reis e Silva , E Josiane Silva Araújo","doi":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152804","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152804","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This is the first report of a comparative leaf anatomy study of <em>Calea</em>, a genus of Asteraceae with a markedly complicated taxonomic history. The purely structural analyses allowed us to distinguish anatomical patterns that have not yet been explored in the literature of the group. The different types of trichomes, both tector and glandular, are informative in the taxonomy of the genus. The other secretory structures and the different conformational patterns of the vascular system in the midrib and petiole deserve to be highlighted for contributing to the distinction of <em>Calea</em> species, especially <em>C. serrata</em> from <em>C. pinnatifida</em>, two morphologically similar species. The similarity analysis reinforces the structural similarity between the species of <em>Calea</em> sect., distinguishing them from the outgroup, whose leaves are distinct due to the absence of laticifers and isobilateral mesophyll. Histochemical studies are needed to investigate the metabolites secreted by the cavities, laticifers, nectaries and secretory trichomes. Many of these structures have chemical content that has not yet been explored in the genus. We present an identification key and a binary/multistate matrix that can support future proposals for infrageneric classification in <em>Calea</em>.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55156,"journal":{"name":"Flora","volume":"331 ","pages":"Article 152804"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144702641","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-07-16DOI: 10.1016/j.flora.2025.152798
Jie Deng, Jiao Tian, Cheng-Gang Qiu, Xue-Mei Wang, Jie Jiang, Han-Jun Yang, Yi Dan, Chang-Fan Chen, Su-Juan Duan, Jin-Song Chen
{"title":"Corrigendum to “Different benefit from clonal integration of stress signal between a stoloniferous alien invasive plantand its congeneric native one” [FLORA Volume 326, May 2025, 152724]","authors":"Jie Deng, Jiao Tian, Cheng-Gang Qiu, Xue-Mei Wang, Jie Jiang, Han-Jun Yang, Yi Dan, Chang-Fan Chen, Su-Juan Duan, Jin-Song Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152798","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152798","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":55156,"journal":{"name":"Flora","volume":"330 ","pages":"Article 152798"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144687224","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-07-15DOI: 10.1016/j.flora.2025.152799
Jie Deng, Jiao Tian, Cheng-Gang Qiu, Xue-Mei Wang, Jie Jiang, Han-Jun Yang, Yi Dan, Chang-Fan Chen, Su-Juan Duan, Jin-Song Chen
Under heterogeneous resource supply, alien invasive plants with clonal growth can benefit more from clonal integration than their native ones. However, different benefit from translocation of non-resource substance (such as stress signal or hormone) between invasive alien clonal plants and native congener remains poorly understood. To address this, we conducted a pot experiment to explore translocation of stress signal, induced by local exogenous abscisic acid (ABA) application, within clonal networks of alien invasive plant Wedelia trilobata and native congeners W. chinensis subjected to drought stress (20 % soil moisture). In W. trilobata, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters (Fv/Fm, ΦPSII and qP) and photosynthetic parameters (Pn and Gs) of young ramets significantly increased 2–3 days after ABA application to old ramets. In contrast, W. chinensis exhibited a delayed response, with a significant increase in Fv/Fm of young ramets observed only after 3 days, and increases in Pn and Gs delayed until 17 days. A similar temporal difference was observed when ABA was applied to young ramets; chlorophyll fluorescence and photosynthetic parameters in old ramets of W. trilobata responded more rapidly than those in W. chinensis. At the end of experiment, exogenous ABA application significantly promoted biomass accumulation in alien invasive plant W. trilobata, but had no significant effect on the W. chinensis. It is suggested that translocation of stress signal may improve growth performance more in invasive alien clonal plant than its native congeners. Consequently, translocation of stress signal may confer a competitive advantage to invasive alien clonal plants over native plants, further contributing to its invasiveness.
{"title":"Different benefit from clonal integration of stress signal between a stoloniferous alien invasive plant and its congeneric native one","authors":"Jie Deng, Jiao Tian, Cheng-Gang Qiu, Xue-Mei Wang, Jie Jiang, Han-Jun Yang, Yi Dan, Chang-Fan Chen, Su-Juan Duan, Jin-Song Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152799","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152799","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Under heterogeneous resource supply, alien invasive plants with clonal growth can benefit more from clonal integration than their native ones. However, different benefit from translocation of non-resource substance (such as stress signal or hormone) between invasive alien clonal plants and native congener remains poorly understood. To address this, we conducted a pot experiment to explore translocation of stress signal, induced by local exogenous abscisic acid (ABA) application, within clonal networks of alien invasive plant <em>Wedelia trilobata</em> and native congeners <em>W. chinensis</em> subjected to drought stress (20 % soil moisture). In <em>W. trilobata</em>, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters (<em>F<sub>v</sub>/F<sub>m</sub></em>, ΦPSII and qP) and photosynthetic parameters (<em>P<sub>n</sub></em> and <em>G<sub>s</sub></em>) of young ramets significantly increased 2–3 days after ABA application to old ramets. In contrast, <em>W. chinensis</em> exhibited a delayed response, with a significant increase in <em>F<sub>v</sub>/F<sub>m</sub></em> of young ramets observed only after 3 days, and increases in <em>P<sub>n</sub></em> and <em>G<sub>s</sub></em> delayed until 17 days. A similar temporal difference was observed when ABA was applied to young ramets; chlorophyll fluorescence and photosynthetic parameters in old ramets of <em>W. trilobata</em> responded more rapidly than those in <em>W. chinensis</em>. At the end of experiment, exogenous ABA application significantly promoted biomass accumulation in alien invasive plant <em>W. trilobata</em>, but had no significant effect on the <em>W. chinensis</em>. It is suggested that translocation of stress signal may improve growth performance more in invasive alien clonal plant than its native congeners. Consequently, translocation of stress signal may confer a competitive advantage to invasive alien clonal plants over native plants, further contributing to its invasiveness.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55156,"journal":{"name":"Flora","volume":"330 ","pages":"Article 152799"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144687148","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-07-11DOI: 10.1016/j.flora.2025.152800
Leandro Maracahipes , Leonardo Lima Bergamini , Fernando Landa Sobral , Mário Almeida-Neto , Marcus Vinicius Cianciaruso , Walter Santos de Araújo
Galling insects are highly specialized herbivores that exhibit intimate interactions with their host plants. However, the role of interspecific variation in plant traits on galling species occurrence has been little explored. Here, we assessed the roles of nutritional (P:N ratio) and defensive (latex, specific leaf area, leaf toughness and extrafloral nectaries) leaf traits in determining galling insect frequency and richness across 50 woody plant species in a Brazilian savanna. Specifically, we tested the hypotheses that nutritional leaf traits attract galling insects, thus increasing their frequency and species richness, while defensive leaf traits reduce galling frequency and richness. Sampling was conducted during the rainy season, resulting in the identification of 82 galling insect species distributed among 42 plant species. We found no relationship between leaf traits and galling species richness. However, latex reduced the frequency of galling insects, whereas the presence of extrafloral nectaries, tougher leaves and higher leaf P:N ratio were positively associated with galling frequency. Our findings indicate that latex plays an important role on the occurrence of galling insects, presumably by hindering oviposition and reducing egg survival and larval hatching. Additionally, the presence of extrafloral nectaries may offer protection against natural enemies, tough leaves can increase leaf longevity and enhance defense against herbivory, and galling species prefer plant with better nutritional quality. In contrast to previous studies, we demonstrate that defensive and nutritional leaf traits do not affect galling species richness; rather, defensive traits influence the frequency of galling insects among savanna plant species.
{"title":"Leaf traits mediate galling insect frequency on woody plants in a Neotropical savanna","authors":"Leandro Maracahipes , Leonardo Lima Bergamini , Fernando Landa Sobral , Mário Almeida-Neto , Marcus Vinicius Cianciaruso , Walter Santos de Araújo","doi":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152800","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152800","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Galling insects are highly specialized herbivores that exhibit intimate interactions with their host plants. However, the role of interspecific variation in plant traits on galling species occurrence has been little explored. Here, we assessed the roles of nutritional (P:N ratio) and defensive (latex, specific leaf area, leaf toughness and extrafloral nectaries) leaf traits in determining galling insect frequency and richness across 50 woody plant species in a Brazilian savanna. Specifically, we tested the hypotheses that nutritional leaf traits attract galling insects, thus increasing their frequency and species richness, while defensive leaf traits reduce galling frequency and richness. Sampling was conducted during the rainy season, resulting in the identification of 82 galling insect species distributed among 42 plant species. We found no relationship between leaf traits and galling species richness. However, latex reduced the frequency of galling insects, whereas the presence of extrafloral nectaries, tougher leaves and higher leaf P:N ratio were positively associated with galling frequency. Our findings indicate that latex plays an important role on the occurrence of galling insects, presumably by hindering oviposition and reducing egg survival and larval hatching. Additionally, the presence of extrafloral nectaries may offer protection against natural enemies, tough leaves can increase leaf longevity and enhance defense against herbivory, and galling species prefer plant with better nutritional quality. In contrast to previous studies, we demonstrate that defensive and nutritional leaf traits do not affect galling species richness; rather, defensive traits influence the frequency of galling insects among savanna plant species.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55156,"journal":{"name":"Flora","volume":"331 ","pages":"Article 152800"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144687523","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-07-09DOI: 10.1016/j.flora.2025.152802
Muhammad Waheed , Fahim Arshad , Muhammad Manzoor , Syed Waseem Gillani , Abeer Al-Andal , Kaniz Fatima
Understanding the variability of plant functional traits along environmental gradients is essential for assessing vegetation-environment interactions. The genus Carex, a dominant component of temperate ecosystems, exhibits diverse ecological adaptations across elevation gradients. This study investigates the composition, functional trait variations, and adaptive strategies of Carex species along an elevational gradient in the Western Himalayas. We hypothesized that elevational gradients influence species composition and functional traits, thereby shaping adaptive strategies. We conducted field surveys across three elevation ranges (500–1000 m, 1100–1500 m, and 1600–2000 m), recording Carex species distribution and measuring key functional traits. CSR strategies were evaluated to determine ecological adaptation trends. Results revealed 24 Carex species with the highest richness at mid-elevations. Functional trait variations demonstrated significant ecological differentiation, with species at lower elevations exhibiting competitive traits, whereas stress tolerance increased at higher altitudes. Results indicated that plant dry weight and number of rhizomes were major drivers of trait differentiation. CSR analysis revealed a shift from competitive strategies at lower elevations to stress-tolerant strategies at higher elevations, reflecting resource availability and abiotic constraints. These findings highlight the ecological adaptability of Carex species and the role of elevation in shaping plant functional traits. The study provides critical understanding of plant adaptation mechanisms, aiding conservation efforts in the Western Himalayas under changing environmental conditions.
{"title":"Functional trait variability and adaptive strategies of Genus Carex along the elevation gradients","authors":"Muhammad Waheed , Fahim Arshad , Muhammad Manzoor , Syed Waseem Gillani , Abeer Al-Andal , Kaniz Fatima","doi":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152802","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152802","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Understanding the variability of plant functional traits along environmental gradients is essential for assessing vegetation-environment interactions. The genus <em>Carex</em>, a dominant component of temperate ecosystems, exhibits diverse ecological adaptations across elevation gradients. This study investigates the composition, functional trait variations, and adaptive strategies of <em>Carex</em> species along an elevational gradient in the Western Himalayas. We hypothesized that elevational gradients influence species composition and functional traits, thereby shaping adaptive strategies. We conducted field surveys across three elevation ranges (500–1000 m, 1100–1500 m, and 1600–2000 m), recording <em>Carex</em> species distribution and measuring key functional traits. CSR strategies were evaluated to determine ecological adaptation trends. Results revealed 24 <em>Carex</em> species with the highest richness at mid-elevations. Functional trait variations demonstrated significant ecological differentiation, with species at lower elevations exhibiting competitive traits, whereas stress tolerance increased at higher altitudes. Results indicated that plant dry weight and number of rhizomes were major drivers of trait differentiation. CSR analysis revealed a shift from competitive strategies at lower elevations to stress-tolerant strategies at higher elevations, reflecting resource availability and abiotic constraints. These findings highlight the ecological adaptability of <em>Carex</em> species and the role of elevation in shaping plant functional traits. The study provides critical understanding of plant adaptation mechanisms, aiding conservation efforts in the Western Himalayas under changing environmental conditions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55156,"journal":{"name":"Flora","volume":"330 ","pages":"Article 152802"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144611641","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-07-08DOI: 10.1016/j.flora.2025.152801
Thalissa Cagnin Pereira, Julia Oliveira Marrega, Maycon Anderson de Araujo, Aline Redondo Martins
Fabaceae is one of the most representative families of the Cerrado, a South American biome characterized by fire and drought. The anatomy of the species present in this biome is intrinsically related to their survival after a fire event, and is essential for understanding their ecological adaptations. This study aimed to describe the anatomical structure of the stem base and root of four native legume tree species (Albizia niopoides, Erythrina crista-galli, Inga laurina, and Senegalia polyphylla) at 6 and 18 months of age. For this purpose, the seedlings were grown in a greenhouse and then the stem base and root were fixed and dehydrated. Some samples were cut with a sliding microtome, and others were sectioned with a rotary microtome. The presence of starch was verified using Lugol's iodine. All species showed secondary growth even at 6 months, with periderm formation and species-specific cork development. Differences between ages included thickening and/or lignification of the cork and variations in the cambial zone activity. Buds were observed at the stem base of A. niopoides and S. polyphylla, suggesting early development of resprouting capacity. Anatomical differences were also noted in the arrangement of fibers, vessel elements, and parenchyma rays between species. Starch was detected mainly in the secondary xylem, varying in quantity and distribution between species and ages. These traits are linked to resilience under environmental stresses such as fire and drought. The findings contribute to understanding the anatomical plasticity and adaptive strategies of juvenile legumes in fire-prone Cerrado ecosystems.
{"title":"Stem base and root anatomy of four young legumes from the Cerrado: Implications for fire resilience","authors":"Thalissa Cagnin Pereira, Julia Oliveira Marrega, Maycon Anderson de Araujo, Aline Redondo Martins","doi":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152801","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152801","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Fabaceae is one of the most representative families of the Cerrado, a South American biome characterized by fire and drought. The anatomy of the species present in this biome is intrinsically related to their survival after a fire event, and is essential for understanding their ecological adaptations. This study aimed to describe the anatomical structure of the stem base and root of four native legume tree species (<em>Albizia niopoides, Erythrina crista-galli, Inga laurina</em>, and <em>Senegalia polyphylla</em>) at 6 and 18 months of age. For this purpose, the seedlings were grown in a greenhouse and then the stem base and root were fixed and dehydrated. Some samples were cut with a sliding microtome, and others were sectioned with a rotary microtome. The presence of starch was verified using Lugol's iodine. All species showed secondary growth even at 6 months, with periderm formation and species-specific cork development. Differences between ages included thickening and/or lignification of the cork and variations in the cambial zone activity. Buds were observed at the stem base of <em>A. niopoides</em> and <em>S. polyphylla</em>, suggesting early development of resprouting capacity. Anatomical differences were also noted in the arrangement of fibers, vessel elements, and parenchyma rays between species. Starch was detected mainly in the secondary xylem, varying in quantity and distribution between species and ages. These traits are linked to resilience under environmental stresses such as fire and drought. The findings contribute to understanding the anatomical plasticity and adaptive strategies of juvenile legumes in fire-prone Cerrado ecosystems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55156,"journal":{"name":"Flora","volume":"330 ","pages":"Article 152801"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144632396","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-07-04DOI: 10.1016/j.flora.2025.152796
Marcos José Gomes Pessoa, Nicolly Bautz, Maura Da Cunha
This study contributes significantly to the anatomical and biological understanding of secretory ducts in the leaves of three Anacardiaceae species in Amazonian savannas. The lack of prior data in this context motivated us to investigate the structural and histochemical features of these ducts in Anacardium occidentale L., Anacardium giganteum W. Hancock ex Engl., and Tapirira obtusa (Benth.) J. D. Mitch., to advance our knowledge of their development and potential ecological functions. The aim was to interpret and discuss functional, ecological, and taxonomic features of these species. Samples of botanical material were processed using conventional techniques of light, scanning, and transmission electron microscopy. The three species analyzed exhibit significant differences in the structure and distribution of the ducts, as well as in the physical characteristics of their secretions. These differences may potentially serve as diagnostic characters. Duct size and length increase through lateral coalescence and anastomosis. Phloem ducts primarily accumulate lipophilic substances, whereas the ducts located in the parenchyma surrounding the vascular tissues of the midvein, here termed the midvein parenchyma, specialize in the accumulation of hydrophilic substances. The epithelium and sheath can be uniseriate or multiseriate. Histochemical tests revealed that the metabolites protect leaves against desiccation, herbivore attacks, pathogens, physical injuries, solar radiation, and local seasonality. Epithelial cells are organelle-poor and serve as sites for synthesis and secretion accumulation. The secretion mechanism is eccrine, granulocrine, and holocrine. These novel insights represent a significant structural, functional, and ecological contribution to plants in tropical phytogeography formations.
该研究对亚马逊热带稀树草原三种红心科植物叶片分泌管的解剖学和生物学理解具有重要意义。在此背景下，由于缺乏先前的数据，我们研究了西方Anacardium L.，巨型Anacardium W. Hancock ex Engl.这些导管的结构和组织化学特征。和大锥虫（底栖）。j·d·米奇。，以加深我们对它们的发展和潜在生态功能的认识。目的是解释和讨论这些物种的功能、生态和分类特征。植物材料的样品使用传统的光学、扫描和透射电子显微镜技术进行处理。所分析的三个物种在导管的结构和分布以及分泌物的物理特征上表现出显著的差异。这些差异可能作为潜在的诊断特征。导管的大小和长度通过侧结和吻合而增加。韧皮部导管主要积聚亲脂性物质，而位于中脉维管组织周围薄壁的导管（此处称为中脉薄壁）专门积聚亲水物质。上皮和鞘可单列或多列。组织化学测试表明，代谢物保护叶片免受干燥、食草动物攻击、病原体、物理伤害、太阳辐射和当地季节性的影响。上皮细胞细胞器贫乏，是合成和分泌积累的场所。分泌机制有内分泌、颗粒分泌和全息分泌。这些新颖的见解代表了热带植物地理构造中植物的重要结构、功能和生态贡献。
{"title":"Secretory ducts in Anacardiaceae leaves: Their ecological role in plant-environment interactions across three amazonian savanna species","authors":"Marcos José Gomes Pessoa, Nicolly Bautz, Maura Da Cunha","doi":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152796","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152796","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study contributes significantly to the anatomical and biological understanding of secretory ducts in the leaves of three Anacardiaceae species in Amazonian savannas. The lack of prior data in this context motivated us to investigate the structural and histochemical features of these ducts in <em>Anacardium occidentale</em> L., <em>Anacardium giganteum</em> W. Hancock ex Engl., and <em>Tapirira obtusa</em> (Benth.) J. D. Mitch., to advance our knowledge of their development and potential ecological functions. The aim was to interpret and discuss functional, ecological, and taxonomic features of these species. Samples of botanical material were processed using conventional techniques of light, scanning, and transmission electron microscopy. The three species analyzed exhibit significant differences in the structure and distribution of the ducts, as well as in the physical characteristics of their secretions. These differences may potentially serve as diagnostic characters. Duct size and length increase through lateral coalescence and anastomosis. Phloem ducts primarily accumulate lipophilic substances, whereas the ducts located in the parenchyma surrounding the vascular tissues of the midvein, here termed the midvein parenchyma, specialize in the accumulation of hydrophilic substances. The epithelium and sheath can be uniseriate or multiseriate. Histochemical tests revealed that the metabolites protect leaves against desiccation, herbivore attacks, pathogens, physical injuries, solar radiation, and local seasonality. Epithelial cells are organelle-poor and serve as sites for synthesis and secretion accumulation. The secretion mechanism is eccrine, granulocrine, and holocrine. These novel insights represent a significant structural, functional, and ecological contribution to plants in tropical phytogeography formations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55156,"journal":{"name":"Flora","volume":"330 ","pages":"Article 152796"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144654754","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-07-03DOI: 10.1016/j.flora.2025.152797
Rachel A. Kendall , Ellie M. Goud , Scott J. Davidson , Nicole Balliston , Claire Estey , Tasha-Leigh Gauthier , Kimberly Kleinke , Andrew Rutland , Maria Strack
Plant traits directly influence ecosystem carbon exchange through photosynthesis and respiration, and indirectly control nutrient cycling through structural and chemical characteristics. Efforts to understand the role of plant traits in peatland ecosystem functioning under natural and disturbed conditions have primarily focused on community and species means. However, within-species (‘intraspecific’) variability may contribute to plant and ecosystem responses to environmental change. We measured vascular plant traits that influence carbon and nutrient cycling: leaf size (LS), specific leaf area (SLA), leaf dry matter content (LDMC), leaf thickness (Lth), and plant height. For non-vascular Sphagnum moss species, we focused on traits associated with the capacity to carry water and photosynthesize: fascicle density (FD), capitulum mass (Mcap), and length-specific stem mass (Mstem). Our objective was to determine the range and potential drivers of intraspecific trait variation (ITV) at a broad environmental scale. We selected geographically widespread species Carex aquatilis, Rhododendron groenlandicum, Sphagnum fuscum, and S. magellanicum complex and sampled plants from 17 sites within Canada, from Alberta to Quebec. All vascular traits varied between species with C. aquatilis being, on average, taller with thinner and larger leaves but similar structural investment (LDMC) relative to R. groenlandicum. Across all sites, R. groenlandicum had a larger range of variation for height and LS whereas C. aquatilis ranged more in LDMC. Between sites, R. groenlandicum varied more in height whereas C. aquatilis varied more in SLA. Moss traits varied between species, with S. fuscum being, on average, smaller with greater FD than S. magellanicum complex. Across all sites, S. fuscum and S. magellanicum complex had a similar range in trait variation, but contrasting responses in ITV to climate, geography, and vapour pressure deficit. Climatic differences among sites are indicated as potential drivers of ITV in these key plant traits, with implications for ecosystem carbon and nutrient cycling.
{"title":"Intraspecific trait variability in four geographically widespread peatland plant species in Canada","authors":"Rachel A. Kendall , Ellie M. Goud , Scott J. Davidson , Nicole Balliston , Claire Estey , Tasha-Leigh Gauthier , Kimberly Kleinke , Andrew Rutland , Maria Strack","doi":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152797","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152797","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Plant traits directly influence ecosystem carbon exchange through photosynthesis and respiration, and indirectly control nutrient cycling through structural and chemical characteristics. Efforts to understand the role of plant traits in peatland ecosystem functioning under natural and disturbed conditions have primarily focused on community and species means. However, within-species (‘intraspecific’) variability may contribute to plant and ecosystem responses to environmental change. We measured vascular plant traits that influence carbon and nutrient cycling: leaf size (LS), specific leaf area (SLA), leaf dry matter content (LDMC), leaf thickness (L<sub>th</sub>), and plant height. For non-vascular <em>Sphagnum</em> moss species, we focused on traits associated with the capacity to carry water and photosynthesize: fascicle density (FD), capitulum mass (M<sub>cap</sub>), and length-specific stem mass (M<sub>stem</sub>). Our objective was to determine the range and potential drivers of intraspecific trait variation (ITV) at a broad environmental scale. We selected geographically widespread species <em>Carex aquatilis, Rhododendron groenlandicum, Sphagnum fuscum</em>, and <em>S. magellanicum</em> complex and sampled plants from 17 sites within Canada, from Alberta to Quebec. All vascular traits varied between species with <em>C. aquatilis</em> being, on average, taller with thinner and larger leaves but similar structural investment (LDMC) relative to <em>R. groenlandicum</em>. Across all sites, <em>R. groenlandicum</em> had a larger range of variation for height and LS whereas <em>C. aquatilis</em> ranged more in LDMC. Between sites, <em>R. groenlandicum</em> varied more in height whereas <em>C. aquatilis</em> varied more in SLA. Moss traits varied between species, with <em>S. fuscum</em> being, on average, smaller with greater FD than <em>S. magellanicum</em> complex. Across all sites, <em>S. fuscum</em> and <em>S. magellanicum</em> complex had a similar range in trait variation, but contrasting responses in ITV to climate, geography, and vapour pressure deficit. Climatic differences among sites are indicated as potential drivers of ITV in these key plant traits, with implications for ecosystem carbon and nutrient cycling.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55156,"journal":{"name":"Flora","volume":"330 ","pages":"Article 152797"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144572541","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-07-03DOI: 10.1016/j.flora.2025.152784
Valdnéa Casagrande Dalvi , João Santana-Tomaz , Aristéa Alves Azevedo
In Gentianales, colleters are commonly described for species of Apocynaceae and Rubiaceae, less commonly in Gentianaceae and there is an absence of anatomical data for Gelsemiaceae and Loganiaceae. Glands present in the shoot apices of Antonia ovata (Loganiaceae) have beeb interpreted as extrafloral nectaries, but the composition of the secretion has never been analyzed, even though the structural characteristics are similar to those of colleters. Our gool is to confirm the nature of these glands through anatomical, micromorphological and histochemical analyses. Therefore, we collected and fixed apical meristems and leaves, at different stages of development, in the field of the Cerrado. We also analyzed fresh samples. The position, composition and duration of the secretion and the anatomical structure allowed us to conclude that the glands of A. ovata are, in fact, classified as colleters. We observed the abundant, hydrophilic, colorless secretion covering the young leaves and the apical meristem, which did not appear on the leaves from the second or third node and beyond. We used histochemical tests to confirm the mucilaginous nature of the secretion. In the leaf primordia, the colleters exhibit a translucent coloration with darkening in the apical portion that extends throughout the colleter in the expanded leaves. Anatomically, the colleters are of the standard type, with a finger-like shape, located in an intrapetiolar position. We present comparisons of the colleters of the Gentianales within the study.
{"title":"Colleters in Antonia ovata (Loganiaceae): expanding the perspective within Gentianales","authors":"Valdnéa Casagrande Dalvi , João Santana-Tomaz , Aristéa Alves Azevedo","doi":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152784","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152784","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In Gentianales, colleters are commonly described for species of Apocynaceae and Rubiaceae, less commonly in Gentianaceae and there is an absence of anatomical data for Gelsemiaceae and Loganiaceae. Glands present in the shoot apices of <em>Antonia ovata</em> (Loganiaceae) have beeb interpreted as extrafloral nectaries, but the composition of the secretion has never been analyzed, even though the structural characteristics are similar to those of colleters. Our gool is to confirm the nature of these glands through anatomical, micromorphological and histochemical analyses. Therefore, we collected and fixed apical meristems and leaves, at different stages of development, in the field of the Cerrado. We also analyzed fresh samples. The position, composition and duration of the secretion and the anatomical structure allowed us to conclude that the glands <em>of A. ovata</em> are, in fact, classified as colleters. We observed the abundant, hydrophilic, colorless secretion covering the young leaves and the apical meristem, which did not appear on the leaves from the second or third node and beyond. We used histochemical tests to confirm the mucilaginous nature of the secretion. In the leaf primordia, the colleters exhibit a translucent coloration with darkening in the apical portion that extends throughout the colleter in the expanded leaves. Anatomically, the colleters are of the standard type, with a finger-like shape, located in an intrapetiolar position. We present comparisons of the colleters of the Gentianales within the study.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55156,"journal":{"name":"Flora","volume":"330 ","pages":"Article 152784"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144623519","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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