Pollen morphology of the tribe Rhinantheae (Orobanchaceae) and its systematic significances

Pollen morphology of 36 species representing 14 genera within the tribe Rhinantheae in the family Orobanchaceae was studied and illustrated with light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Five major pollen types were recognized on the basis of exine ornamentation. Within these major types, minor types (subtypes) were distinguished based on exine surface pattern, size, shape, amb form, colpi and colpus membrane. These types and subtypes are as follows: type I. retipilate: subtype Ia. regular retipilate: (1) pollen size < 27 μm, (2) pollen size > 27 μm, subtype Ib. irregular retipilate; type II. verrucate: subtype IIa. macro-verrucate, subtype IIb. verrucate, subtype IIc. sparse verrucate; type III. retirugulate; type IV. granulate; type V. micro-reticulate. A key to pollen morphology of genera studied within the Rhinantheae was made based on pollen morphology from our study and earlier work. Combining with other sources of information on the Rhinantheae, the systematic relationships of this tribe are discussed. Rhinantheae pollen displays considerable variation between genera and species, with taxonomically significant characters at genus and species level. Palynological characteristics provide evidence for interpreting the conflicting views concerning the “Pterygiella Complex”. The evolutionary trend in exine sculpture of Rhinantheae could be proposed, namely that retipilate sculpturing which is the most widespread type is more primitive than the other types (such as foveolate, granulate, regulate, reticulate, retirugulate and verrucate). The pollen data in present study and the view of Hong (1986), as well as the molecular data from Bennett and Mathews (2006) indicated that Asia and related regions were likely to the origin centre of the tribe Rhinantheae.     

Pollen morphology of the family Cistaceae in Egypt and its systematic significance

The pollen morphology of 11 species (including two subspecies and two varieties) belonging to two genera (Helianthemum and Fumana) of the family Cistaceae in Egypt was studied using light and scanning electron microscopy.Pollen grains of the studied taxa were found to be radially symmetrical and tricolporate.Pollen size,shape,apertures,and exine ornamentation characteristics were valuable parameters among the studied taxa.The largest pollen size was recorded in H.salicifolium and the smallest one observed in H.kahiricum subsp,schweinfurthii.Pollen shape in the Egyptian taxa varied from (sub-)prolate to prolate spheroidal,but F.arabica is different in having sub-oblate grains.The pollen data confirm that H.lippii and H.sessiliflorum are very closely related species.Pollen sculpture was useful in distinguishing between H.vesicarium var.vesicarium and H.vesicarium var.ciliatum.Three main pollen types of exine ornamentation were recognized:retipilate; reticulate to verrucate; and striate.Based on palynological data,a key for the studied taxa is suggested.     

Pollen morphology in the genus Coffea (Rubiaceae) and its taxonomic significance

The pollen morphology of 38 representative species and varieties within the genus Coffea L. is described. Eight pollen types, placed in two major groups, have been identified on the basis of the number of colpi, colpus characteristics, exine morphology and pollen size. Differences in pollen structures of the species studied do not correspond to present taxonomic groupings, but support a current proposal to place some of the species in the genus Paracoffea Leroy. Among the four sections in the genus, the section Eucoffea contains a high degree of pollen polymorphism.     

Pollen morphology of the genus Cornukaempferia (Zingiberaceae) in Thailand

Cornukaempferia is a recently described genus of Zingiberaceae which only occurs in Thailand as a rare genus with limited geographical distribution. Only three species have been described so far, including a recently described new species, C. larsenii. These three species are morphologically very similar and additional data on other biological aspects are useful for the elucidation of their relationship. Pollen morphology of all three species of genus Cornukaempferia has been studied by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The pollen grains are monad, spherical, inaperturate. The exine sculpture is echinate with psilate between the spines for C. aurantiflora and C. longipetiolata, or echinate with regulate between the spines for C. larsenii. This obser-vation helps support the taxonomic status of C. larsenii.     

蜘蛛抱蛋属植物花粉形态及系统学意义

用扫描电子显微镜对国产 1 4种蜘蛛抱蛋属植物的花粉形态进行了观察 ,该属植物的花粉形态有长球形和球形 2种 ;外壁纹饰可分为 3大类型 :( 1 )皱波状纹饰 ;( 2 )小芽孢状纹饰 ;( 3)瘤棒状纹饰。它们的演化趋势是 :皱波状纹饰→芽孢状纹饰→瘤棒状纹饰     

四川前胡属的花粉形态及系统学意义

通过光学显微镜和扫描电镜观察了前胡属 Peucedanum L.7种植物的花粉形态 .研究结果表明 :该属花粉为三棱长球形 ;三孔沟 ,边孔 ;外壁两层 ,层次分明 .根据花粉形态可归为 :矩形型和赤道收缩形型二个类型 ,其演化趋势为矩形型→赤道收缩形型 .研究结果支持了关于前胡属在伞形科中是一个较自然和较进化的类群的观点 .本文从孢粉学角度还初步分析了该属的属下系统 ,为该属的系统学研究提供基础资料     

Pollen morphology of Justicia L. (Acanthaceae) from Thailand and its taxonomic value

The acetolysed pollen of 33 species of the genus Justicia in Thailand is investigated using both light and scanning electron microscopy. The pollen of the genus is characterised as being isopolar, bilaterally or radially symmetrical, with mostly prolate or prolate spheroidal shape. Based on characters with high factor loading in the cluster analysis and principal components analysis, the studied species are divided into two major groups; one with 3-colporate with six pseudocolpi and the other with 2-porate or 2–3-colporate with aperture areas. The pollen morphology of each group is described and illustrated. Pollen characters are useful for taxonomic delimitation and relationships among Thai species.     

三种金花茶花粉形态的扫描电镜研究

金花茶分类系统尚未完善,金花茶又极具观赏价值,潜在价值极高,该研究应用扫描电镜观察三种金花茶花粉形态,即平果金花茶、直脉金花茶、金花茶,并运用数理统计和图片分析的方法对其花粉形态进行了探讨.结果表明:三种金花茶花粉均属于大花粉粒,花粉平均极轴在50μm以上,花粉极面观为钝凹三角形,萌发孔为三孔沟,即N3P4C5类型.平果金花茶与直脉金花茶花粉外壁纹饰为拟网状纹饰,平果金花茶网眼较密,网脊稍不平,直脉金花茶网脊稍隆起;金花茶为蠕虫状纹饰,短条状突起.花粉形态对其分类有重要意义,通过花粉外壁纹饰的类型可知金花茶与其二者亲缘关系较远,花粉形态各指标具有种间变异性,种内具有保守性,而平果金花茶和直脉金花茶花粉外壁纹饰相同但具体分类还需进一步研究.该研究结果为金花茶种质资源分类和利用提供了参考,在一定程度上促进了金花茶资源的开发和利用.     

中国柽柳科（Tamaricaceae）花粉形态研究及其分类意义的探讨

研究观察了中国柽柳科（Tamaricaceae)4属27种植物的花粉形态。中国柽柳科植物花粉为三沟类型,无三拟孔沟类型,形态及外壁雕纹属间差异明显。根据花粉资料,探讨了属间的进化关系和分类地位及本科植物花粉外壁的演化途径。     

中国栎属植物花粉形态及其系统学意义

从系统学分类学的角度出发 ,对国产栎属 31个种的花粉进行了光学显微镜和扫描电镜观察。研究结果表明栎属的花粉萌发孔对该属的系统与分类无太大的参考价值 ;但栎属的花粉纹饰有颗粒状、聚颗粒状两种主要类型 ,具有重要的系统学分类学价值。花粉形态的研究结果支持将栎属植物划分为常绿类与落叶类的观点 ;栎属巴东栎组植物的花粉纹饰在种间存在分化 ,花粉形态的研究结果支持将巴东栎组至少划分为两个不同类群的观点 ;在佐以其他证据的情况下 ,栎属植物的花粉纹饰还具有重要的分类学价值     

绣球属(Hydrangea L.)及近缘属花粉形态的研究

为深入研究绣球属植物花粉形态的分类学价值和系统学意义,厘清绣球属与近缘属之间的系统发育关系,该文利用扫描电子显微镜(SEM,scanning electron microscope)对国产绣球属及其近缘属41种绣球花科(Hydrangeaceae)植物的花粉形态以及表面纹饰进行了观察。结果表明:绣球属及其近缘属的花粉为三孔沟;形状多数为长圆体形或近球体形;赤道面观为椭圆形或圆形;极面观多为圆形,少数为三角形或圆三角形。花粉外壁纹饰可分为网状和孔穴状。网眼内的三级纹饰可分为光滑和具颗粒状突起。根据花粉形状和外壁纹饰类型将上述物种划分为4个组,即花粉的形状为长圆体形,表面纹饰为孔穴纹饰;花粉的形状为长圆体形,表面纹饰为网状纹饰;花粉的形状为近球体形,表面纹饰为孔穴纹饰;花粉的形状为近球体形,表面纹饰为网状纹饰。以上可进一步细分为8个类型。上述表明花粉形态证据可为绣球属及其近缘属的属下分类和种间界定提供重要佐证;但结合前人的系统发育重建分析该属植物花粉形态的系统学意义相对有限,如花粉形态证据对于该属及其近缘种属系统发育树上大支的界定难以提供有力的证据。     

Pollen morphology and localization of Ni in some Ni-hyperaccumulator taxa of Alyssum L. (Brassicaceae)

Pollen morphology of seven Alyssum L. taxa growing on serpentine soils in different places in the European Mediterranean macrobioclimate territory were studied, described and compared. Cluster analysis was performed to show similarity between species and their populations. The shape of the pollen grains varies among the species and among the grains within the same anther. The pollen grains are 3-colpate, prolate, with long and narrow colpi reaching the poles. The ornamentation of the exine varies from micro-reticulate to reticulate between the species. Pollen sterility/fertility was also calculated. The highest percentage of sterile pollen (73.76%) was calculated for Alyssum murale subsp. murale and the lowest (9.54%) for A. bertolonii subsp. bertolonii. All species are representatives of sect. Odontarrhena (C.A. Meyer) Koch well known as Ni-hyperaccumulators. Nickel and other elements present in pollen and stamen were studied by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. The stamen parts of all species were micromorphologically analyzed by scanning electron microscopy coupled to an energy-dispersive X-ray probe. Accumulation of Ni was detected in the stamens of all studied species and rarely in the pollen grains. The distribution patterns of Ni were similar among the species examined.     

Pollen morphology of six species of Bupleurum L. (Apiaceae) present in Sicily and taxonomic implications

Abstract

In this study, using light and scanning microscopes, the morphobiometric characters of pollen grains of Bupleurum fruticosum L., B. fontanesii Guss. ex Caruel, B. gerardi All., B. lancifolium Hornem., B. semicompositum L., B. tenuissimum L. have been analysed. The elaboration of qualitative and quantitative palynological data has allowed us to formulate a key of identification which characterizes six morphotypes. Pollen grains of B. fruticosum (a perennial species) have been distinguished from the grains of the other annual species examined by us on the basis of several morphobiometric characters, a condition which has confirmed the systematic arrangements suggested by several authors. The close palynological affinity between B. tenuissimum and B. semicompositum compared with B. gerardi has supported the placement of these three species in a distinct subsect. of the sect. Eubupleura Briq. or in a distinct subsect. of the sect. Isophyllum (Hoffm.) Dumort. Similarly, our palynological data on B. fontanesii have confirmed the systematic arrangement. However, these data differ from those reported by different authors who placed the three species in the sect. Aristata Godron subsect. Juncea Briq.     

Systematic significance of seed morphology in the genus Veronica (Plantaginaceae), with special reference to the Egyptian taxa

Seed morphology of 29 taxa including 9 subgenera belonging to the genus Veronica was compared using scanning electron microscopy to assess their diagnostic value for systematic studies. Subgenus Beccabunga is the largest in this study represented by nine taxa. Seed surface often varies from ridged reticulate or verrucose/granulate reticulate to rugose-reticulate. Seed color and size have limited taxonomic significance as their variation is uninformative. Thereagainst, seed shape and seed coat ornamentation present informative characters that can be used efficiently in distinguishing the studied taxa. Our seed features support the DNA sequence data in showing close relationships between V. biloba and V. campylopoda, and between V. fruticans and V. fruticulosa. The present study indicates thatV. anagallis-aquatica, V. anagalloides, V. comosa, and V. catenata have more or less the same seed features; consequently, these four former species are most likely representing a single species as reported by earlier studies. Furthermore, V. polita and V. persica are very similar in terms of seed characteristics. Our results justify placement of V. peregina within subgenus Beccabunga and support the monophyly of the subgenus Veronica.     

10种金花茶组植物的花粉形态及分类学意义

金花茶组(Sect.Chrysantha)植物具有很高的观赏价值,但其分类存在争议.为探讨金花茶组植物花粉的形态特征和分类学意义,该研究用扫描电镜观察了10种金花茶的花粉形状、外壁纹饰以及穿孔特征,统计了极轴长、赤道轴长和萌发沟长,并进行聚类分析.结果表明:(1)10种供试金花茶植物花粉为中粒花粉,大部分花粉形状呈近球...     

Seed morphology and its systematic implications for genus Oxytropis DC. (Fabaceae)

In the present study, seeds of 13 Oxytropis DC. species (including two latest synonyms) classified in subg. Oxytropis (sect. Dolichocarpon, sect. Chrysantha and sect. Eumorpha), subg. Euoxytropis (sect. Orobia) and subg. Phacoxytropis (sect. Protoxytropis, sect. Janthina and sect. Mesogaea) from Turkey were examined using light and scanning electron microscopy to evaluate the taxonomic relevance of macro- and micro-morphological seed characters. As a result of the study, species-specific characters have been determined. Seeds exhibit variation in size, shape, surface sculpturing pattern, hilum position and weight. Seeds ranged from 1.61 to 4.04 mm in length and from 1.02 to 2.56 mm in width. Five different seed shapes were recognised, as prolonged semielliptic, reniform, prolonged reniform, quadratic and cardiform, with a length to width ratio ranging from 1.02 ± 0.08 to 1.75 ± 0.27. Rugulate, rugulate–reticulate and lophate sculpturing patterns were observed in the studied species. According to the results, seed characters, such as the size (length, width and the length/width ratio), the shape, the surface sculpturing and the weight appear to have low taxonomic value in distinguishing subgenera, sections and species.     

Pollen morphology of the genus Euphrasia L. (Orobanchaceae) from Pakistan and Kashmir and its taxonomic significance

Pollen morphology of 25 species of the genus Euphrasia L., belonging to the family Orobanchaceae from Pakistan has been examined by light and scanning electron microscope. It is a stenopalynous genus. Pollen grains are usually radially symmetrical, isopolar, tricolpate, sub-prolate to prolate-spheroidal rarely oblate-spheroidal. Sexine slightly thinner than nexine or as thick as nexine. Tectum coarse to fine retipilate or rugulate–retipilate. On the basis of exine ornamentation three distinct pollen types viz., Euphrasia foliosa, Euphrasia multiflora, and Euphrasia incisa are recognized. Pollen morphology is significantly helpful at specific level within the pollen type.     

中国紫金牛属圆齿组花粉形态研究及其分类学意义

利用扫描电子显微镜对紫金牛属圆齿组20种1变种植物的花粉形态进行了研究,并比较分析了腋序组2种及锯齿组1种的花粉。经观察花粉为近球形或近扁球形,具3孔沟,除锯齿组的月月红外,其余种均形成合沟。外壁纹饰可分为四类:穴网状、细网状、皱波状及细颗粒状(带刺突)。结果显示,花粉形态特征可作为属下分组及组下分类处理的依据。