Pollen Morphology of Xyridaceae Systematic (Poales) and its Potential

Xyridaceae are a predominantly tropical family of five genera that exhibit two pollen morphologies often considered to be of taxonomic importance. Xyris comprises about 95% of the species and is characterized by medium to large, elliptic, sulcate pollen grains. The other pollen class is spheroidal grains without an evident aperture. Many of the species with spheroidal grains have remarkably large and ornamented pollen found to be species specific in earlier research. A scanning electron microscopy investigation of 23 taxa representing all genera with spheroidal pollen revealed new data to further distinguish the genera based on pollen characters. Reliable specific pollen characters need to be evaluated in a statistical study.     

Pollen Morphology of Plants from the Hengduan Mountains and Their Ecological Significance

Pollen morphology of selected taxa from the Hengduan Mountains, Southwest China are investigated in the present study. Forty eight taxa (flowering in the summer, 46 species and 2 varieties) of 43 genera belonging to 27 families were observed by light and scanning electron microscopy. Pollen morphology is described in detail. Two pollen shapes are mainly found in these species: subprolate to prolate (271%) and prolate (25%). Spheroidal, subspheroidal to subprolate, suboblate and tetrad shapes can also be found in some species. Aperture type is mostly tricolporate, with a percentage of 438, and also contains tricolpate, pantoporate, stephanocolpate, 3 colporoid, 6 colpate, monocolpate. The most common ornamentation is finely reticulate, with a percentage of 50. Other exine ornamentations, such as coarsely reticulate, finely granulate, smooth, spinulose are also observed. The palynological documentation of these species will provide the modern palynological basis for paleopalynological studies of the Quaternary Strata. On the basis of pollen morphology characters, identification features of some species in the same families were discussed according to the results of cluster analysis used by SPSS. The ecological significance was also discussed based on the ecological properties of these taxa.     

Pollen of African Spermacoce species (Rubiaceae) Morphology and evolutionary aspects

Pollen morphology of 43 African species of the genus Spermacoce has been investigated by scanning electron and light microscopy. The genus is eurypalynous, which is reflected in the remarkable variation of almost all pollen characters. The average equatorial diameter (E) ranges from 15.8 w m to 115.5 w m. Grains are colporate or pororate. The number of apertures varies from 3 up to more than 25. The majority of species has apertures situated only at the equator (being zonoaperturate), but a few species have pantoaperturate grains. The endoaperture is generally an endocingulum, often with a secondary lolongate or lalongate thinning at the ectocolpus; endocolpi and endopores are also observed. The sexine is usually perforate, but eutectate, foveolate, and (micro)reticulate tecta were also found. Supratectal elements are present as granules, microspines or spines. The inner nexine surface is granular, often with irregular grooves (endocracks). Among native African species, nine pollen types are recognized mainly on the basis of pollen size, aperture morphology and tectum peculiarities. In two of the pantoaperturate types, apertures are in a configuration not yet recorded for the angiosperms in general. Some evolutionary trends are proposed that await verification by further systematic study. Pollen morphological characters have a high taxonomic value in the genus Spermacoce . They provide almost unique identification marks for the species, which enables sharpening of species boundaries. Small groups of related species often share the same pollen type. The genus Borreria , previously separated from Spermacoce on the basis of its fruit morphology only, is not supported by pollen data.     

Micro morphological Characteristics of Leaf Epidermis under Light Microscopy and Its Taxonomic Significance in Persea (Lauraceae) from America

Leaf epidermal micro morphological characters of 54 species belonging to genus Persea (Lauraceae) from America were comparatively studied by the means of light microscopy. It was shown that the leaf epidermal cells were usually regular bearing with straight or beaded anticlinal walls.Most of these species had unicellular trichomes uniformly distributed. The stomatal apparatus which were paracytic, only randomly presented in the areoles of abaxial epidermis for all sampled species, can be assigned into three types. The results showed that similar leaf epidermal characters can be found in the species with similar morphology. Nineteen characters were selected for PCA analysis, and the sampled species was divided into two clades. The characters of leaf epidermis were little different within a species but can vary among species. However, the multiple leaf epidermal characters including the shape of epidermal cells, the shape of stomatal apparatus, stomatal ledges and some distinct characters were relatively constant and taxonomically quite useful for the identification of some species with similar phenotypes.     

獐牙菜属植物花蜜腺形态及解剖学

在扫描电镜下观察了獐牙菜属Swertia L.10组30种植物花蜜腺的数目,位置,形态和附属物等特征;同时还利用光镜对各组代表种的蜜腺结构进行了解剖学观察。结果表明獐牙菜属花蜜腺外部形态多种多,但在组与组之间无明显间断,演化序列呈梯度变化;内部结构基本相同,为不具维管束的结构蜜腺,且均为淀粉型蜜腺。因此,从花蜜腺的角度不支持将獐牙菜属划分为小属的观点,同时,还结合其它证据讨论了花蜜腺特征的演化趋势。     

西藏产四种卷柏科植物的孢子形态观察

利用光学显微镜和扫描电子显微镜观察了西藏产4种卷柏科(Selaginellaceae)植物波密卷柏(Selaginella bomiensis Ching et S.K.Wu)、宽叶卷柏(S. megaphylla Baker)、墨脱卷柏(S. mutensis Ching)和钱形卷柏(S. nummularifolia Ching)的大、小孢子形态。扫描电镜观察结果显示：这4种卷柏科植物的孢子具有复杂的外部纹饰特征,且种间有很大的差异,可作为种间鉴别的重要分类依据。4种卷柏的孢子形态均为首次报道,为卷柏科系统演化及形态学研究提供有价值的基础资料。     

假瘤蕨属 (水龙骨科) 植物叶表皮特征的比较研究

在光镜和扫描电镜下观察了假瘤蕨属2系、5亚系的24种植物的叶表皮。结果表明,叶表皮细胞形状不规则,垂周壁波曲状。下生气孔,气孔类型有极细胞型、共环极细胞型、腋下细胞型、聚腋下细胞型和不规则型,常伴生出现。在扫描电镜下,叶表皮气孔器外拱盖内缘为浅波状、少平滑;一些种的保卫细胞两端有“T”型加厚;角质膜波状有条纹,有时附有颗粒。叶表皮的一些特征对该属部分种的区分有一定的参考价值。叶表皮的微形态特征,如气孔器类型和垂周壁类型特征不能用来界定假瘤蕨属的系和亚系。     

假瘤蕨属（水龙骨科）植物叶表皮特征的比较研究

在光镜和扫描电镜下观察了假瘤蕨属2系、5亚系的24种植物的叶表皮。结果表明,叶表皮细胞形状不规则,垂周壁波曲状。下生气孔,气孔类型有极细胞型、共环极细胞型、腋下细胞型、聚腋下细胞型和不规则型,常伴生出现。在扫描电镜下,叶表皮气孔器外拱盖内缘为浅波状、少平滑;一些种的保卫细胞两端有“T”型加厚;角质膜波状有条纹,有时附有颗粒。叶表皮的一些特征对该属部分种的区分有一定的参考价值。叶表皮的微形态特征,如气孔器类型和垂周壁类型特征不能用来界定假瘤蕨属的系和亚系。     

中国西南地区独活属植物叶表皮微形态特征及其系统学意义

利用光学显微镜和扫描电镜对中国西南地区独活属16种1变种植物(分隶于中国独活属的全部4个组)的叶表皮微形态进行了观察,测量并统计气孔器大小、密度和气孔指数,并用统计学方法对远轴面气孔器长轴进行显著差异性分析.结果显示:无规则型气孔器普遍存在于所有研究类群的叶远轴面及个别类群叶近轴面,气孔器的分布和密度具有种间特异性.表皮毛普遍存在于远轴面及大部分类群近轴面,长短和覆盖密度因种而异.近轴面表皮细胞为多边形或者不规则形,垂周壁平直、浅波状或波状;远轴面表皮细胞形态多不规则形,表皮细胞垂周壁浅波状或波状.在扫描电镜下,叶表皮气孔器外拱盖内缘为近平滑、浅波状或波状;角质膜条纹状,有的附有颗粒状、鳞片状蜡质等结构.气孔器外拱盖形态以及蜡质类型是稳定的鉴别特征.研究表明独活属植物叶表皮特征存在较大的种间差异,对独活属的系统分类及进化研究具有重要意义,文中对叶表皮特征在独活属植物分类处理中的应用及系统进化问题等进行了讨论,并建立了以叶表皮微形态特征为依据的分类检索表.     

五味子属种子形态及其分类学意义

用光学显微镜及扫描电镜对五味子属（Schisandra)10种96号样品的种子宏观形态和种皮的微观形态特征进行观察,首次对该属的种皮微观形态特征进行系统报道,并编排有分种检索表。研究结果表明：该属的种子宏观形态呈现平滑、细皱纹或瘤状突起,并认为五味子属种子形态可有从平滑到有细皱纹再到有瘤状突起的演化趋势;该属种皮表面微观形态可分为疣状突起型和网纹型。结合其它性状,本文认为网纹型所代表的两种植物应与本属中其它植物建立并列的分类单元。五味子属植物在种子形态特征上存在一定的差异,可为属以下、种以上的分类提供依据,并为探讨该属的系统演化提供有价值的参考资料。     

Morphology and ultrastructure of the pharynx in Solenofilomorphidae (Acoela)

The homology of pharynges within the mostly pharynx-less Acoela has been a matter of discussion for decades. Here, we analyze the pharynges of three members of the Solenofilomorphidae, Myopea sp. and two species of the genus Solenofilomorpha, by means of light and transmission electron microscopy. Special focus is placed on the ultrastructure of the pharyngeal musculature, epidermis surrounding the mouth, pharyngeal epithelium, and junction with the digestive parenchyma. The main goal of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of certain characters for broader comparisons within the Acoela. Among the three species, characters relating to position of the mouth, presence and elaboration of sphincter muscles, presence of pharyngeal glands, and ultrastructure of epitheliosomes proved to be variously species- and genus-specific. The arrangement of pharyngeal muscles and their connection with body wall musculature, ultrastructure of receptor cells, and morphology of a nonciliated glandular region in the posterior pharynx, in contrast, appear to be characteristic of the family Solenofilomorphidae and thus of predominant interest for comparisons with other acoel families.     

Morphology, anatomy and histochemistry of Salicornioideae (Chenopodiaceae) fruits and seeds

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The subfamily Salicornioideae (Chenopodiaceae) are a taxonomically difficult group largely due to the lack of diagnostic characters available to delineate tribal- and generic-level boundaries; a consequence of their reduced floral and vegetative features. This study examined the variation in fruits and seeds across both tribes of the Salicornioideae to assess if characters support traditional taxonomic sections. METHODS: Light microscopy, environmental scanning electron microscopy and anatomical ultra-thin sectioning were employed to examine variation in fruits and seeds. Sixty-eight representatives across 14 of the 15 genera currently recognized within the tribes Halopeplideae and Salicornieae were examined to determine whether characters support current taxonomic groups. KEY RESULTS: Characters such as seed coat structure, embryo shape, seed orientation, the forms of seed storage proteins and carbohydrates show variation within the Salicornioideae and may be phylogenetically useful. The campylotropous ovule typical of the Chenopodiaceae generally results in a curved embryo; however, many Halosarcia and Sclerostegia species have straight embryos and in Salicornia and Sarcocornia the large peripheral embryo appears bent rather than curved. Seed coat ornamentation of Microcnemum and Arthrocnemum is distinct from other Salicornioideae as the elongated epidermal cells of the exotesta have convex walls. Histochemical stains of anatomical sections of cotyledon cells showed protein bodies were variable in shape, and starch grains were present in some species, namely Salicornia bigelovii, S. europaea and Allenrolfea occidentalis. CONCLUSIONS: While fruits and seeds were found to be variable within the subfamily, no synapomorphic characters support the tribe Halopeplideae as these genera have crustaceous seed coats, curved embryos and abundant perisperm; features characteristic of many of the tribe Salicornieae. The endemic Australian genera are closely related and few seed and fruit characters are diagnostic at the generic level. Nineteen characters identified as being potentially informative will be included in future phylogenetic analyses of the subfamily.     

八角目(Illiciales)植物花被片表皮比较形态

在光学显微镜和扫描电镜下,观察了八角科(Illiciaceae)八角属(Illicium Linn.)2组11种20个材料、五味子科(Schisandraceae)南五味子属(Kadsura Ksempf. ex Juss.)2亚属2组8种15个材料和五味子属(Schisandra Michx.)2亚属4组6种17个材料的花被片表皮形态特征。首次报道了八角目2个科（八角科和五味子科）3个属（八角属、南五味子属和五味子属）植物花被片表皮细胞的形状、分泌细胞的形状及分布、气孔器的形状及分布、花被片表面的纹饰。通过与八角目2个科3个属植物的叶表皮形态比较,发现花被片表皮气孔器外拱盖均为单层,与叶表皮气孔器外拱盖层数（常绿种类为双层和落叶种类为单层）之间没有相关性,还在五味子科中发现2个新的性状（气孔对和环列型气孔）。通过对两性花、雌花和雄花花被片表皮观察,发现花被片表皮形态与花的性别之间没有相关性。通过对八角属、南五味子属和五味子属花被片表皮比较,发现五味子属与南五味子属相比,其花被片表皮表现出更多的衍生性状;南五味子属与八角属相比,前者花被片表皮具有更多的衍生性状;而南五味子属花被片表皮形态与五味子属的相似性程度较大,支持五味子科包含南五味子属和五味子属、八角科包含八角属的观点。     

中国5种常见宽广蜡蝉形态比较研究

为了给农林业生产中的宽广蜡蝉属Pochazia常见种类提供准确鉴别依据,补充广翅蜡蝉科Ricaniidae昆虫分类的形态学资料,对5种中国常见的宽广蜡蝉(眼斑宽广蜡蝉P.discreta、圆纹宽广蜡蝉P.guttifera、柿宽广蜡蝉P.sublimata、山东宽广蜡蝉P.shantungensis和阔带宽广蜡蝉P.confuse)的外部形态和雌雄外生殖器结构进行了比较研究。结果表明:这5种宽广蜡蝉在外部形态特征(体色、身体各部分比例及前、后翅斑纹)、雄性外生殖器构造(尾节、肛节、阳茎干)及雌性外生殖器构造(肛节、第一产卵瓣、第三产卵瓣)上既有相似性,又存在一定的种间差异,这些差异特征可作为种间鉴别的分类依据。5种宽广蜡蝉的雌性外生殖器构造均为首次报道,此外,还给出了这5种宽广蜡蝉的整体形态图、局部特征图和雌雄外生殖器特征图,以及在中国分布的10种宽广蜡蝉分种检索表。     

Morphology and ultrastructure of definitive males of Arcticotantulus pertzovi and Microdajus tchesunovi (Crustacea: Tantulocarida)

Free-swimming definitive males of two species of Tantulocarida (Crustacea), Arcticotantulus pertzovi (Basipodellidae) and Microdajus tchesunovi (Microdajidae), were reared for the first time. Their morphology and ultrastructure were studied using scanning electron and light microscopy. A detailed analysis of the morphological characters of all currently described species revealed several features typical for most known male tantulocaridans, such as the presence of eight aesthetascs, seven pairs of multifid sensilla on the carapace, paired brush setae on the protopods of the thoracopods, and three furcal setae. The monophyly of the families Microdajidae and Doryphallophoridae is corroborated, while the families Deoterthridae and Basipodellidae are more likely paraphyletic.     

四种番荔枝科植物花粉形态

利用扫描和透射电子显微镜,观察了番荔枝科(Annonaceae)4属4种植物的花粉形态与结构.刺果番荔枝(Annona muricata)和金钩花(Pseuduvaria trimera)为四合花粉,有四角形、偏菱形、T-型、十字形和四面体形.前者花粉表面具小穿孔,后者为皱波状纹饰.蕉木(Oncodostigma hainanense)和那大紫玉盘(Uvaria macclurei)为单花粉,前者表面为皱波状纹饰,后者为粗褶皱状纹饰.透射电子显微镜下,蕉木和那大紫玉盘覆盖层较厚、连续.蕉木覆盖下层较薄,偶尔可见颗粒状物质或不规则小柱,为过渡型覆盖下层;那大紫玉盘覆盖下层颗粒状.基层分为内外两层,外层较厚,平或呈波浪状,内层具有2～4片层结构.在不同属或同属不同种之间,花粉特征差异较大,多样性非常丰富.金钩花具有四合花粉、覆盖下层小柱状等进化特征,同时又具有花粉粒小、覆盖层无穿孔等较原始特征.     

琼榄小孢子发生、雄配子体发育及花粉粒形态

利用光学显微技术和电镜扫描技术研究了琼榄的小孢子发生、雄配子体发育和花粉粒形态以增加广义心翼果科的胚胎学和孢粉学资料。主要结果如下：（1）花药四孢囊;（2）花药壁四层,从外到内分别为表皮、具纤维性加厚的药室内壁、退化早的中层和细胞具2~4核的分泌型绒毡层;（3）小孢子母细胞胞质分裂同时型,形成四面体型排列的小孢子四分体;（4）成熟花粉粒为二细胞型;（5）花粉粒具3个隐形萌发孔,外壁为网状纹饰。琼榄与心翼果属的小孢子发生和雄配子体发育特征非常相似,稍有不同。琼榄的花粉粒形态特征与同属其它种基本相同。