国产藜科14种植物种皮微形态特征比较研究

应用扫描电子显微镜和光学显微镜观察了中国产藜科(Chenopodiaceae)5族10属14种植物的种子形态和种皮微形态结构。观察结果表明:供试的14种藜科植物的种子多为卵形和圆形,少数为双凸镜形;种皮表面都具有网状纹饰,包括浅网纹、负网纹和穴状网纹。种皮可分为膜质和壳质2类,其中,膜质型种皮表面不光滑,除网状纹饰外,还有瘤状或褶皱状等纹饰,网眼无规则,纹饰排列无序,猪毛菜族(Salsoleae C.A.Mey.)的松叶猪毛菜(Salsola laricifolia Turcz.ex Litv.)及樟味藜族(Camphorosmeae Moq.)的地肤〔Kochia scoparia(L.)Schrad.〕、全翅地肤(K.krylovii Litv.)、黑翅地肤(K.melanoptera Bunge)、雾冰藜〔Bassia dasyphylla(Fisch.et Mey.)O.Kuntze〕、钩刺雾冰藜〔B.hyssopifolia(Pall.)O.Kuntze〕、樟味藜(Camphorosma monspeliaca L.)、兜藜(Panderia turkestanica Iljin.)和棉藜(Kirilowia eriantha Bunge)均属此类;壳质型种皮表面近光滑,网眼规则,排列整齐有序,少数为不规则浅穴,网脊平而不明显或凹陷,滨藜族(Atripliceae C.A.Mey.)的滨藜〔Atriplex patens(Litv.)Iljin.〕、碱蓬族(Suaedeae Reich.)的角果碱蓬〔Suaeda corniculata(C.A.Mey.)Bunge〕、纵翅碱蓬〔S.pterantha(Kar.et Kir.)Bunge〕和异子蓬(Borszczowia aralocaspica Bunge)以及藜族(Chenopodieae C.A.Mey.)的刺藜(Chenopodium aristatum L.)均属此类。各族之间种皮微形态结构也有一定的区别。根据种皮微形态,地肤属(Kochia Roth)与雾冰藜属(Bassia All.)的关系较近,属的界限和部分种类的亲缘关系需要进一步界定。藜科植物种皮表面大部分凹凸不平,这种结构可能与荒漠干旱生境下吸收和保留水分有关。     

Pollen morphology of Solanurn L. section Solanum

J. M. EDMONDS, 1984. Pollen morphology of Solanum L. section Solnnum . The pollen morphology of both dried and fresh, fixed material was examined using SEM. The work confirmed thc spheroidal to sub-prolate shape, the tricolporate nature and the granular surface sculpturing, typical of Solanurn pollen, but failed to demonstrate the occurrence of exine patterns which could bc of practical taxonomic use is differentiating the species belonging to the section Solanurn . Quantification of the exine sculpturing, by means of granule density counts, indicated a possible relationship between this feature and the morpho-genetic diversity of certain species.     

Seed removal,seed dispersers,and the allocation of tissues in Myrtaceae seeds

To avoid seed predation, plants may invest in protective seed tissues. Often related to seed size, allocation in seeds' physical defenses can also be influenced by dispersers. We explore the relationships between seed traits (seed mass and hardness) and seed removal in 22 Myrtaceae species of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, a dominant and diverse fleshy-fruited taxon dispersed by birds, rodents, and other mammals. Our goal is to understand how seed traits influence seed removal rates, and whether dispersers can affect tissue allocation in the seed coat. Seeds were exposed to field removal experiments. In the laboratory, total seed mass and seed coat mass were obtained. To evaluate the influence of seed traits on removal, we performed Kruskal–Wallis and Simple Linear Regression tests. We assessed seed coat and seed mass covariation through standardized major-axis allometric regressions. Harder seeds were larger than softer ones. Seed traits affect removal rates, as tougher and heavier seeds had lower removal. Seed mass significantly predicts seed coat proportion in seven of the 14 species tested. Bird-dispersed species tend to exhibit lower proportions of seed coat as seed mass increases, whereas rodent-dispersed species apparently present the opposite trend, with seed coat proportion increasing with seed mass. Such difference may be caused by the contrasting seed predation pressure represented by birds and rodents. Energy allocation for defense, expressed in seed coat proportion, is greater in large seeds, as these are mostly dispersed by rodents whose propensity to cache and disperse seeds is greater for large and well-protected seeds.     

种壳厚度对鼠类种子扩散行为及种子命运的影响

种子扩散是植物更新和扩大分布区的一种重要途径。鼠类采取不同的种子扩散和贮藏策略,以应对食物短缺,同时也促进了植物种子扩散。为应对鼠类对植物种子的过度取食,种子进化出了一系列物理、化学等防御特征。其中种壳厚度作为一种物理防御策略,是影响鼠类贮藏行为和种子命运的关键因素。本研究拟通过去除天然栓皮栎（Quercus variabilis）种子的外壳,再在种仁外包被1、2、4、6不同层数的聚乙烯薄膜,模拟种壳厚度,准确控制种壳厚度。2020年10月—2021年1月,在四川都江堰森林生境中释放人工种壳包被的种子,研究人工种壳厚度对鼠类介导的种子扩散和命运的影响。结果表明：（1）鼠类优先扩散种壳较薄（1层薄膜包被）的人工种子;随着种壳厚度的增加,扩散速率逐渐降低,种壳最厚（6层薄膜包被）的种子扩散最慢（P < 0.001）;（2）鼠类喜好分散贮藏1层、2层薄膜包被的种子;当种壳厚度增加至包被4层、6层薄膜时,分散贮藏比例显著降低（P < 0.05）;（3）鼠类偏好集中贮藏4层薄膜包被的种子（P < 0.05）;（4）不同种壳厚度的种子扩散距离无显著差异（P > 0.05）;（5）种壳较薄（1层薄膜包被）的种子分散贮藏率在3 m范围内比例较高。采用聚乙烯薄膜包被是模拟种子外壳的可行方法,并可用于评估种壳厚度对鼠类种子贮藏行为和种子命运的影响等相关研究。     

A comparative study of seed morphology in relation to desiccation tolerance and other physiological responses in 71 Eastern Australian rainforest species

Seed characteristics were measured in 71 Eastern Australian rainforest species representing 30 families. Sensitivity to desiccation to low moisture contents (< 10%) occurred in 42% of species. We estimate, based on findings from 100 species from this present study and previously published reports, that 49% of Eastern Australian rainforest species have non‐orthodox seeds. Germination level and time to 50% germination were not significantly different between desiccation sensitive (DS) and desiccation tolerant (DT) seeds. The estimation of seed desiccation sensitivity based on predictors is an important tool underpinning ex situ conservation efforts. Seed characteristics differed significantly between DS and DT seeds; that is, DS seeds had: (i) larger fruits (19 949 mg vs 8322 mg); (ii) larger seeds (1663 mg vs 202 mg); (iii) higher seed moisture contents (49.7% vs 35.5% fresh weight); (iv) lower oil content (7.3% vs 24.8% yield); and (v) less investment in seed coats (0.19 vs 0.48 seed coat ratio). Only 25% of DS seeded species had oily seeds compared with 87% of DT seeded species. Most green embryos were DS. Seed coat ratio was the best predictor of seed DS (80% correctly predicted). Seed moisture content at maturity was also related to germination time. Mean seed size was correlated (?0.657, P = 0.01) with mean seed oil content in 46 species. Further research on seed storage physiology of possible oily and/or DS seeded species is crucial to ensure future long‐term security of this biodiversity, particularly for species currently threatened in situ and/or of socioeconomic importance in Eastern Australian rainforests.     

Physical dormancy and histological features of seeds of five Acacia species (Fabaceae) from xerophytic forests in central Argentina

Physical dormancy (impermeability of seed coats to water) is related to histological features of the seed coat. This mechanism has ecological importance since it determines the time and space of germination. The aim of the present study was to compare the histology and impermeability of the seed coat in five Neotropical Acacia species from xerophytic forests of central Argentina: Acacia aroma, A. caven, A. atramentaria, A. gilliesii and A. praecox. An imbibition experiment was performed to determine the presence or absence of physical dormancy. Seed coat structure was studied through histochemical analysis. The seeds of A. gilliesii and A. praecox were treated with ammonium ferrous sulfate to identify the sites of water entry. Acacia aroma, A. caven and A. atramentaria exhibited physical dormancy; the seed coat was very thick and compact, with a wide, sclerified parenchyma and a “water gap” for water uptake. Seed coat impermeability in these species was mainly attributed to characteristics of the lignified epidermis. By contrast, A. gilliesii and A. praecox did not have physical dormancy and showed thin seed coats with a much narrower sclerified parenchyma. Water entered the seeds of A. gilliesii and A. praecox not only through the hilar zone but also through the entire surface of the seed coat. Differences in the seed coat structure among species could be related to different regenerative responses to environmental conditions that would facilitate the coexistence of these Acacia species in the xerophytic forests of Córdoba, Argentina.     

The strength of seeds and their destruction by granivorous insects

The influence of seed structure and strength on their destruction by granivores is central to understanding the dynamics of granivore-plant interactions. For up to nine seed species, the effects of seed size (cm³), mass (mg), density (mg/cm³) and coat strength (MPa) on the damage inflicted by three post-dispersal granivores (Harpalus pensylvanicus, Anisodactylus sanctaecrucis, and Gryllus pennsylvanicus) were evaluated. Seed destruction rates by G. pennsylvanicus were statistically unrelated to the size and toughness of the seeds. Seed densities significantly affected their destruction by A. sanctaecrucis and H. pensylvanicus, as did seed size, mass, and strength in H. pensylvanicus under choice conditions. The carabid beetles destroyed more of the small, denser seeds with stronger seed coats. The results show that different granivores are able to distinguish the structural strength and physical density of seeds as well as seed size. The relative ability of granivores to detect these seed characteristics offers a way in which diverse communities of post-dispersal insect granivores can persist within a single habitat. The authors redefine how the strength of biological structures should be evaluated in ecological studies, using guidelines commonplace in the field of engineering. Handling Editor: Stanislav Gorb The U.S. Government’s right to retain a non-exclusive, royalty-free license in and to any copyright is acknowledged     

新疆短命植物抱茎独行菜种子粘液质特性的研究

以新疆荒漠植物抱茎独行菜为材料,运用光镜与扫描电镜观察以及紫外吸收光谱法、化学反应及种子萌发实验等方法,对粘液质的形态和结构,物理化学特性,粘液质对种子萌发及萌发后的影响进行了研究.结果显示:(1)完整干种子表面覆盖着一层膜状物质(完全脱水的粘液质),并呈同一走向的山脊状突出的网状结构,遇水后粘液物质呈射线状向外发射出来,化学反应实验结果表明,粘液质的组成可能是某种多糖,如β-葡聚糖.(2)粘液质约占干种子重量的1/4,有很强的吸水能力,完全浸润10 min后,种子重量增加约30~40倍,种子长度、宽度、厚度的增加分别多于1倍、2倍、4倍;完全润湿的种子能够粘附相当于其干种子重量68倍的沙粒.(3)种皮粘液质对于不同土壤基质中的种子萌发有重要作用,但是对萌发后幼苗的生长没有作用.     

十大功劳属植物种子形态研究

利用光镜(LM)和扫描电镜(SEM)对十大功劳属24种植物的种子形态进行观察。结果发现十大功劳属植物种子颜色为黑色,长3.4～6.7mm,宽1.7～3.5mm,属大型种子,形状多样;外种皮纹饰为网纹状,网眼形状、大小及网脊粗细、凸凹在不同类群间不完全相同,种内变异稳定,据此可将十大功劳属植物种皮纹饰划分为9种类型。研究结果表明:种子形态在十大功劳属内具有重要的系统学意义,但不支持Ahrendt将十大功劳属下分为2个groups,4个sections,14个subsections的观点。     

金钟藤种子低萌发率原因探讨

金钟藤种子在室内萌发率很低,为进一步探讨金钟藤种子的特性,阐明其种子萌发率低的主要原因,对金钟藤种皮的透水性、种子解剖结构、种子活力和种子内源抑制物的生物测定进行了研究。结果表明:金钟藤种皮透水性较差,完整种子比破皮种子吸水达到最高水平慢38h;种子空瘪粒多,占所有种子的30%;种子活力较低,平均活力仅为35%;金钟藤种子甲醇粗提液对白菜种子萌发率、根长和芽长均有较强的抑制作用,其浸提液浓度在25mg/mL时,严重抑制白菜种子萌发和生长,即金钟藤种子内部含有较高的内源抑制物质。金钟藤种子萌发率低,表明其近年来突发性蔓延成灾主要不是由种子生成新个体造成的,导致其蔓延成灾的关键因素还需要进一步深入研究。     

The role of avian frugivores in germination of seeds of fleshy-fruited invasive alien plants

Many highly invasive plant species have fleshy fruits which are eaten by native frugivorous animals. These frugivores play an important role in long-distance seed dispersal, and may also affect germination success. The aim of this study was to determine whether generalist frugivores enhance or decrease seed germination of invasive alien species through pulp removal or seed coat abrasion, besides serving as dispersal agents. Fruits of four fleshy-fruited invasive alien plant species, namely Solanum mauritianum, Cinnamomum camphora, Lantana camara and Psidium guajava, were fed to three generalist avian frugivorous species, which have been observed feeding on these fruits in the wild. Seed retention time was recorded as this affects dispersal distance and the duration that seeds are exposed to the effects of the gut. Seeds removed from excreta, seeds from manually de-pulped fruit, and whole fruit were planted in soil trays housed in a greenhouse. Daily germination counts were done. Seed retention times differed significantly between bird species for all fruits, except those of C. camphora. However, all frugivores had a similar effect on the germination success of seeds of S. mauritianum, L. camara and P. guajava, showing that gut retention time was not important. Germination of seeds from manually de-pulped fruits did not differ from that of ingested seeds of all plant species, suggesting that seed coat abrasion was also not important. Pulp removal resulted in significantly higher germination rates, both in the two species with larger, multi-seeded fruit (S. mauritianum and P. guajava), and in the two species having single-seeded fruit with waxy exocarps (C. camphora and L. camara). Pulp removal also resulted in significantly earlier germination of L. camara and P. guajava seeds. Therefore, frugivores not only accelerate dispersal, but also greatly enhance seed germination of all fleshy-fruited invasive alien species in this study.     

Seed coat microsculpturing changes during seed development in diploid and amphidiploid Brassica species

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Seed coat morphology is known to be an excellent character for taxonomic and evolutionary studies, thus understanding its structure and development has been an important goal for biologists. This research aimed to identify the developmental differences of seed coats between amphidiploids and their putative parents in Brassica. METHODS: Scanning electron microscope (SEM) studies were carried out on six species (12 accessions), three amphidiploids and their three diploid parents. KEY RESULTS: Twelve types of basic ornamentation patterns were recognized during the whole developmental process of the seed coat. Six types of seed coat patterns appeared in three accessions of Brassica rapa, five types in B. oleracea, B. nigra and B. carinata, seven types in B. napus, and eight types in B. juncea. There was less difference among seed coat patterns of the three accessions of B. rapa. The reticulate and blister types were two of the most common patterns during the development of seeds in the six species, the blister-pimple and the pimple-foveate patterns were characteristic of B. rapa, and the ruminate of B. oleracea and B. nigra. The development of seed coat pattern in amphidiploids varied complicatedly. Some accessions showed intermediate patterns between the two putative parents, while others resembled only one of the two parents. CONCLUSIONS: The variation in the patterns of seed coat development could be used to provide a new and more effective way to analyse the close relationship among amphidiploids and their ancestral parents.     

Dormancy as exaptation to protect mimetic seeds against deterioration before dispersal

Background and Aims

Mimetic seeds simulate the appearance of fleshy fruits and arilled seeds without producing nutritive tissues as a reward for seed dispersers. In this strategy of seed dispersal, seeds may remain attached to the mother plant for long periods after maturity, increasing their availability to naïve seed dispersers. The hypothesis that seed coat impermeability in many tropical Fabaceae with mimetic seeds serves as an exaptation to protect the seeds from deterioration and rotting while awaiting dispersal was investigated.

Methods

Seed coat impermeability was evaluated in five mimetic-seeded species of tropical Fabaceae in south-eastern Brazil (Abarema langsdorffii, Abrus precatorius, Adenanthera pavonina, Erythrina velutina and Ormosia arborea) and in Erythrina speciosa, a ‘basal’ species in its genus, which has monochromatic brown seeds and no mimetic displays. Seed hardness was evaluated as a defence against accelerated ageing (humid chamber at 41 °C for 144 h). Seed development and physiological potential of O. arborea was evaluated and the effect of holding mature seeds in pods on the mother plant in the field for a period of 1 year under humid tropical conditions was compared with seeds stored under controlled conditions (15 °C and 40 % relative air humidity).

Key Results

All five mimetic-seeded species, and E. speciosa, showed strong coat impermeability, which protected the seeds against deterioration in accelerated ageing. Most O. arborea seeds only became dormant 2 months after pod dehiscence. Germination of seeds after 1 year on the plant in a humid tropical climate was 56 %, compared with 80 % for seeds stored in controlled conditions (15 °C, 45 % relative humidity). Seedling shoot length after 1 year did not differ between seed sources.

Conclusions

Dormancy acts in mimetic-seeded species as an exaptation to reduce seed deterioration, allowing an increase in their effective dispersal period and mitigating the losses incurred by low removal rates by naïve avian frugivores.     

Anatomical and biochemical changes in the composition of developing seed coats of annatto (Bixa orellana L.)

Seeds of Bixa orellana (L.) have a sclerified palisade cell layer, which constitutes a natural barrier to water uptake. In fact, newly fully developed B. orellana seeds are highly impermeable to water and thereby dormant. The purpose of this work is to investigate, from a developmental point of view, the histochemical and physical changes in the cell walls of the seed coat that are associated with the water impermeability. Seed coat samples were analyzed by histochemical and polarization microscopy techniques, as well as by fractionation/HPAEC-PAD. For histochemical analysis the tissue samples were fixed, dehydrated, embedded in paraffin and the slides were dewaxed and tested with appropriate stains for different cell wall components. Throughout the development of B. orellana seeds, there was a gradual thickening of the seed coat at the palisade region. This thickening was due to the deposition of cellulose and hemicelluloses in the palisade layer cell walls, which resulted in a highly water impermeable seed coat. The carbohydrate composition of the cell walls changed dramatically at the late developmental stages due to the intense deposition of hemicelluloses. Hemicelluloses were mainly deposited in the outer region of the palisade layer cell walls and altered the birefringent pattern of the walls. Xylans were by far the most abundant hemicellulosic component of the cell walls. Deposition of cellulose and hemicelluloses, especially xylans, could be responsible for the impermeability to water observed in fully developed B. orellana seeds.     

EMS-induced streptomycin resistance in Solanum melongena

Streptomycin-resistant mutations were induced in Solanum melongena by exposing seeds to ethyl methane sulphonate (EMS). Seed mutagenesis resulted in a high frequency of chlorophyll-deficient mutations and a low frequency of resistant shoots, both of which retained their resistance on subsequent testing. Reciprocal crosses between streptomycin-resistant and -sensitive plants showed a non-Mendelian transmission of the resistance trait. Streptomycin resistance is the first selectable and maternally inherited organelle marker described in brinjal.     

The structure of the seed in some Western Australian species of the genus Hibbertia (Dilleniaceae)

The internal structure of the seed was studied for four Western Australian species of the genus Hibbertia (Fam.: Dilleniaceae). The principal mechanical layer of the seed coat is the endotesta. The large cells of the endotesta are heavily cutinized in potentially viable seeds of all examined species. However, results for H. hypericoides show that the cells of the endotesta are distinctly less cutinized in non-viable seeds. The tegmen consists of only one layer which is spirally thickened. Remains of the nucellus enclose the endosperm. The endosperm is rich in both starch and lipids, and the embryo is underdeveloped and minute.     

Prediction of desiccation sensitivity in seeds of woody species: a probabilistic model based on two seed traits and 104 species

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Seed desiccation sensitivity limits the ex situ conservation of up to 47 % of plant species, dependent on habitat. Whilst desirable, empirically determining desiccation tolerance levels in seeds of all species is unrealistic. A probabilistic model for the rapid identification of woody species at high risk of displaying seed desiccation sensitivity is presented. METHODS: The model was developed using binary logistic regression on seed trait data [seed mass, moisture content, seed coat ratio (SCR) and rainfall in the month of seed dispersal] for 104 species from 37 families from a semi-deciduous tropical forest in Panamá. KEY RESULTS: For the Panamanian species, only seed mass and SCR were significantly related to the response to desiccation, with the desiccation-sensitive seeds being large and having a relatively low SCR (i.e. thin 'seed' coats). Application of this model to a further 38 species, of known seed storage behaviour, from two additional continents and differing vegetation types (dryland Africa and temperate Europe) correctly predicted the response to desiccation in all cases, and resolved conflicting published data for two species (Acer pseudoplatanus and Azadirachta indica). CONCLUSIONS: This model may have application as a decision-making tool in the handling of species of unknown seed storage behaviour in species from three disparate habitats.     

Mikromorphologie der Samenoberflächen der GattungEuphorbia

Seed coat surfaces of 127 species, representing 23 sections of the genusEuphorbia L. (Euphorbiaceae) have been examined with the scanning electron microscope (SEM). Various surface patterns and cell wall structures are described. In some groups the seed coat is rather uniform (e.g. in sect.Euphorbium), in other sections even closely related species can be separated by seed coat morphology (e.g.Tithymalus). The taxonomic application of testa micromorphology and the possible systematic position of certain taxa are briefly discussed. The seed coat cells of all species in sect.Tithymalus show remarkable intercellulares filled with small particles, which are described in detail for the first time.

     

中国绣线菊属植物种子形态及其分类学意义

利用光学显微镜和扫描电镜对中国25种4变种绣线菊属(Spiraea L.)植物的种子形态特征进行了研究。结果显示,绣线菊属植物种子外观上呈窄线形至椭圆形,表面有光泽和条纹,种子颜色为红棕色至深褐色;种皮纹饰可分为网纹、复网纹、负网纹和链状网纹4种类型。种子按长宽比的划分方法在一定程度上支持该属传统的组下系的划分;种皮纹饰在种间具有明显的差异,可作为中国绣线菊属植物种的分类依据。本研究为绣线菊属的分类及系统学研究提供了种子形态及种皮微观形态方面的新资料,对进一步完善该属属下分类具有借鉴意义。