Androecium development in the bromeliad Dyckia pseudococcinea L.B.Sm. (Pitcairnioideae-Bromeliaceae), an endangered species endemic to Brazil: implications for conservation

Dyckia pseudococcinea L.B.Sm. is endemic to the restingas of Maricá, State of Rio de Janeiro, in southeastern Brazil. However, since this area is under intense ecological stress, D. pseudococcinea is considered an endangered plant species. An important step toward the conservation of this species is establishing the developmental stage most favorable to in vitro propagation. Accordingly, the present study analyzed the androecium to establish the developmental stages of anthers, emphasizing anther wall development, androsporogenesis and androgametogenesis. The relationships between the size of flowers and anthers were also studied. Anther wall development follows the basic-type, while the tapetum, which is originated from the subepidermal layer (inner secondary parietal layer 2 and archesporial initials), follows the secretory-type. Androsporogenesis is successive and originates isobilateral and decussate tetrads. The oblate and monosulcate pollen grains exhibit microreticulate exine and are dispersed at the bicellular stage. At the vacuolated stage, the androspore (microspore) is still proliferating and not yet completely differentiated. Therefore, since the androspore has not yet lost its embryonic capacity, we suggest the preferential use of this developmental stage, which is present in flower buds 6.4–7.1 mm in length, in conservation protocols focused on the androgenesis of D. pseudococcinea.