Comparative anatomy of the vegetative organs in Pleiochiton A. Gray (Melastomataceae), with emphasis on adaptations to epiphytism |
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Authors: | Marcelo Reginato Maria Regina Torres Boeger Renato Goldenberg |
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Institution: | 1. Universidade Federal do Paraná, Centro Politécnico, Pós-Graduação em Botânica Caixa Postal 19031, Curitiba, PR 81531-970, Brazil;2. Universidade Federal do Paraná, Departamento de Botânica, Laboratório de Anatomia Ecológica, Brazil;3. Universidade Federal do Paraná, Departamento de Botânica, Brazil |
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Abstract: | We present a comparative analysis on the anatomy of roots, shoots, and leaves of three epiphytic Pleiochiton species and a species of the closely related Clidemia. The four species share similar anatomical characters, suggesting adaptations toward water storage in all the structures and, consequently, to the water-limited epiphytic habitat. All four species present succulent roots with up to 75% of its volume with cells that store water. The leaves have about 50% of the volume formed by a hypodermis that also stores water. They are very similar to leaves of epiphytic Peperomia and Gesneriaceae, suggesting evolutionary convergence. Leaf cells in all species have large vacuoles and compact mesophyll, with little intercellular spaces; all these traits are usually related to CAM photosynthesis. The anatomical features found in all four species agree with previous phylogenetic analyses that show Clidemia blepharodes, Pleiochiton ebracteatum and Pleiochiton micranthum as members of a same clade. |
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Keywords: | Pleiochiton Water-storage tissues Hypodermis Epiphytes |
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