António Pereira Coutinho

A light, scanning electron, and transmission electron microscopic study of pollen wall architecture in the subtribe Gnaphaliinae (Gnaphalieae, Asteraceae)

To better understand relationships within the Asteroideae, the pollen morphology and exine structure of 10 genera and 15 species of Gnaphaliinae were investigated using light, scanning electron, and transmission electron microscopy. All taxa have a Gnaphalioid pattern of exine with an evidently rough foot layer. The tectal complex consists of three main layers that differ in morphology and thickness: a tectum, a median columellar layer, and an internal interlaced sub-columellar layer. The apertural system consists of an ectoaperture, a mesoaperture, and an endoaperture, which intersect, respectively, the tectal complex, the foot layer and the upper part of the endexine, and the inner part of the endexine. On the basis of pollen characteristics, especially those of the spines, all the species examined may be gathered into two groups, one including Helichrysum foetidum, H. italicum, Plecostachys serpyllifolia, and Pseudognaphalium luteo-album and the other including the other 11 species of Gnaphaliinae now investigated. In addition, because Gnaphalieae has been proposed as sister group to several tribes and clades of Asteroideae, a comparison was made between exine pattern in the Gnaphalieae and that in its putatively related tribes. On the basis of previous phylogenetic studies and our present pollen data we suggest that either Astereae, Astereae-Anthemideae clade, or Heliantheae s.l.-Anthemideae clade are the best candidates for the sister taxon/sister group of Gnaphalieae.

Pollen morphology of the genus Omphalodes Mill. (Cynoglosseae, Boraginaceae)

Abstract To better understand the taxonomy and phylogeny of the genus Omphalodes (Boraginaceae), the pollen morphology of 23 species encompassing all major geographical and morphological groups was studied from acetolysed pollen grains using light and scanning electron microscopy. Three pollen types were distinguishable through apertural morphology and sculpture. A dichotomous key to the pollen types and pollen descriptions are provided. Despite being fairly homogenous, palynological data provided useful information to understand the relationships of Omphalodes, considering the uselessness of most floral and fruit characters, karyological homogeneity and striking disjunct geographical distribution. At the suprageneric level, pollen morphology supports the traditional tribal classification of Omphalodes within Cynoglosseae, in contrast to published molecular phylogenetic analyses. At the infrageneric level, pollen morphology agrees with phylogenetic analyses suggesting that Omphalodes could be a polyphyletic group. Palynological data would support the segregation of a monophyletic group comprising the Japanese species, corroborating recent phylogenetic results and define two different pollen types for the Omphalodes s. str. group. Biogeographical considerations are also discussed.

Comparative pollen morphology of the Iberian species of Pulicaria (Asteraceae, Inuleae, Inulinae) and its taxonomic significance

To better understand the taxonomy of Pulicaria, the pollen wall architecture of the six Iberian species were investigated using light (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The exine structure of Pulicaria odora was also investigated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Statistical analysis was performed to distinguish taxonomically significant morphometric information from all the measured parameters of pollen grains. It was found that the exine sculpture characters, with special importance paid to the spines, were the most useful of all characters to define Pulicaria pollen types and separate the species. Three pollen types distinguishable through the spines morphology and the inter-spinular sculpture are described: P. microcephala pollen type (incl. P. microcephala), P. vulgaris pollen type (incl. P. vulgaris), and P. dysenterica pollen type (incl. P. dysenterica, P. odora, P. paludosa and P. sicula). A dichotomous key to these Pulicaria pollen types is proposed. The distribution of P. dysenterica, P. odora, P. paludosa and P. sicula in more than one leaf node in the classification tree reveals that the pollen grains of these species are difficult to segregate. Therefore, the construction of a satisfactory dichotomous key to the P. dysenterica pollen type species is not feasible. Yet, the different spines apex morphology between P. microcephala and P. paludosa and the existence of significant differences in five of the eight studied quantitative pollen characters of these two taxa, supports the opinion that the Berlengas Islands endemic P. microcephala should be accepted as a separate species. In addition, the differences among the spines morphology of P. vulgaris, P. microcephala, and the other four Iberian (and European) species, strengthen the conclusion that the section Pulicaria is non-monophyletic.

Pollen morphology of Chamaebuxus (DC.) Schb., Chodatia Paiva and Rhinotropis (Blake) Paiva (Polygala L., Polygalaceae)

Abstract Polygala L. is a large and highly diverse genus with complex taxonomy, but pollen morphological information for this taxon is scarce. In the present study, pollen characters have been used to assess the taxonomic delimitation and phylogenetic relationships of three newly established subgenera of Polygala: Chamaebuxus, Chodatia and Rhinotropis (sensu Paiva). The pollen morphology of 22 species has been examined using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy of acetolysed material. The pollen of 15 of the species is examined for the first time. The pollen grains are isopolar, radially symmetrical, tectate and, typically, polyzonocolporate with numerous colpi running parallel to the polar axis, and an endocingulum around the equator. Two pollen types can be distinguished: Type I, which includes species belonging to Rhinotropis, and Type II, which includes species from Chamaebuxus and Chodatia. The two pollen types are described and the pollen of the three studied subgenera is illustrated. Despite the low infrageneric morphological diversity observed within the genus Polygala, quantitative characters of pollen grains support the current classification of the subgenera Chamaebuxus, Chodatia and Rhinotropis, and reveal a closer relationship between the first two taxa. Pollen characters are shown to be a useful and informative tool for assessing taxonomic position and phylogenetic relationships within Polygalaceae, especially at higher taxonomic levels.

A contribution to the knowledge of exine ultrastructure in subtribe Anisopappinae (Athroismeae, Asteraceae)

Abstract Pereira Coutinho A., Ortiz S., Valente M., França R. & Soares M.: A contribution to the knowledge of exine ultrastructure in subtribe Anisopappinae (Athroismeae, Asteraceae). — Willdenowia 44: 431–437. 2014. — Version of record first published online on 14 November 2014 ahead of inclusion in December 2014 issue; ISSN 1868-6397;

Twentieth century vascular plant taxonomy in Portugal

Abstract: We discuss the development of, and trends in, vascular plant taxonomy in Portugal during the 20th century, with emphasis on the institutions and taxonomists that were instrumental in advancing and facilitating this branch of scientific botanical endeavour. We show that the bulk of the nomenclatural novelties published by Portuguese botanists for elements of the vascular flora of the country, and beyond, were produced by a small group of 69 taxonomists who were mostly based at institutions in one of three Portuguese cities: Coimbra, Lisboa (Lisbon) and Porto. In all three instances the individuals were associated with local herbaria that were managed by universities, while in Lisboa other government-sponsored projects and institutions additionally played a pivotal role in the production of complete or partial Floras for Portugal and its former colonies. These individuals are comprehensively tabulated and biographical information is provided for all of them. With 440 names published, Rosette Mercedes Saraiva Batarda Fernandes (1916–2005), who worked at the University of Coimbra, was the most prolific taxonomist in terms of publishing new names. She was the sole author of more than half of these names. Biographies are provided for the ten most prolific Portuguese authors of vascular plant names. Citation: Figueiredo E., Silva V., Coutinho A. & Smith G. F. 2018: Twentieth century vascular plant taxonomy in Portugal. – Willdenowia 48: 303–330. doi: https://doi.org/10.3372/wi.48.48209 Version of record first published online on 24 August 2018 ahead of inclusion in August 2018 issue.

Contribution to the knowledge of the pollen morphology in the tribe Orobancheae Lam. & DC. (Orobanchaceae)

Abstract The pollen grains of 53 species and 57 taxa of two genera (Cistanche, Orobanche s. l.) of tribe Orobancheae were studied with light microscopy (LM). Thirty-five of these species were also studied with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Two pollen types (Orobanche and Phelipanche) and six pollen groups (I–VI) were described. A principal component analysis was performed to help clarify some taxonomic problems at generic, specific and infraspecific levels. Some transition forms exist between the two pollen types. We consider that these data support the elevation of Trionychon to the rank of subgenus (Phelipanche). The pollen morphology of the subgenus Boulardia and of the genus Cistanche is quite similar to that of subgenera Orobanche and Phelipanche, respectively. Our results support the position of Boulardia as the sister taxon to Orobanche s. s. The contribution of pollen morphology to the resolution of several taxonomic problems related to specific and infra-specific taxa was discussed. Within the Orobancheae, the tricolpate, isopolar, microreticulate-scabrate pollen grains are plesiomorphic and the apolar, granulate, inaperturate pollen grains are apomorphic. Some taxa (e.g. O. cernua, O. cumana, O. lavandulacea and O. mutelii) present pollen heteromorphism, which could be related to the existence of geographical clines. The polymorphic (inaperturate, colpate), scabrate-perforate, tectate-columellate pollen grains present in some species (O. cernua, O. cumana) possibly represent an intermediate evolutionary type. Considering the separation of specific and infraspecific taxa in the Orobancheae, LM is apparently more useful than SEM, although information from SEM is clearly relevant as a complement for LM.

A contribution to the knowledge of the exine, with special reference to the ultrastructure, in subtribe Ecliptinae (Heliantheae, Asteraceae)

The exine morphology, with emphasis on the ultrastructure, of six genera and species of Ecliptinae was studied with transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. A caveate exine with a single layer of columellae and predominantly circular to sub-circular internal foramina (Helianthoid pattern of structure) is present in all the studied taxa and most probably in all the Ecliptinae. The morphologies of the internal foramina and foot layer are consistent within the Ecliptinae, and their potential taxonomic and phylogenetic relevance was discussed. The existence, for almost all the investigated characters and ratios, of a continuous gradient among the taxa, exists in the wedelioid group and constitutes a quite well defined parallelism between the exine data and those of the major clade of Ecliptinae (wedelioid group). The exine sculpture of the worldwide weed Eclipta prostrata (L.) L. presents some variation, which is, most probably, correlated to the existence of geographical clines and/or variations in its chromosome number. A mesoaperture concerning the foot layer and the upper part of the endexine exists in all the taxa studied and, presumably, in all the Ecliptinae, probably constituting a synapomorphy for all the Asteroideae and possibly for all the Asteraceae.