Maria Cecília de Chiara Moço

Somatic embryogenesis from immature cotyledons of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.): ontogeny of somatic embryos

Soybean somatic embryos obtained from immature zygotic embryos were histologically analyzed in order to determine possible ontogenetic routes followed by these embryos. The proembryo stage and globular, heart-shaped, torpedo and cotyledonary embryo stages were found, closely resembling the ontogeny of zygotic embryos. However, the absence of a characteristic suspensor as well as the delay in the establishment of inner organization were the main differences between these two embryogenic processes.

Comparative floral ontogeny in Adesmia (Leguminosae: Papilionoideae: Dalbergieae)

Floral organogenesis of six Brazilian species of Adesmia DC. was studied by scanning electron microscopy. Considering the number of species, this is the most comprehensive organogenetic study of a genus conducted. A unidirectional sepal formation from the adaxial towards the abaxial side of the floral meristem is shown for the first time in the subfamily Papilionoideae. This pattern was found in all studied taxa except for A. latifolia in which the five sepal primordia are formed simultaneously. The present study suggests that the ontogenetic floral differences among Adesmia species may be useful in a re-evaluation of infrageneric categories and for future systematic analyses.

Release of developmental constraints on tetrad shape is confirmed in inaperturate pollen of Potamogeton

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Microsporogenesis in monocots is often characterized by successive cytokinesis with centrifugal cell plate formation. Pollen grains in monocots are predominantly monosulcate, but variation occurs, including the lack of apertures. The aperture pattern can be determined by microsporogenesis features such as the tetrad shape and the last sites of callose deposition among the microspores. Potamogeton belongs to the early divergent Potamogetonaceae and possesses inaperturate pollen, a type of pollen for which it has been suggested that there is a release of the constraint on tetrad shape. This study aimed to investigate the microsporogenesis and the ultrastructure of pollen wall in species of Potamogeton in order to better understand the relationship between microsporogenesis features and the inaperturate condition. METHODS The microsporogenesis was investigated using both light and epifluorescence microscopy. The ultrastructure of the pollen grain was studied using transmission electron microscopy. KEY RESULTS The cytokinesis is successive and formation of the intersporal callose wall is achieved by centrifugal cell plates, as a one-step process. The microspore tetrads were tetragonal, decussate, T-shaped and linear, except in P. pusillus, which showed less variation. This species also showed a callose ring in the microsporocyte, and some rhomboidal tetrads. In the mature pollen, the thickening observed in a broad area of the intine was here interpreted as an artefact. CONCLUSIONS The data support the view that there is a correlation between the inaperturate pollen production and the release of constraint on tetrad shape. However, in P. pusillus the tetrad shape may be constrained by a callose ring. It is also suggested that the lack of apertures in the pollen of Potamogeton may be due to the lack of specific sites on which callose deposition is completed. Moreover, inaperturate pollen of Potamogeton would be better classified as omniaperturate.

Ovule ontogenesis and megasporogenesis in Adesmia latifolia (Spreng.) Vog. (Leguminosae-Papilionoideae)

The ovule ontogenesis and the megasporogenesis events were studied under bright field, fluorescence and scanning electron microscopy. The primordium is 3-zonate and gives rise to a hemianatropous, bitegmic and crassinucellate ovule. The archesporium may consist of one or more archesporial cells, but only one undergoes meiosis, forming a linear tetrad. Normally, only a single megaspore is functional in the chalazal position, but occasionally two functional chalazal megaspores arise. The present study provides additional information on embryological characters in the Adesmieae tribe and discusses their taxonomic significance to the Leguminosae family.

Morpho-anatomical adaptations of Potamogeton polygonus (Potamogetonaceae) to lotic and lentic environments

Aquatic macrophytes show great phenotypic plasticity and are able to occupy environments with different physicochemical conditions. The present study aimed to characterize morphology and anatomical structure of the pondweed, Potamogeton polygonus Cham. & Schltdl., and to identify adaptive modifications of the plant in lotic and lentic environments. Sampling was carried out in Palmas and General Carneiro, Parana state, southern Brazil. Ten individuals from each locality were collected. Morpho-anatomical characteristics of the roots, stems and leaves were measured. The anatomical structure was analyzed with light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Significant morphological and anatomical adaptive differences were observed between plants of the two environments.

Female gametophyte development in Adesmia latifolia (Spreng.) Vog. (Leguminosae - Papilionoideae)

Female gametophyte development in Adesmia latifolia (Spreng.) Vog. (Leguminosae - Papilionoideae)). The female gametophyte has a monosporic origin and a Polygonum type development. The female gametophyte growth consumes a large part of the neighboring nucellar cells and, in the micropylar region, part of the nucellar epidermis and internal integ ument. The mature gametophyte is composed of only four cells due to the ephemeral characteristic of the antipodals. The synergids are pear-shaped cells with the formation of filiform apparatus. Their nuclei lie in the micropylar region and large vacuoles in the chalazal region, while the egg cell presents an opposite polarization. The central cell accumulates starch grains and the two polar nuclei approach the egg. Occasional development of two gametophytes was recorded. The closest to the micropyle develops fully, while the chalazal one remained in the tetranucleated stage. The embryological characters of A. latifolia are compared with those of other taxa within the Leguminosae, and the reproductive importance of multiple gametophyte formation for this species was discussed.

Floral ontogeny of Aeschynomene falcata and A. sensitiva (Leguminosae: Papilionoideae) supports molecular phylogenetic data

Floral ontogeny and morphology of the Leguminosae are of interest because of their potential to provide characteristics useful for phylogeny. To determine if these features corroborate the phylogenetic segregation of the section Ochopodium from Aeschynomene, this study used comparative analysis between Aeschynomene falcata and A. sensitiva, which are within the sections Ochopodium and Aeschynomene, respectively. Flower buds were analysed by use of scanning electron microscopy. Aeschynomene falcata has a unidirectional initiation of sepals from the abaxial side, and a tendency toward whorled initiation for petals and stamens. At maturity, it has a calyx tube with five lobes, a pubescent standard petal, keel petals with coherent (but not fused) margins above and below the stamens, and a carpel with a long hairy stipe. Aeschynomene sensitiva has a distinct initiation pattern of petals (1st abaxial, 2nd adaxial, and 3rd lateral) and a tendency toward whorled initiation of sepals and stamens. Overlap between sepals, petals, and antesepalous stamens initiation was observed. At maturity, A. sensitiva has a glabrous bilobed calyx and a glabrous standard petal, keel petals postgenitally fused above the stamens, and a carpel with a short and glabrous stipe. Floral ontogeny and morphology of A. falcata are very similar to those of Machaerium and Dalbergia species so far studied, corroborating the phylogenetic proximity of section Ochopodium to these genera. Important features of the floral ontogeny of A. sensitiva seem to be related to the origin of the bilobed calyx, which is shared with the rest of Aeschynomeninae except section Ochopodium, suggesting they are synapomorphies for those species.

Floristic survey and species richness of aquatic macrophytes in water supply reservoirs

The present study aimed a floristic survey of aquatic macrophytes in four water supply reservoirs (Irai, Passauna, Piraquara I and II) of the Iguacu River basin, Parana, Brazil. Sampling and herborization of biological material followed methods described in literature. The species were classified by life forms. We found 90 species in 57 genera and 36 families, were 52.7% are monospecific. The richest reservoir was Passauna (40 spp.), followed by Irai, Piraquara I and Piraquara II (36 spp. each). Cyperaceae was the most representative with 17 spp., followed by Asteraceae, Onagraceae and Polygonaceae (7 spp. each). Amphibious and emergent life forms were equally express throughout species (41% each). Since aquatic macrophytes structure and contribute to environment biodiversity, the present study can assist management and implementation of biodiversity conservation efforts.

Estudos morfo-anatômicos relacionados à dormência em sementes de Adesmia tristis Vogel (Fabaceae)

Adesmia tristis is a species endemic to South Brazil and very promising as forage in high altitude pastures with soils rich in aluminium and low in phosphorus. The objective of this study was to analyze seed morphology and anatomy to understand dormancy in these diaspores. The seeds were harvested in the Sao Fransisco de Paula region, RS, Brazil, between December 2007 - January 2008, and this material used to study seed sections. It was found that this species has tegument dormancy due to the impermeability of the macrosclereid and osteosclereid layers of the testa. The hilum structure follows the general pattern in Fabaceae, the tracheid arrangement is vertical, the astroesclereids form large intercelluar spaces, increasing seed adaptation to variations in environmental moisture.

Seed development of Chrysophyllum gonocarpum (MART. & EICHL.) ENGL. (SAPOTACEAE)

The object of this study was to describe the embryo, endosperm and integument development of Chrysophyllum gonocarpum (Mart. & Eichl.) Engl. seed. The ovule is hemitropous, with embryo development being of the Caryophyllad type and the endosperm of the Nuclear type. The mature embryo presents a short and cylindrical hypocotyl-radicle axis with foliaceous cotyledons. The mature seed stores aleurone grains and lipids in the cotyledons and in the remaining endosperm cells. The exotesta is composed of several layers of sclerenchymatous cells, also present in the hilum region. This exotesta feature is registered for the first time in Chrysophyllum seeds and might have ecological and taxonomic implications.