Patricia Soffiatti

Anatomy of Brazilian Cereeae (subfamily Cactoideae, Cactaceae): Arrojadoa Britton & Rose, Stephanocereus A. Berger and Brasilicereus Backeberg

(Anatomy of Brazilian Cereeae (subfamily Cactoideae, Cactaceae): Arrojadoa Britton & Rose, Stephanocereus A. Berger wâBrasilicereus Backeberg). Arrojadoa, Stephanocereus and Brasilicereus are endemic Brazilian Cereeae, occurring along the Espinhaco Range, in the campos rupestres, cerrados and caatingas, from northern Minas Gerais to southern Bahia. The genera are columnar, erect to semi-erect cacti, except for one species, A bahiensis, which is globose. This study describes the anatomy of dermal, fundamental and vascular systems, aiming to find diagnostic characters for the genera and species. Basal portions of stems were sectioned transversely and longitudinally, and stained with Astrablue and Safranin. The species share a uniseriate epidermis, with thick cuticle; well developed collenchymatic hypodermis, containing prismatic crystals; cortex with numerous mucilage cells, druses and vascular bundles; outside cortex as a palisade parenchyma; periderm composed of lignified cork cells alternating with suberized cells; pheloderm consisting of a few layers of thin-walled cells; phloem composed of solitary or multiple of two to three sieve tube elements, companion cells, axial and radial parenchyma; secondary xylem with solitary to multiple vessels, with simple perforation plates and alternate bordered to semi-bordered pits; axial parenchyma scanty vasicentric to incomplete; libriform septate fibres; large rays. Unlignified parenchyma is seen in the secondary xylem, varying from a few cells to bands among axial and radial elements. The following are considered diagnostic characters: the shape of lignified phellem cells, cubic to radially elongate, which individualizes S. leucostele; an underdeveloped hypodermis and the occurrence of sclereids in the cortex are exclusive to Brasilicereus markgrqfii.

Stem anatomy of Cipocereus (Cactaceae)

Summary: The genus Cipocereus belongs to the subfamily Cactoideae, tribe Cereeae, and includes columnar or semi-erect species, endemic of the Serra do Espinhaço of Minas Gerais, Brazil. It is composed of five species: C. bradei, C. crassisepalus, C. laniflorus, C. minensis and C. pusilliflorus. It is considered to be one of the most primitive of the tribe, due to a vascular cylinder composed of secondary xylem with heavy lignification, among other morphological characters. The aim of the present work is to verify the occurrence of diagnostic and taxonomic features. Stem and branch samples of each species were cut at apical, medium and basal portions. Sections were stained with safranin and astrablue and mounted in synthetic resin. The species share the following characters: a uniseriate epidermis, with thick cuticle; an external cortex portion differentiated to have a hypodermis, with many layers of cells with very thick walls; a well developed palisade chlorenchyma containing mucilage cells. During the secondary vascular formation, sclereid precursors are present outside the secondary phloem, that give rise to sclereids in later stages. Primary rays are formed by the interfascicular cambium and secondary rays by the fascicular cambium, among the axial elements of xylem and phloem. The secondary phloem is composed of sieve tube elements with transverse simple sieve plate, companion cells, axial and radial parenchyma. The xylem is composed of vessel elements with simple perforation plates, septate libriform fibres, large and high rays, axial scanty paratracheal parenchyma. Species differences have been found in the hypodermis structure, the presence of crystals and mucilage cells.

ECOLOGICAL WOOD ANATOMY OF Miconia sellowiana (MELASTOMATACEAE) IN THREE VEGETATION TYPES OF PARANÁ STATE, BRAZIL

Miconia sellowiana (Melastomataceae), a widespread species occurring in Araucaria Forest, Montane Dense Forest and Upper Montane Forest (Parana state, Brazil) has a highly variable foliar morphology. This study investigated whether the wood anatomy follows this pattern influenced by environmental conditions. Samples of six individuals per area were collected, fixed and prepared, according to standard techniques in wood anatomy. ANOVA indicated differences for length and diameter of vessel elements and fibres, fibre wall thickness, width of rays and ray frequency, especially regarding the population of the Upper Montane Forest. The secondary xylem from this vegetation is characterized by shorter vessel elements and fibres, thicker fibre walls and wider rays. These characteristics are associated to a certain degree of water stress imposed to the plants in the Upper Montane Forest, mainly due to the shallow neosol soils. The Araucaria Forest and the Montane Dense Forest have more similar environmental conditions, supported by the Cluster analysis. The Principal Components Analysis explained 98% of the total variance, where fibre and vessel element lengths showed a posi-tive correlation; however, this analysis did not allow the separation of three distinct groups. Although less pronounced, the wood anatomical differences corroborate the results obtained with foliar morphology, where leaves from the Upper Montane Forest presented the most xeric characteristics among the populations of Miconia sellowiana studied.

Increased water storage capacity in cactus wood: a study in the tribe Cereeae (Cactoideae, Cactaceae).

Abstract: Secondary xylem of fibrous cactus wood is characterized by short narrow vessel elements with both simple perforation plates and large intervessel pits, libriform septate fibers, and large rays. These are present in basal cactus taxa, as well as in many other groups of the family. In Cactoideae, the most diversified and most derived subfamily, there are remarkable variations found in the secondary xylem, with the more highly derived taxa containing the greatest water storage capacity. Unlignified parenchyma is one specialization found in the fibrous wood of cacti. We observed this tissue in the secondary xylem at the base of the stems of several Brazilian endemic species of Arrojadoa, Melocactus, and Stephanocereus, all members of the tribe Cereeae. In Arrojadoa and Melocactus the unlignified parenchyma occurs in lines and bands amongst the axial and radial xylem elements, while in Stephanocereus it is mainly restricted to the rays and does not form bands. We address the adaptive importance of the unlignified parenchyma in the fibrous wood in tribe Cereeae and the family Cactaceae as a whole.

Anatomia foliar de Passiflora subgênero Decaloba (Passifloraceae): implicações taxonômicas

Resumo Passifloraceae possui 17 generos e cerca de 750 especies. O genero Passiflora, possui aproximadamente 525 especies, distribuidas nas regioes tropicais do Novo Mundo, Asia e Australia, e esta subdividido em quatro subgeneros: Astrophea, Decaloba, Passiflora e Deidamioides. Este trabalho teve por objetivo verificar a ocorrencia de caracteres diagnosticos e fornecer subsidios para a taxonomia do grupo. Para tanto, foram analisadas oito especies: Passiflora capsularis, Passiflora misera, Passiflora morifolia, Passiflora organensis, Passiflora pohlii, Passiflora suberosa, Passiflora tricuspis e Passiflora vespertilio. Foram estudados de tres a seis individuos de cada especie, obtidos a partir das colecoes herborizadas dos herbarios do Departamento de Botânica da UFPR (UPCB) e do Museu Botânico Municipal (MBM), ambos em Curitiba-PR. Para o estudo anatomico, as amostras foliares foram submetidas ao processo de reidratacao e, posteriormente, incluidas em historesina seguindo tecnicas usuais utilizadas em anatomia vegetal. Alguns caracteres se destacaram com valor taxonomico e com potencial uso em estudos filogeneticos, como a presenca de papilas epidermicas, cuticula ornamentada e sistema vascular em arco. Os resultados indicam que estudos mais detalhados sobre a estrutura das papilas epidermicas e dos tipos de tricomas tectores trarao mais informacoes para o entendimento das relacoes em Decaloba e os outros subgeneros. Palavras-chave: estruturas secretoras, folha, papilas, taxonomia. Abstract Passifloraceae comprises 17 genera and approximately 750 species. The genus Passiflora has about 525 species distributed in tropical regions of the New World, Asia and Australia. Passiflora is subdivided in four subgenera: Astrophea, Decaloba, Passiflora, Deidamioides. The goal of this work is to verify the utility of selected anatomical features as diagnose or taxonomical characters. Three to six individuals of eight species of Passiflora, subgenus Decaloba were used: Passiflora capsularis, Passiflora misera, Passiflora morifolia, Passiflora organensis, Passiflora pohlii, Passiflora suberosa, Passiflora tricuspis and Passiflora vespertilio. Samples were obtained from Herbarium collections of the Herbarium of the Departamento de Botânica da Universidade Federal do Parana (UPCB) and Museu Botânico Municipal (MBM), Curitiba-PR. For the anatomical study, leaf samples were embedded in Historesin following usual anatomical procedures. Some features can be highlighted as taxonomic useful, and of potential use in phylogenetic studies, such as ornamented cuticle, presence of epidermal papillae and the shape of central vascular system. Results have indicated that detailed studies of papillae structure and types of trichomes might bring additional relevant information for the better understanding of the relations within Decaloba and other subgenera. Key words: secretory structures, leaf, papillae, taxonomy.

Functional leaf traits of 57 woody species of the Araucaria Forest, Southern Brazil

The objective of this study was to evaluate the leaf morphology of 57 tree species to determine if there is a dominant leaf pattern in a remnant of the Araucaria Forest, Curitiba, PR, Brazil that can be used as ecological indicator of this forest. We also determined the quantitative morphological and anatomical traits of all species, distributed in 4 different strata, to identify a dominant leaf type of each stratum, regarding light exposure. Thirty mature leaves were collected for each species and were classified morphologically. Leaf area and size, dry mass, specific leaf area, stomata density, total thickness of leaf blade, epidermis, palisade, and spongy parenchyma thickness were also analyzed. Leaves with entire margin, acuminate apex, and microphyllous were predominant among the studied species. All of them presented hypostomatic leaves, except Araucaria angustifolia. All 57 species presented thin leaves and high specific leaf area, indicating mesophyll, characteristic of rain forests as observed in studies in similar dense forests. Low light intensity, in understory species, appears to be determinant of leaf morphology and anatomy differences, associated to high rainfall and relatively low temperature of the study area, both being the characteristics of this Atlantic Forest formation. Considering the results, no specific leaf pattern for the Araucaria Forest was found. Only the lowest stratum showed more differences comparing with the others, and no specific leaf trait could be correlated to light exposure in the present study.

Cactaceae no estado do Paraná, Brasil

A taxonomic survey of the Cactaceae from Parana state, Brazil, is presented here. Methodology includes an analysis of herbarium specimens and fieldwork in all biomes in the state. Twelve genera and 26 native species were catalogued for Parana. The richest genera are Rhipsalis, with 11 species, Lepismium (4), and Schlumbergera (2). The other genera are monospecific: Brasiliopuntia brasiliensis, Cereus hildmannianus, Epiphyllum phyllanthus, Hatiora salicornioides, Hylocereus setaceus, Opuntia monacantha, Parodia carambeiensis, Pereskia aculeata and Praecereus euchlorus. Parana state is the northern limit of S. rosea and S. gaertneri, and the southern limit of B. brasiliensis, H. salicornioides and R. pilocarpa. Parodia carambeiensis is the only endemic species of Cactaceae in the state. We present descriptions, identification keys, illustrations, and comments on the taxonomy of these species.

Anatomia comparada do lenho de Caryocar brasiliense (Caryocaraceae) em fisionomias de cerradão e cerrado sensu stricto

Este trabalho verificou a influencia das condicoes ambientais na estrutura do xilema secundario da especie Caryocar brasiliense Camb. (pequizeiro) atraves de um estudo anatomico comparado do lenho de arvores procedentes de fisionomias de cerradao e cerrado s.s., no municipio de Santa Rita do Passa Quatro, SP. As caracteristicas do lenho foram analisadas qualitativa e quantitativamente, sendo as ultimas comparadas pela analise de variância, bem como por analises multivariadas de agrupamentos e componentes principais. A analise de variância demonstrou existir diferencas significativas para oito das dezesseis variaveis analisadas, bem como uma grande variacao entre arvores da mesma localidade, aspecto corroborado pela analise de agrupamentos. A matriz de correlacao entre variaveis indicou, de modo geral, relacoes inversas entre dimensoes longitudinais e radiais dos elementos anatomicos. Pode-se inferir pela variabilidade significativa entre arvores que a diferenciacao das fisionomias ocorre de forma gradual, nao se observando um conjunto de caracteristicas anatomicas suficientemente marcantes que tipifiquem as fisionomias estudadas.

Wood anatomical traits of the Araucaria Forest, Southern Brazil

Se presenta el estudio anatomico de la madera de 17 especies de arboles caracteristicas de una formacion de bosque de araucaria, en el sur de Brasil. Se colectaron 17 especies, basado en el valor de importancia ampliado. Muestras de madera de tres individuos por especie fueron recolectadas, y preparadas de acuerdo con tecnicas usuales empleadas en anatomia de la madera. La mayoria de las especies se pueden agrupar para la presencia de las siguientes caracteristicas: anillos crecimiento visibles, porosidad difusa, los vasos no presentaron patrones especificos de agrupamientos, platina de perforacion simples, punteaduras diminutas a bordeadas en las fibras, poco parenquima axial, radios heterogeneos. El analisis de agrupamiento de los caracteres cualitativos y cuantitativos de las especies se las agruparon juntas, pero dos son distintos de los demas: Cinnamodendron dinnisii y Roupala montana. El analisis de componentes principales explico 69 % de la varianza total, influido por la altura y ancho de los radios, la longitud de los elementos de vasos y de las fibras, separando Cinnamodendron dennisii y Roupala montana de los demas. Los resultados corroboraron los patrones anatomicos ecologicos de la madera observados en otras formaciones vegetales tropicales y subtropicales, en mayor altitud y latitud

Anatomia ecológica da madeira de Rudgea viburnoides (Cham.) Benth. (Rubiaceae) em campo cerrado e rupestre

O presente estudo compara a anatomia do lenho de Rudgea viburnoides em duas fisionomias de cerrado. O grupo amostral foi composto de cinco especimes em cada fisionomia (campo cerrado e campo rupestre). Preparacoes histologicas e caracterizacao anatomica seguiram os procedimentos usuais em anatomia da madeira . Diferencas estatisticamente significativas ocorreram entre as populacoes para atributos dos vasos, fibras e parenquima radial. Cristais prismaticos foram exclusivos no lenho em campo rupestre e tilos em campo cerrado. Em ambas as fisionomias maculas foram encontradas no lenho. O indice de mesomorfia evidenciou que a especie esta adaptada a ambientes secos, enquanto os indices de condutividade e vulnerabilidade mostraram que os especimes do campo rupestre sao mais eficientes na conducao hidraulica, porem mais propensao a cavitacao. As caracteristicas anatomicas verificadas no lenho evidenciam variacoes intraespecificas distintivas entre as populacoes estudadas e podem ser interpretadas como respostas adaptativas da especie a heterogeneidade ambiente das fisionomias de cerrado.