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On the supposed polycotyledony and lack of endosperm in Psittacanthus (Loranthaceae)

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Abstract

Psittacanthus is one of the few genera of Loranthaceae that has been described as lacking endosperm and developing polycotyledonous embryos. Based on the study of seeds and seedlings of 12 species of Psittacanthus, we demonstrate that the embryo has two leafy cotyledons surrounded by a massive, compound, starchy, chlorophyllous endosperm, as in most species of Loranthaceae studied so far. We show that what has been described as a polycotyledonous embryo actually corresponds to the endosperm, and that, along with the fruit remains, it can reattach to the host after the seedling itself has anchored. The morphological, developmental and taxonomical implications of these findings are discussed.

Resumen

Psittacanthus es uno de los pocos géneros descritos como carentes de endosperma y con embriones policotiledóneos. Con base en el estudio de semillas y plántulas de 12 especies de Psittacanthus, demostramos que el embrión posee dos cotiledones foliosos rodeados de un endosperma masivo, clorófilo, amilífero y compuesto, como en la mayoría de especies de Loranthaceae estudiadas hasta ahora. Evidenciamos que lo que ha sido descrito previamente como un embrión policotiledóneo corresponde al endosperma, el cual, junto con los remanentes del fruto, puede readherirse al hospedero luego del establecimiento inicial de la plántula al hospedero. Se discuten las implicaciones morfológicas, ontogenéticas y taxonómicas de estos hallazgos.

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Acknowledgments

We thank the staff members of the Structural Botany Laboratory, New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) for providing SEM facilities. We thank COLCIENCIAS (grant No 111565842812) for funding.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Facultad de Ciencias, Instituto de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Sede Bogotá, AA 7495, Colombia

    Favio González

  2. Instituto de Biología, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, AA 1226, Colombia

    Natalia Pabón-Mora

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  1. Favio González
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  2. Natalia Pabón-Mora
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Correspondence to Natalia Pabón-Mora.

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González, F., Pabón-Mora, N. On the supposed polycotyledony and lack of endosperm in Psittacanthus (Loranthaceae). Brittonia 69, 176–185 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12228-017-9461-9

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