Abstract
A comparative investigation was carried out on the ovule and seed development of three mountain species ofGentianaceae, the perennial speciesGentiana pyrenaica, and the two short-lived monocarpic speciesGentianella caucasea andG. germanica. In all three species most embryological characters conform to those generally found in the family of theGentianaceae. In some features, however,G. pyrenaica and the twoGentianella species differ from each other. InG. pyrenaica the ovule is anatropous, the integument 8–10 layered and the three reduced antipodals degenerate soon after fertilization. In contrast,G. caucasea andG. germanica form a hemitropous ovule, a 4–5 layered integument and up to 16 antipodal cells by secondary multiplication. All three species exhibit differences in synchronization between embryogenesis and endosperm development. Functional relations between the antipodal structure and the dynamics of seed development of the investigated species are postulated.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Akhalkatsi, M., Wagner, J., 1996: Reproductive phenology and seed development ofGentianella caucasea in different habitats in the Central Caucasus. — Flora191: 161–168.
Bednara, J., 1978: Plasmodesmata and ingrowths of chalazal wall in megasporogenesis in an orchidEpipactis. — Bull. Soc. Bot. France125: 171–173.
Bhandari, N. N., Bhargave, M., Sachdeva, A., 1985: The mature ovule ofPapaver somniferum—a histochemical study. — Phytomorphology35: 111–119.
Bouman, F., Schier, S., 1979: Ovule ontogeny and seed coat development inGentiana, with a discussion on the evolutionary origin of the single integument. — Acta Bot. Neerl.28: 467–478.
Cameron, B. G., Prakash, N., 1990: Occurrence of giant antipodals in the female gametophyte of AustralianBossiaeeae, Indigofereae andMirbelieae (Leguminosae). — Austral. J. Bot.38: 395–401.
Gagnidze, R., 1985: Kharakteristika i tabliza dlija rodov semeistvaGentianaceae i rodyCentaurium, Gentiana, Gentianella, Gentianopsis, Comastoma. — InGagnidze, R., (Ed.): Flora Georgiae,10, pp. 118–150. — Tbilisi: Metsniereba.
Guérin, P., 1903: Sur le sac embryonnaire et en particulier les antipodes des Gentianes. — J. Bot. (Morot)17: 101–108.
Herr, J., 1971: A new clearing-squash technique for the study of ovule development in angiosperms. — Amer. J. Bot.58: 785–790.
Johri, B. M., Ambegaokar, K. B., Srivastava, P. S., 1992: Comparative embryology of angiosperms,2. — Berlin, Heidelberg, New York: Springer.
Meusel, H., Jäger, E., Rauschert, S., Weinert, E., 1978: Vergleichende Chorologie der Zentraleuropäischen Flora,2. — Jena: G. Fischer.
Miège, J., Wüest, J., 1984: Les surfaces tégumentaires des graines deGentiana etGentianella vues au microscope électronique à balayage. — Bot. Helv.94: 41–59.
Sankara Rao, K., Nagaraj, M., 1982: Studies inGentianaceae: embryology ofSwertia minor (Gentianinae). — Canad. J. Bot.60: 141–151.
Schnarf, K., 1931: Vergleichende Embryologie der Angiospermen. — Berlin: Borntraeger.
Schulz, P., Jensen, W. A., 1971:Capsella embryogenesis: the chalazal proliferating tissue. — J. Cell Sci.8: 201–227.
Sehgal, C. B., 1980: Ultrastructure of antipodal cells inNicotiana rustica. — Phytomorphology30: 61–66.
Shamrov, I. I., 1987:Gentianaceae. — InBatygina, T. B., Jakovlev, M. S., (Eds): Sravnitel 'naja embriologija cvetkovych rastenii,4,Davidiaceae—Asteraceae, pp. 137–145. — Leningrad: Nauka.
, 1988: Razvitie semjapochki i osobennosti stroenija zarodyshevogo meshka u predstavitelei semeistvaGentianaceae. — Bot. Zhurn.73: 213–222.
, 1991: The ovule ofSwertia iberica (Gentianaceae): structural and functional aspects. — Phytomorphology41: 213–229.
Stolt, K. A. H., 1921: Zur Embryologie der Gentianaceen und Menyanthaceen. — Kongl. Svenska Vetenskapsakad. Handl.61, no. 14.
, 1927: Über die Embryologie vonGentiana prostrata und die Antipoden der Gentianaceen. — Bot. Not.1927: 225–242.
Tutin, T. G., Heywood, V. H., Burges, N. A., Moore, D. M., Valentine, D. H., Walters, S. M., Webb, D. A., 1972: Flora Europaea 3. — Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Wagner, J., Achalkazi, M., Mayr, S., 1995: Anwendung quantitativ embryologischer Methoden in Entwicklungsbiologie und Reproduktionsökologie der Pflanzen. — Anz. österr. Akad. Wiss., Math. — Naturwiss. Kl.131: 7–18.
Wettstein, R. von, 1895: Der Saison-Dimorphismus als Ausgangspunkt für die Bildung neuer Arten im Pflanzenreiche. — Ber. Deutsch. Bot. Ges.13: 303–313.
Willemse, M. T. M., van Went, J. L., 1984: The female gametophyte. — InJohri, B. M., (Ed.): Embryology of angiosperms, pp. 159–196. — Berlin, Heidelberg, New York: Springer.
Yuan, Y.-M., 1993: Seedcoat micromorphology and its systematic implications forGentianaceae of Western China. — Bot. Helv.103: 73–82.
Zopfi, H. J., 1991: Aestival and autumnal vicariads ofGentianella (Gentianaceae): a myth? — Pl. Syst. Evol.174: 139–158.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Akhalkatsi, M., Wagner, J. Comparative embryology of threeGentianaceae species from the Central Caucasus and the European Alps. Pl Syst Evol 204, 39–48 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00982530
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00982530