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Pollen development and anther morphology in 14 species of Rhamnaceae

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Abstract

Microsporogenesis, microgametogenesis, and anther structure of 14 species belonging to Rhamneae (Rhamnoids clade), Paliureae, Pomaderreae, Colletieae, and Gouanieae (Ziziphoids clade) of the Rhamnaceae family were analyzed using bright-field, scanning, and transmission electron microscopy. The aim is to look for morphological characters that have systematic value on a suprageneric level within the family. The character states of the number of nuclei in tapetal cells, the endothecial thickening pattern, and the number of endothecial layers are consistent on tribal level. Tribes were previously delineated based on molecular phylogenetic evidence. On the other hand, pollen morphology does not seem to have systematic value at tribal level in Rhamnaceae. The presence or absence of orbicules and their morphology vary within tribes. It seems that for Rhamnaceae, the anatomy of the reproductive sporophytic structures could have more systematic value than the gametophytic structures. However, more studies are needed to confirm this.

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Acknowledgments

This research was financially supported by a Grant (UBACyT 2013-2016 GC 20020120100056BA) to B. Galati. M. Gotelli is affiliated with CONICET, Argentina.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Recursos Naturales y Ambiente, Cátedra de Botánica General, Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Av. San Martín 4453 (1417), Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Marina M. Gotelli, Beatriz G. Galati & Gabriela Zarlavsky

  2. CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Marina M. Gotelli

Authors
  1. Marina M. Gotelli
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  2. Beatriz G. Galati
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  3. Gabriela Zarlavsky
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Correspondence to Marina M. Gotelli.

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Handling editor: Louis P. Ronse De Craene.

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Gotelli, M.M., Galati, B.G. & Zarlavsky, G. Pollen development and anther morphology in 14 species of Rhamnaceae. Plant Syst Evol 302, 1433–1444 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00606-016-1342-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00606-016-1342-2

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