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The Calix Tube and Floral Nectar Tissue in Passiflora L.: What Can they Tell us about the Flower Structure Evolution?

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Abstract

Reproduction in Passifloraceae Juss. ex Roussel can involve self-compatible and self-incompatible systems, where the participation of biotic pollinators is necessary. The behavior of pollinators can be influenced by chemical and morphological characteristics of flowers, and among the kind rewards offered to pollinators is nectar. This study analyzed the anatomy of the calyx tube and floral nectar of t species of Passiflora L., as it relates to different pollination syndromes. For anatomical studies, analyzes were performed using optical microscopy. The anatomy and morphology of the calyx tube demonstrated that plants with the same pollination syndrome possess similar anatomical and morphological characteristics, and these attributes may are adapted to the biotic pollinators. The ornithophily and chiropterophily probably evolved from melittophylous flowers in passionflowers, being more diversified in the subgenus Passiflora. Histological analysis identified the location of secretory tissue, such as the exudation of nectar by stomata, papillae or by the epidermis itself. A reprodução em Passifloraceae Juss. O ex Roussel envolve sistemas auto-compatíveis ou auto-incompatíveis, onde a participação de polinizadores bióticos é necessária. O comportamento dos polinizadores pode ser influenciado pelas características químicas e morfológicas das flores, e entre as recompensas oferecidas está o néctar. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a anatomia do tubo de cálice e néctar floral de espécies de Passiflora L., com diferentes síndromes de polinização. Para os estudos anatômicos foi realizado análise em microscopia ótica. A anatomia e morfologia do tubo cálice demonstraram que plantas com a mesma síndrome de polinização possuem características anatômicas e morfológicas semelhantes, atributos que podem ser adaptados aos polinizadores bióticos. Provavelmente a ornitofilia e quiropterofilia evoluíram de flores melitófilas, sendo mais diversificadas no subgênero Passiflora. A análise histológica identificou a localização do tecido secretor, com exsudação do néctar pelos estômatos, papilas ou pela própria epiderme.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thanks to Adriana Carolina Morales, Creuci Maria Caetano and Miguel Bonilla, Sebastião Arzírio de Oliveira and Jardim Botânico Faxinal do Céu-COPEL for the support during the field collect and the Laboratório de Genética e Evolução - UNICENTRO and Paula Roberta de Moraes for the bright field microscope and pictures support. The first author was sponsored by a CAPES (Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior) scholarship.

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  1. Laboratório de Botânica Estrutural, Universidade Estadual do Centro-Oeste, Campus CEDETEG. Alameda Élio Antonio Dalla Vecchia, 838, Vila Carli, Guarapuava, Paraná, 85040-167, Brazil

    Leticia de Mattos, Caroline Piovesan & Adriano Silvério

  2. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Evolutiva, Universidade Estadual do Centro-Oeste, Campus CEDETEG. Alameda Élio Antonio Dalla Vecchia, 838, Vila Carli, Guarapuava, Paraná, 85040-167, Brazil

    Leticia de Mattos & Adriano Silvério

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Correspondence to Adriano Silvério.

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de Mattos, L., Piovesan, C. & Silvério, A. The Calix Tube and Floral Nectar Tissue in Passiflora L.: What Can they Tell us about the Flower Structure Evolution?. Bot. Rev. 88, 145–160 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12229-021-09257-z

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