Ovarian transmitting tissue: an ultrastructural and histochemical analysis in Lithops pseudotruncatella (Bgr) N.E.Br. (Aizoaceae)

• Grant number: 12/09815-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2012
• End date: August 31, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Botany - Plant Morphology
• Principal Investigator: Gladys Flávia de Albuquerque Melo de Pinna
• Grantee: Ariane Lazarini
• Supervisor: Sara Beatriz Maldonado
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Argentina
• Associated to the scholarship: 11/22965-2 - Fruit development of two species of Aizoaceae (Caryophyllales), BP.IC

Abstract

Aizoaceae is one of the main families of Caryophyllales, and is majorly found in South Africa. It's monophily is well supported, however there is unclear when it comes to the internal relations. Four subfamilies are currently recongnized, although there is no consensus regarding the use of this classification: Aizooideae, Sesuvioideae, Ruschioideae and Mesembryanthemoideae. The two last ones comprise most of the species, leading some authors to defend the idea of a separate family that would include the members of these two subfamilies: Mesembryanthemaceae. Although little studied under anatomy aspects, the reproductive structures are important sources of relevant characters for the construction of phylogenies. In a recent study conducted with representants from Mesembryanthemoideae and Ruschioideae (A. Lazarini, Fapesp 2011/22965-2), structural differences on the ovarian transmitting tissue were found as new data for the group. This project proposes to improve de knowledge on this structure by ultrastructural and histochemical analysis. For this it will be made analysis on transmission electron microscopy and histochemical tests for the main compounds, in order to characterize the secretory cells of the transmitting tissue in one specie of Ruschioideae. On possession of these results and having enhanced the techniques involved in this proposal, it will be possible to extend this study to other Aizoaceae, consolidating one of the main search line carried by the team. (AU)