Characterization of the structures involved in the emission of floral volatiles in Passiflora edulis

• Grant number: 15/25546-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: February 01, 2016
• End date: December 31, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Botany - Plant Morphology
• Principal Investigator: Marcelo Carnier Dornelas
• Grantee: Helena Augusto Gioppato
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biologia (IB). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The diversification of angiosperms was driven by interactions with pollinators. Pollinators select floral characteristics such as shape, color, scent and reward (mostly nectar) in complex combinations modulated in a co-evolutionary way. The flowers of the Passiflora genus, of the Passifloraceae family, are examples of complexity and diversity among angiosperms, exhibiting different characteristics in their floral morphology. All the almost 600 species from this genus show a filamentous corona between the androgynophore and the perianth, with a great diversity in morphology and color patterns. Are the corona filaments related with the scent emission in Passiflora? In most angiosperm flowers the emission of scent is performed through specialized structures named osmophores. This work focus on the identification of floral organs that are involved in the emission of volatiles in Passiflora edulis and also on the morphological and anatomic characterization of osmophores, if they are present. With this aim, volatile compounds will be collected from dissected whorls, through solid phase microextraction (SPME). Later, the characterization of the osmophores will be performed via light and scanning electron microscopy, in the floral organs where volatile emissions were detected. (AU)