Elucidating the ontogenetic basis of the structures on leaf base in Simaroubaceae(Sapindales): a case study in Ailanthus altissima (mill.) Swingle, Picrasma crenata (vell.) Engl. and Quassia amara L

• Grant number: 19/11474-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: December 01, 2019
• End date: November 30, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Botany - Plant Morphology
• Principal Investigator: Gladys Flávia de Albuquerque Melo de Pinna
• Grantee: Mariana Matheus Rapozo
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The shoot, which consists of the stem and leaves, has been the subject of recent research in the area of anatomy and molecular biology, especially in relation to leaf development. In Simaroubaceae, a group characterized by the absence of stipules, it is reported the occurrence of stipular structures (true stipules) and structures defined as pseudostipules or metastipules in the Ailanthus Desf., Picrasma Bl. and Harrisonia (R. BR.) Juss. However, these modifications of the leaf base were not studied under the ontogenetic aspect, from the anatomical structure. In the present study, we selected the three species: Picrasma crenata (Vell.) Engl., Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle and Quassia amara L. for presenting modified structures at the leaf base. The material will be collected and submitted to the usual techniques in plant anatomy, including optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Original scientific publications are expected, with results of great relevance to studies of the leaf development in Sapindales.