Full text
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| Author(s): |
Karina Bertechine Gagliardi
Total Authors: 1
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| Document type: | Master's Dissertation |
| Press: | São Paulo. |
| Institution: | Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Biociências (IBIOC/SB) |
| Defense date: | 2014-07-31 |
| Examining board members: |
Diego Demarco;
Inês Cordeiro;
Luiz Antonio de Souza
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| Advisor: | Diego Demarco |
| Abstract | |
Euphorbiaceae is a family with great floral diversity, arousing interest from the mid-eighteenth century, currently composed of 218 genera and 6,745 species, distributed into four subfamilies (Cheilosoideae, Acalyphoideae, Crotonoideae and Euphorbioideae). The morphological variations such as the presence of pseudanthia and different levels of floral reductions are reasons for the differences in classification and also motivation for several evolutionary studies. Considering the variety of pseudanthia and flowers present in the different subfamilies, four species were selected for this study: Dalechampia meridionalis Müll. Arg. (Acalyphoideae), Joannesia princeps Vell. (Crotonoideae), Euphorbia sipolisii N.E. Br. (Euphorbioideae) and Pera glabrata Poepp. ex Baill. (uncertain position). The aim of this study was to analyze the different degrees of floral reduction, with emphasis on the activity of meristems (patterns of division, expansion and differentiation) along with the ontogenetic factors (differences on the primordia formation) which led to the suppression of whorls and culminated into the emergence of pseudanthia. Allied to this diversity and reduction of whorls, there is the importance of secretory structures in maintaining the pollinators reward and therefore the aim of this study is complemented with the morphoanatomical study of these structures and the histochemical analysis of their exudates. Flower buds and flowers in different stages of development were analyzed in light and scanning electronic microscopy to assist the investigation of floral ontogeny. In the early stages of development of pseudanthia, the first structures to be formed are the different levels of bracts. The floral primordia begin concomitantly as the involucre, with distinct initiation of staminate and pistillate flowers, formation of perianth only in Dalechampia and Pera, constrictions in the flowers of Euphorbia and Dalechampia and pseudanthia considered protogynic. The flowers of J. princeps show similar initiation as pseudanthia, differing especially in the development of the perianth, without the formation of constriction. The flowers differ anatomically in the gynoecium characteristics and also in branching patterns. Colleters are found in early stages of development of the cyathium and in Dalechampia, and laticifers and phenolic idioblasts occur in various stages of Joannesia and Pera, secreting exudates composed of mucilage, proteins, fatty acids and phenolic compounds. The resin gland of Dalechampia and the nectaries of Euphorbia and Joannesia act as nuptial glands and begin their formation in the floral primordia, presenting secretion of exudates rich in lipids and sugars, respectively. Considering the occurrence of pseudanthia in Acalyphoideae and Euphorbioideae and the floral variations present in Crotonoideae, it is proposed that the structural characteristics and floral reductions observed in pseudanthia had more than one single origin throughout the evolution of Euphorbiaceae and so we suggest that pseudanthia evolved not only by a process of reduction, but also by a reorganization of flowers along the inflorescence axis. Secretory structures are possibly related to morphological variations and the evolutionary history of the group, being important for the complete development of inflorescences and flowers (AU) | |
| FAPESP's process: | 12/09755-1 - Ontogenetic study of floral reduction in Euphorbiaceae and the related secretory structures: anatomy and evolution |
| Grantee: | Karina Bertechine Gagliardi |
| Support Opportunities: | Scholarships in Brazil - Master |