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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Flower development in species of Croton (Euphorbiaceae) and its implications for floral morphological diversity in the genus

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Author(s):
Gagliardi, Karina Bertechine [1] ; Cordeiro, Ines [2] ; Demarco, Diego [1]
Total Authors: 3
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Biociencias, Dept Bot, BR-05508090 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil
[2] Nucleo Pesquisa Curadoria Herbario, Ctr Pesquisa Plantas Vasc, Inst Bot, BR-04301012 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 2
Document type: Journal article
Source: Australian Journal of Botany; v. 65, n. 6-7, p. 538-549, 2017.
Web of Science Citations: 0
Abstract

The Euphorbiaceae are notable for floral diversity and evolutionary complexity. Croton is the second largest genus in the family and exhibits particular diversity in its flowers. The aim of this study was to investigate the floral ontogeny and structure of three Croton species with distinct morphologies, with a focus on testing the hypothesis that the filaments of female flowers, which have received different interpretations in the literature and are currently described as reduced petals, are staminodes and part of a vestigial androecium. With the ontogenetic study we can understand the origin of the organs and associate these with flower evolution in the genus. Flowers in several stages of development were analysed using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. In the early stage of development, the sepals are the first structures to be formed, although they do not continue to grow in female Croton fuscescens Spreng. flowers. Petals are absent in female flowers, with filamentous, petaloid structures, interpreted here as staminodes, alternating with the sepals in Croton lundianus (Didr.) Mull. Arg. In Croton sphaerogynus Baill., the staminodes are located between the nectary lobes. The stamens exhibit centripetal development in the flower bud stage, and the carpels are post-genitally connate, with differences in style branching. Besides the ontogenetic interpretation for the filamentous structures, the genus shows transitional structures that we consider evolutionary reductions. Our results can explain how developmental alterations have influenced the suppression and modification of floral organs in the genus. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 14/08354-9 - Floral evolution in Croton L. species (Euphorbiaceae): ontogeny and global outline of gene expression
Grantee:Karina Bertechine Gagliardi
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate