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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.)

COMPARATIVE DEVELOPMENT OF RARE CASES OF A POLYCARPELLATE GYNOECIUM IN AN OTHERWISE MONOCARPELLATE FAMILY, LEGUMINOSAE

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Author(s):
Paulino, Juliana Villela [1] ; Prenner, Gerhard [2] ; Mansano, Vidal Freitas [3] ; Teixeira, Simone Padua [4]
Total Authors: 4
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Filosofia Ciencias & Letras Ribeirao Preto, BR-14040901 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil
[2] Royal Bot Gardens, Richmond TW9 3DS, Surrey - England
[3] DIPEQ, Inst Pesquisas Jardim Bot Rio de Janeiro, BR-22460030 Rio De Janeiro, RJ - Brazil
[4] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Ciencias Farmaceut Ribeirao Preto, BR-14040903 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 4
Document type: Journal article
Source: AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY; v. 101, n. 4, p. 572-586, APR 2014.
Web of Science Citations: 15
Abstract

Premise of the study: Apocarpy (i.e., free carpels) is considered to be the basal condition for ovary development in angiosperms. Yet it only occurs in 10% of angiosperm species, of which another 10% are monocarpellate. Most legume flowers are monocarpellate. Species with polycarpellate gynoecia occur in about 15 genera with most representatives in Mimosoideae. In the present study, we analyze legumes with polycarpellate flowers with the aim of improving our understanding of gynoecium evolution. Methods: Flowers of nine legume species from five genera were analyzed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Key results: In Leguminosae, carpels usually form as individual primordia or protuberances. Inga congesta differs slightly from this pattern in that the central apex bulges outward before the formation of individual carpel primordia. While legumes usually develop entirely plicate carpels, flowers of Acacia celastrifolia and Inga bella show an intermediate type of carpel morphology with a distal plicate zone and a small proximal ascidiate zone. Carpels in Inga congesta and Archidendron glabrum are sometimes slightly fused at the ovary base. The orientation of carpel clefts seems to reflect the floral symmetry. They are directed to the floral center in mimosoids and caesalpinioids, whereas in Swartzia dipetala carpel clefts are oriented to the adaxial side. Conclusions: Polycarpelly arose at least seven times independently in Leguminosae. The polycarpellate condition appears to be correlated with polyandry, and in most instances, it is accompanied by a profound change in floral organization from a closed to an open system. (AU)