Morpho-anatomical diversity of the underground systems of Arrojadoa (Cactaceae), an endemic Brazilian genus

Autor(es)

Lemos, Renata C. C. ^[1] ; Machado, Marlon C. ^[2] ; Melo-De-Pinna, Gladys F. ^[1]

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Bot, Lab Anat Vegetal, BR-05422970 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Estadual Feira de Santana, Programa Posgrad Bot, BR-44036900 Feira De Santana, BA - Brazil

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society; v. 173, n. 1, p. 108-128, SEP 2013.
• Citações Web of Science: 0

Resumo

Members of Arrojadoa exhibit a variety of underground structures that can originate from roots or stems. Although the development of underground structures of stem origin in Arrojadoa represents a unique trait among Cactaceae of eastern Brazil, no detailed reports on the morphological diversity of such structures are available. The present morpho-anatomical study of the underground systems of Arrojadoa has demonstrated that a single species can exhibit one or more structural types, such as single or branched stem tubers, short thick stems and/or long subterranean stems, thick and fleshy contractile roots and normal fibrous roots. Various morpho-anatomical structures relating to the underground storage systems in Arrojadoa spp. have also been observed, including thick contractile roots consisting mainly of secondary xylem formed by fibrous wood with wide-band tracheids (WBTs) and underground stems with a wide cortical region and WBTs-type wood. Based on the evidence presented, we suggest that such traits, together with the occurrence of contractile roots associated with underground stems, are important adaptive strategies for the survival of the plants during seasonal drought in areas of cerrado (savannah), campo rupestre (rocky uplands) and caatinga (dry thorny scrubland).(c) 2013 The Linnean Society of London. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 09/14708-0 - Estudos anatômicos e suas implicações nas relações filogenéticas de caryophyllales.
• Beneficiário: Gladys Flávia de Albuquerque Melo de Pinna
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Regular