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Type: Article
Published: 2017-11-14
Page range: 53–66
Abstract views: 17
PDF downloaded: 1

Morphological observations on the reproductive structures of Ambrosina (Araceae), a Mediterranean endemic monotypic genus

Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Sezione di Botanica ed Ecologia Vegetale, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Via Archirafi 38, I-90123 Palermo, Italy
Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell’Ambiente, Sezione Botanica, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Viale S. Ignazio 13, I-09123 Cagliari, Italy
Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Forestali (SAAF), Università degli Studi di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze Ed. 4, I-90128 Palermo, Italy
Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Sezione di Botanica ed Ecologia Vegetale, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Via Archirafi 38, I-90123 Palermo, Italy
Ambrosineae Arisareae Arisarum fruit morphology pollen seed Monocots

Abstract

This research was carried out to better define the pollen, fruit and seed morphology of Ambrosina bassii, the only species of this rare Mediterranean endemic genus. Pollen traits were already known, but here we investigated on their variability in distant populations and in different morphotypes (‘varieties’). Fruit and seed traits were almost unknown, also because of the rarity of fruit-set in this species. The surface features of pollen, fruit and seed, as well as length, width and length/width ratio, were analysed by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Comparative observations were made also on Arisarum vulgare, since Arisarum is the closest genus. The principal component analysis of the Ambrosina pollen traits highlighted a separation of the different varieties and populations. As regards the surface features, the ornamentation of Ambrosina pollen is predominantly striate while in A. vulgare is striate-foveolate. The fruit of Ambrosina is a dry globose capsule showing stomata, not observed in the A. vulgare fruit. The seed is strophiolated with a reticulate surface. The results are discussed in comparison with previous observations and with morphological evolutionary patterns in the Araceae.