Correlation of biometric characteristics of fruits and seeds with the vigor of Agonandra brasiliensis seedlings in northern Amazonia

The goal of this study was to determine and correlate the main morphometric characteristics of fruits, seeds, and seedling vigor of Agonandra brasiliensis, in Roraima. The design was completely randomized with three treatments, consisting of six replications with 20 seeds. The treatments established were three classes of seeds: T1 - small seeds (S = 1.50-1.69 g); T2 - medium seeds (M = 1.70-1.89 g) and T3 - large seeds (L = 1.90-2.09 g). The variables evaluated were: length; diameter; the fresh mass of fruits and seeds; percentage, speed (in index) and average time of emergence, length of roots and aerial part; number of leaves; fresh, dry and total seedling mass; seedling lignification index; root/shoot ratio and dry root/shoot ratio and correlations between all studied variables. The fresh mass of the fruit of Agonandra brasiliensis has a high positive correlation with the mass of seeds. Small seeds of Agonandra brasiliensis exhibit a higher percentage of emergence in the conditions of the northern Amazon.

ANATOMÍA FOLIAR COMPARADA DE Gaiadendron punctatum Y Tripodanthus belmirensis (LORANTHACEAE) / Comparative Leaf Anatomy of Gaiadendron punctatum and Tripodanthus belmirensis (LORANTHACEAE)

RESUMEN Se describe la anatomía foliar de las especies Gaiadendron punctatum y Tripodanthus belmirensis, al objeto de estudiar posibles caracteres que permitan una identificación precisa de estos dos géneros de la familia Loranthaceae, de hábito arbustivo o arbóreo. Las muestras se procesaron y sometieron a tinción con técnicas clásicas para su observación al microscopio óptico. Ambas especies presentaron similitudes como una epidermis monoestratificada y estomas de tipo rubiáceo. Sin embargo, se observó una composición anatómica claramente diferenciada en aspectos como el mesófilo, forma y ubicación de las células epidérmicas y la presencia de acumulaciones de súber en G. punctatum o idioblastos abundantes en T. belmirensis. Se construyó una clave dicotómica para la determinación de especies con base en caracteres anatómicos de la hoja entre las especies del género Tripodanthus y G. punctatum, además se discute brevemente el uso de caracteres anatómicos en la determinación y soporte de entidades taxonómicas diferenciables dentro de la familia Loranthaceae.

ABSTRACT Leaf anatomy of Gaiadendron punctatum and Tripodanthus belmirensis species is described with the aim of exploring possible characters that allow a precise identification of these two genera, characterized by tree or shrub habit, belonging to Loranthaceae family. Samples were processed and stained with routine techniques for observation on optical microscope. Both species showed similarities, such as one-layered epidermis and rubiaceous type stomata. However, a different anatomic composition was observed in aspects such as: mesophyll, position and shape of epidermic cells and presence of suber accumulations in G. punctatum, or numerous idioblasts in T. belmirensis. A dichotomous key was constructed for species determination based on anatomical leaf characters, between the species of genus Tripodanthus and G. punctatum. Furthermore, the use of anatomical characters in determination and support of distinguishable taxonomical entities inside Loranthaceae is also briefly discussed.

CERVANTESIACEAE: NUEVO REGISTRO DE UNA FAMILIA NATURALIZADA PARA LA FLORA DE MÉXICO / Cervantesiaceae: New Record of a Naturalized Family for the Flora of Mexico

Se registra por primera vez para México la especie naturalizada Acanthosyris glabrata (familia Cervantesiaceae), un árbol hemiparásito sólo conocido del noroeste de Sudamérica. Se proporciona información sobre su hábitat y se presenta una ilustración de la especie. Se propone una hipótesis de comercio maritimo entre Ecuador y México para explicar la presencia del taxón en el occidente de México, en un área que dista 3500 km de su distribución original.

We register for the first time in Mexico the naturalized species Acanthosyrisglabrata (family Cervantesiaceae), a hemiparasitic tree only known from northwestern South America. We provide information about its habitat and present an illustration of the species. We propose a hypothesis of maritime commerce between Ecuador and Mexico to account for the presence of the taxon in western Mexico, in an area 3500 km away from its original known distribution.

Anatomía Floral de Peristethium leptostachyum (Loranthaceae) / Floral anatomy of Peristethium leptostachyum (Loranthaceae)

ResumenPeristethium leptostachyum es una especie hemiparásita de la familia Loranthaceae, distribuida en Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Perú, Venezuela y Panamá. Previamente tratada como Struthanthus leptostachyus, la especie fuerecientemente fue reubicada en Peristethium junto con otras que previamente estaban en los géneros Cladocolea y Struthanthus. La decisión de reconocer a Peristethium como género es controversial y fue tomada con base en caracteres de la inflorescencia y de la flor; en tanto que la monofilia de los tres géneros nombrados es incierta. En esta investigación se estudió la morfoanatomía de flores e inflorescencias de Peristethium leptostachyum, detallando la estructura del androceo y gineceo, así como los procesos de microgametogénesis y megagametogénesis; adicionalmente se realizaron comparaciones con especies afines y precisiones en relación con las diagnosis previas. Se recolectaron flores en diversas fases de desarrollo en Santa María (Boyacá-Colombia), se prepararon y analizaron bajo microscopio secciones histológicas teñidas con astrabluefucsina, además de disecciones bajo estereomicroscopio. Los resultados mostraron que P. leptostachyum comparte caracteres inflorenciales con Cladocolea (inflorescencia determinada, flor terminal ebracteada), pero también con Struthanthus (pares de tríadas a lo largo del eje, brácteas caducas y flores actinomorfas). Las flores de P. Leptostachyum de Santa María son claramente hermafroditas, con androceos y gineceos totalmente desarrollados; lo cual contradice la descripción hecha por Kuijt que reporta una condición dioica para esta especie. El androceo resultó afín al de Struthanthus vulgaris, con tapetum glandular y microsporogénesis simultánea; en contraste, Cladocolea loniceroides presenta tapetum periplasmodial y microesporogénesis sucesiva. El gineceo de P. leptostachyum, al igual que en Cladocolea, Struthanthus y Phthirusa, es unilocular con mamelón y tejido arquesporial orientado hacia el estilo, el cual es sólido y con tejido amilífero. P. leptostachyum es afín a Cladocolea loniceroides y difiere de Struthanthus vulgaris por presentar varios sacos embrionarios y pelvis (hipostasa) no lignificada. La presencia de un canal estilar sólido se propone como sinapomorfía de la tribu Psittacanthinae. Dado que P. Leptostachyum comparte caracteres anatómicos florales tanto con Cladocolea como con Strutanthus, la relación entre estos tres géneros no queda resuelta, se requieren estudios filogenéticos para establecer esta relación y poner a prueba las hipótesis de monofilia de cada uno de ellos.

AbstractPeristethium leptostachyum is a hemiparasite species of the family Loranthaceae, distributed in Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela and Panama. Previously treated as Struthanthus leptostachyus, the species was recently transferred to Peristethium together with other species of Cladocolea and Struthanthus. The present research describes the inflorescence and floral morphoanatomy of Peristethium leptostachyum, detailing the structure of the androecium and gynoecium and the processes of microgametogenesis and megagametogenesis, thus allowing comparison with Struthanthus and Cladocolea. Flowering material was collected in February and August 2012, in Santa María, Boyacá, Colombia. Histological sections were prepared and stained with astrablue-fuchsin and floral dissections were performed under a stereomicroscope. Peristethium leptostachyum shares inflorescence characters with Cladocolea (determinate inflorescence, ebracteate terminal flower), but also with Struthanthus (pairs of triads along the axis, deciduous bracts and actinomorphic flowers). The flowers of P. leptostachyum from Santa María are clearly hermaphrodites with androecium and gynoecium fully developed. This observation contradicts the description by Kuijt who reported this species to be dioecious. The androecium was observed to be similar to that of Struthanthus vulgaris, with a glandular tapetum and simultaneous microsporogenesis; in contrast, Cladocolea loniceroides has a periplasmodial tapetum and successive microsporogenesis. The gynoecium of P. leptostachyum, like that of Cladocolea, Struthanthus and Phthirusa, has a unilocular ovary with a mamelon and arquesporial tissue isoriented towards the style, which in turn is solid and amyliferous. Peristethium leptostachyum is similar to Cladocolea loniceroides and differs from Strutanthus vulgaris in presenting multiple embryo sacs and an unlignified pelvis (hipostase). The presence of a solid stylar canal is proposed as a synapomorphy of the tribe Psittacanthinae. Given that P. leptostachyum shares characters with both Cladocolea and Struthanthus generic placement cannot be clearly determined on the basis of anatomical evidence. Phylogenetic studies that include representative species of all three genera are desirable to test hypotheses of monophyly. The sexual system observed here in P. leptostachyum is different from that reported by Kuijt and more studies are needed to identify the factors (geographic, ecological, etc.) that influence this variation. Rev. Biol. Trop. 64 (1): 341-352. Epub 2016 March 01.

Flora of the State of Paraíba, Brazil: Loranthaceae Juss / Flora do Estado da Paraíba, Brasil: Loranthaceae Juss

The family Loranthaceae Juss., characterized by its parasitic habit, is rarely studied in Brazil. Current research provides a taxonomic survey of Loranthaceae in the State of Paraiba, northeastern Brazil, in which ten species belonging to four genera have been recorded: Passovia (one species), Psittacanthus (two species), Pusillanthus (one species) and Struthanthus (six species). Struthanthus concinnus Mart. was found for the first time in the state of Paraíba. A key to the species identification and taxonomic descriptions is presented, with images, geographic distribution and host data.

A família Loranthaceae Juss. é caracterizada pelo hábito parasítico e é ainda escassamente estudada no Brasil. Este trabalho realizou o levantamento taxonômico de Loranthaceae no Estado da Paraíba, nordeste do Brasil, onde dez espécies pertencentes a quatro gêneros foram registradas: Passovia (1 espécie), Psittacanthus (2 espécies), Pusillanthus (1 espécie) e Struthanthus (6 espécies). Struthanthus concinnus Mart. foi registrada pela primeira vez para a flora do Estado da Paraíba. Uma chave para a identificação das espécies e descrições taxonômicas é apresentada, com imagens, dados de distribuição geográfica e de hospedeiros também fornecidos.

Flora of the State of Paraíba, Brazil: Loranthaceae Juss / Flora do Estado da Paraíba, Brasil: Loranthaceae Juss

The family Loranthaceae Juss., characterized by its parasitic habit, is rarely studied in Brazil. Current research provides a taxonomic survey of Loranthaceae in the State of Paraiba, northeastern Brazil, in which ten species belonging to four genera have been recorded: Passovia (one species), Psittacanthus (two species), Pusillanthus (one species) and Struthanthus (six species). Struthanthus concinnus Mart. was found for the first time in the state of Paraíba. A key to the species identification and taxonomic descriptions is presented, with images, geographic distribution and host data.

A família Loranthaceae Juss. é caracterizada pelo hábito parasítico e é ainda escassamente estudada no Brasil. Este trabalho realizou o levantamento taxonômico de Loranthaceae no Estado da Paraíba, nordeste do Brasil, onde dez espécies pertencentes a quatro gêneros foram registradas: Passovia (1 espécie), Psittacanthus (2 espécies), Pusillanthus (1 espécie) e Struthanthus (6 espécies). Struthanthus concinnus Mart. foi registrada pela primeira vez para a flora do Estado da Paraíba. Uma chave para a identificação das espécies e descrições taxonômicas é apresentada, com imagens, dados de distribuição geográfica e de hospedeiros também fornecidos.