Microsporogénesis y micromorfología del polen de la planta Alcea rosea (Malvaceae) / Microsporogenesis and micromorphology of pollen grains of the plant Alcea rosea (Malvaceae)

Resumen Introducción: Los estudios sobre microsporogénesis, micromorfología y estructura de los granos de polen en Malvaceae son escasos. Objetivos: Describir el proceso de microsporogénesis y aspectos micromorfológicos de los granos de polen en A. rosea. Métodos: Se procesaron más de 30 andróforos de acuerdo con los protocolos estándar para incrustar y seccionar en parafina. Las secciones obtenidas se tiñeron con Azul de Safranina-Alcian, las anteras inmaduras y no fijadas se tiñeron con Azul de anilina. Se procesaron secciones de resina adicionales de los andróforos y se tiñeron con azul de toluidina. Se observaron secciones ultrafinas con microscopía electrónica de transmisión (MET). Para la observación con microscopía electrónica de barrido (MEB), el material se fijó y deshidrató en 2,2 dimetoxipropano, luego se secó hasta un punto crítico y se recubrieron con oro. Resultados: las anteras se diferencian de una masa celular en los extremos distales de los filamentos del estambre. La pared de la antera madura presenta una capa externa de células epidérmicas y una capa interna, el endotecio. Las células madre de microesporas se dividen por mitosis y luego experimentan meiosis para formar tétradas. El tapete es inicialmente celular y forma una sola capa de células y luego pierde integridad celular al invadir el lóculo de microsporangio, formando un periplasmodio. Durante la formación de la esporodermis, primero se deposita la exina y luego la intina. Para el momento de la liberación de los granos de polen, el tapete se ha degenerado por completo. Los granos de polen son pantoporados, apolares, con simetría radial, esferoidales, con espinas, báculas, gránulos y microgránulos. El téctum está perforado con fovéoleas dispuestas homogéneamente en toda la superficie y con polenkit. La exina es ancha (5-6 µm) y consta de una endexina gruesa de 3.5 a 4 µm y una ektexina fina (0.6-0.7 µm). La ultraestructura muestra columelas claramente definidas formando el infratéctum. Se aprecian tricomas nectaríferos unicelulares glandulares capitados (TG) cubriendo toda la superficie de los filamentos de los estambres. Conclusiones: La estructura y desarrollo de las anteras sigue los patrones conocidos de las angiospermas. La microsporogénesis simultánea y el depósito centrípeto de la esporodermis se han descrito previamente para Malvaceae.

Abstract Introduction: Studies on microsporogenesis, micromorphology and structure of pollen grains in Malvaceae are scarce. Objectives: To describe the process of microsporogenesis and micromorphological aspects of pollen grains in A. rosea. Methods: Androphores were processed according to standard protocols for sectioning in paraffin. The obtained sections were stained with Safranin-Alcian blue, Aniline blue was used for immature and unfixed anthers and for resin sections of the androphores, Toluidine blue. Ultrathin sections were observed with transmission electron microscopy. For observation with scanning electron microscopy the material was fixed and dehydrated in 2.2 dimethoxypropane, dried to a critical point and coated with gold. Results: Anthers differentiate from a cell mass at the distal ends of the stamen filaments. The wall of the mature anther presents an outer layer of epidermal cells and an inner layer, the endothecium. Microspore mother cells divide by mitosis and then undergo meiosis to form tetrads. The tapetum is initially cellular and forms a single layer of cells and then loses cellular integrity by invading the microsporangium locule, forming a periplasmodia, by the time the pollen grains are released it degenerated. During sporodermis formation, exine is first deposited and then intine. Pollen grains are pantoporate, apolar, with radial symmetry, spheroidal, with spines, bacula, granules and microgranules. Tectum is perforated with foveolae arranged homogeneously over the whole surface and pollenkit is present. Exine is broad and consists of a thick 3.5 to 4 µm endexine and a thin ektexine (0.6-0.7 µm). The ultrastructure shows columellae forming the infratectum. Capitate glandular unicellular nectariferous trichomes covers the whole surface of the stamen filaments. Conclusions: The structure and development of the anthers follows the known patterns for angiosperms. Simultaneous microsporogenesis and centripetal deposit of the sporodermis have been previously described for Malvaceae.

Heliocarpus popayanensis Kunth (Malvacea) tolera a hipoxia dosubstrato? / Does Heliocarpus popayanensis Kunth (Malvaceae) tolerate substract’s hypoxy?

(Heliocarpus popayanensis Kunth (Malvaceae) tolera a hipoxia do substrato?) Aespécie Heliocarpus popayanensis é muito utilizada em recomposição florística de áreasdegradadas, cujo solo pode apresentar hipoxia. Considerando esses aspectos, este trabalhovisou avaliar resposta desta espécie ao alagamento. Indivíduos com 70 dias foramsubmetidos a substrato drenado(D) e alagado (A) por 30 e 60 dias e a alagado, 30 dias, e adrenado mais 30 dias (A/D). Foram determinados os comprimentos da raiz principal e docaule, a área foliar e o número de folhas, a biomassa e a taxa de crescimento relativo (TCR)de raízes, caules e folhas e o conteúdo nutricional das folhas. Até 60 dias de alagamentohouve redução percentual média na biomassa (38%), na TCR (77%) e área foliar (24%),além de redução no diâmetro do caule e da raiz (70%) e na lignificação de célulasfloemáticas. Nenhuma alteração anatômica ocorreu nas folhas, mas houve redução naconcentração dos nutrientes N, P, K, Fe, Cu e B. Portanto, em condições experimentais,Heliocarpus popayanensis sobrevive a períodos de alagamento, provavelmente pelas alteraçõesmorfoanatômicas. A raridade desta espécie em área alagável deve estar relacionada comoutras etapas do ciclo de vida, como germinação das sementes ou estabelecimento deplântulas e juvenis em competição com outras espécies.

The species Heliocarpus popayanensis is used on floristic recomposition of degradedareas, wich’s soil might present hypoxy. Considering these aspects, this studies evaluatesthis species answers to flooding. Young plants were submitted to drained and floodedsubstract for 30 and 60 days, then flooded for 30 days and then drained for more 30 days.Main root and stem length, area and number of leaves, biomass and relative growth rate ofroots, stems and leaves and the nutritional content of leaves were determined. Until 60 daysof flooding there was a percentual reduction in biomass (38%), in RGR (77%) and in thearea of leaves, including reduction in root and stem’s diameter (70%), and in thelignification of floematic cells. There was no anatomic alteration in leaves, but there wasreduction of nutrients concentration (N, P, K, Fe, Cu, B). Therefore, young plants of thespecies Heliocarpus popayanensis survive to the flooding period considered above, probablydue to anatomical and morphologic alterations. The rarity of this species in flooded area isprobably related to other stages of the life cycle, such as seeds germination or competitionwith other species in the environment.

Patterns of nectar production and composition, and morphology of floral nectaries in Helicteres guazumifolia and Helicteres baruensis (Sterculiaceae): two sympatric species from the Costa Rican tropical dry forest / Patrones de producción y composición de néctar y morfología de nectarios florales en Helicteres guazumifolia y Helicteres baruensis (Sterculiaceae): dos especies simpátricas del bosque seco tropical costarricense

Helicteres guazumifolia Kunth and Helicteres baruensis Jacq. (Sterculiaceae) are two sympatric species of shrubs common along the North Western tropical dry forest of Costa Rica. i recorded their nectar production within a 24 hour cycle. i also describe the morphology of extrafloral nectaries with scanning electron microscopy. in H. guazumifolia secretion was restricted to the first day of flower life span, shortly after anthesis (0600 hr - 1800 hr). Flowers secreted on average 15.63 ±8.45 µl (N=409). Nectar is composed of three main sugars: sucrose, fructose and glucose (mainly sucrose). A total of 17 free amino acids were identified: mainly proline, arginine, threonine and tyrosine, with a concentration above 70 Ng/µl. values were different for H. baruensis. Nectar secretion was confined to the second day after anthesis, starting at 1600 hr and ending at 0600 hr the following day. Flowers secreted on average 77.03 ±64.99 µl (N=163) of nectar. Nectar is also composed of three main sugars; however, it showed a tendency to be hexose-rich, having more fructose and glucose than sucrose. There were also 17 free amino acids, mainly proline, alanine, tyrosine, arginine and threonine. Patterns of nectar production are different between the two species for timing, and for amount and composition of nectar secretion. Rev. Biol. Trop. 57 (Suppl. 1): 161-177. Epub 2009 November 30.

Helicteres guazumifolia Kunth y Helicteres baruensis Jacq. (Sterculiaceae) son dos especies simpátricas de arbustos comunes en el bosque tropical seco de la zona noroeste de Costa Rica. Registré los patrones de producción de néctar de las dos especies según la hora del día o de la noche cuando hubo secreción de néctar. En H. guazumifolia se limitó al primer día del período de vida floral, desde el inicio de la antesis a las 0600 hr hasta las 1800 hr. Las flores secretaron en promedio 15.63 ±8.45 µl (N=409) de néctar. El néctar está compuesto por tres azúcares principales: sacarosa, fructuosa y glucosa, y es rico en sacarosa. Se identificó un total de 17 aminoácidos diferentes en el néctar floral. Prolina, arginina, treonina y tirosina fueron los aminoácidos más abundantes con una concentración mayor a 70 Ng/µl. En contraste, las flores de su pariente H. baruensis, secretaron néctar en el segundo día de vida de la flor, después de la antesis; se inició a las 1600 hr y cesó a las 0600 hr del día siguiente. Las flores secretaron en promedio 77.03 ±64.99 µl (N=163) de néctar. El néctar también está compuesto por tres azúcares principales; no obstante, tiende a ser rico en hexosas, con más fructuosa y glucosa que sacarosa. También contiene 17 aminoácidos libres, siendo los más concentrados prolina, alanina, tirosina, arginina y treonina. Se observan claramente patrones diferentes de producción de néctar entre las dos especies según la hora, la cantidad y la composición del néctar. También describí la morfología de los nectarios florales usando fotomicrografías tomadas con microscopio electrónico.

Comparative pharmacognostic evaluation of althaea officinalis and alcea rosea root

Althaea [Family Malvaceae], a small genus comprising about 15 species distributed in the temperate regions. The official drug Khatmi or Marshmallow, botanically equated to the roots of A. officinalis, the only species of this genus found in India. Alcea rosea L. syn. Althaea rosea [L.] Cav., a substitute of Khatmi is also grown as ornamental plant in Indian gardens. The root, constitute the drug Khatmi and used as demulcent and emollient. The roots are useful in inflammation, irritation of alimentary canal and urinary and respiratory organs The decoction of root is used as an expectorant in whooping cough, hoarseness of voice and bronchitis. It is also reported to be used for fomentation in inflammatory tumors, burns, bruises, sprains etc. as a poultice. Hence, in the present paper, comparative pharmacognostic evaluation of A. officinalis and A. rosea has been undertaken. The root of both the species can be identified on the basis of macro-microscopic characters, physicochemical parameters and TLC finger print profiles. The macroscopic studies showed that the root of A. officinalis are strongly longitudinally furrowed, often spirally twisted with short-medium fracture but in A. rosea these are finely longitudinally furrowed, straight with medium-hard fracture. Microscopically both these species can be differentiated on the basis of size and number of mucilage canals and distribution of fibres. The comparative TLC profiles showed common as well as differentiating bands for example 4 significant bands of orangish-brown colour at Rfs. 0.11, 0.13, 0.37 and 0.41 were only visible in A. officinalis

Secondary stem anatomy and uses of four drought-deciduous species of a tropical dry forest in México

Wood and bark anatomy and histochemistry of Acacia bilimekii Humb. & Bonpl., Acacia cochliacantha Mcbride., Conzatia multiflora (Rob) Stand. and Guazuma ulmifolia Lam.are described from stem samples collected in a tropical dry forest (Morelos,Mexico). Enzyme activities were tested in tangential, radial and transverse cuts of fresh material. Histochemistry and stem anatomy were studied on similar cuts previously softened in a solution of water-glicerol-PEG. Our results show that the anatomical patterns of bark and wood, as well as the histochemical patterns and specific gravity, are influenced by water accessibility and climate; these patterns could guarantee mechanical and anti-infection strategies to support extreme conditions. Enzyme cytochemistry reveals biochemical activities probably related to lipid utilization routes for the lignification processes and for synthesis of extractives; these results suggest that the formation and maturation of woody tissue is very active at the beginning of the rainy season. These species are widely used by the local population. Traditional uses include firewood, dead and live fences, fodder, construction, supporting stakes, handcrafts, farming tools, extraction of tanning products, and medicine. There is no relationship between use and abundance. Alternative uses are proposed according to a density index

Se estudió la anatomía e histoquímica del tallo secundario de Acacia bilimekii, Acacia cochliacantha, Conzatia multiflora y Guazuma ulmifolia. Las muestras de tallo se colectaron en una selva baja caducifolia del estado de Morelos, México. La actividad enzimática se estudió en cortes frescos de caras tangenciales, radiales y transversales. La anatomía e histoquímica se hizo en cortes similares de muestras previamente ablandadas con una mezcla de agua-glicerol-PEG. Los resultados muestran que el patrón anatómico de la corteza y madera, así como las características histoquímicas no enzimáticas están relacionados con el acceso al agua y el clima; estos patrones garantizan que las estrategias mecánicas de resistencia al deterioro les permitan sobrevivir a condiciones extremas. Los resultados de la histoquímica y la citoquímica enzimática sugieren que la lignificación y la síntesis de extractivos a partir de los lípidos de reserva se encuentra activa desde el principio de la estación de lluvias. Se sugieren usos potenciales para las especies estudiads de acuerdo con las densidades relativas