Abstract Detail

Developmental and Structural Section

Barone Lumaga, Maria Rosaria [1], Mickle, James [2], Erdei, Boglárka  [3].

Foliar Micromorphology in Ceratozamia Brongniart (Zamiaceae).

The genus Ceratozamia (Cyadopsida; Cycadales; Zamiaceae) consists of 12 – 18 species divided into two groups based on gross leaf morphology. Leaf micromorphology has been previously studied in four species. Whole leaf and isolated cuticle specimens from nine Ceratozamia species (five not previously studied at the micromorphological level) were examined using SEM for features of inner and external surfaces and three-dimensional structure of the stomatal complex, characteristics useful in taxonomic determination. Samples were collected from the middle region of leaflets that were from the middle region of mature leaves of greenhouse-grown plants of C. euryphyllidia, C. hildae, C. kuesteriana, C. latifolia, C. matudae, C. mexicana, C. miqueliana, C. norstogii and C. robusta, which includes species of both groups. For external surfaces, samples were air dried or fixed in FAA (10:5:50) and critical-point dried. For the inner cuticle surface, isolated cuticles were prepared using 20% Cr2O3. Characteristics in common to these species include hypostomy, occasional presence of hair scars, adaxial epidermal cells longitudinally elongated and arranged in rows, and smooth adaxial exterior cuticle. Stomata usually little sunken with the exception of sunken stomata in C. miqueliana. The stomatal complex is of the diperigenous to teraperiginous type. Stomatal complexes are not contiguous and are oriented parallel to the leaflet axis. Stomatal pits have a squared outline in C. hildae, and are rectangular in C. matudae; are edged with epicuticular wax forming reticulate ridges (C. hildae, C. kuesteriana, C. latifolia, C. mexicana), granules (C. matudae, C. robusta) or granules to ridges (C. euryphyllidia, C. miqueliana, C. norstogii). In C. robusta and C. matudae heavy epicuticular wax coats the abaxial surface. The inner cuticular abaxial surface shows that the subsidiary cells flanking the guard cells have sharper flanges compared to the broad boundaries of epidermal cells. The cuticle surface of “thin walled” epidermal cells is concealed by flanges and shows transverse septa; the “thick walled” elongated epidermal cells are outlined by broad flanges.

Broader Impacts:

1 - Università di Napoli Federico II, Orto Botanico, via Foria, 223, Napoli, 80139, Italy
2 - North Carolina State University, Department of Plant Biology, Campus Box 7612, Raleigh, NC, 27695-7612, USA
3 - Hungarian Natural History Museum, Botanical Department, Post Office Box 222, Budapest, 1476, Hungary

Keywords:
Cycad
Ceratozamia
micromorphology
stomata.

Presentation Type: Poster:Posters for Sections
Session: P
Location: Hall A/Convention Center
Date: Monday, August 2nd, 2010
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: PDS004
Abstract ID:203