Pollen morphology of the Megamexican cycads reveals the potential of morphometrics to identify cycad genera

Background: Although pollen morphology has always been an important tool in plant systematics, the possibility of distinguishing between related taxa is still debated. A difficult case is the cycads, where their morphology and small size is very similar. Pollen morphology has been important in plant systematics and determination at the species level is possible depending on the group. Controversial cases are the cycads, where their small pollen and smooth sculpture when observed under light microscopy present few useful characters for separation at the species level. Question: Will cycad pollen morphometry be useful to distinguish taxa? Study species: 15 species within the genera Ceratozamia, Dioon and Zamia were investigated with five species of each genus. Methods: Pollen was obtained from both live specimens from the Clavijero Botanic Garden of the Instituto de Ecología, A.C., as well as herbarium specimens. Acetolyzed pollen was used for descriptions and morphometry, and non-acetolyzed pollen for SEM images. Results: The thickness of the exine and pollen sculpture of Dioon differed from that of Ceratozamia and Zamia thus allowing its identification. The pollen morphology of Ceratozamia and Zamia is very similar and therefore difficult to distinguish between species. Conclusions: The thicker exine of Dioon allows its pollen to be distinguished from the other two genera. Morphometric methods must be applied to distinguish pollen between species of Ceratozamia and Zamia.

Comparative assessment of pollen micromorphology of Salvia assurgens (Lamiaceae), an endemic sage from Mexico

The present study provides novel information about the pollen of Salvia assurgens. Pollen grains were collected and described based on their observed characters by light microscope and scanning electron microscopy. The species is distinguished from other Mexican salvias by having small pollen grains (14.2 × 18.2 µm), thin primary muri (0.2 µm thick), elongated primary lumina (1.03 µm long) and secondary lumina with relatively few perforations (9, range 5–14). Pollen characters are similar to those of the majority of American salvias. Regarding Mexican sages, there has been little palynological research, and only 23 species of 32 examined have been quantitatively studied. Standardization is needed in different aspects of palynological studies, especially in relation to measurement protocols and data analysis, as well as the increased use of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), since the majority of differences among species are provided by SEM microscope observation.

Supergene evolution via stepwise duplications and neofunctionalization of a floral-organ identity gene

Heterostyly represents a fascinating adaptation to promote outbreeding in plants that evolved multiple times independently. While l-morph individuals form flowers with long styles, short anthers, and small pollen grains, S-morph individuals have flowers with short styles, long anthers, and large pollen grains. The difference between the morphs is controlled by an S-locus “supergene” consisting of several distinct genes that determine different traits of the syndrome and are held together, because recombination between them is suppressed. In Primula, the S locus is a roughly 300-kb hemizygous region containing five predicted genes. However, with one exception, their roles remain unclear, as does the evolutionary buildup of the S locus. Here we demonstrate that the MADS-box GLOBOSA2 (GLO2) gene at the S locus determines anther position. In Primula forbesii S-morph plants, GLO2 promotes growth by cell expansion in the fused tube of petals and stamen filaments beneath the anther insertion point; by contrast, neither pollen size nor male incompatibility is affected by GLO2 activity. The paralogue GLO1, from which GLO2 arose by duplication, has maintained the ancestral B-class function in specifying petal and stamen identity, indicating that GLO2 underwent neofunctionalization, likely at the level of the encoded protein. Genetic mapping and phylogenetic analysis indicate that the duplications giving rise to the style-length-determining gene CYP734A50 and to GLO2 occurred sequentially, with the CYP734A50 duplication likely the first. Together these results provide the most detailed insight into the assembly of a plant supergene yet and have important implications for the evolution of heterostyly.

Effect of growth substances on the expression of flowering and study on pollen viability of hermaphrodite & male ower in the female clone “Mondouri local” of Teasle gourd (Momordica subangulata Blume. subsp. renigera)

Foliar sprays with gibberellic acid (GA) and silver nitrate (AgNO3) of di erent concentra ons at pre-flowering stage induced hermaphrodite and male owers on strictly gynoecious vines of teasle gourd (Momordica subangulata Blume. subsp. renigera). GA at 1500 ppm and AgNO3at 500 ppm were effective inducing more than 50% male owers in the female clone “Mondouri local”. AgNO3 at 750 ppm was effective in inducing 36.6% male and 33.9% hermaphrodite owers on same plant. The hermaphrodite ower had higher pollen size (103.57 μm) compared to that of natural male ower (94.94 μm). However, there existed no variation between pollen viability of bisexual ower (81.6%) and normal male ower (89.1%). However, germinability of the pollen of hermaphrodite ower was very low (14.16%) producing very small pollen tube (9 μm), though the bisexual ower did not produce any fruit on self-pollination.

New insights into Mesozoic cycad evolution: an exploration of anatomically preserved Cycadaceae seeds from the Jurassic Oxford Clay biota

Most knowledge concerning Mesozoic Era floras has come from compression fossils. This has been augmented in the last 20 years by rarer permineralized material showing cellular preservation. Here, we describe a new genus of anatomically preserved gymnosperm seed from the Callovian–Oxfordian (Jurassic) Oxford Clay Formation (UK), using a combination of traditional sectioning and synchrotron radiation X-ray micro-tomography (SRXMT).Oxfordiana motturiigen. et sp. nov. is large and bilaterally symmetrical. It has prominent external ribs, and has a three-layered integument comprising: a narrow outer layer of thick walled cells; a thick middle parenchymatous layer; and innermost a thin fleshy layer. The integument has a longitudinal interior groove and micropyle, enveloping a nucellus with a small pollen chamber. The large size, bilateral symmetry and integumentary groove demonstrate an affinity for the new species within the cycads. Moreover, the internal groove in extant taxa is an autapomorphy of the genusCycas, where it facilitates seed germination. Based upon the unique seed germination mechanism shared with living species of the Cycadaceae, we conclude thatO. motturiiis a member of the stem-group lineage leading toCycasafter the Jurassic divergence of the Cycadaceae from other extant cycads. SRXMT—for the first time successfully applied to fossils already prepared as slides—reveals the distribution of different mineral phases within the fossil, and allows us to evaluate the taphonomy ofOxfordiana. An early pyrite phase replicates the external surfaces of individual cells, a later carbonate component infilling void spaces. The resulting taphonomic model suggests that the relatively small size of the fossils was key to their exceptional preservation, concentrating sulfate-reducing bacteria in a locally closed microenvironment and thus facilitating soft-tissue permineralization.

Morphological characterization and in vitro germination of heat-treated pollen in Eucommia ulmoides

Polyploid breeding has the potential to increase the economic secondary metabolites of Eucommia ulmoides. However, pollination with induced ploidy-mixed pollen has failed to produce polyploids (GAO, 2006). In this investigation, the morphological characterization and in vitro germination of heat-induced ploidy-mixed pollen of E. ulmoides were analysed to determine why there is no polyploid production. Heat-treated pollen grains were easily distinguished as large and small according to their length. The large pollen grains were significantly longer than both untreated and heat-treated small samples, suggesting that they were probably 2n pollen. Rather than the three germinal pores in small pollen, the large grains typically had four pores and, in some cases, shallow furrows, which might affect their germination. Although the maximal germination rates of the treated small and large pollen were not significantly different, the large pollen germinated tardily during the early stages of incubation. The small pollen maintained its growth during the incubation, but the tube growth of large pollen almost stopped after 24 h incubation. Both vegetative and generative nuclei in the large pollen moved into tubes later than in small pollen and the frequency of mitosis in generative nuclei of large pollen was low. Therefore, the tardy germination, poor tube growth, and weak activity of both vegetative and generative nuclei probably caused the poor competition of large pollen in certation. Finally, techniques to increase the competition of highploidy pollen and the prospect of 2n female gamete induction in the polyploid breeding program of E. ulmoides are discussed.

A multiple profile approach to the palynological reconstruction of Norse landscapes in Greenland's Eastern Settlement

Palynological research is increasingly revealing the landscape impacts of Norse colonisation in southern Greenland. Typically, although not exclusively, these studies are from depositional environments with highly localised pollen source areas close to fjord-side centres of medieval power. In contrast, this paper presents data from Vatnahverfi, an inland district of the Eastern Settlement, and explores the emergence of a cultural landscape through three pollen sequences at variable distances from Norse farms. Two are from mires with small pollen source areas close to (<100 m) and distant from (≥1500 m) probable farming activities. The other provides a more regional signal of vegetation change, albeit one located close to a Norse settlement.Landnámis marked primarily through an increase in microscopic charcoal and the appearance of pollen fromRumex acetosella, although significant differences between profiles are noted. Close to Norse ruins, pollen productivity from grassland communities increases and woodland and scrub representation declines. Further from archaeological remains, palynologically inferred human activity is primarily characterised by decreased productivity, notably declining influx from woodland and scrub species, reflecting grazing herbivores or coppicing. Abandonment of Vatnahverfi is indicated from the late 14th to early 15th century AD.