| Abstract Detail
Developmental and Structural Section Mickle, James [1], Barone Lumaga, Maria Rosaria [2], Moretti, Aldo [3], DeLuca, Paolo [2]. Cuticular micromorphology of Chigua (Cycadales). Whole leaf and isolated cuticle specimens from Chigua bernalii D. Stevenson, a rare cycad endemic to Columbia, were examined using SEM for external and inner surface features and three-dimensional stomatal complex structure, characteristics which are taxonomically useful. Samples from the middle of leaflets from the midregion of mature leaves of plants were obtained from the University of California Botanical Garden greenhouse. Samples were fixed in FAA, and cuticles isolated using 20% Cr2O3 to study their inner surface. Characteristics of C. bernalii include hypostomy (with occasional adaxial stomata), abaxial and adaxial hair bases, abaxial cells randomly arranged, and adaxial exterior cuticle smooth. Stomatal complexes polyperigenous, oriented roughly parallel to veins, randomly dispersed between veins and not contiguous. Stomata shallowly sunken. Aperture between guard cells with a thick flange and extending the entire length of the stomatal complex. Prominent polar extensions evident. Guard cell walls have perpendicular striations. Abaxial epidermal cells are elongate-irregular with a felty internal surface and fine striations externally. The external abaxial surface shows marked rings around stomatal openings. Chigua shows its greatest overall similarity in cuticular micromorphology to other members of the Zamiaceae, and is most similar to Macrozamia and Zamia, with marked smililarities to Ceratozamia and Lepidozamia. This reinforces the close taxonomic relationship between Chigua and Zamiaceae. We thank UCBG for samples.
Log in to add this item to your schedule
1 - North Carolina State University, Department of Plant Biology, Campus Box 7612, Raleigh, NC, 27695-7612, USA
2 - Universitą di Napoli Federico II, Orto Botanico, via Foria, 223, Napoli, 80139, Italy
3 - Universitą di Napoli Federico II, Dipartimento di Biologia Vegetale, via Foria, 223, Napoli, 80139, Italy
4 - Universitą di Napoli Federico II, Orto Botanico, via Foria, 223, Napoli, 80139, Italy
Keywords:
Chigua
Cycadales
Cycad
Zamiaceae
cuticle
micromorphology.
Presentation Type: Poster:Posters for Sections
Session: P
Location: Ball Room & Party Room/SUB
Date: Monday, July 28th, 2008
Time: 12:30 PM
Number: PDS007
Abstract ID:326 |
