| Abstract Detail
Plant Development / Développement des plantes (CBA/ABC) Zitnak, Tim [1], Posluszny, U [2], Gerrath, Jean [3]. Developmental morphology of the axillary complex of the Cucurbitaceae. Apical meristem development and branching of many Cucurbitaceae species is of interest due to the node’s complex nature; however few complete ontogenetic studies exist. A series of studies has been undertaken to provide a set of morphological characteristics by examining the ontogeny of several species of vine-forming Cucurbitaceae with different tendril architecture. Shoot architecture, phyllotactic patterns, and floral development have been examined. Ontogeny was examined using epi-illumination light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Studies have been done for Echinocystis lobata (Michaud), Sicyos angulatus (L.) and Ecballium elaterium (L.). Also, preliminary results indicate that wounding affects floral development of E. elaterium. For all species examined, each leaf has a complex axillary structure that is offset from the leaf axil. This axillary complex undergoes a series of asymmetric divisions giving rise to structures in a set spatial sequence: a male inflorescence, female inflorescence, axillary bud and, with the exception of E. elaterium, a tendril. The axillary bud does not undergo dormancy but develops into either a compressed, quiescent shoot or continues growth to produce a branch. All species have the same spatial sequence of axillary structures. However, each species displays different timing patterns for the initiation and development of these structures. Some of these timing patterns appear to correspond to the pattern of production of male and female flowers.
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1 - University of Guelph, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
2 - University of Guelph, Molecular and Cellular Biology, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada
3 - University of Northern Iowa, Department of Biology, Cedar Falls, IA, 50614-0421, USA
Keywords:
Cucurbitaceae
Sicyos
Ecballium
axillary complex.
Presentation Type: Oral Paper:Papers for Sections
Session: 19
Location: 215/SUB
Date: Monday, July 28th, 2008
Time: 1:45 PM
Number: 19002
Abstract ID:406 |
