This work reports anatomic and ultrastructural characteristics of bulliform cells in Loudetiopsis chrysothrix

Léa de Jesus Neves 2 RESUMONo presente trabalho são apresentados dados morfológicos e o estudo anatômico da folha de Hibiscus tiliaceus L. e Hibiscus pernambucensis Arruda, duas espécies da família Malvaceae, de grande controvérsia taxônomica, tendo em vista a similaridade dos taxa. As espécies foram coletadas na Praia de Saí, Mangaratiba, Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. A análise dos resultados morfológicos e anatômicos mostrou que as espécies apresentam características distintivas e de valor diagnóstico, que confirmam tratar-se de duas espécies distintas. Concluimos que H. tiliaceus se distingue de H. pernambucensis por apresentar, entre outras, as seguintes características: mancha púrpura na base da corola, folhas de textura cartácea, estômatos presentes nas duas faces, estrias epicuticulares na epiderme adaxial, tricomas estrelados em menor quantidade, idioblastos mucilaginosos na epiderme adaxial, hipoderme presente ao longo da nervura mediana e canais secretores de mucilagem mais numerosos e com distribuição regular.Palavras-chaves: Malvaceae Anatomia Foliar -Hibiscus ABSTRACT This paper presents the foliar anatomy of Hibiscus tiliaceus L. and Hibiscus pernambucensis Arruda. These two species of the Malvaceae family are of very controversy, because they are very similar taxa. The species were collected at Saí Beach, Mangaratiba, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The morphological and anatomical observations showed that the species have very distinctive characteristics and they are of the great usefulness, for diagnostic value, that confirm to treat of two distinct species. We have concluded that H. tiliaceus is distinct from H. pernambucensis because it shows , among others, the following characteristics: the petals have a purple red basal spot, the leaves are cartaceous, the epicuticular striae are present on the adaxial epidermal cells, the stellate hairs are less abundant, the mucilaginous idioblasts appear on the upper epidermis, the hipodermis is present on the mibrid and mucilage ducts are more abundant and show regular distribution.

-(Oil glands in the Neotropical genus Dahlstedtia Malme -Leguminosae, Papilionoideae, Millettieae). Dahlstedtia pentaphylla (Taub.) Burkart and D. pinnata (Benth.) Malme belong to the Millettieae tribe and are tropical leguminous trees that produce a strong and unpleasant odour. In the present work, we investigated the distribution, development and histochemistry of foliar and floral secretory cavities that could potentially be related to this odour. The ultrastructure of foliar secretory cavities were also studied and compared with histochemical data. These data were compared with observations recorded for other species of Millettieae in order to gain a phylogenetic and taxonomic perspective. Foliar secretory cavities were only recorded for D. pentaphylla. Floral secretory cavities were present in the calyx, wings and keels in both species; in D. pinnata they also were found in bracteoles and vexillum. Such structures were found to originate through a schizogenous process. Epithelial cells revealed a large amount of flattened smooth endoplasmic reticula, well-developed dictyosomes and vacuoles containing myelin-like structures. Cavity lumen secretion stains strongly for lipids. Features of the secretory cavities studied through ultrastructural and histochemical procedures identify these structures as oil glands. Thus, if the odour produced by such plants has any connection with the accumulation of rotenone, as other species belonging to the "timbó" complex, the lipophilic contents of the secretory cavities of Dahlstedtia species take no part in such odour production. The presence, distribution patterns and frequencies of secretory structures in Dahlstedtia are taxonomically significant and may be utilized as a diagnostic character which justifies the separation of this genus into two species.Key words -anatomy, development, histochemistry, secretory cavity, ultrastructure RESUMO -(Glândulas de óleo no gênero neotropical Dahlstedtia Malme -Leguminosae, Papilionoideae, Millettieae). Dahlstedtia pentaphylla (Taub.) Burkart e D. pinnata (Benth.) Malme pertencem à tribo Millettieae e apresentam representantes arbóreos que produzem um odor forte e desagradável. Neste trabalho, foram investigados a distribuição, o desenvolvimento e a histoquímica de cavidades secretoras foliares e florais, que poderiam estar relacionadas a este odor. A ultra-estrutura das cavidades secretoras foliares também foi estudada e comparada aos resultados histoquímicos. Estes dados foram comparados a outros obtidos para espécies de Millettieae e discutidos sob perspectivas filogenética e taxonômica. Cavidades secretoras foliares foram observadas somente em D. pentaphylla. Cavidades secretoras florais foram observadas no cálice, nas alas e quilhas de ambas as espécies; em D. pinnata também foram encontradas nas bractéolas e no estandarte. As cavidades originaram-se por processo esquizógeno. As células do epitélio secretor apresentaram uma grande quantidade de retículo endoplasmático liso tubuloso, dictiossomos bem desenvolvidos e mui...

Recebido em 16/05/2011. Aceito em 9/07/2012 RESUMO (Interação microrganismo, solo e flora como condutores da diversidade na Mata Atlântica). O presente trabalho teve como objetivo fornecer dados para uma melhor compreensão entre a interação de microrganismos, flora e solo. O estudo foi realizado no Parque Natural Municipal do Curió, Paracambi, RJ. Foram selecionadas duas áreas, com diferentes graus de alteração antrópica, sendo em cada uma destas delimitado um talhão de aproximadamente 1.000 m 2 , e nestes foram realizados levantamentos floristicos e coletas de amostras de terra e serrapilheira para a avaliação da fertilidade e dos microrganismos. Nas duas áreas quantificou-se um total de 89 espécies, reunidas em 59 gêneros e 33 famílias, entre espécies arbóreas, arbustivas, herbáceas e trepadeiras. Na área com maior grau de antropização ocorreram os maiores valores de pH, Ca e K, indicando um ambiente de maior eutrofismo. Já na área com menor grau de alteração, observaram-se maiores valores de H + Al, decorrentes da maior quantidade de material orgânico. Para a serrapilheira, foi verificado um padrão com tendência similar a observada para o solo. Os maiores valores de serrapilheira aportada, também contribuem para os maiores valores de K, elemento facilmente lixiviável no material em decomposição. Quanto à abundância dos microrganismos tanto na serrapilheira como no solo foi observada uma distribuição diferenciada dos microrganismos devido a variação da umidade relativa e temperatura, sendo as bactérias as predominantes, padrão este também observado para as diferentes áreas. Palavras-chave:Ecossistema funcional, Decomposição, Utilização do substrato, Sucessão ecológica, Atividade microbiana ABSTRACT (Interaction of microorganisms, soil and flora as drivers of diversity in the Atlantic Forest). This study aimed to better understand the interaction between microorganisms, plants and soil. The study was conducted in Parque Natural Municipal do Curió (Paracambi, RJ). We selected two areas with different degrees of human disturbance, and in each of these enclosed a plot of 1,000 m 2 . Floristic surveys were carried out and litter and soil samples were collected to evaluate fertility and the microorganisms. In both areas, 89 species were found, within 59 genera and 33 families, of trees, shrubs, herbs and vines. The highest values of pH, Ca and K were found in the area with the highest degree of human disturbance, indicating an environment of increased tropism. In the area with a lower degree of alteration, we observed higher values of H + Al, resulting from a higher amount of organic material. For the litter, the pattern was similar to that found for the soil. The highest values for the leaf litter also contributed to higher values of K, which is an element that easily leaches from mulch. Considering the abundance of microorganisms in both the litter and in soil, an uneven distribution of microorganisms was found due to the variation of relative humidity and temperature; bacteria were predominant, a pattern observed...

-(Anatomy, ultrastructure and secretion of Hibiscus pernambucensis Arruda (Malvaceae) extrafl oral nectary). This paper reports on the extrafl oral nectary (EFN) of Hibiscus pernambucensis, a native shrub species occurring in mangrove and restinga along Brazil's coastline. EFNs occur as furrows with a protuberant border on the abaxial surface veins of the leaf blade. Each nectary consists of numerous secretory multicellular trichomes, epidermal cells in palisade-like arrangements and non-vascularized parenchyma tissue. Nectar secretion is prolonged, since secretion starts in very young leaves and remains up to completely expanded leaves. Reduced sugars, lipids, and proteins were histochemically detected in all the nectary cells; phenolic substances were detected in the vacuoles of the epidermal palisade cells and in some secretory trichome cells. The secretory cells that constitute the body of trichomes have large nuclei, dense cytoplasm with numerous mitochondria, dictyosomes, scattered lipid droplets and plastids with different inclusions: protein, lipid droplets or starch grains; vacuoles with different sizes have membranous material, phenolic and lipophilic substances. The palisade cells show thick periclinal walls, reduced cytoplasm with voluminous lipid drops and developed vacuoles. The nectary parenchyma cells contain abundant plasmodesmata and cytoplasm with scattered lipid droplets, mitochondria, plastids with starch grains and endoplasmic reticulum. Mucilage idioblasts are common in the inner nectary parenchyma. Protoderm and ground meristem participate in the formation of EFN. Our data indicate that all nectary regions are involved in nectar production and secretion, constituting a functional unit. Longevity of the extrafl oral nectaries is likely associated with the presence of mucilage idioblasts, which increases the capacity of the nectary parenchyma to store water.Key words -anatomy, extrafl oral nectary, Hibiscus pernambucensis, histochemistry, ultrastructure RESUMO -(Anatomia, ultra-estrutura e secreção do nectário extrafl oral de Hibiscus pernambucensis Arruda (Malvaceae)). Este trabalho descreve o nectário extrafl oral (NEF) de Hibiscus pernambucensis, uma espécie nativa encontrada ao longo do litoral brasileiro, vegetando áreas de manguezal e restinga. NEFs ocorrem como sulcos profundos com bordo saliente sobre as nervuras na face abaxial da lâmina foliar. Cada nectário consiste de numerosos tricomas secretores multicelulares, células epidérmicas dispostas em paliçada e parênquima não vascularizado. Açúcares redutores, lipídeos e proteínas foram histoquimicamente detectados em todas as células do nectário. Compostos fenólicos ocorrem nos vacúolos das células epidérmicas e na porção bisseriada dos tricomas secretores. As células que formam o corpo dos tricomas secretores apresentam núcleo volumoso, citoplasma denso com muitas mitocôndrias, dictiossomos, gotas lipídicas esparsas e plastídios com diferentes tipos de inclusões: proteínas, gotas de óleo ou grãos de amido; os vacúolos poss...

Although studies have addressed the chemical analysis and the biological activity of oleoresin in species of Copaifera, the cellular mechanisms of oleoresin production, storage, and release have rarely been investigated. This study detailed the distribution, ontogeny, and ultrastructure of secretory cavities and canals distributed in leaf and stem, respectively, of Copaifera trapezifolia, a Brazilian species included in a plant group of great economic interest. Axillary vegetative buds, leaflets, and portions of stem in primary and secondary growth were collected and processed in order to study the anatomy, histolocalization of substances, and ultrastructure. Secretory cavities are observed in the foliar blade and secretory canals in the petiolule and stem. They are made up of a uniseriate epithelium delimiting an isodiametric or elongated lumen. Biseriate epithelium is rarely observed and is a novelty for Leguminosae. Cavities and canals originate from ground meristem cells and the lumen is formed by schizogenesis. The content of the cavities and canals of both stem and leaf is oily and resinous, which suggests that the oleoresin could be extracted from the leaf instead of the stem. Phenolic compounds are also detected in the epithelial cell cytoplasm. Cavities and canals in the beginning of developmental stages have polarized epithelial cells. The cytoplasm is rich in smooth and rough endoplasmic reticula connected to vesicles or plastids. Smooth and rough endoplasmic reticulum and plastids were found to be predominant in the epithelial cells of the secretory cavities and canals of C. trapezifolia. Such features testify the quantities of oleoresin found in the lumen and phenolic compounds in the epithelial cell cytoplasm of these glands. Other studies employing techniques such as correlative light electron microscopy could show the vesicle traffic and the compartmentalization of the produced substances in such glands.

Characters of the gynoecium are considered potentially significant for the systematics of Myrtaceae. However, only two such characters – ovule number and placentation – have been addressed from an evolutionary perspective. Colleter presence in flowers is a synapomorphy of Myrtales; however, no morphological and histochemical descriptions of such structures have been done in Myrtaceae. Here we analysed the ontogeny and anatomy of the gynoecium combined with the ontogeny, anatomy, ultrastructure, and histochemistry of the colleters to study the evolution of these characters and map their states in the Myrteae phylogenetic tree. Our findings may help elucidate the evolutionary history of this tribe of fleshy-fruit producers so important towards maintaining ecological balance in the rainforest. Floral anatomy and ontogeny were analysed using light microscopy. Colleter samples were processed using standard methods for light and transmission electron microscopy. The main metabolites in colleters were detected via histochemistry. To map character states the program Mesquite version 2.71 was used. The morphological characters of the South American Myrteae here analysed provided an overview of the evolution of gynoecium – with cauline or carpellate placenta – and of colleters, as well as synapomorphies for the clades Plinia + Myrcia and Eugenia + Pimenta. The presence of two integuments in the ovules associated with sclereids and colleters in the gynoecium and the young fleshy fruit assures the efficient dispersal of their seeds. Our findings regarding gynoecium structural diversity of the tribe Myrteae give a new insight on their morphologically uniform flowers.

Clusia fluminensis and C. lanceolata are dioecious shrubs having resiniferous flowers with strongly distinct androecia. The aim of this study was to investigate the development and anatomy of their androecia and the ultrastructure, histochemistry and secretory process of their androecium resin glands, examining whether the cellular aspects of resin secretion differed between these two morphologically distinct androecia. Stamens differ, being free in C. fluminensis and clustered in a synandrium in C. lanceolata. Staminode sterility is due to the undifferentiated nature of the anthers in C. lanceolata and degeneration of meiocytes and anther indehiscence in C. fluminensis. Resin is produced in subepidermal cavities and canals with wide lumens. In the secretory stage, epithelial cells present sinuous walls, voluminous nuclei, polymorphic plastids associated with periplastidial reticulum, mitochondria, oil bodies, multivesicular bodies, endoplasmic reticulum and dictyosomes. The resin is released through rupture points on the distal surface of stamens and staminodes, associated with disrupted cavities and canals. Our results show morphological diversity associated with functional similarity. Also, a secretion pattern shared by the two species includes initiation of the secretory process in young floral buds, compartmentalisation of the secretion in pre-anthesis buds and release of secretions at anthesis. Cellular aspects of resin secretion in these species are quite similar, as are the chemical identities of the main components of the floral resins of the genus.