Comparative leaf anatomy of four species of Bromelioideae (Bromeliaceae) occurring in the Atlantic Forest, Brazil

Abstract

Bromeliaceae, comprising 3172 species, is one of the most important families of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest owing to its high degree of endemism and occurrence in different habitats. The subfamily Bromelioideae is the most representative of Bromeliaceae and the best represented in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, with 120 species. The objective of this study is to compare the leaf anatomy of four species found in two areas of the Atlantic Forest: Serra do Brigadeiro State Park, Minas Gerais, Brazil ( Quesnelia strobilispica Wawra and Wittrockia gigantea (Baker) Leme) and a forest fragment located within Bom Sucesso Farm, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil ( Billbergia euphemiae E. Morren and Bromelia antiacantha Bertol.), relating environmental characteristics to the habit. Leaf samples were studied using light and scanning electron microscopy and histochemical tests with Sudan, phloroglucinol, and ruthenium red stains. Leaves of B. euphemiae and W. gigantea showed several adaptations to the epiphytic habit, including scales on both surfaces, thickened epidermal cell walls, presence of silica bodies, hypodermis with sclerified cells, water-storing tissue (hydrenchyma), and air channels formed by stellate cells in the chlorenchyma. The epiphytic species B. euphemiae and the terrestrial species Q. strobilispica have similar overall structure, including a well-developed parenchyma and extravascular fiber groups. Leaves of the terrestrial species Bromelia antiacantha and the epiphytic species W. gigantea also show structural similarities, such as lack of extravascular fibers and less developed parenchyma. Similar characteristics in species from different habitats may either reflect microclimatic conditions under which these species occur or genetically fixed characteristics.

<b> Physiological characteristics of the Atlantic Forest native bromeliads: <i>Nidularium campo-alegrense</i> Leme and<i> Aechmea ornata</i> Baker </b> - doi: 10.4025/actascibiolsci.v36i1.20215

“…The hypostomatic leaves found in both species assessed correspond to findings in other species of the subfamily Bromelioideae PEREIRA et al, 2011). According to Derwiduee and Gonzalez (2010) it is characteristic of the species Bromelioideae to have hypostomatic leaves with a wavy abaxial surface, forming troughs where stomata are located and trichomes are inserted.…”

“…According to Tardivo and Cervi (1997), the genus Nidularium presents leaf scales characterized by a small group of cells in the central area and radial elongated cells. In the family Bromeliaceae, the subfamily Bromelioideae presents the greatest differences in shapes of scales (PEREIRA et al, 2011). The intensity of solar radiation, water deficiency and different environmental factors can lead to changes in area and leaf thickness, stomatal and trichome density (GUTSCHICK, 1999).…”

Adaptive morphoanatomy and ecophysiology of Billbergia euphemiae, a hemiepiphyte Bromeliaceae

“…Peltate scales cover all surface in both surface of the epidermis, and disc cells do not differ from wing cells and have round shaped. This specie has water storage parenchyma, and subjacent, chlorenchyma with aeration channels and collateral vascular bundles in single series in the lower half of the leaf blade (Pereira et al 2011).…”

Leaf anatomy and its contribution to the systematics of Aechmea subgenus Macrochordion (de Vriese) Baker (Bromeliaceae)

“…Silica bodies have been associated with resistance against herbivory due to their inedibility (MacNaughton et al 1985, Prychid et al 2004), but are also important for refracting excess of light, helping individuals to establish in sun-exposed environments (Krauss 1949). These inclusions are also commonly found in other monocots families within Poales, suggesting that this is a plesiomorphic character for the order (Pereira et al 2011).…”