Epicuticular wax variability of Juniperus deltoides R.P. Adams from the central Balkan – Ecology and chemophenetics

Rajčević, Nemanja; Dodoš, Tanja; Novaković, Jelica; Janaćković, Pedja; Marin, Petar D.

doi:10.1016/j.bse.2020.104008

Cited by 14 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…Herein we propose that a physical-chemical analysis of the adaxial and abaxial surfaces of the A. donax leaf, focused on its potential distribution, environmental behavior, morpho-anatomy and histology, microstructure, chemical organic and inorganic composition, wettability properties, and optical features, is a valuable strategy to get rich additional insight into the reasons behind the presence of this species in the Mediterranean flora. Our main motivation to carry out the present work was the fact that the leaf waxes were found to reveal important information regarding the ecological strategies of plants from a chemophenetics standpoint ( Janaćković et al., 2019 ; Rajčević et al., 2020 ; Marques et al., 2021 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Leaf surfaces and neolithization - the case of Arundo donax L

et al. 2022

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Arundo donax L. (Arundinoideae subfamily, Poaceae family) is a sub-tropical and temperate climate reed that grows in arid and semi-arid environmental conditions, from eastern China to the Mediterranean basin, suggesting potential adaptations at the epicuticular level. A thorough physical-chemical examination of the adaxial and abaxial surfaces of A. donax leaf was performed herein in an attempt to track such chemophenetic adaptations. This sort of approach is of the utmost importance for the current debate about the hypothetical invasiveness of this species in the Mediterranean basin versus its natural colonization along the Plio-Pleistocene period. We concluded that the leaf surfaces contain, apart from stomata, prickles, and long, thin trichomes, and silicon-rich tetralobate phytolits. Chemically, the dominating elements in the leaf ashes are oxygen and potassium; minor amounts of calcium, silicon, magnesium, phosphorous, sulphur, and chlorine were also detected. In both surfaces the epicuticular waxes (whose density is higher in the adaxial surface than in the abaxial surface) form randomly orientated platelets, with irregular shape and variable size, and aggregated rodlets with variable diameter around the stomata. In the case of green mature leaves, the dominating organic compounds of the epicuticular waxes of both surfaces are triterpenoids. Both surfaces feature identical hydrophobic behaviour, and exhibit the same total transmittance, total reflectance, and absorption of incident light. The above findings suggest easy growth of the plant, remarkable epidermic robustness of the leaf, and control of water loss. These chemophenetic characteristics and human influence support a neolithization process of this species along the Mediterranean basin.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Leaf surfaces and neolithization - the case of Arundo donax L

et al. 2022

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“…Three n-alkanes dominated the composition, which agrees with the previous research. [10][11][12]14,26,27] However, the domination of the n-C33 and the abundance of n-C29, n-C31, and n-C35 varied in a climate-dependent way. In JPH, which grows in the mild climate of the coastal areas, the nalkane composition was dominated by somewhat shorter-chain n-alkanes (n-C29 and n-C31), even when the population (P3) was located in a slightly colder climate with higher annual precipitation than the rest.…”

Section: Correlation Between Leaf Wax Morphology Chemistry and Enviro...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…[9] Previous analyses have shown that some environmental factors, such as temperature or water availability, influence the average chain length in plant species. [10][11][12][13][14][15] Four species belonging to section Sabina of the genus Juniperus grow natively in the Balkans: Juniperus phoenicea L., J. sabina L., J. excelsa M.Bieb., and J. foetidissima Willd. [16] These species have decurrent or scaled leaves and a fragmented distribution in Europe but are otherwise very distinctive and easily recognizable.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…[16,17,25] Previous studies of the surface n-alkanes of different junipers showed that the most abundant component was always tritriacontane (n-C33). [10][11][12]14,26,27] In addition to this compound, three long-chain n-alkanes were found in greater abundance -C29, C31, and C35. These studies also suggested a correlation between dry climate and longer-chain alkanes.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These studies also suggested a correlation between dry climate and longer-chain alkanes. [11,14] There is no data on the n-alkane composition and variability of these four junipers nor micrographs concentrating on the cuticular surface.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Phytochemistry and Micromorphology of Epicuticular Waxes in Four Juniper Species With Fragmented Distribution in the Balkans

Rajčević,

Dodoš,

Janković

et al. 2024

Chemistry & Biodiversity

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The cuticle is important in the interaction between the plant and its environment, especially in the dry areas. Four species of junipers from the section Sabina wild growing in the Balkans were selected to study leaf wax composition using GC/MS and GC‐FID and its surface morphology under SEM to understand the correlation between the distribution and/or habitat of these species and their cuticles. SEM micrographs showed continuous, smooth epicuticular layers with crusts in all species but with a species‐specific distribution of different 3D crystalloid types and different cuticle thickness. n‐C33 alkane was the most abundant compound, followed by n‐C29, n‐C31, and n‐C35, depending on the species and the site. The average chain length (N) was the lowest in J. phoenicea, but with the greatest dispersion around it. At the same time, the two most continental species (J. foetidissima and J. excelsa) show the N with the lowest dispersion around it. The statistical analyses confirmed the significance of climate on the evolution of the specific epicuticular wax composition in studied junipers.

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