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Abstract Detail


Systematics/Phytogeography / Taxonomie/ Section

Schmidt, Laura [1], Tirrell, Abby [1], Monfils, Anna K. [1].

Pollen Grain Diversity among the 28 Tribes of the Brassicaceae.

Recent critical reviews of molecular and morphological diversity in the Brassicaceae have resulted in a new tribal alignment recognizing 28 tribes. An examination and thorough review of pollen grain diversity within the family is needed to determine the utility of pollen in taxonomic and phylogenetic studies. Scanning electron microscopy was used to examine pollen grains from representative species within each of the 28 tribes. New species-level pollen data was examined in conjunction with a thorough review of the literature to investigate pollen grain diversity across the Brassicaceae. This data was examined relative to pollen grain morphology in representative members of the Cleomaceae and Capparaceae. Brassicaceae grains were small (10-25 µm) to medium sized (25-50 µm) and prolate spheroidal to perprolate in shape. Brassicaceae pollen exhibited a reticulate exine with variable numbers and sizes of lumina and stray-free bacula, with the exception of the grains found within the tribe Heliophileae, in which the tectum is sparsely punctate and spinulose. Number and presence of colpi vary in the Brassicaceae, the majority of grains are tricolpate, with an occasional occurrence of tetracolpate pollen. Select species within Physarieae had up to ten aperatures, and individual species within Anchonieae and Schizopetaleae had inaperturate to weakly-aperturate grains. Members of closely-related Capparaceae and Cleomaceae exhibit a diversity of exine morphologies including spinulose, subpsilate, perforate, striate-rugulate, rugulate-reticulate, semi-tectate, and reticulate. Several pollen grain characters show potential for phylogenetic utility within the Brassicaceae including: lumina size, lumina number, lumina/muri pattern, presence of stray free bacula, exine morphology, and pollen grain size and shape. This research indicates that pollen grain morphology can be a phylogenetically useful character supporting the monophyly of the Brassicaceae with potential to resolve clades and support tribal classifications within the family.


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1 - Central Michigan University, Department of Biology, Brooks Hall, Mount Pleasant, MI, 48859

Keywords:
Brassicaceae
Pollen Grain Morphology.

Presentation Type: Poster:Posters for Sections
Session: P
Location: Ball Room & Party Room/SUB
Date: Monday, July 28th, 2008
Time: 12:30 PM
Number: PSP007
Abstract ID:162


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