Orientador: Tatiane Maria Rodrigues / Resumo: Nectários extraflorais (NEFs) são comuns e morfologicamente diversos em Cactaceae, podendo se apresentar como espinhos altamente modificados ou não, folhas escamiformes e regiões epidérmicas e corticais especializadas na base ou ao redor das aréolas. Contudo, pouco é conhecido sobre a natureza dos NEFs em cactos e, mesmo, há dúvidas se o exsudato pode ser qualificado como néctar. Nosso objetivo foi analisar a morfologia, anatomia e ultraestrutura dos espinhos secretores em Brasiliopuntia brasiliensis e Nopalea cochenillifera e a composição química da secreção. Espinhos secretores foram processados para análises aos microscópios de luz (campo claro e confocal) e eletrônicos de varredura e transmissão (convencional e citoquímica). A composição dos açúcares e de aminoácidos foi analisada por cromatografia líquida de alta performance (HPLC). Observações de campo mostraram que o exsudato acumulado no ápice dos espinhos é removido por formigas. Os aspectos ontogenéticos, estruturais e funcionais dos espinhos secretores se mostraram semelhantes nas duas espécies estudadas. Os espinhos secretores se originam a partir do meristema areolar, tendo início como pequenas protuberâncias formadas por protoderme e meristema fundamental. Espinhos na fase secretora apresentaram a) base dilatada preenchida por células pequenas com paredes pecto-celulósicas delgadas, citoplasma denso e núcleo volumoso; b) região mediana alongada composta por células fibriformes com paredes não-lignificadas; e c) ... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Extrafloral nectaries (EFNs) are common and morphologically diverse in Cactaceae, and may be highly modified spines or not, scamiform leaves and specialized epidermal and cortical regions located at the base or around the areoles. However, little is known about the nature of EFNs in cacti, and even if the exudate can be qualified as nectar. We aimed to analyze the morphology, anatomy and ultrastructure of the secretory spines in Brasiliopuntia brasiliensis and Nopalea cochenillifera and the chemical composition of the secretion. Secretory spines were processed for light (bright field and confocal) and scanning and transmission (conventional and cytochemical) electron microscopy. The composition of sugars and amino acids was analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Field observations have shown that the exudate accumulated at the apex of the spines is removed by ants. The ontogenetic, structural and functional aspects of the secretory spines were similar in both species. Secretory spines originate from the areolar meristem, beginning as small protuberances formed by protoderm and fundamental meristem. Spines in the secretory phase presented a) dilated base filled by small cells with thin pecto-cellulosic walls, dense cytoplasm and voluminous nucleus; b) elongated median region composed of fibriform cells with non-lignified walls; and c) apical portion tapered with fusiform cells with non-lignified walls. Vascular tissues are present in the basal region of the... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Orientador: Felipe Wanderley Amorim / Resumo: As plantas oferecem recurso alimentar a muitas espécies animais através de diferentes estruturas. Dentre tais estruturas estão os nectários, que são glândulas multicelulares especializadas na produção e secreção de néctar. Estes nectários podem ocorrer tanto em partes reprodutivas como vegetativas, e podem ser florais ou extraflorais. Entretanto, também podem ser classificados quanto a sua função em relação com a polinização, sendo do tipo nupcial (quando sua função está relacionada à polinização) ou extranupcial (quando sua função está relacionada à defesa). Tocoyena formosa (Rubiaceae) é uma espécie comum do Cerrado, cujos nectários extraflorais são visitados por formigas. Entretanto, T. formosa tem um único nectário que desempenha funções multivalentes, podendo ser tanto nupcial, quanto extranupcial. Adicionalmente, a espécie também atrai formigas aos botões no início da fase de desenvolvimento cujas corolas são abortadas. Neste contexto, para melhor compreender a interação entre T. formosa e formigas, este trabalho teve como objetivos: a) caracterizar as estruturas das distintas fases do nectário da espécie e a composição química de seus açúcares; b) determinar se existe mudança estrutural e/ou química que seja correspondente com o papel ecológico de cada estágio; c) analisar a dinâmica de secreção do néctar em cada um dos estágios de atividade do nectário; e d) quantificar o investimento da planta no recurso para a atração de formigas e o efeito destas no êxito reproduti... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Plants offer food resources to many animal species through different structures. Among such structures are the nectaries, which are multicellular glands specialized in nectar production and secretion. Nectaries can occur in both reproductive and vegetative parts, and depending on the location can be regarded as floral or extra-floral. However, they can also be classified according to their function in relation to pollination, being nuptial (when their function is related to pollination) or extranupcial (when their function is related to the defense). Tocoyena formosa (Rubiaceae) is a common species of the Cerrado vegetation, whose extrafloral nectaries are visited by ants. However, T. formosa has a single nectary that performs multivalent functions, which can be both nuptial and extranuptial. In addition, the species also attracts ants to the flower buds at the beginning of the development, whose corollas are prematurely aborted. In this context, to better understand the interaction between T. formosa and ants, the main goals of this study were: a) to characterize the nectary structure as well as the sugar chemical composition during the distinct stages of the organ; b) assess whether nectary structure and nectar sugar composition present changes which correspond to the ecological function of each stage of the nectary; c) analyze nectar secretion dynamics of each phase of the nectary; and d) quantify plant investment in the attraction of ants and the effectivity of ants in pl... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Submitted by Mario BC (mario@bc.ufrpe.br) on 2016-07-07T13:30:03Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Juliana Santos Silva 1.pdf: 6354937 bytes, checksum: 1b343bc1ec29e57a81656c0125790f08 (MD5) Juliana Santos Silva 2.pdf: 5446283 bytes, checksum: 343ccadb852674a7b62d1615cbd0f0ea (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-07-07T13:30:04Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Juliana Santos Silva 1.pdf: 6354937 bytes, checksum: 1b343bc1ec29e57a81656c0125790f08 (MD5) Juliana Santos Silva 2.pdf: 5446283 bytes, checksum: 343ccadb852674a7b62d1615cbd0f0ea (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-07-07 / Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - CNPq / Croton L. is the second bigger genus in the family Euphorbiaceae s. s. with about 1.200 species spread, predominantly, in the American continent. The objective of this work was to study the diversity of the genus Croton in Pernambuco, especially the species occuring in the microregion of the Vale of Ipanema. The study was based on the morphological analysis of specimens of the herbariums BHCB, ESA, ESAL, HST, HUEFS, IAN, IBGE, IPA, PEUFR, R, UFP, UB, VIC, especially of materials collected in the differents phytogeographic areas of Pernambuco, complemented by the analysis of pictures of types and original descriptions. They were found 35 species distributed, mainly, in the phytogeographic zone of the Caatingas. Only Croton polyandrus Spreng. e C. selowii Baill. Occurring in the coastline, in restinga vegetation and C. argenteus L., C. jacobinensis Baill. and C. triqueter Lam. that are observed in the forest zone. C. glandulosus L., C. heliotropiifolius Kunth, C. hirtus L´ Hér. e C. lundianus (Didr.) Müll. Arg. with wide distribution. For microregion of the Vale of Ipanema 15 species were recorded: C. adamantinus Müll. Arg., C. argyrophyllus Kunth., C. blanchetianus Baill., C. echioides Baill., C. glandulosus, C. grewioides Baill., C. heliotropiifolius, C. hirtus, C. lundianus, C. microcarpus Desv ex. Ham., C. nummularius Baill., C. rudolphianus Müll. Arg., C. tetradenius Baill., C. urticifolius Lam. e C. virgultosus Müll. Arg., being four of them (C. microcarpus, C. nummularius, C. rudolphianus, C. virgultosus) restricted to the complex of mountain ranges of the São José plateau, in Buíque. The species differed, especially, for the type of trichomes, presence or absence, morphology and position of the foliar nectaries, forms of the pistillate sepals and number of ramifications of the styles. Identification keys, descriptions, comments about geographic distribution, habitats and phenology, together with illustrations of diagnostic characteristics of the species are provided. It was still set up the study of the foliar nectaries (NFs) of 12 species ocurring in the Northeast through scanning electron microscopy and optical. The species possess NFs distributed on the foliar blade and petioles. The NFs petioles were shown variables as for their location, amount, size and form, they could be used as a character diagnosis. The shape of NFs was were found the following types: pateliforms (4 spp.), lenticular (2 spp.), discoid (2 spp.), cylindrical (1 sp.), globose (1sp.) and obcampanulate (1 sp.). / Croton L. é o segundo maior gênero da família Euphorbiaceae s. s. com aproximadamente 1.200 espécies difundidas, predominantemente, no continente americano. Este trabalho objetivou estudar a diversidade do gênero Croton em Pernambuco, enfatizando as espécies ocorrentes na microrregião do Vale do Ipanema. Foi baseado na análise morfológica de espécimes dos herbários BHCB, ESA, ESAL, HST, HUEFS, IAN, IBGE, IPA, PEUFR, R, UFP, UB e VIC, além de materiais coletados nas diferentes zonas fitogeográficas de Pernambuco, complementados pela análise de fotografias de tipos e de descrições originais. Foram encontradas 35 espécies distribuídas, principalmente, na zona fitogeográfica das Caatingas. Apenas Croton polyandrus Spreng. e C. selowii Baill. ocorrem na faixa litorânea, em vegetação de restinga e C. argenteus L., C. jacobinensis Baill. e C. triqueter Lam. que são observados na zona fitogeográfica da Mata. C. glandulosus L., C. heliotropiifolius Kunth, C. hirtus L´ Hér. e C. lundianus (Didr.) Müll. Arg. apresentam ampla distribuição no Estado. Para a microrregião do Vale do Ipanema foram registradas 15 espécies: C. adamantinus Müll. Arg., C. argyrophyllus Kunth., C. blanchetianus Baill., C. echioides Baill., C. glandulosus, C. grewioides Baill., C. heliotropiifolius, C. hirtus, C. lundianus, C. microcarpus Desv ex. Ham., C. nummularius Baill., C. rudolphianus Müll. Arg., C. tetradenius Baill., C. urticifolius Lam. e C. virgultosus Müll. Arg., sendo quatro delas (C. microcarpus, C. nummularius, C. rudolphianus, C. virgultosus) restritas ao complexo de serras da Chapada de são José, em Buíque. As espécies diferenciam-se, especialmente, pelo tipo de tricoma, presença ou ausência, morfologia e posição dos nectários foliares, forma das sépalas pistiladas e número de ramificações dos estiletes. São fornecidas chaves de identificação, descrições, comentários sobre distribuição geográfica, habitats e fenologia, além de ilustrações com características diagnósticas das espécies. O estudo dos nectários foliares (NFs) de 12 espécies ocorrentes no Nordeste do Brasil foi realizado utilizando-se microscopias eletrônica de varredura e óptica. As espécies possuem NFs distribuídos sobre a lâmina foliar e o pecíolo. Os NFs peciolares mostraram-se variáveis quanto a sua localização, quantidade, tamanho e forma, podendo ser utilizados como um bom caráter diagnóstico dos táxons. Quanto à forma dos NFs foram encontrados os seguintes tipos: pateliforme (4 spp.), lenticular (2 spp.), discóide (2 spp.), cilíndrico (1 sp.), globoso (1 sp.) e obcampanulado (1 sp.).

The Euphorbiaceae are notable for floral and inflorescence diversity and evolutionary complexity. Croton, is the second largest genus in the family and exhibits particular diversity in its flowers, especially regarding perianth and number of stamens, besides the inflorescences, which are also very diverse. Considering Croton\'s great variability in the reproductive structures, the aim of this thesis was to study flowers and inflorescences with an evolutionary approach, including morphology, ontogeny, vasculature, auxin regulation and genetic expression. Flowers in several stages of development were analyzed using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Inflorescences were analyzed in stereomicroscope and the traits were plotted on the most recent phylogeny of the genus. The genetic expression was tested using RNAseq. In the first chapter the flowers showed similarity in the initiation of sepals and the presence of filamentous, petaloid structures in Croton lundianus (Didr.) Müll. Arg., interpreted here as staminodes. In Croton sphaerogynus Baill., staminodes were described for the first time. The staminodes reported here could be interpreted as transitional structures that we considered as evolutionary reductions. In the second chapter, the staminate flowers showed polystemonous androecium and the delay in petals\' initiation and the antesepalous nectaries development interfered in the development of the stamens, characterizing obdiplostemony. Vasculature corroborated obdiplostemony and revealed a central stamen in C. fuscescens with carpelar features, interpreted here as a homeosis case. Glandular staminodes were registered and interpreted as a heterotopy case. The obdiplostemony may be related to modulation of the free IAA concentrations during floral developmental steps and Croton flowers can be used as good models for obdiplostemony, homeosis and heterotopy. In the third and fourth chapter we studied Croton inflorescences, which showed 17 patterns with differences on the organization and distribution of pistillate flowers. The inflorescence traits analyzed were very homoplastic, most likely determined by convergent evolution in distantly related lineages distributed in similar habitats. The genetic expression of C. fuscescens was particularly analyzed and the transcriptome showed that the different zones have their development guided through the same transcripts set. Each zone has different expression level and these variations and gradient could be interpreted as the boundary between each inflorescence zone. The floral developmental novelties and evolutionary links identified here raise the importance of future floral studies with the genus, what would bring a better understanding on how the reproductive structures evolved in the history of the group / Euphorbiaceae é uma família que recebe destaque quanto à diversidade de flores e inflorescências, além de sua complexidade evolutiva. Croton L. é o segundo maior gênero da família e exibe particular diversidade floral, em especial quanto a o perianto e número de estames, além das inflorescências, que também se apresentam muito diversas. Considerando a grande variação nas estruturas reprodutivas de Croton, o objetivo desta tese foi estudar as flores e inflorescências com abordagem evolutiva, incluindo morfologia, ontogênese, vascularização, regulação hormonal e expressão gênica. Flores em diversos estágios de desenvolvimento foram analisadas em microscopia der luz e varredura. Inflorescências foram estudadas em estereomicroscópio e os caracteres observados foram analisados nas filogenias mais recentes do grupo. A expressão gênica foi analisada com a técnica RNAseq. No primeiro capítulo as flores apresentaram semelhanças na iniciação das sépalas e presença de filamentos, estruturas petaloides em Croton lundianus (Didr.) Müll. Arg., interpretadas como estaminódios. Em Croton sphaerogynus Baill., estaminódios foram descritos pela primeira vez. Estas estruturas podem ser interpretadas como estruturas de transição evolutiva e reduções florais. No segundo capítulo as flores estaminadas apresentaram androceu polistêmone e o retardo na iniciação das pétalas e o desenvolvimento antessépalo dos nectários foram considerados como fatores chave para o desenvolvimento do androceu como obdiplostêmone. A vascularização corroborou a obdiplostemonia e revelou um estame central com características carpelares em C. fuscescens, interpretado aqui como um caso de homeose. Nectários glandulares foram registrados e interpretados como uma mudança heterotópica. A obdiplostemonia pode estar relacionada com as diferentes concentrações de auxina ao longo das etapas de desenvolvimento e as flores de Croton podem ser consideradas como bons modelos de obdiplostemonia, homeose e heterotopia. No terceiro e quarto capítulo nós investigamos as inflorescências de Croton, que apresentaram 17 padrões com diferenças na organização e distribuição das flores pistiladas especialmente. Os caracteres das inflorescências se mostraram homoplásticos e provavelmente determinados por evolução convergente em linhagens distantes distribuídas em habitats semelhantes. A expressão gênica de C. fuscescens foi particularmente analisada e o transcriptoma demonstrou que o desenvolvimento das diferentes zonas é regulado pelo mesmo conjunto gênico. Cada zona, pistilada ou estaminada, apresenta níveis distintos de expressão diferencial e o gradiente na expressão pode ser o delimitador entre as zonas. Os novos relatos quanto ao desenvolvimento floral em Croton e os links evolutivos identificados nesta tese levanta a importância de estudos para uma melhor compreensão sobre a evolução das estruturas reprodutivas neste grupo tão importante

The goals of this research project were to investigate aspects of pollination biology of two native boreal species: Vaccinium myrtilloides (Canadian blueberry) and Vaccinium vitis-idaea (lingonberry) in central Saskatchewan. Accordingly, surveys of insect taxa visiting the flowers were performed, and determination of the effectiveness of these insect taxa to serve as pollinators was measured through pollen deposition and pollen tube growth in the style. Accompanying fieldwork, and morphological and anatomical studies were done for the two food rewards offered by flowers of both Vaccinium species: pollen released through poricidal anthers and nectar secreted from the nectary atop the inferior ovary. Pollen-ovule (P/O) ratios were determined for the two study species in Saskatchewan (V. myrtilloides, V. vitis-idaea) as well as for five other Vaccinium species from eastern Canada (Nova Scotia – V. angustifolium, V. boreale, V. caespitosum, V. corymbosum, and V. uliginosum). Pollen, released at maturity as tetrads, were converted to total pollen grains per flower to yield P/O ratios ranging from 238 (V. caespitosum) to 2,008 (V. vitis-idaea), but 736 for the latter in Saskatchewan. These P/O ratios are indicative of a breeding system ranging from facultative autogamy to facultative xenogamy. Additionally, the structure of mature stamens and pollen tetrads was studied in V. myrtilloides and V. vitis-idaea. Each anther was functionally bilocular; had a single-cell thickness (i.e., epidermis) with regularly occurring papillae; lacked an endothecium; and possessed two distal, hollow tubules each terminating in a pore. Overall pollen grain viability was 76-97% (V. myrtilloides) and 51-93% (V. vitis-idaea), with about 20% of tetrads having only 1-3 grains viable, and 12% and 27% of tetrads entirely non-viable in V. myrtilloides and V. vitis-idaea, respectively. Pollen tetrads occasionally were connected by a sticky substance resembling pollenkitt, but viscin threads were absent. One instance of precocious (in situ) germination of tetrads was recorded within anthers of V. myrtilloides. The floral nectary was a disk of secretory tissue situated between the stamens and the style. The epidermis possessed solitary stomata that were variable in number, but not different between V. myrtilloides and V. vitis-idaea. The nectary was vascularized by phloem alone; many traces were found for V. myrtilloides throughout the nectary, whereas V. vitis-idaea had few traces at the nectary base, concentrated at the inner side of the disk closest to the style base. Young sclerenchyma cells were found throughout the nectary parenchyma. Nectar production started on the day of anthesis for both species, although many flowers of V. vitis-idaea appeared to have no measureable nectar at that time. V. myrtilloides produced a larger range of nectar solutes per flower (0 - 3684.1 μg), than V. vitis-idaea iii (1.29 to 1147.62 μg) over both years; nectar volumes per flower never exceeded 5 μL. Nectar was measured daily in flowers aged 1 – 4 days in 2010 and 1 – 6 days in 2011, however, over the two years at the same study site there was no clear pattern of secretion and reabsorption throughout flower life for V. myrtilloides, and only a gradual increase for V. vitis-idaea as flowers aged. Insect visitors to flowers surveyed in 2010 included a large proportion of honeybees (Apis mellifera) as visitors to both species, whereas in 2011 there were no honeybees present at the field site. There was a larger proportion of hoverflies (Syrphidae) found on the flowers of V. vitis-idaea than on V. myrtilloides. Other visitors to V. myrtilloides were bees (Bombus, Andrena, Osmia, Colletes) and wasps (Vespidae), whereas flowers of V. vitis-idaea were visited by bees (Bombus, Andrena, Osmia, Lasioglossum, Colletes, Hylaeus), an ant (Formicidae) and a butterfly (Lycaenidae). Bombus spp. were shown to be pollinators of V. myrtilloides. Andrena spp. were probable pollinators, whereas honeybees appeared to be poor pollinators. Bombus spp. seemed probable pollinators of V. vitis-idaea and hoverflies to be barely more than visitors, though small sample sizes did not allow for conclusive evidence. The time that an insect spent on a virgin flower had no relationship to the pollination result. Among individuals of various Bombus spp. that did or did not sonicate flowers of V. myrtilloides, the action of “buzz pollination” was shown to result in an increase in the number of pollen tetrads deposited and in pollen tube growth.

The main objective of this research project was to study the growth and development of the floral nectar spur of Centranthus ruber (L.) DC. Nectar spurs are tubular floral outgrowths, generally derived from the perianth organs, which typically contain secreted floral nectar. The morphological characteristics of the spur, particularly the length, determine which floral visitors will be able to access the nectar reward pooled at the spur tip. Therefore, nectar spurs are ecologically important for the development of specialised pollinator interactions and have been demonstrated to act as key innovations in the evolution of some taxa. Morphological and anatomical characteristics of the spur and floral nectary were investigated using light and scanning electron microscopy. Ultrastructural features of the nectar spur, particularly the floral nectary within, were assessed using transmission electron microscopy. Nectar in C. ruber is produced by a trichomatous nectary which runs along the entire, inner abaxial surface of the spur. The nectary is aligned with the single vascular bundle which runs along the abaxial side of the spur, through the sub-nectary parenchyma, and back up the adaxial side. The secretory trichomes are unicellular and, in late development, they develop a thick layer of secondary wall ingrowths which vastly increases the surface area of the plasma membrane for nectar secretion. Elongate, non-secretory trichomes occupy the entire remaining circumference of the spur’s inner epidermis, but their density is reduced compared to the secretory trichomes. The cellular basis for spur growth is poorly characterized in the literature. Until recently, it was assumed that all nectar spurs grow by the constant production of new cells via up to three potential meristematic regions (the meristem hypothesis, Tepfer 1953). The cellular basis for spur growth in C. ruber was investigated by cell file counts and cell length and width measurements along the lateral side of nectar spurs in each of the developmental stages. DAPI stained spurs were also examined with Confocal/Apotome microscopy to determine the timing and position of cell division activity throughout spur development. It was determined that elongation of the spur epidermal cells contributes much more to spur growth than cell division. In early development, division is the primary driver of spur growth and the cells are isotropic. However, as development progresses, cell division activity slows down and the spur cells become increasingly anisotropic until anthesis. The patterns of nectar secretion were determined by assessing the volume, solute concentration and carbohydrate composition of the nectar throughout flowering phenology in two C. ruber plants. Nectar volumes and solute amounts rose initially, followed by an eventual decline in both as phenology progressed towards senescence. Because this study was conducted on greenhouse grown plants, it can be assumed that nectar was not removed by insects, suggesting that it is likely reabsorbed following secretion. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis determined that C. ruber's nectar is sucrose dominant and that nectar composition remains stable following anthesis throughout floral phenology.

Submitted by Fabio Sobreira Campos da Costa (fabio.sobreira@ufpe.br) on 2017-03-30T13:02:00Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) Dissertação_Daniela_Reis_FINAL.pdf: 1679628 bytes, checksum: 38cb33a0301c9b8b0b881b5bee95a35c (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-03-30T13:02:00Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) Dissertação_Daniela_Reis_FINAL.pdf: 1679628 bytes, checksum: 38cb33a0301c9b8b0b881b5bee95a35c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-02-25 / Universidade Federal de Pernambuco / Florestas Secas são ecossistemas expostos às perturbações antrópicas crônicas (PAC) e estão entre os mais ameaçados por mudanças climáticas devido às previsões de aumento de temperatura e redução de precipitação. Apesar de parecerem gradativos, os efeitos podem ser também bastante deletérios para a biota deste ecossistema. Neste estudo, foi investigado se o aumento da PAC e a redução da precipitação afetam a comunidade e populações de plantas com NEFs e os atributos morfo-anatômicos destas glândulas de duas espécies da Caatinga. O estudo foi realizado no Parque Nacional do Catimbau, onde os indivíduos com NEFs presentes em 19 parcelas ao longo de dois gradientes independentes de PAC e de precipitação foram marcados e suas espécies identificadas. Para análise anatômica foram coletadas amostras de glândulas de Poincianella microphylla e Pityrocarpa moniliformis. Foram encontradas 28 espécies pertencentes a 5 famílias. A composição de espécies variou apenas ao longo do gradiente de precipitação. As abundâncias de Senegalia bahiensis e Senna velutina aumentaram com a precipitação enquanto Po. microhylla e Sapium glandulosum diminuíram. Em relação aos atributos morfológicos, apenas a largura do tecido secretor e o comprimento e largura das glândulas de Pi. moniliformis foram relacionados positivamente com a precipitação e não com o gradiente de perturbação. Nossos resultados indicam que a disponibilidade de água é um fator chave para a Caatinga uma vez que o nível de precipitação local tem uma influência mais forte sobre comunidades e populações de plantas com NEF que a PAC. / Dry forests are exposed to chronic anthropogenic disturbances (CAD) and are one of the ecosystems most threatened by climate changes due to future previsions involving increasing in temperature and decreasing in rainfall. Besides the effects seem to be gradual, they can be seriously deleterious for the biota of this ecosystem. In this study was investigated if an increasing in CAD and a reduction in rainfall level affect the community and population of EFN-bearing plants and the morph-anatomical characters of these glands in Caatinga. The study was carried out at the National Park of Catimbau (Pernambuco, Brazil), where individuals with EFNs were found in 19 plots through two independent gradients of CAD and rainfall where species were marked and then identified. For the morph-anatomical analyses were collected glands surveys of Poincianella microphylla and Pityrocarpa moniliformis. It was found 28 species belonging to 5 families. Species composition changed only through the rainfall gradient. The abundances of Senegalia bahiensis and Senna velutina were positively related to the rainfall, as Po. microhylla and Sapium glandulosum were negatively related. In relation to the morphological attributes only the width of secretory tissue and the lenght of glands of Pi. moniliformis were positively related with the rainfall and not with the disturbance gradient. The results indicate that water availability is a key factor for Caatinga once the rainfall level has stronger influence on communities and populations of plants bearing EFNs than PAC do.

Orientador: Adelita Aparecida Sartori Paoli / Banca: Luiz Antonio de Souza / Banca: Ismar Sebastião Moscheta / Resumo: Cactaceae distribui-se pelo continente americano, do sul e oeste do Canadá até o sul da Patagônia na Argentina e Chile. A família está inserida em Caryophyllales e possui cerca de 1.500 espécies. Epiphyllum phyllanthus (L.) Haw. é epífita obrigatória muito difundida na América do Sul, sendo a única espécie brasileira nativa de Epiphyllum Haw. A biologia reprodutiva em Cactaceae foi estudada em menos de 10% das espécies que a constituem e, esta limitada quantidade de dados, impede melhor entendimento dos mecanismos reprodutivos na família. Objetivou-se a realização de estudo morfológico e anatômico dos órgãos reprodutivos e da plântula de E. phyllanthus, através de: (i) análise morfoanatômica da flor; (ii) morfoanatomia e ontogenia do pericarpo e da semente e (iii) morfoanatomia da plântula. A flor é séssil, epígina com hipanto desenvolvido. Todos os verticilos florais apresentam epiderme unisseriada, glabra e estomatífera. O gineceu é sincárpico, com 9-10 carpelos, pluriovulado, de placentação parietal. O ovário possui feixes vasculares invertidos. A flor apresenta região nectarífera na face interna do hipanto. O óvulo é circinótropo, bitegumentado, crassinucelado, de funículo longo. O hipanto é de natureza receptacular. O fruto é do tipo cactídio de coloração róseo-roxo brilhante, superfície lisa e acumula concentração elevada de amido no pericarpo e na polpa, quando maduro. As sementes são campilótropas, pretas e de formato ovóide. A superfície externa ventral exibe relevo diferenciado, a região hilo-micropilar, de coloração esbranquiçada, onde ocorre arilo. O embrião é curvo com reserva lipoprotéica. Perisperma e endosperma persistem na semente madura, sem substâncias de reserva. A plântula é fanerocotiledonar e apresenta germinação epígea. Durante a germinação há hidratação e expansão de mucilagem na semente... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The Cactaceae family is widely distributed in the American continents, from the south and west of Canada to the south of Patagonia (Argentina and Chile). It is included in Caryophyllales and has approximately 1,500 species. Epiphyllum phyllanthus (L.) Haw. exhibits an obligatory epiphytic habit and is widespread in South America. Additionally, it is the only Epiphyllum Haw. species that is indigenous to Brazil. Studies concerning the reproductive biology of Cactaceae have been conducted in no more than 10 percent of the taxa, and such a limited amount of data precludes the suitable comprehension of the reproductive mechanisms in the family. The present work was aimed at providing a morphoanatomical description of the reproductive organs and seedlings of Epiphyllum phyllanthus by means of (i) flower morphoanatomical analysis; (ii) morphoanatomical and ontogenic studies of the pericarp and seed, and (iii) morphoanatomical analysis of seedling in developing. It was observed that the sessile and epigynous flower exhibit a well-developed hypanthium. All the flower whorls has uniseriate epidermis. The syncarpous and pluriovulate gynoecium exhibit 9-10 carpels and parietal placentation. The ovary has inverted bundles and the flower showed the nectariferous region on the inner surface of the hypanthium. The ovule is circinotropous, bitegmic, crassinucelate, and has a long funiculus. The hypanthium exhibit receptacular origin. The bright pinkish-purplish "cactidio-type" fruit has a smooth surface and, when it is ripe, exhibits a high concentration of starch in the pericarp and pulp. The seed is campylotropous, black and ovoid. Its ventral outer surface presents a differentiated relief that is the whitish hilum-micropylar region, in which the aril occurs. The curved embryo contains lipoprotein reserves. Perisperm and endosperm persist in the mature seed without reserve substances... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

This project examined multiple aspects of the reproductive biology of the wetland invasive species, purple loosestrife (<i>Lythrum salicaria</i> L.), in central Saskatchewan. An examination of insect taxa visiting the three floral morphs of <i>Tristylous</i> L. <i>salicaria</i>, as well as a ranking of the pollination efficiency of individual insect species, an apparent first for L salicaria, was undertaken. Surface features of the floral nectary of L. <i>salicaria</i>, as well as floral nectar secretion dynamics, were also investigated. This project also re-visited some of the previous work done on this invasive species, including various floral organ morphometrics in relation to heterostyly, and aspects of the tristylous breeding system including self-fertilization, and fertilization potential of both illegitimate pollination and legitimate pollination.<p>The trimorphic nature of the sexual floral organs of L. <i>salicaria</i> were well defined in Saskatchewan. Significant differences in length (long-, intermediate- and short-style lengths) exist between all three floral morphs. Lengths of the staminal filaments (long, intermediate, and short) were also significantly different. Also the floral nectary in L. <i>salicaria</i> is located in a depression formed at the interface of the hypanthium and the gynoecium. Several stomata are located at regular intervals along the nectary surface, and may constitute the escape route for floral nectar. No morphological differences in nectary structure were apparent among the three floral morphs.<p>Nectar secretion dynamics of L. <i>salicaria</i> were examined between the three floral morphs throughout two summer days in 2006. Peak average nectar volumes and nectar sugar quantities were detected at 3:00 pm, and, interestingly, no significant differences were detected between floral morphs, in accordance with nectary morphology. The estimated secretion rates for L. <i>salicaria</i> ranged from 61 83 µg of nectar sugar per flower per hour.<p>Hand-pollination experiments carried out over the summers of 2006 and 2007 at three field sites in and around Saskatoon have verified the strong self-incompatibility in the breeding system of this tristylous species. Intramorph pollination, using illegitimate pollen, did not result in fertilisation, whereas legitimate hand-pollination experiments yielded multiple pollen tubes at the style base, without exception.<p><i>Lythrum salicaria</i> in central Saskatchewan was visited by several bee taxa including honeybees (<i>Apis mellifera</i> L.), bumblebees (Bombus spp.), leafcutter bees (Megachile spp.), and sweat bees (Lasioglossum spp.). A single visit by <i>Anthophora furcata</i> (Panzer) was also recorded in 2007. Generally, bee visits led to high levels of pollination success as determined by fluorescence microscopy of pollen tubes following single insect visits to previously-unvisited flowers. However, most visits by hoverflies (Syrphidae) were non-pollinating. Visits by Pieris rapae (L.), yellowjacket wasps (Vespidae) and some non-syrphid flies (Diptera) also yielded no pollen tubes at the style base.<p>A study of the ultrastructure and development of the floral nectary of the purple loosestrife cultivar Morden Gleam (<i>Lythrum virgatum</i> L. x L. alatum Pursh.) showed that starch build up in pre-secretory nectary tissues declined throughout secretion, and is virtually absent in post-secretory nectary tissues. The lack of a direct vascular supply to the floral nectary suggests that the starch breakdown products likely make up most of the floral nectar carbohydrates. Surface features of the floral nectary in Morden Gleam closely resembled those of L. salicaria, located in the valley formed between the hypanthium and gynoecium. Nectary stomata, occasionally in pairs, likely serve as outlets for nectar in this cultivar.

This project examined multiple aspects of the reproductive biology of the wetland invasive species, purple loosestrife (<i>Lythrum salicaria</i> L.), in central Saskatchewan. An examination of insect taxa visiting the three floral morphs of <i>Tristylous</i> L. <i>salicaria</i>, as well as a ranking of the pollination efficiency of individual insect species, an apparent first for L salicaria, was undertaken. Surface features of the floral nectary of L. <i>salicaria</i>, as well as floral nectar secretion dynamics, were also investigated. This project also re-visited some of the previous work done on this invasive species, including various floral organ morphometrics in relation to heterostyly, and aspects of the tristylous breeding system including self-fertilization, and fertilization potential of both illegitimate pollination and legitimate pollination.<p>The trimorphic nature of the sexual floral organs of L. <i>salicaria</i> were well defined in Saskatchewan. Significant differences in length (long-, intermediate- and short-style lengths) exist between all three floral morphs. Lengths of the staminal filaments (long, intermediate, and short) were also significantly different. Also the floral nectary in L. <i>salicaria</i> is located in a depression formed at the interface of the hypanthium and the gynoecium. Several stomata are located at regular intervals along the nectary surface, and may constitute the escape route for floral nectar. No morphological differences in nectary structure were apparent among the three floral morphs.<p>Nectar secretion dynamics of L. <i>salicaria</i> were examined between the three floral morphs throughout two summer days in 2006. Peak average nectar volumes and nectar sugar quantities were detected at 3:00 pm, and, interestingly, no significant differences were detected between floral morphs, in accordance with nectary morphology. The estimated secretion rates for L. <i>salicaria</i> ranged from 61 83 µg of nectar sugar per flower per hour.<p>Hand-pollination experiments carried out over the summers of 2006 and 2007 at three field sites in and around Saskatoon have verified the strong self-incompatibility in the breeding system of this tristylous species. Intramorph pollination, using illegitimate pollen, did not result in fertilisation, whereas legitimate hand-pollination experiments yielded multiple pollen tubes at the style base, without exception.<p><i>Lythrum salicaria</i> in central Saskatchewan was visited by several bee taxa including honeybees (<i>Apis mellifera</i> L.), bumblebees (Bombus spp.), leafcutter bees (Megachile spp.), and sweat bees (Lasioglossum spp.). A single visit by <i>Anthophora furcata</i> (Panzer) was also recorded in 2007. Generally, bee visits led to high levels of pollination success as determined by fluorescence microscopy of pollen tubes following single insect visits to previously-unvisited flowers. However, most visits by hoverflies (Syrphidae) were non-pollinating. Visits by Pieris rapae (L.), yellowjacket wasps (Vespidae) and some non-syrphid flies (Diptera) also yielded no pollen tubes at the style base.<p>A study of the ultrastructure and development of the floral nectary of the purple loosestrife cultivar Morden Gleam (<i>Lythrum virgatum</i> L. x L. alatum Pursh.) showed that starch build up in pre-secretory nectary tissues declined throughout secretion, and is virtually absent in post-secretory nectary tissues. The lack of a direct vascular supply to the floral nectary suggests that the starch breakdown products likely make up most of the floral nectar carbohydrates. Surface features of the floral nectary in Morden Gleam closely resembled those of L. salicaria, located in the valley formed between the hypanthium and gynoecium. Nectary stomata, occasionally in pairs, likely serve as outlets for nectar in this cultivar.