Features related to anther opening in Solanum species (Solanaceae)

CAROLINA CARRIZO GARCÍA, MARISA MATESEVACH & GLORIA E. BARBOZA

Botanical Journal Linnean Society

Linnean Society

Año: 2006

The mode of anther opening and the morphological and histological variability of the stomium are described in 30 Solanum species. Poricidal, poricidal-longitudinally dehiscing and longitudinally dehiscing anthers were observed. In the three types, the stomium may be diverse regarding its shape and histological characteristics before opening, but it is always formed by small epidermal cells as the sole anther wall layer; the stomial cells may be differentiated only in part of the anther length. Particular crescent-shaped structures in the epidermis, called ‘ridges’, were observed lining the stomium in most species. These ridges may be related to the stomium opening, working together with the cells with thickened walls of the anther. Cells with thickened walls are developed in the endothecium, middle layers and/or connective tissue at the apical end of the anther, surrounding the pore; only in the longitudinally dehiscing anthers of S. nitidum a endothecium with thickened cell walls develops along its entire length. At least two histological features (the differentiation of small stomial epidermal cells as a unique layer, and the distribution of cells with thickened walls) seem to constrain the form of the open stomium. Key words: anther opening - endothecium - poricidal anthers - Solanum - stomiumSolanum species. Poricidal, poricidal-longitudinally dehiscing and longitudinally dehiscing anthers were observed. In the three types, the stomium may be diverse regarding its shape and histological characteristics before opening, but it is always formed by small epidermal cells as the sole anther wall layer; the stomial cells may be differentiated only in part of the anther length. Particular crescent-shaped structures in the epidermis, called ‘ridges’, were observed lining the stomium in most species. These ridges may be related to the stomium opening, working together with the cells with thickened walls of the anther. Cells with thickened walls are developed in the endothecium, middle layers and/or connective tissue at the apical end of the anther, surrounding the pore; only in the longitudinally dehiscing anthers of S. nitidum a endothecium with thickened cell walls develops along its entire length. At least two histological features (the differentiation of small stomial epidermal cells as a unique layer, and the distribution of cells with thickened walls) seem to constrain the form of the open stomium. Key words: anther opening - endothecium - poricidal anthers - Solanum - stomiumS. nitidum a endothecium with thickened cell walls develops along its entire length. At least two histological features (the differentiation of small stomial epidermal cells as a unique layer, and the distribution of cells with thickened walls) seem to constrain the form of the open stomium. Key words: anther opening - endothecium - poricidal anthers - Solanum - stomiumSolanum - stomium