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Marantaceae
... Marantaceae comprise 31 genera and c. 550 species (Andersson, 1998) with a pantropical distribution, primarily in the Neotropics (Dahlgren, Clifford & Yeo, 1985;Kennedy, Andersson & Hagberg, 1988;Goldberg, 1989;Rzedowski, 2001), where 14 genera and c. 450 species can be found (Prince & Kress, 2006a, b). ...
... In addition, species of Marantaceae in the Neotropics are still underrepresented in anatomical studies, with the classical anatomical works of Bertrand (1958) and Tomlinson (1961Tomlinson ( , 1962Tomlinson ( , 1969 based primarily on Old World species. The informal groups described by Andersson (1981Andersson ( , 1998 have been modified as new data is used in the systematics of the family, as demonstrated in the work of Andersson & Chase (2001), Prince & Kress (2006a, b) and Borchsenius, Suárez & Prince (2012). The distinction between genera has not always been clear (Andersson, 1998), and Calathea G.Mey., the largest genus in the Neotropics, was recently split into two, with the resurrection of Goeppertia Nees (Borchsenius et al., 2012). ...
... The informal groups described by Andersson (1981Andersson ( , 1998 have been modified as new data is used in the systematics of the family, as demonstrated in the work of Andersson & Chase (2001), Prince & Kress (2006a, b) and Borchsenius, Suárez & Prince (2012). The distinction between genera has not always been clear (Andersson, 1998), and Calathea G.Mey., the largest genus in the Neotropics, was recently split into two, with the resurrection of Goeppertia Nees (Borchsenius et al., 2012). Anatomical data on the distribution of silica phytolith idioblasts (Albuquerque, Braga & Vieira, 2013) do not support the relationship of Myrosma L.f. with Saranthe (Regel & Körn.) ...
Marantaceae consist of species with asymmetric leaves of two types: those with either a wider left or right half; this asymmetry is related, respectively, to clockwise or counterclockwise convolute vernation. In this study, we analysed whether anatomical differences in the leaf edges, i.e. the anatomical asymmetry, were related to the orientation of the convolute vernation and to the asymmetry of leaf morphology, and whether these differences supported the organization of the clades in the family. Transverse sections of the mid third of the leaf buds expanded to the height of the right and left edges of the blades were prepared for 19 species belonging to 11 genera, using cyto-histological techniques. Anatomical analyses of the blade edges revealed that there is a relationship between morphological asymmetry and anatomical asymmetry that has never before been ascribed to the family. The anatomical data support differences between the arrangements in two of the three Neotropical informal groups. In the Calathea clade, Calathea showed much more similarity with Goeppertia than with Ischnosiphon and Monotagma, since they are the only genera that do not present with anatomical asymmetry. In the Maranta clade, Ctenanthe, Saranthe and Stromanthe appear to be related to one another, as they share strong anatomical asymmetry and fibrous edges. These characteristics, however, are not observed in Myrosma, which in turn is more anatomically similar to Maranta.
... Stromanthe , with approximately 15 species, is a genus of the family Marantaceae. It is found in the rain forests of Brazil, southern Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, Colombia, Venezuela, the Guianas, the Andean foothills of Ecuador, and the forested fl ood plains of Bolivia (Andersson 1998, Yoshida-Arns et al. 2011. ...
... Th e genus has been circumscribed by a combination of richly branched aerial shoot system, antitropic orientation of the leaf blade, a usually diff use or rarely congested infl orescence, deciduous and often colored bracts, absence of interphylls, absence of (or rudimentary) bracteoles, dolichoblastic fl ower pairs and short corolla tube (less than half the length of the corolla lobes) (Andersson 1981, 1998, Yoshida-Arns et al. 2002. However, the taxonomic position of Stromanthe is quite controversial and has been widely discussed since the 19th century (Yoshida-Arns et al. 2011). ...
... Marantaceae has been divided into fi ve informal groups (i.e. Phrynium , Calathea , Donax , Maranta and Myrosma ) on the basis of morphological characters (Andersson 1998) and molecular analysis (Andersson and Chase 2001). However, Prince and Kress (2006) emphasized that the genera Stromanthe and Ctenanthe are sister groups and also pointed out that Stromanthe displays only tenuous morphological diff erences in relation to other genera of the Maranta clade, which includes the genera of the Maranta and Myrosma groups. ...
Stromanthe idroboi Yoshida-Arns, Mayo & J. M. A. Braga, a new species from the montane forests of Colombia and Venezuela, is described and illustrated. Its morphological relationship with S. jacquinii (Roemer & Schultes) Kennedy & Nicolson is discussed. The description, distribution and a detailed illustration of the new species are provided.
... In the present paper, we follow the question whether Marantaceae might be a further example of resupination. Thalia L. (Fig. 2) is a small genus of six species distributed in the subtropical regions of Northern America (Andersson, 1998). Thalia geniculata L. differs from T. dealbata Fras. in having pendulous inflorescences instead of erect ones ( Fig. 2A and F). ...
... Successful pollination by Xylocopa bees (Claßen-Bockhoff, 1991;Davis, 1987;Hartgerink et al., 1978;Kennedy, 2000;Price and Rogers, 1987) is only possible when the flower-pair presents its landing place in an abaxial position. As characteristic in Marantaceae, flowers have showy and functionally specialised staminodes ( Fig. 2B and G), only one monothecate anther and a tensioned style that mediates the single change for pollen exchange by a rapid and irreversible movement (e.g., Andersson, 1998;Claßen-Bockhoff, 1991;Kennedy, 2000;Kirchoff, 1983;Kunze, 1984). They show a strong growth in the night before anthesis (Pischtschan and Claßen-Bockhoff, 2008) after pollen has been deposited on the pollen plate at the back of the style head (Claßen-Bockhoff and Heller, 2008). ...
Resupination, i.e., the turn by 180°, arranges zygomorphic flowers in a suitable position for pollination. It is well-known from orchids, but also occurs in further angiosperm families. Within the genus Thalia L. (Marantaceae), T. dealbata has erect and T. geniculata pendulous inflorescences. Nevertheless, in both species the zygomorphic flower-pairs show the right position for pollination. Thus, resupination is expected in Marantaceae. To reconstruct spatial arrangement, flower development was investigated from meristem formation to anthesis. Early morphogenetic stages were analysed under the scanning electron microscope, late stages were documented by time-lapse records. Gravity experiments were added to test for plastic or genetically fixed flower-pair position. Flowers in both Thalia species develop almost identically. They originate from a common primordium and show the unusual floral organ sequence already described for the family. In T. dealbata, the flower-pair gets its final position by bending 90° backwards, while in T. geniculata a lateral rotation of 90° takes place shortly before anthesis. In both species, position is genetically fixed. Results clearly indicate that the flower-pairs in Thalia do not show resupination according to the given definition. Instead of the expected 180° turn in one species, flower-pairs in both species each dislocate for 90°.
... The Marantaceae (30 genera) are a pantropical family of perennial herbs and lianas of the understorey and gaps of lowland rainforest (0-1500 m) with highest species diversity found in America (∼450 spp.) followed by Asia (∼50 spp.) and Africa (∼40 spp.) (Dhetchuvi, 1996;Andersson, 1998;Kennedy, 2000;Suksathan et al., 2009;Ley and Claßen-Bockhoff, 2011). Each genus of the family is endemic to one continent except Halopegia and Thalia (Andersson, 1998). ...
... The Marantaceae (30 genera) are a pantropical family of perennial herbs and lianas of the understorey and gaps of lowland rainforest (0-1500 m) with highest species diversity found in America (∼450 spp.) followed by Asia (∼50 spp.) and Africa (∼40 spp.) (Dhetchuvi, 1996;Andersson, 1998;Kennedy, 2000;Suksathan et al., 2009;Ley and Claßen-Bockhoff, 2011). Each genus of the family is endemic to one continent except Halopegia and Thalia (Andersson, 1998). Phylogenetic investigations suggest a split of this family from its sister family Cannaceae some 95 ± 5 Ma ago. ...
Vegetation history in tropical Africa is still to date hardly known and the drivers of population differentiation and speciation processes are little documented. It has often been postulated that population fragmentations following climate changes have played a key role in shaping the geographic distribution patterns of genetic diversity and in driving speciation. Here we analyzed phylogeographic patterns (chloroplast-DNA sequences) within and between eight (sister) species of widespread rainforest herbs and lianas from four genera of Marantaceae (Halopegia, Haumania, Marantochloa, Megaphrynium), searching for concordant patterns across species and concordance with the Pleistocene refuge hypothesis. Using 1146 plastid DNA sequences sampled across African tropical lowland rainforest, particularly in the Lower Guinean (LG) phytogeographic region, we analyzed intra- and interspecific patterns of genetic diversity, endemism and distinctiveness. Intraspecific patterns of haplotype diversity were concordant among most species as well as with the species-level diversity pattern of Marantaceae. Highest values were found in the hilly areas of Cameroon and Gabon. However, the spatial distribution of endemic haplotypes, an indicator for refuge areas in general, was not congruent across species. Each proposed refuge exhibited high values of endemism for one or a few species indicating their potential role as area of retraction for the respective species only. Thus, evolutionary histories seem to be diverse across species. In fact, areas of high diversity might have been both refuge and/or crossing zone of recolonization routes i.e., secondary contact zone. We hypothesize that retraction of species into one or the other refuge happened by chance depending on the species' distribution range at the time of climate deterioration. The idiosyncratic patterns found in Marantaceae species are similar to those found among tropical tree species, especially in southern LG.
... Em I. gracilis e S. porteana, assim como em outras espécies de Marantaceae, as interações plantapolinizador são unilaterais, ou seja, as plantas dependem de um grupo específico de polinizadores para a reprodução enquanto os polinizadores podem utilizar recursos de diferentes espécies de plantas (Kennedy 1978(Kennedy , 2000. Os principais grupos de polinizadores para espécies de Marantaceae são abelhas da tribo Euglossini (Kennedy 1978, Andersson 1998, Schemske & Horvitz 1984, Ackerman 1985) e beija-flores (Stiles 1978, Davis 1987, Kennedy 2000, Locatelli et al. 2004. A partir da concentração de solutos no néctar de flores das duas espécies estudadas, verifica-se que há correspondência com a faixa de variação percentual que tem sido atribuída a diferentes vetores de polinização (sensu Baker 1975). ...
... Entre as espécies de Marantaceae, o sucesso reprodutivo está associado à participação de polinizadores eficientes no desencadeamento do mecanismo de disparo do estilete, bem como com a precisa transferência dos grãos de pólen para o corpo do polinizador. Para isso, há a produção de "pollenkitt" (Dobson 1989) e de uma secreção próxima à depressão estilar, que irão favorecer a adesão do pólen ao corpo do polinizador (Kennedy 1978, Andersson 1998, promovendo a polinização. Essa associação entre eficiência de polinizadores e precisa deposição dos grãos de pólen é de extrema importância para a reprodução das espécies dessa família, uma vez que o mecanismo do estilete, após ser desencadeado, não volta mais para sua posição inicial, sendo considerado um mecanismo de tudo ou nada (Claßen-Bockhoff & Pischtschan 2000). ...
Foi analisada a floração, a frutificação e a biologia da polinização em duas espécies de Marantaceae: Ischnosiphon gracilis (Rudge) Koern. e Stromanthe porteana A. Gris. As observações foram realizadas em populações naturais no Parque Estadual Dois Irmãos (8º7'30" S e 34º52'30" W), um remanescente de Floresta Atlântica em Pernambuco. Nas duas espécies foi verificado padrão fenológico contínuo, com diferentes picos de floração e frutificação. As inflorescências em I. gracilis produziram 14,4 ± 3,4 flores e 1,3 ± 0,6 frutos, enquanto em S. porteana, produziram 125,4 ± 14,8 flores e 7,4 ± 4,9 frutos. Foram verificadas baixa razão pólen/óvulo e reduzida produção natural de frutos nas duas espécies. Em I. gracilis, a concentração de açúcares no néctar foi alta (26%-32%), característica de flores visitadas por abelhas e em S. porteana o néctar foi menos concentrado (20%), situação comum em flores visitadas por beija-flores. Ischnosiphon gracilis é polinizada por três espécies de abelhas Euglossini (Euglossa sp., Eulaema bombiformis e E. cingulata), enquanto S. porteana é polinizada por uma espécie de abelha Euglossini (Eufriesea surinamensis) e por duas espécies de beija-flores (Phaethornis ruber e Amazilia versicolor). As diferenças observadas entre as flores das duas espécies evitam partilha e competição por polinizadores, o que pode garantir a manutenção delas em seu habitat. Entretanto, a longo prazo, a baixa produção de frutos pode afetar a estrutura da população, diminuindo o sucesso reprodutivo das duas espécies.
... A família Marantaceae apresenta 31 gêneros e cerca de 550 espécies com distribuição essencialmente tropical, porém a maioria delas ocorrendo no Novo Mundo (Andersson 1998). No Brasil, tendo como base os principais acervos científicos e bibliografias, foram identificados 11 gêneros e cerca de 130 espécies. ...
... No Brasil, tendo como base os principais acervos científicos e bibliografias, foram identificados 11 gêneros e cerca de 130 espécies. Calathea é o maior gênero da família, com aproximadamente 300 espécies (Andersson 1998), das quais estima-se que no Brasil ocorram entre 70 a 90 espécies. ...
Dando continuidade ao levantamento dos táxons de Marantaceae ocorrentes no Brasil, propõe-se novidades taxonômicas e nomenclaturais envolvendo algumas espécies de Marantaceae descritas e ilustradas na Flora Fluminensis de Frei José Mariano da Conceição Vellozo. Maranta monophylla, M. prolifera e M. tuberosa são circunscritas aqui a partir das informações morfológicas e fitogeográficas contidas nas descrições e nos comentários existentes nas obras originais, além da análise das estampas publicadas em contribuições subseqüentes e que ilustram com detalhamento as espécies. A partir dos dados coligidos e da comparação com coleções recentes e tipos nomenclaturais é proposta uma nova combinação, dada a necessidade de se transferir M. prolifera para o gênero Calathea. São propostos como sinônimos algumas espécies de Calathea comumente citadas nos levantamentos florísticos realizados no domínio da Floresta Atlântica.
... Em I. gracilis e S. porteana, assim como em outras espécies de Marantaceae, as interações plantapolinizador são unilaterais, ou seja, as plantas dependem de um grupo específico de polinizadores para a reprodução enquanto os polinizadores podem utilizar recursos de diferentes espécies de plantas (Kennedy 1978(Kennedy , 2000. Os principais grupos de polinizadores para espécies de Marantaceae são abelhas da tribo Euglossini (Kennedy 1978, Andersson 1998, Schemske & Horvitz 1984, Ackerman 1985) e beija-flores (Stiles 1978, Davis 1987, Kennedy 2000, Locatelli et al. 2004. A partir da concentração de solutos no néctar de flores das duas espécies estudadas, verifica-se que há correspondência com a faixa de variação percentual que tem sido atribuída a diferentes vetores de polinização (sensu Baker 1975). ...
... Entre as espécies de Marantaceae, o sucesso reprodutivo está associado à participação de polinizadores eficientes no desencadeamento do mecanismo de disparo do estilete, bem como com a precisa transferência dos grãos de pólen para o corpo do polinizador. Para isso, há a produção de "pollenkitt" (Dobson 1989) e de uma secreção próxima à depressão estilar, que irão favorecer a adesão do pólen ao corpo do polinizador (Kennedy 1978, Andersson 1998, promovendo a polinização. Essa associação entre eficiência de polinizadores e precisa deposição dos grãos de pólen é de extrema importância para a reprodução das espécies dessa família, uma vez que o mecanismo do estilete, após ser desencadeado, não volta mais para sua posição inicial, sendo considerado um mecanismo de tudo ou nada (Claßen-Bockhoff & Pischtschan 2000). ...
Foi analisada a floração, a frutificação e a biologia da polinização em duas espécies de Marantaceae: Ischnosiphon gracilis (Rudge) Koern. e Stromanthe porteana A. Gris. As observações foram realizadas em populações naturais no Parque Estadual Dois Irmãos (8º7'30" S e 34º52'30" W), um remanescente de Floresta Atlântica em Pernambuco. Nas duas espécies foi verificado padrão fenológico contínuo, com diferentes picos de floração e frutificação. As inflorescências em I. gracilis produziram 14,4 ± 3,4 flores e 1,3 ± 0,6 frutos, enquanto em S. porteana, produziram 125,4 ± 14,8 flores e 7,4 ± 4,9 frutos. Foram verificadas baixa razão pólen/óvulo e reduzida produção natural de frutos nas duas espécies. Em I. gracilis, a concentração de açúcares no néctar foi alta (26%-32%), característica de flores visitadas por abelhas e em S. porteana o néctar foi menos concentrado (20%), situação comum em flores visitadas por beija-flores. Ischnosiphon gracilis é polinizada por três espécies de abelhas Euglossini (Euglossa sp., Eulaema bombiformis e E. cingulata), enquanto S. porteana é polinizada por uma espécie de abelha Euglossini (Eufriesea surinamensis) e por duas espécies de beija-flores (Phaethornis ruber e Amazilia versicolor). As diferenças observadas entre as flores das duas espécies evitam partilha e competição por polinizadores, o que pode garantir a manutenção delas em seu habitat. Entretanto, a longo prazo, a baixa produção de frutos pode afetar a estrutura da população, diminuindo o sucesso reprodutivo das duas espécies.
... The Marantaceae includes about 23 genera and 550 species worldwide (Andersson, 1998). Eight genera and an estimated 55 species occur in tropical Asia (Suksathan et al., 2009). ...
... Marantaceae R. Br., nom. cons., en una familia de monocotiledóneas de distribución pantropical, con aproximadamente 550 especies agrupadas en 32 géneros (Andersson, 1998;Borchsenius et al., 2012), probablemente de origen africano (Andersson & Chase, 2001) y con una posterior dispersión al sudeste de Asia y al Nuevo Mundo (Ley & Claßen-Bockhoff, 2011). La mayor riqueza específica se encuentra en los bosques y selvas neotropicales con alrededor de 450 especies (Prince & Kress, 2006a, b), siendo Brasil el país con la mayor diversidad (Braga, 2005;Borchsenius et al., 2012). ...
A synopsis and taxonomic novelties of the family Marantaceae in Argentina, including a
new record from Paraguay. This synopsis of the Argentine species of Marantaceae includes six genera and seven species: Ctenanthe muelleri, Goeppertia eichleri, Maranta sobolifera, Saranthe eichleri, Stromanthe boliviana, Thalia geniculata, and T. multiflora. Species Ctenanthe muelleri is cited for the first time for Argentina and Paraguay, and Saranthe eichleri as a new record for Argentina. Ctenanthe casupoides var. subtropicalis is here synonymyzed within Saranthe eichleri. Lectotypes are designated for Calathea eichleri, C. macrostachya, Saranthe eichleri, and Thalia geniculata. Treatment of each
species includes synonyms, iconography, vernacular names, observations, ethnobotany, geographical distribution, and habitat, and examined material. A key to the species, some illustrations and field photographs are also provided
... The genus Phrynium Willdenow (1797: 17), estimated to comprise 20 species (Andersson 1998, Wu & Kennedy 2000, Clausager & Borchsenius 2003, Suksathan & Borchsenius 2005 to 35 (Suksathan et al. 2010) or 40 species (Suksathan et al. 2009), is distributed from India and Sri Lanka to Indo-China and throughout the Malesian region to New Guinea (Suksathan et al. 2010). During the past decades, several new species have been published, such as Phrynium hainanense T. L. Wu & S.J.Chen (1981: 176) and P. pedunculiferum D. Fang (2002: 250) in China, P. grandibracteatum Clausager & Borchsenius (2003: 661) and P. stenophyllum Clausager & Borchsenius (2003: 666) in Malaysian state of Sabah in northern Borneo. ...
Phrynium yunnanense, a new species from Yunnan, China, is described and illustrated. It is closely related to P. hainanense T.L.Wu & S.J.Chen and P. pedunculiferum D.Fang, but it is distinguished by having long peduncle (20–45 cm), bright orange bracts and fruits. A comparison table and the line illustration are presented.
... The pantropical prayer plant family Marantaceae includes about 29 genera and 550 species worldwide (Andersson, 1998, Suksathan et al., 2009, most of which occur in the Neotropics. Six genera with about 55 species occur in tropical Asia. ...
The Marantaceae are represented in the Philippines by 2 genera, Donax and Phrynium with 8 native species of which 3 are endemic and three near-endemic. All species are poorly documented in the literature and the most contemporary taxonomic treatments are more than 80 years old. We provide an up to date taxonomic treatment of the Philippine Marantaceae including a key to the species, morphological descriptions, and notes on their distribution, vernacular names, ecology and uses. Three species are lectotypified; two species is neotypified, and one new combination is made.
A new species of Maranta from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest is described. The new species is most similar to Maranta ruiziana , from which it differs mainly in its bambusoid habit, non starch‐storing rhizome, homotropic leaves, with blade entirely glabrous on both surfaces and leaf margins entire, florescence components with numerous cymules, sepals longer than the corolla tube, and spheroidal fruit. The new species also presents morphological characters seen in Maranta tuberculata , from which is easily distinguished by its fruits. I characterize the new species by its external morphology, provide a distribution map, and perform a preliminary conservation assessment based on the IUCN criteria.
Background:
Pseudanthia or 'false flowers' are multiflowered units that resemble solitary flowers in form and function. Over the last century the term 'pseudanthium' has been applied to a wide array of morphologically divergent blossoms, ranging from those with easily noticeable florets to derived, reduced units in which individual flowers become almost indistinguishable. And although initially admired mostly by botanists, the diversity and widespread distribution of pseudanthia across angiosperms has already made them a fascinating topic for evolutionary and developmental comparative studies.
Scope:
This review synthesizes historical and current concepts on the biology of pseudanthia. Our first aim is to establish a clear, operational definition of pseudanthium and disentangle common terminological misconceptions surrounding that term. Our second aim is to summarize the knowledge of morphological and developmental diversity of pseudanthia and embed it within a modern phylogenetic framework. Lastly, we want to provide a comprehensive overview on the evolution and ecological importance of pseudanthia and outline perspectives for future studies.
Conclusions:
The understanding of pseudanthia changed multiple times and reflects three different interpretations of their 'flower-like' qualities: developmental (similarity in structure), figural (similarity in form and function), and phylogenetic (homology between angiosperm flowers and monoecious reproductive shoots in gymnosperms). Here, we propose to narrow the term pseudanthium to multiflowered blossoms resembling zoophilous flowers in form, i.e., in being structurally subdivided in a showy periphery and a reproductive center. According to this definition, pseudanthia sensu stricto. evolved independently in at least 40 angiosperm families. The recurrent acquisition of pseudanthia sensu stricto in all major lineages of flowering plants indicates repeated interactions between developmental constraints (smallness of flowers, meristematic conditions) and selective pressures, such as demands of pollinators and/or environmental conditions.
Neotropical Maranta has repeatedly emerged as non-monophyletic in molecular phylogenetic studies, but no taxonomic changes have been proposed due to previous weak support for the main clades and overall sparse taxonomic sampling. Our study includes a phylogenetic hypothesis strictly based on molecular evidence, using nuclear ribosomal (nrITS) and plastid (rps16, trnL-F and rpl32-trnL) markers for Maranta and allied genera. Thirty-two species from eight genera were sampled, and maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) analyses were carried out. Non-ambiguous indels were scored in both analyses to test their contribution to internal support. Our results confirm that Maranta, as previously delimited, is non-monophyletic, with species of Hylaeanthe, Myrosma and Koernickanthe nested among clades of Maranta. The combined BI analysis without indels was the best resolved, and inclusion of indels increased support only for terminal clades. The sampled species comprise two sister clades, one with Maranta + Hylaeanthe + Myrosma + Koernickanthe and the other with Ctenanthe + Saranthe + Stromanthe. The infrageneric classification proposed by Schumann for Maranta (M. subgenera Maranta and Calateastrum) is partially corroborated by our results, but the remaining subgenera need to be further studied. Based on our strongly supported phylogenetic results, we revise the taxonomy of these genera, expanding the limits of Maranta. We propose two new combinations and a new name for Hylaeanthe in Maranta.
We describe a new species of Maranta from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. The new species is similar to Maranta divaricata, from which it differs mainly in its shorter pedun-cles of synflorescences, florescences and cymules, being covered by hirsute bracts, and in its dense hairiness covering the aerial shoot in its entire extension. We characterize the new species in its external morphology, describe the anatomy of its leaves and presented an SEM scanning of its hairiness. Maranta pilosissima is also assessed in its preliminary conservation status and its distribution is mapped.
Changes in chromosome number and structure, as well as alterations in genome size, are important cytological characters that often reflect speciation events. Due to a wide variety of previously reported chromosome numbers the species-rich arrowroot family (Marantaceae) is an ideal system to investigate the role of chromosomal changes in species diversification, especially of dysploidy and polyploidy. The mechanisms and direction of changes during evolution as well as ancestral states of chromosomal characters are largely unknown. This study provides a detailed survey of chromosomal and genome size variation in 43 Marantaceae accessions (37 species, 16 genera) from the whole distribution range. Phylogenetic tree mapping suggests that x = 13 is the ancestral basic chromosome number. Descending dysploidy to x = 9, 10, 11, and 12 occurred ten times in parallel within each of the five main clades. In contrast, ascending dysploidy to x = 14, occurred only once. Ploidy level variation was confined to basic numbers x = 9, 11, and 13 and was observed in four out of the five clades. The occurrence of triploids and pentaploids points towards heteroploid diploid-tetraploid and tetraploid-hexaploid hybridizations. Trends in genome evolution as exposed by regression analyses revealed a massive genome size increase after dysploidy - and a genome size decrease after polyploidy. A schematic illustration of possible origins and the modes of chromosomal changes in a biogeographical context is presented. Exemplified by the family Marantaceae, it is shown how variable chromosomal evolution can be and how it contributes to species richness and speciation in the plant kingdom.
Nodes are interfaces between stems and leaves. Vascular bundles originate here and elongate into leaves and internodes. In Marantaceae, internodal bundles are highly diverse, including inverted bundles in the climbing genus Haumania. The objective of this paper is to characterize bundle forms, their position across the stem and their connection to leaves and short shoots in Haumania spp. and other unrelated African branch-angle climbers in the family (Hypselodelphys, Trachyphrynium). We question whether bundle inversion is a genus-specific trait in Haumania or related to the climbing growth form. Vascular bundles in internodes are scattered across the stem diameter in a characteristic pattern. Four (to five) bundle types follow each other in a centripetal order from highly sclerenchymatic 'a'-bundles close to the epidermis to 'd'-bundles in the centre with a low sclerenchyma proportion. Inverted bundles only appear in internodes of Haumania, making this trait a synapomorphy for the genus. The nodes show stem, leaf and short shoot bundles in a remarkably diverse pattern with partitioned phloem clusters and apparently augmented xylem elements. Our preliminary conclusion is that the inversion of bundles happens when leaf and short shoot traces join the main axis bundle layers.
The territory of Pernambuco includes portions of the Caatinga and the Atlantic Forest, which house areas of extreme biological importance that are also rich in Marantaceae species. This study presents a synopsis of the Marantaceae from the state, and was based in the morphological analysis of herbaria specimens and other collected in field excursions carried out from 2013 to 2018. We found 26 species belonging to 10 genera; Maranta (seven spp.) and Goeppertia (five spp.) were the most representative. Ctenanthe casupoides Pertersen and Hylaeanthe hexantha are new records for the state and Goeppertia yoshida-arnsiae, G. widgrenii and Maranta gigantea are considered threated. Ten species are endemic to the Atlantic Forest, and four are restricted to Northeastern Brazil. Regarding the local distribution, we observed that 22 spp. (85%) occur in the lowland semideciduous seasonal forest. Identification keys, comments on geographic distribution and habitats, local distribution maps, and photo plates of the species are provided.
Karyotype analyses in species of the family Marantaceae (550 species, 31 genera) were conducted to shed light on the reported strong variation of chromosome number and size and the occurrence of polyploidy. Special attention was paid to the alterations in basic chromosome numbers, karyotypes and ploidy levels. Taxon sampling covered the whole distribution area of Marantaceae in Africa, Asia and America. We applied mitotic chromosome counting using conventional rapid squash techniques in 43 accessions (39 species, 16 genera), evaluated literature records for 51 species and conducted karyotype analyses. Eleven different somatic chromosome numbers were found (2n = 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 33, 44, 36, 52, 65, 72). Based on the presumed basic chromosome numbers of x = 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, this may correspond to diploid, triploid, tetraploid, pentaploid and octoploid levels, respectively. Dysploid variation, polyploidy and, to a lesser extend, hybridization may be the main factors in chromosome number evolution of the family. Our results also point to a certain degree of association with species diversification and geographical patterns.
Saranthe ustulata was described by Otto Georg Petersen in 1890 based on undated material collected by Johann Friedrich Theodor Müller in southern Brazil during the nineteenth century. Since then, absolutely no information was available about this species, and it has even recently been thought as probably extinct. More than a century later, we discovered in the “Railroad of Bromeliads” (Apiúna municipality, Santa Catarina state, Brazil) a population of S. ustulata. A detailed description of this species is provided and its conservation status is assessed. Furthermore, we designed a lectotype and an epitype for this name. Our results reinforce the urgent need of more taxonomic research both in tropical regions, and in older herbaria, where a multitude of new species still await discovery and description.
Gene flow within and between species is a fundamental process shaping the evolutionary history of taxa. However, the extent of hybridization and reinforcement is little documented in the tropics. Here we explore the pattern of gene flow between three sister species from the herbaceous genus Marantochloa (Marantaceae), sympatrically distributed in the understorey of the African rainforest, using data from the chloroplast and nuclear genomes (DNA sequences and AFLP). We found highly contrasting patterns: while there was no evidence of gene flow between M. congensis and M. monophylla, species identity between M. monophylla and M. incertifolia was maintained despite considerable gene flow. We hypothesize that M. incertifolia originated from an ancient hybridization event between M. congensis and M. monophylla, considering the current absence of hybridization between the two assumed parent species, the rare presence of shared haplotypes between all three species and the high percentage of haplotypes shared by M. incertifolia with each of the two parent species. This example is contrasted with two parapatrically distributed species from the same family in the genus Haumania forming a hybrid zone restricted to the area of overlap. This work illustrates the diversity of speciation/introgression patterns that can potentially occur in the flora of tropical Africa.
Anther development, microsporogenesis and microgametogenesis in several species of Heliconia were investigated as part of a complementary embryological study of the Heliconiaceae. All studied Heliconia species present bithecate and tetrasporangiate anthers with fertile pollen grains; only H. rivularis, a natural hybrid, presented sterile pollen grains of variable size and no content. The anther wall has an uniseriate epidermis and endothecium, the latter with helicoidal thickenings, although some cells of the middle layers also showed thickenings; the biseriate tapetum is of amoeboid non-syncytial type, since the tapetum cells did not fuse together forming a true plasmodium. The microsporogenesis is successive leading to isobilateral tetrads. The inaperturate pollen grains had a very reduced exine consisting of a thin, more or less continuous layer with small spines upon; the pollen grain shape is variable among the species, all of them presenting heteropolar pollen, except H. angusta with isopolar ones. Most of these characteristics were shared with other studied Zingiberales, although more studies need to be done.
In a survey of the higher plants for families with rosmarinic acid-accumulating species we could show for the first time, that some species of the family Marantaceae of the order Zingiberales accumulate rosmarinic acid. Other compounds detected in Marantaceae are chlorogenic acid and rutin (quercetin 3-O-rutinoside). Out of 35 species coming from 9 different genera extracted and analysed, two species of Maranta (Maranta leuconeura, Maranta depressa) and one Thalia species (Thalia geniculata) showed the presence of rosmarinic acid. The two Maranta species additionally contained chlorogenic acid, which was also present in Stromanthe amabilis. Rutin was detected in the genera Calathea, Ctenanthe, Maranta, Pleiostachya and Thalia. For a comparison, species from six other families of the Zingiberales were analysed as well.
The Marantaceae (550 spp.) is the most derived family in the order Zingiberales and exhibits a complex explosive pollination mechanism. To understand the evolutionary significance of this unique process of pollen transfer, comparative morphological and ecological studies were conducted in Gabon.
During a total stay of 11 months, 31 species of Marantaceae were investigated at different sites in Gabon. The study included analyses of floral diversity, observations on the pollinator spectrum as well as ecological measurements (e.g. nectar sugar concentration and volume).
Analyses reveal five flower types based on flower size and pigmentation, spatial arrangement of the floral tube and presence/absence of nectar guides and conspicuous outer staminodes. Each type is associated with a specific functional pollinator group leading to the description of distinct pollination syndromes. The 'small (horizontal)' flowers are predominantly pollinated by small bees (Thrinchostoma spp., Allodapula ornaticeps), the 'large (horizontal)' and 'medium-sized (horizontal)' flowers by medium-sized bees (Amegilla vivida, Thrinchostoma bicometes), the 'locked (horizontal)' flowers by large bees (Xylocopa nigrita, X. varipes) and the '(large) vertical' flowers by sunbirds.
The longevity of Marantaceae individuals and the omnipresence of their pollinators allowed the specialization to a given functional pollinator group. Intermediate ecological values, however, make occasional pollinator overlaps possible, indicating potential pathways of pollinator shifts. Similar radiation tendencies observed on other continents hint at similar selective pressures and evolutionary constraints.
The developmental anatomy and morphology of the ovule and seed in several species of Heliconia were investigated as part of an embryological study of the Heliconiaceae and to provide a better understanding of their relationships with the other families of the Zingiberales. Heliconia species have an ovule primordium with an outer integument of both dermal and subdermal origin. The archesporial cell is divided into a megasporocyte and a single parietal cell, which in turn are divided only anticlinally to form a single parietal layer, disintegrating later during gametogenesis. The embryo sac was fully developed prior to anthesis. In the developing seed, the endosperm was nuclear, with wall formation in the globular stage; a nucellar pad was observed during embryo development, but later became compressed. The ripe fruit contained seeds enveloped by a lignified endocarp that formed the pyrenes, with each pyrene having an operculum at the basal end; the embryo was considered to be differentiated. Most of these characteristics are shared with other Zingiberales, although the derivation of the operculum from the funicle and the formation of the main mechanical layer by the endocarp are unique to the Heliconiaceae.
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