Abstract Detail

Developmental and Structural Section

Hudson, Patrick J. [1], Miesner, Jolene M. [1], Strandquist, Julie N. [1], Schwartz, Julie A. [1], Thiemann, Tara C. [1], Osborn, Jeffrey M. [1].

Pollen Ontogeny in the Giant Water Lily Victoria (Nymphaeaceae, Nymphaeales).

An endemic of South America, Victoria contains two species, Victoria amazonica and Victoria cruziana, as well as several hybrids. Victoria is one of eight genera that comprise the Nymphaeales, or water lilies. The Nymphaeales are widely regarded to be among the most ancient lineages of flowering plants, as recent phylogenetic studies have consistently indicated that either Amborella or Amborella plus Nymphaeales is the sister group to the remaining angiosperms. Studies of pollen development generate important clues to evolutionary relationships; however, little is known about these characters in Victoria. This study used light, scanning electron, and transmission electron microscopy to investigate pollen development in V. amazonica, V. cruziana, and ‘Longwood’ hybrid. The objective was to comparatively document ontogenetic changes in the pollen during the major stages of development, including the sporogenous, microspore mother cell, tetrad, free microspore, and mature stages. Events including the deposition of a microspore mother cell coat, a callose ‘special’ wall, a primexine, and the sporoderm layers will be discussed. The majority of exine deposition, including formation of thin columellae, a thick tectum, and a thick foot layer, occurs during the tetrad stage. The endexine lamellae and intine develop during the free microspore and early grain stages. While mature pollen grains of V. amazonica and V. cruziana are fused into permanent tetrads, variation in tetrad configuration, as well as the formation of polyads, occur in ‘Longwood’ hybrid. Significantly, although permanent tetrads characterize the genus, the microspores are separated from each other by well-defined callose septa during the tetrad stage. These septa dissociate during the late tetrad stage, and the tecta of adjacent microspores fuse prior to dissociation of the outer callose envelope. The primary characters of anther ontogeny discussed will include the number and size of anther wall layers, changes in tapetum morphology, and timing of tapetum dissociation.

1 - Truman State University, Division of Science, 100 E. Normal Street, Kirksville, Missouri, 63501-4221, USA

Keywords:
Victoria
Nymphaeaceae
Nymphaeales
Water lilies
aquatic plants
pollen
Pollen development
Pollen ontogeny
ultrastructure.

Presentation Type: Poster
Session: 32-14
Location: Special Event Center (Cliff Lodge)
Date: Tuesday, August 3rd, 2004
Time: 12:30 PM
Abstract ID:1011