Foliar Anatomy of Three Native Species of Tillandsia L. from the Atacama Desert, Chile

Belmonte, Eliana; Arriaza, Bernardo; Arismendi, Mabel; Sepúlveda-Chavera, Germán

doi:10.3390/plants11070870

Cited by 6 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…Studies have generally focused on the adaxial surfaces of leaves; however, it was suggested in studies carried out on V. vinifera , V. davidii (Rom. Caill) Föex., and V. doaniana Munson [ 37 ] that trichomes on the abaxial surface might be as important as the adaxial surfaces as they may provide canopies to shield the leaf surface from destructive ultraviolet rays [ 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Foliar Anatomy and Micromorphology of Cyphostemma hypoleucum (Vitaceae)

Rambau,

Naidoo,

Sadashiva

et al. 2023

Plants

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Cyphostemma hypoleucum (Harv.) Desc. ex Wild & R.B. Drumm is a perennial climber, indigenous to Southern Africa, and belongs to the Vitaceae. Although there have been many studies of Vitaceae micromorphology, only a few taxa have been described in detail. This study aimed to characterize the micro-morphology of the leaf indumentum and determining its possible functions. Stereo microscope, scanning electron microscope (SEM), and transmission electron microscope (TEM) were used to produce images. Micrographs of stereomicroscopy and SEM showed the presence of non-glandular trichomes. In addition, pearl glands were observed on the abaxial surface using a stereo microscope and SEM. These were characterized by a short stalk and a spherical- shaped head. The density of trichomes decreased on both surfaces of leaves as the leaf expanded. Idioblasts that contained raphide crystals were also detected in tissues. The results obtained from various microscopy techniques confirmed that non-glandular trichomes serve as the main external appendages of the leaves. Additionally, their functions may include serving as a mechanical barrier against environmental factors such as low humidity, intense light, elevated temperatures, as well as herbivory and insect oviposition. Our results may also be added to the existing body of knowledge with regard to microscopic research and taxonomic applications.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Foliar Anatomy and Micromorphology of Cyphostemma hypoleucum (Vitaceae)

Rambau,

Naidoo,

Sadashiva

et al. 2023

Plants

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“…1C) [28,34]. They obtain fog water by waterabsorbing trichomes, which cover their leaves, rather than by functional roots, which are usually lacking [33,35,36]. Nutrients such as nitrogen are considered to be also largely fog supplied [37,38], whereas the lower parts of the shoots are usually buried under sandy substrate, therewith supporting anchorage [29].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tillandsia landbeckii phyllosphere and laimosphere as refugia for bacterial life in a hyperarid desert environment

Hakobyan,

Velte,

Sickel

et al. 2023

Microbiome

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Background The lack of water is a major constraint for microbial life in hyperarid deserts. Consequently, the abundance and diversity of microorganisms in common habitats such as soil are strongly reduced, and colonization occurs primarily by specifically adapted microorganisms that thrive in particular refugia to escape the harsh conditions that prevail in these deserts. We suggest that plants provide another refugium for microbial life in hyperarid deserts. We studied the bacterial colonization of Tillandsia landbeckii (Bromeliaceae) plants, which occur in the hyperarid regions of the Atacama Desert in Chile, one of the driest and oldest deserts on Earth. Results We detected clear differences between the bacterial communities being plant associated to those of the bare soil surface (PERMANOVA, R2 = 0.187, p = 0.001), indicating that Tillandsia plants host a specific bacterial community, not only dust-deposited cells. Moreover, the bacterial communities in the phyllosphere were distinct from those in the laimosphere, i.e., on buried shoots (R2 = 0.108, p = 0.001), indicating further habitat differentiation within plant individuals. The bacterial taxa detected in the phyllosphere are partly well-known phyllosphere colonizers, but in addition, some rather unusual taxa (subgroup2 Acidobacteriae, Acidiphilum) and insect endosymbionts (Wolbachia, “Candidatus Uzinura”) were found. The laimosphere hosted phyllosphere-associated as well as soil-derived taxa. The phyllosphere bacterial communities showed biogeographic patterns across the desert (R2 = 0.331, p = 0.001). These patterns were different and even more pronounced in the laimosphere (R2 = 0.467, p = 0.001), indicating that different factors determine community assembly in the two plant compartments. Furthermore, the phyllosphere microbiota underwent temporal changes (R2 = 0.064, p = 0.001). Conclusions Our data demonstrate that T. landbeckii plants host specific bacterial communities in the phyllosphere as well as in the laimosphere. Therewith, these plants provide compartment-specific refugia for microbial life in hyperarid desert environments. The bacterial communities show biogeographic patterns and temporal variation, as known from other plant microbiomes, demonstrating environmental responsiveness and suggesting that bacteria inhabit these plants as viable microorganisms.

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“…Furthermore, leaf acclimatization and adaptations have historically been used as indicators of environmental conditions (Rosas et al, 2021). Due to the external morphology and the anatomy of leaves often have traits for protection and control of water loss that are fundamental to plant survival (Méndez‐Alonzo et al, 2012; Melo Júnior and Torres Boeger, 2015; de Paula et al, 2019; Bona et al, 2020; Belmonte et al, 2022). In contrast, the secondary xylem has a longer‐term function and thus represents responses integrated over longer times.…”

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confidence: 99%

Functional traits and water‐transport strategies of woody species in an insular environment in a tropical forest

Castelar

Cunha

Simioni

et al. 2023

American J of Botany

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PremisePlants are sessile organisms that survive in habitats with limited resource availability and contrasting environmental conditions by responding to variation in environmental factors through morphophysiological traits related to species performance in different ecosystems. However, understanding how different plant strategies can influence the megadiversity of tropical species is still a gap.MethodsThis study analyzed variation in morphofunctional traits of leaves and secondary xylem, in species that occur simultaneously in areas of Restinga and Dense Ombrophilous Forest to infer water transport strategies of Atlantic Forest woody plants. Twenty‐seven morphophysiological traits were evaluated for the two species with the highest absolute dominance in these phytophysiognomies: Erythroxylum pulchrum and Tapirira guianensis.ResultsE. pulchrum and T. guianensis presented different sets of morphophysiological traits, strategies to avoid embolism and ensure water transport, in different phytophysiognomies. T. guianensis showed possible adaptations influenced by phytophysiognomy, while E. pulchrum showed less variation in the set of characteristics between different phytophysiognomies.ConclusionsOur results provide essential tools to understand how the environment can modulate morphofunctional traits, and how each species makes different adjustments to adapt to different phytophysiognomies. In this sense, knowledge of these species reveals new species‐specific responses in the tropical forest, which is a fundamental prerequisite for predictions about the development of the most vulnerable forests in a future of climate change.This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

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Foliar Anatomy of Three Native Species of Tillandsia L. from the Atacama Desert, Chile

Cited by 6 publications

References 25 publications

The Foliar Anatomy and Micromorphology of Cyphostemma hypoleucum (Vitaceae)

The Foliar Anatomy and Micromorphology of Cyphostemma hypoleucum (Vitaceae)

Tillandsia landbeckii phyllosphere and laimosphere as refugia for bacterial life in a hyperarid desert environment

Functional traits and water‐transport strategies of woody species in an insular environment in a tropical forest

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