Opal Phytoliths in Southeast Asian Flora

Kealhofer, Lisa; Piperno, Dolores R.

doi:10.5479/si.0081024x.88

Cited by 64 publications

(76 citation statements)

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“…Besides this, we also observed elongated phytoliths, probably silicified fibers, associated with conical phytoliths (15%) and square epidermal cells with their cell walls silicified (5%) (Figure 7.3H). These results are in agreement with the previous studies of the Arecaceae family, in which the production of globular echinate and conical phytoliths as common morphotypes has been described (KEALHOFFER; PIPERNO, 1998;PIPERNO, 2006).…”

Section: E) Dry Forestsupporting

confidence: 83%

“…The Arecaceae family is one of the greatest phytolith producers along with Poaceae and Cyperaceae. The diagnostic morphotype is globular echinate, but it is also possible to observe conical and hat-shaped phytoliths (KEALHOFFER; PIPERNO, 1998;WALLIS, 2003;PIPERNO, 2006).…”

Section: B) Scrub Communitymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Opal phytoliths, one of the proxies used in this study, are microscopic particles of amorphous silica, formed as a result of the uptake of silicic acid [Si (OH 4 )] by the plants from the soil solution and which are incorporated into the soil from the decomposition of vegetal remains (PIPERNO, 1998). The choice of opal phytoliths is due, among other reasons, to the fact that this proxy is commonly found in different types of soil and/or sediments.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Opal phytolith and isotopic studies of "Restinga" communities of Maricá, Brazil, as a modern reference for paleobiogeoclimatic reconstruction

Santos¹,

Coe

Borrelli

et al. 2015

Braz. j. oceanogr.

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Santos et al.: Opal phytoliths and isotopes Maricá restinga 255Opal phytolith and isotopic studies of "Restinga" communities of Maricá, Brazil, as a modern reference for paleobiogeoclimatic reconstructionThe Maricá restinga, located in the eastern part of the Rio de Janeiro State (Brazil), corresponds to one of the few remaining preserved areas of the state's coastal plain. This paper reports on a study of the Maricá restinga plant communities and also presents an identification of the main plant species present in each community, with the objective of establishing reference collections, by the methods of the proxies opal phytoliths and stable carbon isotopes, for paleoenvironmental reconstructions of this coastal area during the Quaternary. Six plant communities, distributed perpendicularly to the coast line over sandy barriers, lagoonal plain, lagoon margin and weathered basement were identified: halophile-psamophile, scrub, herbaceous swamp, slack, shrubby vegetation and dry forest. In general, the plant species analyzed in each community presented low productivity of opal phytoliths, as only the Poaceae, Cyperaceae and Arecaceae families produce a great amount and diversity of morphotypes of opal phytoliths. The results of the analysis of stable carbon isotopes in sediments indicated a predominance of C3 or a mixture of C3 and C4 plants, presenting a close correlation with the results found in plants collected in each community. In conclusion, it was verified that the carbon isotope analysis associated with that of the opal phytoliths are good proxies for the reconstruction of vegetation in the study area. A Restinga de Maricá, situada na porção leste do estado do Rio de Janeiro (Brasil), corresponde a uma das poucas áreas ainda preservadas na planície litorânea fluminense. Neste trabalho, apresentamos um estudo sobre as comunidades vegetais que compõem a restinga, bem como a identificação das principais espécies presentes em cada uma delas. O objetivo é estabelecer coleções de referência para reconstituições paleoambientais desse litoral durante o Quaternário. Para isso, utilizaram-se como métodos os indicadores fitóli-tos e isótopos estáveis de carbono. Foram identificadas seis comunidades vegetais distribuídas perpendicularmente à linha de costa sobre as barreiras arenosas, planície lagunar, margem lagunar e embasamento alterado: Halófila-psamó-fila, "Scrub", Brejo herbáceo, "Slack", Vegetação arbustiva e Floresta seca. As espécies de plantas analisadas em cada comunidade apresentaram em geral baixa produtividade de fitólitos. Somente as famílias Poaceae, Cyperaceae e Arecaceae produzem fitólitos em grandes quantidades e diversidade de morfotipos. Os resultados das análises de isótopos estáveis de carbono em sedimentos indicaram um predomínio de plantas C3 ou de mistura de plantas C3 e C4, apresentando uma boa correspondência com os resultados encontrados nas plantas coletadas sobre cada uma delas. Como conclusão, verificou-se que os isótopos de carbono associados às análises fitolíticas mostraram-se bons...

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Section: E) Dry Forestsupporting

confidence: 83%

Section: B) Scrub Communitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Opal phytolith and isotopic studies of "Restinga" communities of Maricá, Brazil, as a modern reference for paleobiogeoclimatic reconstruction

Santos¹,

Coe

Borrelli

et al. 2015

Braz. j. oceanogr.

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“…Known diagnostic Spits 3 v 4 t = 0.14 p=0.8925 morphotypes were categorised into plant groups according to comparative reference material collected on Lizard Island in 2009 (Lentfer 2010; and other reference material from elsewhere in the Asia/Pacific region (e.g. Kealhofer and Piperno 1998;Lentfer 2003). Unknown morphotypes were given descriptives (Lentfer 2003;Madella et al 2003) and, where possible, assigned to vegetation categories.…”

Section: Palaeoenvironmental Analysis Materials and Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Human history and palaeoenvironmental change at Site 17, Freshwater Beach, Lizard Island, northeast Queensland, Australia

Lentfer

Felgate

Mills³

et al. 2013

QAR

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Late Holocene patterns of change in occupation and use of islands along the eastern coast of Queensland have long been debated in terms of various drivers, though much of this discussion relates to regions south of Cairns, with comparatively little study of the far northern Great Barrier Reef islands. The numerous middens, stone arrangements and art sites on Lizard Island suggest long-term use by Indigenous people, but recent discoveries of pottery give tantalising glimpses of a prehistoric past that may have included a prehistoric economy involving pottery. Here we review previous archaeological surveys and studies on Lizard Island and report on new archaeological and palaeoenvironmental studies from the Site 17 midden at Freshwater Beach, with an oldest date of 3815–3571 cal BP. We identify two major changes in the archaeological and palaeoenvironmental records, one associated with more recent European influences and the other at c.2000 cal BP. Pottery from the intertidal zone is as yet undated. When dates become available the relationship between the Site 17 results reported here and the use of pottery on the island may be clarified.

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“…The strengths and limitations of the phytolith record in the study of plant domestication and past climatic and vegetational changes are being clarified in a substantial number of regions of the world (3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10). However, despite accumulating evidence that silicon is necessary for the normal growth and development of some plant species, and provides mechanisms for detoxification, structural support, and protection from animal herbivores in others (1,(11)(12)(13)(14)(15), why plants make phytoliths and why they make them in the manifold forms that increasingly are being described from modern plants and ancient sediments are not well understood.…”

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confidence: 99%

Evidence for the control of phytolith formation in Cucurbita fruits by the hard rind ( Hr ) genetic locus: Archaeological and ecological implications

Piperno

Holst

Wessel-Beaver

et al. 2002

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

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Many angiosperms, both monocotyledons and dicotyledons, heavily impregnate their vegetative and reproductive organs with solid particles of silicon dioxide (SiO 2) known as opaline phytoliths. The underlying mechanisms accounting for the formation of phytoliths in plants are poorly understood, however. Using wild and domesticated species in the genus Cucurbita along with their F 1 and F2 progeny, we have demonstrated that the production of large diagnostic phytoliths in fruit rinds exhibits a one-to-one correspondence to the lignification of these structures. We propose that phytolith formation in Cucurbita fruits is primarily determined by a dominant genetic locus, called hard rind (Hr), previously shown to code for lignin deposition. If true, this evidence represents a demonstration of genetic control over phytolith production in a dicotyledon and provides considerable support to hypotheses that silica phytoliths constitute another important system of mechanical defense in plants. Our research also identifies Hr as another single locus controlling more than one important phenotypic difference between wild and domesticated plants, and establishes rind tissue cell structure and hardness under the effects of Hr as an important determinant of phytolith morphology. When recovered from pre-Columbian archaeological sites, Cucurbita phytoliths represent genetically controlled fossil markers of exploitation and domestication in this important economic genus.

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Opal Phytoliths in Southeast Asian Flora

Cited by 64 publications

References 2 publications

Opal phytolith and isotopic studies of "Restinga" communities of Maricá, Brazil, as a modern reference for paleobiogeoclimatic reconstruction

Opal phytolith and isotopic studies of "Restinga" communities of Maricá, Brazil, as a modern reference for paleobiogeoclimatic reconstruction

Human history and palaeoenvironmental change at Site 17, Freshwater Beach, Lizard Island, northeast Queensland, Australia

Evidence for the control of phytolith formation in Cucurbita fruits by the hard rind ( Hr ) genetic locus: Archaeological and ecological implications

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