A new report of phytomelanin in cypselae of Vernonieae: the case of the type species of Lychnophora Mart.

Phytomelanin is a mechanically hard, blackish, and inert substance rarely found in plants. In Asteraceae, this substance was historically associated with the Heliantheae alliance, but recent studies have observed it in unrelated groups as Heterocoma and Wunderlichia. During a taxonomic investigation, we found phytomelanin in cypselae of Lychnophora salicifolia an unusual feature in Vernonieae previously found only in Heterocoma.

Ontogenetic diet shifts of rough scad Trachurus lathami in the North Patagonian shelf (south-west Atlantic Ocean).

Rough scad Trachurus lathami is a key pelagic fish in the Argentinean continental shelf (ACS, south-west Atlantic Ocean), with recent increases in abundance. It is a main prey of fishes and marine mammals, and shares the environment with commercially relevant pelagic species (Engraulis anchoita and Scomber colias), playing an important role linking lower and upper trophic levels in the ecosystem. This study aims to determine the ontogenetic changes in the diet composition, feeding strategy, trophic niche breadth and trophic level of T.

The pleurogram, an under-investigated functional trait in seeds.

Background: A structure called the pleurogram makes up a large part of the seed coat of some species in subfamilies Caesalpinioideae and Mimosoideae of Fabaceae, but little is known about its function. It has been hypothesized that this structure acts as a hygroscopic valve during the maturation drying of seeds. However, a new hypothesis has recently emerged that proposes a distinct function for the pleurogram.

What kind of seed dormancy occurs in the legume genus Cassia?

Cassia is a diverse legume genus widespread in the (sub-)tropical zone of the world. Several studies have been done on this genus; however, significant changes have occurred at the taxonomic level over the years. This has led to inaccurate information about seed dormancy in Cassia since many species are no longer included in the genus.

Osmophores of Caryocar brasiliense (Caryocaraceae): a particular structure of the androecium that releases an unusual scent.

Caryocar brasiliense is a flagship species of the Brazilian Cerrado. It produces flowers with a strong peculiar scent, which are pollinated by bats and occasionally moths with short mouthparts. However, the cues responsible for attracting these nocturnal pollinators remain unknown.

Unbuttoning the Ancestral Flower of Angiosperms.

A recent study using an extensive data set plus sophisticated analytical tools reconstructed a model of the ancestral angiosperm flower. Although attractive, it presents problems of homology assessment. We discuss its inconsistencies and endorse the use of a comparative model that integrates biological parameters as essential to elucidate floral evolution.

Embryology of Pera (Peraceae, Malpighiales): systematics and evolutionary implications.

Pera is a neotropical genus that currently belongs to the family Peraceae. This circumscription resulted from an inclusion of the Rafflesiaceae between the old tribe Pereae and all other Euphorbiaceae, and wherein Pereae was elevated to family rank making Euphorbiaceae monophyletic again. These changes are necessary although Rafflesiaceae are holoparasitic with extremely reduced vegetative bodies and large flowers while Peraceae and Euphorbiaceae have well developed vegetative parts and reduced flowers.

Roles of mucilage in Emilia fosbergii, a myxocarpic Asteraceae: Efficient seed imbibition and diaspore adhesion.

Premise Of The Study: Several angiosperm families have myxodiaspory, such as the Asteraceae in which cypselae are frequently wind-dispersed. The roles of mucilage in cypselae remain misunderstood, and the route of water uptake from substrate to embryo remains unknown. In this work, we analyze the fruits of Emilia fosbergii aiming to clarify how the water is absorbed and how the structure of the pericarp can be related to the processes of diaspore adhesion and seed imbibition.

The role of fibres and the hypodermis in Compositae melanin secretion.

Melanins are dark, insoluble pigments that are resistant to concentrated acids and bleaching by oxidising agents. Phytomelanin (or phytomelan) is present in the seed coat of some Asparagales and in the fruits of some Compositae. In Compositae fruits, melanin is deposited in the schizogenous spaces between the hypodermis and underlying fibrous layer.