Abstract

TORRES-COLIN, Leticia; FUENTES-SORIANO, Sara  and  DELGADO-SALINAS, Alfonso. Palynological study of the genus Macroptilium (Benth.) Urb. (Leguminosae) in Mexico and Central America. Act. Bot. Mex [online]. 2010, n.91, pp.51-69. ISSN 2448-7589.

The pollen morphology of eight Macroptilium species occurring in Mexico and Central America is described by means of light and scanning microscopy. In this region, members of the genus have pollen grains 3-colporate, medium-sized, with polar shapes from prolate-spheroidal, suboblate to oblate-spheroidal. Differences in ectoaperture (length, apex shape and membrane), ornamentation, margo, and the outline in polar side identify two pollen types: Type I. Pollen with small colpi (brevicolpate), margo thickened, apex of the ectoaperture round, membrane granular, polar outline convex angular, exine tectate or semitectate, apocolpium punctate or rugulate, and mesocolpium microreticulate or rugulate. Species of section Microcochle, including M. gibbosifolium, M. pedatum, and M. supinum are characterized by this pollen type. Type II. Pollen with long colpi (longicolpate) margo non-thickened, apex of the ectoaperture acute, membrane granular, pollen outline circular to semi-angular, exine tectate or semitectate, apocolpium punctate to foveolate, and mesocolpium microreticulate to foveolate. Species of section Macroptilium comprising, M. atropurpureum, M. erythroloma, M. gracile, M. lathyroides, and M. longipedunculatum are distinguished by this pollen type. Palynological descriptions of five species of Macroptilium are provided for the first time.

Keywords : Central America; Leguminosae; Macroptilium; Mexico; pollen.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )