Search results for "Marantaceae"

‘False resupination’ in the flower-pairs of Thalia (Marantaceae)

2016

Abstract Resupination, i.e., the turn by 180°, arranges zygomorphic flowers in a suitable position for pollination. It is well-known from orchids, but also occurs in further angiosperm families. Within the genus Thalia L. (Marantaceae), T. dealbata has erect and T. geniculata pendulous inflorescences. Nevertheless, in both species the zygomorphic flower-pairs show the right position for pollination. Thus, resupination is expected in Marantaceae. To reconstruct spatial arrangement, flower development was investigated from meristem formation to anthesis. Early morphogenetic stages were analysed under the scanning electron microscope, late stages were documented by time-lapse records. Gravity …

Vascular bundle modifications in nodes and internodes of climbing Marantaceae

2020

AbstractNodes are interfaces between stems and leaves. Vascular bundles originate here and elongate into leaves and internodes. In Marantaceae, internodal bundles are highly diverse, including inverted bundles in the climbing genus Haumania. The objective of this paper is to characterize bundle forms, their position across the stem and their connection to leaves and short shoots in Haumania spp. and other unrelated African branch-angle climbers in the family (Hypselodelphys, Trachyphrynium). We question whether bundle inversion is a genus-specific trait in Haumania or related to the climbing growth form. Vascular bundles in internodes are scattered across the stem diameter in a characterist…

2018

This study aims to identify the histological basis for the extraordinary, fast movement of the style in Marantaceae. Although this explosive pollination mechanism was subject of many studies, quantitative measurements to document volumetric changes have never been conducted. Based on physical parameters and limitations (poroelastic time), the movement itself is by far too fast to be explained by turgor changes solely. Therefore, we address the hypothesis that the style contains elastic structures to store energy allowing the fast movement. We provide an experimental approach in Goeppertia bachemiana to identify histological differences of styles in various states, i.e., steady, unreleased, …

Evolution in African Marantaceae - Evidence from Phylogenetic, Ecological and Morphological Studies

2011

Abstract The Marantaceae (∼530 spp.) are one of the most species rich families within the order Zingiberales which incites the search for evolutionary factors favoring speciation. A positive influence on their divergence is ascribed to their unique explosive pollination mechanism which has been proposed to be a key innovation. To test this hypothesis phylogenies of the two major African clades (Sarcophrynium and the Marantochloa clade) were established based on data from nuclear (ITS, 5S) and chloroplast (trnL/trnL-F) DNA for an almost complete taxon sample. The phylogeny was used to parsimoniously reconstruct morphological and ecological traits and geographic distribution patterns. The res…

Setting-up tension in the style of Marantaceae

2008

The Marantaceae stand out from other plant families through their unique style movement which is combined with a highly derived form of secondary pollen presentation. Although known for a long time, the mechanism underlying the movement is not yet understood. In this paper, we report an investigation into the biomechanical principles of this movement. For the first time we experimentally confirm that, in Maranta noctiflora, longitudinal growth of the maturing style within the 'straitjacket' of the hooded staminode involves both arresting of the style before tripping and building up of potential for the movement. The longer the style grows in relation to the enclosing hooded staminode, the m…

Five new species of Marantaceae endemic to Gabon

2012

ABSTRACT Five new species of African Marantaceae are described and illustrated from two locations in Gabon, Marantochloa alba A. C. Ley, sp. nov., M. grandiflora A. C. Ley, sp. nov., M. montsdecristalii A. C. Ley, sp. nov. and Thaumatococcus flavus A. C. Ley, sp. nov. from the mountainous area of Monts de Cristal, north east of the capital Libreville, as well as Hypselodelphys lopei A. C. Ley, sp. nov. from the central part of Gabon in secondary forest near La Lope and Mikongo. New keys to the genera Marantochloa Brongn. & Gris., Thaumatococcus Benth. and Hypselodelphys (K. Schum.) Milne.-Redh. are provided.

Insights Into the Inside - A Quantitative Histological Study of the Explosively Moving Style in Marantaceae.

2018

This study aims to identify the histological basis for the extraordinary, fast movement of the style in Marantaceae. Although this explosive pollination mechanism was subject of many studies, quantitative measurements to document volumetric changes have never been conducted. Based on physical parameters and limitations (poroelastic time), the movement itself is by far too fast to be explained by turgor changes solely. Therefore, we address the hypothesis that the style contains elastic structures to store energy allowing the fast movement. We provide an experimental approach in Goeppertia bachemiana to identify histological differences of styles in various states, i.e., steady, unreleased, …

Insights Into the Inside – A Quantitative Histological Study of the Explosively Moving Style in Marantaceae

2018

This study aims to identify the histological basis for the extraordinary, fast movement of the style in Marantaceae. Although this explosive pollination mechanism was subject of many studies, quantitative measurements to document volumetric changes have never been conducted. Based on physical parameters and limitations (poroelastic time), the movement itself is by far too fast to be explained by turgor changes solely. Therefore, we address the hypothesis that the style contains elastic structures to store energy allowing the fast movement. We provide an experimental approach in Goeppertia bachemiana to identify histological differences of styles in various states, i.e., steady, unreleased, …

2015

The explosive pollination mechanism of the prayer plants (Marantaceae) is unique among plants. After a tactile stimulus by a pollinator, the style curls up rapidly and mediates pollen exchange. It is still under discussion whether this explosive movement is released electrophysiologically, i.e. by a change in the membrane potential (as in Venus flytrap), or purely mechanically. In the present study, electrophysiological experiments are conducted to clarify the mechanism. Artificial release experiments (chemical and electrical) and electrophysiological measurements were conducted with two phylogenetically distant species, Goeppertia bachemiana (E. Morren) Borchs. & S. Suarez and Donax cannif…

Ontogenetic and phylogenetic diversification of the hooded staminode in Marantaceae

2010

The flowers of Marantaceae are known for their unique pollination mechanism mediated by an explosive style movement. The mechanism is based on the highly modified elements of the inner androecial whorl, i.e., the single half-fertile anther and the fleshy and hooded staminodes. We investigated 67 species across 24 genera to elucidate which parts of the hooded staminode are shared by all species, thus likely under strong selection pressure, and which are allowed to vary. We treated hooded staminodes as character syndromes and grouped them based on gross similarities. We identified characters underlying the similarity and investigated their diversity and developmental pathways. All hooded stam…