Using collection specimens, we measured the density and wing area of trichomes in 37 species of the bromeliad genus Tillandsia, specifically the abaxial proximal, abaxial distal, adaxial proximal and adaxial distal parts of the leaf. The product of the trichome “wing” area by the number of trichomes (means) produced a pure number (T) that was correlated to ecological features. The correlation was positive with respect to arid environments (xeric Tillands) and negative with respect to humid environments (mesic Tillands). Bulbous, and particularly myrmecophytic species and species with tanks, represented particular categories. Other intermediate types were identified based on the T number, totalling five ecological types. In comparison with other systems of ecological typification for Tillands and other Bromeliaceae, the present system offers measurable data whose analysis is reproducible.
A new quantitative classification of ecological types in the bromeliad genus Tillandsia (Bromeliaceae) based on trichomes / S. Mosti; A. Papini; L. Brighigna. - In: REVISTA DE BIOLOGIA TROPICAL. - ISSN 0034-7744. - STAMPA. - 56(1):(2008), pp. 191-203.
A new quantitative classification of ecological types in the bromeliad genus Tillandsia (Bromeliaceae) based on trichomes
PAPINI, ALESSIO;BRIGHIGNA, LUIGI
2008
Abstract
Using collection specimens, we measured the density and wing area of trichomes in 37 species of the bromeliad genus Tillandsia, specifically the abaxial proximal, abaxial distal, adaxial proximal and adaxial distal parts of the leaf. The product of the trichome “wing” area by the number of trichomes (means) produced a pure number (T) that was correlated to ecological features. The correlation was positive with respect to arid environments (xeric Tillands) and negative with respect to humid environments (mesic Tillands). Bulbous, and particularly myrmecophytic species and species with tanks, represented particular categories. Other intermediate types were identified based on the T number, totalling five ecological types. In comparison with other systems of ecological typification for Tillands and other Bromeliaceae, the present system offers measurable data whose analysis is reproducible.I documenti in FLORE sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.