1. Seed morphology and its systematic implications for genus Oxytropis DC. (Fabaceae).
- Author
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Erkul, S. K., Celep, F., and Aytaç, Z.
- Subjects
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OXYTROPIS , *SCANNING electron microscopy , *BIOLOGICAL classification , *SEED morphology , *PLANT surfaces - Abstract
In the present study, seeds of 13OxytropisDC. species (including two latest synonyms) classified in subg.Oxytropis(sect.Dolichocarpon, sect.Chrysanthaand sect.Eumorpha), subg.Euoxytropis(sect.Orobia) and subg.Phacoxytropis(sect.Protoxytropis, sect.Janthinaand sect.Mesogaea) from Turkey were examined using light and scanning electron microscopy to evaluate the taxonomic relevance of macro- and micro-morphological seed characters. As a result of the study, species-specific characters have been determined. Seeds exhibit variation in size, shape, surface sculpturing pattern, hilum position and weight. Seeds ranged from 1.61 to 4.04 mm in length and from 1.02 to 2.56 mm in width. Five different seed shapes were recognised, as prolonged semielliptic, reniform, prolonged reniform, quadratic and cardiform, with a length to width ratio ranging from 1.02 ± 0.08 to 1.75 ± 0.27. Rugulate, rugulate–reticulate and lophate sculpturing patterns were observed in the studied species. According to the results, seed characters, such as the size (length, width and the length/width ratio), the shape, the surface sculpturing and the weight appear to have low taxonomic value in distinguishing subgenera, sections and species. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]
- Published
- 2015
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