Anatomical and morphological spine variation in Gymnocalycium kieslingii subsp. castaneum (Cactaceae).

ABSTRACT: Although spine variation within cacti species or populations is assumed to be large, the minimum sample size of different spine anatomical and morphological traits required for species description is less studied. There are studies where only 2 spines were used for taxonomical comparison amnog species. Therefore, the spine structure variation within areoles and individuals of one population of Gymnocalycium kieslingii subsp. castaneum (Ferrari) Slaba was analyzed. Fifteen plants were selected and from each plant one areole from the basal, middle and upper part of the plant body was sampled. A scanning electron microscopy was used for spine surface description and a light microscopy for measurements of spine width, thickness, cross-section area, fiber diameter and fiber cell wall thickness.

SUBMITTER: Gebauer R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5029135 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature