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Leaf anatomical investigations in Acantholimon (Plumbaginaceae)

  • Structural Botany - Original Article
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Abstract

In this study, we examined leaf anatomy of 24 species belonging to Acantholimon from flora of Iran. This paper, therefore, describes the foliar anatomical characters in details and discusses the extent to which leaf anatomical features might be developed in response to arid, semi-arid and mountainous condition of the Irano-Turanian region. The results revealed that the leaf anatomy of Acantholimon is highly consistent with the species habitat. The leaf anatomical characters such as the presence of salt glands and trichomes, isobilateral leaves, and sclerophylly are the most predominant responses to the environmental conditions. This paper is the first report of the existence of sclereids in Acantholimon species. The survey of the secreted elements from salt glands on the leaves epidermis of Acantholimon species were performed using SEM energy-dispersive X-ray (EDS) analysis for the first time. Based on these results, the crystals were determined to be truncated conical in shape, composed largely of Ca, O and C elements. Taxonomic implication of the anatomical characters in Acantholimon has been also discussed.

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge Faranak Pourhosseini and Farzad Ganjalikhani for laboratory assisting. We wish to thank anonymous reviewers for constructive comments and their helps in improving the quality of the manuscript. This work was funded by the Graduate University of Advanced Technology, Kerman, Iran. The colleagues of the research project express their thanks for the support extended to them.

Funding

This study was conducted under the financial support of the Graduate University of Advanced Technology, Kerman [grant number 1/4325].

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, P.O. Box: 76169-133, 76169-14111, Kerman, Iran

    Firouzeh Bordbar, Najmeh Adelifar, Farkhondeh Rezanejad & Mansour Mirtadzadini

  2. Institute of Science and High Technology and Environmental Sciences, Graduate University of Advanced Technology, Kerman, Iran

    Firouzeh Bordbar

  3. Department of Biology, Fars Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Marvdasht –Shiraz Road, Doroudzan Dam, P.O. Box: 74715-181, Marvdasht, Fars, Iran

    Azar Safari Alighialoo

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  1. Firouzeh Bordbar
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  2. Azar Safari Alighialoo
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  4. Farkhondeh Rezanejad
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Contributions

FB contributed to material preparation, data collection, methodology and measured anatomical parameters. The first draft of the manuscript was written by FB. ASA and NA performed lab works. MM contributed to material preparation. FB and FR supervised and validated the works. FR and MM commented on previous versions of the manuscript and read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Firouzeh Bordbar.

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Appendix

Appendix

See Table 4.

Table 4 Species examined and locality information of Acantholimon species from flora of Iran
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Bordbar, F., Safari Alighialoo, A., Adelifar, N. et al. Leaf anatomical investigations in Acantholimon (Plumbaginaceae). Braz. J. Bot 45, 729–741 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40415-022-00807-2

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