Distribution of scalariform and simple perforation plates within the vessel network in secondary xylem of Araliaceae and its implications for wood evolution

The distribution of scalariform and simple perforation plates along vessels in Arthrophyllum otopyrenum, Meryta tenuifolia, and Polyscias multijuga (Araliaceae) is examined. In all three species, most vessels bear simple perforation plates only, but the combination of simple and scalariform perforat...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Plant systematics and evolution 2009-03, Vol.278 (1-2), p.43-51
Main Authors: Oskolski, Alexei A, Jansen, Steven
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Araliaceae
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Evolution
Life Sciences
Meryta
Original Article
Perforation
Phylogenetics
Plant Anatomy/Development
Plant Ecology
Plant Sciences
Plant Systematics/Taxonomy/Biogeography
Plants
Plates
Polyscias
Resins
Taxa
Vessels
Water flow
Wood
Wood structure
Xylem
Xylem vessels
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Summary:The distribution of scalariform and simple perforation plates along vessels in Arthrophyllum otopyrenum, Meryta tenuifolia, and Polyscias multijuga (Araliaceae) is examined. In all three species, most vessels bear simple perforation plates only, but the combination of simple and scalariform perforation plates in variable ratios also occurs. Aggregated arrangement of scalariform perforation plates along the vessels was statistically confirmed in some vessel portions. The scalariform perforation plates occur mostly in narrow vessels that are grouped in multiples. Within the clade represented by Polyscias and Arthrophyllum, the evolutionary transition from scalariform to simple perforation plates is realized as the gradual elimination of vessels or vessel portions with scalariform perforation plates, but is not accompanied by a gradual decrease of the number of bars per perforation plate. The narrow vessels that are grouped in vessel multiples are likely to retain the ability to develop scalariform plates, which could promote the evolution from simple to scalariform perforation plates as is the case within Meryta.
ISSN:0378-2697
1615-6110
2199-6881
DOI:10.1007/s00606-008-0130-z