Authors : R T Patil
Page Nos : 15-21
Description :
Taxonomic relationship among the species of Pycreusin Goa iselucidated by examining the scanning electron microscope (SEM)images of their achenes. Morphology of the achenes and their epidermal cells hasbeen studied for this purpose with a taxonomic viewpoint.Acheneshapeand epidermal patterns were found distinctive and consistent within the species or infraspecific taxon. Variation in the epidermal cells is most evident with respect to size of the cell, nature of periclinal wall, the number, thickness and sinuosity of anticlinal walls and presence or absence ofsilica bodies.In the present study characteristics of epidermal cells are correlated with other morphological characters as well. The micromorphological characters of achenesurface were found to be different in dissimilar taxa. However, there is close similarity of these characters in closely related taxa. Interpretation of the SEM images was found to be useful in determining the taxonomic relationship, identification and delimitation of different taxa of Pycreusat species leveland infraspecific level.
