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Adaptive strategies against water stress: a study comparing leaf morphoanatomy of rupicolous and epiphytic species of Gesneriaceae

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Abstract

Rupicolous and epiphytic plants have evolved in search of environmental light conditions, throughout their evolution, the former thriving among rocks, and the latter growing non-parasitically on other plants (trees). However, while their habitats have provided sufficient light, they are also characterized by xeric conditions. This work compares leaf morphoanatomy between the rupicolous Sinningia bullata Chautems & M. Peixoto and the epiphytic Codonanthe gracilis (Mart.) Hanst in order to find insightful correlations in their adaptations to water stress. It also presents the first description of the anatomy of the leaf of S. bullata. In vivo leaf samples were cut and fixed for analysis under both optical and the scanning electronic microscopy. Both plants were observed to have dorsiventral and hypostomatic leaf. Anatomically, the plants share the same type of stomata complex, i.e., amphianisocytic, with collateral vascular bundles in between the spongy and palisade parenchymas. The presence of water storage tissue and conspicuous epicuticular wax and cuticle are evidence of some of the adaptations that these plants have made against water stress. Thus, while both plants show similarities of morphoanatomical adaptations that enhance their ability to thrive in spite of water stress, S. bullata has evolved additional adaptive strategies, such as convexities of the epidermis and the presence of long trichomes.

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Acknowledgments

My special thanks to D.Sc. Ademir Reis for his help with the field work. Financial support for this study was provided by the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) and the National Program in Support the Development of Botany sponsored by Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES an entity of the Brazilian Government for the formation of human resources).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratório de Fisiologia do Desenvolvimento e Genética Vegetal, Plant Sciences Department, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil

    Francis Pereira-Dias

  2. Botanical Department, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Campus Universitário Reitor João David Ferreira Lima, Trindade, Florianópolis, SC, 88040-900, Brazil

    Marisa Santos

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  1. Francis Pereira-Dias
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  2. Marisa Santos
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Correspondence to Marisa Santos.

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Pereira-Dias, F., Santos, M. Adaptive strategies against water stress: a study comparing leaf morphoanatomy of rupicolous and epiphytic species of Gesneriaceae. Braz. J. Bot 38, 911–919 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40415-015-0180-8

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