Maria Rosaria Barone Lumaga | Università degli Studi di Napoli "Federico II" (original) (raw)
Papers by Maria Rosaria Barone Lumaga
The genus Ceratozamia (Cycadales; Zamiaceae) was classically divided into two groups based on gro... more The genus Ceratozamia (Cycadales; Zamiaceae) was classically divided into two groups based on gross leaf morphology, but recent molecular phylogenetic analyses has identified three clades. On a larger scale, Ceratozamia appears closely related to Stangeria and to the neotropical genera Microcycas and Zamia. Whole leaf and isolated cuticle specimens from eight Ceratozamia species (C. euryphyllidia, C. hildae, C. kuesteriana, C. latifolia, C. matudae, C. mexicana, C. miqueliana, C. norstogii), Stangeria eriopus, Microcycas calocoma, and Zamia amblyphyllidia were examined using SEM for features of inner and external surfaces. Samples were collected from the middle region of leaflets of mature leaves of greenhouse-grown plants. For external surfaces, samples were air dried or fixed in FAA (10:5:50) and critical-point dried. For the inner cuticle surface, isolated cuticles were obtained using 20% CrO3. Characteristics in common to these species include hypostomy with the exception of S. ...
Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology, 2009
Evolutionary Ecology, 2015
The genus Dioon occupies an important phylogenetic position as sister to the other Zamiaceae. How... more The genus Dioon occupies an important phylogenetic position as sister to the other Zamiaceae. However, its epidermal morphology is still poorly known. We employed scanning and transmission electron microscopy, confocal microscopy and light microscopy to examine the epidermal and cuticular morphology of 12 of the 14 currently recognized species of Dioon, examining cultivated plants and herbarium specimens. Epidermal characters separate Dioon quite clearly from the other genera of the cycads. Within the genus, the major subgroups can be distinguished by their epidermal morphology. Some characters, such as the degree of stomatal protection, reflect ecological specializations in species within the subgroups. Several epidermal characters of the crown group Dioon seem to be absent in the Cenozoic fossils usually associated with the genus, which have been used as calibrations in many recent molecular dating analyses. The presence of similar characters in a Mesozoic fossil adapted to volcanic stress offers a new key in the interpretation of Dioon evolution.
Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2015
The genus Dioon occupies an important phylogenetic position as sister to the other Zamiaceae. How... more The genus Dioon occupies an important phylogenetic position as sister to the other Zamiaceae. However, its epidermal morphology is still poorly known. We employed scanning and transmission electron microscopy, confocal microscopy and light microscopy to examine the epidermal and cuticular morphology of 12 of the 14 currently recognized species of Dioon, examining cultivated plants and herbarium specimens. Epidermal characters separate Dioon quite clearly from the other genera of the cycads. Within the genus, the major subgroups can be distinguished by their epidermal morphology. Some characters, such as the degree of stomatal protection, reflect ecological specializations in species within the subgroups. Several epidermal characters of the crown group Dioon seem to be absent in the Cenozoic fossils usually associated with the genus, which have been used as calibrations in many recent molecular dating analyses. The presence of similar characters in a Mesozoic fossil adapted to volcanic stress offers a new key in the interpretation of Dioon evolution.
Annals of Botany, 2006
Pollen characters have been widely used in defining evolutionary trends in orchids. In recent yea... more Pollen characters have been widely used in defining evolutionary trends in orchids. In recent years, information on pollination biology and phylogenetic patterns within Orchidinae has become available. Hence, the aim of the presented work is to re-evaluate exine micromorphology of Orchidinae in light of recent phylogenetic studies and to test whether pollen micromorphology strictly depends on phylogenetic relationships among species or whether it is influenced by the marked differences in pollination ecology also reported among closely related species. Pollen sculpturing of 45 species of Orchidinae and related taxa was investigated using scanning electron microscopy. To cover potential intraspecific variation, several accessions of the same species were examined. Orchidinae show remarkable variation in exine sculpturing, with a different level of variation within species groups. In some genera, such as Serapias (rugulate) and Ophrys (psilate to verrucate), intrageneric uniformity corresponds well to a common pollination strategy and close relationships among species. However, little exine variability (psilate-scabrate and scabrate-rugulate) was also found in the genus Anacamptis in spite of striking differences in floral architecture and pollination strategies. A larger variety of exine conditions was found in genera Dactylorhiza (psilate, psilate-scabrate and reticulate) and Orchis s.s. (psilate, reticulate, perforate-rugulate and baculate) where no unequivocal correspondence can be found to either phylogenetic patterns or pollination strategies. Changes in pollen characteristics do not consistently reflect shifts in pollination strategy. A unique trend of exine evolution within Orchidinae is difficult to trace. However, the clades comprising Anacamptis, Neotinea, Ophrys and Serapias show psilate to rugulate or scabrate pollen, while that of the clade comprising Chamorchis, Dactylorhiza, Gymnadenia, Orchis s.s., Platanthera, Pseudorchis and Traunsteinera ranges from psilate to reticulate. Comparison of the data with exine micromorphology from members of the tribe Orchidieae and related tribes suggests a possible general trend from reticulate to psilate.
Giornale botanico italiano, 1994
Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology, 2009
Plant Systematics and Evolution, 2010
Fossil cycadalean leaves recorded from the Miocene plant assemblage of Soma, western Turkey, are ... more Fossil cycadalean leaves recorded from the Miocene plant assemblage of Soma, western Turkey, are described and assigned to an extinct genus and species, Pseudodioon akyoli. Leaf macromorphology suggests affinity with members of the Zamiaceae (subfam.
Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 2012
ABSTRACT Cuticle micromorphology together with epidermal and epistomatal wax, in both current- an... more ABSTRACT Cuticle micromorphology together with epidermal and epistomatal wax, in both current- and first-year-old needles of conifer Pinus halepensis (Aleppo pine) trees growing under volcanic gas fumigation was analysed in Pisciarelli area, Campi Flegrei, Southern Italy. As a control, current- and first-year-old needles growing far from volcanic gas emission were also sampled. Using a multidisciplinary approach with SEM, TEM and X-ray, volcanic gases were shown to cause degradation on epicuticular and epistomatal waxes. Significant statistical variations of ultrastructural components of the cuticle, with 30 measurements, including total thickness of the cuticle, and details and proportions of all different layers, and use of confidence interval, revealed a high degree of sensitivity of Aleppo pine to this extreme environment. In the present study, non-significant thickness variations of the cell wall plus cuticle among current- and first-year-old needles of both fumigated and non fumigated trees have been found. However, at the ultrastructural level, significant variations in cell wall and total cuticle thickness, especially within the three zones of B1 fibrillar layer, revealed different equilibria for each of the four types of material. Using energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis, no sulphur was found in either cuticle or epidermal cells, but the presence of H2S in the fumarole gas is suspected to cause indirect and/or direct cuticle alterations of wax structure. Ultrastructural characters of plant cuticles related to emission of volcanic gases during the geological past are also discussed. Among these considerations, an identification key enabling distinction between non fumigated and fumigated materials with 9 characters, provides a good tool detecting the influence of volcanism for extant and fossil plants.
Grana, 2013
The evolution of the apertural type in the ANITA-grade family Nymphaeaceae, despite the importanc... more The evolution of the apertural type in the ANITA-grade family Nymphaeaceae, despite the importance of pollen characters for both paleobotanical and neobotanical investigations, has not been yet totally understood. To elucidate some unclear aspects regarding the homologies of the apertural condition in basal and core Nymphaeaceae, we examined the pollen grains from five species of this family. We offer for the first time some evidence about the presence of a proper operculum in the pollen grain of Nuphar, and for the ring-like status of the aperture of Nymphaea caerulea and Victoria cruziana. Our findings clarify and reinforce the hypothesis of an opercular origin of the distal part of the pollen grain in the core Nymphaeaceae, and support the paraphyly of the genus Nymphaea, as emerged from recent molecular studies. The diversity and specialization of this "basal" family is underlined even by its pollen characters.
Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012
A great variety of colours, shapes, scents, energy-rich rewards and other floral traits form an i... more A great variety of colours, shapes, scents, energy-rich rewards and other floral traits form an integrated system that increases pollination efficiency or reduces pollen loss. Flowers lacking energetic rewards possess a more elaborate morphology to ensure co-specific pollination. Despite the prevalence of deceptive species among Euro-Mediterranean orchids, the study of their floral micromorphology is still in its infancy. In this work, we examine the floral micromorphology of four sympatric species of the widespread Mediterranean genus Serapias. Electron microscopy (scanning, transmission) was performed on flowers of four sympatric species of the deceptive genus Serapias, the widespread S. cordigera, S. lingua, S. parviflora and S. vomeracea. Each species has a characteristic combination of specialized, secretory epidermal cells and trichomes on the labellum and, to a lesser extent, the petals. Serapias lingua is highly specialized in that it produces olfactory signals and has two types of trichome with secretory apical cells, one of which is also present in S. parviflora. In addition to striated, conical secretory cells, S. cordigera and S. vomeracea also have characteristic, atypical secretory trichomes with bilobulate or dome-like protuberances. The labellar micromorphology of S. lingua and S. parviflora is adapted for scent production, whereas S. vomeracea and S. cordigera possess trichomes that may also provide visual and/or tactile cues. Owing to the combined effect of the specific floral fragrance and labellar micromorphology in pollinator selection, the pollination ecology of Serapias spp. is even more specialized than previously thought.
American Journal of Plant Sciences, 2014
The Graeco-Roman harbor of Neapolis (Naples, Italy), chronologically constrained between the late... more The Graeco-Roman harbor of Neapolis (Naples, Italy), chronologically constrained between the late 4th century BC and the 6th century AD, offers a unique sight on relationship between past and present into the history of the marine biodiversity. In fact, the digs expose fossil leaf of Posidonia oceanica with epiphytic communities of microorganisms. Posidonia oceanica is a seagrass endemic to the Mediterranean that forms large meadows whose remains can persist in the sediment for thousands of years. In this communication, we report results of analyses carried out using both molecular and morphological techniques on sub-fossil leaves of P. oceanica and their associated epiphytic communities.
The genus Ceratozamia (Cycadales; Zamiaceae) was classically divided into two groups based on gro... more The genus Ceratozamia (Cycadales; Zamiaceae) was classically divided into two groups based on gross leaf morphology, but recent molecular phylogenetic analyses has identified three clades. On a larger scale, Ceratozamia appears closely related to Stangeria and to the neotropical genera Microcycas and Zamia. Whole leaf and isolated cuticle specimens from eight Ceratozamia species (C. euryphyllidia, C. hildae, C. kuesteriana, C. latifolia, C. matudae, C. mexicana, C. miqueliana, C. norstogii), Stangeria eriopus, Microcycas calocoma, and Zamia amblyphyllidia were examined using SEM for features of inner and external surfaces. Samples were collected from the middle region of leaflets of mature leaves of greenhouse-grown plants. For external surfaces, samples were air dried or fixed in FAA (10:5:50) and critical-point dried. For the inner cuticle surface, isolated cuticles were obtained using 20% CrO3. Characteristics in common to these species include hypostomy with the exception of S. ...
Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology, 2009
Evolutionary Ecology, 2015
The genus Dioon occupies an important phylogenetic position as sister to the other Zamiaceae. How... more The genus Dioon occupies an important phylogenetic position as sister to the other Zamiaceae. However, its epidermal morphology is still poorly known. We employed scanning and transmission electron microscopy, confocal microscopy and light microscopy to examine the epidermal and cuticular morphology of 12 of the 14 currently recognized species of Dioon, examining cultivated plants and herbarium specimens. Epidermal characters separate Dioon quite clearly from the other genera of the cycads. Within the genus, the major subgroups can be distinguished by their epidermal morphology. Some characters, such as the degree of stomatal protection, reflect ecological specializations in species within the subgroups. Several epidermal characters of the crown group Dioon seem to be absent in the Cenozoic fossils usually associated with the genus, which have been used as calibrations in many recent molecular dating analyses. The presence of similar characters in a Mesozoic fossil adapted to volcanic stress offers a new key in the interpretation of Dioon evolution.
Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2015
The genus Dioon occupies an important phylogenetic position as sister to the other Zamiaceae. How... more The genus Dioon occupies an important phylogenetic position as sister to the other Zamiaceae. However, its epidermal morphology is still poorly known. We employed scanning and transmission electron microscopy, confocal microscopy and light microscopy to examine the epidermal and cuticular morphology of 12 of the 14 currently recognized species of Dioon, examining cultivated plants and herbarium specimens. Epidermal characters separate Dioon quite clearly from the other genera of the cycads. Within the genus, the major subgroups can be distinguished by their epidermal morphology. Some characters, such as the degree of stomatal protection, reflect ecological specializations in species within the subgroups. Several epidermal characters of the crown group Dioon seem to be absent in the Cenozoic fossils usually associated with the genus, which have been used as calibrations in many recent molecular dating analyses. The presence of similar characters in a Mesozoic fossil adapted to volcanic stress offers a new key in the interpretation of Dioon evolution.
Annals of Botany, 2006
Pollen characters have been widely used in defining evolutionary trends in orchids. In recent yea... more Pollen characters have been widely used in defining evolutionary trends in orchids. In recent years, information on pollination biology and phylogenetic patterns within Orchidinae has become available. Hence, the aim of the presented work is to re-evaluate exine micromorphology of Orchidinae in light of recent phylogenetic studies and to test whether pollen micromorphology strictly depends on phylogenetic relationships among species or whether it is influenced by the marked differences in pollination ecology also reported among closely related species. Pollen sculpturing of 45 species of Orchidinae and related taxa was investigated using scanning electron microscopy. To cover potential intraspecific variation, several accessions of the same species were examined. Orchidinae show remarkable variation in exine sculpturing, with a different level of variation within species groups. In some genera, such as Serapias (rugulate) and Ophrys (psilate to verrucate), intrageneric uniformity corresponds well to a common pollination strategy and close relationships among species. However, little exine variability (psilate-scabrate and scabrate-rugulate) was also found in the genus Anacamptis in spite of striking differences in floral architecture and pollination strategies. A larger variety of exine conditions was found in genera Dactylorhiza (psilate, psilate-scabrate and reticulate) and Orchis s.s. (psilate, reticulate, perforate-rugulate and baculate) where no unequivocal correspondence can be found to either phylogenetic patterns or pollination strategies. Changes in pollen characteristics do not consistently reflect shifts in pollination strategy. A unique trend of exine evolution within Orchidinae is difficult to trace. However, the clades comprising Anacamptis, Neotinea, Ophrys and Serapias show psilate to rugulate or scabrate pollen, while that of the clade comprising Chamorchis, Dactylorhiza, Gymnadenia, Orchis s.s., Platanthera, Pseudorchis and Traunsteinera ranges from psilate to reticulate. Comparison of the data with exine micromorphology from members of the tribe Orchidieae and related tribes suggests a possible general trend from reticulate to psilate.
Giornale botanico italiano, 1994
Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology, 2009
Plant Systematics and Evolution, 2010
Fossil cycadalean leaves recorded from the Miocene plant assemblage of Soma, western Turkey, are ... more Fossil cycadalean leaves recorded from the Miocene plant assemblage of Soma, western Turkey, are described and assigned to an extinct genus and species, Pseudodioon akyoli. Leaf macromorphology suggests affinity with members of the Zamiaceae (subfam.
Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 2012
ABSTRACT Cuticle micromorphology together with epidermal and epistomatal wax, in both current- an... more ABSTRACT Cuticle micromorphology together with epidermal and epistomatal wax, in both current- and first-year-old needles of conifer Pinus halepensis (Aleppo pine) trees growing under volcanic gas fumigation was analysed in Pisciarelli area, Campi Flegrei, Southern Italy. As a control, current- and first-year-old needles growing far from volcanic gas emission were also sampled. Using a multidisciplinary approach with SEM, TEM and X-ray, volcanic gases were shown to cause degradation on epicuticular and epistomatal waxes. Significant statistical variations of ultrastructural components of the cuticle, with 30 measurements, including total thickness of the cuticle, and details and proportions of all different layers, and use of confidence interval, revealed a high degree of sensitivity of Aleppo pine to this extreme environment. In the present study, non-significant thickness variations of the cell wall plus cuticle among current- and first-year-old needles of both fumigated and non fumigated trees have been found. However, at the ultrastructural level, significant variations in cell wall and total cuticle thickness, especially within the three zones of B1 fibrillar layer, revealed different equilibria for each of the four types of material. Using energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis, no sulphur was found in either cuticle or epidermal cells, but the presence of H2S in the fumarole gas is suspected to cause indirect and/or direct cuticle alterations of wax structure. Ultrastructural characters of plant cuticles related to emission of volcanic gases during the geological past are also discussed. Among these considerations, an identification key enabling distinction between non fumigated and fumigated materials with 9 characters, provides a good tool detecting the influence of volcanism for extant and fossil plants.
Grana, 2013
The evolution of the apertural type in the ANITA-grade family Nymphaeaceae, despite the importanc... more The evolution of the apertural type in the ANITA-grade family Nymphaeaceae, despite the importance of pollen characters for both paleobotanical and neobotanical investigations, has not been yet totally understood. To elucidate some unclear aspects regarding the homologies of the apertural condition in basal and core Nymphaeaceae, we examined the pollen grains from five species of this family. We offer for the first time some evidence about the presence of a proper operculum in the pollen grain of Nuphar, and for the ring-like status of the aperture of Nymphaea caerulea and Victoria cruziana. Our findings clarify and reinforce the hypothesis of an opercular origin of the distal part of the pollen grain in the core Nymphaeaceae, and support the paraphyly of the genus Nymphaea, as emerged from recent molecular studies. The diversity and specialization of this "basal" family is underlined even by its pollen characters.
Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012
A great variety of colours, shapes, scents, energy-rich rewards and other floral traits form an i... more A great variety of colours, shapes, scents, energy-rich rewards and other floral traits form an integrated system that increases pollination efficiency or reduces pollen loss. Flowers lacking energetic rewards possess a more elaborate morphology to ensure co-specific pollination. Despite the prevalence of deceptive species among Euro-Mediterranean orchids, the study of their floral micromorphology is still in its infancy. In this work, we examine the floral micromorphology of four sympatric species of the widespread Mediterranean genus Serapias. Electron microscopy (scanning, transmission) was performed on flowers of four sympatric species of the deceptive genus Serapias, the widespread S. cordigera, S. lingua, S. parviflora and S. vomeracea. Each species has a characteristic combination of specialized, secretory epidermal cells and trichomes on the labellum and, to a lesser extent, the petals. Serapias lingua is highly specialized in that it produces olfactory signals and has two types of trichome with secretory apical cells, one of which is also present in S. parviflora. In addition to striated, conical secretory cells, S. cordigera and S. vomeracea also have characteristic, atypical secretory trichomes with bilobulate or dome-like protuberances. The labellar micromorphology of S. lingua and S. parviflora is adapted for scent production, whereas S. vomeracea and S. cordigera possess trichomes that may also provide visual and/or tactile cues. Owing to the combined effect of the specific floral fragrance and labellar micromorphology in pollinator selection, the pollination ecology of Serapias spp. is even more specialized than previously thought.
American Journal of Plant Sciences, 2014
The Graeco-Roman harbor of Neapolis (Naples, Italy), chronologically constrained between the late... more The Graeco-Roman harbor of Neapolis (Naples, Italy), chronologically constrained between the late 4th century BC and the 6th century AD, offers a unique sight on relationship between past and present into the history of the marine biodiversity. In fact, the digs expose fossil leaf of Posidonia oceanica with epiphytic communities of microorganisms. Posidonia oceanica is a seagrass endemic to the Mediterranean that forms large meadows whose remains can persist in the sediment for thousands of years. In this communication, we report results of analyses carried out using both molecular and morphological techniques on sub-fossil leaves of P. oceanica and their associated epiphytic communities.