Systematic placement of Rapateaceae (Commelinales).
Item
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Title
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Systematic placement of Rapateaceae (Commelinales).
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Identifier
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AAI9946154
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identifier
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9946154
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Creator
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Colella-Franco, Myriam Itala.
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Contributor
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Chairman: Jack Valdovinos
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Date
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1999
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Language
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English
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Publisher
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City University of New York.
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Subject
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Biology, Botany | Biology, Cell | Biology, Plant Physiology
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Abstract
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A comparative morphological, anatomical, cytological, palynological and embryological study of the families Rapateaceae and Thurniaceae was undertaken in order to elucidate its systematic position within the order Commelinales. The overall morphology of the unifacial leaves of the Rapateaceae showed a pattern of localized meristematic activity and "arm chair" morphology during earlier stages, in both unifacial and cylindrical leaves. Shoot apex morphology and histology showed the typical monocotyledon pattern in which the leaf primordium encircles the vast majority of the apex surface. The shoot apex histology was surveyed in the family Thurniaceae and in members of the subfamilies Saxofridericioideae and Rapateoideae of the Rapateaceae; in both subfamilies there were little variations on the tunica-corpus layers. No unifacial leaves were observed in Thurniaceae. Stomatal differences observed among the two subfamilies are shape, size of the guard cells, length of the pore and ornamentation in the subsidiary cells. Inflorescence morphology showed two distinctive patterns among the two subfamilies. The inflorescence construction is monopodial in the Saxofridericioideae and monopodial and sympodial in Rapateoideae. Thurniaceae were always monopodial. Pollen studies showed variations at the subfamilial level that is in agreement with previous classifications.;The embryological studies showed that the embryo sac formation is of the monosporic type in all of the genera studied (Shoenocephaflum , Kunhardita, Guacamaya , Duckea, and Monotrema ). Features such as anther and seed appendages, reproductive morphology, and anatomy showed variations at the genus and species level. Chromosome numbers in Cephalostemon are in agreement with those previously reported in the tribe Rapateoideae. The cladistic analysis confirmed the original placement of the Rapateaceae within the Commelinales, and the subdivision of the family into two subfamilies.
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Type
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dissertation
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Source
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PQT Legacy CUNY.xlsx
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degree
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Ph.D.
