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Abstract Detail


Developmental and Structural Section

Mack, Jaimie [1], Davis, Arthur [2].

Investigation of the floral nectar spur of Centranthus ruber (Valerianaceae): nectary characteristics and spur development.

The flowers of Centranthus ruber (L.) DC. (Spur Valerian) each possess a single floral nectar spur which is located on the lower abaxial side of the tubular corolla. Present in <1% of angiosperm genera, nectar spurs are hollow, tube-like, floral outgrowths which generally serve to contain secreted nectar. Despite the implications spurs have for the evolution of specialized pollinator interactions, ultrastructural studies of their nectariferous tissues are limited and the basis of their development remains under-examined. Within C.ruber's spur is a trichomatous nectary which runs along the entire length of the spur's inner surface. In addition to secretory trichomes, non-secretory trichomes line the remaining inner surface of the spur. At anthesis, nectar is secreted into the lumen of the spur via the secretory trichomes which have features characteristic of transfer cells. Investigation of the spur outgrowth using confocal and scanning electron microscopy revealed that cell division is responsible for initiation in early stages of floral development, but seems to play a less pronounced role in the latter stages, in which the spur'sincreasing length continues primarily by cell elongation. In addition, cell divisions in the early developmental stages appear diffuse and are not strictly confined to a particular region of the spur.

Broader Impacts:


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1 - University of Saskatchewan, Department of Biology, W.P. Thompson Building, 112 Science Place, University of Saskatchewan , Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E2 , Canada
2 - UNIVERSITY OF SASKATCHEWAN, Department Of Biology, 112 SCIENCE PLACE, SASKATOON, SK, S7N 5E2, Canada

Keywords:
floral nectar spur
floral development
floral structure
floral morphology
Centranthus ruber.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper:Papers for Sections
Session: 17
Location: Union D/Hyatt
Date: Monday, July 9th, 2012
Time: 2:00 PM
Number: 17003
Abstract ID:565


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