In this study, palynological, seed and
leaflet micromorphological properties of Astragalus victoriae and Astragalus
melanophrurius species were investigated in detail using light
microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The aim of this study
is to determine the contribution of pollen, leaflet and seed morphology
characters in distinguishing between these two closely related species. Study
results indicate that pollen of species are radial symmetric
and isopolar. Aperture type is trizonocolporate. Pollen
shape is determined as prolate-spheroidal
for Astragalus melanophrurius and subprolate for Astragalus victoriae. Ornamentation
type is observed as perforate at polar area and aperture surround, microreticulate at the other sides of
pollen for A. melanophrurius while ornamentation determined as
rugulate at polar area and aperture surround, microreticulate at the other sides of
pollen for Astragalus victoriae. Seeds shape are
reniform, the colour is light brown and surface ornamentation determined as
psilate in light microscope for both species while reticulate-rugulate with thin and irregular
muri determined in Astragalus victoriae and reticulate surface ornamentation with thick
and regular muri in Astragalus melanophrurius in SEM micrograph. Leaflet observed as elliptic-ovate, emarginated
with dens single celled trichomes on lower surface for A. melanophrurius while narrowly elliptic, apiculate,
with densely single-celled trichomes on lower surface leaflet observed for A.
victoriae. Trichomes have
scabrate ornamentation at A. melanophrurius and striate ornamentation at A. victoriae. On the lower surface of the leaflet
of A. victoriae 240 stomas and on the upper surface 263 stomas were
detected in 1 mm2. Wile on the lower surface of the leaflet of A.
melanophrurius 170 stomas and on the upper surface182 stomas were detected
in 1 mm2. According to results pollen shape, pollen surface ornamentation,
seed surface ornamentation, leaflet shape, trichome ornamentation, number of
stomata per 1 mm2 determined as important micromorphological
character for systematical delimination of two endemic species.
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