Osmophores of Caryocar brasiliense (Caryocaraceae): a particular structure of the androecium that releases an unusual scent

Protoplasma
Elder Antônio Sousa PaivaDenise Maria Trombert Oliveira

Abstract

Caryocar brasiliense is a flagship species of the Brazilian Cerrado. It produces flowers with a strong peculiar scent, which are pollinated by bats and occasionally moths with short mouthparts. However, the cues responsible for attracting these nocturnal pollinators remain unknown. We aimed to identify osmophores of C. brasiliense, describe the ultrastructure of the cells involved in the synthesis and release of floral odour, and identify the constituents of the floral bouquet. We performed field observations and histochemical and ultrastructural analyses of flowers focusing on the androecium. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to analyse the scents emitted. Filament epidermal cells were found to possess an unusual shape and be responsible for the main production and release of odour. These cells, called foraminous cells, are elongate and possess pores where their cell walls are abruptly thin. The cuticle is practically absent over the pores, which facilitates odour emission. The foraminous cells have conspicuous nuclei and organelle-rich cytoplasm where oil droplets can be seen prior to anthesis. The features of these cells remain similar during anthesis, but many vesicles fuse with the plasma membrane and the numbe...Continue Reading

References

Mar 9, 2000·Journal of Comparative Physiology. A, Sensory, Neural, and Behavioral Physiology·O von HelversenH J Bestmann
May 3, 2005·Annual Review of Plant Biology·David R Gang
Apr 3, 2007·Analytica Chimica Acta·Guido FlaminiPier Luigi Cioni
Dec 15, 2010·Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry·Mika ShirasuKazushige Touhara
Dec 15, 2010·Methods in Molecular Biology·Elder Antônio Sousa PaivaDenise Maria Trombert Oliveira
Jan 10, 2017·Annals of Botany·Patrícia Gonçalves-SouzaElder Antônio Sousa Paiva
Mar 30, 2017·Annals of Anatomy = Anatomischer Anzeiger : Official Organ of the Anatomische Gesellschaft·Frederico VieiraFaizah Bhatti

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Citations

Feb 24, 2021·Protoplasma·Sofía Daniela ReposiJuan Pablo Torretta

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Methods Mentioned

BETA
light microscopy
dissection

Software Mentioned

Primer
PERMANOVA
GCMSolution

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