Resumo A hipótese do vigor da planta sugere que plantas mais vigorosas suportam maior densidade de galhas. Este estudo avaliou tal hipótese utilizando o sistema ácaro-Baccharis longiattenuata em duas populações de restinga sob condições ambientais distintas. As medidas de vigor incluíram: altura e diâmetro do caule, volume e área da copa, número de folhas por ramo, teor de nitrogênio e área específica foliar. Os resultados evidenciaram o efeito do vigor sobre a densidade de galhas. Além do vigor da planta, outros fatores podem ter influenciado indiretamente no padrão observado. O maior aporte hídrico em restinga arbustivo-arbórea pode influenciar nas taxas de crescimento e formação de sítios meristemáticos, alterando a dinâmica galhador-hospedeiro. Diferente do esperado pela literatura, a população com folhas menos esclerófilas apresentou maior densidade de galhas. Por outro lado, em restinga arbustiva, os menores valores de AEF, em resposta à alta incidência luminosa e menor disponibilidade hídrica no solo, podem ter influenciado a maior densidade de ácaros por galha. Folhas mais esclerófilas e longevas favorecem o tempo de permanência de fêmeas na galha, aumentando a densidade de ácaros por galha neste ambiente. É apresentada uma discussão sobre as condições ambientais que podem moldar o padrão de distribuição das galhas encontrado.

Abstract The plant vigor hypothesis suggests that more vigorous plants support higher density of galls. This study will evaluate such hypothesis using a mite-Baccharis longiattenuata system in two restinga populations under different environmental conditions. The measures of vigor are: height and stem diameter, volume and crown area, number of leaves per branch, nitrogen content and specific leaf area. The results evidenced the vigor effect on the density of galls. In addition to plant vigor, other factors may have indirectly influenced the observed pattern. In shrub-tree restinga, the highest water intake may have influenced the growth rates and formation of meristematic sites, which changes the gall-host dynamics. Different than expected in the literature, a population with less sclerophyllous leaves presented higher density of galls. On the other hand, in shrub restinga, the lowest SLA values, in response to high light incidence and lower soil water availability, may be influenced by higher density of mites per gall, since more sclerophyllous leaves have greater longevity, favoring in the time of permanence of the mature female inside the gall, increasing the density of mites per gall in this environment. A discussion is presented of environmental conditions that conform to the gall distribution pattern found.

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar os atributos morfofuncionais das espécies da Floresta Ombrófila Mista, pertencentes a diferentes categorias sucessoriais. Frutos foram coletados de remanescentes florestais em Curitiba, Paraná. Foi realizada a biometria das sementes e plântulas e estimados os seguintes índices: comprimento da parte aérea/plântula; massa da parte aérea/plântula; massa dos cotilédones/plântula; massa dos eofilos/plântula e massa da plântula/semente. Diferenças estatísticas entre os grupos foram observadas em muitas das características avaliadas. A variabilidade entre as espécies é explicada pelo tamanho das plântulas, investimento em tecidos para interceptação da luz e alocação de recursos na parte aérea. As secundárias tardias têm plântulas maiores com características que indicam um desenvolvimento inicial mais lento, dependente das reservas da semente. As pioneiras têm plântulas menores, desenvolvimento mais rápido e são dependentes da fotossíntese. Essas diferenças morfofuncionais resultam em diferentes estratégias de estabelecimento das plântulas no processo sucessional. A análise de agrupamento resultou na formação de dois grupos principais: o primeiro composto pelas espécies secundárias tardias e o segundo formado por dois subgrupos distintos, que separam as pioneiras e a maioria das secundárias iniciais. Estes resultados indicam que o número e a qualidade dos dados disponíveis devem ser considerados na definição de categorias sucessoriais adotadas em estudos ecológicos.

Abstract The objective of this study was to analyze the morphofunctional attributes of Mixed Ombrophyllous Forest species of different successional categories. Fruits were collected from forest remnants in Curitiba, Paraná. It was analyzed the biometrics of seeds and seedlings of all species and the following ratios were estimated: shoot/seedling length, shoot/seedling mass, cotyledons/seedling mass, eophyll/seedling mass and seedling/ seed mass. Statistical differences among sucessional groups were observed in many of the evaluated traits. The variability among species is mainly explained by seedling size, tissue investment for light interception and shoot resource allocation. Late secondary species have larger seedlings with characteristics that indicate slower initial development, dependent on seed reserves. The pioneers species have smaller seedlings but faster development and earlier dependence on photosynthesis. These morphological and functional differences can result in different strategies for the establishment of seedlings in the successional process. The cluster analysis results on formation of two major groups. The first group is comprised of the late secondary species. The second group includes two distinct subgroups that separate the pioneers, and most of the early secondary species. These results indicate that the number and quality of available data should be considered in the definition of successional categories adopted in ecological studies.

ABSTRACT Plant-herbivore interactions have directed the evolution of defense mechanisms in plants, which can vary intraspecifically according to environmental quality. This study evaluated variation in the production of antiherbivory defenses in plant species distributed along an environmental gradient of restinga. The study was performed in Parque Estadual Acaraí, state of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Three species of four plant formations with different abiotic conditions were selected for study. Specific leaf area; water, nitrogen and carbon content; and presence of phenols, tannins, lignin and alkaloids, were evaluated in leaves of ten plants per species per plant formation. The results indicated that Symphyopappus casarettoi possesses Low Nutritional Quality Syndrome, characterized by low specific leaf area, presence of secondary metabolites and low nitrogen content. Dodonaea viscosa and Varronia curassavica possess Nutrition and Defense Syndrome, characterized by a balance between nutritional quality (high nitrogen content and lower C:N ratio) and protection (greater thickness of leaves and higher density of trichomes). The results did not confirm the Resource Availability Hypothesis. The absence of a pattern in antiherbivory response due to the environmental gradient may indicate that the investment in defense by plants is not unidirectional and that certain morpho-anatomical attributes are typically related to conservation of resources.

RESUMO O solo do manguezal influencia a fixação e o processo nutricional da comunidade das plantas. Este estudo avaliou as relações entre as condições edáficas, volume e biomassa radicular e a estrutura de dois manguezais no estado do Paraná. Foram coletadas quinze amostras de solo até a profundidade de 50 cm em cada um dos manguezais. Na Baía de Antonina predominou o Organosolo Tiomórfico sálico sódico, enquanto na Baía de Guaratuba foram encontrados Gleisolo Tiomórfico sálico sódico e Organosolo Tiomórfico sálico sódico. Foram coletadas quinze amostras de raízes para determinar o volume e massa seca, em cada manguezal. Valores mais altos de biomassa radicular foram encontrados na Baía de Guaratuba. A análise química do solo não apresentou correlação com a biomassa e o volume radicular. Os altos coeficientes de variação atestam a elevada heterogeneidade na distribuição das raízes em ambas as áreas. No entanto, na Baía de Guaratuba foi constatada uma biomassa e volume maior de raízes devido a composição textural do solo e a maior densidade arbórea nesta área.

ABSTRACT The soil of the mangroves influences the root anchorage and the nutrition processes of the plant community. This study evaluated the relationships among edaphic conditions, volume and biomass of roots, and tree structure of two mangroves in Paraná State. Five soil cores of 50 cm depth were collected from each mangrove for physicochemical analysis. Organosoil thiomorphic salic sodic predominated in Antonina Bay, while in Guaratuba Bay were observed the Gleysoil thiomorphic salic sodic and the Organosoil thiomorphic salic sodic. Fifteen root samples were collected from each mangrove area for root volume and dry mass analysis'?'. The higher values of root mass were found in Guaratuba Bay. The chemical analysis of the soil showed no correlation between biomass and root volume. The high coefficients of variation attested the high heterogeneity in the root distribution in both areas. However, in the Guaratuba Bay, root mass and volume are higher due to the textural composition of the soil and higher tree density.

RESUMO O estudo analisou a variabilidade de caracteres morfológicos de Andira fraxinifolia (Fabaceae) em duas formações de Restinga. Os espécimes foram coletados no Parque Estadual do Acaraí, São Francisco do Sul, SC, Brasil, em áreas de vegetação de Restinga arbustivo-arbórea e de floresta de transição. Cinco indivíduos foram selecionados em cada área para caracterização da altura da planta, do diâmetro à altura do peito, da morfologia das folhas e da anatomia do lenho caulinar. Andira fraxinifolia apresentou variações fenotípicas significativas entre as áreas estudadas, com destaque às dimensões das folhas e o tamanho da planta. Estes ajustes estruturais podem ser adaptativos, promovendo a sobrevivência da espécie em locais com condições ambientais distintas.

ABSTRACT The study analyzed the variability of morphological trait variability of Andira fraxinifolia from two different Restinga formations. The study was conducted at Acaraí State Park, São Francisco do Sul, Santa Catarina, Brazil, in areas of shrub-tree Restinga and Forest transition. Five individuals were selected on each area in order to characterize their height, trunk diameter at breast height, leaf morphological traits, and stem anatomical traits. Andira fraxinifolia presented phenotypic variations between the studied areas; leaf dimensions and the plant size being the most significant variations. The structural adjustments of these traits can be adaptive, allowing the plant survival in areas with distinct environmental conditions.

ABSTRACT In ombrophilous forests, light stratification provokes different adjustments by plants for better use of the environmental conditions of each stratum. Among the morphological traits that vary with strata, the presence of bundle sheath extensions (BSEs) is related to water transport, photosynthesis, and leaf mechanical support and classifies leaves as homobaric or heterobaric. This study analyzed the proportion of these types of leaves in a Lowland Ombrophilous Dense Forest (LLODF) and a Mixed Ombrophilous Forest (MOF), and among the strata of each forest type. The morphological leaf traits of 89 LLODF tree species and 57 MOF tree species were examined. The proportion of homobaric and heterobaric leaves did not differ between forests. However, in both forest types, the distribution of species with heterobaric or homobaric leaves depended on strata, with heterobaric species occurring mainly in higher strata, and homobaric species in lower strata. Thus, light stratification acts as an ecological filter on the composition of the vegetation of these forests, favoring heterobaric species in places with higher light intensity and temperature, such as the highest strata of canopy. On the other hand, homobaric species are more frequent in lower strata, where light is less available and humidity higher.

Esse estudo avaliou comparativamente os parâmetros fitossociológicos da regeneração natural e da vegetação arbórea em dois manguezais distintos no Estado do Paraná, um pertencente à Baía de Paranaguá (manguezal de Antonina) e outro à Baía de Guaratuba (manguezal de Guaratuba). Em cada área, três subáreas foram marcadas e amostradas cinco parcelas de 10 x 10 m para avaliação do componente arbóreo e quinze subparcelas de 1 x 1 m para avaliação da regeneração natural. Avicennia schaueriana, Rhizophora mangle e Laguncularia racemosa exibiram domínio e densidade relativa distintos entre as áreas. Manguezais de Antonina e Guaratuba diferiram tanto na estrutura da regeneração natural como no componente arbóreo. A Análise de Coordenadas Principais (PCoA) mostrou que as diferenças entre as áreas em relação às variáveis abióticas do solo estão fortemente relacionadas com os parâmetros estruturais do componente arbóreo dos manguezais. Os fatores edáficos dos manguezais têm grande importância na separação entre as áreas, já que reflete na capacidade de adaptação das plantas.

We analyzed the structures of two mangrove forests of Paraná (Brazil) (Antonina Bay and Guaratuba Bay), considering adult trees and regeneration component. In each area, we marked three sub-areas and sampled five plots of 10 x 10 m, equivalent to 0.05 ha to adults trees and fifteen 1 x 1m sub-plots to assess the regeneration component. Avicennia schaueriana, Rhizophora mangle and Laguncularia racemosa exhibited distinct dominance and relative density between the areas. Mangroves of Antonina and Guaratuba differed both in the structure of natural regeneration as the tree component. The Principal Coordinates Analysis (PCoA) show that differences between areas in relation to abiotic variables of soil are strongly related to the structural parameters of trees. The different types of mangrove soil are the most significant factor in the differentiation between the mangrove areas since influences the salinity values and consequent adaptability of plants.

Manguezais são florestas de arquitetura simples, abrigando poucas espécies arbóreas, vegetando em ambiente salino e sujeito ao regime de marés. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar as possíveis interações entre os atributos físico-químicos do solo e a concentração de nutrientes nas folhas de diferentes espécies de mangue. Assim, foi investigado se as diferentes espécies que se desenvolvem sobre a mesma classe de solo apresentam concentrações de nutrientes foliares similares, e se plantas de mangue da mesma espécie que ocorrem sobre diferentes classes de solo apresentam concentrações de nutrientes foliares similares. O estudo foi desenvolvido em manguezais no Estado do Paraná, Sul do Brasil, em duas classes distintas de solo (ORGANOSSOLO TIOMÓRFICO Sálico sódico e GLEISSOLO TIOMÓRFICO Sálico sódico), e três espécies diferentes de plantas (Avicennia schaueriana, Laguncularia racemosa and Rhizophora mangle). Em cada área foram delimitadas duas subáreas para coleta de solo e folhas das espécies. Cinco indivíduos do dossel dominante de cada espécie para coleta de folhas, na projeção da copa das árvores, e amostras de solo de 0-10 cm foram selecionados. Para testar se espécies de mangue apresentam perfis nutricionais distintos e se há correlação entre os atributos do solo com a composição química foliar um conjunto de análises univariadas multivariadas foram realizadas. Os resultados demonstraram que o estado nutricional das plantas é distinto e individualizado, independente dos atributos do solo em que se encontram as espécies. As concentrações dos elementos nas folhas pouco se correlacionaram com os nutrientes do solo, sugerindo absorção seletiva dos nutrientes pelas plantas.

Los manglares son bosques de arquitectura simple que albergan pocas especies arbóreas, creciendo en un ambiente salino sometido a la influencia de las mareas. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar las posibles interacciones entre las propiedades fisicoquímicas del suelo y la concentración de nutrientes en hojas de diferentes especies de mangle. Se investigó si las diferentes especies que se desarrollan en la misma clase de suelo tienen concentraciones de nutrientes foliares similares, y si las plantas de mangles de la misma especie que se desarrollan en diferentes tipos de suelos tienen concentraciones foliares similares. El estudio se desarrolló en manglares del Estado de Paraná, sur de Brasil, en dos tipos de suelos diferentes (HISTOSOL TIÓNICO Salino sódico y GLEYSOL TIÓNICO Salino sódico). Se analizaron tres especies vegetales diferentes (Avicennia schaueriana, Laguncularia racemosa y Rhizophora mangle). En cada área se delimitaron dos subáreas para recolectar el suelo y las hojas de cada una de las especies. Se tomaron cinco individuos de cada especie del dosel dominante para recoger hojas y muestras de suelo de 0-10 cm, en la proyección de la copa de los árboles seleccionados. Se realizaron análisis univariados y multivariados para probar si las especies de mangle tienen perfiles nutricionales diferentes, y si existe alguna correlación entre las propiedades del suelo con la composición química de las hojas. Los resultados mostraron que el estado nutricional de las especies de mangle es distinto e independiente de los atributos de los suelos en los que se encuentran. Las concentraciones de elementos en las hojas presentan poca correlación con los nutrientes del suelo, lo que sugiere que la absorción de nutrientes por las plantas es selectiva.

Mangrove forests have a simple architecture. They shelter a few number of arboreal species that grow in a saline environment subject to tidal activity. The research objective was to evaluate possible interactions between physical-chemical soil attributes and plant-leaf nutrient concentrations of different mangrove species. Different mangrove species growing in the same soil, and the same mangrove species growing in two different soil classes were evaluated as to their leaf nutrient concentration patterns. The study was carried out in mangrove areas of the State of Paraná, southern Brazil, in two distinct soil classes: HISTOSOL THIOMORPHIC Salic sodic and GLEYSOL THIOMORPHIC Salic sodic; and three different species: Avicennia schaueriana, Laguncularia racemosa and Rhizophora mangle. Two subareas were delimited within each area from which soil and leaf samples were collected. Samplings from five individuals of each dominant mangrove species were taken from the soil (0-10 cm deep) under each tree crown projection. The data was submitted to statistical analysis using a set of simple and multivariate analysis in order to determine possible differences among mangrove species leaf nutrient concentrations, and whether these differences might be correlated with the soil attributes or not. The results exposed that the nutritional state of the mangrove species is different and independent form the soil attributes in which they grow. Few correlations were found among leaf nutrient concentrations and soil attributes, suggesting differential selective nutrient uptake among species.

Restinga (o cordón litoral) es una formación que se desarrolla en cordones arenosos de planícies litorales. Este ambiente presenta condiciones limitantes al crecimiento y desarrollo de las especies vegetales. Estudios en gradientes de restinga son buenos ejemplos de como las plantas se aclimatan a las condiciones ambientales restrictivas. Este trabajo tuvo como objetivo comparar tres especies leñosas co-ocurrentes en cuatro fisonomías de una restinga del sur de Brasil, buscando conocer los atributos morfo-anatómicos que favorecen la sobrevivencia de estas especies frente a la heterogeneidad espacial de las condiciones de suelo y luz. Los resultados indican que las variables ambientales fueron percibidas en diferentes escalas por las especies. Varronia curassavica y Dodonaea viscosa mostraron características más xeromórficas en las formaciones de restinga más estressantes, mientras que Symphyopappus casarettoi varió entre formas xerofíticas a mesofíticas a lo largo del gradiente. Atributos morfológicos presentaron respuesta plástica mas acentuada que los anatómicos, destácandose la altura de los individuos, las masas foliares frescas y secas, el área foliar, el área y la masa específica foliar, la densidad foliar y el contenido de agua. Tales características representan estrategias que permiten a las especies estudiadas sobrevivir en ambientes de restinga con elevada variación en la disponibilidad de nutrientes, agua del suelo y condiciones de luminosidad. Las condiciones ambientales son características importantes que modulan la morfología de la planta de lo largo del gradiente.

Restinga formations grow on sandy spits of coastal plains, an environment whose conditions limit the growth and development of vegetal species. Studies on restinga gradients are good examples of how plants acclimate to restrictive environments. This work compares three woody species co-occurring in four vegetations of a restinga from Southern Brazil. It pinpoints morpho-anatomical attributes that favor the survival of species faced with spatial variability of soil and light conditions. Results indicate that they respond differently to environmental variables on different scales. The plastic response of morphological attributes is more marked than that of anatomical ones. Varronia curassavica and Dodonaea viscosa showed more xeromorphic features on the more stressful restinga formations while Symphyopappus casarettoi varied between xerophyte to mesophyte forms along the gradient. Individual height, fresh and dry leaf masses, leaf area, specific leaf mass and area, leaf density, and water content are particularly noteworthy. These responses are strategies allowing the studied species to survive in restinga environment with highly variable soil nutrient, water availability, and light conditions. The environmental conditions are important features that modulate de plant morphology along the gradient.

The goal of the present study was to find a pattern regarding wood anatomical features for the Araucaria Forest. For that, we studied the wood anatomy of 17 tree species characteristics of this forest formation of Southern Brazil. The species were selected based on the amplified importance value. Wood samples of three individuals per species were collected and prepared according to standard wood anatomical techniques. Most of the species can be grouped according to the presence of the following features: visible growth rings, diffuse porosity, absence of any typical vessel arrangement, simple perforation plate, simple to diminute bordered pits in fibers, little axial parenchyma, heterogeneous rays. The Grouping Analysis of qualitative and quantitative characters groups the species together, but two are distinct from the others: Cinnamodendron dinisii and Roupala montana. Principal Component Analysis explained 69 % of the total variance, influenced by rays height and width, vessel element and fiber length, separating Cinnamodendron dinisii and Roupala montana from the others. Results corroborated ecological wood anatomical patterns observed for other species in other tropical and subtropical vegetation formations occurring in higher altitudes and latitudes, where the species can be characterized by the presence of visible growth rings, predominantly solitary vessels, simple perforation plates and little axial parenchyma.

Se presenta el estudio anatómico de la madera de 17 especies de árboles características de una formación de bosque de araucaria, en el sur de Brasil. Se colectaron 17 especies, basado en el valor de importancia ampliado. Muestras de madera de tres individuos por especie fueron recolectadas, y preparadas de acuerdo con técnicas usuales empleadas en anatomía de la madera. La mayoría de las especies se pueden agrupar para la presencia de las siguientes características: anillos crecimiento visibles, porosidad difusa, los vasos no presentaron patrones específicos de agrupamientos, platina de perforación simples, punteaduras diminutas a bordeadas en las fibras, poco parénquima axial, radios heterogéneos. El análisis de agrupamiento de los caracteres cualitativos y cuantitativos de las especies se las agruparon juntas, pero dos son distintos de los demás: Cinnamodendron dinnisii y Roupala montana. El análisis de componentes principales explicó 69 % de la varianza total, influido por la altura y ancho de los radios, la longitud de los elementos de vasos y de las fibras, separando Cinnamodendron dennisii y Roupala montana de los demás. Los resultados corroboraron los patrones anatómicos ecológicos de la madera observados en otras formaciones vegetales tropicales y subtropicales, en mayor altitud y latitud.

ABSTRACT This study assessed the relation between Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn in the soils of the mangroves of Antonina and Guaratuba, on the coastline of the State of Paraná, and in the leaf tissues of A. shauerianaR. mangle, and L. racemosa through the analysis of correlation levels between these two compartments. Leaf samples were collected for ten individuals of each species in a 1000 m2 area delimited in each mangrove. Soil samples from 0-10 cm depth were taken from under the crown projection area of the selected trees to be submitted to chemical analysis. In the soils, metallic micronutrients presented the following order: Fe > Mn > Zn > Cu. In the leaves, concentrations were species dependent. InA. shaueriana and R. mangle, the profile was Mn > Fe > Zn > Cu, while in L. racemosa, the sequence was: Fe > Mn > Zn > Cu. Correlation analyses revealed only four significant correlations for Mn, Zn, and Cu in the soil and plant compartments. These results suggested that significant correlations depended on abiotic factors, inhibition between the elements, and immobilization and/or adsorptions of these metals by the soil.

RESUMOO presente trabalho teve como objetivo caracterizar a flora e as fitocomunidades de um gradiente de restinga da planície litorânea Estado de Santa Catarina, correlacionando-as com os atributos edáficos. Para o levantamento florístico foi utilizado o wide patrolling, enquanto a estrutura da comunidade foi determinada pelo método de parcelas. Amostras de solo de cada fisionomia foram coletadas para análise de macronutrientes, matéria orgânica, umidade e espessura da serapilheira. A flora é composta por 319 espécies, dentre as quais 244 ocorrem de forma exclusiva nas formações de restinga herbácea (63), restinga arbustiva (32), restinga arbustivo-arbórea (46) e floresta de transição (103). O padrão estrutural de cada fisionomia da restinga estudada foi influenciado por fatores edáficos, como os teores de matéria orgânica, potássio, alumínio, a capacidade de troca catiônica e espessura da serapilheira, sendo estes atributos determinantes da flora característica de cada fitocomunidade.

ABSTRACTThe present work characterized the flora and phytocommunities of a restinga gradient on the coast plain of Santa Catarina State and correlated them to edaphic attributes. The floristic survey followed the wide patrolling method and the community structure was determined through the plot method. Soil samples of each physiognomy were collected for analysis of macronutrients, organic matter, moisture, and litter thickness. Flora comprises 319 species, 244 of which occur exclusively in formations of herbaceous restinga (63), shrub restinga (32), shrub-tree restinga (46), and transition forest (103). The structural pattern of each restinga physiognomy studied was influenced by edaphic factors as organic matter, potassium, and aluminum contents, cation exchange capacity, and litter thickness. These attributes are determinant for the flora characterizing each phytocommunity.

This study compared the morphological and anatomical variations of the leaves of four shade-tolerant tree species Allophylus edulis (St.-Hil.) Radlk (Sapindaceae), Casearia sylvestris Sw. (Salicaceae), Cupania vernalis Cambess. (Sapindaceae) and Luehea divaricata Mart. (Malvaceae) from a fragment of Araucaria forest in two developmental stages. Morphological and anatomical traits, such as leaf and tissue thickness, leaf area, leaf dry mass, specific leaf area, leaf density and stomata density were measured from 30 leaves of each developmental stage. The phenotypic plasticity index was also calculated for each quantitative trait. The results showed that the four species presented higher mean values for specific leaf area and spongy/palisade parenchyma ratio at young stage, and higher mean values for stomata density, total and palisade parenchyma thickness in the adult stage. The plasticity index demonstrated that L. divricata presented highest plasticity for both the morphological and anatomical traits while A. edulis displayed the lowest plasticity index. The results of this study indicated that the leaves of these species exhibited distinct morphological traits at each stage of development to cope with acting environmental factors.

As espécies de Piper são de grande interesse medicinal. Porém apresentam considerável desafio taxonômico, provavelmente pelo diminuto tamanho das partes florais. Por isso a morfologia externa da folha tem sido muito utilizada para taxonomia do grupo. Entretanto, há poucos trabalhos anatômicos para o gênero. Neste estudo, as folhas de nove espécies foram comparadas anatomicamente: Piper aduncum Vell.; P. cernuum Vell.; P. dilatatum Rich; P. gaudichaudianum Kunth; P. glabratum Kunth; P. hispidinervum C. DC.; P. lindbergii C. DC.; P. solmsianum C. DC. e P. umbellatum Jacq. O objetivo era avaliar o potencial dos caracteres anatômicos para separação de espécies. A maioria das espécies estudadas tem a epiderme do limbo constituída por células retangulares e arredondadas. Camadas subepidérmicas ocorrem em ambas às faces do limbo, exceto em P. aduncum, P. cernuum e P. hispidinervum. Todas as espécies são hipoestomáticas, exceto P. hispidinervum. O mesofilo é dorsiventral na maioria das espécies, enquanto em P. solmsianum e P. umbellatum o mesofilo é homogêneo. O número de camadas dos tecidos paliçádico e esponjoso é variável. Também ocorrem variações no número e no tamanho dos feixes vasculares. Em geral, ocorrem células secretoras, idioblastos, tricomas tectores e glandulares, lipídios, compostos fenólicos e amido. A análise de agrupamento identificou três grupos distintos entre as espécies, com base nas características anatômicas estudadas.

The species of Piper are of great medical interest. They, however, represent considerable taxonomic challenge, probably due to the small size of floral parts. Therefore, the external morphology of the leaf has been used as diagnostic features in the taxonomy of the group. However, there are few anatomical studies on species of this genus. In this study, the leaves of nine species were compared anatomically: Piper aduncum Vell., P. cernuum Vell., P. dilatatum Rich, P. gaudichaudianum Kunth, P. glabratum Kunth, P. hispidinervum C. DC., P. lindbergii C. DC., P. solmsianum C. DC. and P. umbellatum Jacq. The objective was to evaluate the potential of anatomical characters for species separation. Most species studied have the epidermis of the lamina consists of rectangular and rounded cells. Subepidermal layers occur on both sides of the lamina, except in P. aduncum, P. cernuum and P. hispidinervum. All species are hypostomatic, except P. hispidinervum. The mesophyll is dorsiventral in most species, while in P. solmsianum and P. umbellatum, the mesophyll is homogeneous. The number of layers of palisade and spongy tissue is variable. Also there are variations in the number and size of vascular bundles. In general, secreting cells, idioblasts, and glandular trichomes, lipids, phenolic compounds and starch are present. Cluster analysis identified three distinct groups of species based on anatomical features studied.

Resumo Plantas aquáticas apresentam grande plasticidade fenotípica, sendo capazes de ocupar ambientes com diferentes condições físico-químicas da água. O objetivo deste trabalho é caracterizar a morfologia e a estrutura anatômica de Potamogeton polygonus Cham. & Schltdl., e identificar as alterações adaptativas da espécie em ambientes lêntico e lótico. As coletas foram realizadas nos municípios de Palmas e General Carneiro, Estado do Paraná, Brasil. Foram coletados dez indivíduos em cada localidade e realizadas mensurações de parâmetros morfológicos e anatômicos de raizes, caules e folhas. A estrutura anatômica foi analisada em microscopia fotônica e eletrônica de varredura. Foram constatadas modificações morfológicas e anatômicas de potencial papel adaptativo entre as plantas dos dois ambientes.

Abstract Aquatic macrophytes show great phenotypic plasticity and are able to occupy environments with different physicochemical conditions. The present study aimed to characterize morphology and anatomical structure of the pondweed, Potamogeton polygonus Cham. & Schltdl., and to identify adaptive modifications of the plant in lotic and lentic environments. Sampling was carried out in Palmas and General Carneiro, Paraná state, southern Brazil. Ten individuals from each locality were collected. Morpho-anatomical characteristics of the roots, stems and leaves were measured. The anatomical structure was analyzed with light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Significant morphological and anatomical adaptive differences were observed between plants of the two environments.