Morfologia e anatomia de frutos e sementes de Melastomataceae Juss: abordagens taxonômicas, filogenéticas e ecofisiológicas

Abstract

Melastomataceae Juss. includes circa 4,500 species in approximately 166 genera of pantropical occurrence, about 70% in the Neotropics. Due to the great variety of fruit and seed morphology in the family, they are used for identifying different groups. However, despite the great relevanceof these structures, few studies approaches morphology, anatomy and dispersion in Melastomataceae species. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to characterize the morphology and anatomy of fruits and seeds of Neotropical Melastomataceae, emphasizing aspects related to phylogeny (Chapter I), taxonomy (Chapter II and III) and ecology of the seed dispersion in fleshy fruits (Chapter IV). For this, we collected, fixed and submitted to specific protocols for light and scanning electron microscopy the mature seeds of 188 (Chapter I) and 239 species (Chapter II) occurring in the Neotropics. Aiming to discuss dehiscence patterns, we evaluated fruit ontogeny in eight species of Microlicieae (Chapter III), as well as we performed germination tests and analysis in light and scanning electron microscopy of the seed coats of three species of Miconieae after passing through the digestive tract of passerines (Chapter IV). Subsequently, morphological and anatomical characters of fruits and seeds were selected, allowing identifying clades and possibly species, and characterize the type of seed dispersal andpossible dispersers. Thus, the results of this study represent important information about the evolution of reproductive strategies in Melastomataceae, which will contribute to the systematics and taxonomy of certain groups in the family. In addition, this thesis contains useful information for developing strategies for the conservation of the studied species, some of which are endangered.