Cuticle micromorphology of Agathis Salisbury.

• Author(s) / Creator(s)

  • Atkinson, I.J.
  • Stockey, R.A.

• Cuticle micromorphology from all 21 species of the Southern Hemisphere conifer genus Agathis Salisbury was studied with scanning electron microscopy. External and internal features of abaxial and adaxial cuticles are characterized for the three recognized sections of the genus. External cuticle surfaces of all species are undulating and exhibit Florin rings and stomatal plugs, with most species being hypostomatic. Sunken stomata of various orientations occur in discontinuous rows and have three to nine subsidiary cells, four being the common number, and bilobed polar extensions. Epidermal cells are usually rectangular, but vary considerably even on one leaf. The cuticle on guard and subsidiary cell surfaces is smooth to striated and pitted and can be useful in identifying taxa. Distinguishing characters useful at the levels of genus, section, and species are outlined. Micromorphological features distinguishing Agathis from Araucaria include the undulating epidermal cell surfaces, the presence of Florin rings, stomatal orientations, and bilobed polar extensions. Subsidiary cell number, shape, and morphology and stomatal orientations are the best characters to use when distinguishing fossil araucarian cuticles from those of broad-leaved podocarps.

• Date created

  1993

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Tasmania
  • Podocarpaceae

• Type of Item

  Article (Published)

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R3485R

• License

  Copyright 1993 by The University of Chicago