A anatomia foliar poderia explicar a presença de espécies perenes nas florestas estacionais deciduais?

Abstract

Although the majority of species in the deciduous forests lose their leaves during the dry season, some of them present alternative strategies, such as the leaf movement position (from horizontal to vertical ) in order to reduce transpiration. This study describes the leaf anatomy of nine plant species that reduce water loss during the dry season using the strategy of leaf movement rather than leaf abscission. The studied species were Piper aduncum sp. L. (Piperaceae), Acalypha Müll gracilis. Arg. (Euphorbiaceae), Casearia sylvestris Sw (Salicaceae), Bauhinia L. ungulata (Fabaceae: Caesalpinoideae) Calyptranthes widgreniana Berg. (Myrtaceae), Trichilia elegans A. Juss (Meliaceae) Guarea guidonia (L.) Sleumer (Meliaceae), Myrsine umbellata Mart. (Myrsinaceae) e Psychotria carthagenensis Jacq. (Rubiaceae), from the Parque Estadual do Pau Furado (Triângulo Mineiro), Brazil. Samples of the leaf blades and petioles were processed according to the usual techniques for plant anatomy. No general anatomical petiole pattern was found. However, some characteristics are common to all species: (a) supporting tissue, usually represented by collenchyma; (b) large cortical cells with thin walls and small intercellular spaces and (c) reduction or absence of lignified fibers. All these features could enhance the petiole flexibility allowing leaf changing position. The leaf blade anatomy revealed structural traits that promote water savings, as well as efficient mechanisms against predation by herbivores. These important features can effectively contribute to the maintenance and existence of these species in deciduous forests.