Graduate Program

Biological Sciences

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Semester of Degree Completion

2011

Thesis Director

J. Richard Abbott

Thesis Committee Member

Barbara Carlsward

Thesis Committee Member

Andrew Methven

Abstract

Leaf samples from Polygalaceae: nine species of Badiera, two species of Bredemeyera, three species of Hebecarpa, and two species of Polygala were taken from herbarium specimens for anatomical observations. Several methods of rehydration were compared to a control of fresh material fixed in the field for four species of Badiera. Soaking in concentrated ammonium hydroxide proved to be the best overall means of rehydrating leaves of the genus Badiera and related genera. All leaves were embedded in paraffin for sectioning and cleared in 5% aqueous sodium hydroxide for examining epidermal features. Twelve anatomical characters were mapped onto a molecular phylogeny to determine patterns of variation for the genus Badiera and related genera. The clade of Badiera + Hebecarpa is defined by having level hair bases and biseriate palisade mesophyll. Species of Badiera are united by a thick adaxial cuticle and revolute margins. Species of Hebecarpa are united by the presence of a thin adaxial cuticle, amphistomatal leaves, palisade mesophyll distributed isobilaterally, and a plane margin.

Download

Included in

Biology Commons

Share

COinS