Cauline domatia of the ant-plant Humboldtia brunonis (Fabaceae)

Chanam, Joyshree and Borges, Renee M (2017) Cauline domatia of the ant-plant Humboldtia brunonis (Fabaceae). In: FLORA, 236-23 . pp. 58-66.

PDF Flo_263_58_2017.pdf - Published Version Restricted to Registered users only Download (4MB) | Request a copy

Abstract

We examined the morphology of the cauline domatia of the semi-myrmecophyte Humboldtia brunonis at different stages of ontogeny. We observed that the hollow chamber in H. brunonis is spontaneously formed by the plant, and suggest this to be a collective effect of both schizogeny and lysogeny, following acropetal lignification of the pith cells as the domatium internode swells up. Unlike some other cauline domatia, there is a self-opening slit that provides access to the domatium chamber. We investigated the micro-structure of the inner wall of the domatia using scanning electron microscopy, and observed that cells that form the inner lining of the domatia cavity have canaliculated, lignified sclerenchyma with numerous plasmodesmata, as reported for the true myrmecophyte Leonardoxa africana, which could explain the observed nutrient flux from domatia-dwelling invertebrates into the host plant. We also observed fungal mycelia in ant-occupied domatia, though the role of fungi in this ant-plant system awaits further investigation.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publication:	FLORA
Additional Information:	Copy right for this article belongs to the ELSEVIER GMBH, URBAN & FISCHER VERLAG, OFFICE JENA, P O BOX 100537, 07705 JENA, GERMANY
Department/Centre:	Division of Biological Sciences > Centre for Ecological Sciences
Date Deposited:	23 Dec 2017 08:31
Last Modified:	23 Dec 2017 08:31
URI:	http://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/58521

Actions (login required)

View Item