Embryology of Abeliophyllum (Oleaceae) and its phylogenetic relationships

초록

Abeliophyllum, a monotypic endemic genus of Oleaceae, resembles Forsythia in various morphological characters, but its phylogenetic position is disputed and no embryological study of the genus has been carried out. We investigated more than 40 embryological characters of Abeliophyllum, compared them with previous information on Oleaceae, and discusses its phylogenetic relationships. Abeliophyllum is similar to other genera of Oleaceae in many embryological features, having some distinct features such as the mode of anther wall formation, formation of a nucellar cap, and formation of obturator and hypostase. The basic type of anther wall development and formation of a nucellar cap have not previously been reported in Oleaceae. In addition, differentiation of the obturator and formation of hypostase are not reported in the previously investigated genera of the family. Compared with close relatives, the seed coat structure of Abeliophyllum resembles Forsythia more than Fontanesia and supports existing molecular data which place Abeliophyllum as the sister group of Forsythia.

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