Jornal Europeu de Biologia Experimental Acesso livre

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Biosystematic Studies in Loganiaceae (Series 3): Stomatal Morphology In relation to intraspecific delimitation among members of the tree species in the Genus Anthocleista found in parts of Tropical Rainforest in Nigeria

Edwin-Wosu, L. Nsirim and Ndukwu. C. Benjamin

A comparative systematic micromorphological study on species of Anthocliesta found in parts of tropical rainforest Nigeria was carried out. This was aimed at delimiting species classification at the intraspecific level, despite their classification into the same genus – Anthocliesta. The investigation revealed the types of stomata and stomatal frequency on the four tree species found in parts of Niger Delta rainforest in Nigeria. Anthocliesta nobilis G. Don is seen to be epistomatic with only the adaxial leaf surface having anomocytic stomata and stomatal index frequency (SI) of 16.70%. Anthocliesta liebrechtsiana De wild and Th. Dur has paracytic stomata (33. 33%) on both surfaces respectively, while A. djalonesis A. Chev, had cyclocytic (16.70%), staurocytic (20%) on both surfaces, however the abaxial surface had additional anisocytic stomata (25%). Anthocliesta vogelii Planch had anomocytic on both surfaces but difference in SI with adaxial (25%) and abaxial (20%). Exception of Anthocliesta nobilis, the latter three species are said to be amphistomatic in stomatal distribution. Despite their similarity which might have grouped them into the same genus, the stomatal variation might prove taxonomically useful in delimiting the different taxa at the species level.