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Measurement of stomata and pollen as an indirect indicator of polyploidy in the genus polylepis (Rosaceae) in Ecuador

Abstract:

Polylepis forests (Family: Rosaceae) are originated in the Andes and are considered one of the most threatened forest ecosystems. Throughout their evolutionary history, they have shown several episodes of polyploidy affecting their process of speciation. Cellular structures such as pollen and guard cells are highly influenced by the number of genes in each species, representing an indirect method to determine the degree of ploidy. In this study, the relationship of pollen grain size and the length of the guard cells were analyzed with genome size and chromosome number, in addition to the pollen viability of Polylepis incana, P. pauta, P. microphylla, P. racemosa y P. sericea collected from the Andean highlands of Ecuador. Stomata and pollen grains were photographed at 400X magnification and their length was measured in micrometers using ImageJ program 1.49v. Staining technique was used to determine the viability of the pollen. The results show a positive correlation that varies from R2=0.32 a R2=0.65 between the variables used depending of the species; therefore, it serves as an indirect analysis method for polyploidy. These data are important for the management and conservation of Polylepis in Ecuador, allowing prior identification of potential hybrid individuals and cytotypes along the Ecuadorian Andes in a quick and inexpensive fashion. Additionally, it opens the possibility of use this data in studies of climate change, as well as the determination of parental in reforestation and restoration projects.