Evolution and Development of Floral Diversity of Melianthaceae, an Enigmatic Southern African Family

摘要: Melianthus has strongly modified and monosymmetric (zygomorphic) flowers, the ontogenetic derivation evolutionary origins of these highly flowers are sought in a comparative study floral ontogeny anatomy two species one Bersama. The development monosymmetry family can be observed as stepwise process linked with displacements organ primordia selective losses petals stamens. Flowers weakly (Bersama) to (Melianthus) monosymmetric. Sepal initiation is divided into time sequences: three outer sepals arise simultaneously anterior behaving shielding unit before inner emerge. Similarities differences between genera shown related trend specific pollination strategies. In Melianthus, an abaxial petal primordium initiated, but it aborts at early stage development; Bersama, all present, t...