Julie N. Strandquist
Project Topic / Abstract:
"Pollen and anther development in the giant water lily (Victoria, Nymphaceaeceae)"
Victoria is endemic to South America and comprises two
species, Victoria amazonica and Victoria cruziana. Both
species have been introduced into North America for mostly
ornamental purposes, and these have been crossed to produce
several hybrids. Victoria is one of eight genera of water
lilies, a group widely regarded to be primitive among
flowering plants. Although studies of pollen structure and
development provide important evolutionary characters,
little is known about these in Victoria. This study has used
light and electron microscopy to investigate pollen and
anther development in both species of Victoria and in the
Longwood' hybrid. The goal of this investigation is to
comparatively document all major ontogenetic stages,
including the sporogenous, microspore mother cell, tetrad,
free-microspore, and mature stages. Although mature pollen
grains of Victoria are held together in permanent tetrads,
variation in tetrad morphology and the occurrence of polyads
has been identified in `Longwood' hybrid.
Presentations:
2002 Truman Undergraduate Research
Symposium (Kirksville, MO)
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