Turczaninowia (Dec 2018)
Anatomical features of leaf epidermis and formation of silica phytoliths in some species of Poaceae of the south of West Siberia
Abstract
The article analyzed main phytolith morphotypes produced and anatomical microscopic structure of grass leaf epidermis in dominant species in the south of West Siberia. Phytoliths are silica microfossils formed inside plant cells that allow identification of plants in paleobotanical studies. The choice of objects in the study was based on presence of strong silicification in selected dominant grasses. For the first time in our region, phytolith assemblage from a plant (% of morphotypes) was compared to the anatomical structure of leaf epidermis in Poaceae. We studied seven Poaceae species that together produced all major morphotypes found in soils of the region: Achnatherum sibiricum, Agrostis gigantea, Elymus dahuricus, Festuca pseudovina, Festuca pratensis, Koeleria cristata, Phalaroides arundinacea. Because all of these species were regionally important dominants, their phytoliths would help diagnose specific plant communities. We showed localization of main phytoliths in the leaves of these species and compared short cell and trichome distribution in a plant with its silicification. The results allowed to better visualize 3D shapes of epidermal cells. Most common phytoliths were formed as cell wall casts that repeat the shape of the cell in question. Some short cells, for example rondels and bilobates, did not match the shape of the cell, indicating active shaping process present inside the cells. An interesting result was a lack of silicification of trichomes in some grasses despite heavy trichome presence. This study will help researchers to avoid mistakes in identifying common dominant plants based on their phytolith record in paleosediments, within West Siberia and across all of Northern Eurasia.
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