Caracterização anatômica foliar de espécies de Guzmania Ruiz & Pav. e Mezobromelia L.B. Sm. (Tillandsioideae, Bromeliaceae)

Abstract

Guzmania and Mezobromelia are considered heterogeneous genres within Tillandsioideae, both are paraphyletic, and the transfer of species between these groups, which occurred over the years, demonstrates a lack of taxonomic viability, despite belonging to the same tribe Tillandsieae. Due to the lack of anatomical works published with such groups, it is expected that this study can add new data to the discussion of generic boundaries between them and better understand their distribution in different environments (mountainous rainforests vs. swamps of altitude entered in matrix savanna). In addition, it is expected to contribute to the understanding of the systematic positioning Mezobromelia within Tillandsioideae, since there are still uncertainties and controversies as to its delimitation. Eight species of leaves were analyzed Guzmania and a Mezobromelia collected in different countries and biomes of South America and in the Northeast of Brazil. The slides were photographed under a light microscope or scanning. The results showed that the leaf anatomy is considered a conservative trait in Guzmania, except in the form of their trichomes, which proved informative, but with greater potential for segregation in Mezobromelia. As for separation of genres, anatomy differed, because besides the shape of trichomes, there is variation especially when the deposition of fibers of islands in the mesophyll.