Nova Biologica Reperta

The embryology of Ailanthus altissima (Simaroubaceae): an invasive species from Iran

Authors

Fateme Mousavi 1
Ahmad Majd 2

1 Aerospace Research Institute

2 Kharazmi University

https://doi.org/10.29252/nbr.6.2.184
Abstract
Simaroubaceae is a monophyletic family in the order Sapindales with 22 genera and 109 species. Ailanthus altissima (Mill) Swingle, also known as the tree of heaven, is a highly invasive species, which systematically belongs to Simaroubaceae. Reproductive characteristics are essential for the deployment and maintenance of invasive species in new environments and examination of the reproductive system of these species is interesting. To date, no embryological investigations had been directed to A. altissima and our knowledge on the embryology of this species was very limited. A study was carried out on the embryology of A. altissima and the comparison of anther development in male and female flowers in order to gain insights into defining embryological features in this species. According to the results of histological analysis, male flowers have rudimentary gynoecia and anthers are tetrasporangiate. Cytokinesis in meiosis is simultaneous resulting in tetrahedral tetrads. Anther wall development follows the dicotyledonous type and the tapetum is secretory. Female flowers have staminodes and microspore mother cells are degraded too early before entering the course of meiosis. Ovules are anatropous, bitegmic, and crassinucellate. The development of the embryo sac follows the polygonum type. Embryos follow the Onagrad type. The endosperm development is nuclear type. A well-developed hypostase is present and a nucellar cap is formed. These observations will advance our understanding of embryology and embryo anatomy in A. altissima as an invasive species.


Keywords

anther
embryo
hypostase
ovule
tree of heaven
Alves, I.A., Miranda, H.M., Soares, L.A. and Randau, K.P. 2014. Simaroubaceae family: botany, chemical composition and biological activities. - Rev. Bras. Farm. 24: 481-501. [DOI:10.1016/j.bjp.2014.07.021]
Alves, I.A., Miranda, H.M., Soares, L.A. and Randau, K.P. 2014. Simaroubaceae family: botany, chemical composition and biological activities. - Rev. Bras. Farm. 24: 481-501. [DOI:10.1016/j.bjp.2014.07.021]
Bachelier, J.B., and Endress, P.K. 2008. Floral Structure of Kirkia (Kirkiaceae) and its Position in Sapindales. - Ann. Bot. 102: 539-550. [DOI:10.1093/aob/mcn139]
Bachelier, J.B., and Endress, P.K. 2008. Floral Structure of Kirkia (Kirkiaceae) and its Position in Sapindales. - Ann. Bot. 102: 539-550. [DOI:10.1093/aob/mcn139]
Baily, L.H. 1964. Manual of cultivated plants. The Macmillan Co, New York, pp: 611.
Baily, L.H. 1964. Manual of cultivated plants. The Macmillan Co, New York, pp: 611.
Bouman, F. 1984. The ovule. In B. M. Johri (Ed), Embryology of angiosperm. Berlin: Springer Verlag. pp: 530. [DOI:10.1007/978-3-642-69302-1_3]
Bouman, F. 1984. The ovule. In B. M. Johri (Ed), Embryology of angiosperm. Berlin: Springer Verlag. pp: 530. [DOI:10.1007/978-3-642-69302-1_3]
Cao, L.M., Xia, N.H. and Deng, Y.F. 2008. Embryology of Handeliodendron bodinieri (Sapindaceae) and its systematic value: development of male and female gametophytes. - Plant. Syst. Evol. 274: 17-23. [DOI:10.1007/s00606-008-0024-0]
Cao, L.M., Xia, N.H. and Deng, Y.F. 2008. Embryology of Handeliodendron bodinieri (Sapindaceae) and its systematic value: development of male and female gametophytes. - Plant. Syst. Evol. 274: 17-23. [DOI:10.1007/s00606-008-0024-0]
Carmello-Guerreiro, S.M. and Paoli, A.A.S. 2005. Anatomy of the Pericarp and Seed-coat of Lithraea molleoides (Vell.) Engl. (Anacardiaceae) with Taxonomic Notes. - Braz. Arch. Boil. Technol. 48: 590-610. [DOI:10.1590/S1516-89132005000500013]
Carmello-Guerreiro, S.M. and Paoli, A.A.S. 2005. Anatomy of the Pericarp and Seed-coat of Lithraea molleoides (Vell.) Engl. (Anacardiaceae) with Taxonomic Notes. - Braz. Arch. Boil. Technol. 48: 590-610. [DOI:10.1590/S1516-89132005000500013]
Clayton, J.W. 2008. Evolutionary history of Simaroubaceae (Sapindales): Systematics, biogeography and diversification. Ph.D thesis, University of Florida.
Clayton, J.W. 2008. Evolutionary history of Simaroubaceae (Sapindales): Systematics, biogeography and diversification. Ph.D thesis, University of Florida.
Correia, M., Castro, S., Ferrero, F., Crisóstomo, J.A. and Rodríguez‐Echeverría, S. 2014. Reproductive biology and success of invasive Australian acacias in Portugal. - Bot. J. Linn. Soc. 174: 574-588. [DOI:10.1111/boj.12155]
Correia, M., Castro, S., Ferrero, F., Crisóstomo, J.A. and Rodríguez‐Echeverría, S. 2014. Reproductive biology and success of invasive Australian acacias in Portugal. - Bot. J. Linn. Soc. 174: 574-588. [DOI:10.1111/boj.12155]
Corner, E.J.H. 1976. The seeds of dicotyledons. 2 vols. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. pp: 1-320.
Corner, E.J.H. 1976. The seeds of dicotyledons. 2 vols. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. pp: 1-320.
Czapik, R. and Izmailow, R. 2001. Zygotic Embryogenesis. Structural aspects. In: Bhojwani and Soh [eds.], Current trends in the embryology of angiosperms, 197-222. The Netherlands, Dordrecht, Kluwer Academic Publishers. [DOI:10.1007/978-94-017-1203-3_9]
Czapik, R. and Izmailow, R. 2001. Zygotic Embryogenesis. Structural aspects. In: Bhojwani and Soh [eds.], Current trends in the embryology of angiosperms, 197-222. The Netherlands, Dordrecht, Kluwer Academic Publishers. [DOI:10.1007/978-94-017-1203-3_9]
Endress, P.K. 1994. Diversity and evolutionary biology of tropical flowers. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. pp: 1-420.
Endress, P.K. 1994. Diversity and evolutionary biology of tropical flowers. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. pp: 1-420.
Endress, P.K. 2011. Evolutionary diversification of the flowers in angiosperms. - Am. J. Bot. 98: 370-96. [DOI:10.3732/ajb.1000299]
Endress, P.K. 2011. Evolutionary diversification of the flowers in angiosperms. - Am. J. Bot. 98: 370-96. [DOI:10.3732/ajb.1000299]
Gonzalez, A.M. 2016. Floral structure, development of the gynoecium, and embryology in Schinopsis balansae Engler (Anacardiaceae) with particular reference to aporogamy. - Int. J. Plant. Sci. 177: 326-338. [DOI:10.1086/684847]
Gonzalez, A.M. 2016. Floral structure, development of the gynoecium, and embryology in Schinopsis balansae Engler (Anacardiaceae) with particular reference to aporogamy. - Int. J. Plant. Sci. 177: 326-338. [DOI:10.1086/684847]
Hua, P. and Thomas, W.W. 2008. Simaroubaceae. - In: Flora of China: Oxalidaceae through Aceraceae. Vol. 11. Missouri. Botanical Garden Press, St. Louis. pp: 100-104.
Hua, P. and Thomas, W.W. 2008. Simaroubaceae. - In: Flora of China: Oxalidaceae through Aceraceae. Vol. 11. Missouri. Botanical Garden Press, St. Louis. pp: 100-104.
Kundu, P., and Laskar, S. 2010. A brief resume on the genus Ailanthus: chemical and pharmacological aspects. - Phytochem. Rev. 9: 379-412. [DOI:10.1007/s11101-009-9157-1]
Kundu, P., and Laskar, S. 2010. A brief resume on the genus Ailanthus: chemical and pharmacological aspects. - Phytochem. Rev. 9: 379-412. [DOI:10.1007/s11101-009-9157-1]
Martinsa, F.M., Cunha-Netoa, I.L. and Pereirab, T.M. 2016. Floral morphology and anatomy of Dalechampia alata Klotzsch ex Baill. (Euphorbiaceae), with emphasis on secretory structures. - Braz. J. Biol. 76: 233-244. [DOI:10.1590/1519-6984.19514]
Martinsa, F.M., Cunha-Netoa, I.L. and Pereirab, T.M. 2016. Floral morphology and anatomy of Dalechampia alata Klotzsch ex Baill. (Euphorbiaceae), with emphasis on secretory structures. - Braz. J. Biol. 76: 233-244. [DOI:10.1590/1519-6984.19514]
Mousavi, F., Rezanejad, R., Majd, A. and Irian, S. 2010. Flower and Fruit morphology in Aianthus. altissima. - J. Develop. Biol. 7: 25-32.
Mousavi, F., Rezanejad, R., Majd, A. and Irian, S. 2010. Flower and Fruit morphology in Aianthus. altissima. - J. Develop. Biol. 7: 25-32.
Mousavi, F., Rezanejad, F., Majd, A. and Irian, S. 2011. Flower structure and anther and pollen development n Aianthus altissima (Simaroubaseae). - J. Sci. (Kharazmi University) 10: 1033-1046.
Mousavi, F., Rezanejad, F., Majd, A. and Irian, S. 2011. Flower structure and anther and pollen development n Aianthus altissima (Simaroubaseae). - J. Sci. (Kharazmi University) 10: 1033-1046.
Mousavi, F., Majd, A., Shahali, Y., Ghahremaninejad, F., Kardar, G. and Pourpak, Z. 2016. Pollinosis to tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima) and detection of allergenic proteins: a case report. - Ann. Allergy. Asthma. Immunol. 116: 374-375. [DOI:10.1016/j.anai.2016.01.019]
Mousavi, F., Majd, A., Shahali, Y., Ghahremaninejad, F., Kardar, G. and Pourpak, Z. 2016. Pollinosis to tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima) and detection of allergenic proteins: a case report. - Ann. Allergy. Asthma. Immunol. 116: 374-375. [DOI:10.1016/j.anai.2016.01.019]
Nair, N.C. and Joseph, T.C. 1957. Floral morphology and embryology of Samadera indica. - Bot. Gaz. 119: 104-115. [DOI:10.1086/335970]
Nair, N.C. and Joseph, T.C. 1957. Floral morphology and embryology of Samadera indica. - Bot. Gaz. 119: 104-115. [DOI:10.1086/335970]
Nair, N.C. and Sukumaran, N.P. 1960. Floral morphology and embryology of Brucea amarissima. - Bot. Gaz. 121: 175-185. [DOI:10.1086/336064]
Nair, N.C. and Sukumaran, N.P. 1960. Floral morphology and embryology of Brucea amarissima. - Bot. Gaz. 121: 175-185. [DOI:10.1086/336064]
Narayana, L.L. 1957. Embryology of two Simaroubaceae. - Curr. Sci. 26: 323-324.
Narayana, L.L. 1957. Embryology of two Simaroubaceae. - Curr. Sci. 26: 323-324.
Pereira, E.J. and Bittencourt, N.S. 2016. Comparative ovule ontogeny in some members of the Tabebuia alliance (Bignoniaceae). - Int. J. Plant. Sci. 177: 481-497. [DOI:10.1086/686794]
Pereira, E.J. and Bittencourt, N.S. 2016. Comparative ovule ontogeny in some members of the Tabebuia alliance (Bignoniaceae). - Int. J. Plant. Sci. 177: 481-497. [DOI:10.1086/686794]
Pfeiffer, W.M. 1912. The morphology of Leitneria floridana. - Bot. Gaz. 53: 189-203. [DOI:10.1086/330749]
Pfeiffer, W.M. 1912. The morphology of Leitneria floridana. - Bot. Gaz. 53: 189-203. [DOI:10.1086/330749]
Teichman, I.V. 1993. Development and structure of the seed of Ozoroa paniculosa (Anacardiaceae) and taxonomic notes. - Bot. J. Linn. Soc. 111: 463-470. [DOI:10.1111/j.1095-8339.1993.tb01915.x]
Teichman, I.V. 1993. Development and structure of the seed of Ozoroa paniculosa (Anacardiaceae) and taxonomic notes. - Bot. J. Linn. Soc. 111: 463-470. [DOI:10.1111/j.1095-8339.1993.tb01915.x]
Tilton, V.R. 1980. Hypostase development in Ornithogalum caudatum (Liliaceae) and notes on other types of modifications in the chalaza of angiosperm ovules. - Can. J. Bot. 58: 2059-2066. [DOI:10.1139/b80-238]
Tilton, V.R. 1980. Hypostase development in Ornithogalum caudatum (Liliaceae) and notes on other types of modifications in the chalaza of angiosperm ovules. - Can. J. Bot. 58: 2059-2066. [DOI:10.1139/b80-238]
Tobe, H. 2011. Embryological evidence supports the transfer of Leitneria floridana to the family Simaroubaceae. - Ann. Mo. Bot. Gard. 98: 277-293. [DOI:10.3417/2009073]
Tobe, H. 2011. Embryological evidence supports the transfer of Leitneria floridana to the family Simaroubaceae. - Ann. Mo. Bot. Gard. 98: 277-293. [DOI:10.3417/2009073]
Wiger, J. 1935. Embryological studies on the families Buxaceae, Meliaceae, Simaroubaceae, and Burseraceae. Ph.D. thesis, University of Lund, Lund.
Wiger, J. 1935. Embryological studies on the families Buxaceae, Meliaceae, Simaroubaceae, and Burseraceae. Ph.D. thesis, University of Lund, Lund.
Nova Biologica Reperta
Volume 6, Issue 2 - Serial Number 20
Summer 2019
Pages 184-197

  • Receive Date 08 June 2026
  • Publish Date 08 June 2026

Home

Guide for Authors

Submit Manuscript

Reviewers

Contact Us