title: Leaf colleters in Tontelea micrantha (Celastraceae, Salacioideae): ecological, morphological and structural aspects.
abstract: The colleter secretion can be useful to protect plants of Cerrado (Brazilian savanna) biome during the long and pronounced dry season. This study describes the presence of colleters in Tontelea micrantha and represents the first record of these structures in Celastraceae. To investigate colleter structure and their secretory processes, young leaves were collected, fixed, and processed according to conventional techniques for light, and electron microscopy. Colleters were observed at the marginal teeth on the leaf. They produce mucilaginous secretions that spread over the leaf surface. After secretory phase, colleters abscise. The secretory epithelium is uniseriate and composed of elongated cells whose dense cytoplasm is rich in organelles. The ultrastructure of the secretory cells is compatible with the pectin-rich secretion. Observations of the young leaves surface revealed the presence of superficial hydrophilic secretion films that appeared to have the function of maintaining the water status of those organs.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros, Campus Prof Darcy Ribeiro, Montes Claros, MG 39401-089, Brazil.
authors.forename: Maria Olívia
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Mercadante-Simões
authors.forename: Elder Antônio Sousa
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Paiva
mesh_terms: D001938:Brazil; D029753:Celastraceae / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology; D003890:Desiccation; D004463:Ecology; D006813:Humidity; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D015388:Organelles / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010368:Pectins / Q000378:metabolism*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D062087:Plant Mucilage / Q000378:metabolism*; D018526:Plant Transpiration / Q000502:physiology*; D012621:Seasons; D013312:Stress, Physiological; D013499:Surface Properties; D013696:Temperature; D014867:Water
chemical_list: D062087:Plant Mucilage; D014867:Water; D010368:Pectins
keywords: Celastraceae; Colleters; Leaf development; Plant protection; Plant–environment interactions; Polysaccharide secretion