The embyology and relationship of the Byblidaceae

Abstract

The relationships of the Byblidaceae have been the subject of a number of recent molecular phylogenetic studies where their traditional relationships with the Roridulaceae and other members of the Rosidae have been overturned in favour of affinities with the Asteridae, in particular to the Lentibulariaceae in the Lamiales. Although the embryological relationships between these families were the subject of an earlier study, the data for the Byblidaceae were incomplete. The family has tetrasporangiate, bilocular anthers with a glandular bi-nucleate tapetum. Formation of the anther wall appears to be of the Dicotyledonous type, and the anthers have ephemeral middle layers and apical fibrous thickenings. Simultaneous microsporogenesis results in tetrahedral tetrads of bi-nucleate pollen grains. The ovules are anatropous, unitegmic and tenuinucellate. Megasporogenesis is direct from the archesporal cell, which in Byblis liniflora Salisb. divides to produce a linear tetrad from which a chalazal megaspore is derived (contrary to a report of a micropylar megaspore in B. gigantea Lindl.). Megagametogenesis conforms to the Polygonum type, and the antipodal cells are persistent. The endosperm is ab initio Cellular and there are well developed micropylar and chalazal haustoria. Embryogenesis appears to conform to the Onagrad type noted for several of the other members of the Lamiales s.l., including the Lentibulariaceae, to which the Byblidaceae have been related in recent molecular studies.