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Monocot Pollen Evolution

Transmission electron micrograph of pollen of the monocot Talbotia elegans (Velloziaceae: Pandanales) showing the monosulcate operculate aperture. Scale bar = 2 μm. 

Recent improved phylogenies of the monocotyledons utilising molecular data have allowed a re-assessment of key pollen and anther characters within the group. This is a long-term project, ongoing since 1995, that is based in the Jodrell Laboratory and involves collaborations with colleagues from the Kew Herbarium and elsewhere.  The aims are (1) to review pollen and anther characters of systematic significance throughout the monocots, e.g. tapetum type, microsporogenesis, inaperturate pollen, operculate pollen, and (2) to target specific groups for more detailed study, particularly the lilioids and commelinids (Cyperaceae and Arecaceae). Research techniques include both scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

Within the lilioids, pollen characters in Asparagales and Liliales have been investigated and contribute to the systematics of these groups. Ongoing projects include the pollen morphology of Tulipa (Liliaceae) and Iris (Iridaceae). Within Dioscoreales, two successful Kew PhD students (Liz Caddick and Peter Schols) have investigated pollen and anther characters that have contributed to a re-circumscription of the family Dioscoreaceae and a better understanding of the evolution of pollen characters within the large pantropical genus Dioscorea. Pollen and tapetal characters have also contributed to a morphological analysis of the order Pandanales.

Within commelinids, developmental studies of pollen in the sedge family (Cyperaceae), in conjunction with molecular sequence data, have lead to new groupings within the subfamily Mapanioideae. Work on pollen of palms (Arecaceae) has resulted in over twenty papers in peer-reviewed journals and the pollen of every palm genus will be described in the forthcoming revised Genera Palmarum.

Twenty papers on monocot pollen have been produced in peer-reviewed journals since 2001, including two journals of CIF>2. Ongoing projected research output is at least two publications per year.

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