Ontogênese, função e evolução das traqueídes vasculares em Cactaceae, tendo como modelo o cacto colunar Pilosocereus aurisetus (Werdern.) Byles &G. D. Rowley / Ontogenesis, function and evolution of wide-band tracheids in Cactaceae: Ontogenesis, function and evolution of wide-band tracheids in Cactaceae: using Pilosocereus aurisetus as a model cactus.

Vanessa Romero Godofredo

Studies with wide-band tracheids have adressed phylogenetic and functional questions. Although these cells have been described as tracheids, with secondary cell walls thicker than 2µm, their recent register in different tissues of other families has pointed out that this definition may not be well established. The aim of the present study is to understand the ontogeny of the wide-band tracheids in Pilosocereus aurisetus (a columnar cactus), describing their structure at both celular and biochemical levels, and to investigate their possible functional and evolutionary implications for the Cactoideae as a whole. Therefore, Pilosocereus aurisetus ontogeny was studied as basis to cell wall composition analyses. Such analyses involved the use of antibodies and the identification of molecules of functional relevance. Furthermore, an anatomical review that summarizes the current knowledge about wide-band tracheid occurrence, wood polymorphism, and habit diversity was analyzed within a phylogenetic framework to investigate the role of polymorphic wood in Cactoideae evolution. Seedlings were embedded in paraffin, and the resulting sections were analyzed in optical and confocal microscopy. Studying the cell wall composition in seedling xylem involved the use of acid hydrolization of polysaccharides followed by chromatography analysis. The antibodies used for imunocitolocalization were anti-galactan LM5 and anti-arabinan LM6, for pectins, and anti-mannan, for hemicelluloses. Data about wide-band tracheids occurrence and wood polymorphism in Cactaceae were collected from the literature and mapped in a robust phylogeny for the subfamily. The prevalent proportion of primary cell wall with galactan suggests a water storage function for the wide-band tracheids. Furthermore, the rise of secondary cell wall deposition, and the high concentration of mannan in the cactus base suggest a sustaining function for this region. However, the fibrous wood development alone seems to provide enough support to sustain a mature columnar cactus. Such process may have been the most important anatomical prerequisite in the evolution of columnar cacti. The present study offers an overview and new evidences for the origin and function of wide-band tracheids.

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