Detecting ontogenetic stages of the palm <i>Attalea humilis</i> in fragments of the Brazilian Atlantic forest
2000; Canadian Science Publishing; Volume: 78; Issue: 9 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1139/cjb-78-9-1227
ISSN1480-3305
AutoresAlexandre F. Souza, Fernando Roberto Martins, Dalva M. Silva Matos,
Tópico(s)African Botany and Ecology Studies
ResumoA study of the ontogenetic stages of the acaulescent palm Attalea humilis Mart. ex. Spreng was conducted in three fragments (1.6, 6.4, and 9.9 ha) of the Atlantic forest in southeastern Brazil. The fragments were damaged by fire during the study period (1996-1999). External macromorphology and quantitative measures of leaf number and length of the newest leaf's rachis allowed the distinction of five ontogenetic stages. Seedlings were attached to buried fruit remains and presented entire leaves. Juveniles possessed incomplete segmentation of the blade. Pinnatifid-leafed, non-reproducing individuals were morphometrically divided in two groups: immature, with fewer leaves and smaller but highly variable youngest leaf length, and virginile, with more and larger leaves, but more constant youngest leaf length; the critical crown size by which immature and virginile stages could be identified varied according to fragment and year. Reproductive palms bore identifiable reproductive structures. Seedlings, juveniles...
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