Anatomical Study of Three Species of the Asteraceae Family from the Anbar Governorate, Iraq

Year 2025, Volume: 9 Issue: 2, 210 - 214

Baydaa Atiyha , Sameer Khaleel

https://doi.org/10.31594/commagene.1705619

Abstract

This study explores the stem and leaf anatomy of three Asteraceae species Lactuca serriola L., Sonchus asper (L.) Hill, and Sonchus oleraceus L., collected from Anbar Governorate in Iraq, to identify diagnostic traits relevant to taxonomy. Fresh specimens were identified at the University of Anbar and handmade transverse sections were prepared, stained with safranin, and examined under a light microscope. Both qualitative and quantitative features of the dermal, ground, and vascular tissue systems were analyzed, including stomatal density, epidermal cell dimensions, and tissue thickness. A stripped epidermis technique was used for detailed leaf surface analysis. Anatomical differences were evident among the species. S. oleraceus exhibited a biseriate epidermis and showed greatest thickness in epidermal (67.5 µm), cortical (320 µm), and pith (1920 µm) tissues along with the highest stomatal density (131.5/mm² adaxial). Trichomes appeared only in S. asper, which also had the longest epidermal cells. L. serriola had the thickest mesophyll (154 µm) and main vascular bundles (738 µm). All species displayed anomocytic stomata but stomatal size and density varied across adaxial and abaxial surfaces. These anatomical traits provide valuable taxonomic markers for species differentiation within Asteraceae and offer insights into their structural adaptations and evolutionary significance.

Keywords

Asteraceae , anatomy , epidermis , stomata , vascular system , taxonomy

Ethical Statement

Ethics committee approval is not required for this study.

Supporting Institution

University of Anbar

Thanks

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Department of Biology, University of Anbar, for their invaluable support and collaboration. Their provision of work requirements, assistance in completing the necessary analyses, and encouragement throughout the process have been instrumental in the successful completion of this work and the preparation of the article.

Irak'ın Anbar İlinde Bulunan Asteraceae Familyasına Ait Üç Türün Anatomik Çalışması

Abstract

Bu çalışma, Irak’ın Anbar İlinde toplanan üç Asteraceae türü—Lactuca serriola L., Sonchus asper (L.) Hill ve Sonchus oleraceus L.—üzerinde gövde ve yaprak anatomisini inceleyerek taksonomi açısından ayırt edici özellikleri belirlemeyi amaçlamaktadır. Taze örnekler Anbar Üniversitesi’nde teşhis edilmiş, el yapımı enine kesitler hazırlanarak safranin ile boyanmış ve ışık mikroskobu altında incelenmiştir. Epidermal, temel ve iletim dokusu sistemlerine ait nitel ve nicel özellikler analiz edilmiştir; bunlar arasında stoma yoğunluğu, epidermal hücre boyutları ve doku kalınlıkları yer almaktadır. Yaprak yüzeyinin ayrıntılı analizi için soyulmuş epidermis tekniği kullanılmıştır. Türler arasında anatomik farklılıklar belirgin şekilde gözlemlenmiştir. S. oleraceus çift sıralı epidermis göstermiş ve epidermis (67.5 µm), korteks (320 µm) ve öz bölgesi (1920 µm) dokularında en yüksek kalınlık değerleri ile birlikte en yüksek stoma yoğunluğunu (131.5/mm² adaksiyal) sergilemiştir. Tüy yapıları yalnızca S. asper türünde gözlemlenmiş ve bu tür aynı zamanda en uzun epidermal hücrelere sahip olmuştur. L. serriola ise en kalın mezofil (154 µm) ve ana iletim demetlerine (738 µm) sahip tür olarak öne çıkmıştır. Tüm türlerde anomositik stoma yapısı gözlemlenmiş, ancak stoma boyutu ve yoğunluğu adaksiyal ve abaksiyal yüzeyler arasında farklılık göstermiştir. Bu anatomik özellikler, Asteraceae familyası içindeki tür ayrımında değerli taksonomik belirteçler sunmakta ve yapısal adaptasyonları ile evrimsel önemlerine dair bilgiler sağlamaktadır.

Keywords

Asteraceae , anatomi , epidermis , stomata , vascular sistem , taksonomi

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