Foliar anatomy of Rubiaceae occurring in an urban forest fragment of Atlantic Forest, Paraná State, Brazil

ABSTRACT

Rubiaceae in Brazil occurs mainly in the Atlantic Forest biome that in the southern region is represented by two main vegetation types: Seasonal Semi-deciduous Forestand Araucaria Forest. Both occur in the Ecological Park Paul Gorski (PEPG), an urban forest fragment. Given the relevance of Rubiaceae in the Atlantic Forest and the importance of ecological anatomy studies to understand colonization and survival processes, this study aimed to anatomically characterize leaves of Rubiaceae found in the PEPG. We studied 14 species belonging to nine genera of Rubiaceae that present unistratified epidermis, trichomes, paracytic and paralelocytic stomata, dorsiventral mesophyll, and collateral vascular bundles as common characters to the family. Among the anatomical characters observed, considered common in mesophytes-heliophytes plants, stand papillae, trichomes, and compact mesophyll out. Therefore, these features are in accordance with the environmental conditions recorded in the area of edges and clearings of the Atlantic Forest and in disturbed areas.

Keywords:
Araucaria Forest; Atlantic Forest; ecological aspects; semi-deciduous forest