Anomalous pollen grains in Paspalum unispicatum, P. decumbens and P. urvillei (Poaceae, Paniceae)

Abstract

The pollen of Paspalum unispicatum (Scribn. el Mer.) Nash shows sorne anomalous types, such as: dyads and tetrads with partially divided monads, ínaperturates, anomalous monoaperlurates, biaperturates and triaperturates grains. In this paper the morphometric features of "normal" and anomalous pollen grains were compared, and their potential viability tested with aceto-carmine coloration. A comparative analysis of the pollen of upper and lower flowers showed that the abnormalilies are independent of the position of the flowers. These anomalous types were also found in Paspalum decumbens Rottb., and Paspalum urvillei Steud. The anomalous pollen grains probably result from meiotic chromosome abnormalities in these tetraploid species.