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C 3 ‐C 4 PHOTOSYNTHESIS IN THE GENUS MOLLUGO: STRUCTURE, PHYSIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION OF INTERMEDIATE CHARACTERISTICS
Author(s) -
Kennedy Robert A.,
Eastburn Judith L.,
Jensen Kenneth G.
Publication year - 1980
Publication title -
american journal of botany
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.218
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1537-2197
pISSN - 0002-9122
DOI - 10.1002/j.1537-2197.1980.tb07753.x
Subject(s) - photorespiration , biology , c4 photosynthesis , photosynthesis , botany , vascular bundle , genus , parenchyma , lignin
The genus Mollugo has been reported to have species which are C 4 plants and a C 3 ‐C 4 intermediate. In the present paper, we report on the anatomy and photosynthetic physiology of three additional species in the Molluginaceae, M. pentaphylla, M. nudicaulis , and M. lotoides , all of which possess some anatomical and physiological features of both C 3 and C 4 plants. Most notable among the variable C 3 ‐C 4 features are C 4 ‐like bundle sheath cells, along with a C 3 ‐like arrangement of palisade and spongy parenchyma. M. nudicaulis appeared to have lower photorespiration based on its CO 2 compensation point and lower oxygen sensitivity of photosynthesis. The occurrence of polyploidy within this group of plants and its relationship to lower photorespiration or evolution of these species is discussed.