Wolffia brasiliensis anatomy is revealed using a simple Microscope Press


Submitted: 15 January 2015
Accepted: 15 January 2015
Published: 30 September 2008
Abstract Views: 652
PDF: 908
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Authors

  • M. Witty Urban Coast Institute, Department of Biology, Monmouth University, 400 Cedar Ave West Long Branch, NJ, United States.
Wolffia sp. are approximately one millimeter long when fully developed and are best viewed with a microscope. A rapid and facile technique for the study of Wolffia taxonomic features, without embedding or sectioning, is presented; plant material is compressed to a few planes of focus by slow drying under tension, using a slide and cover slip. The force experienced by sample tissues is moderate, as determined using patterns of optical interference. This method is particularly useful for surveys of anatomical features and numerical assessment of features which are otherwise difficult to quantify. Critical taxonomic features of Wolffia including stomata number and presence of dorsal papillae may be rapidly determined. In addition, features that are generally not observed with other methods are readily apparent, such as large substomatal air pockets.

Witty, M. (2008). Wolffia brasiliensis anatomy is revealed using a simple Microscope Press. Microscopie, 10(2), 44–48. https://doi.org/10.4081/microscopie.2008.4962

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