Leaf Ultrastructure and δ13C Values of Three Seagrasses from the Great Barrier Reef

Abstract

Leaf anatomy, ultrastructure and 13C/12C ratios were studied in three species of seagrasses collected on the Great Barrier Reef: Cymodocea rotundata Ehrenb. & Hempr., C. serrulata (R. Br.) Aschers. & Magnus, and Thalassia hemprichii (Ehrenb.) Aschers. Although they belong to two different mono- cotyledonous families, the three species are quite similar in the characteristics studied. Cells of the epidermal layer of the leaves are extremely thick-walled and have abundant cytoplasm with large chloroplasts and numerous mitochondria. The chloroplast-microbody profile ratio is c. 4-5 : 1 and the mitochondrion-microbody ratio 10-15 : 1. The epidermal cells resemble transfer cells in having a pronounced development of ingrowths on the radial walls. The mesophyll cells have thin walls, a large central vacuole and a thin layer of cytoplasm with relatively few organelles. There is no specialization of mesophyll cells around the vascular bundles. The δ13C values for the three sea- grasses range from -6.90, to - 12.40, and thus are characteristic of C4 land plants, although the seagrasses do not conform to the C4 syndrome in leaf anatomy or ultrastructure. It is not possible to place the seagrasses in either the C3, C4 or crassulacean acid metabolism category of land plants, but whether they constitute yet a fourth group with respect to characteristics related to CO2 assimilation is not clear.