Abstract

FERNANDEZ HONAINE, Mariana; ZUCOL, Alejandro Fabián  and  OSTERRIETH, Margarita L.. Silica biomineralizations in Celtis tala (Celtidaceae). Bol. Soc. Argent. Bot. [online]. 2005, vol.40, n.3-4, pp.229-239. ISSN 1851-2372.

The phytolith assemblage of Celtis tala, its chemical composition and variability were studied. Leave, stem and fruit phytolith morphologies were analyzed with the purpose of establishing the contribution of each organ. The results showed that cystolith types, articulated poliedric (with wall and lumen silicified) and irregular, rugose poliedric phytoliths were the main morphologies present in Celtis tala phytolith assemblage. Silicon and calcium biomineralizations were detected by EDAX analysis and microscope observations in leave, stem and fruit. Other elements, such as Mg, Al, K, P, Fe and S, were also detected by EDAX analysis in some phytoliths. The presence of silicon as an important structural cystolith component is detected in this study and supports the results obtained by other researchers for other species. The silicon cystolith constitution allows a long- term permanence of this morphology in sediment, and makes it an important Celtis tala indicator in fossil assemblages.

Keywords : Phytolith records; Celtis tala; Celtidaceae; Silica.

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