Abstract
We present a key synthesizing pollen-sculpture terminology for grains having perforations or lumina of any size and spatial distribution. The key uses quantitative criteria to distinguish five non-overlapping qualitative terms (reticulate, microreticulate, foveolate, scrobiculate, and punctate). In addition, the range of quantitative variation encompassed by these qualitative terms is highlighted, including ways to express and compare that variation using computerized image analysis of SEM micrographs. Finally, a mathematical analysis combined with image-analysis measurements is used to explore the relationships between the terms outlined above and two closely related terms, tectate and semitectate.
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Vezey, E.L., Shah, V.P. & Skvarla, J.J. A numerical approach to pollen sculpture terminology. Pl Syst Evol 181, 245–254 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00937448
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00937448