@article{coiro_jelmini_neuenschwander_calonje_vovides_mickle_lumaga_2020, title={Evolutionary Signal of Leaflet Anatomy in the Zamiaceae}, volume={181}, ISSN={["1537-5315"]}, DOI={10.1086/709372}, abstractNote={Premise of research. The morphology of leaves is shaped by both historical and current selection acting on constrained developmental systems. For this reason, the phylogenetic signal of these characters is usually overlooked. Methodology. We investigate morphology of the leaflets of all genera of the Zamiaceae using multiple microscopical techniques to test whether leaf characters present a phylogenetic signal and whether they are useful to define clades at a suprageneric level. Pivotal results. Our investigation shows that most genera are quite uniform in their leaflet anatomy, with the largest genera (Zamia, Encephalartos) presenting the highest degree of variation. Using both Bayesian and parsimony methods on two different molecular scaffolds, we are able to show that leaflet anatomy has a strong phylogenetic signal in the Zamiaceae and that many clades retrieved by molecular analyses present potential synapomorphies in their leaflet anatomy. Particularly, the placement of Stangeria in a clade with Zamia and Microcycas is supported by the presence of both an adaxial and an abaxial girder sclerenchyma and the absence of sclerified hypodermis. The placement of Stangeria as sister to Bowenia, on the other hand, is not supported by our analysis. Instead, our results put into question the homology of the similar guard cell morphology in the two genera. Conclusions. We show that leaflet anatomy has a substantial amount of phylogenetic signal in the Zamiaceae, supporting relationships that are not supported by general morphology. Therefore, anatomical investigation represents a promising avenue for plant systematists.}, number={7}, journal={INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PLANT SCIENCES}, author={Coiro, Mario and Jelmini, Nicola and Neuenschwander, Hanna and Calonje, Michael A. and Vovides, Andrew P. and Mickle, James E. and Lumaga, Maria Rosaria Barone}, year={2020}, month={Sep}, pages={697–715} }
 @article{russo_de angelis_mickle_lumaga_2015, title={Stomata morphological traits in two different genotypes of Populus nigra L.}, volume={8}, ISSN={["1971-7458"]}, DOI={10.3832/ifor1104-007}, abstractNote={Abstract: Populus nigra L. (black poplar) possesses amphistomatic leaves, with large (giant) and normal sized stomata. The role of giant stomata in leaf development, and the consequences on stomatal density in adult leaves remains elusive. This paper describes the characteristics of ordinary and giant stomata in leaves of two black poplar genotypes (58-861 with large leaves from northern Italy, and Poli with small leaves from southern Italy). Stomatal traits in both genotypes were studied using light microscopy on mature leaf adaxial and abaxial epidermal impressions. Moreover, scanning electron microscopy was applied to study giant and normal stomata in early, young, and mature leaves. Leaf abaxial surfaces in the two genotypes revealed variable sizes and patterns of stomata related to differences in intrinsic water use efficiency (Wi). These observations provided evidence of different stomatal types in mature black poplar leaves, and new information regarding the presence and potential role of giant stomata in black poplar leaves.}, journal={IFOREST-BIOGEOSCIENCES AND FORESTRY}, author={Russo, Giuseppe and De Angelis, Paolo and Mickle, James E. and Lumaga, Maria Rosaria Barone}, year={2015}, month={Aug}, pages={547–551} }
 @article{mickle_lumaga_moretti_de luca_2011, title={Scanning electron microscopy studies of cuticle micromorphology in Cycas L. (Cycadaceae)}, volume={145}, ISSN={["1724-5575"]}, DOI={10.1080/11263504.2010.547675}, abstractNote={Abstract A scanning electron microscopy (SEM) study of Cycas cuticle characteristics was undertaken in order to expand our knowledge of microscopic characters not observable under light microscopy and to clarify unresolved affinitites among some species within the genus. Whole leaf and isolated cuticle specimens from the middle region of leaflets of greenhouse-grown plants of Cycas revoluta, Cycas rumphii, Cycas circinalis, Cycas media, and Cycas normanbyana were examined using SEM for interior and exterior features. Characteristics in common include hypostomy, hair bases on abaxial and adaxial surfaces, adaxial cells randomly arranged, adaxial exterior cuticle smooth, and stomata sunken to various degrees but stomatal pit always formed by two layers of epidermal cells. Stomatal complex is of the polyperigenous type. Stomata randomly dispersed and oriented, and except C. revoluta, are not contiguous. Stomata deeply sunken in C. revoluta, intermediate in C. rumphii and C. normanbyana, and less sunken in C. circinalis and C. media. Aperture between guard cells extends the entire stomatal length in C. rumphii and C. normanbyana, ∼80% in C. circinalis and C. media, and ∼50% in C. revoluta. Cuticular features of C. revoluta show the greatest difference from the other species in complex relief of exterior cuticle and interior cuticular structure of subsidiary cells; C. media and C. circinalis show close similarity to each other and their stomatal complex dimensions fall within the same unique cluster using principal component analysis under normalized variables. C. normanbyana and C. rumphii show the most similarity to each other in cuticular micromorphology. Stomatal complex dimensions of these two species fall into a second cluster that also includes C. revoluta. These data contrast with current taxonomy placing C. normanbyana synonymous to C. media.}, number={1}, journal={PLANT BIOSYSTEMS}, author={Mickle, J. E. and Lumaga, M. Rosaria Barone and Moretti, A. and De Luca, P.}, year={2011}, pages={191–201} }
 @article{bravi_lumaga_mickle_2010, title={Sagaria cilentana gen. et sp nov.-A New Angiosperm Fructification from the Middle Albian of Southern Italy}, volume={31}, ISSN={["1095-998X"]}, DOI={10.1016/j.cretres.2009.12.001}, abstractNote={A single specimen of a new fossil angiosperm, Sagaria cilentana gen. et sp. nov., has been recovered from limestones of the “plattenkalk” of the Middle Albian at Monti Alburni, near Petina, Campania, Italy. Associated fossils include Pagiophyllum sp., Podozamites sp. and Zamites sp. The angiosperm has a main axis approximately 8 cm long with three attached leaves and a distal cyme bearing three fructifications. The fructifications display divided distal tips indicating three - four lobes. Four cm from the base, underneath the main axis, there is a lobed structure, presumably a leaf. An unattached leaf near the specimen is in a position that suggests that it comes from the same plant. The leaf has an elongate petiole, obtuse base and on the right side of the lamina are three lobes. Affinities are uncertain but show similarities in overall morphology to basal eudicots, especially Ranunculaceae.}, number={3}, journal={CRETACEOUS RESEARCH}, author={Bravi, Sergio and Lumaga, Maria Rosaria Barone and Mickle, James E.}, year={2010}, month={Jun}, pages={285–290} }