Pollen variability in Quercus L. species and relative systematic implications

This study aims to address one of the challenges related to the complexity of the Quercus L. genus, that is the identification of structural elements favouring the systematic identification of the oak pollen. Thus, in this contribution, we explored the variation of morphometric and chemical parameters in pollen samples collected from 47 different Quercus species and hybrids. Several qualitative (e.g., outline in polar view, class, aperture structures) and quantitative (e.g., diameter, exine and sporoderm thickness, autofluorescence, content in proteins and plant metabolites) features were evaluated by optic microscopy and spectrophotometric assays. Statistical analyses were also carried out to assess significant correlations and clustering effects among the studied taxa, based on phenotypical and biochemical data, to identify the parameters which could be useful for taxonomic discrimination at inter- and intra-specific level. Only few morphological traits showed the potentiality to be diagnostic, such as pollen diameter and outline in polar view. The intensity of pollen autofluorescence varied among the samples but it did not seem to correlate with protein, carotenoid, phenolic and flavonoid content. However, differences in protein and carotenoid levels were detected, suggesting them as possible taxonomic discriminants for oak pollen. Thus, our work represents a step forward in understanding morphology and biochemistry of oak pollen, constitutes an experimental set-up applicable in future systematic studies on other genera, and opens new perspectives for further molecular investigations on Quercus species. •Analysis of pollen collected from 47 different Quercus species and hybrids.•Identification of structural elements for the systematic identification of the oak pollen.•Pollen diameter and outline in polar view showed the potentiality to be diagnostic.•Differences in protein and carotenoid level were discriminant elements for oak pollen.•Statistical correlations were used to taxonomically discriminate inter- and intra-specific level.