Botany Structure and function of secretory glochids and nectar composition in two Opuntioideae (Cactaceae) species Journal: Botany Manuscript ID cjb-2020-0004.R2 Manuscript Type: Article Date Submitted by the 06-Apr-2020 Author: Complete List of Authors: Silva, Stefany; Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho, Botany Machado, Silvia; UNESP Nepi, Massimo; Università degli Studi di Siena Rodrigues,Draft Tatiane; UNESP, Botany Keyword: anatomy, cactus, nectar, secretory spines, ultrastructure Is the invited manuscript for consideration in a Special Not applicable (regular submission) Issue? : https://mc06.manuscriptcentral.com/botany-pubs Page 1 of 39 Botany Structure and function of secretory glochids and nectar composition in two Opuntioideae (Cactaceae) species Stefany Cristina de Melo Silva, Silvia Rodrigues Machado, Massimo Nepi, Tatiane Maria Rodrigues S.C.M. Silva UNESP - São Paulo State University, Institute of Biosciences, Department of Botany, 18618- 970, Botucatu city, São Paulo State, Brazil S.R. Machado UNESP - São Paulo State University,Draft Institute of Biosciences, Department of Botany, 18618- 970, Botucatu city, São Paulo State, Brazil Massimo Nepi University of Siena, Department of Life Sciences, 53100, Siena, Italy. T.M. Rodrigues UNESP - São Paulo State University, Institute of Biosciences, Department of Botany, 18618- 970, Botucatu city, São Paulo State, Brazil Corresponding author: Tatiane Maria Rodrigues (e-mail:
[email protected]) 1 https://mc06.manuscriptcentral.com/botany-pubs Botany Page 2 of 39 ABSTRACT Cactaceae exhibit highly modified spines considered as extrafloral nectaries (EFNs). Despite their ecological and taxonomical relevance in this family, little is known on their structure and function. We described the anatomy, ontogenesis, and ultrastructure of the secretory glochids in two Opuntioideae species.