Web Ecol., 20, 19–32, 2020 https://doi.org/10.5194/we-20-19-2020 © Author(s) 2020. This work is distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License. Pollen morphological variability correlates with a large-scale gradient of aridity Hindel Fatmi1, Souhaïl Mâalem1, Bouchra Harsa1,2,3, Ahmed Dekak1, and Haroun Chenchouni1,4 1Department of Natural and Life Sciences, Faculty of Exact Sciences and Natural and Life Sciences, University of Larbi Tébessi – Tébessa, 12002 Tébessa, Algeria 2Department of Biology, University of Badji Mokhtar – Annaba, 23000 Annaba, Algeria 3University of Badji Mokhtar – Annaba, Faculty of Science, Laboratory of Plant Biology and Environment (LBVE), Axis: Medicinal Plants and Natural Substances, 23000 Annaba, Algeria 4Laboratory of Natural Resources and Management of Sensitive Environments “RNAMS”, University of Larbi Ben M’hidi, 04000 Oum-El-Bouaghi, Algeria Correspondence: Haroun Chenchouni (
[email protected]) Received: 20 October 2019 – Revised: 7 April 2020 – Accepted: 9 April 2020 – Published: 12 May 2020 Abstract. The study of the morphology of living organisms is essential to understand their evolution and diver- sity. This study aims to determine the importance of climatic gradients in the diversity of pollen morphotypes using Atriplex halimus L. (Amaranthaceae) as a model species. Atriplex halimus is a perennial shrubby plant, polymorphic and very resistant to severe environmental conditions. In seven bioclimatic zones, ranging from mesic conditions in the north to hot–hyperarid in the south, pollen samples were collected from 49 sites, with seven accessions per bioclimate. Under a light microscope, pollen grains were selected and analyzed from three anthers of different flowers. Besides the usual pollen grain types, some previously unknown morphotypes, such as sulcate, triangular, and ovoid, were observed and described at the different climatic zones.