MORPHO-ANATOMICAL STUDIES OF GREY MANGROVE (AVICENNIA MARINA) LEAF LOCATED IN INTER-TIDAL ZONE SANDSPIT BACKWATER, PAKISTAN

Abstract

Marine plants show a wide range of morphological and anatomical features under saline conditions. Avicennia marina (Forsk.) Vierh. is the dominant mangrove species and has been extensively studied, but the anatomical structures especially the electron microscopy received no considerable attention in Pakistan. The study describes the detailed leaf anatomy of the grey mangrove Avicennia marina in the Sandspit backwater mangrove forest of Pakistan, focusing on electron microscopy observations. The key anatomical features observed from the top to bottom surface include: i. Cuticle ii. Adaxial Epidermis iii. Hypodermis iv. Mesophyll and v. Abaxial Epidermis with derivatives. The results finds that the grey mangrove’s leaf is hypostomatic holding cryptophore (sunken) stomata seem adapted for stressful condition while the presence of salt glands on both surfaces, allowing the plant to excrete excess salt. This arrangement is a significant xerophytic adaptation for survival in the high-salinity, potentially water-stressed environment. This specialized anatomy demonstrates significant adaptations (xeromorphic and halophytic) enable A. marina to thrive in the challenging intertidal mangrove ecosystem. It might be a possible explanation of the ecologically broad local distribution and the wide latitudinal range of this species.