Application of Palynology Botany

Topic: PALEOBOTANY AND PALYNOLOGY
Course Title: PLANT DIVERSITY II
Paper: BOT-G-CC-2-2-TH
Unit: 3.4
Semester: II
Name of the Teacher: Mrs. Rinku Halder Sahu
Name of the Department: Botany (Morning)

Application of palynology
Application of palynology in different fields or branches are given

below. The branches are:
1. Palynotaxonomy
2. Aeropalynology
3. Melissopalynology (= melittopalynology)
4. Forensic Palynology
5. Paleopalynology
6. Copro Palynology (Greek ‘kopros’ means dung)
7. Entomopalynology
8. Palynodebris
9. Latropalynology.
1. Palynotaxonomy:
Palynotaxonomy is the study of spore morphology of embryophytes

and pollen morphology of seed plants.
The contributions of Professor Erdtman on pollen morphology

marked the beginning of a new phase on plant taxonomy. Erdtman
and many palynologists all over the world made available pollen
descriptions of all angiosperm families including most of the genera
and species to taxonomists. Taxonomists employ pollen morphological
attributes in systematic works, i.e. in solving controversial
taxonomical and phylogenetical problems, identification and
determining affinity etc.
On the basis of pollen morphological data plant families are divided

into two groups —stenopalynous and eurypalynous.
Stenopalynous families do not exhibit marked variations of pollen
types with regard to apertures and sporoderm stratification etc. ex.
Capparidaceae, Chenopodiaceae, Casuarinaceae and Gramineae etc.
Eurypalynous families exhibit marked variation of pollen types with
regard to apertures and sporoderm stratification etc. ex. Bignoniaceae,
Boraginaceae, Cucurbitaceae and Euphorbiaceae etc.
Based on stenopalyny or eurypalyny the inter or intra family affinity of

taxa, to some extent, can be determined, e.g. the pollen grains of
grasses are all monoporate and phylogenetically the Gramineae seem
to be closely related to Restionaceae, Centrolepidaceae and
Flagellariaceae group.
Morphological characters of pollen have been used to substantiate

many taxonomical revisions. For example segregation of Trapaceae
from Onagraceae, Bombacaceae from Malvaceae, the union of
Zingiberaceae, Cannaceae and Musaceae into Scitamineae, and
Moraceae and Cannabinaceae into Urticaceae.
2. Aeropalynology:
Aeropalynology is the study of palynomorphs found in. the

atmosphere. The term palynomorph encompasses pollen, spores and
other bioparticles that are acid resistant:
Pollen grains have an impact on human systems. They cause allergies

in sensitive individuals. Hay fever or allergic rhinitis is the best known
allergy of all. Hay fever is caused by pollen grains of Betula, Populus,
Salix and Chrysanthemum etc. Allergy is also caused by the pollen
grains of Cynodon dactylon, Amaranthus spinosa, Chenopodium
album, Cannabis sativa and Cassia occidentalis etc.
The symptoms of hay fever are sneezing, clogged nose, itching nose,
throat and eye, conjunctivitis and watering eyes. Aeropalynology
comes under the purview of aerobiology that includes the study of
bioparticles present in the atmosphere in addition to pollen and spore.
In aerobiological research palynologists in collaboration with
clinicians search the causative agents present in the atmosphere that
have impact on human health.
3. Melissopalynology (= melittopalynology):
Melissopalynology is the study of pollen and spore present in honey.
Pollen analysis of honey samples reveals the followings:
a. It provides the plant species foraged by honeybees.
b. The identified plants provide the fingerprint of the environment and

pollen spectrum from where the honey comes.
c. It provides the botanical and geographical origin of honey.
d. It is an indispensable tool to authenticate honey-unifloral honey or

multifloral honey. If unifloral whether the honey sample contains
pollen grains of the same plant as is declared. As for example –
Brassica-honey, Acacia- honey and Citrus-honey etc.
e. It detects whether the honey sample contains allergenic pollen

grains.
f. It detects whether the honey sample contains poisonous pollen, e.g.
Datura and Rhododendron etc.
g. It identifies pollen that are toxic to bees and cause bee poisoning,
e.g. Kalmia, Cuscuta, Tilia and Solanum e tc
4. Forensic Palynology:
Forensic palynology is the study of palynomorphs that are used as

evidence in criminal cases and resolve other legal problems. Forensic
palynology also includes identifying and linking the suspect to the
scene of the crime.
The following attributes of pollen and spore form the basis

of forensic palynology
a. Pollen grains are abundant in the atmosphere.
b. Pollen and spores are microscopic and may be unknowingly taken

away or left at a crime scene. Such pollen and spores can be used as
evidence.
c. Pollen and spores cannot be removed from a crime scene.

d. Sporopollenin is the major component of the pollen wall and it
forms ‘species- specific-pattern’ that persists for thousands of years
without any change in shape, aperture and sculpturing etc.
e. A pollen grain can be identified to a specific plant type, site, region

or country.
The study of palynomorphs collected from crime scenes and the

belongings of suspects enables forensic palynologists to decide
whether the pollen analyses will be of any probative value. Forensic
palynology has been utilized effectively in many cases, e.g. assault,
rape, forgery, drug dealing, fraud and murder etc.
In many cases mud, dust or dirt are collected from shoes, vehicles etc.
for pollen and spore analyses. There are several court cases where
pollen evidence becomes important clues that helped to obtain
conviction.
Sometimes ‘the pollen grains themselves can be the villains’. There are
reports of several cases of death after consuming poisonous honey in
the state of Sao Paulo in Brazil. The honey contained poisonous pollen
grains of sapindaceous Serjania lethalis. Pollen analysis of the stomach
content of a deceased boy revealed the presence of the lethal pollen.
5. Paleopalynology:
Palaeopalynology ‘deals with the study of fossil microorganisms such

as pollen grains, spores, marine and freshwater algae, foraminifera
and other planktonic forms’. The study of chitinozoans (animal
remains), fungal spores, dinoflagellates, acritarchs and other
organisms (except diatoms) is also included in paleopalynology.
Paleopalynology depends on the following attributes of a

pollen grain
a. Pollen wall is tough and it survives better and longer than other
biological materials.
b. Sporopollenin composes exine and it forms a

‘species-specific-pattern’ of ornamentation/sculpturing on a pollen
wall. A pollen grain and its characteristic pattern fossilize well.
c. Due to presence of sporopollenin the shape, size, aperture(s) and

sculpturing etc. remain unchanged after long term sedimentation
underground. These properties of a pollen grain provide means of
identifying an unknown sporomorph up to the respective family or
genera or even species. Correct identification of a pollen grain and
spore is an essential prerequisite to study any discipline of palynology.
d. A little quantity of peat or sediment sample contains a huge number
of pollen grains and thus the vegetation that provided pollen can be
studied.
Paleopalynology is an applicative discipline of palynology. It is of

immense value in a wide range of scientific studies. With palaeo
palynological data stratigraphic correlation and dating of ages etc. can
be established. The presence of fossil fuels—coal and oil can be
predicted through fossil pollen morphological studies. Pollen grains
present in Quaternary deposits can be referred to extant genera and
species.
Thus the past vegetation can be ascertained. From the identified

plants the climate and ecology etc. can be determined. By studying the
vegetation chronologically of the different strata the past history of
vegetation, plant evolution, climatic and ecological change,
geographical distribution, affinity between groups of plants,
appearance and decline of some plants etc. can be interpreted.
6. Copropalynology (Greek ‘kopros’ means dung):
Copropalynology is the study of palynomorphs present in coprolite (=

fossilized excrement) of animals. Human coprolite is preserved in dry
caves. Pollen and spore analyses of human coprolite provide
information about the diet of prehistoric humans. Pollen analysis of
herbivore coprolite provides data to reconstruct the composition of
pastures of that time.
The term copropalynology also includes the pollen analysis of recent

excreta. Forensic palynologists determine the last diet of a murdered
person by pollen analyses of stomach, gut and feces.
7. Entomopalynology:
Entomopalynology is the study of pollen grains that are associated

with insects. This study encompasses melissopalynology, researches
on honeybees, foraging distances of insects and pollination biology etc.
The purpose of studying entomopalynology is to find the relation of

pollinators and crop yield. It is observed that in apples, melons and
almonds etc. the yield increases with the increase of pollinators. Some
pollinators are pests on crops. By studying pollinators and pests
efficient management practices can be developed to increase crop
yield.
The studies include determining habit, habitat and life cycle of

pollinators, the frequency of visits of pollinators; whether the
pollinators are after nectar, pollen, or both, whether genetically
modified plants affect pollinators, the future of plant species in
absence of pollinators and to save pollinators from being endangered
etc.
8. Palynodebris:
“Palynodebris is the organic ‘junk’ = organic matter (“OM”) found in

palynological preparations along with palynomorphs”—Traverse. It
has the size of a palynomorph and does not contain sporopollenin and
chitin. It consists of charcoal or cellulosic tissue fragments like wood
fragments that escape acetolysis.
Palynodebris is studied for its ‘relevance to palynofacies/ environment

relationship’. The analysis of charcoal reveals much about the
environment at the time of deposition.
Palynofacies—this term refers to the total assemblage consisting of

palynodebris and palynomorph present in sediment. The assemblage
characterizes the sediment and reveals the environment at the time of
deposition. Palynodebris is now studied along with paleopalynology.
9. Latropalynology:
It is the ‘study of spores and pollen as applied to human health

problems’—Traverse. It is known that pollen and spore have medicinal
properties. As for example Arabian physicians use Lycopodium
spores— commercially called ‘vegetable sulphur’ for the treatment of
stomach disorders. The spores of Adiantum philippense are used to
cure coughs. The pollen grains of Cycas circinalis have narcotic
properties.

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Topic: PALEOBOTANY AND PALYNOLOGY

Course Title: PLANT DIVERSITY II

Name of the Teacher: Mrs. Rinku Halder Sahu

Name of the Department: Botany (Morning)

Application of palynology in different fields or branches are given

6. Copro Palynology (Greek ‘kopros’ means dung)

Palynotaxonomy is the study of spore morphology of embryophytes

The contributions of Professor Erdtman on pollen morphology

On the basis of pollen morphological data plant families are divided

Based on stenopalyny or eurypalyny the inter or intra family affinity of

Morphological characters of pollen have been used to substantiate

Aeropalynology is the study of palynomorphs found in. the

Pollen grains have an impact on human systems. They cause allergies

Melissopalynology is the study of pollen and spore present in honey.

Pollen analysis of honey samples reveals the followings:

a. It provides the plant species foraged by honeybees.

b. The identified plants provide the fingerprint of the environment and

c. It provides the botanical and geographical origin of honey.

d. It is an indispensable tool to authenticate honey-unifloral honey or

e. It detects whether the honey sample contains allergenic pollen

Forensic palynology is the study of palynomorphs that are used as

The following attributes of pollen and spore form the basis

a. Pollen grains are abundant in the atmosphere.

b. Pollen and spores are microscopic and may be unknowingly taken

c. Pollen and spores cannot be removed from a crime scene.

e. A pollen grain can be identified to a specific plant type, site, region

The study of palynomorphs collected from crime scenes and the

Palaeopalynology ‘deals with the study of fossil micro​organisms such

Paleopalynology depends on the following attributes of a

b. Sporopollenin composes exine and it forms a

c. Due to presence of sporopollenin the shape, size, aperture(s) and

Paleopalynology is an applicative discipline of palynology. It is of

Thus the past vegetation can be ascertained. From the identified

6. Copropalynology (Greek ‘kopros’ means dung):

Copropalynology is the study of palynomorphs present in coprolite (=

The term copropalynology also includes the pollen analysis of recent

Entomopalynology is the study of pollen grains that are associated

The purpose of studying entomopalynology is to find the relation of

The studies include determining habit, habitat and life cycle of

“Palynodebris is the organic ‘junk’ = organic matter (“OM”) found in

Palynodebris is studied for its ‘relevance to palynofacies/ environment

Palynofacies—this term refers to the total assemblage consisting of

It is the ‘study of spores and pollen as applied to human health

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Palaeopalynology ‘deals with the study of fossil microorganisms such