Seed cone morpho-anatomy

· The detailed seed cone morpho-anatomy demonstrates structural diversity. Both clades produce three distinct fleshy seed cone morphotypes (drupe-like, fleshy receptaculate and dacrydioid cones) using several structures. These functional structures demonstrate a shift between and sometimes within the genus makes the evolutionary history of seed cone complex in podocarps. The presence of a fleshy receptaculum is a characteristic feature of both clades. However, in species of Retrophyllum, Afrocarpus and some species of Nageia and Podocarpus form a fleshy sarcotesta-like seed coat and lack fleshy receptaculum.

详尽的种子球果形态解剖学研究揭示了其结构多样性。两个演化支均通过多种结构发育出三种截然不同的肉质种子球果形态类型：核果状、肉质花托型以及泪柏状球果（dacrydioid cones）。这类功能性结构所体现的演化转变，既发生于不同属之间，也偶见于单个属内部，塑造了罗汉松科类群（podocarps）种子球果复合体的演化历史。肉质花托的存在是两个演化支共有的特征。然而，伏平松属（Retrophyllum）、非洲松属（Afrocarpus）以及部分竹柏属（Nageia）和罗汉松属（Podocarpus）物种则发育出类似肉质种皮（sarcotesta）的种子外被，且不具备肉质花托结构。