Halophytic palynomorphs morphology unraveling the links between palynology and aerobiology

Halophytes naturally occur in a variety of saline environments, and aeropalynology serves as an essential tool for the taxonomic and phylogenetic identification of species within their respective families. Halophytes are well-adapted to a range of saline habitats, and palynological analysis is instrumental in the taxonomic classification and identification of allergenic pollen from halophyte species, which are categorized within their respective botanical families. In this study, a systematic palynological investigation of 21 halophytic species from Peshawar (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan) was conducted using light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The main goal was to explore the taxonomic significance of pollen morphology to assist in identifying these halophytic taxa. The study found the highest representation of species from the Poaceae (six species) and Chenopodiaceae (fivespecies) families, with other families represented by a single species each. Pollen types observed included tricolporate, pantaporate, polypantoporate, tetrad, polyads, monoporate, and trizonocolporate. Additionally, significant variation in exine sculpturing was noted across species, ranging from reticulate, microechinate, scabrate, to microechinate-areolate types. The study reflects the importance of examining salt-tolerant palynoanatomical traits using advanced systematic tools at a regional level to improve the identification and classification of halophytes. The exploration of salt-tolerant palynomorphological traits using advanced systematic tools is crucial at the provincial level and can also provide valuable insights into the aerobiology of halophytic species, particularly regarding pollen dispersal and allergenic potential.