Geometric Models for Seed Shape Description and Quantification in the Cactaceae

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

The paper with highly relevant novel results on the presentation of shape of seeds. Research theme is well defined and within the aims and the scope of the journal. Introduction is adequate and includes in suitable way the relevant earlier publications. Methods are suitable, properly described. The investigation and calculations are performed to good technical standards. It is no ethical problem involved. Conclusions are based on the results. Discussion is sound and relevant, it is opening important issues and new perspectives for the use of the methods and for the further research on the shape of seeds of other plant species. Shapes of studied seeds are very well illustrated.

In the time of digitalisation, modelling and description of morphological shapes is important to develop the description by geometric and numeric term. It is relevant making easier sorting, description and comparison of diverse biological forms and phenomena. Similar digitalisation was previously developed and used for measuring, digitalisation and comparison of objects, observed under the microscope. The originality of the paper is in the efforts to use digitalisation of geometric forms of macroscopic objects, in this case the seeds. It is adding important new methods and solutions in comparison to other, previously published material. In genetics, plant breeding and pharmaceutical use of seeds it is important to have available the methods for swift distinguishing and definition of diverse seeds (for example in the mixtures of seeds, belonging to different genotypes or species), to have such methods, as developed in this paper. 

The paper is well written, however not very easy to read because some knowledge on geometry and mathematical calculations is needed. But with some efforts from reader, it is possible to read. I believe that conclusions are based on the evidence and arguments presented.

I see the relevance of this paper as well beyond Cactaceae plants, and beyond just seeds. For example, I could use the methods suggested as well for description of forms of pollen grains, for example.

Suggestion:

Apendix A, letters under the graphs are too small, difficult to read. Try to enlarge the letters.

Best regards,

Author Response

Dear Reviewer,

Thank you very much for your commentaries to our article entitled “Geometric Models for Seed Shape Description and Quantification in the Cactaceae” that was recently submitted to Plants.

Following your recommendation, the figures in Appendix A have been corrected. The letters under the graphs have been enlarged to facilitate reading.

With compliments,

Emilio Cervantes

Corresponding author

Reviewer 2 Report

Review for the authors:

In order to study the variation in seed populations as well as the comparison of shape between species, the authors investigated the seed shape in Cactaceae based on three groups of geometric models corresponding to specific taxonomic groups in the family. The main results included (1) the embryos of the Cactaceae are the peripheral type, strongly curved and in contact with the inner surface of the seed coat, and (2) a relationship is revealed between seed elongation and the geometric models, showing genera with elongated seeds represented by models with longer trajectories of the spiral. This study on seed shape provides novel approach for taxonomic investigations in Cactaceae.

After careful review, I believe that the authors have provided sufficient background, described the methods with enough details, presented the results with appropriate tables and figures, and withdrawn conclusions based on available data. Overall, the manuscript is written well. I have no major technical concerns but some editorial and grammatical errors throughout the entire manuscript. I have provided some of these errors here but again, there are more throughout the entire manuscript.

Line 29, should Cactaceae be a plural word? But a genus name should be treated as a singular form, please keep these consistent throughout the entire manuscript.

Line 38, a space is needed in “J.S.Muell.”

Line 40, divided into,

Line 40-41, remove the “,” after the word Maihuenioideae..

Line 67, “et al.”

Line 91, “circular,” lower case of this word.

Line 103, species names should be italicized..

Lines 125-126, species names should be italicized..

In both Tables 1 and 2, please indicate if “N” presents the number of seeds..

The Results section is written inconsistently with past and present tenses, please be consistent with past tense..

…

Again, there are many more editorial and grammatical errors throughout the entire manuscript. I would suggest that the authors proofread the entire manuscript to correct these errors if a revision is requested by the editor.

Author Response

Dear Reviewer,

Thank you very much for your careful review and commentaries to our article entitled “Geometric Models for Seed Shape Description and Quantification in the Cactaceae”.

All the typographic, editorial and grammatical errors indicated in your annotations have been corrected. In the tables, it is now expressed “N indicates the number of seeds analysed”.

The Results section has been corrected and it is written now consistently with past tense.

The article has been revised and small corrections made.

With compliments,

Emilio Cervantes

Corresponding author