ABSTRACT
Aerobiological surveys carried out in a neotropical location have a relatively large representation of compound pollen grains which are typical of the Mimosoideae. This chapter describes the compound grains in slides and tapes exposed at the sampling location, as well as their sources in field and herbarium collections. Compound pollen grains typical of the Mimosoideae are rarely recognized in aerobiological surveys from the temperate zones. The chapter describes seven pollen species from the Mimosoideae genera Acacia, Calliandra, Mimosa, and Piptadenia. Records derived from volumetric air sampling illustrate the annual dispersal patterns of the more frequently recovered Mimosa grains. Pollen identification was aided by reference to the literature, and to reference slides prepared from herbarium and field specimens. Because of the consistent presence and peak concentrations of Mimosoideae pollen in the air, their inclusion in epidemiological and clinical surveys of allergic respiratory conditions is recommended.
