Vascular TissueAnalysis as aDecisive Tool for TropicalHardwood Identification: The Case Study of Ekop Species in Cameroon

(e perforation plates and vessel-ray pitting of tropical hardwoods are typical features that make it possible to mark species within a botanical family. (is study aims to bring out a consistent and robust framework for a clear distinction through anatomical features among various Ekop woods based on usual nomenclature on trade. Perforations plates and vessel-ray pitting are determining components for the classification of the species. Indeed, several species exploited under the trade name Ekop because of their grain, color, and wooden decoration patterns do not belong to the same taxonomic class.With the natural structure of cells and their intervessel pits observed in xylem and phloem, it appears that the perforation plates and the vessel-ray pitting are decisive components for the classification of Ekop species. Forty-three wood specimens of Ekop were collected from forests in Ebolowa, Mbalmayo, and Abong Mbang. In addition, 155 microscopic sections of Ekop slides with at least 3 representatives of identified species were observed. (us, macroscopic observations through a hand magnifying glass were performed on wood carrots. (en, the microscopic sections of slides in the first 63 features of the International Association of Wood Anatomists list were analyzed. Correlations were observed between vessels elements and other main features through component analysis. Four groups of Ekop were differentiated by gathering in each genus a matrix of similar features across their vessels groupings, perforation plates, and vessel-ray pittings. A tabular key was used to further define the identity of the Ekop species. (is study makes it possible to recognize Ekop wood beyond the dendrological aspects of vegetative and reproductive organs. Finally, a few typical features used for a precise demarcation were identified, for a taxonomic classification within the Ekop group.


Introduction
According to ITTO [1], timber production in tropical Africa increased from 2012 to 2017 reaching 6.7 million m 3 in 2015. Cameroon was the third largest exporter of tropical timber and the first producer in tropical Africa with 1.2 million m 3 in 2015 [2]. is trend was accentuated with the allocation of logging concessions to Asians, who were interested in other little known timbers during the period 2004 to 2012. us, species in the decline like Ekop have benefitted from the favorable trade opportunities. erefore, the revaluation of their free board taxable value reaching 85,450 CFAF (131 Euros)/m 3 has increased the price of some high timber species [3].
Five species, including Tetraberlinia bifoliata (25,000 m 3 ), accounted for 72% of total log exports in Cameroon. Among them, 10 Ekop species represented 19.23% of the total volume during 2015 and 2016 with Julbernadia pellegriniana (12%), Brachystegia cynometroides (5.5%), and other Ekop species (1.73%) of export logs appearing on national statistics [3]. e name Ekop comes from Bantu's ethnic languages covering the Fang-Beti-Bulu cultural area and is used by forest timber prospectors in South and Center regions. e practices of ethnotaxonomy among the people of Center-South Cameroon are based on a rich heritage with a knowledge of the useful plants that have not been formally codified [4]. Letouzey and Mouranche [5] chose the pronunciation Ekop (read Ekaup) from native forest timber prospectors to signify a group of trees identifiable by a common external character. It is characterized of a smooth or hard bark, which is easily detachable with a cutlass. Also, there is a fibrous "skin" contiguous that can be removed from the inner side [6]. ey refer to species belonging to about fifteen genera of Leguminosae-Caesalpinioideae family according to Association Technique Internationale des Bois Tropicaux [7]. e local name Ekop better defines pilot names to distinguish various species exported under this market label [8]. In Cameroon, logging companies exploited a set of diverse Ekop species based on their morphological appearance, not their botanical classification [5]. Indeed, these species have a clearly transferable taxonomical identity [9]. For example, in Gabon, a trial conducted on the identification of the Ekop or Andoung species complex in nine forest concessions showed that only 11% corresponded to the described botanical species [10]. erefore, the recognition of such species only based on vegetative and reproductive organs (leaves, flowers, and fruits) has proven difficulties [11]. Moreover, the masses of sawn timber make their recognition more difficult to give credibility to the identification. In the timber market, similarities are striking among Ekop woods due to dendrological appearances and lead to confuse the real name of species [12]. us, it is essential to confirm with other identifying criteria using wood features [13]. Some initial works showed that vessel-ray pitting and perforation plates are decisive to emphasize similar features on species. So, an analysis of the discriminating features showed a tiny morphological difference of cell arrangements [14].
In Cameroon, Ekop includes at least 15 genera and 135 species present in various forest ecosystems. e species are characterized by morphological similarities of woods [7]. e issue remains on the consistency in describing the typical features of vessels in order to define a tabular key for these species [15]. One way to fix this problem is to take into account the wood structure of Ekop showing a remarkable porosity, typical coloring, a high presence of nonseptate fibers, and alternate or polygon pits in most species [16]. Indeed, these typical features described by the International Association of Wood Anatomists list have been decisive for grouping and characterizing them based on their microscopic section analysis [17].
is study aims to bring out a consistent and robust framework for a clear distinction among various Ekop species through anatomical features of this group.
Specifically, the study's target was to e study was carried out in Cameroon from February to August 2017 in the geographical area of the moist and semideciduous forest, which is identified as Ekop's area of occurrence in Cameroon [5]. e study site is located between latitudes 2.31°and 5.79°North and longitudes 8.94°and 16.1°East (Figure 1). e species in this area are mostly endemic and characterize the Biafra forest [18].

Presentation of Physical
Material. Two types of wood samples have been studied: trunk fragments taken from duramen on alive trees or logs and microscopic sections on wood slides.
ese Ekop samples came from forestmanaged units in nearby localities and in some local forests around Mbalmayo and Abong Mbang.
is was harvested using a dendrometrical auger. We prepared each fragment in 01 cm 3 of wood with 20 mm cylindrical section after perforating standing trees georeferenced or on timber located at the Cameroon United Forests park at Ebolowa.
For each species collected, we prepared slides to read anatomical profile. 155 microscopic sections were realized to describe anatomical features of our sample.

Sampling Design.
e various dendrological and xylographic sheets on Cameroon flora were used to designate the selected species of Ekop [19]. e sampling of the species was defined according to the stand distribution and logging map of Ekop ( Figure 1). A randomized sampling with 3 repetitions was used. Forty-three samples (n � 43) of collected specimens representing at least three species of each of the fifteen genera studied were examined.

Data Collection
(1) Identification of Ekop Anatomical Features. For polished trunk fragments, a 10X magnifying glass was used in to characterize the primary arrangements of the cells on wood fragments obtained from the samples. e pieces of wood obtained were shaped using a thin steel blade soaked in ethanol (30%) and saw to obtain the three woody planes. e slides with microscopic sections obtained were compared with Insidewood's online databases and the Tervurenwood wood collection of these species [17]. e observation of sections on slides with a microscope was done according to the manual of the International Association of Wood Anatomists [20]. Focus was on the recurring reading of the first sixty-three basic anatomical features.
(2) Categorization of Ekop Specimen. When obtaining major features of studied specimens and authenticating the typical traits of many Ekop species, we separated out characters to allow a classification in a referential index. e purpose was to compare observations of all features made on material cores with those obtained on reference databases. us, specific traits were analyzed for a given species by eliminating one alternate variable of the same feature. Finally, a 2 International Journal of Forestry Research tabular key describing the wood grain, streaks, and color was described for these species.
(3) Taxonomic Classification of Ekop Group. e General Nomenclature of Tropical Timber in its 7 th edition was the reference book used to define common pilot names for forest loggers [21]. On this system, the trade description of species corresponds to the specific scientific names. Based on that, the scientific name applies to a species which is in accordance with the botanical features and its wood anatomy. e rules of classification in various families are those of the systematics (APG III genetic classification). Some earlier families are classified into new ones based on phylogenetic affinities, based on the dendrological aspects, but not strictly match up with others on the distinguish features [22].

Statistical Analysis.
Two hundred forty-three (243) observations focused on typical features of vascular tissue in various Ekop species were used to compare similar microscopic features at different levels [23]. For Ekop species, a total of 41 of the 163 major features on the International Association of Wood Anatomical features records were decisive in this study. e data obtained were processed by the multivariate analysis procedure with two projections from SPSS software (version 16.0.) for correlations between Ekop specimens. Pearson's chi-square (χ 2 ) test was applied to validate the qualitative variables obtained. A tabular key that came down by elimination of similar features allowed us to classify the various Ekop groups [24].

Characterization of the Ekop Microscopic Features.
We worked on 43 Ekop species belonging to 15 genera with typical features on their wood (Figure 2). Eighty-five percent of species in this sample came from Southern Cameroon with a high potential timber. e remaining fifteen percent came from Center and Eastern regions with low density. e analysis of the microscopic sections described for Ekop species shows the variable features on the vascular tissue. For International Journal of Forestry Research each genus, there is a typical trait representing a marker of many species. e parenchyma cells are observable and the vessels abundant, the diffuse structure, and common apotracheal axial parenchyma are some of the major characteristics. For ninety-five percent of the sample, the size of the intervascular pits, the length of the fibers, the thickness of the walls, and the presence of the crystals of calcium oxalate and siliceous corpuscles in the parenchyma are visible. An axial parenchyma arrangement was found in three forms, and there was the presence of deposits in some cells. is parenchyma although marginal as in Brachystegia laurentii is not considered as growth rings.

Development of a Referential Index for Ekop Species.
e sections obtained from Ekop species showed specific anatomical features with regards to the vessel arrangement and size in accordance with the sixty-three first features of the International Association of Wood Anatomists list. For forty-one parameters, we found typical features of vascular tissue of various Ekop species. Considering perforations plates and vessel-ray pitting, a demarcation is deeply accentuated for main features on various species. ere are specific marks on perforation plates that make a difference on various Ekop species in terms of arrangement and size. Observations showed that vessel elements were decisive for development of a referential index. e case of Tetraberlinia sp is well illustrated for these features with outstanding pits compared to other types studied (Figure 3).

Taxonomic Grouping of Ekop.
Several similarities were observed among the Ekop group. Focusing on the arrangement of the vessels and the porosity of the wood, we categorized four groups based on their genus. Many anatomical features such as vessel arrangement, length, and associated elements left some appearance patterns. An analog frame was proved between Tetraberlinia-Jubernadia, Brachystegia-Cynometra, and Hymenostegia-Cynometra, while Bikinia are closer to Aphanocalyx. Considering the level of affinity between various genera, we obtained major correlations between the values of the mass with regard to the grain. Four values were obtained to classify Ekop species in many groups. Tetraberlinia showed a remarkable difference with the other genera (Table 1).
Finally, the fifteen genera were grouped in order to recognize Ekop species with similarities to one another on microscopic features and nearest technological properties ( Table 2). A categorization based on physical resemblance of

Discussion
e diversity on Ekop microscopic features allowed us to ascertain the identity of Ekop wood. ere are typical arrangements of perforation plates and vessel-ray pitting. Indeed, the major features are similar to at least 95% with nevertheless 3 nonidentical features considered as markers in some genera. Eighty-five percent (85%) of species observed came from Southern Cameroon. Finally, in Ekop, the wood structure is marked by a high presence of nonpartitioned fibers and alternate or polygon punctuations in most species. ese results are consistent with those given in [22] or studies on Bikinia, Aphanocalyx, and Tetraberlinia [25].
Within the genus studied, the secondary dendrological features of the target species integrated into this wood identification process improve its reliability.
us, Tetraberlinia, which belongs to whitish Ekop, has markers similar to the species considered as reddish Ekop. For each genus, there are typical features representing markers of that which confirms the diversity of their woods as described in [26]. e vessels arrangement and intervessel pits show many similarities among the four groups. Indeed, the genus Monopetalanthus is so close to Bikinia because of the biochemical characters unusual in Aphanocalyx and Tetraberlinia [27].
is difference is more noticeable in Tetraberlinia and much less in Aphanocalyx. Most of these species are endemic with well-known conservation status. Differentiating species within the Ekop group appeared to be a complex process, given many similarities between them. An analysis of both observed trunk fragments using a hand magnifier and microscopic sections of the wood slides resulted in the classification of four groups of Ekop. e determination of these species is based on the statistical analysis of typical features of the vessel-ray pitting and arrangement. Indeed, the microscopic analysis of wood features was necessary and a complementary approach for an efficient identification of Ekop species. us, the description of the vessels grouping provides more details on the typical features and makes it possible to focus clearly on

Conclusion
e study aimed to bring out a consistent and robust framework for a clear distinction between various Ekop species. e findings reveal that various typical traits, such as parenchyma cells or perforations plates and vessel-ray pitting, represent markers of many Ekop species. en, there are typical features especially on vessel elements which are decisive for development of a referential index. Finally, a classification learning on vessels structure and wood porosity helps to desegregate four main groups of Ekop genus.
Parenchyma and vessels showed typical features allowing us to clearly separate Ekop species. It appeared as three forms of axial parenchyma arrangement. Based on perforation plates and vessel-ray pitting, we developed a referential index for the categorization of Ekop groups. Observed similarities among the Ekop genera and markers allowed four taxonomical classification groups.
Many anatomical features such as vessel arrangement, length, and associated elements left some appearance patterns. An analog frame was proved among the Ekop group due to physical resemblance and mechanical and technological properties.
In Cameroon, 135 Ekop species were found in various forest ecosystems. An analysis of wood features showed slight differences in morphological appearance. e confusion made on wood market was resolved by the description of typical features especially parenchyma and vessels with a defined tabular key of these species. ese results also permit the traceability of these timbers and better preservation of their threatened species of Ekop.
Data Availability e work submitted to your appreciation is original and the data were obtained following several Research missions. Analysis of these data gave the results presented in this article.

Conflicts of Interest
e authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.