1
|
Hao N, Yao H, Suzuki M, Li B, Wang C, Cao J, Fujiwara T, Wu T, Kamiya T. Novel lignin-based extracellular barrier in glandular trichome. NATURE PLANTS 2024; 10:381-389. [PMID: 38374437 DOI: 10.1038/s41477-024-01626-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
Successful biochemical reactions in organisms necessitate compartmentalization of the requisite components. Glandular trichomes (GTs) act as compartments for the synthesis and storage of specialized compounds. These compounds not only are crucial for the survival of plants under biotic and abiotic stresses but also have medical and commercial value for humans. However, the mechanisms underlying compartmentalization remain unclear. Here we identified a novel structure that is indispensable for the establishment of compartments in cucumber GTs. Silica, a specialized compound, is deposited on the GTs and is visible on the surface of the fruit as a white powder, known as bloom. This deposition provides resistance against pathogens and prevents water loss from the fruits1. Using the cucumber bloomless mutant2, we discovered that a lignin-based cell wall structure in GTs, named 'neck strip', achieves compartmentalization by acting as an extracellular barrier crucial for the silica polymerization. This structure is present in the GTs of diverse plant species. Our findings will enhance the understanding of the biosynthesis of unique compounds in trichomes and provide a basis for improving the production of compounds beneficial to humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ning Hao
- College of Horticulture/Yuelu Mountain Laboratory of Hunan Province, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
- Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hongxin Yao
- College of Horticulture/Yuelu Mountain Laboratory of Hunan Province, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
| | - Michio Suzuki
- Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Baohai Li
- MOE Key Laboratory of Environment Remediation and Ecological Health, College of Environmental and Resource Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chunhua Wang
- College of Horticulture/Yuelu Mountain Laboratory of Hunan Province, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
| | - Jiajian Cao
- College of Horticulture/Yuelu Mountain Laboratory of Hunan Province, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
| | - Toru Fujiwara
- Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tao Wu
- College of Horticulture/Yuelu Mountain Laboratory of Hunan Province, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China.
| | - Takehiro Kamiya
- Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Lustofin K, Świątek P, Miranda VFO, Płachno BJ. Phylogenetical Position versus Pollination Syndromes: Floral Trichomes of Central American and Mexican Pinguicula. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24098423. [PMID: 37176130 PMCID: PMC10179228 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24098423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2023] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Central American and Mexican Pinguicula species are characterized by enormous divergence in size and color of flowers and are pollinated by butterflies, flies, bees, and hummingbirds. It is known that floral trichomes are key characters in plant-pollinator interaction. The main aim of our study was to verify our hypothesis that the distribution and diversity of non-glandular and glandular trichomes are related to the pollinator syndromes rather than the phylogenetic relationships. The studied sample consisted of Central American and Mexican species. In our study, we relied on light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy with a phylogenetic perspective based on ITS DNA sequences. The flower morphology of species pollinated by butterflies and hummingbirds was similar in contrast to species pollinated by flies and bees. Species pollinated by butterflies and hummingbirds contained low diversity of non-glandular trichomes, which occurred mostly in the tube and basal part of the spur. Surprisingly, in P. esseriana and P. mesophytica, non-glandular trichomes also occurred at the base of lower lip petals. In the case of species pollinated by flies/bees, we observed a high variety of non-glandular trichomes, which occurred on the surface of corolla petals, in the tube, and at the entrance to the spur. Furthermore, we did not identify any non-glandular trichomes in the spur. The capitate glandular trichomes were of similar morphology in all examined species. There were minor differences in the shape of the trichome head, as well as the length and the number of stalk cells. The distribution and the diversity of non-glandular and glandular trichomes and pollinator syndromes were mapped onto a phylogenetic reconstruction of the genus. Most micromorphological characters appear to be associated more with floral adaptation to pollinators and less with phylogeny.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Krzysztof Lustofin
- Department of Plant Cytology and Embryology, Institute of Botany, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University in Cracow, 9 Gronostajowa St., 30-387 Cracow, Poland
- Doctoral School of Exact and Natural Sciences, Jagiellonian University, 30-348 Cracow, Poland
| | - Piotr Świątek
- Institute of Biology, Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Silesia in Katowice, 9 Bankowa St., 40-007 Katowice, Poland
| | - Vitor F O Miranda
- Laboratory of Plant Systematics, School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Jaboticabal 14884-900, Brazil
| | - Bartosz J Płachno
- Department of Plant Cytology and Embryology, Institute of Botany, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University in Cracow, 9 Gronostajowa St., 30-387 Cracow, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Roth-Nebelsick A, Krause M. The Plant Leaf: A Biomimetic Resource for Multifunctional and Economic Design. Biomimetics (Basel) 2023; 8:biomimetics8020145. [PMID: 37092397 PMCID: PMC10123730 DOI: 10.3390/biomimetics8020145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023] Open
Abstract
As organs of photosynthesis, leaves are of vital importance for plants and a source of inspiration for biomimetic developments. Leaves are composed of interconnected functional elements that evolved in concert under high selective pressure, directed toward strategies for improving productivity with limited resources. In this paper, selected basic components of the leaf are described together with biomimetic examples derived from them. The epidermis (the "skin" of leaves) protects the leaf from uncontrolled desiccation and carries functional surface structures such as wax crystals and hairs. The epidermis is pierced by micropore apparatuses, stomata, which allow for regulated gas exchange. Photosynthesis takes place in the internal leaf tissue, while the venation system supplies the leaf with water and nutrients and exports the products of photosynthesis. Identifying the selective forces as well as functional limitations of the single components requires understanding the leaf as an integrated system that was shaped by evolution to maximize carbon gain from limited resource availability. These economic aspects of leaf function manifest themselves as trade-off solutions. Biomimetics is expected to benefit from a more holistic perspective on adaptive strategies and functional contexts of leaf structures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Matthias Krause
- State Museum of Natural History, Rosenstein 1, 70191 Stuttgart, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Suárez-Baron H, Alzate JF, González F, Pelaz S, Ambrose BA, Pabón-Mora N. Gene expression underlying floral epidermal specialization in Aristolochia fimbriata (Aristolochiaceae). ANNALS OF BOTANY 2021; 127:749-764. [PMID: 33630993 PMCID: PMC8103811 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcab033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS The epidermis constitutes the outermost tissue of the plant body. Although it plays major structural, physiological and ecological roles in embryophytes, the molecular mechanisms controlling epidermal cell fate, differentiation and trichome development have been scarcely studied across angiosperms, and remain almost unexplored in floral organs. METHODS In this study, we assess the spatio-temporal expression patterns of GL2, GL3, TTG1, TRY, MYB5, MYB6, HDG2, MYB106-like, WIN1 and RAV1-like homologues in the magnoliid Aristolochia fimbriata (Aristolochiaceae) by using comparative RNA-sequencing and in situ hybridization assays. KEY RESULTS Genes involved in Aristolochia fimbriata trichome development vary depending on the organ where they are formed. Stem, leaf and pedicel trichomes recruit most of the transcription factors (TFs) described above. Conversely, floral trichomes only use a small subset of genes including AfimGL2, AfimRAV1-like, AfimWIN1, AfimMYB106-like and AfimHDG2. The remaining TFs, AfimTTG1, AfimGL3, AfimTRY, AfimMYB5 and AfimMYB6, are restricted to the abaxial (outer) and the adaxial (inner) pavement epidermal cells. CONCLUSIONS We re-evaluate the core genetic network shaping trichome fate in flowers of an early-divergent angiosperm lineage and show a morphologically diverse output with a simpler genetic mechanism in place when compared to the models Arabidopsis thaliana and Cucumis sativus. In turn, our results strongly suggest that the canonical trichome gene expression appears to be more conserved in vegetative than in floral tissues across angiosperms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Juan F Alzate
- Centro Nacional de Secuenciación Genómica (CNSG), Sede de Investigación Universitaria, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Favio González
- Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Facultad de Ciencias, Instituto de Ciencias Naturales, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Soraya Pelaz
- Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics, CSIC-IRTA-UAB-UB, Campus UAB, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
- ICREA (Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats), Barcelona, Spain
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Chatt EC, Mahalim SN, Mohd-Fadzil NA, Roy R, Klinkenberg PM, Horner HT, Hampton M, Carter CJ, Nikolau BJ. Nectar biosynthesis is conserved among floral and extrafloral nectaries. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2021; 185:1595-1616. [PMID: 33585860 PMCID: PMC8133665 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiab018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Nectar is a primary reward mediating plant-animal mutualisms to improve plant fitness and reproductive success. Four distinct trichomatic nectaries develop in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum), one floral and three extrafloral, and the nectars they secrete serve different purposes. Floral nectar attracts bees for promoting pollination, while extrafloral nectar attracts predatory insects as a means of indirect protection from herbivores. Cotton therefore provides an ideal system for contrasting mechanisms of nectar production and nectar composition between different nectary types. Here, we report the transcriptome and ultrastructure of the four cotton nectary types throughout development and compare these with the metabolomes of secreted nectars. Integration of these datasets supports specialization among nectary types to fulfill their ecological niche, while conserving parallel coordination of the merocrine-based and eccrine-based models of nectar biosynthesis. Nectary ultrastructures indicate an abundance of rough endoplasmic reticulum positioned parallel to the cell walls and a profusion of vesicles fusing to the plasma membranes, supporting the merocrine model of nectar biosynthesis. The eccrine-based model of nectar biosynthesis is supported by global transcriptomics data, which indicate a progression from starch biosynthesis to starch degradation and sucrose biosynthesis and secretion. Moreover, our nectary global transcriptomics data provide evidence for novel metabolic processes supporting de novo biosynthesis of amino acids secreted in trace quantities in nectars. Collectively, these data demonstrate the conservation of nectar-producing models among trichomatic and extrafloral nectaries.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth C Chatt
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, 50010, Iowa
| | - Siti-Nabilla Mahalim
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, 50010, Iowa
| | - Nur-Aziatull Mohd-Fadzil
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, 50010, Iowa
| | - Rahul Roy
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, St. Paul, 55108, Minnesota
- Department of Biology, St. Catherine University, St. Paul, 55105, Minnesota
| | - Peter M Klinkenberg
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, St. Paul, 55108, Minnesota
| | - Harry T Horner
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, 50010, Iowa
- Roy J. Carver High Resolution Microscopy Facility, Iowa State University, Ames, 50010, Iowa
| | - Marshall Hampton
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Minnesota Duluth, Duluth, 55812, Minnesota
| | - Clay J Carter
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, St. Paul, 55108, Minnesota
| | - Basil J Nikolau
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, 50010, Iowa
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Lustofin K, Świątek P, Stolarczyk P, Miranda VFO, Płachno BJ. Do food trichomes occur in Pinguicula (Lentibulariaceae) flowers? ANNALS OF BOTANY 2020; 126:1039-1048. [PMID: 32592586 PMCID: PMC7596368 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcaa123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Floral food bodies (including edible trichomes) are a form of floral reward for pollinators. This type of nutritive reward has been recorded in several angiosperm families: Annonaceae, Araceae, Calycanthaceae, Eupomatiaceae, Himantandraceae, Nymphaeaceae, Orchidaceae, Pandanaceae and Winteraceae. Although these bodies are very diverse in their structure, their cells contain food material: starch grains, protein bodies or lipid droplets. In Pinguicula flowers, there are numerous multicellular clavate trichomes. Previous authors have proposed that these trichomes in the Pinguicula flower play the role of 'futterhaare' ('feeding hairs') and are eaten by pollinators. The main aim of this study was to investigate whether the floral non-glandular trichomes of Pinguicula contain food reserves and thus are a reward for pollinators. The trichomes from the Pinguicula groups, which differ in their taxonomy (species from the subgenera: Temnoceras, Pinguicula and Isoloba) as well as the types of their pollinators (butterflies/flies and bees/hummingbirds), were examined. Thus, it was determined whether there are any connections between the occurrence of food trichomes and phylogeny position or pollination biology. Additionally, we determined the phylogenetic history of edible trichomes and pollinator evolution in the Pinguicula species. METHODS The species that were sampled were: Pinguicula moctezumae, P. esseriana, P. moranensis, P. emarginata, P. rectifolia, P. mesophytica, P. hemiepiphytica, P. agnata, P. albida, P. ibarrae, P. martinezii, P. filifolia, P. gigantea, P. lusitanica, P. alpina and P. vulgaris. Light microscopy, histochemistry, and scanning and transmission electron microscopy were used to address our aims with a phylogenetic perspective based on matK/trnK DNA sequences. KEY RESULTS No accumulation of protein bodies or lipid droplets was recorded in the floral non-glandular trichomes of any of the analysed species. Starch grains occurred in the cells of the trichomes of the bee-/fly-pollinated species: P. agnata, P. albida, P. ibarrae, P. martinezii, P. filifolia and P. gigantea, but not in P. alpina or P. vulgaris. Moreover, starch grains were not recorded in the cells of the trichomes of the Pinguicula species that have long spurs, which are pollinated by Lepidoptera (P. moctezumae, P. esseriana, P. moranensis, P. emarginata and P. rectifolia) or birds (P. mesophytica and P. hemiepihytica), or in species with a small and whitish corolla that self-pollinate (P. lusitanica). The results on the occurrence of edible trichomes and pollinator syndromes were mapped onto a phylogenetic reconstruction of the genus. CONCLUSION Floral non-glandular trichomes play the role of edible trichomes in some Pinguicula species (P. agnata, P. albida, P. ibarrae, P. martinezii, P. filifolia and P. gigantea), which are mainly classified as bee-pollinated species that had originated from Central and South America. It seems that in the Pinguicula that are pollinated by other pollinator groups (Lepidoptera and hummingbirds), the non-glandular trichomes in the flowers play a role other than that of a floral reward for their pollinators. Edible trichomes are symplesiomorphic for the Pinguicula species, and thus do not support a monophyletic group such as a synapomorphy. Nevertheless, edible trichomes are derived and are possibly a specialization for fly and bee pollinators by acting as a food reward for these visitors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Krzysztof Lustofin
- Department of Plant Cytology and Embryology, Institute of Botany, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University in Kraków, 9 Gronostajowa Street, 30-387 Cracow, Poland
| | - Piotr Świątek
- Institute of Biology, Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Silesia in Katowice, 9 Bankowa Street, 40-007 Katowice, Poland
| | - Piotr Stolarczyk
- Unit of Botany and Plant Physiology, Institute of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, University of Agriculture in Kraków, 29 Listopada 54 Street, 31-425 Kraków, Poland
| | - Vitor F O Miranda
- Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp), Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Jaboticabal, Departamento de Biologia Aplicada à Agropecuária, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Bartosz J Płachno
- Department of Plant Cytology and Embryology, Institute of Botany, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University in Kraków, 9 Gronostajowa Street, 30-387 Cracow, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Konarska A. Microstructure of floral nectaries in Robinia viscosa var. hartwigii (Papilionoideae, Fabaceae)-a valuable but little-known melliferous plant. PROTOPLASMA 2020; 257:421-437. [PMID: 31736015 DOI: 10.1007/s00709-019-01453-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2019] [Accepted: 10/24/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Floral nectaries are important components of floral architecture and significant taxonomic traits facilitating assessment of relationships between taxa and can contribute substantially to studies on the ecology and evolution of a particular genus. Knowledge of nectary structure and functioning allows better understanding of the mutualistic interactions between the pollinator and the plant. Robinia viscosa var. hartwigii (Hartweg's locust), planted in many European countries as an ornamental plant and used for recovery of degraded areas and urban arborisation, is a valuable melliferous species often visited by honeybees and bumblebees. The aim of this study was to investigate the microstructure of the floral nectaries of R. viscosa var. hartwigii with the use of light, fluorescence, scanning, and transmission electron microscopes. The photosynthetic nectaries were located on the inner surface of the cup-like receptacle. The components of pre-nectar were synthesised in the chloroplasts of the glandular parenchyma and transported via the conducting elements of the phloem. Nectar was released through modified nectarostomata. Nectar secretion presumably proceeded in the eccrine mode, whereas nectar transport represented the symplastic and apoplastic types. The cuticle on the nectary epidermis surface contained lipids, essentials oils, and flavonoids, while proteins and flavonoids were present in the glandular parenchyma cells. Idioblasts containing phenolic compounds, tannins, and polysaccharides were observed between the glandular parenchyma cells. The location of the nectaries and the mode of nectar production in the flowers of the Hartweg's locust follow the common location and structure pattern characteristic for the nectaries in some members of the subfamily Papilionoideae and can be a significant taxonomic trait for the genus Robinia and the tribe Robinieae.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Agata Konarska
- Department of Botany, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 15, 20-950, Lublin, Poland.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Lustofin K, Świątek P, Miranda VFO, Płachno BJ. Flower nectar trichome structure of carnivorous plants from the genus butterworts Pinguicula L. (Lentibulariaceae). PROTOPLASMA 2020; 257:245-259. [PMID: 31428856 PMCID: PMC6982637 DOI: 10.1007/s00709-019-01433-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2019] [Accepted: 08/07/2019] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Pinguicula (Lentibulariaceae) is a genus comprising around 96 species of herbaceous, carnivorous plants, which are extremely diverse in flower size, colour and spur length and structure as well as pollination strategy. In Pinguicula, nectar is formed in the flower spur; however, there is a gap in the knowledge about the nectary trichome structure in this genus. Our aim was to compare the nectary trichome structure of various Pinguicula species in order to determine whether there are any differences among the species in this genus. The taxa that were sampled were Pinguicula moctezumae, P. moranensis, P. rectifolia, P. emarginata and P. esseriana. We used light microscopy, histochemistry, scanning and transmission electron microscopy to address those aims. We show a conservative nectary trichome structure and spur anatomy in various Mexican Pinguicula species. The gross structural similarities between the examined species were the spur anatomy, the occurrence of papillae, the architecture of the nectary trichomes and the ultrastructure characters of the trichome cells. However, there were some differences in the spur length, the size of spur trichomes, the occurrence of starch grains in the spur parenchyma and the occurrence of cell wall ingrowths in the terminal cells of the nectary trichomes. Similar nectary capitate trichomes, as are described here, were recorded in the spurs of species from other Lentibulariaceae genera. There are many ultrastructural similarities between the cells of nectary trichomes in Pinguicula and Utricularia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Krzysztof Lustofin
- Department of Plant Cytology and Embryology, Institute of Botany, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University in Kraków, 9 Gronostajowa St, 30-387, Kraków, Poland
| | - Piotr Świątek
- Department of Animal Histology and Embryology, University of Silesia in Katowice, 9 Bankowa St, 40-007, Katowice, Poland
| | - Vitor F O Miranda
- Departamento de Biologia Aplicada à Agropecuária, Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp), Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Bartosz J Płachno
- Department of Plant Cytology and Embryology, Institute of Botany, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University in Kraków, 9 Gronostajowa St, 30-387, Kraków, Poland.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Płachno BJ, Stpiczyńska M, Świątek P, Lambers H, Cawthray GR, Nge FJ, Silva SR, Miranda VFO. Floral micromorphology and nectar composition of the early evolutionary lineage Utricularia (subgenus Polypompholyx, Lentibulariaceae). PROTOPLASMA 2019; 256:1531-1543. [PMID: 31190095 PMCID: PMC6820596 DOI: 10.1007/s00709-019-01401-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2019] [Accepted: 06/04/2019] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Utricularia (Lentibulariaceae) is a genus comprising around 240 species of herbaceous, carnivorous plants. Utricularia is usually viewed as an insect-pollinated genus, with the exception of a few bird-pollinated species. The bladderworts Utricularia multifida and U. tenella are interesting species because they represent an early evolutionary Utricularia branch and have some unusual morphological characters in their traps and calyx. Thus, our aims were to (i) determine whether the nectar sugar concentrations and composition in U. multifida and U. tenella are similar to those of other Utricularia species from the subgenera Polypompholyx and Utricularia, (ii) compare the nectary structure of U. multifida and U. tenella with those of other Utricularia species, and (iii) determine whether U. multifida and U. tenella use some of their floral trichomes as an alternative food reward for pollinators. We used light microscopy, histochemistry, and scanning and transmission electron microscopy to address those aims. The concentration and composition of nectar sugars were analysed using high-performance liquid chromatography. In all of the examined species, the floral nectary consisted of a spur bearing glandular trichomes. The spur produced and stored the nectar. We detected hexose-dominated (fructose + glucose) nectar in U. multifida and U. tenella as well as in U. violacea. In both U. multifida and U. tenella, there were trichomes that blocked the entrance into the throat and spur. Because these trichomes were rich in chromoplasts and contained lipid droplets, they may form an additional visual attractant. Bearing in mind the phylogenetic hypothesis for the genus, we suggest that an early ancestor of Utricularia had a nectariferous spur flower with a lower lip that formed a wide landing platform for bee pollinators.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bartosz J Płachno
- Department of Plant Cytology and Embryology, Institute of Botany, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University in Kraków, 9 Gronostajowa St., 30-387, Cracow, Poland.
| | - Małgorzata Stpiczyńska
- Botanic Garden, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Al. Ujazdowskie 4, 00-478, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Piotr Świątek
- Department of Animal Histology and Embryology, University of Silesia in Katowice, 9 Bankowa St., 40-007, Katowice, Poland
| | - Hans Lambers
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, (M084) 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Gregory R Cawthray
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, (M084) 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Francis J Nge
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, 5005, Australia
| | - Saura R Silva
- Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Jaboticabal, Departamento de Biologia Aplicada à Agropecuária, Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Vitor F O Miranda
- Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Jaboticabal, Departamento de Biologia Aplicada à Agropecuária, Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp), São Paulo, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Płachno BJ, Stpiczyńska M, Świątek P, Lambers H, Miranda VFO, Nge FJ, Stolarczyk P, Cawthray GR. Floral micromorphology of the bird-pollinated carnivorous plant species Utricularia menziesii R.Br. (Lentibulariaceae). ANNALS OF BOTANY 2019; 123:213-220. [PMID: 30169570 PMCID: PMC6344090 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcy163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2018] [Accepted: 08/10/2018] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Bird pollination is rare among species in the genus Utricularia, and has evolved independently in two lineages of this genus. In Western Australia, the Western Spinebill, Acanthorhynchus superciliosus, visits flowers of Utricularia menziesii (section Pleiochasia: subgenus Polypompholyx). This study aimed to examine the micromorphology of U. menziesii flowers to assess traits that might be linked to its pollination strategy. METHODS Light microscopy, histochemistry and scanning electron microscopy were used. Nectar sugar composition was analysed using high-performance liquid chromatography. KEY RESULTS The flowers of U. menziesii fulfil many criteria that characterize bird-pollinated flowers: red colour, a large, tough nectary spur that can withstand contact with a hard beak, lack of visual nectar guides and fragrance. Trichomes at the palate and throat may act as tactile signals. Spur nectary trichomes did not form clearly visible patches, but were more frequently distributed along vascular bundles, and were small and sessile. Each trichome comprised a single basal cell, a unicellular short pedestal cell (barrier cell) and a multicelled head. These trichomes were much smaller than those of the U. vulgaris allies. Hexose-dominated nectar was detected in flower spurs. Fructose and glucose were present in equal quantities (43 ± 3.6 and 42 ± 3.6 g L-1). Sucrose was only detected in one sample, essentially at the limit of detection for the method used. This type of nectar is common in flowers pollinated by passerine perching birds. CONCLUSIONS The architecture of nectary trichomes in U. menziesii was similar to that of capitate trichomes of insect-pollinated species in this genus; thus, the most important specializations to bird pollination were flower colour (red), and both spur shape and size modification. Bird pollination is probably a recent innovation in the genus Utricularia, subgenus Polypompholyx, and is likely to have evolved from bee-pollinated ancestors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bartosz J Płachno
- Department of Plant Cytology and Embryology, Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Cracow, Poland
- For correspondence. E-mail
| | - Małgorzata Stpiczyńska
- Botanic Garden, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Al. Ujazdowskie, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Piotr Świątek
- Department of Animal Histology and Embryology, University of Silesia in Katowice, Katowice, Poland
| | - Hans Lambers
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia (M084), Crawley (Perth), WA, Australia
| | - Vitor F O Miranda
- Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp), Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Jaboticabal, Departamento de Biologia Aplicada à Agropecuária, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Francis J Nge
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Piotr Stolarczyk
- Unit of Botany and Plant Physiology, Institute of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, University of Agriculture in Kraków, Kraków, Poland
| | - Gregory R Cawthray
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia (M084), Crawley (Perth), WA, Australia
| |
Collapse
|