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McElwain JC, Matthaeus WJ, Barbosa C, Chondrogiannis C, O' Dea K, Jackson B, Knetge AB, Kwasniewska K, Nair R, White JD, Wilson JP, Montañez IP, Buckley YM, Belcher CM, Nogué S. Functional traits of fossil plants. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2024; 242:392-423. [PMID: 38409806 DOI: 10.1111/nph.19622] [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: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
A minuscule fraction of the Earth's paleobiological diversity is preserved in the geological record as fossils. What plant remnants have withstood taphonomic filtering, fragmentation, and alteration in their journey to become part of the fossil record provide unique information on how plants functioned in paleo-ecosystems through their traits. Plant traits are measurable morphological, anatomical, physiological, biochemical, or phenological characteristics that potentially affect their environment and fitness. Here, we review the rich literature of paleobotany, through the lens of contemporary trait-based ecology, to evaluate which well-established extant plant traits hold the greatest promise for application to fossils. In particular, we focus on fossil plant functional traits, those measurable properties of leaf, stem, reproductive, or whole plant fossils that offer insights into the functioning of the plant when alive. The limitations of a trait-based approach in paleobotany are considerable. However, in our critical assessment of over 30 extant traits we present an initial, semi-quantitative ranking of 26 paleo-functional traits based on taphonomic and methodological criteria on the potential of those traits to impact Earth system processes, and for that impact to be quantifiable. We demonstrate how valuable inferences on paleo-ecosystem processes (pollination biology, herbivory), past nutrient cycles, paleobiogeography, paleo-demography (life history), and Earth system history can be derived through the application of paleo-functional traits to fossil plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer C McElwain
- School of Natural Sciences, Botany, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, D02 PN40, Ireland
| | - William J Matthaeus
- School of Natural Sciences, Botany, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, D02 PN40, Ireland
| | - Catarina Barbosa
- School of Natural Sciences, Botany, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, D02 PN40, Ireland
| | | | - Katie O' Dea
- School of Natural Sciences, Botany, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, D02 PN40, Ireland
| | - Bea Jackson
- School of Natural Sciences, Botany, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, D02 PN40, Ireland
| | - Antonietta B Knetge
- School of Natural Sciences, Botany, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, D02 PN40, Ireland
| | - Kamila Kwasniewska
- School of Natural Sciences, Botany, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, D02 PN40, Ireland
| | - Richard Nair
- School of Natural Sciences, Botany, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, D02 PN40, Ireland
| | - Joseph D White
- Department of Biology, Baylor University, Waco, 76798-7388, TX, USA
| | - Jonathan P Wilson
- Department of Environmental Studies, Haverford College, Haverford, Pennsylvania, 19041, PA, USA
| | - Isabel P Montañez
- UC Davis Institute of the Environment, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Yvonne M Buckley
- School of Natural Sciences, Zoology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, D02 PN40, Ireland
| | | | - Sandra Nogué
- Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra (Cerdanyola del Vallès), 08193, Catalonia, Spain
- CREAF, Bellaterra (Cerdanyola del Vallès), 08193, Catalonia, Spain
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Fedriani JM, Garrote PJ, Burgos T, Escribano-Ávila G, Morera B, Virgós E. The seed dispersal syndrome hypothesis in ungulate-dominated landscapes. Sci Rep 2024; 14:5436. [PMID: 38443407 PMCID: PMC10914747 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-55820-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
The Seed Dispersal Syndrome Hypothesis (SDSH) posits that fruit traits predict the main dispersers interacting with plant species. Mammalian dispersers, relying heavily on olfactory cues, are expected to select dull-colored, scented, and larger fruits compared to birds. However, challenges like overabundant seed predators and context-dependency of frugivore-plant interactions complicate SDSH expectations. We studied the Iberian pear, Pyrus bourgaeana, an expected mammal-dispersed tree based on its fruit traits. Extensive camera-trapping data (over 35,000 records) from several tree populations and years revealed visits from seven frugivore groups, with ungulate fruit predators (59-97%) and carnivore seed dispersers (1-20%) most frequent, while birds, lagomorphs, and rodents were infrequent (0-10%). Red deer and wild boar were also the main fruit removers in all sites and years but acted as fruit and seed predators, and thus likely exert conflicting selection pressures to those exerted by seed dispersers. Although, as predicted by the SDSH, most Iberian pear fruits were consumed by large and medium-sized mammals, the traits of Iberian pear fruits likely reflect selection pressures from dispersal vectors in past times. Our results do not challenge the SDHS but do reveal the importance of considering frugivore functional roles for its adequate evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose M Fedriani
- Centro de Investigaciones Sobre Desertificación CIDE, CSIC-UVEG-GV, Carretera de Moncada a Náquera, km 4.5, 46113, Moncada (Valencia), Spain.
- Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD - CSIC), c/Americo Vespucio 26, 41092, Seville, Spain.
| | - Pedro J Garrote
- Centro de Investigaciones Sobre Desertificación CIDE, CSIC-UVEG-GV, Carretera de Moncada a Náquera, km 4.5, 46113, Moncada (Valencia), Spain
| | - Tamara Burgos
- Área de Biodiversidad y Conservación, Departamento de Biología, Geología, Física y Química Inorgánica, Rey Juan Carlos University, Madrid, Spain
| | - Gema Escribano-Ávila
- Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution Department, Biological Science Faculty, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria, C/ José Antonio Novais 12, Madrid, Spain
| | - Brayan Morera
- Centro de Investigaciones Sobre Desertificación CIDE, CSIC-UVEG-GV, Carretera de Moncada a Náquera, km 4.5, 46113, Moncada (Valencia), Spain
| | - Emilio Virgós
- Área de Biodiversidad y Conservación, Departamento de Biología, Geología, Física y Química Inorgánica, Rey Juan Carlos University, Madrid, Spain
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Casorso JG, DePasquale AN, Romero Morales S, Cheves Hernandez S, Lopez Navarro R, Hockings KJ, Carrigan MA, Melin AD. Seed dispersal syndrome predicts ethanol concentration of fruits in a tropical dry forest. Proc Biol Sci 2023; 290:20230804. [PMID: 37464751 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.0804] [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: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Studying fruit traits and their interactions with seed dispersers can improve how we interpret patterns of biodiversity, ecosystem function and evolution. Mounting evidence suggests that fruit ethanol is common and variable, and may exert selective pressures on seed dispersers. To test this, we comprehensively assess fruit ethanol content in a wild ecosystem and explore sources of variation. We hypothesize that both phylogeny and seed dispersal syndrome explain variation in ethanol levels, and we predict that fruits with mammalian dispersal traits will contain higher levels of ethanol than those with bird dispersal traits. We measured ripe fruit ethanol content in species with mammal- (n = 16), bird- (n = 14) or mixed-dispersal (n = 7) syndromes in a Costa Rican tropical dry forest. Seventy-eight per cent of fruit species yielded measurable ethanol concentrations. We detected a phylogenetic signal in maximum ethanol levels (Pagel's λ = 0.82). Controlling for phylogeny, we observed greater ethanol concentrations in mammal-dispersed fruits, indicating that dispersal syndrome helps explain variation in ethanol content, and that mammals may be more exposed to ethanol in their diets than birds. Our findings further our understanding of wild fruit ethanol and its potential role as a selective pressure on frugivore sensory systems and metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia G Casorso
- Department of Anthropology and Archaeology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Allegra N DePasquale
- Department of Anthropology and Archaeology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Amanda D Melin
- Department of Anthropology and Archaeology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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Mamut J, Chen K, Baskin CC, Tan D. Inflated Ovary May Increase the Dispersal Ability of Three Species in the Cold Deserts of Central Asia. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:1950. [PMID: 37653867 PMCID: PMC10223576 DOI: 10.3390/plants12101950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 04/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
Among the diaspores of angiosperms an inflated ovary (IO) is a novel morphological trait, but no studies have evaluated its effects on dispersal. The primary aim of this study was to determine the effect of the IO on diaspore dispersal in three cold desert species (Carex physodes, Calligonum junceum, and Sphaerophysa salsula). Various morphological features and the mass of fruits and seeds of each species were measured. The role of an IO in diaspore dispersal by wind and water was determined by comparing responses of intact (inflated) IOs and flattened fruits and seeds. Mature diaspores of three species were dispersed by wind, and the IO significantly increased dispersal distance in the field and at different wind speeds in the laboratory. The floating time on water was greater for inflated fruits than flattened fruits and seeds. Since the seed remains inside the IO until after dispersal is completed, the IO of the three species enhances diaspore dispersal. This is the first detailed study on how an IO increases diaspore/seed dispersal. Furthermore, after primary dispersal by wind, secondary dispersal can occur via wind or surface runoff of water, and each method is enhanced by the presence of an IO.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jannathan Mamut
- College of Life Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Ürümqi 830052, China; (J.M.); (K.C.); (C.C.B.)
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Western Arid Region Grassland Resources and Ecology, College of Grassland Sciences, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Ürümqi 830052, China
| | - Kewei Chen
- College of Life Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Ürümqi 830052, China; (J.M.); (K.C.); (C.C.B.)
| | - Carol C. Baskin
- College of Life Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Ürümqi 830052, China; (J.M.); (K.C.); (C.C.B.)
- Department of Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506, USA
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, USA
| | - Dunyan Tan
- College of Life Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Ürümqi 830052, China; (J.M.); (K.C.); (C.C.B.)
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Western Arid Region Grassland Resources and Ecology, College of Grassland Sciences, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Ürümqi 830052, China
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Hernandez JO, Naeem M, Zaman W. How Does Changing Environment Influence Plant Seed Movements as Populations of Dispersal Vectors Decline? PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:1462. [PMID: 37050088 PMCID: PMC10097094 DOI: 10.3390/plants12071462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Plants differ widely in their ability to find tolerable climatic ranges through seed dispersal, depending on their life-history traits and habitat characteristics. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, a systematic review on seed dispersal mechanisms was conducted to elucidate plant seed movements amid changing environments. Here, the highest relative count of studies was found in Spain (16.47%), followed by Brazil (14.12%), and the USA (14.12%). The megadiverse, hotspot countries (e.g., Philippines, Vietnam, Myanmar, India, and Indonesia) and Africa (Tanzania, South Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo) have very low to no data about the reviewed topic. The effects of land use changes, habitat degradation/disturbances, climate, and extreme weather conditions on seed dispersal mechanisms and agents had the highest share of studies across topics and countries. Plant diversity and distribution of anemochorous, endozoochorous, epizoochorous, hydrochorous, myrmecochorous, and ornithochorous species are seriously affected by changing environments due to altered long-distance seed dispersal. The fruit types commonly associated with endozoochory and ornithochory are species with achene, capsule, drupe, fleshy, and nut fruits/seeds, whereas achene, capsule, samara/winged seeds are associated with anemochory. The present review provides a summary of evidence on how plants are affected by climate change as populations of dispersal vectors decline. Finally, recommendations for further study were made based on the identified knowledge gaps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan O. Hernandez
- Department of Forest Biological Sciences, College of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of the Philippines Los Baños, Los Baños 4031, Laguna, Philippines
| | - Muhammad Naeem
- Department of Plant Science, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Wajid Zaman
- Department of Life Sciences, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Republic of Korea
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Acosta‐Rojas DC, Barczyk M, Espinosa CI, Tinoco BA, Neuschulz EL, Schleuning M. Climate and microhabitat shape the prevalence of endozoochory in the seed rain of tropical montane forests. Biotropica 2023. [DOI: 10.1111/btp.13195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Diana C. Acosta‐Rojas
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (SBiK‐F) Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung Frankfurt am Main Germany
- Department of Biological Sciences Goethe Universität Frankfurt am Main Germany
| | - Maciej Barczyk
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (SBiK‐F) Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung Frankfurt am Main Germany
- Department of Biological Sciences Goethe Universität Frankfurt am Main Germany
| | - Carlos I. Espinosa
- Department of Biological Sciences Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja Loja Ecuador
| | | | - Eike L. Neuschulz
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (SBiK‐F) Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung Frankfurt am Main Germany
| | - Matthias Schleuning
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (SBiK‐F) Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung Frankfurt am Main Germany
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Terzaghi M, De Tullio MC. The perils of planning strategies to increase vitamin C content in plants: Beyond the hype. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:1096549. [PMID: 36600921 PMCID: PMC9806220 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.1096549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Ever since the identification of vitamin C (ascorbic acid, AsA) as an essential molecule that humans cannot synthesize on their own, finding adequate dietary sources of AsA became a priority in nutrition research. Plants are the main producers of AsA for humans and other non-synthesizing animals. It was immediately clear that some plant species have more AsA than others. Further studies evidenced that AsA content varies in different plant organs, in different developmental stages/environmental conditions and even within different cell compartments. With the progressive discovery of the genes of the main (Smirnoff-Wheeler) and alternative pathways coding for the enzymes involved in AsA biosynthesis in plants, the simple overexpression of those genes appeared a suitable strategy for boosting AsA content in any plant species or organ. Unfortunately, overexpression experiments mostly resulted in limited, if any, AsA increase, apparently due to a tight regulation of the biosynthetic machinery. Attempts to identify regulatory steps in the pathways that could be manipulated to obtain unlimited AsA production were also less successful than expected, confirming the difficulties in "unleashing" AsA synthesis. A different approach to increase AsA content has been the overexpression of genes coding for enzymes catalyzing the recycling of the oxidized forms of vitamin C, namely monodehydroascorbate and dehydroascorbate reductases. Such approach proved mostly effective in making the overexpressors apparently more resistant to some forms of environmental stress, but once more did not solve the issue of producing massive AsA amounts for human diet. However, it should also be considered that a hypothetical unlimited increase in AsA content is likely to interfere with plant development, which is in many ways regulated by AsA availability itself. The present review article aims at summarizing the many attempts made so far to improve AsA production/content in plants, evidencing the most promising ones, and at providing information about the possible unexpected consequences of a pure biotechnological approach not keeping into account the peculiar features of the AsA system in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mattia Terzaghi
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Environment, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Mario C. De Tullio
- Department of Earth and Geoenvironmental Sciences, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
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Valenta K, Nevo O. The illusiveness of seed dispersal syndromes. A commentary on: Fleshy fruit traits and seed dispersers: which traits define syndromes? ANNALS OF BOTANY 2022; 129:vi-vii. [PMID: 35139151 PMCID: PMC9292597 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcac009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Omer Nevo
- German Centre of Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Biodiversity, Friedrich-Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
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Sage RF. Plant Seeds and Floristic Preservation in the Anthropocene. ANNALS OF BOTANY 2022; 129:mcac064. [PMID: 35583672 PMCID: PMC9292593 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcac064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Rowan F Sage
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, 25 Willcocks Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S3B2, Canada
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