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Eguiarte LE, Jiménez Barrón OA, Aguirre-Planter E, Scheinvar E, Gámez N, Gasca-Pineda J, Castellanos-Morales G, Moreno-Letelier A, Souza V. Evolutionary ecology of Agave: distribution patterns, phylogeny, and coevolution (an homage to Howard S. Gentry). AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY 2021; 108:216-235. [PMID: 33576061 DOI: 10.1002/ajb2.1609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
With more than 200 species, the genus Agave is one of the most interesting and complex groups of plants in the world, considering for instance its great diversity and adaptations. The adaptations include the production of a single, massive inflorescence (the largest among plants) where after growing for many years, sometimes more than 30, the rosette dies shortly afterward, and the remarkable coevolution with their main pollinators, nectarivorous bats, in particular of the genus Leptonycteris. The physiological adaptations of Agave species include a photosynthetic metabolism that allows efficient use of water and a large degree of succulence, helping to store water and resources for their massive flowering event. Ecologically, the agaves are keystone species on which numerous animal species depend for their subsistence due to the large amounts of pollen and nectar they produce, that support many pollinators, including bats, perching birds, hummingbirds, moths, and bees. Moreover, in many regions of Mexico and in the southwestern United States, agaves are dominant species. We describe the contributions of H. S. Gentry to the understanding of agaves and review recent advances on the study of the ecology and evolution of the genus. We analyze the present and inferred past distribution patterns of different species in the genus, describing differences in their climatic niche and adaptations to dry conditions. We interpret these patterns using molecular clock data and phylogenetic analyses and information of their coevolving pollinators and from phylogeographic, morphological, and ecological studies and discuss the prospects for their future conservation and management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis E Eguiarte
- Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Ofelia A Jiménez Barrón
- Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Erika Aguirre-Planter
- Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Enrique Scheinvar
- Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Ciudad de México, Mexico
- Dirección General de Informática y Telecomunicaciones, Secretaría de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Niza Gámez
- Facultad de Estudios Superiores-Zaragoza, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Jaime Gasca-Pineda
- Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Ciudad de México, Mexico
- Facultad de Estudios Superiores, Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Estado de México, Mexico
| | - Gabriela Castellanos-Morales
- Departamento de Conservación de la Biodiversidad, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Unidad Villahermosa, Villahermosa, Tabasco, Mexico
| | - Alejandra Moreno-Letelier
- Jardín Botánico, Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Valeria Souza
- Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Ciudad de México, Mexico
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The invasive Opuntia ficus-indica homogenizes native plant species compositions in the highlands of Eritrea. Biol Invasions 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-020-02373-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
AbstractInvasion by exotic species is recognized as one of the major threats to biodiversity. The effects of invasion by Opuntia ficus-indica (Cactaceae) on the species diversity, richness and composition of invaded communities were studied at three sites in the highlands of Eritrea, East Africa. This paper investigates whether the presence of O. ficus-indica causes a negative effect on the native biodiversity in a region rarely studied so far. The vegetation in invaded and uninvaded plots with similar habitat conditions was sampled and differences in the species composition, diversity and richness were compared between the plots. The overall plant species composition differed significantly with invasion by O. ficus-indica. The invasion by O. ficus-indica also led to a significant homogenization of community compositions. The species richness and Shannon diversity index did not differ significantly between the invaded and uninvaded plots. Nevertheless, we still detected species with significantly lower occurrence in the invaded plots (Psiadia punctulata), but also species which preferred invaded plots (Plectranthus hadiensis). We conclude that O. ficus-indica exerts a negligible effect on the species diversity and richness but that it affects species composition and that there are species which suffer due to its presence. Due to the continuous pressure of the invasion by O. ficus-indica on the species composition and dry climates, further homogenization in the native species diversity is to be expected in the future for the highlands of Eritrea.
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Novoa A, Richardson DM, Pyšek P, Meyerson LA, Bacher S, Canavan S, Catford JA, Čuda J, Essl F, Foxcroft LC, Genovesi P, Hirsch H, Hui C, Jackson MC, Kueffer C, Le Roux JJ, Measey J, Mohanty NP, Moodley D, Müller-Schärer H, Packer JG, Pergl J, Robinson TB, Saul WC, Shackleton RT, Visser V, Weyl OLF, Yannelli FA, Wilson JRU. Invasion syndromes: a systematic approach for predicting biological invasions and facilitating effective management. Biol Invasions 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-020-02220-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
AbstractOur ability to predict invasions has been hindered by the seemingly idiosyncratic context-dependency of individual invasions. However, we argue that robust and useful generalisations in invasion science can be made by considering “invasion syndromes” which we define as “a combination of pathways, alien species traits, and characteristics of the recipient ecosystem which collectively result in predictable dynamics and impacts, and that can be managed effectively using specific policy and management actions”. We describe this approach and outline examples that highlight its utility, including: cacti with clonal fragmentation in arid ecosystems; small aquatic organisms introduced through ballast water in harbours; large ranid frogs with frequent secondary transfers; piscivorous freshwater fishes in connected aquatic ecosystems; plant invasions in high-elevation areas; tall-statured grasses; and tree-feeding insects in forests with suitable hosts. We propose a systematic method for identifying and delimiting invasion syndromes. We argue that invasion syndromes can account for the context-dependency of biological invasions while incorporating insights from comparative studies. Adopting this approach will help to structure thinking, identify transferrable risk assessment and management lessons, and highlight similarities among events that were previously considered disparate invasion phenomena.
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Barbosa C, Otalora JM, Giehl ELH, Villalobos F, Loyola R, Tessarolo G, Machado N, Castellani TT. Changes in the realized niche of the invasive succulent CAM plant Furcraea foetida. AUSTRAL ECOL 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/aec.12483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Cristiana Barbosa
- Ecology Graduate Program; Ecology and Zoology Department; Federal University of Santa Catarina; Trindade Florianópolis Santa Catarina 88040-900
| | - Juan Manuel Otalora
- Plant Genetic Resources Graduate Program; Federal University of Santa Catarina; Santa Catarina Brazil
| | - Eduardo L. H. Giehl
- Ecology Graduate Program; Ecology and Zoology Department; Federal University of Santa Catarina; Trindade Florianópolis Santa Catarina 88040-900
| | - Fabricio Villalobos
- Theoretical Ecology and Synthesis Laboratory; Department of Ecology; Federal University of Goiás; Goiás Brazil
- Evolutionary Macroecology Laboratory; Evolutionary Biology Network; Institute of Ecology A.C.; Veracruz Mexico
| | - Rafael Loyola
- Conservation Biogeography Laboratory; Department of Ecology; Federal University of Goiás; Goiás Brazil
| | - Geiziane Tessarolo
- Theoretical Ecology and Synthesis Laboratory; Department of Ecology; Federal University of Goiás; Goiás Brazil
| | - Nathália Machado
- Conservation Biogeography Laboratory; Department of Ecology; Federal University of Goiás; Goiás Brazil
| | - Tânia Tarabini Castellani
- Ecology Graduate Program; Ecology and Zoology Department; Federal University of Santa Catarina; Trindade Florianópolis Santa Catarina 88040-900
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