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Rupp T, Oelschlägel B, Berjano R, Mahfoud H, Buono D, Wenke T, Rabitsch K, Bächli G, Stanojlovic V, Cabrele C, Xiong W, Knaden M, Dahl A, Neinhuis C, Wanke S, Dötterl S. Chemical imitation of yeast fermentation by the drosophilid-pollinated deceptive trap-flower Aristolochia baetica (Aristolochiaceae). PHYTOCHEMISTRY 2024; 224:114142. [PMID: 38762152 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2024.114142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
Deceptive flowers, unlike in mutualistic pollination systems, mislead their pollinators by advertising rewards which ultimately are not provided. Although our understanding of deceptive pollination systems increased in recent years, the attractive signals and deceptive strategies in the majority of species remain unknown. This is also true for the genus Aristolochia, famous for its deceptive and fly-pollinated trap flowers. Representatives of this genus were generally assumed to be oviposition-site mimics, imitating vertebrate carrion or mushrooms. However, recent studies found a broader spectrum of strategies, including kleptomyiophily and imitation of invertebrate carrion. A different deceptive strategy is presented here for the western Mediterranean Aristolochia baetica L. We found that this species is mostly pollinated by drosophilid flies (Drosophilidae, mostly Drosophila spp.), which typically feed on fermenting fruit infested by yeasts. The flowers of A. baetica emitted mostly typical yeast volatiles, predominantly the aliphatic compounds acetoin and 2,3-butandiol, and derived acetates, as well as the aromatic compound 2-phenylethanol. Analyses of the absolute configurations of the chiral volatiles revealed weakly (acetoin, 2,3-butanediol) to strongly (mono- and diacetates) biased stereoisomer-ratios. Electrophysiological (GC-EAD) experiments and lab bioassays demonstrated that most of the floral volatiles, although not all stereoisomers of chiral compounds, were physiologically active and attractive in drosophilid pollinators; a synthetic mixture thereof successfully attracted them in field and lab bioassays. We conclude that A. baetica chemically mimics yeast fermentation to deceive its pollinators. This deceptive strategy (scent chemistry, pollinators, trapping function) is also known from more distantly related plants, such as Arum palaestinum Boiss. (Araceae) and Ceropegia spp. (Apocynaceae), suggesting convergent evolution. In contrast to other studies working on floral scents in plants imitating breeding sites, the present study considered the absolute configuration of chiral compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Rupp
- Department of Environment & Biodiversity, Paris-Lodron University of Salzburg, Hellbrunnerstr. 34, 5020, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Birgit Oelschlägel
- Institut für Botanik, Technische Universität Dresden, Zellescher Weg 20b, 01062, Dresden, Germany
| | - Regina Berjano
- Department of Vegetal Biology and Ecology, University of Sevilla, Avenida Reina Mercedes s/n, 41012, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Hafez Mahfoud
- Institut für Botanik, Technische Universität Dresden, Zellescher Weg 20b, 01062, Dresden, Germany
| | - Daniele Buono
- Institut für Botanik, Technische Universität Dresden, Zellescher Weg 20b, 01062, Dresden, Germany
| | - Torsten Wenke
- Institut für Botanik, Technische Universität Dresden, Zellescher Weg 20b, 01062, Dresden, Germany
| | - Katharina Rabitsch
- Department of Environment & Biodiversity, Paris-Lodron University of Salzburg, Hellbrunnerstr. 34, 5020, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Gerhard Bächli
- Institut für Evolutionsbiologie und Umweltforschung, Universität Zürich-Irchel, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Vesna Stanojlovic
- Department of Environment & Biodiversity, Paris-Lodron University of Salzburg, Hellbrunnerstr. 34, 5020, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Chiara Cabrele
- Department of Environment & Biodiversity, Paris-Lodron University of Salzburg, Hellbrunnerstr. 34, 5020, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Wujian Xiong
- Department of Environment & Biodiversity, Paris-Lodron University of Salzburg, Hellbrunnerstr. 34, 5020, Salzburg, Austria; Ecological Security and Protection Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Mianyang Normal University, Mianxingxi Road 166, 621000, Mianyang, China
| | - Markus Knaden
- Department of Evolutionary Neuroethology, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Hans Knoell Strasse 8, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Andreas Dahl
- DRESDEN-Concept Genome Center, Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 105, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Christoph Neinhuis
- Institut für Botanik, Technische Universität Dresden, Zellescher Weg 20b, 01062, Dresden, Germany
| | - Stefan Wanke
- Institut für Botanik, Technische Universität Dresden, Zellescher Weg 20b, 01062, Dresden, Germany; Departamento de Botánica, Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Apartado Postal 70-367, 04510, Coyoacan, Distrito Federal, Mexico; Institut für Ökologie, Evolution und Diversiät, Goethe-Universität, Max-von-Laue-Straße 13, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Abteilung Botanik und molekulare Evolutionsforschung, Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung, Senckenberganlage 25, 60325, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Stefan Dötterl
- Department of Environment & Biodiversity, Paris-Lodron University of Salzburg, Hellbrunnerstr. 34, 5020, Salzburg, Austria.
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Dötterl S, Gershenzon J. Chemistry, biosynthesis and biology of floral volatiles: roles in pollination and other functions. Nat Prod Rep 2023; 40:1901-1937. [PMID: 37661854 DOI: 10.1039/d3np00024a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Covering: 2010 to 2023Floral volatiles are a chemically diverse group of plant metabolites that serve multiple functions. Their composition is shaped by environmental, ecological and evolutionary factors. This review will summarize recent advances in floral scent research from chemical, molecular and ecological perspectives. It will focus on the major chemical classes of floral volatiles, on notable new structures, and on recent discoveries regarding the biosynthesis and the regulation of volatile emission. Special attention will be devoted to the various functions of floral volatiles, not only as attractants for different types of pollinators, but also as defenses of flowers against enemies. We will also summarize recent findings on how floral volatiles are affected by abiotic stressors, such as increased temperatures and drought, and by other organisms, such as herbivores and flower-dwelling microbes. Finally, this review will indicate current research gaps, such as the very limited knowledge of the isomeric pattern of chiral compounds and its importance in interspecific interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Dötterl
- Department of Environment & Biodiversity, Paris Lodron University Salzburg, Hellbrunnerstr 34, 5020 Salzburg, Austria.
| | - Jonathan Gershenzon
- Department of Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Hans-Knöll-Straße 8, 07745 Jena, Germany.
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Nowak S, Olędrzyńska N, Szlachetko DL, Dudek M. Notes to the Taxonomic Affiliation of the Bulbophyllym Sect. Physometra (Orchidaceae, Epidendroideae) Based on Molecular Phylogenetic Analyses. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119709. [PMID: 37298660 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119709] [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: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 05/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
To solve the taxonomic affiliation of Bulbophyllum physometrum, the only known species of the Bulbophyllym sect. Physometra (Orchidaceae, Epidendroideae), we conducted phylogenetic analyses based on nuclear markers, i.e., ITS and the low-copy gene Xdh, and the plastid region matK. We used Asian Bulbophyllum taxa, with a special focus on species from the sections Lemniscata and Blepharistes, i.e., the only Asian sections of this genus with bifoliate pseudobulbs, as in B. physometrum. Unexpectedly, the results of molecular phylogenetic analyses showed that B. physometrum is most probably more related to the representatives of the sections Hirtula and Sestochilos than Blepharistes or Lemniscata.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sławomir Nowak
- Department of Plant Taxonomy and Nature Conservation, Faculty of Biology, The University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Natalia Olędrzyńska
- Department of Plant Taxonomy and Nature Conservation, Faculty of Biology, The University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Dariusz L Szlachetko
- Department of Plant Taxonomy and Nature Conservation, Faculty of Biology, The University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Magdalena Dudek
- Department of Plant Taxonomy and Nature Conservation, Faculty of Biology, The University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland
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Russell AL, Sanders SR, Wilson LA, Papaj DR. The Size of it: Scant Evidence That Flower Size Variation Affects Deception in Intersexual Floral Mimicry. Front Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2021.724712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutualisms involve cooperation, but also frequently involve conflict. Plant-pollinator mutualisms are no exception. To facilitate animal pollination, flowering plants often offer pollen (their male gametes) as a food reward. Since plants benefit by maximizing pollen export to conspecific flowers, we might expect plants to cheat on pollen rewards. In intersexual floral mimicry, rewarding pollen-bearing male flowers (models) are mimicked by rewardless female flowers (mimics) on the same plant. Pollinators should therefore learn to avoid the unrewarding mimics. Plants might impede such learning by producing phenotypically variable flowers that cause bees to generalize among models and mimics during learning. In this laboratory study, we used partially artificial flowers (artificial petals, live reproductive parts) modeled after Begonia odorata to test whether variation in the size of rewarding male flowers (models) and unrewarding female flowers (mimics) affected how quickly bees learned both to recognize models and to reject mimics. Live unrewarding female flowers have 33% longer petals and have 31% greater surface area than live rewarding male flowers, which bees should easily discriminate. Yet while bees rapidly learned to reduce foraging effort on mimics, learning was not significantly affected by the degree to which flower size varied. Additionally, we found scant evidence that this was a result of bees altering response speed to maintain decision accuracy. Our study failed to provide evidence that flower size variation in intersexual floral mimicry systems exploits pollinator cognition, though we cannot rule out that other floral traits that are variable may be important. Furthermore, we propose that contrary to expectation, phenotypic variability in a Batesian mimicry system may not necessarily have significant effects on whether receivers effectively learn to discriminate models and mimics.
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Cazalis R, Cottam R. An approach to the plant body: Assessing concrete and abstract aspects. Biosystems 2021; 207:104461. [PMID: 34166731 DOI: 10.1016/j.biosystems.2021.104461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Revised: 05/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
The paper aims at proposing a representation of plants as individuals. The first section selects the population of plants to which this study is addressed. The second section describes the effective architecture of plants as modular systems with fixed and mobile elements, in other words, plants and their extensions. The third section presents how plants integrate the fixed and mobile modules into functional units through three areas of particular relevance to plant growth and development: nutrition, defence and pollination. Based on the tangible elements introduced in the previous sections, the fourth section presents the main issue of the proposal which is not apparent at first glance, namely, the local-global relationship in plants' architecture that determines their individuality as organisms. Finally, in the conclusion, we issue the challenge of developing a collective presentation of plants which satisfies their complementary dimension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roland Cazalis
- Dept. of 'Sciences, Philosophies, Societies', ESPHIN, NAXYS, University of Namur, Namur, Belgium
| | - Ron Cottam
- The Living Systems Project, Department of Electronics and Informatics, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium.
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Zhao P, Du Z, Zhao Q, Li D, Shao X, Li H, Cai W. Integrative Taxonomy of the Spinous Assassin Bug Genus Sclomina (Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Harpactorinae) Reveals Three Cryptic Species Based on DNA Barcoding and Morphological Evidence. INSECTS 2021; 12:insects12030251. [PMID: 33809525 PMCID: PMC8001484 DOI: 10.3390/insects12030251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Revised: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary The assassin bugs (Heteroptera: Reduviidae) are one of the largest and morphologically most diverse families of true bug, having essential impacts on forest ecosystems as predators. The spinous reduviid genus Sclomina exhibits shape mimicry and protective coloration adapted to the spinous Rubus plant that they inhabit. The genus Sclomina shows gradual morphological variability, so its morphological classification is still unresolved, and its biology is almost unknown. In this study, DNA barcodes and morphological evidence were combined to accurately divide the species of a comprehensive collection sampled in South China and North Vietnam. We found three cryptic species. The biological information and mimicry behavior uncover their successive evolutionary survival strategies. Abstract Sclomina Stål, 1861 (Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Harpactorinae) is endemic to China and Vietnam, with only two species, Sclomina erinacea Stål, 1861 and Sclomina guangxiensis Ren, 2001, characterized by spinous body and dentate abdominal connexivum. However, due to variable morphological characteristics, Sclomina erinacea, which is widely distributed in South China, is possibly a complex of cryptic species, and Sclomina guangxiensis was suspected to be an extreme group of the S. erinacea cline. In the present study, we conducted species delimitation and phylogenetic analyses based on the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene sequences of 307 Sclomina specimens collected from 30 sampling localities combined with morphological evidence. The result showed that all samples used in this study were identified as five species: Sclomina guangxiensis is a valid species, and Sclomina erinacea actually includes three cryptic species: Sclomina xingrensis P. Zhao and Cai sp. nov., Sclomina pallens P. Zhao and Cai sp. nov., and Sclomina parva P. Zhao and Cai sp. nov. In this paper, the genus Sclomina is systematically revised, and the morphological characteristics of the five species are compared, described, and photographed in detail. We elucidate the evolutionary history of Sclomina based on results of estimated divergence time. The body shape and coloration (green in nymph and brown in adult) of Sclomina match their environment and mimic the Rubus plants on which they live. The symbiotic relationship between Sclomina and spinous Rubus plants is presented and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Environment Change and Resources Use in Beibu Gulf (Ministry of Education) and Guangxi Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Intelligent Simulation, Nanning Normal University, Nanning 530001, China;
| | - Zhenyong Du
- MOA Key Lab of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; (Z.D.); (Q.Z.)
| | - Qian Zhao
- MOA Key Lab of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; (Z.D.); (Q.Z.)
| | - Donghai Li
- Department of Plant Protection, Kaili University, Kaili 556000, China; (D.L.); (X.S.)
| | - Xiaolan Shao
- Department of Plant Protection, Kaili University, Kaili 556000, China; (D.L.); (X.S.)
| | - Hu Li
- MOA Key Lab of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; (Z.D.); (Q.Z.)
- Correspondence: (H.L.); (W.C.); Tel.: +86-010-6273-2885 (W.C.)
| | - Wanzhi Cai
- MOA Key Lab of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; (Z.D.); (Q.Z.)
- Correspondence: (H.L.); (W.C.); Tel.: +86-010-6273-2885 (W.C.)
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Russell AL, Kikuchi DW, Giebink NW, Papaj DR. Sensory bias and signal detection trade-offs maintain intersexual floral mimicry. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2020; 375:20190469. [PMID: 32420844 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2019.0469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Mimicry is common in interspecies interactions, yet conditions maintaining Batesian mimicry have been primarily tested in predator-prey interactions. In pollination mutualisms, floral mimetic signals thought to dupe animals into pollinating unrewarding flowers are widespread (greater than 32 plant families). Yet whether animals learn to both correctly identify floral models and reject floral mimics and whether these responses are frequency-dependent is not well understood. We tested how learning affected the effectiveness and frequency-dependence of imperfect Batesian mimicry among flowers using the generalist bumblebee, Bombus impatiens, visiting Begonia odorata, a plant species exhibiting intersexual floral mimicry. Unrewarding female flowers are mimics of pollen-rewarding male flowers (models), though mimicry to the human eye is imperfect. Flower-naive bees exhibited a perceptual bias for mimics over models, but rapidly learned to avoid mimics. Surprisingly, altering the frequency of models and mimics only marginally shaped responses by naive bees and by bees experienced with the distribution and frequency of models and mimics. Our results provide evidence both of exploitation by the plant of signal detection trade-offs in bees and of resistance by the bees, via learning, to this exploitation. Critically, we provide experimental evidence that imperfect Batesian mimicry can be adaptive and, in contrast with expectations of signal detection theory, functions largely independently of the model and mimic frequency. This article is part of the theme issue 'Signal detection theory in recognition systems: from evolving models to experimental tests'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avery L Russell
- Department of Biology, Missouri State University, 910 South John Q Hammons Parkway, Springfield, MO 65897, USA.,Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 87521, USA
| | - David W Kikuchi
- Wissenschaftskolleg zu Berlin, Berlin 14193, Germany.,Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 87521, USA
| | - Noah W Giebink
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 87521, USA
| | - Daniel R Papaj
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 87521, USA
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Suetsugu K, Okamoto T, Kato M. Mushroom attracts hornets for spore dispersal by a distinctive yeasty scent. Ecology 2019; 100:e02718. [PMID: 30937893 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.2718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2018] [Revised: 03/01/2019] [Accepted: 03/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kenji Suetsugu
- Department of Biology, Graduate School of Science, Kobe University, 1-1 Rokkodai, Nada-ku, Kobe, 657-8501, Japan
| | - Tomoko Okamoto
- Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Faculty of Applied Biological Sciences, Gifu University, Yanagido 1-1, Gifu, 501-1193, Japan
| | - Makoto Kato
- Graduate School of Human and Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, Yoshida Nihonmatsu-cho, Sakyo, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan
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Flower scent of Ceropegia stenantha: electrophysiological activity and synthesis of novel components. J Comp Physiol A Neuroethol Sens Neural Behav Physiol 2019; 205:301-310. [PMID: 30868226 PMCID: PMC6579769 DOI: 10.1007/s00359-019-01318-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2018] [Revised: 01/20/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
In specialized pollination systems, floral scents are crucial for flower-pollinator communication, but key volatiles that attract pollinators are unknown for most systems. Deceptive Ceropegia trap flowers are famous for their elaborate mechanisms to trap flies. Recent studies revealed species-specific floral chemistry suggesting highly specialized mimicry strategies. However, volatiles involved in fly attraction were until now identified in C. dolichophylla and C. sandersonii, only. We here present data on C. stenantha for which flower scent and pollinators were recently described, but volatiles involved in flower-fly communication stayed unknown. We performed electrophysiological measurements with scatopsid fly pollinators (Coboldia fuscipes) and identified 12 out of 13 biologically active floral components. Among these volatiles some were never described from any organism but C. stenantha. We synthesized these components, tested them on antennae of male and female flies, and confirmed their biological activity. Overall, our data show that half of the volatiles emitted from C. stenantha flowers are perceived by male and female fly pollinators and are potentially important for flower-fly communication in this pollination system. Further studies are needed to clarify the role of the electrophysiologically active components in the life of scatopsid fly pollinators, and to fully understand the pollination strategy of C. stenantha.
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