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Chitchak N, Stewart AB, Traiperm P. Trades-offs between pollinator attraction and florivore defense maximize reproductive success in the self-incompatible Rivea ornata (Convolvulaceae). BMC Ecol Evol 2024; 24:115. [PMID: 39210257 PMCID: PMC11363511 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-024-02301-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 08/16/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rivea ornata, a rare species from the morning glory family, exhibits uncommon characteristics compared to other typical morning glories, including nocturnal flowers that fit the classic moth pollination syndrome. However, the accuracy of its predicted pollination syndrome and its mating system have never been assessed. Additionally, R. ornata flowers attract not only pollinators but also florivores, potentially reducing plant reproductive success. Therefore, this study examined two populations of R. ornata in Thailand and assessed traits related to pollinator attraction and reward, determined its mating system, identified floral visitors and effective pollinators, and investigated the effect of florivory on reproductive success. RESULTS Rivea ornata is highly fertile but self-incompatible and an obligate outcrosser, rendering it highly dependent on pollinators. Lepidopterans, particularly nocturnal hawk moths, were found to account for a significant proportion of all visits and were the sole effective pollinators of this plant species, in correspondence with its predicted pollination syndrome. Surprisingly, florivory did not significantly reduce reproductive success. This phenomenon may be explained by the strategies employed by R. ornata, which align with the optimal defense hypothesis and functional trade-offs. Specifically, R. ornata appears to invest resources in defending key floral structures while, simultaneously, guard ants are conspicuously absent from flowers, resulting in some florivore damage to non-vital floral organs but ensuring that pollinators are not deterred by ants and thus maintaining high pollinator visitation rates. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that reproduction-related traits in R. ornata, including those involved in pollinator attraction and reward and florivore defense, are highly effective and work in concert to maximize plant reproductive success. Therefore, a main risk that R. ornata faces is the decline or disappearance of hawk moths and other lepidopterans given its extreme specialization and high dependence on pollinators, and conservation efforts should include habitat protection for both R. ornata and its pollinators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natthaphong Chitchak
- Department of Plant Science, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Alyssa B Stewart
- Department of Plant Science, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Paweena Traiperm
- Department of Plant Science, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand.
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Benvenuti S. Weed Role for Pollinator in the Agroecosystem: Plant-Insect Interactions and Agronomic Strategies for Biodiversity Conservation. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:2249. [PMID: 39204685 PMCID: PMC11359367 DOI: 10.3390/plants13162249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2024] [Revised: 08/07/2024] [Accepted: 08/07/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
The growing interest in safeguarding agroecosystem biodiversity has led to interest in studying ecological interactions among the various organisms present within the agroecosystem. Indeed, mutualisms between weeds and pollinators are of crucial importance as they influence the respective survival dynamics. In this review, the mutualistic role of flower visitors and the possible (often predominant) abiotic alternatives to insect pollination (self- and wind-pollination) are investigated. Mutualistic relations are discussed in terms of reward (pollen and/or nectar) and attractiveness (color, shape, scent, nectar quality and quantity), analyzing whether and to what extent typical weeds are linked to pollinators by rigid (specialization) or flexible (generalization) mutualistic relations. The entomofauna involved is composed mainly of solitary and social bees, bumblebees, Diptera, and Lepidoptera. While some of these pollinators are polylectic, others are oligolectic, depending on the shape of their mouthparts, which can be suited to explore the flower corollas as function of their depths. Consequently, the persistence dynamics of weed species show more successful survival in plants that are basically (occasional insect pollination) or totally (self and/or wind pollination) unspecialized in mutualistic relations. However, even weed species with typical abiotic pollination are at times visited during periods such as late summer, in which plants with more abundant rewards are insufficiently present or completely absent. Many typically insect-pollinated weeds can represent a valid indicator of the ecological sustainability of crop management techniques, as their survival dynamics are closely dependent on the biodiversity of the surrounding entomofauna. In particular, the presence of plant communities of species pollinated above all by butterflies (e.g., several Caryophyllaceae) gives evidence to the ecological compatibility of the previous agronomic management, in the sense that butterflies require certain weed species for oviposition and subsequent larva rearing and, therefore, provide further evidence of plant biodiversity in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Benvenuti
- Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, Via del Borghetto, 80, 56124 Pisa, Italy
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Shrestha M, Hlawatsch E, Pepe H, Sander LM, Schreier D, Schuchardt M, von Heßberg A, Jentsch A. Flower reflectance and floral traits data from Ökologisch-Botanischer Garten (OBG), Germany. Data Brief 2024; 54:110512. [PMID: 38799715 PMCID: PMC11127523 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2024.110512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Not all colours are perceived and interpreted equally. The electromagnetic spectrum is perceived differently by the distinct visual systems of animal species, resulting in differences in each species' colour perception. Given the diverse colours found in flowering plants, it is interesting to consider the colour perception of insects and the co-evolution of flowering plants to attract pollinators. Here, we considered the differences between human visual systems and that of bees and flies-the two largest insect pollinator groups. We collected flower reflectance spectral data of 73 species across seven human-perceived colours using a spectrophotometer. Minimum of 3 different flowers were used to measure the reflectance properties of flower colours. The raw data can be used to visualize the different animals' visual systems i.e. it can be processed and translated into known photoreceptors of human, bee, and fly visual systems. Overall, our data will help to compare how different animals see flower colours in the natural world and will also highlight the importance of understanding the interspecific communication in plant-pollinator communities. Thus, our data will assist scientists in the future to recognize the floral colour evolution in angiosperms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mani Shrestha
- Department of Disturbance Ecology, Bayreuth Center of Ecology and Environmental Research (BayCEER), University of Bayreuth, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Evelyn Hlawatsch
- Faculty of Biology, Chemistry and Earth Sciences, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstr. 30, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Hannah Pepe
- Faculty of Biology, Chemistry and Earth Sciences, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstr. 30, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Louis-Marvin Sander
- Faculty of Biology, Chemistry and Earth Sciences, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstr. 30, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Dietmar Schreier
- Faculty of Biology, Chemistry and Earth Sciences, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstr. 30, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Max Schuchardt
- Department of Disturbance Ecology, Bayreuth Center of Ecology and Environmental Research (BayCEER), University of Bayreuth, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Andreas von Heßberg
- Department of Disturbance Ecology, Bayreuth Center of Ecology and Environmental Research (BayCEER), University of Bayreuth, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Anke Jentsch
- Department of Disturbance Ecology, Bayreuth Center of Ecology and Environmental Research (BayCEER), University of Bayreuth, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany
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Zhao X, Li Y, Zhang MM, He X, Ahmad S, Lan S, Liu ZJ. Research advances on the gene regulation of floral development and color in orchids. Gene 2023; 888:147751. [PMID: 37657689 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2023.147751] [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: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023]
Abstract
Orchidaceae is one of the largest monocotyledon families and contributes significantly to worldwide biodiversity, with value in the fields of landscaping, medicine, and ecology. The diverse phenotypes and vibrant colors of orchid floral organs make them excellent research objects for investigating flower development and pigmentation. In recent years, a number of orchid genomes have been published, laying the molecular foundation for revealing flower development and color presentation. In this article, we review transcription factors, the structural genes responsible for the floral pigment synthesis pathways, the molecular mechanisms of flower morphogenesis, and the potential relationship between flower type and flower color. This study provides a theoretical reference for the research on molecular mechanisms related to flower morphogenesis and color presentation, genetic improvement, and new variety creation in orchids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuewei Zhao
- College of Forestry, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration for Orchid Conservation and Utilization at College of Landscape Architecture and Art, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Yuanyuan Li
- Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration for Orchid Conservation and Utilization at College of Landscape Architecture and Art, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Meng-Meng Zhang
- College of Forestry, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration for Orchid Conservation and Utilization at College of Landscape Architecture and Art, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Xin He
- College of Forestry, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration for Orchid Conservation and Utilization at College of Landscape Architecture and Art, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Sagheer Ahmad
- Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration for Orchid Conservation and Utilization at College of Landscape Architecture and Art, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Siren Lan
- College of Forestry, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration for Orchid Conservation and Utilization at College of Landscape Architecture and Art, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China.
| | - Zhong-Jian Liu
- College of Forestry, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration for Orchid Conservation and Utilization at College of Landscape Architecture and Art, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China.
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Wu J, Lv S, Zhao L, Gao T, Yu C, Hu J, Ma F. Advances in the study of the function and mechanism of the action of flavonoids in plants under environmental stresses. PLANTA 2023; 257:108. [PMID: 37133783 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-023-04136-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
MAIN CONCLUSION This review summarizes the anti-stress effects of flavonoids in plants and highlights its role in the regulation of polar auxin transport and free radical scavenging mechanism. As secondary metabolites widely present in plants, flavonoids play a vital function in plant growth, but also in resistance to stresses. This review introduces the classification, structure and synthetic pathways of flavonoids. The effects of flavonoids in plant stress resistance were enumerated, and the mechanism of flavonoids in plant stress resistance was discussed in detail. It is clarified that plants under stress accumulate flavonoids by regulating the expression of flavonoid synthase genes. It was also determined that the synthesized flavonoids are transported in plants through three pathways: membrane transport proteins, vesicles, and bound to glutathione S-transferase (GST). At the same time, the paper explores that flavonoids regulate polar auxin transport (PAT) by acting on the auxin export carrier PIN-FORMED (PIN) in the form of ATP-binding cassette subfamily B/P-glycoprotein (ABCB/PGP) transporter, which can help plants to respond in a more dominant form to stress. We have demonstrated that the number and location of hydroxyl groups in the structure of flavonoids can determine their free radical scavenging ability and also elucidated the mechanism by which flavonoids exert free radical removal in cells. We also identified flavonoids as signaling molecules to promote rhizobial nodulation and colonization of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) to enhance plant-microbial symbiosis in defense to stresses. Given all this knowledge, we can foresee that the in-depth study of flavonoids will be an essential way to reveal plant tolerance and enhance plant stress resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jieting Wu
- School of Environmental Science, Liaoning University, Shenyang, 110036, China.
| | - Sidi Lv
- School of Environmental Science, Liaoning University, Shenyang, 110036, China
| | - Lei Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150090, China
| | - Tian Gao
- School of Environmental Science, Liaoning University, Shenyang, 110036, China
| | - Chang Yu
- Kerchin District Branch Office, Tongliao City Ecological Environment Bureau, Tongliao, 028006, China
| | - Jianing Hu
- Dalian Neusoft University of Information, Dalian, 116032, China
| | - Fang Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150090, China
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Kalita S, Das B, Nath N. The new addition of Blue Pimpernel of Primulaceae to the state flora of Assam, India. JOURNAL OF THREATENED TAXA 2022. [DOI: 10.11609/jott.7751.14.11.22179-22183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Lysimachia arvensis var. caerulea (L.) Turland & Bergmeier, a variety belonging to the family Primulaceae is reported as new to the state flora of Assam, northeastern India. The authors encountered the specimen during field survey at Kamrup Rural District of Assam in 2020. This manuscript describes taxonomy and morphology details along with pictorial illustration of the specimen.
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León‐Osper M, Narbona E. Unravelling the mystery of red flowers in the Mediterranean Basin: How to be conspicuous in a place dominated by hymenopteran pollinators. Funct Ecol 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.14166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Melissa León‐Osper
- Departamento de Biología Molecular e Ingeniería Bioquímica, Universidad Pablo de Olavide Sevilla España
| | - Eduardo Narbona
- Departamento de Biología Molecular e Ingeniería Bioquímica, Universidad Pablo de Olavide Sevilla España
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