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Lin L, Cai L, Huang H, Ming S, Sun W. Transcriptome data reveals the conservation genetics of Cypripedium forrestii, a plant species with extremely small populations endemic to Yunnan, China. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2024; 15:1303625. [PMID: 38357270 PMCID: PMC10864665 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1303625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
The Cypripedium forrestii is an orchid species with extremely small populations (PSESP) in Yunnan, China. C. forrestii is range-restricted and less-studied than many orchid species, and it is exposed to various threats to its survival. We investigated its potential habitats and collected 52 samples from eight locations, as well as two outgroup species for reference. We developed genetic markers (SNPs) for C. forrestii based on transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) data, and analyzed the genetic diversity, population structure, gene flow and demographic history of C. forrestii in detail. C. forrestii is a taxonomically independent species to protect. We found that the genetic diversity of C. forrestii was very low (1.7e-4) compared with other endangered species. We identified three genetic clusters, and several populations with distinct genetic backgrounds. Most genetic diversity was found within sampling sites (87.87%) and genetic clusters (91.39%). Gene flow has been greatly limited over the most recent generations, probably due to geographical distance, historical climate change and habitat fragmentation. We also detected a severe bottleneck event brought about by the recent population constraints. These factors, together with its reproductive characteristics, contribute to the population fragmentation and low genetic diversity of C. forrestii. Based on our findings, we suggest an integrative conservation strategy to protect and recover the genetic diversity of C. forrestii and a further comprehensive study of its ecological traits in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liewen Lin
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Integrative Conservation of Plant Species with Extremely Small Populations, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, China
- Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, China
- School of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lei Cai
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Integrative Conservation of Plant Species with Extremely Small Populations, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, China
- Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Hua Huang
- Lijiang Alpine Botanic Garden/ Kunming Botanical Garden, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Shengping Ming
- Lijiang Alpine Botanic Garden/ Kunming Botanical Garden, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Weibang Sun
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Integrative Conservation of Plant Species with Extremely Small Populations, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, China
- Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, China
- Lijiang Alpine Botanic Garden/ Kunming Botanical Garden, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, China
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Lanzino M, Palermo AM, Pellegrino G. The effect of inflorescence display size and flower position on pollination success in two deceptive and one rewarding orchid. PLANT BIOLOGY (STUTTGART, GERMANY) 2023; 25:396-402. [PMID: 36719068 DOI: 10.1111/plb.13505] [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: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Inflorescence display size and flower position on the inflorescence play important roles in plant reproduction, in the formation of fruits and are primarily linked to pollinator behaviour. We used three orchids to determine how visitation rates and choice of pollinator depend on number and position of the flowers along the inflorescence. We measured reproductive success in (1) natural conditions, (2) hand-pollination experiments and (3) an experimental design, by modifying composition of inflorescences in populations of two deceptive orchids, Orchis anthropophora and O. italica, and one rewarding orchid, Anacamptis coriophora subsp. fragrans. There were no differences in natural fruit production in relation to flower position on the inflorescence (i.e. upper versus lower part), suggesting no preference of pollinators for different parts of the inflorescence. Hand-pollination experiments highlighted low pollen limitation in A. coriophora subsp. fragrans but high limitation in O. italica and O. anthropophora. Reproductive success of deceptive orchids in experimental plots decreased significantly when flowers on the upper half of the inflorescence were removed leading to reduced floral display, while reproductive success of the nectariferous species did not differ significantly. Our data highlight that in the examined orchids there is no clear relationship between fruit formation and flower position along inflorescences. Thus we can affirm that, for orchids, the entire inflorescence plays a dominant role in insect attraction but the part of the flower spike does not influence the choice of the insect. This implies that all flowers have the same possibility of receiving visits from pollinators, and therefore each flower has the same opportunity to set fruit.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Lanzino
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Calabria, Cosenza, Italy
| | - A M Palermo
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Calabria, Cosenza, Italy
| | - G Pellegrino
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Calabria, Cosenza, Italy
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Are some species ‘robust’ to exploitation? Explaining persistence in deceptive relationships. Evol Ecol 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10682-022-10174-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
AbstractAnimals and plants trick others in an extraordinary diversity of ways to gain fitness benefits. Mimicry and deception can, for example, lure prey, reduce the costs of parental care or aid in pollination–in ways that impose fitness costs on the exploited party. The evolutionary maintenance of such asymmetric relationships often relies on these costs being mitigated through counter-adaptations, low encounter rates, or indirect fitness benefits. However, these mechanisms do not always explain the evolutionary persistence of some classic deceptive interactions.Sexually deceptive pollination (in which plants trick male pollinators into mating with their flowers) has evolved multiple times independently, mainly in the southern hemisphere and especially in Australasia and Central and South America. This trickery imposes considerable costs on the males: they miss out on mating opportunities, and in some cases, waste their limited sperm on the flower. These relationships appear stable, yet in some cases there is little evidence suggesting that their persistence relies on counter-adaptations, low encounter rates, or indirect fitness benefits. So, how might these relationships persist?Here, we introduce and explore an additional hypothesis from systems biology: that some species are robust to exploitation. Robustness arises from a species’ innate traits and means they are robust against costs of exploitation. This allows species to persist where a population without those traits would not, making them ideal candidates for exploitation. We propose that this mechanism may help inform new research approaches and provide insight into how exploited species might persist.
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Kolanowska M, Michalska E, Konowalik K. The impact of global warming on the niches and pollinator availability of sexually deceptive orchid with a single pollen vector. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 795:148850. [PMID: 34246141 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Orchidaceae are among the most endangered plants in the world. Considering the sensitive nature of pollinator-plant relationship the most vulnerable are species which are dependent on a single pollen vector. In this paper the future distribution of suitable niches of Australian sexually deceptive orchid Leporella fimbriata and its pollinator (Myrmecia urens) was estimated using three machine learning algorithms. While the potential range of fringed hare orchid depending on modelling method will be larger or slightly reduced than currently observed, the ant will face significant loss of suitable niches. As a result of global warming the overlap of orchid and its only pollen vector will most probably decrease. The unavailability of pollen vector will lead to decreased reproductive success and as a result it will be a great threat for L. fimbriata existence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Kolanowska
- University of Lodz, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, Department of Geobotany and Plant Ecology, Banacha 12/16, 90-237 Lodz, Poland; Department of Biodiversity Research, Global Change Research Institute AS CR, Bělidla 4a, 603 00 Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Ewa Michalska
- University of Lodz, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, Department of Geobotany and Plant Ecology, Banacha 12/16, 90-237 Lodz, Poland
| | - Kamil Konowalik
- Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Institute of Environmental Biology, Department of Plant Biology, Kożuchowska 5b, 51-631 Wroclaw, Poland
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Lunau K, Scaccabarozzi D, Willing L, Dixon K. A bee's eye view of remarkable floral colour patterns in the south-west Australian biodiversity hotspot revealed by false colour photography. ANNALS OF BOTANY 2021; 128:821-824. [PMID: 34216211 PMCID: PMC8577209 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcab088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Colour pattern is a key cue of bee attraction selectively driving the appeal of pollinators. It comprises the main colour of the flower with extra fine patterns, indicating a reward focal point such as nectar, nectaries, pollen, stamens and floral guides. Such advertising of floral traits guides visitation by the insects, ensuring precision in pollen gathering and deposition. The study, focused in the Southwest Australian Floristic Region, aimed to spot bee colour patterns that are usual and unusual, missing, accomplished by mimicry of pollen and anthers, and overlapping between mimic-model species in floral mimicry cases. METHODS Floral colour patterns were examined by false colour photography in 55 flower species of multiple highly diverse natural plant communities in south-west Australia. False colour photography is a method to transform a UV photograph and a colour photograph into a false colour photograph based on the trichromatic vision of bees. This method is particularly effective for rapid screening of large numbers of flowers for the presence of fine-scale bee-sensitive structures and surface roughness that are not detectable using standard spectrophotometry. KEY RESULTS Bee- and bird-pollinated flowers showed the expected but also some remarkable and unusual previously undetected floral colour pattern syndromes. Typical colour patterns include cases of pollen and flower mimicry and UV-absorbing targets. Among the atypical floral colour patterns are unusual white and UV-reflecting flowers of bee-pollinated plants, bicoloured floral guides, consistently occurring in Fabaceae spp., and flowers displaying a selective attractiveness to birds only. In the orchid genera (Diuris and Thelymitra) that employ floral mimicry of model species, we revealed a surprising mimicry phenomenon of anthers mimicked in turn by model species. CONCLUSION The study demonstrates the applicability of 'bee view' colour imaging for deciphering pollinator cues in a biodiverse flora with potential to be applied to other eco regions. The technique provides an exciting opportunity for indexing floral traits on a biome scale to establish pollination drivers of ecological and evolutionary relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klaus Lunau
- Institute of Sensory Ecology, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Daniela Scaccabarozzi
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Larissa Willing
- Institute of Sensory Ecology, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Kingsley Dixon
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
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Berry EJ, Cleavitt NL. Population dynamics and comparative demographics in sympatric populations of the round‐leaved orchids
Platanthera macrophylla
and
P. orbiculata. POPUL ECOL 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/1438-390x.12092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Eric J. Berry
- Biology Department St. Anselm College Manchester New Hampshire USA
| | - Natalie L. Cleavitt
- Department of Natural Resources and the Environment, Fernow Hall Cornell University Ithaca New York USA
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Wraith J, Norman P, Pickering C. Orchid conservation and research: An analysis of gaps and priorities for globally Red Listed species. AMBIO 2020; 49:1601-1611. [PMID: 31960279 PMCID: PMC7413930 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-019-01306-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2019] [Revised: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 12/06/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Orchids are among the most threatened taxa globally due to increasing anthropogenic threats, inherent rarity and specific conservation needs. But what are the global research and conservation priorities for this charismatic group of plants? Using information for 595 orchids on the IUCN Red List, we reviewed past research and identified key research and conservation priorities. These included understanding threats, monitoring orchid populations and habitats, species management in ex situ conservation, genome resource banks and artificial propagation, land and habitat protection and education and awareness through communication. Based on the available data, we recommend future orchid conservation and research should focus on the current gaps in knowledge and practice including monitoring population trends and distributions, ecology, threats, protection and management of species and their habitats and increasing education and awareness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenna Wraith
- Griffith School of Environment, Environmental Futures Research Institute, Griffith University, Parklands Drive, Southport, Gold Coast, QLD 4222 Australia
| | - Patrick Norman
- Griffith School of Environment, Environmental Futures Research Institute, Griffith University, Parklands Drive, Southport, Gold Coast, QLD 4222 Australia
| | - Catherine Pickering
- Griffith School of Environment, Environmental Futures Research Institute, Griffith University, Parklands Drive, Southport, Gold Coast, QLD 4222 Australia
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Phillips RD, Reiter N, Peakall R. Orchid conservation: from theory to practice. ANNALS OF BOTANY 2020; 126:345-362. [PMID: 32407498 PMCID: PMC7424752 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcaa093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Given the exceptional diversity of orchids (26 000+ species), improving strategies for the conservation of orchids will benefit a vast number of taxa. Furthermore, with rapidly increasing numbers of endangered orchids and low success rates in orchid conservation translocation programmes worldwide, it is evident that our progress in understanding the biology of orchids is not yet translating into widespread effective conservation. SCOPE We highlight unusual aspects of the reproductive biology of orchids that can have important consequences for conservation programmes, such as specialization of pollination systems, low fruit set but high seed production, and the potential for long-distance seed dispersal. Further, we discuss the importance of their reliance on mycorrhizal fungi for germination, including quantifying the incidence of specialized versus generalized mycorrhizal associations in orchids. In light of leading conservation theory and the biology of orchids, we provide recommendations for improving population management and translocation programmes. CONCLUSIONS Major gains in orchid conservation can be achieved by incorporating knowledge of ecological interactions, for both generalist and specialist species. For example, habitat management can be tailored to maintain pollinator populations and conservation translocation sites selected based on confirmed availability of pollinators. Similarly, use of efficacious mycorrhizal fungi in propagation will increase the value of ex situ collections and likely increase the success of conservation translocations. Given the low genetic differentiation between populations of many orchids, experimental genetic mixing is an option to increase fitness of small populations, although caution is needed where cytotypes or floral ecotypes are present. Combining demographic data and field experiments will provide knowledge to enhance management and translocation success. Finally, high per-fruit fecundity means that orchids offer powerful but overlooked opportunities to propagate plants for experiments aimed at improving conservation outcomes. Given the predictions of ongoing environmental change, experimental approaches also offer effective ways to build more resilient populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan D Phillips
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Evolution, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Kings Park Science, Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions, Kings Park, WA, Australia
- Ecology and Evolution, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Noushka Reiter
- Ecology and Evolution, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
- Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, Corner of Ballarto Road and Botanic Drive, Cranbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Rod Peakall
- Ecology and Evolution, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
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