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Castro SJ, Castro AB, Araújo NM, Abreu VHR, Oliveira ML, Fadini RF. The pollination ecology of a rare case of bee-pollinated Psittacanthus mistletoe. PLANT BIOLOGY (STUTTGART, GERMANY) 2023; 25:1091-1100. [PMID: 37850399 DOI: 10.1111/plb.13584] [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: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023]
Abstract
The genus Psittacanthus (Loranthaceae) is widely distributed in the Neotropical region, where it is known for its large, colourful, scentless flowers. Until very recently, all Psittacanthus species were regarded as exclusively hummingbird-pollinated and the large species radiation in the genus attributed to the interactions with bird dispersers and pollinators. P. eucalyptifolius (Kunth) G.Don. is the only species reported as bee-pollinated. Here we describe the floral biology, floral visitors, and the reproductive system of P. eucalyptifolius in an Amazonian savanna, Brazil. We also compare the pollination success (reproductive performance) among different Psittacanthus species reported in previous studies. Psittacanthus eucalyptifolius produces sweet-scented flowers, and a small quantity of concentrated nectar. At least five species of scopate bees were recorded visiting and carrying pollen of P. eucalyptifolius. Xylocopa frontalis carried most pollen, visited more flowers, remained longer, and touched reproductive parts of flowers in >95% of the observed visits. Experiments indicate that P. eucalyptifolius is partially autocompatible (39% autonomous pollination) but depends on pollinators to achieve higher performance (~78% in control), indicating that bees can be as effective as birds in pollinating this group of mistletoes.
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Affiliation(s)
- S J Castro
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Recursos Naturais da Amazônia, Universidade Federal do Oeste do Pará, Santarém, PA, Brazil
- Instituto de Biodiversidade e Florestas, Universidade Federal do Oeste do Pará, R. Vera Paz, Santarém, PA, Brazil
| | - A B Castro
- Instituto de Biodiversidade e Florestas, Universidade Federal do Oeste do Pará, R. Vera Paz, Santarém, PA, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Manaus, AM, Brazil
| | - N M Araújo
- Instituto de Biodiversidade e Florestas, Universidade Federal do Oeste do Pará, R. Vera Paz, Santarém, PA, Brazil
| | - V H R Abreu
- Instituto de Biodiversidade e Florestas, Universidade Federal do Oeste do Pará, R. Vera Paz, Santarém, PA, Brazil
- Departamento de Biologia, Centro de Ciências Exatas, Naturais e da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Alegre, ES, Brazil
| | - M L Oliveira
- Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Coordenação de Biodiversidade, Av. André Araújo, Manaus, AM, Brazil
| | - R F Fadini
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Recursos Naturais da Amazônia, Universidade Federal do Oeste do Pará, Santarém, PA, Brazil
- Instituto de Biodiversidade e Florestas, Universidade Federal do Oeste do Pará, R. Vera Paz, Santarém, PA, Brazil
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Mudgal G, Kaur J, Chand K, Parashar M, Dhar SK, Singh GB, Gururani MA. Mitigating the Mistletoe Menace: Biotechnological and Smart Management Approaches. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:1645. [PMID: 36358346 PMCID: PMC9687506 DOI: 10.3390/biology11111645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
Mistletoes have been considered a keystone resource for biodiversity, as well as a remarkable source of medicinal attributes that attract pharmacologists. Due to their hemiparasitic nature, mistletoes leach water and nutrients, including primary and secondary metabolites, through the vascular systems of their plant hosts, primarily trees. As a result of intense mistletoe infection, the hosts suffer various growth and physiological detriments, which often lead to tree mortality. Because of their easy dispersal and widespread tropism, mistletoes have become serious pests for commercial fruit and timber plantations. A variety of physical and chemical treatment methods, along with silvicultural practices, have shaped conventional mistletoe management. Others, however, have either failed to circumvent the growing range and tropism of these parasitic plants or present significant environmental and public health risks. A biocontrol approach that could sidestep these issues has never achieved full proof of concept in real-field applications. Our review discusses the downsides of conventional mistletoe control techniques and explores the possibilities of biotechnological approaches using biocontrol agents and transgenic technologies. It is possible that smart management options will pave the way for technologically advanced solutions to mitigate mistletoes that are yet to be exploited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaurav Mudgal
- University Institute of Biotechnology, Chandigarh University, Mohali 140413, Punjab, India
| | - Jaspreet Kaur
- University Institute of Biotechnology, Chandigarh University, Mohali 140413, Punjab, India
| | - Kartar Chand
- University Institute of Biotechnology, Chandigarh University, Mohali 140413, Punjab, India
| | - Manisha Parashar
- University Institute of Biotechnology, Chandigarh University, Mohali 140413, Punjab, India
| | - Sanjoy K. Dhar
- University Institute of Biotechnology, Chandigarh University, Mohali 140413, Punjab, India
| | - Gajendra B. Singh
- University Institute of Biotechnology, Chandigarh University, Mohali 140413, Punjab, India
| | - Mayank A. Gururani
- Department of Biology, College of Science, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain 15551, United Arab Emirates
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Lara C, Xicohténcatl-Lara L, Ornelas JF. Differential reproductive responses to contrasting host species and localities in Psittacanthus calyculatus (Loranthaceae) mistletoes. PLANT BIOLOGY (STUTTGART, GERMANY) 2021; 23:603-611. [PMID: 33819386 DOI: 10.1111/plb.13266] [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: 08/08/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Host trees are immediate environments for multi-host mistletoes, so parasitizing different hosts implies exposure to varying environmental conditions between mistletoe generations. Therefore, to maximize reproductive fitness in heterogeneous environments (host species) mistletoes should adjust its reproductive responses in relation to circumstances. Here, we ask how reproductive traits of Psittacanthus calyculatus mistletoes vary on two host tree species (Crataegus mexicana, Prunus serotina) at three different localities. We followed individual mistletoes on each host species and at three localities through the flowering season to quantify traits related to reproductive effort and success, e.g. total number of buds, flowers and fruits produced. In buds about to open, we measured two anthers and quantified the number of pollen grains and their viability. Individual flowers were marked to obtain flower longevity data and were followed until fruit formation. At which time we measured and weighed the fruits and the seeds. Mistletoes from one locality produced more buds, flowers and fruits, and the flowers lasted longer, had larger anthers and produced more pollen as compared to the other two localities. However, mistletoes on Prunus serotina produced fewer floral buds, but their fruits were heaviest, longest and widest and ripened fastest across localities. The probability of fruit formation, percentage of fruits formed, and pollen viability were similar among the mistletoes, regardless of host species or locality. We propose that the observed differences in reproductive effort and success associated with host species or locality are plastic or adaptive in this mistletoe in response to varying conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Lara
- Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala, Tlaxcala, Mexico
| | - L Xicohténcatl-Lara
- Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala, Tlaxcala, Mexico
| | - J F Ornelas
- Departamento de Biología Evolutiva, Instituto de Ecología, A.C. (INECOL), Veracruz, Mexico
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Fu Q, Lu G, Fu Y, Wang Y. Genetic differentiation between two varieties of Oreocharis benthamii (Gesneriaceae) in sympatric and allopatric regions. Ecol Evol 2020; 10:7792-7805. [PMID: 32760565 PMCID: PMC7391312 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2020] [Revised: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The pattern of genetic differentiation between diverging species receives much attention as one of the key observable features of speciation. It has often been suggested that introgression between closely related species occurs commonly where their distributions overlap, leading to their becoming more morphologically and genetically similar, but there are a few opposite results. However, most of these studies have been carried out with animals and separate species; few have looked at intraspecific cases, especially in plants. Here, we conduct a comparative study on patterns of genetic differentiation among populations of two varieties of Oreocharis benthamii in allopatry and sympatry based on ISSR data for 754 individuals from 26 populations, in order to understand the processes leading to speciation. Contrary to expectations, the facultative xenogamy (mixed mating) species O. benthamii has a relatively low genetic diversity within populations (H = 0.1014, I = 0.1528) and high genetic differentiation among populations (G ST = 0.5867, ФST = 0.659), as is typically found for selfing species. Genetic variance between the two varieties in sympatric populations (44%, ФST = 0.444) is significantly more than that in allopatric populations (14%, ФST = 0.138). Consistent with the taxonomical delimitation of the two varieties, all sampled individuals of O. benthamii clustered into two genetic groups. Moreover, the genetic structures of populations of both varieties are correlated with their different geographical origins. Our studies show that significant divergence between sympatric populations of the two varieties could be attributed primarily to reinforcement by genetic divergent selection in sympatry where secondary contact had occurred. The major proportion of the genetic variation in outcrossing and mixed mating plants may exist among populations when the populations are distributed in fragmented habitats, due to the paucity of suitable habitat combined with inefficient seed dispersal mechanism and limited pollinator foraging area that may limit the gene flow.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiong Fu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biotechnology for Plant DevelopmentSchool of Life SciencesSouth China Normal UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Guo‐Hui Lu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biotechnology for Plant DevelopmentSchool of Life SciencesSouth China Normal UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Yu‐Hui Fu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biotechnology for Plant DevelopmentSchool of Life SciencesSouth China Normal UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Ying‐Qiang Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biotechnology for Plant DevelopmentSchool of Life SciencesSouth China Normal UniversityGuangzhouChina
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Subtropical Biodiversity and BiomonitoringSchool of Life SciencesSouth China Normal UniversityGuangzhouChina
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Cuevas E, Espino J, Marques I. Reproductive isolation between Salvia elegans and S. fulgens, two hummingbird-pollinated sympatric sages. PLANT BIOLOGY (STUTTGART, GERMANY) 2018; 20:1075-1082. [PMID: 30004608 DOI: 10.1111/plb.12874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2018] [Accepted: 07/09/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The integrity of species in sympatric contact sites is dependent on the existence of reproductive isolating mechanisms, which restrict gene flow between them. However, we know little about the mechanisms that enable the coexistence of species with similar floral morphologies. Here, we evaluated several reproductive isolation barriers between Salvia elegans and S. fulgens, two sympatric sages with a similar ornithophilous floral syndrome, offering nectar as the main reward. Over 3 years, we evaluated broad-scale geographic isolation, floral phenologies and floral visitors as pre-pollination barriers, and fruit set, seed number and seed germination as post-pollination barriers. We found considerable geographic isolation and significant altitudinal differences between the two sages. The flowering period of both sages always overlapped extensively during the 3 years of this study, but hummingbirds were highly specific, visiting one or the other Salvia species and showing aggressive territorial behaviour. Interspecific experimental crosses revealed that hybrid seeds might be formed although strong asymmetric barriers were found depending on the species acting as the maternal donor. Despite the low level of flowering asynchrony, reproductive isolation was remarkably high in the two sages. Geographic isolation and pollinator fidelity were the main factors responsible for maintaining species integrity. Despite an extensive review, we found very few studies quantifying the efficiency of isolation barriers in Neotropical plants or even the importance of hummingbirds as pollinators.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Cuevas
- Facultad de Biología, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Morelia, Mexico
| | - J Espino
- Facultad de Biología, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Morelia, Mexico
| | - I Marques
- UBC Botanical Garden & Centre for Plant Research and Department of Botany, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- CE3C - Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Campo Grande, Portugal
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Ornelas JF, Licona-Vera Y, Ortiz-Rodriguez AE. Contrasting responses of generalized/specialized mistletoe-host interactions under climate change. ECOSCIENCE 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/11956860.2018.1439297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Juan Francisco Ornelas
- Departamento de Biología Evolutiva, Instituto de Ecología, A.C, Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico
| | - Yuyini Licona-Vera
- Departamento de Biología Evolutiva, Instituto de Ecología, A.C, Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico
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Hybridization and differential introgression associated with environmental shifts in a mistletoe species complex. Sci Rep 2018; 8:5591. [PMID: 29615778 PMCID: PMC5882953 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-23707-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2018] [Accepted: 03/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Host specialization after host shifting is traditionally viewed as the pathway to speciation in parasitic plants. However, geographical and environmental changes can also influence parasite speciation, through hybridization processes. Here we investigated the impact of past climatic fluctuations, environment, and host shifts on the genetic structure and patterns of hybridization and gene flow between Psittacanthus calyculatus and P. schiedeanus, a Mesoamerican species complex. Using microsatellites (408 individuals), we document moderate genetic diversity but high genetic differentiation between widespread parental clusters, calyculatus in dry pine-oak forests and schiedeanus in cloud forests. Bayesian analyses identified a third cluster, with admixture between parental clusters in areas of xeric and tropical dry forests and high levels of migration rates following secondary contact. Coincidently host associations in these areas differ from those in areas of parental species, suggesting that past hybridization played a role in environmental and host shifts. Overall, the observed genetic and geographic patterns suggest that these Psittacanthus populations could have entered a distinct evolutionary pathway. The results provide evidence for highlights on the importance of the Pleistocene climate changes, habitat differences, and potential host shifts in the evolutionary history of Neotropical mistletoes.
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Licona-Vera Y, Ornelas JF. The conquering of North America: dated phylogenetic and biogeographic inference of migratory behavior in bee hummingbirds. BMC Evol Biol 2017; 17:126. [PMID: 28583078 PMCID: PMC5460336 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-017-0980-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2017] [Accepted: 05/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Geographical and temporal patterns of diversification in bee hummingbirds (Mellisugini) were assessed with respect to the evolution of migration, critical for colonization of North America. We generated a dated multilocus phylogeny of the Mellisugini based on a dense sampling using Bayesian inference, maximum-likelihood and maximum parsimony methods, and reconstructed the ancestral states of distributional areas in a Bayesian framework and migratory behavior using maximum parsimony, maximum-likelihood and re-rooting methods. RESULTS All phylogenetic analyses confirmed monophyly of the Mellisugini and the inclusion of Atthis, Calothorax, Doricha, Eulidia, Mellisuga, Microstilbon, Myrmia, Tilmatura, and Thaumastura. Mellisugini consists of two clades: (1) South American species (including Tilmatura dupontii), and (2) species distributed in North and Central America and the Caribbean islands. The second clade consists of four subclades: Mexican (Calothorax, Doricha) and Caribbean (Archilochus, Calliphlox, Mellisuga) sheartails, Calypte, and Selasphorus (incl. Atthis). Coalescent-based dating places the origin of the Mellisugini in the mid-to-late Miocene, with crown ages of most subclades in the early Pliocene, and subsequent species splits in the Pleistocene. Bee hummingbirds reached western North America by the end of the Miocene and the ancestral mellisuginid (bee hummingbirds) was reconstructed as sedentary, with four independent gains of migratory behavior during the evolution of the Mellisugini. CONCLUSIONS Early colonization of North America and subsequent evolution of migration best explained biogeographic and diversification patterns within the Mellisugini. The repeated evolution of long-distance migration by different lineages was critical for the colonization of North America, contributing to the radiation of bee hummingbirds. Comparative phylogeography is needed to test whether the repeated evolution of migration resulted from northward expansion of southern sedentary populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuyini Licona-Vera
- Departamento de Biología Evolutiva, Instituto de Ecología, A.C., Carretera Antigua a Coatepec No. 351, El Haya, Xalapa, 91070, Veracruz, Mexico
| | - Juan Francisco Ornelas
- Departamento de Biología Evolutiva, Instituto de Ecología, A.C., Carretera Antigua a Coatepec No. 351, El Haya, Xalapa, 91070, Veracruz, Mexico.
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Ramírez-Barahona S, González C, González-Rodríguez A, Ornelas JF. The influence of climatic niche preferences on the population genetic structure of a mistletoe species complex. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2017; 214:1751-1761. [PMID: 28205240 DOI: 10.1111/nph.14471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2016] [Accepted: 01/05/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The prevalent view on genetic structuring in parasitic plants is that host-race formation is caused by varying degrees of host specificity. However, the relative importance of ecological niche divergence and host specificity to population differentiation remains poorly understood. We evaluated the factors associated with population differentiation in mistletoes of the Psittacanthus schiedeanus complex (Loranthaceae) in Mexico. We used genetic data from chloroplast sequences and nuclear microsatellites to study population genetic structure and tested its association with host preferences and climatic niche variables. Pairwise genetic differentiation was associated with environmental and host preferences, independent of geography. However, environmental predictors appeared to be more important than host preferences to explain genetic structure, supporting the hypothesis that the occurrence of the parasite is largely determined by its own climatic niche and, to a lesser degree, by host specificity. Genetic structure is significant within this mistletoe species complex, but the processes associated with this structure appear to be more complex than previously thought. Although host specificity was not supported as the major determinant of population differentiation, we consider this to be part of a more comprehensive ecological model of mistletoe host-race formation that incorporates the effects of climatic niche evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santiago Ramírez-Barahona
- Departamento de Biología Evolutiva, Instituto de Ecología, AC (INECOL), Carretera antigua a Coatepec No. 351, El Haya, Xalapa, Veracruz, 91070, Mexico
| | - Clementina González
- CONACyT-Instituto de Investigaciones sobre los Recursos Naturales, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Av. San Juanito Itzícuaro s/n, Nueva Esperanza, Morelia, Michoacán, 58330, Mexico
| | - Antonio González-Rodríguez
- Laboratorio de Genética de la Conservación, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad (IIES), UNAM, Antigua carretera a Pátzcuaro 8701, Ex Hacienda de San José de la Huerta, Morelia, Michoacán, 58190, Mexico
| | - Juan Francisco Ornelas
- Departamento de Biología Evolutiva, Instituto de Ecología, AC (INECOL), Carretera antigua a Coatepec No. 351, El Haya, Xalapa, Veracruz, 91070, Mexico
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Pérez-Crespo MJ, Lara C, Ornelas JF. Uncorrelated mistletoe infection patterns and mating success with local host specialization in Psittacanthus calyculatus (Loranthaceae). Evol Ecol 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s10682-016-9866-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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