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2015-RPTF-Abstracts-Update.Pdf ABSTRACTS 2015 RARE PLANT TASK FORCE ORAL PRESENTATIONS Jenna Annis, Eastern Illinois University, Department of Biological Sciences, Samantha Primer, University of Illinois, Department of Plant Biology, Janice Coons, Eastern Illinois University, Department of Biological Sciences, Brenda Molano-Flores, Illinois Natural History Survey, Center for Wildlife and Plant Ecology, and Mary Ann Feist, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Botany, “Impact of environmental factors on anthocyanin production and the proposed link with prey capture in Pinguicula planifolia.” [email protected] The occurrence of anthocyanins in the vegetative tissues of evolutionarily distinct carnivorous plant families suggests these pigments may provide physiological adaptations. Pinguicula planifolia (Lentibulariaceae) is one of six carnivorous butterwort species endemic to the Florida Panhandle. The state threatened P. planifolia expresses a prominent variation of anthocyanins on its insect-trapping leaves. Our objectives were to determine how environmental factors impact anthocyanin production in P. planifolia, and to determine how anthocyanin affects prey capture. Three field studies were conducted at populations within the Florida Panhandle. For the first study, chlorophyll and anthocyanin contents in leaves were measured as a factor of light intensity, water depth, soil nutrients, water nutrients, and habitat structure. In the second study, artificial sticky traps (painted red, green, or control) were established next to plants to determine how color affects prey capture. For the third study, three treatments were established for marked plants (control, clipped, and caged), to test if leaf anthocyanin content can change when light intensity changes. Laboratory studies tested ex situ responses of P. planifolia anthocyanin production to artificial environmental cues. Leaf anthocyanin content is linked to changes in light intensity. Anthocyanins do not enhance insect prey capture. Exposure to solar radiation may be the prominent environmental cue that determines anthocyanin production in carnivorous plants. While anthocyanin may not serve a role in prey attraction for this species, it may be providing a physiological advantage to plants growing in areas of high solar radiation. Mario Cisneros, Haydee Borrero, and Hong Liu, Department of Earth and Environment, Florida International University, “Population status of Trichocentrum undulatum, an endangered South Florida orchid.” [email protected] Everglades National Park is home to the endangered mule-ear orchid Trichocentrum undulatum (Sw.) Ackerman & M.W.Chase. Due to its spectacular inflorescence, collectors have ravaged this epiphytic orchid over the years and their populations have significantly declined (Hammer, 2001). The establishment of the Everglades National Park has offered protection to the sole surviving population. However, the population is currently facing a problem of a different kind. A rare (possibly endemic) herbivorous fly, Melanagromyza miamensis, which is able to halt the development of the orchid’s inflorescence, has incurred an alarmingly high rate of attacks in recent years. The fly oviposits its eggs into the stalk where its larvae will then develop and emerge as an adult leaving behind an exit hole (Higgins, 2007). As a consequence, the population has not been able to reproduce for several years (Higgins, 2007). In this study, we aimed to understand the extent of the herbivore damage and the population status and dynamics of T. undulatum. Two years of fieldwork in 2013 and 2014 confirmed that the population is in fact being attacked at a consistently high rate. Data collected for both years has revealed an attack frequency of fly to flower stalk to be 100%, with the few successful blooms being caused by human interference and/or offshoots of the flower stalk. George Gann, Chief Conservation Strategist, Institute for Regional Conservation, "Rare plants of Everglades National Park." [email protected] Based on the recently published report by The Institute for Regional Conservation, I will present information about the rarest plants in South Florida that have been found in Everglades National Park. A massive collaborative effort documented the status of rare plants in the park and made recommendations to improve their plight in the face of sea level rise, exotic species invasions, and other threats. Some plants have disappeared. Others require monitoring and restoration of their populations. Michael Kane, Plant Restoration, Conservation and Propagation Biotechnology Program, P.O. Box 110675, University of Florida, “Bridging the Gap Between Horticulture and Ecology: Integrated Conservation of Florida Orchids.” [email protected] Since 1989, Plant Restoration, Conservation and Propagation Biotechnology Program at the University of Florida has conducted laboratory, greenhouse and field studies focused on developing integrated conservation practices to protect, conserve and recover Florida’s native species, including orchids. Species studied include Calopogon tuberosus, Bletia purpurea, Cyrtopodium punctatum, Prosthechea boothiana, Eulophia alta, Spiranthes odorata, Spiranthes floridana and Dendrophylax lindenii. Much of this research has been in close cooperation with the USFWS Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge, Naples Florida. Our research objective has been to integrate results of seed propagation, symbiotic seed culture, pollination biology, genetics, cryostorage, and ecotypic differentiation studies to develop restoration and conservation plans which result in sustainable populations. Examples of this approach using Florida orchid species will be discussed. Joyce Maschinski and Jennifer Possley, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Christina Walters and Lisa Hill, USDA-ARS National Center for Genetic Resources Preservation, Don Walters, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Lisa Krueger, University of Tennessee at Martin, and Dallas Hazelton, Miami-Dade County, Natural Areas Management Division, “Seed biology influences recruitment, restoration success, and population persistence of endangered Dalea carthagenensis var. floridana (Fabaceae).” [email protected] Seed banks buffer populations from environmental variation; yet unpredictable seedling emergence poses challenges for restoring rare plant populations. Using wild and restored populations of endangered Dalea carthagenensis var. floridana, we tested whether germination is regulated by rare dormancy releasing cues that subsequently limit seedling emergence, population persistence, and restoration success. Over 7 to 10 years we monitored three wild populations and studied factors associated with recruitment. Abundant wild seedling emergence followed cold winters and human disturbance. Laboratory trials confirmed that seeds remain viable for 600 days even when moist and that freezing and scarification triggered higher and more rapid germination than controls. Field seed germination trials using pre-treated and untreated seeds showed that freezing pretreatment increased field germination and maturation in natural pine rockland habitat, but not in novel habitat. PVA models incorporating 2007-2014 field data simulated that germination cues increased population growth in most transition years, except 2010-2011 when high seedling mortality occurred. Stable population growth would require 3 in 10 years of high recruitment. The frequency and timing of conditions suitable for germination versus mortality interacted with microsite to determine population growth. In a restoration context, using seed pretreatments for species with dormancy can improve establishment success in suitable habitats, but adequate seeds, watering, and protection from herbivory are advised to increase population size effectively. Mike Owen, Park Biologist, Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park and Dennis Giardina, Everglades Region Biologist, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, “The Decline and Fall of the Giant Airplant, Tillandsia utriculata at Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park.” [email protected]; [email protected] In March, 2002 the first Mexican bromeliad weevil, Metamasius callizona was collected by Mike Owen in a West Indian tufted airplant, Guzmainia monostachia at Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park (FSPSP). In April, 2004 Dennis Giardina documented bromeliad weevils in a giant airplant, Tillandsia utriculata at Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge (FPNWR) three miles north of FSPSP. By October, 2005 the FPNWR weevil infestation spread south to within a mile of the FSPSP border. In April, 2007 three plots full of large, healthy bromeliads were established in northern FSPSP and all Tillandsia utriculata plants were quantified. In April, 2008 the three plots were re-surveyed only to find many of the Tillandsia utriculata in a noticeable state of decline and a larva of Metamasius callizona was collected from a fallen cardinal airplant, Tillandsia fasciculata. In August 2008 the first of several releases of the biological control organism Lixadmontia franki (a parasitic fly that preys on the larvae of bromeliad weevils) was made In the vicinity of the three northern plots. In December, 2008 an annual effort to monitor the spread of Metamasius callizona was initiated by documenting all the Tillandsia utriculata (870) along a seven mile section of Janes Scenic Drive in the center of FSPSP. Annual surveys were conducted from 2008 to 2013 and in December, 2009 Tillandsia utriculata plants began
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