Origin of Insect Pollination the Figure)

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Origin of Insect Pollination the Figure) SCIENTIFIC CORRESPONDENCE its proboscis to suck the droplets (c, din Origin of insect pollination the figure). Moths visiting male strobili sometimes probed the nectar secreted SIR - The Gnetales, a bizarre order of secretion started at about 18:00 h, and among male flowers and then their prob­ gymnosperms thought to be a sister group ceased by 21:00 h in male and by 20:00 h in osces touched the microsporangia. Moths of angiospermsu, comprise three distinct female strobili, respectively. If droplets fluttered slowly between strobili and the genera, Ephedra, Welwitschia and Gne­ remained intact, the mean standing crop mean time spent on a strobili was 485 s tum; the first two are xerophytic and of a droplet increased to 0.164 in male and (n=5, range 72-1, 155). Moth visits per pollinated mainly by wind and partly by to 0.190 J.ll in female strobili at 21:00 h (a, strobilus per night were more frequent on 3 insects . Gnetum is restricted to tropical bin the figure). We did not observe rapid a male (1.74 ± 0.62, n=6) than a female rain forests and its pollination mechanism withdrawal of droplets after pollination. strobilus (0.67±0.28, n=3). Each male has not been definitely established. We The droplets contained sugar, the con­ and female strobilus was visited about 8. 7 have observed insect visits to a dioecious centration of which ranged from 3 to 13%, and 3.4 times on average respectively shrub. Gnetum gnemon, in a lowland which is lower than that of an entomophi­ during the flowering period, which is mixed dipterocarp forest in Sarawak, lous Ephedra (72- 80%) 7 but is higher than about 5 days. Malaysia. Pollination droplets were sec­ that of anemophilous conifers (for exam- The pollen grains are inaperturate and reted from ovules on female strobili and sticky while a pollenkitt is absent. All the from sterile ovules on male strobili in the 18 moths collected on male strobili had evening and were consumed by nectar­ pollen grains attached on probosces and seeking moths ofPyralidae and Geometri­ antennae and, much less frequently, on dae. Sticky pollen was attached on prob­ tarsi of legs. Although there were no osces and antennae of these moths. The pollen grains attached on a moth collected moth attraction in Gnetum would have on a female flower , the same species was arisen from unspecialized entomophily, collected on male strobili. which is thought to be an original pollina­ Most Gnetum species, even tall clim­ tion system of early Gnetales and early bers, flower in the understory of rain 4 angiosperms . forests where the humid habitat is least One hypothesis of the angiosperm di­ suitable for anemophily. Gnetum strobili, versification in the Cretaceous is the adop­ by emitting droplets as a nectar reward 5 tion of insect pollination . Recent and odour as an attractant, attract noctur­ palaeobotanical evidence suggests that nal moths. Gnetum does not have typical early Gnetales and early angiosperms co­ moth flowers in a classical anthecological occurred in mesic floodplain habitats and sense because petals are absent and the had similar vegetative morphology (small nectar reward is exposed. However, the 6 herbs or shrubs) , similar ecological toler­ nocturnal pattern of droplet secretion, the ances and similar reproductive biology low sugar concentration of the droplet and (flowers simple and pollinated by wind or fragrancy coincide with the moth­ 4 unspecialized nectar-seeking insects) . pollinated flower syndrome. High relative Thus, pollination systems of extant One­ humidity and stillness of surrounding air tales may hold the key to the problem of in the evening favour this pollination angiosperm radiation. Among the three system , which is also adopted in Nepen­ genera of the Gnetales, anemophily is th es (Nepenthaceae) in the Palaeotropics 10 prevalent in Ephedra and entomophily is . We believe that the moth attraction in known in only a few species of Ephedra7 Gnetum derived from unspecialized en­ and rarely in Welwitschi{[' . Gnetum is an tomophily as observed in Ephedra and enigmatic genus: little is known of its Welwitschia after the divergence of long­ pollination biology, although there are tongued lepidopterans which coevolved Strobili of Gnetum gnemon in the evening in a some morpholo~ical indications that point with deep angiosperm flowers in the late to entomophily . tropical rain forest in Sarawak. a, Sterile Cretaceous. ovules emitting droplets (male strobilus); b, MakotoKato In the Malayan region, 16 species of fertile ovules emitting droplets (female strobi­ Gnetum are known; two are trees or lus); c, a male strobilus visited by a pyralid Biological Laboratory, Yoshida College, shrubs and others are woody climbers. We moth, Herpetogramma sp.; d, a female strobi­ Kyoto University, Sa kyo, Kyoto 606-01, studied the Floral biology of a dioecious lus visited by a pyralid moth, Hedylepta sp. Japan shrub, Gnetum gnemon Linne var. tener­ Tamljllnoue um Markgraf, in a lowland mixed dipter­ ple, Pinus, 1.2 %)~. The sugar concentra­ Centre for Ecological Research, Kyoto ocarp forest in Lambir Hills National tion of the droplet was affected by the University, Shimosakamoto, Otsu 520-01, Park, Malaysia W 2' N, 113° 50' E, relative humidity of the surrounding air, Japan altitude 60 m) . We observed Flowering which usually increased to more than 95% throughout the year, but the flowering in the evening in the forest floor habitat. 1. Crane. P. Ann. M. Bot. Gdn72. 716-793(1985). 2 . Doyle, J. A. & Donoghue. M.J. Paleobiology19. period of individual shrubs was less than 3 Nectar was also secreted among micros­ 141- 167 (1993). weeks. In preliminary observations made porangiphores on male strobili, although 3 . Kub ltzki K. in The families and genera of vascular plants vol.1 (eds Kramer. K. U. &Green, P. S.) 378-391 in the daytime between 21 and 30 Novem­ in very small amounts. (Springer. Berlin. 1990). ber 1992, we found no flower visitors. We Male strobili secreting droplets had a 4. Lloyd. D. G. &Wells. M. S. Pl. Syst. Evo/.181, 77- 95 made night observations between 5 and 31 strong odour, whereas female strobili (1992) 5 Friis. E. M. eta/. (eds.) The Origins ofAngiosperms and August 1993. were less fragrant. Probably attracted by Their Biological Consequences (Cambridge Univ. Press. Ovules on female strobili and sterile the odour, nocturnal moths of Pyralidae 1987). 6. Crane. P.R. eta!. Am. J. Bot. 74.1722-1736 (1987). ovules on male strobili secreted pollina­ and Geometridae visited the strobili be­ 7. Sino. R. J. eta/. Proc. Koninkle Nederl. Aka d. Wetensch. tion droplets in the evening. Sequential tween 18:00 and 21:00 h. We found nine C87,1·-24 (1984). 8. vanderPijl, L.Ann. Bogor. 1. 77- 99(1953). sampling of droplets of pollinator­ pyralid and four geometrid species. Each 9. McWillian.J. R. Bot. Gaz. 120.109-117 (1955). excluded strobili showed that droplet moth landed on a strobilus and extended 10. Kato , M. Am.J. Bot. 80.924- 927 (1993). NATURE · VOL368 · 17 MARCH 1994 195 © 1994 Nature Publishing Group.
Recommended publications
  • Evolutionary Ecology of Pollination and Reproduction of Tropical Plants
    TROPICAL BIOLOGY AND CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT - Vol. V - Evolutionary Ecology af Pollination and Reproduction of Tropical Plants - M. Quesada, F. Rosas, Y. Herrerias-Diego, R. Aguliar, J.A. Lobo and G. Sanchez-Montoya EVOLUTIONARY ECOLOGY OF POLLINATION AND REPRODUCTION OF TROPICAL PLANTS M. Quesada and F. Rosas Centro de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México. Y. Herrerias-Diego Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Michoacán, México. R. Aguilar IMBIV - UNC - CONICET, C.C. 495,(5000) Córdoba, Argentina J.A. Lobo Escuela de Biología, Universidad de Costa Rica G. Sanchez-Montoya Centro de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México. Keywords: Pollination, tropical plants, diversity, mating systems, gender, conservation. Contents 1. Introduction 1.1. The Life Cycle of Angiosperms 1.2. Overview of Angiosperm Diversity 2. Degree of specificity of pollination system 3. Diversity of pollination systems 3.1. Beetle Pollination (Cantharophily) 3.2. Lepidoptera 3.2.1. Butterfly Pollination (Psychophily) 3.2.2. Moth Pollination (Phalaenophily) 3.3. Hymenoptera 3.3.1. Bee PollinationUNESCO (Melittophily) – EOLSS 3.3.2. Wasps 3.4. Fly Pollination (Myophily and Sapromyophily) 3.5. Bird Pollination (Ornitophily) 3.6. Bat PollinationSAMPLE (Chiropterophily) CHAPTERS 3.7. Pollination by No-Flying Mammals 3.8. Wind Pollination (Anemophily) 3.9. Water Pollination (Hydrophily) 4. Reproductive systems of angiosperms 4.1. Strategies that Reduce Selfing and/or Promote Cross-Pollination. 4.2. Self Incompatibility Systems 4.2.1. Incidence of Self Incompatibility in Tropical Forest 4.3. The Evolution of Separated Sexes from Hermaphroditism 4.3.1. From Distyly to Dioecy ©Encyclopedia Of. Life Support Systems (EOLSS) TROPICAL BIOLOGY AND CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT - Vol.
    [Show full text]
  • Pollination and Evolution of Plant and Insect Interaction JPP 2017; 6(3): 304-311 Received: 03-03-2017 Accepted: 04-04-2017 Showket a Dar, Gh
    Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry 2017; 6(3): 304-311 E-ISSN: 2278-4136 P-ISSN: 2349-8234 Pollination and evolution of plant and insect interaction JPP 2017; 6(3): 304-311 Received: 03-03-2017 Accepted: 04-04-2017 Showket A Dar, Gh. I Hassan, Bilal A Padder, Ab R Wani and Sajad H Showket A Dar Parey Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Science and Technology, Shalimar, Jammu Abstract and Kashmir-India Flowers exploit insects to achieve pollination; at the same time insects exploit flowers for food. Insects and flowers are a partnership. Each insect group has evolved different sets of mouthparts to exploit the Gh. I Hassan food that flowers provide. From the insects' point of view collecting nectar or pollen is rather like fitting Sher-e-Kashmir University of a key into a lock; the mouthparts of each species can only exploit flowers of a certain size and shape. Agricultural Science and This is why, to support insect diversity in our gardens, we need to plant a diversity of suitable flowers. It Technology, Shalimar, Jammu is definitely not a case of 'one size fits all'. While some insects are generalists and can exploit a wide and Kashmir-India range of flowers, others are specialists and are quite particular in their needs. In flowering plants, pollen grains germinate to form pollen tubes that transport male gametes (sperm cells) to the egg cell in the Bilal A Padder embryo sac during sexual reproduction. Pollen tube biology is complex, presenting parallels with axon Sher-e-Kashmir University of guidance and moving cell systems in animals.
    [Show full text]
  • Toward Understanding the Ecological Impact of Transportation Corridors
    United States Department of Agriculture Toward Understanding Forest Service the Ecological Impact of Pacific Northwest Research Station Transportation Corridors General Technical Report PNW-GTR-846 Victoria J. Bennett, Winston P. Smith, and July 2011 Matthew G. Betts D E E P R A U R T LT MENT OF AGRICU The Forest Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture is dedicated to the principle of multiple use management of the Nation’s forest resources for sustained yields of wood, water, forage, wildlife, and recreation. Through forestry research, cooperation with the States and private forest owners, and management of the National Forests and National Grasslands, it strives—as directed by Congress—to provide increasingly greater service to a growing Nation. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Authors Victoria J.
    [Show full text]
  • Pollination of Cultivated Plants in the Tropics 111 Rrun.-Co Lcfcnow!Cdgmencle
    ISSN 1010-1365 0 AGRICULTURAL Pollination of SERVICES cultivated plants BUL IN in the tropics 118 Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations FAO 6-lina AGRICULTUTZ4U. ionof SERNES cultivated plans in tetropics Edited by David W. Roubik Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute Balboa, Panama Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations F'Ø Rome, 1995 The designations employed and the presentation of material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. M-11 ISBN 92-5-103659-4 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright owner. Applications for such permission, with a statement of the purpose and extent of the reproduction, should be addressed to the Director, Publications Division, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, 00100 Rome, Italy. FAO 1995 PlELi. uion are ted PlauAr David W. Roubilli (edita Footli-anal ISgt-iieulture Organization of the Untled Nations Contributors Marco Accorti Makhdzir Mardan Istituto Sperimentale per la Zoologia Agraria Universiti Pertanian Malaysia Cascine del Ricci° Malaysian Bee Research Development Team 50125 Firenze, Italy 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia Stephen L. Buchmann John K. S. Mbaya United States Department of Agriculture National Beekeeping Station Carl Hayden Bee Research Center P.
    [Show full text]
  • Lecture 4: ROLE of HONEY BEES in CROSS POLLINATION - THEIR EXPLOITATION - CASE STUDIES with SELECTED CROPS
    Lecture 4: ROLE OF HONEY BEES IN CROSS POLLINATION - THEIR EXPLOITATION - CASE STUDIES WITH SELECTED CROPS For SEXUAL reproduction in flowering plants transfer of anther to stigma is essential - Pollination Self pollination Transfer to sligma of same plant No external agents are involved Cross pollination Transfer pollen from one plant to stigma of another plant External agents are involved External agents involved in pollination A. Abiotic agents a. Wind (Anemophily) Wind carries pollen from one plant to another Flowers are small, inconspicuous, unattractive Pollen are dry and light in weight Stigma feathery with large surface area eg: Maize, barley, wheat, sugarcane b. Water (Hydrophily) Water carries pollen from one plant to other B. Biotic agents Bird, bat and insects are important biotic agents Among insects honey bees play major role Honey bees and flowering plants have coevolved In insect pollinated plants, flowers are large, brightly colour, distinct fragrance, presence of nectar and sticky pollen True honeybees (Apis spp.) - Most valuable pollinators of commercial crop Qualities of honeybees which make them good pollinators 1. Body covered with hairs and have structural adaptation for carrying nectar and pollen. 2. Bees - Not injurious to plants 3. Adult and larva feed on nectar and pollen - Available in plenty 4. Superior pollinators - Since store pollen and nectar for future use 5. No diapause - Need pollen throughout year 6. Body size and probascis length - Suitable for many crops 7. Pollinate wide variety of crops 8. Forage
    [Show full text]
  • Further Interpretation of Wodehouseia Spinata Stanley from the Late Maastrichtian of the Far East (China) M
    ISSN 0031-0301, Paleontological Journal, 2019, Vol. 53, No. 2, pp. 203–213. © Pleiades Publishing, Ltd., 2019. Russian Text © M.V. Tekleva, S.V. Polevova, E.V. Bugdaeva, V.S. Markevich, Sun Ge, 2019, published in Paleontologicheskii Zhurnal, 2019, No. 2, pp. 94–105. Further Interpretation of Wodehouseia spinata Stanley from the Late Maastrichtian of the Far East (China) M. V. Teklevaa, *, S. V. Polevovab, E. V. Bugdaevac, V. S. Markevichc, and Sun Ged aBorissiak Paleontological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 117647 Russia bMoscow State University, Moscow, 119991 Russia cFederal Scientific Center of the East Asia Terrestrial Biodiversity, Vladivostok, 690022 Russia dCollege of Paleontology, Shenyang Normal University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China *e-mail: [email protected] Received May 25, 2018; revised September 30, 2018; accepted October 15, 2018 Abstract—Dispersed pollen grains Wodehouseia spinata Stanley of unknown botanical affinity from the Maastrichtian of the Amur River Region, Far East are studied using transmitted light, scanning and trans- mission electron microscopy. The pollen was probably produced by wetland or aquatic plants, adapted to a sudden change in the water regime during the vegetation season. The pattern of the exine sculpture and spo- roderm ultrastructure suggests that insects contributed to pollination. The flange and unevenly thickened endexine could facilitate harmomegathy. A tetragonal or rhomboidal tetrad type seems to be most logical for Wodehouseia pollen. The infratectum structure suggests that Wodehouseia should be placed within an advanced group of eudicots. Keywords: Wodehouseia, exine morphology, sporoderm ultrastructure, “oculata” group, Maastrichtian DOI: 10.1134/S0031030119020126 INTRODUCTION that has lost its flange (see a review Wiggins, 1976).
    [Show full text]
  • Aerobiological Investigation and in Vitro Studies of Pollen Grains From
    ORIGINAL ARTICLE Aerobiological Investigation and In Vitro Studies of Pollen Grains From 2 Dominant Avenue Trees in Kolkata, India J Mandal,1 I Roy,2 S Chatterjee,2 S Gupta-Bhattacharya1 1Division of Palynology and Environmental Biology, Department of Botany, Bose Institute, Kolkata, India 2Allergy Department, Institute of Child Health, Kolkata, India ■ Abstract Background: Peltophorum pterocarpum and Delonix regia are dominant avenue trees in the city of Kolkata in India. They are well adapted to the humid tropical climate and also grow commonly in different parts of the country. Their pollen grains are reported to be airborne. Objective: The aim of this study was to conduct an aerobiological survey in Kolkata to determine the concentration and seasonal periodicity of pollen grains from P pterocarpum and D regia and to analyze the meteorological factors responsible for their levels in the atmosphere. In addition, we analyzed the prevalence of sensitization due to these grains among patients with seasonal respiratory allergy. Methods: An aerobiological survey was conducted with a volumetric Burkard sampler from 2004 to 2006. Correlations between meteorological parameters and pollen grain concentrations were assessed by Spearman correlation test. The protein profi le of the pollen extracts was studied by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Finally, the allergenic potential of the pollen extracts was evaluated in patients with respiratory allergy by skin prick test, immunoglobulin (Ig) E enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and IgE immunoblotting. Results: P pterocarpum and D regia pollen grains occur from March to June and April to July, respectively. The pollen concentrations showed statistically signifi cant positive correlations with maximum temperature and wind speed.
    [Show full text]
  • Seed Plant Phylogeny: Demise of the Anthophyte Hypothesis? Michael J
    bb10c06.qxd 02/29/2000 04:18 Page R106 R106 Dispatch Seed plant phylogeny: Demise of the anthophyte hypothesis? Michael J. Donoghue* and James A. Doyle† Recent molecular phylogenetic studies indicate, The first suggestions that Gnetales are related to surprisingly, that Gnetales are related to conifers, or angiosperms were based on several obvious morphological even derived from them, and that no other extant seed similarities — vessels in the wood, net-veined leaves in plants are closely related to angiosperms. Are these Gnetum, and reproductive organs made up of simple, results believable? Is this a clash between molecules unisexual, flower-like structures, which some considered and morphology? evolutionary precursors of the flowers of wind-pollinated Amentiferae, but others viewed as being reduced from Addresses: *Harvard University Herbaria, 22 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA. †Section of Evolution and more complex flowers in the common ancestor of Ecology, University of California, Davis, California 95616, USA. angiosperms, Gnetales and Mesozoic Bennettitales [1]. E-mail: [email protected] These ideas went into eclipse with evidence that simple [email protected] flowers really are a derived, rather than primitive, feature Current Biology 2000, 10:R106–R109 of the Amentiferae, and that vessels arose independently in angiosperms and Gnetales. Vessels in angiosperms 0960-9822/00/$ – see front matter seem derived from tracheids with scalariform pits, whereas © 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved. in Gnetales they resemble tracheids with circular bor- dered pits, as in conifers. Gnetales are also like conifers in These are exciting times for those interested in plant lacking scalariform pitting in the primary xylem, and in evolution.
    [Show full text]
  • On the Evolution of Angiosperms in the Himalayan Region: a Summary
    The Palaeobotanist 57(2008) : 453-457 0031-0174/2008 $2.00 On the evolution of Angiosperms in the Himalayan region: A summary J.S. GULERIA Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, 53 University Road, Lucknow 226007, India. [email protected] (Received 10 June, 2007; revised version accepted 15 September, 2008) ABSTRACT Guleria JS 2008. On the evolution of Angiosperms in the Himalayan region: A summary. The Palaeobotanist 57(3): 453-457. The paper summarises the evolution of angiosperms in different zones of Himalaya. The Himalayan Cenozoic flora has been divided age-wise as Palaeogene and Neogene flora. The Himalayan Palaeogene flora is largely a continuation of tropical peninsular flora of India. The early Miocene flora of Lesser Himalaya is also moist tropical. However, temperate plants started appearing during Miocene in the Higher Himalaya and their occurrence in Plio-Pleistocene flora of Kashmir reflect uplift of the Himalaya. The sub-Himalayan flora indicates existence of warm humid conditions in this belt which became drier by the end of Pliocene. The northern floral elements appeared to have invaded India all along the Himalayan belt. Since its birth the Himalaya has played a significant role in the immigration of plants from the adjoining regions, i.e. east, west and north, thereby enriching the Indian flora. The development of the Cenozoic flora of the Himalayan region is an expression of changing patterns of geography, topography and climate. Key-words—Cenozoic, Angiosperms, Himalayan flora, Migration, Climate (India). fgeky;h
    [Show full text]
  • Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitory Activity of Melinjo (Gnetum Gnemon L.) Seed Extracts and Molecular Docking of Its Stilbene Constituents
    Online - 2455-3891 Vol 10, Issue 3, 2017 Print - 0974-2441 Research Article ANGIOTENSIN CONVERTING ENZYME INHIBITORY ACTIVITY OF MELINJO (GNETUM GNEMON L.) SEED EXTRACTS AND MOLECULAR DOCKING OF ITS STILBENE CONSTITUENTS ABDUL MUN’IM1*, MUHAMMAD ASHAR MUNADHIL1, NURAINI PUSPITASARI1, AZMINAH2, ARRY YANUAR2 1Department of Pharmacognosy-Phytochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Indonesia, Depok 16424, Indonesia. 2Department of Biomedical Computation, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Indonesia, Depok 16424, Indonesia. Email: [email protected] Received: 10 November 2016, Revised and Accepted: 30 November 2016 ABSTRACT Objectives: To evaluate the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity of melinjo (Gnetum gnemon) seed extract and to study molecular docking of stilbene contained in melinjo seeds. Methods: Melinjo seed powders were extracted with n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, methanol, and water successively. The extracts were evaluated ACE inhibitory activities using ACE kit-Wist and the phenolic content using Folin–Ciocalteu method. The extract demonstrated the highest ACE inhibitory activity was subjected to liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) to know its stilbene constituent. The stilbene constituents in melinjo seed were performed molecular docking using AutoDock Vina, and ligand-receptor Interactions were processed using Ligand Scout. Results: The ethyl acetate extract demonstrated the highest ACE inhibition activity with inhibitory concentration 50% value of 9.77 × 10 −8 μg/mL inhibitor),and the highest as in silicototal phenolicmolecular content docking (575.9 studies mg demonstrated gallic acid equivalent/g). that they fit Ultra-performance into the lisinopril receptors.LC-MS analysis of ethyl acetate extract has detected the existency of resveratrol, gnetin C, ε-viniferin, and gnemonoside A/B.
    [Show full text]
  • Pollen Limitation and Flower Abortion in a Wind-Pollinated, Masting Tree
    Notes Ecology, 96(2), 2015, pp. 587–593 Ó 2015 by the Ecological Society of America Pollen limitation and flower abortion in a wind-pollinated, masting tree 1,2,5 1,3 4 1 IAN S. PEARSE, WALTER D. KOENIG, KYLE A. FUNK, AND MARIO B. PESENDORFER 1Cornell Lab of Ornithology, 159 Sapsucker Woods Road, Ithaca, New York 14850 USA 2Illinois Natural History Survey, 1816 S. Oaks Street, Champaign, Illinois 61820 USA 3Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853 USA 4School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska 68588 USA Abstract. Pollen limitation is a key assumption of theories that explain mast seeding, which is common among wind-pollinated and woody plants. In particular, the pollen coupling hypothesis and pollination Moran effect hypothesis assume pollen limitation as a factor that synchronizes seed crops across individuals. The existence of pollen limitation has not, however, been unambiguously demonstrated in wind-pollinated, masting trees. We conducted a two-year pollen supplementation experiment on a masting oak species, Quercus lobata. Supplemental pollen increased acorn set in one year but not in the other, supporting the importance of pollen coupling and pollination Moran effect models of mast seeding. We also tracked the fate of female flowers over five years and found that the vast majority of flowers were aborted for reasons unrelated to pollination, even in the presence of excess pollen. Pollen limitation can reduce annual seed set in a wind-pollinated tree, but factors other than pollen limitation cause the majority of flower abortion. Key words: anemophily; flower abortion; perennial plants; pollen; seed set; wind pollination.
    [Show full text]
  • Pollination in Brazilian Syngonanthus (Eriocaulaceae) Species: Evidence for Entomophily Instead of Anemophily
    Annals of Botany 96: 387–397, 2005 doi:10.1093/aob/mci191, available online at www.aob.oupjournals.org Pollination in Brazilian Syngonanthus (Eriocaulaceae) Species: Evidence for Entomophily Instead of Anemophily CARLIANNE O. C. RAMOS*, EDUARDO L. BORBA* and LI´GIA S. FUNCH Departamento de Cieˆncias Biolo´gicas, Laborato´rio de Taxonomia Vegetal, Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana, Rodovia BR 116, km 03, Feira de Santana, BA, 44031-460, Brazil Received: 17 February 2005 Returned for revision: 1 April 2005 Accepted: 7 May 2005 Published electronically: 20 June 2005 Background and Aims The reproductive biology of Syngonanthus mucugensis and S. curralensis (Eriocaulaceae) was studied in areas of ‘campo rupestre’ vegetation in the Chapada Diamantina, north-eastern Brazil. These species are herbaceous and the individuals have a grouped distribution. Their leaves are united in a rosette, and their inflorescence is monoecious, of the capitulum type. The staminate and pistillate rings mature in a centripetal manner on the capitulum. Methods A field study was conducted, including observations concerning the morphology and biology of the flowers, fruit development, insect visits and anemophily, in both S. mucugensis and S. curralensis. Experimental pollinations were also carried out to study the mating systems of S. mucugensis. Key Results Both species flower from June to August. The staminate cycle lasts approx. 7 d, and the pistillate cycle from 3 to 4 d, with no temporal overlap between them on the same capitulum. The pollen viability of S. mucugensis was 88Á6 %, and 92Á5 % for S. curralensis. The inflorescences of both species demonstrated ultraviolet absorbance, and a sweet odour was detected during both the staminate and pistillate phases.
    [Show full text]