scholarly journals Isolation and Lack of Potential Mates may Threaten an Endangered Arid-Zone Acacia

2019 ◽  
Vol 110 (6) ◽  
pp. 738-745
Author(s):  
Cairo N Forrest ◽  
David G Roberts ◽  
Andrew J Denham ◽  
David J Ayre
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Seed Set ◽  
Arid Zone ◽  
Genotypic Diversity ◽  
Geographic Range ◽  
Landscape Scale ◽  
Reproductive Assurance ◽  
Threatened Plants ◽  
Self Fertilization ◽  
Adult Plants

Abstract Clonality may provide reproductive assurance for many threatened plants while limiting sexual reproductive success either through energetic tradeoffs or because clones are self-incompatible. Most stands of the Australian arid-zone plant Acacia carneorum, flower annually but low seed set and an absence of sexual recruitment now suggest that this species and other, important arid-zone ecosystem engineers may have low genotypic diversity. Indeed, our recent landscape-scale genetic study revealed that stands are typically monoclonal, with genets usually separated by kilometers. An inability to set sexually produced seed or a lack of genetically diverse mates may explain almost system-wide reproductive failure. Here, using microsatellite markers, we genotyped 100 seeds from a rare fruiting stand (Middle-Camp), together with all adult plants within it and its 4 neighboring stands (up to 5 km distant). As expected, all stands surveyed were monoclonal. However, the Middle-Camp seeds were generated sexually. Comparing seed genotypes with the single Middle-Camp genotype and those of genets from neighboring and other regional stands (n = 26), revealed that 73 seeds were sired by the Middle-Camp genet. Within these Middle-Camp seeds we detected 19 genotypes in proportions consistent with self-fertilization of that genet. For the remaining 27 seeds, comprising 8 different genotypes, paternity was assigned to the nearest neighboring stands Mallee and Mallee-West, approximately 1 km distant. Ironically, given this species’ vast geographic range, a small number of stands with reproductively compatible near neighbors may provide the only sources of novel genotypes.

Low reproductive success of hay-scented fern (Dennstaedtia punctilobula) regardless of inbreeding level or time since disturbance

Botany ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 92 (12) ◽  
pp. 911-915 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn M. Flinn ◽  
Matthew M. Loiacono ◽  
Hannah E. Groff
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Mating Systems ◽  
Tree Regeneration ◽  
Single Individual ◽  
Dennstaedtia Punctilobula ◽  
Self Fertilization ◽  
Sporophyte Production ◽  
Inbreeding Level ◽  
Native Invasive ◽  
Selfing Ability

Self-fertilization can facilitate the colonization of new habitats because it allows a single individual to found a population. Here we investigated the relationship between mating systems and colonization in hay-scented fern (Dennstaedtia punctilobula (Michx.) T.Moore). Throughout eastern North America, this species has been called a “native invasive” for its tendency to dominate forest understories disturbed by logging, inhibiting tree regeneration. Thus, it is important to understand the mechanisms of its spread. We hypothesized that if populations were founded through selfing, then populations disturbed more recently would retain higher selfing ability; this pattern would demonstrate an important link between mating systems and colonization. For four populations logged at different times in the past, we compared the sporophyte production of gametophytes at different levels of inbreeding (intragametophytic selfing, intergametophytic selfing, and outcrossing) using laboratory crosses. Across all treatments, only 9.8% of gametophytes formed sporophytes (N = 400 gametophytes). Neither inbreeding level nor time since disturbance affected sporophyte production. Selfing ability did not differ across populations logged at different times; there was no interaction between inbreeding level and time since disturbance. The low reproductive success of D. punctilobula, regardless of inbreeding level or time since disturbance, suggests that population establishment and expansion via sexual reproduction may be relatively rare in this clonal species.

Reproductive success of Acacia longifolia (Fabaceae, Mimosoideae) in native and invasive populations

2015 ◽  
Vol 63 (5) ◽  
pp. 387 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marta Correia ◽  
Sílvia Castro ◽  
Susana Rodríguez-Echeverría
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Seed Size ◽  
Fruit Set ◽  
Lower Number ◽  
Open Pollination ◽  
Native Range ◽  
Reproductive Assurance ◽  
Acacia Species ◽  
Self Compatibility ◽  
Selfing Ability

The reproductive biology of exotic species affects their capacity to become naturalised and invasive in non-native areas. Selfing is a common trait in many invasive plants probably because it provides reproductive assurance under low availability of pollination vectors and sexual partners. Nonetheless, the predominantly self-incompatible Australian Acacia species are among the most aggressive plants worldwide. To address whether there have been changes in selfing ability and natural reproductive success of A. longifolia during invasion, we compared one population in the invaded area (Portugal) with one population in the native range (Australia). We specifically assessed floral traits, fruit set and offspring traits for selfing and open-pollination treatments. Within each pollination treatment, no differences were found between areas, suggesting that the level of self-compatibility has not changed during invasion. However, the number of aborted seeds and seed size were significantly different between pollination treatments in Australia but not in Portugal. There were significant differences in the number of seeds per pod and in seed weight between ranges. A lower number of aborted seeds, a higher number of fully developed seeds and a greater seed size were found in the invaded area for both pollination treatments. In spite of the low selfing ability of A. longifolia in the invaded area, there was an increase in the quantity and size of the seeds produced in the new region, even for self-pollinated fruits, which might contribute to A. longifolia invasiveness.

scholarly journals Notes on protected and threatened plants in Castilla y León (North-West Spain)

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 213-220
Author(s):  
Fermín Del Egido ◽  
Patricio Bariego ◽  
Alberto Rodríguez ◽  
María Santos Vicente
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
New Records ◽  
Vascular Plant ◽  
Geographic Range ◽  
Threatened Plants ◽  
North West ◽  
Castilla Y Leon ◽  
Vascular Plant Species ◽  
New Findings ◽  
First Time

We provide new records and notes on 25 protected and/or threatened vascular plant species in Castilla y León. Some of them illustrate not only new findings but also an interesting expansion of their geographic range. Eight taxa are reported for the first time in some provinces, while eleven of them were two or three times previously reported.

ALLEE EFFECT AND SELF-FERTILIZATION IN HERMAPHRODITES: REPRODUCTIVE ASSURANCE IN A STRUCTURED METAPOPULATION

Evolution ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 62 (10) ◽  
pp. 2558-2569 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antoine Dornier ◽  
François Munoz ◽  
Pierre-Olivier Cheptou
Keyword(s):  
Allee Effect ◽  
Reproductive Assurance ◽  
Self Fertilization ◽  
Structured Metapopulation

scholarly journals The demography and population genomics of evolutionary transitions to self-fertilization in plants

2014 ◽  
Vol 369 (1648) ◽  
pp. 20130344 ◽  
Author(s):  
Spencer C. H. Barrett ◽  
Ramesh Arunkumar ◽  
Stephen I. Wright
Keyword(s):  
Mating System ◽  
Population Genomics ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Reproductive Assurance ◽  
Evolutionary Transitions ◽  
Cast Doubt ◽  
Self Fertilization ◽  
Loss Of Diversity ◽  
Linked Selection

The evolution of self-fertilization from outcrossing has occurred on numerous occasions in flowering plants. This shift in mating system profoundly influences the morphology, ecology, genetics and evolution of selfing lineages. As a result, there has been sustained interest in understanding the mechanisms driving the evolution of selfing and its environmental context. Recently, patterns of molecular variation have been used to make inferences about the selective mechanisms associated with mating system transitions. However, these inferences can be complicated by the action of linked selection following the transition. Here, using multilocus simulations and comparative molecular data from related selfers and outcrossers, we demonstrate that there is little evidence for strong bottlenecks associated with initial transitions to selfing, and our simulation results cast doubt on whether it is possible to infer the role of bottlenecks associated with reproductive assurance in the evolution of selfing. They indicate that the effects of background selection on the loss of diversity and efficacy of selection occur rapidly following the shift to high selfing. Future comparative studies that integrate explicit ecological and genomic details are necessary for quantifying the independent and joint effects of selection and demography on transitions to selfing and the loss of genetic diversity.

scholarly journals Geographic range size is predicted by plant mating system

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dena Grossenbacher ◽  
Ryan Briscoe Runquist ◽  
Emma Goldberg ◽  
Yaniv Brandvain
Keyword(s):  
Geographic Range ◽  
Range Size ◽  
Geographic Ranges ◽  
Biological Trait ◽  
Geographic Range Size ◽  
Self Fertilization ◽  
Mate Limitation ◽  
Close Relatives ◽  
Annual Life History ◽  
Plant Mating System

Species' geographic ranges vary enormously, and even closest relatives may differ in range size by several orders of magnitude. With data from hundreds of species spanning 20 genera in 15 families, we show that plant species that autonomously reproduce via self-pollination consistently have larger geographic ranges than their close relatives that generally require two parents for reproduction. Further analyses strongly implicate autonomous self-fertilization in causing this relationship, as it is not driven by traits such as polyploidy or annual life history whose evolution is sometimes correlated with autonomous self-fertilization. Furthermore, we find that selfers occur at higher maximum latitudes and that disparity in range size between selfers and outcrossers increases with time since their separation. Together, these results show that autonomous reproduction - a critical biological trait that eliminates mate limitation and thus potentially increases the probability of establishment - increases range size.

Growth and reproduction of American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) in Wisconsin, U.S.A.

1982 ◽  
Vol 60 (12) ◽  
pp. 2692-2696 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan G. Carpenter ◽  
Grant Cottam
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Seed Set ◽  
Panax Quinquefolius ◽  
Natural Forests ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Plant Stage ◽  
Number Of Leaves ◽  
Wild Ginseng ◽  
Number Of Seeds ◽  
Growth And Reproduction

The phenology and development of southern Wisconsin populations of wild ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) are described. In natural forests, ginseng plants grow slowly, and most plants do not reach reproductive maturity until they are at least 8 years old. Ginseng flowers are perfect, but maturity of male and female reproductive parts is separated temporally in each flower. Ginseng individuals are not obligate outcrossers, and the flowers are visited by generalist pollinators. Exclusion of pollinators did not reduce fruit or seed set. Aging techniques usually underestimate age. Number of leaves (plant stage) is a more appropriate indicator of development than is the number of "annual" stem scars on the rhizome. The number of seeds produced by a plant may be predicted from the number of leaves and the leaf area of the largest leaflet. Accurate estimates of the number of ginseng plants in an area can be made by sampling early in the summer. However, projections of survival and reproductive success in a ginseng population must account for mortality and for plants that senesce early in the summer months before producing seeds. We recommend that ginseng harvesting in Wisconsin be allowed only after September 1 to insure that fruits on mature plants are ripe.

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