scholarly journals Bumblebees can detect floral humidity

Author(s):  
Michael J. M. Harrap ◽  
Natalie Hempel de Ibarra ◽  
Henry D. Knowles ◽  
Heather M. Whitney ◽  
Sean A. Rands

AbstractFloral humidity, a region of elevated humidity proximal to the flower, occurs in many plant species and may add to their multimodal floral displays. So far, the ability to detect and respond to floral humidity cues has been only established for hawkmoths when they locate and extract nectar while hovering in front of some moth-pollinated flowers. To test whether floral humidity can be used by other more widespread generalist pollinators, we designed artificial flowers that presented biologically-relevant levels of humidity similar to those shown by flowering plants. Bumblebees showed a spontaneous preference for flowers which produced higher floral humidity. Furthermore, learning experiments showed that bumblebees are able to use differences in floral humidity to distinguish between rewarding and nonrewarding flowers. Our results indicate that bumblebees are sensitive to different levels of floral humidity. In this way floral humidity can add to the information provided by flowers and could impact pollinator behaviour more significantly than previously thought.Summary statementWe demonstrate for the first time that bumblebees show a preference to elevated floral humidity and can learn to distinguish flowers that differ in floral humidity levels.

Author(s):  
Michael J. M. Harrap ◽  
Natalie Hempel de Ibarra ◽  
Henry D. Knowles ◽  
Heather M. Whitney ◽  
Sean A. Rands

Floral humidity, a region of elevated humidity in the headspace of the flower, occurs in many plant species and may add to their multimodal floral displays. So far, the ability to detect and respond to floral humidity cues has been only established for hawkmoths when they locate and extract nectar while hovering in front of some moth-pollinated flowers. To test whether floral humidity can be used by other more widespread generalist pollinators, we designed artificial flowers that presented biologically-relevant levels of humidity similar to those shown by flowering plants. Bumblebees showed a spontaneous preference for flowers which produced higher floral humidity. Furthermore, learning experiments showed that bumblebees are able to use differences in floral humidity to distinguish between rewarding and nonrewarding flowers. Our results indicate that bumblebees are sensitive to different levels of floral humidity. In this way floral humidity can add to the information provided by flowers and could impact pollinator behaviour more significantly than previously thought.


2006 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 165-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dennis M Hansen ◽  
Karin Beer ◽  
Christine B Müller

Most floral nectars are clear as water, and the enigmatic coloured nectar in three endemic plant species in Mauritius has puzzled scientists studying it. One hypothesis about the possible ecological function of coloured nectar is that it serves as a visual signal for pollinators. Recent studies have shown that at least two of the three Mauritian plant species with coloured nectar are visited and pollinated by endemic Phelsuma geckos. We here provide experimental evidence for the visual signal hypothesis by showing that Phelsuma ornata geckos prefer coloured over clear nectar in artificial flowers. In flowering plants, coloured nectar could additionally function as an honest signal that allows pollinators to assert the presence and judge the size of a reward prior to flower visitation, and to adjust their behaviour accordingly, leading to increased pollinator efficiency. Our study provides a first step in understanding this rare and intriguing floral trait.


2017 ◽  
Vol 28 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 28-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. A. Baranovski

Nowadays, bioecological characteristics of species are the basis for flora and vegetation studying on the different levels. Bioecological characteristics of species is required in process of flora studying on the different levels such as biotopes or phytocenoses, floras of particular areas (floras of ecologically homogeneous habitats), and floras of certain territories. Ramensky scale is the one of first detailed ecological scales on plant species ordination in relation to various environmental factors; it developed in 1938 (Ramensky, 1971). A little later (1941), Pogrebnyak’s scale of forest stands was proposed. Ellenberg’s system developed in 1950 (Ellenberg, 1979) and Tsyganov’s system (Tsyganov, 1975) are best known as the systems of ecological scales on vascular plant species; these systems represent of habitat detection by ecotopic ecomorphs of plant species (phytoindication). Basically, the system proposed by Alexander Lyutsianovich Belgard was the one of first system of plant species that identiified ectomorphs in relation to environmental factors. As early as 1950, Belgard developed the tabulated system of ecomorphs using the Latin ecomorphs abbreviation; he also used the terminology proposed in the late 19th century by Dekandol (1956) and Warming (1903), as well as terminology of other authors. The article analyzes the features of Belgard’s system of ecomorphs on vascular plants. It has certain significance and advantages over other systems of ecomorphs. The use of abbreviated Latin names of ecomorphs in tabular form enables the use shortened form of ones. In the working scheme of Belgard’s system of ecomorphs relation of species to environmental factors are represented in the abbreviated Latin alphabetic version (Belgard, 1950). Combined into table, the ecomorphic analysis of plant species within association (ecological certification of species), biotope or area site (water area) gives an explicit pattern on ecological structure of flora within surveyed community, biotope or landscape, and on environmental conditions. Development and application by Belgrard the cenomorphs as «species’ adaptation to phytocenosis as a whole» were completely new in the development of systems of ecomorphs and, in this connection, different coenomorphs were distinguished. Like any concept, the system of ecomorphs by Belgard has the possibility and necessity to be developed and added. Long-time researches and analysis of literature sources allow to propose a new coenomorph in the context of Belgard’s system of ecomorphs development: silvomargoant (species of forest margin, from the Latin words margo – edge, boundary (Dvoretsky, 1976), margo – margin, ad margins silvarum – along the deciduous forest margins). As an example of ecomorphic characterization of species according to the system of ecomorphs by Belgard (when the abbreviated Latin ecomorph names are used in tabular form and the proposed cenomorph is used), it was given the part of the table on vascular plants ecomorphs in the National Nature Park «Orelsky» (Baranovsky et al). The Belgard’s system of ecomorphs is particularly convenient and can be successfully applied to data processing in the ecological analysis of the flora on wide areas with significant species richness, and the proposed ecomorph will be another necessary element in the Belgard’s system of ecomorphs. 


Author(s):  
Mohd Afsahul Kalam ◽  
Akhtar H. Malik ◽  
Aijaz Hassan Ganie ◽  
Tariq Ahmad Butt

Abstract Podophyllum hexandrum Royle [=Sinopodophyllum hexandrum (Royle) T.S. Ying] is an important, endemic medicinal plant species of Himalaya. It is used in Unani System of Medicine under the name of ‘Papra’. The drug was not mentioned in previous literatures, but the first time it introduced in Unani Medicine by a great scholar Hakim Najmul Ghani. He has mentioned its uses and benefits in his classical book Khazainul Advia. In Unani Medicine the plant species has been used to treat various ailments like constipation, fever, jaundice, liver disorders, syphilis, diseases of lymph glands etc. In Kashmir Himalaya it is used to treat various diseases by local medicinemen, but now it is listed in rare drugs. Various pharmacological studies have been done such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, radio-protective etc., recently it has also been reported that podophyllotoxin or podophyllin can be used to treat some forms of cancers also.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 138-150
Author(s):  
Veronika Valková ◽  
Hana Ďúranová ◽  
Jana Štefániková ◽  
Michal Miškeje ◽  
Marián Tokár ◽  
...  

AbstractThe current study was designed to enhance the functionality of white bread by replacement of wheat flour with different levels (1%, 2%, 5%, and 8%) of grape seeds micropowder (GSMP) with nanosized particles (10 µm). Chemical composition of GSMP, volume and sensory attributes, evaluated with the panel of evaluators and an electronic nose (e-nose) and an electronic eye (e-eye) were investigated in the tested breads. It has been found out that GSMP contained appreciable amounts of flavonoids including catechin, epicatechin, gallic acid and minerals especially, Ca, K and Mg. The data from rheological analysis showed that the addition of GSMP (mainly at 5% and 8% levels) to the wheat flour had a positive effect on dough manifesting with rheology by increased dough stability. The volume of the experimental breads (above 1% concentration) was demonstrably declined (P < 0.0001) in comparison with the control bread. Sensory rating revealed that the bread fortified with 1% GSMP was judged by the consumer panelists as the most acceptable with the highest scores for all quality attributes which was also confirmed by the data of e-nose and e-eye. Our results suggest for the first time that 1% GSMP addition appears to be a promising functional ingredient to improve bread with required qualitative and sensory properties.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Álvaro Clua Uceda

On 11 October 1935, the inauguration of the Slussen urban cloverleaf took place in front of the excited citizens of Stockholm. It had the attributes of a pure traffic machine taken from the most advanced traffic engineering publications, and it expressed the optimistic cultural modernism that five years ago the Stockholm International Exhibition had promoted.1 This urban cloverleaf was made of translucent glass, reinforced concrete, metallic handrails, and reflective tiles and was meant to solve, in one single gesture, the complex urban link between the Lake Mälaren and the Baltic Sea, between Gamla Stan – the historic city centre – and Södermalm – the southern district built on top of the 35-metre-high plateau [1]. The solution made difficult urban compromises between the foothills of the Brunkeberg topography, the smooth water surfaces of the Stockholm archipelago, the architecture of the historic urban tissue, and the demands of a complex articulated mobility. Boats, goods, suburban trains, subways, trams – later buses – pedestrians, cyclists, and automobiles finally converged on this place at different levels, completing the intricacies of a threedimensional geometry which, for the first time in history, was inserted into a compact city.


2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 202-219
Author(s):  
Harish Singh ◽  
◽  
P.A. Dhole ◽  

The present paper deals with 112 ethnomedicinal plants used for the treatment of cold cough and fever by major tribal groups and many non-tribal communities of Odisha. These ethnomedicinal uses were compared and cross-checked with the data mentioned in well-known standard Indian ethnomedicinal as well as medicinal literatures and found that most of the medicinal uses of the referred 83 plants have been reported earlier also. 29 plants are being reported here for the first time for the treatment of these diseases. These plant species are arranged in alphabetical order followed by family in bracket, local name(s) along with ethnomedicinal uses and cross check report with well recognized standard Indian literature.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 178-181
Author(s):  
Lalnun Mawia ◽  
Vanlalhruaii Ralte ◽  
H. Lalruatsanga ◽  
Zothan Mawia ◽  
P.C. Vanlalhluna ◽  
...  

Globba wengeri (C.E.C. Fisch.) K.J. Williams, former state flower of Mizoram, a rare and critically endangered plant species, commonly known as ‘dancing girl’, belonging to the family Zingiberaceae, is reported in this communication for the first time from Serchhip District in Mizoram at an elevation of about 1187 m a.s.l. It was found on moist, watery and rocky slopes. The plant is under severe threat in the natural habitat and therefore, further studies are required to determine life history and particular survival threats of this species.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 213-220
Author(s):  
Fermín Del Egido ◽  
Patricio Bariego ◽  
Alberto Rodríguez ◽  
María Santos Vicente

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.


Author(s):  
Е.И. КОБАХИДЗЕ

В статье впервые анализируются раннесоветские практики формирования финансово-бюджетной сферы Северной Осетии в контексте государственной политики управления финансами. Их изучение представляется актуальным в связи с очевидным параллелизмом с процессами первого постсоветского десятилетия, когда в России формировалось новое политическое и экономическое пространство, в котором были активно задействованы восстановительные хозяйственно-экономические механизмы, применявшиеся в 20-х гг. XX в. Становление финансовой и бюджетной системы в Северной Осетии рассматривается в ее тесной связи с ходом государственного строительства; отдельное внимание уделено вопросам налогообложения, формирования бюджетов разных уровней, конкретным показателям хозяйственно-экономического развития Осетии на разных этапах переходного периода и в рамках политико-экономических стратегий «военного коммунизма» и «новой экономической политики». Общая специфика исследуемых процессов обусловлена значительными политическими трансформациями, переживаемыми страной в ходе построения советского государства и социалистической экономики. В то же время анализ документов и материалов, в том числе впервые вводимых в научный оборот, показывает, что Осетия, оказавшись в советской системе власти и управления, приобрела собственный опыт построения основ государственности и ее институтов, в том числе в финансовой сфере. For the first time, the article analyzes the early Soviet practices of the formation of the financial and budgetary sphere of North Ossetia in the context of the state policy of financial management. Their study is relevant in connection with the obvious parallelism with the processes of the first post-Soviet decade, when a new political and economic space was formed in Russia, in which the restorative economic mechanisms used in the 1920s were actively involved. The formation of the financial and budgetary system in North Ossetia is considered in its close connection with the progress of state building; special attention is paid to the issues of taxation, the formation of budgets of different levels, specific indicators of economic development of Ossetia at different stages of the transition period and within the framework of political and economic strategies of “war communism” and “new economic policy”. The general specificity of the processes under study is due to the significant political transformations experienced by the country in the course of building the Soviet state and socialist economy. At the same time, the analysis of documents and materials, including those introduced into scientific circulation for the first time, shows that Ossetia, having found itself in the Soviet system of power and administration, has acquired its own experience in building the foundations of statehood and its institutions, in the financial sphere as well.


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