Dioécie cryptique chez Geniostoma borbonica, espèce pionnière endémique de La Réunion

2003 ◽  
Vol 81 (9) ◽  
pp. 897-904 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurence Humeau ◽  
Dominique Strasberg ◽  
Thierry Pailler
Keyword(s):  
Breeding System ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Pollen Grains ◽  
Floral Biology ◽  
Breeding Systems ◽  
Plant Succession ◽  
General Context ◽  
Cryptic Dioecy ◽  
Unisexual Flowers ◽  
Evolution Of Dioecy

In the general context of conservation of insular habitats, the floral biology, natural fecundity, and breeding system of Geniostoma borbonica (Lam.) Spreng. was studied in natural populations. The species, which was initially assumed to be gynodioecious, presents two kinds of individuals, both with morphological hermaphroditic but functionally unisexual flowers. Some individuals produce pollen grains, but neither ovules nor fruit, whereas other fructiferous individuals have anthers without pollen grains. Geniostoma borbonica is the first species in this genus to be reported as dioecious; its floral morphology illustrates an example of cryptic dioecy. This species combines an apomictic breeding system, assuring a fast installation without reproductive constraints, and a reproductive breeding system assuring maintenance of genetic variability in the population. These two breeding systems allow adaptation to evolution of the habitat during plant succession. This point is discussed in the colonization context of pioneer habitats, where herma- phro ditic species are recognized to be advantageous, as well as in the context of the evolution of dioecy in this genus.Key words: cryptic dioecy, pioneer habitat, oceanic island, Geniostoma.

Tristyly in Pontederia cordata (Pontederiaceae)

1982 ◽  
Vol 60 (6) ◽  
pp. 897-905 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven D. Price ◽  
Spencer C. H. Barrett
Keyword(s):  
Breeding System ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Pollen Grains ◽  
Pollen Production ◽  
Foraging Activity ◽  
Reproductive Parameters ◽  
Style Length ◽  
Flower Production ◽  
System A ◽  
Pontederia Cordata

Pontederia cordata L. (Pontederiaceae) is a perennial, entomophilous, emergent aquatic and possesses a tristylous breeding system. A survey of 74 North American populations indicates that populations usually contain the three floral morphs. A strong pollen trimorphism is associated with differences in stamen and style length among the morphs. Pollen size is proportional to stamen height, while pollen production is inversely proportional. There are two size classes of anthers in P. cordata. Long-level anthers of mid- and short-styled plants and mid-level anthers of the short-styled morph are significantly larger than short-level anthers of long- and mid-styled plants and the mid-level anthers of the long-styled morph. The larger mid-level anthers of the short-styled morph produce nearly twice as many pollen grains as the equivalent level in the long-styled morph. It is suggested that this difference may be associated with varying patterns of stamen insertion and development in the floral morphs.Comparisons of various reproductive parameters among the floral morphs in natural populations suggest that there are no significant differences in flowering patterns, inflorescence and flower production, seed production, and germination levels. In addition, bumble bees show no apparent preferences among the floral morphs during foraging activity. Tristyly appears to be a relatively stable breeding system in P. cordata in comparison with tristylous species of the related Eichhornia.

scholarly journals Reproductive Biology of Mangrove Plants Clerodendrum inerme, Derris trifoliata, Suaeda maritima, Suaeda monoica, Suaeda nudiflora

2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 31-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacob Solomon Raju Aluri ◽  
Rajendra Kumar ◽  
Prasada Rao Chappidi
Keyword(s):  
Breeding System ◽  
Floral Biology ◽  
Breeding Systems ◽  
Mangrove Forests ◽  
Agricultural Activities ◽  
Sexual System ◽  
Suaeda Maritima ◽  
External Agents ◽  
Associate Species ◽  
Mangrove Associate

Abstract Floral biology, sexual system, breeding system, pollinators, fruiting and seed dispersal aspects of five mangrove associate species, namely, Clerodendrum inerme, Derris trifoliata, Suaeda maritima, S. monoica, and S. nudiflora were studied. All these species are hermaphroditic, self-compatible, and exhibit mixed breeding systems adapted for pollination by external agents. C. inerme and D. trifoliata are principally entomophilous, while Suaeda species are ambophilous. The study suggests that these plant species are important constituents of mangrove forests. C. inerme and D. trifoliata are useful in stabilizing the banks of back water creeks, while Suaeda species are useful to carpet the saline areas and desalinate the soils which are subsequently useful for agricultural activities.

Insects facilitate wind pollination in pollen-limited Crateva adansonii (Capparaceae)

2011 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
pp. 61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yash Mangla ◽  
Rajesh Tandon
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Set ◽  
Pollen Limitation ◽  
Airborne Pollen ◽  
Pollen Dispersal ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Pollen Grains ◽  
Floral Biology ◽  
Wind Pollination ◽  
Reproductive Assurance

Low fruit-set in obligately outbreeding plant species is attributed to a variety of reasons that can be ascertained from reproductive studies. In the present work, the causes of poor natural fruit-set in Crateva adansonii DC. were investigated. Floral biology, the role of wind and insects in pollination and the breeding system of the species were studied in two natural populations for three consecutive seasons (2006–08). The flowers exhibited traits conducive to a mixture of wind and insect pollination (ambophily). Although a variety of insects visited the flowers, they were ineffective in pollinating. Nevertheless, active foraging by the honeybees (Apis dorsata, A. mellifera and A. cerana indica) facilitated enhanced pollen dispersal in the air and resulted in indirect pollination by wind. Airborne pollen grains pollinated the plants only up to 10 m. Fruit-set from open pollination was comparable to wind-pollinated flowers. Supplemental pollination treatments established the occurrence of strong self-incompatibility (SI) (index of SI = 0.14). Spontaneous autogamy was prevented by pronounced herkogamy. Low natural fecundity in C. adansonii is due to pollination failure, pollen limitation (pollen limitation index = 0.98) and the sparse distribution of the conspecifics; partial SI may partly ensure reproductive assurance through geitonogamy. In the absence of a pollinator wind appears to act as a secondary mode of pollination.

Pollination ecology of Caryocar brasiliense (Caryocaraceae) in Central Brazil cerrado vegetation

1993 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 199-211 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rogério Gribel ◽  
John D. Hay
Keyword(s):  
Breeding System ◽  
Fruit Set ◽  
Seed Set ◽  
Floral Biology ◽  
Cerrado Vegetation ◽  
Central Brazil ◽  
Glossophaga Soricina ◽  
Caryocar Brasiliense ◽  
Anoura Geoffroyi ◽  
Phyllostomus Discolor

ABSTRACTThe floral biology, breeding system and pollination of Caryocar brasiliense were studied in the cerrado vegetation of Central Brazil. The large, yellowish-cream, brush-like flowers are pollinated mainly by glossophagine bats (Glossophaga soricina and Anoura geoffroyi). Three non-glossophagine bats (Phyllostomus discolor, Vampyrops lineatus and Carollia perspicillata) and two short probosisced hawk moths (Erinyis ello and Pseudosphinx tetrio) may also act as occasional pollinators. Caryocar brasiliense is self-compatible although it sets significantly more fruits when crossed than when selfed. The natural fruit set (fruit/flower ratio) and seed set (seed/ovule ratio) are 3.1% and 1.0% respectively. Most of the fruits and seeds are formed through the action of the flower visitors, despite the fact that about 20% of the non-visited flowers receive self pollen on at least one stigma.

Cryptic dioecy in Actinidia polygama: a test of the pollinator attraction hypothesis

2004 ◽  
Vol 82 (2) ◽  
pp. 214-218 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tetsuhiro Kawagoe ◽  
Nobuhiko Suzuki
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Production ◽  
Sexual System ◽  
Dioecious Species ◽  
Pollinator Attraction ◽  
Cryptic Dioecy ◽  
Actinidia Polygama ◽  
Unisexual Flowers ◽  
Sterile Pollen ◽  
Female Flowers

Female flowers of some dioecious species are known to develop stamens with sterile pollen, a sexual system known as cryptic dioecy. A convincing hypothesis explaining this phenomenon is that stamens in female flowers attract pollinators and so ensure seed production. However, because this hypothesis has rarely been tested experimentally, we tested it in a cryptically dioecious species, Actinidia polygama (Sieb. et Zucc.) Planch. ex Maxim. Our findings show that pollinators do not show a consistent preference based on the sex of the flowers, and that the removal of stamens from female flowers results in a significant reduction in the frequency of insect visits and fruit production. These results strongly support the pollinator attraction hypothesis in A. polygama. Given the evident role of stamens in female flowers in A. polygama reproduction, we discuss why cryptic dioecy is a rare phenomenon.Key words: Actinidia polygama, cryptic dioecy, pseudopollen, pollinator attraction, unisexual flowers.

Sporoderm morphogenesis in Euphorbia obesa and Croton gratissimus

Bothalia ◽  
1983 ◽  
Vol 14 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 849-856 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. L. Frean
Keyword(s):  
Pollen Morphology ◽  
Pollen Grains ◽  
Physiological Adaptation ◽  
Structure Characteristic ◽  
Pollen Type ◽  
Electron Microscope Level ◽  
Pollen Characters ◽  
Pollen Types ◽  
Unisexual Flowers ◽  
Taxonomic Grouping

Pollen grains of the Euphorbiaceae show a number of pollen types which can be clearly distinguished. Generally different genera are characterized by a specific pollen type.  Euphorbia obesa Hook. f. and Croton gratissimus Burch, subsp.  subgratissimus (Prain) Burtt Davy, represent two genera within the Crotonoideae with different morphology, each type characteristic for the respective genus. Taxonomically, the genus Euphorbia with apetalous flowers consisting of a naked pistil surrounded by several staminate flowers within a cyathium, is considered more advanced than the genus  Croton. In  Croton the inflorescence is a raceme with unisexual flowers. The floral whorls of the male show numerous anthers and both calyx and a showy corolla are present. Both genera are insect pollinated. In both  Euphorbia obesa and  Croton gratissimus the pollen wall in section shows columellae, a structure characteristic of angiosperms. However the present ontogenetic studies show that the formation of the columellae differs entirely in the two pollen types. The final stratification of the wall as well as the morphology of the grains differ and evaluation of the exine structure indicates that phylogenetically Croton pollen shows more advanced characters than  Euphorbia — contradicting the floral phylogeny. This study conducted at light and electron microscope level compares the two pollen types morphologically and ontogenetically, concentrating mainly on the formation of the exine which is tectate-perforate in the prolate tricolpate grain of Euphorbia obesa and semi-tectate in the anaperturate, spheroidal grain of Croton gratissimus. The aim of the study was to evaluate the significance of pollen characters in taxonomic and phylogenetic relationships within the Euphorbiaceae. The differing pollen morphology which is related to the taxonomic grouping of tribes within the subfamily (Crotonoideae) emphasizes diversity, which may result from physiological adaptation. The study shows that the same functional end may well be achieved in different ways and this may be a factor underlying the diversity in the heterogeneous family Euphorbiaceae.

Adaptive response of extreme epiphyte Tillandsia species (Bromeliaceae) is demonstrated by different sexual reproduction strategies in the Brazilian Chaco

2019 ◽  
Vol 192 (4) ◽  
pp. 840-854
Author(s):  
Aline C Gomes ◽  
Bruno H S Ferreira ◽  
Camila S Souza ◽  
Luan M M Arakaki ◽  
Camila Aoki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breeding System ◽  
Reproductive Strategies ◽  
Extreme Environments ◽  
Extreme Environment ◽  
Floral Biology ◽  
Reproduction Strategies ◽  
Pollen Vectors ◽  
Self Compatibility ◽  
Floral Visitors ◽  
Selection For

Abstract Some epiphytes are adapted to extreme environments with the ability to survive drought as a result of their morphological (xeromorphism), anatomical (foliar trichomes or scales) and physiological features. In contrast to vegetative features, they may have diverse sexual reproductive strategies. Here we compared the flowering morphology, floral biology, breeding system and pollinators of Tillandsia duratii, T. loliacea and T. recurvifolia (Bromeliaceae) adapted to an extreme environment, the Brazilian Chaco. Tillandsia duratii and T. recurvifolia flower for 5–6 months, whereas T. loliaceae flowers for 11 months, mainly in the dry season, with low to high flowering overlap between them. Although these species generally show similar flowering morphology, they differ in size, colour, odour and/or floral functionality, suggesting non-sharing of pollinators among them. Bimodal pollination occurs in T. duratii (bees, moths other than hawkmoths) and T. recurvifolia (butterflies, hummingbirds); in T. loliacea, we recorded no floral visitors. Tillandsia recurvifolia is self-incompatible, has flowers which approach herkogamy and protandry, and depends on pollen vectors for fruit set. The other two species show reverse herkogamy, autonomous self-pollination and self-compatibility (mixed breeding system); therefore, pollinators are not required. The disparity in reproductive strategies among the three species suggests the possibility of selection for diverse modes of reproduction.

scholarly journals Breeding biology and distyly in Palicourea rigida H. B. & K. (Rubiaceae) in the Cerrados of Central Brazil

2010 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 686-696 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adriana de Oliveira Machado ◽  
Ana Palmira Silva ◽  
Helder Consolaro ◽  
Mariluza A. Granja e Barros ◽  
Paulo Eugênio Oliveira
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Fruit Set ◽  
Pollen Grains ◽  
Floral Biology ◽  
Nectar Production ◽  
Central Brazil ◽  
Palicourea Rigida ◽  
Floral Visitors ◽  
Compatible Pollen ◽  
Incompatibility Reactions

Distyly is a floral polymorphism more common among the Rubiaceae than in any other angiosperm group. Palicourea rigida is a typically distylous species of the Rubiaceae widely distributed in the Brazilian Cerrados. This work aimed to study the floral biology and breeding system of P. rigida in order to verify if there wasasymmetry between floral morphs. The work was carried out at Fazenda Água Limpa, Brasília-DF, from 1993 to 1995; and at Serra Caldas Novas State Park-Goias and in Clube Caça e Pesca Itororó de Uberlândia-Minas Gerais in 2005 and 2006. Density, height and pin/thrum ratio were assessed for flowering individuals in all areas. Plants were investigated for differences in floral morphology, nectar production, reproductive success and site of self incompatibility reactions. Blooming period was long and concentrated during the rains. Flowers were clearly distylous and with reciprocal herkogamy. They produced nectar and lasted for a single day. In spite of differences in density and height, populations were mostly isoplethic. Nectar production varied in volume and concentration but the differences could not be associated with floral morphs. The species is self-incompatible but reproductive success was always high and independent of floral morphs. There were differences in the site of incompatibility barriers between floral morphs, which were similar to those observed for other Rubiaceae. The main floral visitors and pollinators were the hummingbirds Colibri serrirostris and Eupetomena macroura. High fruit-set indicates that the pollinators transported enough compatible pollen grains between floral morphs, despite their territorial behavior.

Breeding Systems of Spinifex Hopping Mice (Notomys-Alexis) and Plains Rats (Pseudomys-Australis) - a Test for Multiple Paternity Within the Laboratory

1992 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 13 ◽  
Author(s):  
WG Breed ◽  
M Adams
Keyword(s):  
Breeding System ◽  
Multiple Paternity ◽  
Interspecific Variation ◽  
Breeding Systems ◽  
Testis Size ◽  
Laboratory Conditions ◽  
Set Up

This study was carried out as part of a broader investigation into the factors that determine interspecific variation in testis size amongst conilurine rodents. The hypothesis proposed is that the huge differences in absolute and relative testis size between the spinifex hopping mouse (Notomys alexis) and the plains rat (Pseudomys australis) relate to differences in breeding system. One aspect of a species' breeding system, the capacity for multiple paternity, was assessed under laboratory conditions for each species. Allozyme markers were used to set up appropriate trios consisting of one female cohabiting with two mates of different genotypes and to assess the paternity of the resultant pups that were born. Multiple paternity within a single litter was not recorded for hopping mice but was observed occasionally in plains rats, a result consistent with the hypothesis under test.

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