Embryological features, pollen and seed viability of Arnica montana (Asteraceae) – a threatened endemic species in Europe

The embryological features, mode of reproduction and reproductive capacity (pollen and seed viability) on two naturalized populations of Arnica montana in Bulgaria were studied. The embryological study shows that A. montana is a facultative apomictic species in which sexual reproduction predominates. In this species, it was established that there is a comparatively high viability of the mature pollen and embryos, which enables the successful realization of its reproductive capacity. The results of the study on A. montana reveal that both sexual and asexual vegetative reproduction with rhizomes undoubtedly play more important roles than the apomixis (namely diplospory) for support and preservation of the populations.

Year-round maturity of the chaetognath Aidanosagitta regularis in the Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand

The reproductive biology of planktonic chaetognaths is poorly known, particularly with regard to the importance of seasonal factors such as daylength, temperature and lunar phase. We undertook semilunar plankton sampling (March 2013–March 2014) in the Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand, to survey sexual maturity of the abundant chaetognath Aidanosagitta regularis (the only chaetognath species present in sufficient numbers for reproductive study). Contrary to our expectations, breeding of A. regularis appeared unconstrained by seasonal factors, as reproductively mature individuals were available year-round. This finding has implications for embryological study of the chaetognaths.