Floral scent chemistry of mangrove plants

The flowers of mangrove plants are pollinated by a variety of pollinators including birds, bats, and insects. This study analyzed the floral scent chemistry of mangroves on Iriomote Island (located near Taiwan) including Bruguiera gymnorrhiza (L.) Lamk. (Rhizophoraceae), Kandelia candel (L.) Druce (Rhizophoraceae), Rhizophora stylosa Griff. (Rhizophoraceae), Sonneratia alba J. Smith (Sonneratiaceae), Nypa fruticans (Thunb.) Wurmb. (Palmae), Lumnitzera racemosa Willd. (Combretaceae), Avicennia marina (Forsk.) Vierh. (Avicenniaceae or Verbenaceae), and Pemphis acidula Forst. (Lythraceae). A total of 61 chemicals (fatty acid derivatives, terpenoids, carotenoid derivatives, benzenoids, nitrogen-containing compounds, 13 unknown chemicals) were detected in the floral scents of the various species. The species displayed a distinct chemical profile ranging from only two chemicals in the floral scent of Kandelia candel to more than 25 chemicals in the floral scent of Nypa fruticans. All of the identified chemicals have been found in the floral scents of other angiosperms. The chemical profile of some species can be correlated with their floral morphology and pollinators.     

Dimorphism in inflorescence scent of dioecious wild grapevine

Wild grapevine (Vitis vinifera subsp. sylvestris) is the dioecious ancestral form of grapevine, from which the domesticated cultivars have derived (V. vinifera subsp. vinifera). Little is known about the floral scent compounds of wild grapevine that is considered as being partly insect pollinated. The knowledge of volatiles released by male and female inflorescence may contribute to the understanding of the pollination biology of this endangered taxon. Inflorescence scents of male and female individuals were collected by dynamic headspace and analysed by thermal desorption-GC/MS. A total of 17 compounds of C5-branched chain alcohols, aliphatics, aromatics, and terpenoids were identified with benzyl alcohol being most abundant in both sexes. Eight of the compounds were sex-specific and differences in 1,2-dimethoxybenzene were most obvious. This aromatic compound was a main constituent in the scent of females (30%), but it did not occur in males. Some of the main compounds of the scent samples are known to be detected by beetles (Cerambycidae) or attract sweat bees (Halictidae) and honey bees (A. mellifera), all well-known inflorescence visitors in wild grapevine. The data presented here are an important step in understanding the chemical communication between wild grapevine and its inflorescence visitors/potential pollinators.     

Gibberellins from mangrove plants

Gibberellins were isolated from three mangrove plants: A₁ and A₃ from Sonneratia apetala; A₃, A₅ and A₉ from Rhizophora mucranata and A₃, A₄ and A₇ from Bruguiera gymnorhiza. Biological activity of these gibberellins were examined using three bioassays.     

Floral scent chemistry within the genus Linnaea (Caprifoliaceae)

‘Beauty bush’ and ‘twin flower’ are common names attributed to two well‐recognizable species belonging to the genus Linnaea (16 spp.) – L. amabilis and L. borealis – long admired by botanists and gardeners for their perfumed paired bell‐shaped flowers. In the present study, we investigated their floral scent compositions through gas chromatography – mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) analysis of dynamic headspace samples. Because the flowers of L. borealis in wild populations are fragrant both during the day and in the evening, circadian variation of scent emission was also assessed for this species. In total, 26 chemical compounds comprise the floral scent bouquets of L. amabilis and L. borealis, identified as monoterpenes (14), benzenoids and phenylpropanoids (5), aliphatics (3), sesquiterpenes (3) and irregular terpenes (1). Whereas monoterpenes, notably (‐)‐α‐ and β‐pinene, dominated the scent of L. amabilis (over 82% relative abundance), benzene derivates: 1,4 dimethoxybenzene, anisaldehyde, 2‐phenylethanol, benzaldehyde and nicotinaldehyde were exclusive to analysed headspace samples of L. borealis, accounting for 52% to 100% of their relative compositions, in three Swedish populations. A southwestern Finnish population was characterized by the four first mentioned benzenoid compounds and large amounts of (‐)‐α‐ and β‐pinenes plus two aliphatic substances. The scent compounds identified for both species are ubiquitous and may serve as generalist attractants/stimulants for a broad assortment of anthophilous insects. The basic work on the flower scent of L. amabilis and L. borealis should inspire studies of their pollination biology, primarily the behaviour‐guiding roles of the characteristic emitted volatiles.     

Floral scent in bat-pollinated plants: a case of convergent evolution

The chemical composition of floral scent in eight bat-pollinated species belonging to six different plant families was investigated. Floral scent was collected by headspace trapping using porous adsorbents and the chemical composition determined by coupled gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. In all species except one the floral scent was found to include sulphur-containing compounds, of which several are reported for the first time in floral scents. Three species contained mushroom-like smelling fatty acid derivatives with a C₈-skeleton. Such flowers may be recognized by pollinators as humid environments in otherwise dry surroundings. The presence of similar or chemically closely related sulphur containing compounds in floral scent of bat-pollinated plant species from differing families may represent a case of convergent evolution in scent composition and an adaptation to attract this specific group of pollinators with similar sensory preferences.     

Soil salinity and pH in Japanese mangrove forests and growth of cultivated mangrove plants in different soil conditions

Soil conditions of mangrove forests in southern Japan were found to correlate largely with zonal distributions of the species.Kandelia candel grew in soils with low salinity and low pH,Avicennia marina, Rhizophora stylosa andSonneratia alba in soils with high salinity and high pH, andBruguiera gymnorrhiza in soil with a wide range of pH but limited range of salinity.Lumnitzera racemosa colonized soil with a wide range of pH and medium salinity. Seedlings ofKandelia candel, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza andRhizophora stylosa were planted in soils with differing salinity and pH. Optimum seedling growth ofKandelia, Bruguiera andRhizophora occurred when plants were cultivated in soils similar to those of their natural habitats, suggesting that growth of mangrove species and their zonal distributions were regulated by salinity and soil pH.     

广西北部湾红树植物内生真菌多样性

【目的】研究广西北部湾地区红树植物内生真菌多样性,建立北部湾红树植物内生真菌种质资源库,为利用内生真菌生物技术促进农业可持续发展提供理论依据。【方法】从广西北部湾地区采集红树植物组织样本,采用表面消毒法分离真菌,通过测定分离菌株对宿主植物是否具有致病性来筛选内生真菌,结合形态学特征和分子生物学分析对内生真菌进行分类与鉴定。【结果】从60个红树植物样本中分离得到1 764个菌株,经过致病性测定筛选获得41株内生真菌,分离率为2.3%。其中从宿主植物红海榄分离得到15株内生真菌,占总菌株数的36.6%,比例最高。通过分析,发现这些内生真菌在ITS-NJ、NS-NJ两个系统发育树上各聚为7个大分支,分属8个科(目)。其中球腔菌属Mycosphaerella、德福里斯孢属Devriesia、假尾孢属Pseudocercospora、枝孢霉属Cladosporium、Pleosporales等属(科)真菌是广西红树林的优势菌。【结论】广西北部湾地区红树植物内生真菌菌种资源丰富。     

Floral scent chemistry and pollination ecology in phytelephantoid palms (Arecaceae)

The subfamilyPhytelephantoideae comprises three genera (Ammandra, Aphandra, andPhytelephas) and seven species of dioecious palms. The floral scents ofAmmandra dasyneura, A. decasperma, Aphandra natalia, Phytelephas aequatorialis, P. macrocarpa, andP. seemannii were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. We studied the pollination biology ofA. natalia, P. aequatorialis, andP. macrocarpa, and tested how the synthetically produced main constituents of the floral scents ofAphandra andPhytelephas attracted insects in two natural populations ofPhytelephas. The genera are distinct in terms of floral scents.Ammandra has sesquiterpenes,Aphandra (+)-2-methoxy-3-sec-butylpyrazine, andPhytelephas p-methyl anisol. These constituents dominated the scents quantitatively and qualitatively. The similarity between scents of male and female inflorescences was 76.5% inAmmandra, 84.2% inAphandra, and >99% inPhytelephas. Different species ofAleocharinae (Staphylinidae) pollinateAphandra natalia andPhytelephas species and reproduce in their male inflorescences.Derelomini (Curculinoidae) andMystrops (Nitidulidae) only visit and pollinatePhytelephas in which male inflorescences they reproduce. A species ofBaridinae (Curculionidae) only visits and pollinatesAphandra natalia, and reproduces in its female inflorescence. The apparent reliance on one or a few floral scent constituents as attractants and few and specific pollinators may indicate co-evolution. Sympatric species ofPhytelephantoideae have different scents. We suggest that species with similar scents have allopatric distributions due to the absence of a pollinator isolation mechanism.     

Floral scent composition in early diverging taxa of Asclepiadoideae,and Secamonoideae (Apocynaceae)

The Apocynaceae–Asclepiadoideae are well known for their specialized floral morphologies and pollination systems and many species have distinct floral aromas. However, our knowledge on the chemistry of floral volatiles in this plant family is relatively limited although it has been suspected that floral scent plays a key function for pollinator attraction. This is the third paper in a series of papers reporting on the floral odours of Asclepiadoideae. Floral odours of eleven species from seven genera (Cibirhiza, Fockea, Gymnema, Hoya, Marsdenia, Stephanotis and Telosma) of early diverging taxa of Apocynaceae–Asclepiadoideae, and two species of Secamone (Apocynaceae–Secamonoideae) were collected using headspace sampling and then analyzed via GC–MS. We detected 151 compounds, of which 103 were identified. The vast majority of chemicals identified are common components in flower odour bouquets of angiosperms. However, striking was the high relative amount of acetoin (97.6%) in the flower scent of Cibirhiza albersiana. This compound has rarely been reported as a flower scent component and is more commonly found in fermentation odours. Bray–Curtis similarities and Nonmetric-Multidiminsional Scaling (NMDS) analyses showed that each of the species has a distinct odour pattern. This is mostly due to only twelve compounds which singly or in different combinations dominated the scent of the species: the benzenoids benzyl acetate, benzaldehyde, methyl benzoate, and 2-phenylethyl alcohol; the monoterpenoids (E)-ocimene, (Z)-ocimene, linalool, and eucalyptol; and the aliphatic compounds acetoin, and (E,Z)-2,6-nonadienal. The floral scent compositions are discussed in relation to tribal affiliations and their potential role for pollinator attraction, and are compared with the scent data available from other Asclepiadoideae species.     

海南红树林群系及分子生物技术在其研究中的应用

红树林是生长在热带亚热带海岸潮间带的木本植物群落。海南红树林是中国种类最多,分布和保存面积最大的区域之一,具有极为重要的研究价值。综述了海南红树林在种类、群落组成及红树林资源引种恢复以及分子生物技术等方面的研究,重点综述了分子生物技术在海南红树林植物研究中的应用,包括等位酶的应用、随机扩增多态DNA技术(RAPD)的应用和红树林植物耐盐性研究。     

红树植物叶片总RNA提取方法比较与优化

分别采用三种植物RNA提取试剂盒、改良的CTAB-LiCl法和CTAB-异丙醇法五种方法提取四种红树植物叶片总RNA,并用紫外光谱、琼脂糖凝胶电泳、cDNA合成和real-time PCR等手段对提取效果进行鉴定.反复试验表明:五种方法对白骨壤Aricennia marina叶片总RNA提取均有良好的效果.Tiangen RNA提取试剂能够成功提取秋茄Kandelia candel、桐花树Aegiceras corniculatum、白骨壤的总RNA,提取的木榄Bruguiera gymnorrhiza总RNA浓度低、杂质较多,且稳定性较差,在对该方法改良后则能够成功提取木榄的总RNA.Invitrogen试剂盒对木榄和秋茄叶片均有良好的提取效果,但是对桐花树提取的RNA易受到蛋白的污染.CTAB-LiCl法和CTAB-异丙醇法提取的RNA总产量偏低,提取时间较长,且实时定量结果表明,两种方法反转录效率较试剂盒方法也偏低.     

Floral scent and intrafloral scent differentiation inMoneses andPyrola (Pyrolaceae)

Floral scent was collected by headspace methods from intact flowers, petals, and stamens of four species ofPyrolaceae. The scent samples were analyzed by coupled gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The floral scent inPyrola spp. is differentiated into a characteristic petal scent—phenyl propanoids and a characteristic stamen scent—methoxy benzenes. InMoneses the scent is characterized by isoprenoids and benzenoids, with a larger proportion of benzenoids in the stamens compared to the petals. Specific anther scents may promote foraging efficiency in buzz-pollinated species and enhance flower fidelity. Variation in floral scent composition is consistent with the taxonomic relationships among the genera and species examined.     

Genetic and biochemical basis of scent in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Summary The inheritance and biochemical basis of scent in rice was studied in the F₂ population along with the F₁ and its two parents, scented and non-scented Pokura rice strains. The F₁ plants were found to be nonscented while the F₂ plants seggregated into a 31 ratio (non-scented: scented). In scented F₂ seggregants and in the scented parental strain, a fast moving esterase isozyme, Rf 0.9, is missing whereas it is present in all nonscented F₂ seggregants, F₁s, and in the non-scented parent. This suggests that the absence of a specific esterase isozyme is associated with the scent character in rice.     

Behavior of the groundwater in a riverine-type mangrove forest

The behavior of groundwater and physical properties of bottom sediment in a riverine-type mangrove forest which is composed of a tidal creek and fringing mangrove swamps were investigated through field observations at Iriomote Island, Japan. After the tidal water ebbed from the swamp surface to the creek, groundwater levels at swamp sites near the creek fell by up to 15 cm by the next flood tide, although the fall was negligible at sites far from the creek and at the open coast outside the mangrove forest. The amount of groundwater discharged to the creek from the swamp depended strongly both on the tidal range and the presence of the steep bank which separates the tidal creek from the fringing mangrove swamp. Based on the fall of groundwater level, the bulk hydraulic conductivity of the swamp was estimated to be 1.5×10⁻² cm/s. This value is two to three orders of magnitude larger than that measured in a laboratory using small scale sediment core samples collected in the swamp. These results suggest that the presence of crowded, intricate and large animal burrows as well as sediment layers rich in mangrove humus increases permeability in the mangrove swamp. Further, it is suggested that the mangrove topography with the steep bank of the tidal creek plays an important role which enhances material exchanges through groundwater between the mangrove swamp and the adjacent offshore waters.     

红树林生态系统服务功能研究综述

红树林湿地是热带亚热带地区陆地生态系统向海洋生态系统过渡的重要生态系统,具有重要的生态环境服务功能。由于其特殊的生态功能和较高的经济、社会价值,近年来成为湿地生态学研究的热点。本文对红树林生态系统在生产有机物、维持热带亚热带河口生态系统、降低风速以及海水流速、防治和减轻灾难、截留碎屑形成陆地、保护海堤、吸附污染物净化水体、提供多种生境、维护生物多样性,以及形成优美的环境开展生态旅游等几个方面的生态服务功能进行了综述,旨在为红树林资源的保护与合理利用提供参考。同时指出,对红树林的上述生态服务功能的内在生态学过程与效应及其价值评估尚需要开展更深入的研究。     

Pollinators,floral morphology and scent chemistry in the southern African orchid genus Schizochilus

Floral evolution often involves suites of traits, including morphology, colour and scent, but these traits are seldom analysed together in comparative studies. We investigated the associations between floral traits and pollination systems in Schizochilus, a southern African orchid genus with small nectar-producing flowers that has not been studied previously with respect to pollination biology. Field observations indicated the presence of distinct pollination systems in the four species which occur in the Drakensberg, including pollination by muscid flies in Schizochilus angustifolius, tachinid flies in Schizochilus zeyheri, various small flies in Schizochilus bulbinella and bees and wasps in Schizochilus flexuosus. Pollination success and pollen transfer efficiency clearly differed among the four species but were not correlated with the quantity of nectar rewards. Multivariate analysis of floral morphology and floral scent chemistry based on GC-MS data revealed significant differences among species as well as populations within species. The floral scent of S. angustifolius was dominated by the benzenoid compounds benzaldehyde and phenylacetaldehyde. Samples of one population of S. bulbinella were relatively similar to S. angustifolius but samples of another population were very distinct due to the occurrence of the nitrogen-containing compounds 3-methyl-butyl aldoxime (syn/anti) and the higher amounts of aliphatic esters, alcohols and acids. In contrast, the floral scent of S. flexuosus and S. zeyheri was characterized by high relative amounts of methyl benzoate. We conclude that Schizochilus has distinct, specialized pollination systems associated with subtle but significant variation in floral morphology and scent chemistry. We also caution that sampling of several populations may be required to characterize floral scent composition at the species-level in plants.     

Processes of organic carbon in mangrove ecosystems

In addition to carbon accumulation in plants, processes of organic carbon in mangrove ecosystems include origins of sediment organic carbon, carbon fluxes between mangroves and their adjacent systems (coastal waters and atmosphere), and cycling processes. Sediment organic carbon originates from suspending solids in coastal waters, mangrove plants and benthic algae. In mangroves with low organic carbon content in sediments, tidal seawater is the main origin of sediment organic carbon, while in mangroves with high sediment organic carbon contents, sediment organic carbon mainly originates from mangrove plants. Due to tidal flush, there is large material exchange between mangrove ecosystems and their adjacent coastal waters. In China, exports of organic carbon in litter falls and dissolved organic carbon from mangroves to their adjacent coastal waters have not been documented. Processes of mangrove litter falls, including production, decomposition, export and animal consumption, determine linkages among organic carbon among mangrove plants, secondary production and coastal ocean. Consumers especially benthic animals may influence organic carbon in mangrove ecosystems, because (1) their consumption rates are high, and their selective feeding on some food sources will change the relative quantities of export, bury and mineralization of organic carbon from different origins; (2) their consumption is much more than assimilation, resulting in the changes in sizes, forms and qualities of non-assimilated organic matters, and then the changes in availability of export, consumption or mineralization of organic carbon. Respiration and sulfate reduction are important mineralization processes of organic carbon in mangrove sediments. Mineralization rates of organic carbon in mangrove sediments are influenced by quantities, activities and particle sizes of organic matters, and other factors such as forest ages, root activities and animal burrowing activities. Researches on processes of mangrove organic carbon should be based on open systems, and ecological processes of organic carbon should be coupled with vegetation restoration.     

Processes of organic carbon in mangrove ecosystems

In addition to carbon accumulation in plants, processes of organic carbon in mangrove ecosystems include origins of sediment organic carbon, carbon fluxes between mangroves and their adjacent systems (coastal waters and atmosphere), and cycling processes. Sediment organic carbon originates from suspending solids in coastal waters, mangrove plants and benthic algae. In mangroves with low organic carbon content in sediments, tidal seawater is the main origin of sediment organic carbon, while in mangroves with high sediment organic carbon contents, sediment organic carbon mainly originates from mangrove plants. Due to tidal flush, there is large material exchange between mangrove ecosystems and their adjacent coastal waters. In China, exports of organic carbon in litter falls and dissolved organic carbon from mangroves to their adjacent coastal waters have not been documented. Processes of mangrove litter falls, including production, decomposition, export and animal consumption, determine linkages among organic carbon among mangrove plants, secondary production and coastal ocean. Consumers especially benthic animals may influence organic carbon in mangrove ecosystems, because (1) their consumption rates are high, and their selective feeding on some food sources will change the relative quantities of export, bury and mineralization of organic carbon from different origins; (2) their consumption is much more than assimilation, resulting in the changes in sizes, forms and qualities of non-assimilated organic matters, and then the changes in availability of export, consumption or mineralization of organic carbon. Respiration and sulfate reduction are important mineralization processes of organic carbon in mangrove sediments. Mineralization rates of organic carbon in mangrove sediments are influenced by quantities, activities and particle sizes of organic matters, and other factors such as forest ages, root activities and animal burrowing activities. Researches on processes of mangrove organic carbon should be based on open systems, and ecological processes of organic carbon should be coupled with vegetation restoration.