A developmental study of the phylloclades of Ruscus aculeatus L.

Lateral phylloclades of Ruscus aculeatus are found in the axils of reduced scale leaves on the orthotropic, photosynthetic stem. The terminal phylloclade results from the elongation and flattening of the main shoot apex after the lateral appendages have been initiated. Studies of the development of both lateral and terminal phylloclades point to their cauline nature. The hypothesis that the phylloclade results from the congenital fusion of a reduced short shoot and its prophyll is not supported.     

Localization of calcium on the stigma surface of Ruscus aculeatus L.

By use of chlorotetracycline and X-ray microanalysis it is demonstrated that the receptive surface of the stigma of Ruscus aculeatus is rich in calcium. The high level of calcium is found in the epidermal cells and in the exudate covering the stigma. These results indicate that in vivo, as in vitro, calcium takes part in the regulation of pollen grain germination.Abbreviations CTC chlorotetracycline - EGTA ethylene glycol-bis (-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N,N-tetraacetic acid     

In vitro regeneration of Ruscus hypophyllum L. plants

Callus cultures were established from stem explants of Ruscus hypophyllum on a modified basal medium of Murashige and Skoog (1962) supplemented with 1 mg l^-1 2,4-D+0.1 mg l^-1 BAP. The optimal 2,4-D concentration for promoting shoot bud formation and growth was 0.05 mg l^-1 along with 0.5 mg l^-1 BAP. Sixty percent of rootless shoots produced flowers on the regenerating medium. Rooting was induced when shoots were transferred to half strength MS inorganic salts supplemented with 2 mg l^-1 IBA. Eighty percent of plants transferred to soil have survived.     

Calcium uptake from the stigma by germinating pollen in Primula officinalis L. and Ruscus aculeatus L.

Summary The flow of calcium ions from the stigma to germinating pollen was studied by autoradiography in Primula officinalis (dry stigma) and Ruscus aculeatus (wet stigma). ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ ions were observed to be taken up by the pistils from an agar medium and then transported intracellularly to both the stigmal cells and the stigmal exudate. The ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ present in the stigma was taken up by the germinating pollen grains.     

Pollination systems in the Asclepiadaceae: a survey and preliminary analysis

Using published and unpublished records of pollination in the dicot family Asclepiadaceae (the 'milkweeds') we offer a preliminary analysis of present-day pollination systems in the family. Variation in principal pollinators is apparent at and below the tribal level. The tribes Marsdenieae and Stapelieae and Asclepiadeae subtribe Gonolobineae are primarily Diptera-pollinated, a tentative conclusion also for the tribe Periploceae, and we emphasize the ubiquity and importance of fly pollination in the family. The rest of the tribe Asclepiadeae is pollinated in the main by Hymenoptera and Lepidoptera. Lack of data makes it impossible to draw even initial conclusions for the remaining tribes, Secamoneae and Fockeeae. Within the Asclepiadeae, there has been a trend towards more diverse pollination systems (incorporating butterflies and wasps) in the New World compared to the Old World. In terms of the taxonomic breadth of pollinators of individual species, Stapelieae is the most specialized tribe. We emphasize that this is only a preliminary account of pollination in the Asclepiadaceae, and detail areas where further work is urgently required.     

Phenology of a dioecious population of Batrachospermum delicatulum (Batrachospermales, Rhodophyta) in a stream from southeastern Brazil

The seasonal dynamics of a dioecious population of Batrachospermum delicatulum (Skuja) Necchi and Entwisle was evaluated biweekly during the growth period of the macroscopic gametophyte, from late autumn (May) to early spring (October) in a third-order stream from the northeast region of Sao Paulo State, southeastern Brazil (20?43'S, 49?13'W). The population fluctuated throughout the study period in terms of percentage cover, frequency and chlorophyll content. Percent cover and frequency showed a clear pattern with the lowest values at the initial and final stages of the growth period and the highest in July-August (winter). Gametophyte growth was associated with high illumination and low temperature, which agrees with most observations on Batrachospermales in stream environments. Relatively wide variations in reproductive characteristics were observed during the growth period, which were not correlated with percentage cover, frequency and chlorophyll content. The phenologic pattern observed in this population was characterized by a synchronic development of female/male plant ratio with the number of spermatangia per plant resulting in: (i) a higher proportion of fertilized (carpo-sporophytic) plants associated with more male plants; (ii) higher fertilization rates during the periods with higher production of spermatangia per plant; and (iii) higher production of spermatangia per plant when the population had more male plants. These characteristics were largely associated with water temperature and ion content. In terms of reproductive success, the population studied can be regarded as highly efficient, considering the relatively low proportion of male to female plants and high fertilization rates. These data are consistent with a hypothesis to explain high fertilization rates in dioecious species in lotic habitats consisting of outcrossing among adjacent plants with intermingled male and female branches within an algal cluster. Efficient reproductive strategies have been reported in dioecious, monoecious and even mixed populations of B. delicatulum and can be interpreted as adaptations to successfully colonize streams with different characteristics.     

桂林唇柱苣苔传粉生物学及生殖配置研究

对桂林唇柱苣苔在不同生境下（YZ居群,半野生,林下裸露岩石上;DB居群,洞穴岩石上）的生殖生态学进行了比较研究。结果表明：（1）桂林唇柱苣苔的花期为2月下旬至4月中旬,受环境因素的影响,单花期在DB居群（16~24 d）明显长于YZ居群（10~17 d）;（2）两个居群的P/O比差异显著,花粉量比胚珠量有更明显的变化,这可能与其生境有关;（3）桂林唇柱苣苔属于兼性异交系统,不存在无融合生殖现象;(4)传粉和种子后熟阶段均存在限制,致使各种处理的结实率均处在较低的水平（<45％）;（5）白颊尤垫蜂与小蜂类(DB居群)或蜜蜂(YZ居群)为桂林唇柱苣苔较为稳定的传粉者;（6）桂林唇柱苣苔植株个体越大,花期繁殖投入就越高,繁殖分配越低;（7）与DB居群相比,YZ居群可利用资源较为丰富、植株生物量较大,因此其花期投入繁殖也较高,而DB居群将更多的资源分配给营养器官,从而提高了对资源获取能力。     

光果甘草与乌拉尔甘草开花与传粉方式对生殖及种间关系的影响

通过对光果甘草和乌拉尔甘草花期物候和访花昆虫行为的观察及人工授粉实验,探讨开花模式及传粉方式对生殖成功及种间关系的影响。结果表明:(1)两种甘草的种群水平花期重叠时间长达21d,均表现出"集中大量开花"模式,但乌拉尔甘草呈现分批渐次开花趋势,这对提高生殖成功率,避免近交衰退,维持物种的稳定具有重要意义。(2)两种甘草的访花昆虫在种类和数量上有所不同,但具有共同传粉者——宽板尖腹蜂、意大利蜂和紫木蜂。(3)以乌拉尔甘草为母本、光果甘草为父本的种间杂交结实率为48.3%;以光果甘草为母本、乌拉尔甘草为父本的种间杂交结实率为39.4%,说明种间杂交亲和,不存在生殖障碍。研究认为,花期重叠、共有传粉昆虫及种间杂交亲和使光果甘草与乌拉尔甘草自然种群杂交种的形成成为可能。     

Ecological genetics of vernalization response in Bromus tectorum L. (Poaceae)

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Bromus tectorum (cheatgrass or downy brome) is an exotic annual grass that is dominant over large areas of former shrubland in western North America. To flower in time for seed production in early summer, B. tectorum plants generally require vernalization at winter temperatures, either as imbibed seeds or as established seedlings. METHODS: Variation in response to increasing periods of vernalization as seeds or seedlings for progeny of ten full-sib families from each of four B. tectorum populations from contrasting habitats was studied. KEY RESULTS: As vernalization was increased from 0 to 10 weeks, the proportion of plants flowering within 20 weeks increased, weeks to initiation of flowering decreased, and seed yield per plant increased, regardless of whether plants were vernalized as seeds or seedlings. Most of the variation was accounted for by differences among populations. Plants of the warm desert population flowered promptly even without vernalization, while those of the cold desert, foothill and montane populations showed incremental changes in response variables as a function of vernalization period. Populations differed in among-family variance, with the warm desert population generally showing the least variance and the cold desert population the most. Variation among populations and among families within populations decreased as vernalization period increased, whereas the non-genetic component of variance showed no such pattern. CONCLUSIONS: Variation in vernalization response was found to be adaptively significant and apparently represents the result of contrasting selection regimes on a range of founder genotypes.     

黑河流域中游罗布麻传粉生态学特性研究

对黑河流域中游罗布麻的开花动态、花粉活力、柱头可授性、访花昆虫种类、访花频率、花粉与胚珠比(P/O)、杂交指数(OCI)及自然条件下的座果率进行观测,结果显示:罗布麻的单花花期为4～6 d,群体花期为6～8月,花朵开裂3.5 h后,花粉活力达到最大,4 d后花粉活力下降为0,柱头可授性在开花后第2天达到最大,柱头可授性可持续4 d.访花昆虫有10余种,以膜翅目昆虫为主,姬蜂、卡切叶蜂、达戈切叶蜂、意大利蜂、黑带食蚜蝇、菜粉蝶、蚜虫为主要传粉昆虫,花粉与胚珠比(P/O)为36.2,OCI为2,实验组和对照组的座果率分别为(2.79±0.99)%和(3.41±1.05)%.实验结果表明,罗布麻为兼性自交的繁育系统,座果率偏低,虫媒在传粉过程中只是起到一定辅助作用.     

Phenology and Pollination Ecology of Three Brazilian Fig Species (Moraceae)

The phenology and pollination ecology of three native fig species were studied in southeastern Brazil. Populations displayed continual syconia production, with one species showing intra-tree flowering asynchrony. Pollination of the fig flowers was necessary for the development of the syconia; lack of pollination induced abortion of syconia. All three species follow the general pattern of pollination known for figs, but the behavior of the pollinator wasps, Pegoscapus spp., differed in some aspects from those of other neotropical and paleotropical fig wasps, mainly with respect to pollen loading and unloading during pollination. The longevity of Pegoscapus wasps outside the syconium was about two days.     

Widespread functional android in Mercurialis annua L. (Euphorbiaceae)

The widespread coexistence of male and monoecious (cosexual) plants in Spanish, Portuguese and Moroccan populations of Mercurialis annua , an annual wind-pollinated ruderal, represents an important case of functional androdioecy, a rare breeding system in plants and animals. In M. annua , both males and cosexes disperse fully competent pollen. Quantitative gender varies discontinuously between males and cosexes, with males producing a mean of 6.09 times as much pollen as cosexes. It appears that gender is determined by a simple developmental switch, with male and cosexual inflorescences differing markedly in morphology: staminate flowers are borne on erect peduncles in males and in tight spiral clusters around a subsessile pistillate flower in cosexes. Males do not differ from cosexes in their biomass, but they are significantly taller, principally as a result of their greater internode lengths. The cosexual inflorescence is strongly protogynous so that outcrossing is favoured in dense stands, but seed-set is assured in cosexes isolated from prospective mates because of their ability to self-fertilize. Males typically occur at frequencies of less than about 30% in androdioecious populations, in accordance with theoretical predictions for functional androdioecy. In the genus Mercurialis , dioecy is the ancestral condition and monoecy and androdioecy, which occur in polyploid populations of M. annua , are derived. I argue here that androdioecy is most likely to evolve in plants (1) from dioecy, (2) in wind-pollinated species, and (3) in species with a colonizing habit. These predictions are also consistent with the limited published data available for other species.     

Microsporogenesis and microgametogenesis of Excentrodendron hsienmu (Malvaceae s.l.) and their systematic implications

Flowers, microsporogenesis and microgametogenesis of Excentrodendron hsienmu in opening-functional flowers and non-opening flowers were studied to investigate the evolutionary relationships of Excentrodendron . E. hsienmu is a dioecious species that blossoms every 3–4 years, although large numbers of flower buds develop every year. The anther is tetrasporangiate, the tapetum is of the secretory type, the microspore tetrads are mainly tetrahedral, and the pollen grains are two-celled when shed. Four to six microsporocytes are seen on the transverse section of the anthers, and cytokinesis is simultaneous. The development of the anther wall conforms to the basic type and the anther wall is five or six cells thick, with a fibrous endothecium. The difference between the opening-functional and the non-opening flowers is mainly in the thickness of the anther wall. Early megasporogenesis in staminate flowers up to megaspore mother cell or megaspore tetrads has been observed. Excentrodendron shares with Dombeyeae only plesiomorphic features, but differs in anther wall development type and thickness. Most features of Excentrodendron are shared with Pterospermum , including such synapomorphic features as basic type of anther wall development, five- to six-cell-thick anther wall, biseriate tapetum at some places, and degeneration of microsporocytes, suggesting placement near Pterospermum .   © 2006 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2006, 150 , 447–457.     

短命植物角茴香的开花物候与生殖特征

为了研究角茴香的开花物候特征及其对生殖成功的影响,于2015年对其自然种群各水平的开花物候指数、开花过程中的花部特征变化和结实特性进行了观察和统计。结果表明：（1）角茴香种群花期为4月下旬至5月下旬,种群水平的花期持续时间为36 d。（2）单花具有独特的花瓣结构,其内层花瓣由白色的侧裂片和黄色的兜状中裂片构成,中裂片是角茴香植物花粉二次呈现的关键功能器官;开花进程依其外层花瓣开裂大小可分为4个阶段,即外层花瓣顶端未张口、外层花瓣顶端张口5~7 mm、外层花瓣顶端张口12~14 mm和外层花瓣顶端张口3~5 mm。（3）花序水平的开花振幅曲线呈渐进式单峰曲线,开花同步指数为0.748,个体水平表现出较高的相对开花强度,其分布频度的偏斜率为0.45,主要频度范围分别集中在20%~30%和50%~70%之间。（4）花序水平的始花日期与花期持续时间存在显著负相关关系,开花数与座果数存在显著正相关关系。（5）自然状态下,角茴香结实率和结籽率分别是82.7%±0.1%和93.6%±0.8%。角茴香开花强度分布频度上出现的高、低强度的分异趋势是吸引传粉者、促进结实的有效生殖对策。     

Sex determination and differentiation in Asparagus officinalis L.

The paper summarizes the coordinated researches conducted by three Italian groups in the area of sex determination and differentiation in the dioecious species Asparagus officinalis. Morphological evidence indicates that sex differentiation in Asparagus consists essentially of selective abortion of gynoecium or androecium of initially hermaphroditic floral primordia occurring in genotypically determined male and female individuals. Abortion occurs in pollen-mother cells and anthers in females and in megaspore-mother cells but not in the vegetative tissues of the ovary in males. The differential developmental pathway is accompanied by changes in relative abundance of auxin and cytokinins. The genetic ssytem controlling abortion of male or female organs is apparently monogenic (possibly a bipartite gene) with factor(s) associated with the homomorphic chromosome pair L5. Other genes influence the development of reproductive structures as indicated by the presence of genetic factors controlling stylar growth in male plants. The presence of extensive polymorphism in isoenzyme and DNA restriction fragment length patterns (RFLP) allows the search for markers associated with ‘sex genes’: a locus encoding a malic dehydrogenase (MDH) isoenzyme has been found about 20 cM from sex genes implying that chromosomes in which sex factors are located could pair and recombine. Searches for messages specifically expressed in reproductive structures were conducted by 2D-electrophoresis of existing and newly synthesized polypeptides or of in vitro translation products of poly(A) ⁺RNA from male and female flowers and by isolating specific monoclonal antibodies against sex specific floral antigens.     

Genecological notes on Allium schoenoprasum L.

Summary

Ajuga pyramidalis is a polycarpic, perennial herb which is variable in flowering and population size. It has been recorded from over 200 sites in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, one in the Lake District and in twelve coastal sites in Ireland. It grows mainly on circum-neutral soils (pH 4.9–6.9) in open grassland and heathland, and upland rock ledges. It does not appear to be under any particular threat in Britain.     

冬季水淹对秋华柳的开花物候及繁殖分配的影响

开花物候及繁殖分配是植物适应环境的重要因素,为了解长期冬季水淹对三峡库区耐淹物种秋华柳(Salix variegata Franch.)繁殖的影响,研究了长期冬季水淹条件下秋华柳的开花物候和繁殖分配情况。实验在2006年11月份设置了如下处理:对照,完全水淹(植株置于水中,顶部距水面2m)30,60,90,120d和150d。结果表明:(1)对照及各水淹处理的秋华柳花期都较长,在7-11月份持续开花,个体开花进程(开花振幅曲线)呈单峰曲线。(2)冬季水淹对秋华柳群体及个体的开花物候有显著影响。水淹时间越长,始花期越晚,花期持续时间越短(P0.05)。(3)长期冬季水淹下,秋华柳显著降低了繁殖分配比例和全株生物量及单株花序数(P0.05)。(4)开花物候指数与繁殖分配的相关分析表明:始花时间越晚的个体,花期持续时间越短。花期持续时间越短的个体花序数越少,致使繁殖分配越小。总的来说,冬季水淹下,秋华柳通过推迟开花日期、缩短花期持续时间使繁殖分配比例降低,将更多的资源分配到生存力上,是秋华柳对长期冬季水淹的一种适应。同时,在长期冬季水淹后,秋华柳仍保持一定的开花繁殖能力,是其在应用于三峡水库消落区植被构建后产生后代延续种群的前提条件。     

Pollination strategies in Cretan Arum lilies

Flowers of the genus Arum are known to attract dung‐breeding flies and beetles through olfactory deceit. In addition to this strategy, the genus has evolved several other pollination mechanisms. The present study aimed to characterize the pollination strategies of the Cretan Arum species by investigating the flowering phenology, thermogeny, inflorescence odours, and the pollinating fauna. The results obtained show that Arum cyrenaicum and Arum concinnatum emit a strong dung smell and exhibit the distinctive features associated with this pollination syndrome. Both species are highly thermogenic, have a similar odour profile and attract small‐bodied Diptera. Although sharing the same habitat, these two plant species are never found growing sympatrically as a result of the early blooming period of A. cyrenaicum. By contrast, Arum creticum and Arum idaeum have evolved a more traditional and mutually beneficial pollination mechanism. The stinking smell has been replaced by a more flower‐like odour that attracts bees (Lasioglossum sp.) and, occasionally, bugs (Dionconotus cruentatus). Although attracting the same pollinator, the main compound present in the odour of A. creticum is different from that of A. idaeum. Principal component analysis (PCA), based on physiologically active components of the flower odours determined by testing on the antenna of the Lasioglossum bee, revealed two different clusters, indicating that pollinators can potentially discriminate between the odours of the two species. A further PCA on the main floral odour volatiles as identified by gas chroatography‐mass spectroscopy from all the Arum species under investigation displayed odour‐based similarities and differences among the species. The PCA‐gas chomotography‐electroantennographic detection active peaks analysis showed that the two species, A. creticum and A. idaeum, form two groups and are clearly separated from A. cyrenaicum and A. concinnatum, which, conversely, cluster together. The evolutionary forces and selective pressures leading to diversification of pollination mechanisms in the Cretan Arum spp. are discussed. © 2010 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2010, 101 , 991–1001.     

Variation in female life-history traits among Alaskan populations of the threespine stickleback, Gasterosteus aculeatus L. (Pisces: Gasterosteidae)

Life-history characteristics of female threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) were examined in 12 populations, 11 freshwater and one anadromous, within the Cook Inlet region of Alaska. Because this area has been deglaciated during the last 20 000 years, the freshwater populations are recently derived, probably independendy, from the local marine or anadromous stickleback. Freshwater threespine stickleback have undergone considerable morphological evolution within this region, apparently in response to environmental factors including predatory regimes and environmental productivity. Our freshwater study populations were selected to sample this range of morphological variation in order to determine whether life-history traits and morphologies have followed similar evolutionary trajectories. Freshwater populations could be categorized generally into one of three ecomorphotypes: those inhabiting relatively productive lakes having one or more piscivorous fishes present, and in which the stickleback exhibit a fully developed pelvic girdle; those inhabiting low-calcium lakes that lack piscivorous fishes, and in which the pelvic structures are incomplete; those living in streams with piscivorous fishes, in which the stickleback have fully developed pelvic girdles. The anadromous population constituted a fourth ecomorphotype that lives in marine waters, and is robusdy armored. The freshwater populations showed considerable variation in all life-history traits assessed, and this variation generally corresponded to our ecomorphological classifications. Nevertheless, within each ecomorphotype there was sufficient variation to suggest that morphological and life-history traits may not always respond in the same manner in response to the same selective regime.     

Influence of temperature and rainfall on fruit and seed production of Arbutus unedo L.

Correlations were found between certain climatic parameters and fresh weight, dry weight and seed number of the fruit of Arbutus unedo L. In five stations in central Italy. Temperature and rainfall were found to affect fruit production. For the parameters fresh weight and number of seeds, the first months of development were important and fresh weight was also influenced by rainfall in the last monthS. Dry weight did not show statistically significant correlation with any one of the considered parameterS. However, the pattern of temperature and rainfall over the 12-month period of fruit ripening determined the characteristics of the fruit.