繁殖保障和延迟自交的研究进展

尽管植物在进化过程中面临不利自花授粉的选择,但许多植物仍维持混合的授粉机制。繁殖保障假说是解释自交进化的最重要因子之一,一直是植物生殖生态学和进化生物学关注的焦点之一。概述了近年来的主要研究热点及其进展,包括自交进化的遗传和生态机制及理论模型探讨、繁殖保障假说的提出、验证自交能否提供繁殖保障的例证、延迟自交的类型及延迟自交能否提供繁殖保障的例证等方面。介绍了我国在繁殖保障和延迟自交方面研究的现状和不足之处,结合国际上研究繁殖保障假说的发展趋势已由单季节、单种群、单因子的研究阶段过渡到多季节、多种群、多因子（自交方式及其所占比例、花粉折损、种子折损、自交率和近交衰退）的综合研究阶段,及由传统的、经典的研究方法过渡到应用现代实验手段（如SSR、SNP等分子标记）和先进仪器设备的研究阶段,提出今后研究中应注意的问题。有必要借用多学科（植物学、生态学和分子生物学）的方法及手段进行不同物种的对比和综合细致的研究。     

天仙子的花部特征及延迟自交机制

通过实验观察和野外控制授粉等方法,对天仙子的自交亲和能力和自交传粉机制进行了研究。结果显示:(1)天仙子的花不完全雌性先熟,开花进程中雄蕊伸长是维持其混合交配系统的重要花部特征。(2)野外控制授粉实验证明天仙子的自交亲和性高,具有主动自交能力,主动自交发生的时间集中在晚花期,与花药和柱头接触的时间吻合。(3)在花粉活力和柱头可授期内,花药与柱头的接触能够发生自花授粉,这种依赖花药与柱头接触发生的自花授粉机制属于典型的延迟自交类型。研究表明,天仙子不仅在花结构上首先选择了适于异交的特征,而且还利用雄蕊伸长成功实现自花授粉,通过异交与延迟自交混合的交配系统为该物种提供了灵活的遗传与繁殖保障。     

湿生扁蕾的抗氧化作用研究

利用DPPH＊自由基法对湿生扁蕾的乙醇提取物及各部分的抗氧化活性进行了测定。结果表明湿生扁蕾的乙醇提取物及各部分均具有一定的抗氧化活性,且正丁醇部分的活性最强,当浓度为0．2mg/mL时,DPPH＊的清除率与10^-4M的维生素E的相当。     

青藏高原不同生境下湿生扁蕾(Gentianopsis paludosa)个体大小依赖的繁殖分配

植物对资源的投资和分配是生态学中的重要问题,它反映了植物应对环境变化时的生活史策略。选择青藏高原东缘同一海拔下的嵩草草甸(Kobresia sp.meadow)、金露梅灌丛(Potentilla fruticosa shrub meadow)以及草甸-灌丛交错带3种生境类型,并以3种生境下的湿生扁蕾(Gentianopsis paludosa)为对象,研究了其繁殖分配特征。结果发现:(1)在种群水平上,在生境从草甸经交错带到灌丛的变化中,湿生扁蕾个体大小和繁殖分配比例逐渐增加;3个种群湿生扁蕾的总花数目没有显著差异,但草甸生境湿生扁蕾的蕾期花数目显著高于灌丛生境,而果期花数目则显著低于灌丛生境;(2)在个体水平上,湿生扁蕾的繁殖绝对投入与个体大小显著正相关,且各种群植株都存在繁殖所需的个体大小阈值,而繁殖阈值在生境从草甸经交错带到灌丛的过渡中逐渐减小;湿生扁蕾的繁殖相对投入与个体大小负相关,但相关系数随着生境从草甸经交错带到灌丛的过渡中逐渐减小;各种群花数目与湿生扁蕾植株个体大小显著正相关。研究表明,湿生扁蕾的繁殖投资存在大小依赖效应,但生境差异会对其繁殖投资和生活史策略造成显著影响,而这种影响主要是由不同生境下自然条件的不同造成的。同时,资源分配也与湿生扁蕾的遗传特性和延迟自交的繁育系统特征有关。湿生扁蕾这种不同生境下个体大小依赖的繁殖投资差异是湿生扁蕾与其生境长期适应和进化(生境选择)的结果。     

细萼扁蕾的化学成分研究

从细萼扁蕾(Gentianopsis barbata var.stennocaryx H.W.Li ex T.N.Ho)全草中分离得到9种化合物,6种(口山)酮成分,1种黄酮甙,2种三萜酸。经化学和光谱方法,分别鉴定为1-羟基-3,7,8-三甲氧基(口山)酮(Ⅰ),1,7-二羟基-3,8-二甲氧基(口山)酮(Ⅱ),1,7,8-三羟基-3-甲氧基(口山)酮(Ⅲ),1-O-[β-D-吡喃木糖-(1→)-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖]-3,7,8-三甲氧基(口山)酮(Ⅳ),1-O-[β-D-吡喃木糖-(1→6)-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖]-7-羟基-3,8-二甲氧基(口山)酮(Ⅴ),1-O-[β-D-吡喃木塘-(1→6)-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖]-7,8-二羟基-3-甲氧基(口山)酮(Ⅵ),木樨草素-7-O-β-D-葡萄糖甙(Ⅶ),齐墩果酸(Ⅷ)和熊果酸(Ⅸ)。     

高山植物全缘叶绿绒蒿在不同海拔地区的传粉生态学研究北大核心CSCD

为了探明高山植物全缘叶绿绒蒿(Meconopsis integrifolia)的繁育系统特点和其对高山气候环境的繁殖适应特征,我们沿海拔梯度选择了5个样地(样地1(4 452 m)、样地2(4 215 m)、样地3(4 081 m)、样地4(3 841 m)、样地5(3 681 m))对其传粉生态学进行了连续2年的观察试验。结果发现,样地1、2的全缘叶绿绒蒿的单花寿命显著长于样地3、4和5。花开放早期柱头高于花药,之后花药不断伸长,并在开放中后期与柱头接触,说明全缘叶绿绒蒿具有不完全雌雄异位的花部特征。自然状态下,柱头可授能力持续期约8天(雌蕊先熟),但花药于开花第5天才散粉,花粉寿命约2天,说明全缘叶绿绒蒿为雌雄异熟,但存在一定的重叠期。人工授粉试验表明,全缘叶绿绒蒿自交部分亲和,且不存在无融合生殖现象。各样地中自然对照的结实率显著低于人工异交处理的结实率,说明自然状态下全缘叶绿绒蒿存在一定程度的传粉限制。传粉昆虫观察发现,样地1和2的传粉昆虫主要是蝇类,样地3、4和5的传粉昆虫主要是蝇类和蓟马(Thripidae spp.),蝇类在不同植株间的活动能够保证异花传粉结实,同时,蝇类和蓟马在花内的活动会引起\"协助自交\"。全缘叶绿绒蒿约65%的观察个体存在\"自动自交\"。蝇类在各样地的访花频率存在显著差异,样地1访花频率最低,样地2访花频率最高。各样地的结实由于异花传粉者的不足而受到传粉限制。两种不同类型的自交机制恰恰为该植物异花传粉者不足提供了一定程度的繁殖补偿。全缘叶绿绒蒿不分泌花蜜,当环境温度降低时,采取为昆虫提供保温庇护场所的方式来吸引传粉者。     

高山植物全缘叶绿绒蒿在不同海拔地区的传粉生态学研究

为了探明高山植物全缘叶绿绒蒿(Meconopsis integrifolia)的繁育系统特点和其对高山气候环境的繁殖适应特征, 我们沿海拔梯度选择了5个样地(样地1 (4452 m)、样地2 (4215 m)、样地3 (4081 m)、样地4 (3841 m)、样地5 (3681 m))对其传粉生态学进行了连续2年的观察试验。结果发现, 样地1、2的全缘叶绿绒蒿的单花寿命显著长于样地3、4和5。花开放早期柱头高于花药, 之后花药不断伸长, 并在开放中后期与柱头接触, 说明全缘叶绿绒蒿具有不完全雌雄异位的花部特征。自然状态下, 柱头可授能力持续期约8天(雌蕊先熟), 但花药于开花第5天才散粉, 花粉寿命约2天, 说明全缘叶绿绒蒿为雌雄异熟, 但存在一定的重叠期。人工授粉试验表明, 全缘叶绿绒蒿自交部分亲和, 且不存在无融合生殖现象。各样地中自然对照的结实率显著低于人工异交处理的结实率, 说明自然状态下全缘叶绿绒蒿存在一定程度的传粉限制。传粉昆虫观察发现, 样地1和2的传粉昆虫主要是蝇类, 样地3、4和5的传粉昆虫主要是蝇类和蓟马(Thripidae spp.), 蝇类在不同植株间的活动能够保证异花传粉结实, 同时, 蝇类和蓟马在花内的活动会引起“协助自交”。全缘叶绿绒蒿约65%的观察个体存在“自动自交”。蝇类在各样地的访花频率存在显著差异, 样地1访花频率最低, 样地2访花频率最高。各样地的结实由于异花传粉者的不足而受到传粉限制。两种不同类型的自交机制恰恰为该植物异花传粉者不足提供了一定程度的繁殖补偿。全缘叶绿绒蒿不分泌花蜜, 当环境温度降低时, 采取为昆虫提供保温庇护场所的方式来吸引传粉者。     

湿生扁蕾总口山酮对NCM460细胞间质转化的影响

该研究探究了湿生扁蕾总口山酮对人结肠上皮细胞(normal colon mucosa cell,NCM460)间质转化的影响。采用2.5 μg/mL脂多糖(LPS)诱导NCM460细胞14天建立间质转化模型,分别以湿生扁蕾总口山酮(GPX)及吡菲尼酮(PFD)进行干预,以免疫荧光(IF)和蛋白免疫印迹技术(WB)以及实时荧光定量转录聚合酶链反应(RT-qPCR)分别检测E-cadherin和Vimentin蛋白和mRNA的表达。结果显示,与正常对照组相比,模型对照组细胞中上皮细胞标志物E-cadherin蛋白和mRNA表达明显下调(P<0.01),间质细胞标志物Vimentin蛋白和mRNA表达明显上调(P<0.01),与模型组相比,E-cadherin的荧光强度与GPX剂量呈正相关,Vimentin荧光强度呈剂量依赖性降低。GPX中、高剂量组E-cadherin蛋白和mRNA表达上调,Vimentin蛋白和mRNA表达下调(P<0.01),以高剂量最为明显。研究表明,湿生扁蕾总口山酮能够有效抑制结肠上皮–间质转化,这为其进一步研究开发提供理论依据。     

山莨菪(茄科)的传粉生物学

茄科的多数种类具有自交不亲和的特点, 主要通过异花传粉结实; 但是, 一些物种或者物种内的部分种群或者个体却高度自交亲合, 转变为自交的繁育系统。该科植物山莨菪(Anisodus tanguticus)主要分布在青藏高原, 开花较早, 比其他晚开花的植物种类更加缺少有效的异花传粉昆虫。我们选择了位于不同海拔高度的2个种群进行比较研究, 主要目的是检验该物种的繁育系统是否在极端环境下由于传粉者的缺乏而发生了部分改变。研究发现,山莨菪的花不完全雌性先熟, 柱头和花药间的平均距离随着花开放时间的延长而不断缩小, 但两者在多数花的单花花期结束时并没有发生接触。因此, 山莨菪花主要表现为适应异花传粉的雌雄异位特征。然而, 少数花 (4.9％)的柱头和花药发生接触, 为“自动自交”的传粉解除了空间隔离。2个种群的多数个体存在自交不亲和机制, 应具有异花传粉的繁育系统; 但是部分个体具有明显的自交亲和能力, 为自交提供了生理基础。高海拔种群的传粉昆虫主要是厕蝇(Fannia sp.), 它们在不同植株间的活动能够保证异花传粉结实; 同时该种群的部分个体存在“自动自交”。低海拔种群的主要访花昆虫是蚂蚁, 它们在花内的活动导致花粉在同一朵花内传递, 而引起“协助自交”; 而异花传粉昆虫厕蝇的访花频率则较高海拔种群低。两个种群的结实均由于异花传粉者不足而受到传粉限制。因此两种不同类型的自交机制为该早期开花植物异花访花昆虫的不足提供了一定程度上的繁殖补偿。     

Pollen limitation,fruit abortion,and autonomous selfing in three populations of the perennial herb Ruellia nudiflora

Multiple factors determine plant reproductive success and their influence may vary spatially. This study addresses several factors influencing female reproductive success in three populations of Ruellia nudiflora, specifically we: (i) determine if fruit set is pollen‐limited and if pollinator visitation rates are related to this condition; (ii) estimate fruit set via autonomous self‐pollination (AS) and relate it to the magnitude of herkogamy; and (iii) evaluate if fruit abortion is a post‐pollination mechanism that determines the magnitude of pollen limitation. At each site we marked 35 plants, grouped as: unmanipulated control (C) plants subjected to open pollination, plants manually cross‐pollinated (MP), and plants excluded from pollinators and only able to self‐pollinate autonomously (AS). Fruit set was greater for MP relative to C plants providing evidence for pollen limitation, while a tendency was observed for lower fruit abortion of MP relative to C plants suggesting that fruit set is influenced not only by pollen delivery per se, but also by subsequent abortion. In addition, although pollinator visits varied significantly among populations, the magnitude of pollen limitation did not, suggesting that pollinator activity was not relevant in determining pollen limitation. Finally, fruit set tended to decrease with the degree of herkogamy for AS plants, but this result was inconclusive. These findings have contributed to identify which factors influence reproductive success in populations of R. nudiflora, with potentially relevant implications for population genetic structure and mating system evolution of this species.     

木棉黄花个体的适应意义

木棉(Bombax ceiba)花大、红色, 多为鸟媒传粉, 但也存在频率极低的黄花个体, 有蜜蜂访花。本文对比研究了海南岛木棉红花、黄花的花部特征及传粉过程, 以解释黄花个体的适应意义。木棉两种花色表型的花蜜组分(葡萄糖和果糖)及挥发性物质(烷烃类、酯类、酚类等)没有显著差异, 但黄花花瓣的反射波长范围均在鸟类与蜜蜂视觉范围内, 可同时吸引鸟和蜜蜂。木棉黄花的雌雄异熟程度较小(花粉活性时期与柱头可受期重叠较大), 可在传粉媒介访花次数有限的情况下同时输出或接受花粉。另一方面, 黄花有着更大程度的柱头探出式雌雄异位, 降低了较小程度雌雄异熟可能导致的自交与雌雄功能干扰。木棉存在明显的花粉限制, 且黄花的坐果率(1.08 ± 0.56)%显著低于红花(3.27 ± 0.93)%。我们推测, 黄花个体可能通过增加木棉访花者类群多样性、降低雌雄异熟程度而提高了木棉的繁殖成功率, 也通过吸引蜜蜂而降低了蜜蜂对红花鸟媒传粉的干扰。     

The best of both worlds? A review of delayed selfing in flowering plants

Premise of Study

In a seminal body of theory, Lloyd showed that the fitness consequences of selfing will depend on its timing in anthesis. Selfing that occurs after opportunities for outcrossing or pollen dispersal can provide reproductive assurance when pollinators are limited and is expected to incur little cost, even when inbreeding depression is high. As a result, delayed selfing is often interpreted as a “best‐of‐both‐worlds” mating system that combines the advantages of selfing and outcrossing.

Methods

We surveyed 65 empirical studies of delayed selfing, recording floral mechanisms and examining information on inbreeding depression, autofertility, and other parameters to test the support for delayed selfing as a best‐of‐both‐worlds strategy.

Key Results

Phylogenetic distribution of the diverse floral mechanisms suggests that some basic floral structures may predispose plant taxa to evolve delayed selfing. Delayed selfing appears to serve as a best‐of‐both‐worlds strategy in some but not all species. While the capacity for autonomous selfing is often high, it is lower, in some cases, than in related species with earlier modes of selfing. In other delayed‐selfers, low inbreeding depression and reduced investment in corollas and pollen suggest limited benefits from outcrossing.

Conclusions

Despite a growing literature on the subject, experimental evidence for delayed selfing is limited and major gaps in knowledge remain, particularly with respect to the stability of delayed selfing and the conditions that may favor transitions between delayed and earlier selfing. Finally, we suggest a potential role of delayed selfing in facilitating transitions from self‐incompatibility to selfing.     

The mechanism of delayed selfing in Collinsia verna (Scrophulariaceae)

Collinsia verna, blue-eyed Mary, has floral attributes of an outcrossing species, yet most flowers readily self-pollinate under greenhouse conditions. Here we describe the mechanism of self-pollination in C. verna via changes in relative positions of the stigma and anthers and late timing of receptivity, resulting in delayed selfing. Each flower contains four anthers that dehisce sequentially over ∼1 wk. Pollen that is not collected by pollinators accumulates in the keel petal and retains high viability (>80% pollen germination) up to the time of corolla abscission. The stigmatic surface does not become receptive until after the third anther dehisces. This overlap in the sexual phases is concurrent with a change in herkogamy during floral development. In most flowers (70%), the stigma has moved to the front of the keel and is positioned near the anthers when the third anther dehisces. Under field conditions, fruiting success of plants within pollinator exclosures was ∼75% of the fruiting success in open-pollinated plants (33% fruiting success via autogamy vs. 44% fruiting success, respectively). Collinsia verna plants in pollinator exclosures exhibit variation in autogamy rates within natural populations (range 0–80%). In addition, only half of naturally pollinated, receptive flowers examined had pollen tubes growing in their styles. In contrast, shortly after corolla abscission, nearly all flowers examined (96%) had pollen tubes in their styles. Thus we find that in C. verna, autogamy occurs late in floral development, which has the potential to provide substantial reproductive assurance, and that individuals vary in their ability to set fruit through this mechanism. We suggest that delayed selfing mechanisms may be overlooked in other species and that variable pollinator availability may play a significant role in the maintenance of mixed mating in species with delayed selfing, such as C. verna.     

Diplostigmaty in plants: a novel mechanism that provides reproductive assurance

Differentiation of female sexual organs in flowering plants is rare and contrasts with the wide range of male reproductive strategies. An unusual example involves diplostigmaty, the possession of spatially and temporally distinct stigmas in Sebaea (Gentianaceae). Here, the single pistil within a flower has an apical stigma, as occurs in most flowering plants, but also a secondary stigma that occurs midway down the style, which is physically discrete and receptive several days after the apical stigma. We examined the function of diplostigmaty in Sebaea aurea, an insect-pollinated species of the Western Cape of South Africa. Floral manipulations and measurements of fertility and mating patterns provided evidence that basal stigmas function to enable autonomous delayed self-pollination, without limiting opportunities for outcrossing and thus avoiding the costs of seed discounting. We suggest that delayed selfing serves as a mechanism of reproductive assurance in populations with low plant density. The possession of dimorphic stigma function provides a novel example of a flexible mixed-mating strategy in plants that is responsive to changing demographic conditions.