Plant population dynamics and species turnover on small islands near Karpathos (South Aegean,Greece)

The vascular flora of small offshore islets around Karpathos (Dodecanesos, Greece) has been surveyed and monitored during six consecutive years. The present study focuses on four islets that are inhabited by the islet specialist Silene holzmannii (Caryophyllaceae), a species that has a widely scattered distribution in the Aegean where it exclusively occurs on very small islands. Repeated census of its populations, partly following controlled extirpation, reveals extreme variation in number of individuals. Sowing experiments involving various species demonstrate the low probability of successful new colonizations. Differences in the amount of apparent turnover of species as well as the occurrence of both stable micro-populations and mass-populations are discussed.     

An AFLP clock for the absolute dating of shallow-time evolutionary history based on the intraspecific divergence of southwestern European alpine plant species

The dating of recent events in the history of organisms needs divergence rates based on molecular fingerprint markers. Here, we used amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs) of three distantly related alpine plant species co-occurring in the Spanish Sierra Nevada, the Pyrenees and the southwestern Alps/Massif Central to establish divergence rates. Within each of these species ( Gentiana alpina , Kernera saxatilis and Silene rupestris ), we found that the degree of AFLP divergence ( D _N72) between mountain phylogroups was significantly correlated with their time of divergence (as inferred from palaeoclimatic/palynological data), indicating constant AFLP divergence rates. As these rates did not differ significantly among species, a regression analysis based on the pooled data was utilized to generate a general AFLP rate. The application of this latter rate to AFLP data from other herbaceous plant species ( Minuartia biflora : Schönswetter et al . 2006 ; Nigella degenii : Comes et al . 2008 ) resulted in a plausible timing of the recolonization of the Svalbard Islands and the separation of populations from the Alps and Scandinavia ( Minuartia ), and of island population separation in the Aegean Archipelago ( Nigella ). Furthermore, the AFLP mutation rate obtained in our study is of the same magnitude as AFLP mutation rates published previously. The temporal limits of our AFLP rate, which is based on intraspecific vicariance events at shallow (i.e. late glacial/Early Holocene) time scales, remains to be tested.     

Floral development in the tribe Cedreleae (Meliaceae, sub-family Swietenioideae): Cedrela and Toona

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Floral development of Cedrela and Toona, the genera comprising the basal tribe Cedreleae of the sub-family Swietenioideae of Meliaceae, is described. The focus was on three endangered, ecologically and economically important species: Cedrela fissilis, Cedrela odorata and Toona ciliata. The aims of the study were to characterize the patterns of floral development in the tribe and to establish apomorphic and plesiomorphic floral characters in relation to other taxa within the family based on the current molecular phylogeny of Meliaceae. METHODS: A detailed floral structural and developmental study was completed using both scanning electron microscopy and visualization of microtome sections with a light microscope. KEY RESULTS: Twelve floral developmental stages were identified. The initial development of the pentamerous flowers of both Toona and Cedrela is strikingly similar. The morphological differences observed between them are due to differential patterns of organ elongation and adnation/connation occurring late in development. Additionally, the formation of functionally male and female flowers was found to occur at specific positions within the inflorescence. CONCLUSIONS: Due to the basal position of the tribe Cedreleae in the phylogeny of Meliaceae, functionally either male or female pentamerous flowers and the presence of (at least partially) free stamens may be considered plesiomorphic traits within the family. In contrast, sympetaly and the absence of nectaries in Cedrela species are synapomorphies.     

Historical range expansion determines the phylogenetic diversity introduced during contemporary species invasion

For a species rapidly expanding its geographic range, such as during biological invasion, most alleles in the introduced range will have their evolutionary origins in the native range. Yet, the way in which historical processes occurring over evolutionary time in the native range contribute to the diversity sampled during contemporary invasion is largely unknown. We used chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) gene genealogies and coalescent methods to study two congeneric plants, Silene latifolia and S. vulgaris. We examined how phylogenetic diversity was shaped by demographic growth and historical range expansions in the native European range, and how this history affected the diversity sampled during their recent invasion of North America. Genealogies from both species depart from neutrality, likely as a result of demographic expansion in the ancestral range, the timing of which corresponds to shortly after each species originated. However, the species differ in the spatial distribution of cpDNA lineages across the native range. Silene latifolia shows a highly significant phylogeographic structure that most likely reflects different avenues of the post-glacial expansion into northern Europe from Mediterranean refugia. By contrast, cpDNA lineages in S. vulgaris have been widely scattered across Europe during, or since, the most recent post-glacial expansion. These different evolutionary histories resulted in dramatic differences in how phylogenetic diversity was sampled during invasion of North America. In S. latifolia, relatively few, discrete invasion events from a structured native range resulted in a rather severe genetic bottleneck, but also opportunities for admixture among previously isolated lineages. In S. vulgaris, lack of genetic structure was accompanied by more representative sampling of phylogenetic diversity during invasion, and reduced potential for admixture. Our results provide clear insights into how historical processes may feed forward to influence the phylogenetic diversity of species invading new geographic ranges.     

Distribution of cadmium in leaves of cadmium tolerant and sensitive ecotypes of Silene vulgaris

It has been postulated that vacuolar compartmentation might play an important role in naturally selected cadmium tolerance in Silene vulgaris (Moench.) Garcke (Bladder campion). Additionally, a tendency of heavy metals to accumulate in the epidermis has been reported. Since these factors would affect the distribution of cadmium in leaves, we determined the distribution of cadmium in leaves of cadmium tolerant and sensitive ecotypes of Silene vulgaris at different levels of exposure and at different time intervals. Cadmium concentrations were higher in leaves of sensitive plants than in those of cadmium tolerant ones after identical exposure to cadmium for a period of 8 days. The highest cadmium concentrations were found in the lower epidermis of plants of both ecotypes. The amount of cadmium located at the lower epidermis was highest for sensitive plants, although the stomatal density was lower in the sensitive ecotype than in the tolerant one. A possible explanation for this phenomenon is the weak relationship between transpiration (water flow) and element allocation. Our results support the hypothesis that vacuolar storage of cadmium plays an important role in the mechanism of cadmium tolerance in Silene vulgaris .     

毛红椿天然种群有性繁殖适合度及其繁殖更新

以九连山国家自然保护区毛红椿4个天然种群为研究对象,于2006—2016年调查毛红椿有性繁殖和自然更新的情况,分析其繁殖适合度系数和个体水平适合度.结果表明:九连山毛红椿各地理种群结实单株的初始数量较少(3~9株),经70余年的繁衍发育,现存结实单株的数量仅2~10株,且来源于原始单株或子1~2代.不同种群间有性繁殖差异显著,但结实能力呈逐年下降的趋势;随群落发育成熟,土壤种子库保存与种子萌发的失利,导致能正常生长发育成熟的林木数量近乎为0.毛红椿最佳性成熟年龄为40年,早期优势明显,适合度系数早期快速增长,为2.0~2.8,但急剧减少至0.3~0.5,之后较平稳减速至近乎于0;种群间个体有性繁殖适合度(0~14株·cm2)存在较显著差异,但均较低,甚至低至0;以现有繁殖率计算,有性繁殖与更新的适合度实测值均远低于预估值.总之,受有性繁殖遗传适合度低的影响,不同种群间有性繁殖与更新能力趋同衰退;个体有性繁殖适合度进一步降低且面临更高的投资风险,现有繁殖体系因此失衡并趋于恶化.建议开展繁殖交配、授粉结实及遗传多样性评价研究,同时人为干预林分环境,于结实期清理林地枯落物,在幼苗至幼树生长过渡期适当疏伐.     

Characterization of microsatellite loci in Lychnis flos‐cuculi (Caryophyllaceae)

We cloned microsatellite repeats from ragged robin Lychnis flos‐cuculi (Caryophyllaceae) and developed 20 primer pairs for microsatellite marker analysis. We used 18 individuals of a large Swiss population to screen microsatellites. Seven loci were polymorphic. Between seven and 11 alleles were found per locus and the observed heterozygosity was between 0.308 and 0.813. Observed heterozygote deficits were significant in five of the seven loci, in line with the mixed mating system of L. flos‐cuculi.     

Evolutionary dynamics of mitochondrial plasmids in natural populations of Silene vulgaris

Although plasmid-like mitochondrial DNA molecules have been investigated in a number of cultivated plant species, knowledge about their occurrence and behavior in natural plant populations is scarce. In the bladder campion, Silene vulgaris, a common weed of northern Europe, mt-plasmids of three different sizes were detected in a survey of S. vulgaris populations in southern Sweden. Two of the three plasmids usually occurred together within individual plants and showed large variation in frequency between populations. From F(ST)-estimates of plasmids, mitochondrial markers, and nuclear markers it was concluded that the plasmids are predominantly maternally inherited in their natural habitat, as observed in greenhouse experiments. The association between mt-plasmids and mitochondrial haplotype was strong, but not complete, in the natural material. These results indicate that the mt-plasmids of S. vulgaris have evolved toward almost strict maternal inheritance.     

Influence of the Ca/Mg ratio on Cu resistance in three Silene armeria ecotypes adapted to calcareous soil or to different, Ni- or Cu-enriched, serpentine sites

This hydroponic study addresses the influence of low (0.3) and high (4.0) Ca/Mg molar ratios on Cu resistance of Silene armeria ecotypes from different habitats: a calcareous soil (ecotype Cadriano), a Ni-rich serpentine site (ecotype Prinzera), and an acid Cu-mine spoil soil containing serpentinite (ecotype Vigonzano). Under control conditions, without excess Cu, only Cadriano was negatively affected by the low Ca/Mg ratio. Under both low and high Ca/Mg ratios Cu resistance followed the order Vigonzano > Prinzera > Cadriano. More efficient Cu exclusion accounted for enhanced Cu resistance in Prinzera. The low Ca/Mg ratio increased Cu uptake in Prinzera but did not worsen toxicity effects; i.e. the plants had higher internal Cu effect concentrations. In Vigonzano Cu resistance was enhanced by the low Ca/Mg ratio. This was due only in part to better Cu exclusion. Magnesium-induced tolerance to higher Cu tissue concentrations appears to be in ecotypes from serpentine and acid mine spoils, but not in plants from calcareous soil, the exposure to low Ca/Mg ratio favours internal detoxification of Cu by means of more efficient chelation and compartmentation.     

Nursery pollination by a moth in Silene latifolia: the role of odours in eliciting antennal and behavioural responses

Since the 1970s it has been known that the nursery pollinator Hadena bicruris is attracted to the flowers of its most important host plant, Silene latifolia, by their scent. Here we identified important compounds for attraction of this noctuid moth. Gas chromatographic and electroantennographic methods were used to detect compounds eliciting signals in the antennae of the moth. Electrophysiologically active compounds were tested in wind-tunnel bioassays to foraging na?ve moths, and the attractivity of these compounds was compared with that to the natural scent of whole S. latifolia flowers. The antennae of moths detected substances of several classes. Phenylacetaldehyde elicited the strongest signals in the antennae, but lilac aldehydes were the most attractive compounds in wind-tunnel bioassays and attracted 90% of the moths tested, as did the scent of single flowers. Our results show that the most common and abundant floral scent compounds in S. latifolia, lilac aldehydes, attracted most of the moths tested, indicating a specific adaptation of H. bicruris to its host plant.