scholarly journals Dispersal potential of Scaevola crassifolia (Goodeniaceae) is influenced by intraspecific variation in fruit morphology along a latitudinal environmental gradient

2014 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lydia K. Guja ◽  
David J. Merritt ◽  
Kingsley W. Dixon ◽  
Grant Wardell-Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Intraspecific Variation ◽  
Environmental Gradient ◽  
Anatomical Variation ◽  
Fruit Traits ◽  
Fruit Morphology ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Coastal Species ◽  
Dispersal Potential ◽  
Air Pockets ◽  
Morphological And Anatomical Variation

Dispersal of plant propagules by ocean currents can result in long-distance dispersal and is important for the persistence of coastal species. However, the ability of such species to disperse via the ocean is often unknown because there is relatively little evidence that demonstrates that seeds or fruits can float and survive for extended periods in seawater. Furthermore, the seed or fruit traits, and intraspecific variation in these traits, that facilitate buoyancy remain largely unidentified. The genus Scaevola (L.) contains several widespread coastal species that may be capable of oceanic dispersal, such as S. crassifolia (Labill). We collected fruits of S. crassifolia along 700 km of a latitudinal environmental gradient. These fruits were used to determine the influence of fruit morphology and anatomy on fruit buoyancy. Morphological and anatomical variation in S. crassifolia was associated with dispersal potential. Our empirical data demonstrated that fruits with larger aeriferous mesocarp layers have greater buoyancy and, therefore, enhanced capacity for long range oceanic dispersal. Of three characters hypothesised to affect buoyancy (aeriferous mesocarp, air pockets in empty locules, and number of vascular cavities), only the properties of the mesocarp were significant. Intraspecific variation can significantly affect dispersal potential, and should not be overlooked in dispersal ecology.

scholarly journals Diversity of functional traits of fleshy fruits in a species-rich Atlantic rain forest

2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 181-193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mauro Galetti ◽  
Marco Aurélio Pizo ◽  
Leonor Patrícia Cerdeira Morellato
Keyword(s):  
Rain Forest ◽  
Woody Plants ◽  
Atlantic Rain Forest ◽  
Fruit Traits ◽  
Fruit Morphology ◽  
Se Brazil ◽  
Common Strategy ◽  
Tropical Woody Plants ◽  
Plant Families ◽  
Chemical Traits

Production of vertebrate-dispersed fruits is the most common strategy of tropical woody plants to disperse their seeds. Few studies have documented community-wide variation of fruit morphology and chemistry of vertebrate-dispersed fruits in species-rich tropical communities. We examined the functional diversity of fruit morphological and chemical traits of 186 species representing 57 plant families in an undisturbed lowland plant community in the Atlantic rain forest of SE, Brazil. We were particularly interested in associating morphological and chemical fruit traits to their main seed dispersers, either birds, mammals or 'mixed' (i.e. fruits eaten by birds and mammals). The morphological and chemical traits of fruits at the study site generally resemble the patterns observed in fruits worldwide. Bird fruits tend to be smaller than mammal fruits, being colored black or red, whereas mammal fruits are often yellow or green. Mammal fruits are more variable than bird fruits in relation to morphological traits, while the reverse is true for chemical traits. Mixed fruits resemble bird fruits in the patterns of variation of morphological and chemical traits, suggesting that they are primarily bird-dispersed fruits that are also exploited by mammals. Mixed fruits are common in tropical forests, and represent an excellent opportunity to contrast the effectiveness of different functional groups of frugivores dispersing the same plant species.

Evaluation of morphological and anatomical characters for discrimination and verification of some Medicago sativa (L.) Cultivars

2016 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed M. Moawed
Keyword(s):  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
Seed Coat ◽  
Anatomical Variation ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Vascular Bundles ◽  
Surface Patterns ◽  
Anatomical Characters ◽  
Periclinal Walls ◽  
Seed Coat Morphology ◽  
Morphological And Anatomical Variation

<italic>Medicago sativa</italic> L. (alfalfa) is one of the most important legume forages in the world. The objective of this study was to characterize and discriminate among 15 alfalfa cultivars with a different geographical origin. Macro-morphological and anatomical characters as well as seed coat sculpture were investigated. Twenty five morphological characters were extracted directly from the fresh specimens. Transverse section in the main stem were carried out; stained and seventeen anatomical characters were examined by light microscope. Seed coat surface was investigated using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Data obtained were coded and analysed using NTsys-Pc software (Version 2.02) and the resulted dendrogram is discussed. The results showed morphological and anatomical variation between the studied taxa. Vascular bundles ranged from 16 to 23. The Egyptian cultivar Nubaria has the lowest number of vessels (16) while the American Super supreme has the larger number (23). The seed coat ornamentation revealed five main surface patterns and suggests the presence of variations in anticlinal boundaries and periclinal walls that provide stable diagnostic characters for morphologically closely related taxa. The dendrogram showed that the Egyptian cultivar Nubaria was the most distant and clustered separately from all the other alfalfa cultivars which were grouped into two main clusters. Seed coat morphology and combination of other plant morphological and anatomical characters permitted identification and discrimination between the examined cultivars. Results obtained in this work could be considered for further breeding strategies and studies.

scholarly journals Experimental Quantification of Long Distance Dispersal Potential of Aquatic Snails in the Gut of Migratory Birds

PLoS ONE ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. e32292 ◽  
Author(s):  
Casper H. A. van Leeuwen ◽  
Gerard van der Velde ◽  
Bart van Lith ◽  
Marcel Klaassen
Keyword(s):  
Migratory Birds ◽  
Long Distance Dispersal ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Dispersal Potential

scholarly journals A review of inter- and intraspecific variation in the eutherian placenta

2015 ◽  
Vol 370 (1663) ◽  
pp. 20140072 ◽  
Author(s):  
William E. Gundling ◽  
Derek E. Wildman
Keyword(s):  
Intraspecific Variation ◽  
Maternal Nutrition ◽  
Anatomical Variation ◽  
Single Species ◽  
Environmental Stressors ◽  
Fetal Blood ◽  
Key Aspects ◽  
And Function ◽  
Evolutionary Lineages ◽  
Maternal Fetal Interface

The placenta is one of the most morphologically variable mammalian organs. Four major characteristics are typically discussed when comparing the placentas of different eutherian species: placental shape, maternal–fetal interdigitation, intimacy of the maternal–fetal interface and the pattern of maternal–fetal blood flow. Here, we describe the evolution of three of these features as well as other key aspects of eutherian placentation. In addition to interspecific anatomical variation, there is also variation in placental anatomy and function within a single species. Much of this intraspecific variation occurs in response to different environmental conditions such as altitude and poor maternal nutrition. Examinations of variation in the placenta from both intra- and interspecies perspectives elucidate different aspects of placental function and dysfunction at the maternal–fetal interface. Comparisons within species identify candidate mechanisms that are activated in response to environmental stressors ultimately contributing to the aetiology of obstetric syndromes such as pre-eclampsia. Comparisons above the species level identify the evolutionary lineages on which the potential for the development of obstetric syndromes emerged.

scholarly journals Contrasting effects of plant inter- and intraspecific variation on community-level trait measures along an environmental gradient

2013 ◽  
Vol 27 (5) ◽  
pp. 1254-1261 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emilie Kichenin ◽  
David A. Wardle ◽  
Duane A. Peltzer ◽  
Chris W. Morse ◽  
Grégoire T. Freschet
Keyword(s):  
Intraspecific Variation ◽  
Environmental Gradient ◽  
Community Level
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