The climatology of two succulent plant families: Cactaceae and Crassulaceae

1978 ◽  
Vol 56 (15) ◽  
pp. 1750-1758 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. Teeri ◽  
L. G. Stowe ◽  
D. A. Murawski
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Crassulacean Acid Metabolism ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Soil Moisture Content ◽  
Acid Metabolism ◽  
Strongly Correlated ◽  
Succulent Plant ◽  
Plant Families ◽  
Highly Correlated ◽  
Seasonal Correlation

The relative abundance of native species in both the Cactaceae and Crassulaceae in different regions of North America is highly negatively correlated with the coefficient of humidity, an estimate of soil moisture content. The species of both families are relatively more abundant in dry habitats as estimated by this coefficient and other moisture variables. The two families exhibit different patterns of seasonal correlation with the monthly values of the coefficient of humidity. The Cactaceae are most strongly correlated with winter values and the Crassulaceae with summer values. The preferred habitats of the Cactaceae are characterized by high rates of evaporation, while the preferred habitats of the Crassulaceae are characterized by low amounts of precipitation. The species of the Cactaceae are much more highly correlated (multiple R = 0.977) with the combination of moisture and temperature variables that best predict their relative geographic abundance than are those of the Crassulaceae (multiple R = 0.888) with the combination of variables yielding the best prediction of their abundance. It is suggested that the expression of the crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) phenotype may be of less overall importance to the members of the Crassulaceae of North America than it is to the members of the Cactaceae.

Distribution of crassulacean acid metabolism in orchids of Panama: evidence of selection for weak and strong modes

2005 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 397 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katia Silvera ◽  
Louis S. Santiago ◽  
Klaus Winter
Keyword(s):  
Crassulacean Acid Metabolism ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Acid Metabolism ◽  
Carbon Isotopic Composition ◽  
Bimodal Distribution ◽  
Carbon Isotopic ◽  
Acid Accumulation ◽  
Selection For ◽  
Cam Photosynthesis ◽  
Nocturnal Acid Accumulation

Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) is one of three metabolic pathways found in vascular plants for the assimilation of carbon dioxide. In this study, we investigate the occurrence of CAM photosynthesis in 200 native orchid species from Panama and 14 non-native species by carbon isotopic composition (δ13C) and compare these values with nocturnal acid accumulation measured by titration in 173 species. Foliar δ13C showed a bimodal distribution with the majority of species exhibiting values of approximately –28‰ (typically associated with the C3 pathway), or –15‰ (strong CAM). Although thick leaves were related to δ13C values in the CAM range, some thin-leaved orchids were capable of CAM photosynthesis, as demonstrated by acid titration. We also found species with C3 isotopic values and significant acid accumulation at night. Of 128 species with δ13C more negative than –22‰, 42 species showed nocturnal acid accumulation per unit fresh mass characteristic of weakly expressed CAM. These data suggest that among CAM orchids, there may be preferential selection for species to exhibit strong CAM or weak CAM, rather than intermediate metabolism.

scholarly journals Growth and behaviour of blue mussels, a re-emerging polar resident, follow a strong annual rhythm shaped by the extreme high Arctic light regime

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (10) ◽  
pp. 200889
Author(s):  
Damien Tran ◽  
Hector Andrade ◽  
Guillaume Durier ◽  
Pierre Ciret ◽  
Peter Leopold ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Native Species ◽  
Blue Mussel ◽  
Shell Growth ◽  
High Arctic ◽  
Temperature Cycle ◽  
Polar Regions ◽  
Strongly Correlated ◽  
Chlamys Islandica ◽  
Highly Correlated ◽  
Biodiversity Changes

Polar regions are currently warming at a rate above the global average. One issue of concern is the consequences on biodiversity in relation to the Northward latitudinal shift in distribution of temperate species. In the present study, lasting almost two years, we examined two phenological traits, i.e. the shell growth and behavioural rhythm of a recently re-established species in the high Arctic, the blue mussel Mytilus sp. We compared this with a native species, the Islandic scallop Chlamys islandica . We show marked differences in the examined traits between the two species. In Mytilus sp., a clear annual pattern of shell growth strongly correlated to the valve behaviour rhythmicity, whereas C. islandica exhibited a shell growth pattern with a total absence of annual rhythmicity of behaviour. The shell growth was highly correlated to the photoperiod for the mussels but weaker for the scallops. The water temperature cycle was a very weak parameter to anticipate the phenology traits of both species. This study shows that the new resident in the high Arctic, Mytilus sp., is a highly adaptive species, and therefore a promising bioindicator to study the consequences of biodiversity changes due to global warming.

scholarly journals Characterization of Calcium Oxalate Biominerals in Some (Non-Cactaceae) Succulent Plant Species

2010 ◽  
Vol 65 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 429-432 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paula V. Monje ◽  
Enrique J. Baran
Keyword(s):  
Calcium Oxalate ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Crassulacean Acid Metabolism ◽  
Acid Metabolism ◽  
Calcium Oxalate Monohydrate ◽  
Succulent Plant ◽  
Infrared Spectroscopic ◽  
Succulent Plants

The water-accumulating leaves of crassulacean acid metabolism plants belonging to five different families were investigated for the presence of biominerals by infrared spectroscopic and microscopic analyses. Spectroscopic results revealed that the mineral present in succulent species of Agavaceae, Aizoaceae, and Asphodelaceae was calcium oxalate monohydrate (whewellite, CaC2O4 · H2O). Crystals were predominantly found as raphides or solitary crystals of various morphologies. However, representative Crassulaceae members and a succulent species of Asteraceae did not show the presence of biominerals. Overall, these results suggest no correlation between calcium oxalate generation and crassulacean acid metabolism in succulent plants.

Facultative crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) in four small C3 and C4 leaf-succulents

2017 ◽  
Vol 65 (2) ◽  
pp. 103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Klaus Winter ◽  
Joseph A. M. Holtum
Keyword(s):  
Gas Exchange ◽  
Crassulacean Acid Metabolism ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Acid Metabolism ◽  
Titratable Acidity ◽  
Co2 Uptake ◽  
Drought Treatment ◽  
Whole Plant ◽  
Type Pattern ◽  
Net Co2 Uptake

Measurements of whole-plant gas exchange and titratable acidity demonstrate that the Australian native species Anacampseros australiana J.M.Black (Anacampserotaceae), Crassula sieberiana (Schult. & Schult.f.) Druce (Crassulaceae) and Portulaca australis Endl. (Portulacaceae) and the widespread naturalised tropical exotic, Portulaca pilosa L., exhibit facultative crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM). In well-watered plants, net CO2 uptake was restricted to the daylight hours and occurred via the C3 pathway (A. australiana and C. sieberiana) or the C4 pathway (P. australis and P. pilosa). Leaves of well-watered plants did not accumulate titratable acidity during the night. Following drought treatment, CO2 uptake in the light by shoots decreased markedly, nocturnal gas-exchange shifted from net CO2 loss to a CAM-type pattern that included net CO2 uptake, and leaves acidified at night. Nocturnal CO2 uptake by shoots and leaf acidification were most pronounced in A. australiana and least so in C. sieberiana. The induction of dark CO2 uptake and tissue acidification was fully reversible in all four species: upon rewatering, nocturnal CO2 uptake and acidification ceased and the rates of CO2 incorporation in the light were restored. We suggest that, hitherto considered relatively exceptional globally, facultative CAM may be more common than previously suspected, particularly among the generally small ephemeral leaf-succulents that characterise Australia’s succulent flora.

Historical aspects and net CO2 uptake for cultivated Crassulacean acid metabolism plants in Mexico

2002 ◽  
Vol 140 (2) ◽  
pp. 133-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
PARK S NOBEL ◽  
EULOGIO PIMIENTA-BARRIOS ◽  
JULIA ZANUDO HERNANDEZ ◽  
BLANCA C RAMIREZ-HERNANDEZ
Keyword(s):  
Crassulacean Acid Metabolism ◽  
Acid Metabolism ◽  
Co2 Uptake ◽  
Historical Aspects ◽  
Net Co2 Uptake
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