scholarly journals Rotating Arrays of Orchid Flowers: A Simple and Effective Method for Studying Pollination in Food Deceptive Plants

Diversity ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 286 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Scaccabarozzi ◽  
Andrea Galimberti ◽  
Kingsley W. Dixon ◽  
Salvatore Cozzolino
Keyword(s):  
Field Observations ◽  
Pollination Success ◽  
Visitation Rates ◽  
Visitation Frequency ◽  
Pollination Mechanisms ◽  
Behavioural Patterns ◽  
Insect Visitation ◽  
Southwest Australia ◽  
First Time ◽  
Effective Pollinators

Floral deception has been observed in several genera in angiosperms, but is most common in the Orchidaceae. Pollination mechanisms in food deceptive plants are often difficult to assess, as visitation frequency by insects requires numerous hours of field observations to ascertain. Here, for the first time, we describe in detail and validate a simple and effective method that extends previous approaches to increase the effectiveness of pollination studies of food deceptive orchids. We used an orchid of southwest Australia, Diuris brumalis (Orchidaceae), that visually mimics model plants belonging to the genus Daviesia (Faboideae). Arrays of orchid flowers were placed and moved systematically in proximity to model plants, resulting in rapid attraction of the pollinators of D. brumalis. We compared pollinaria removal (as an indicator of pollination success) in naturally growing orchids with pollinaria removal in arrays of orchid flowers in the same sites. We showed that the proposed method greatly enhances pollinator attractiveness in food deceptive systems with very low pollination rates, and we compared its efficiency with other similar methods. The approach can be used for observing pollinator behavioural patterns and confirming effective pollinators for food deceptive species with low insect visitation rates.

scholarly journals Mass bleaching of soft coral, Sarcophyton spp. in Thailand and the role of temperature and salinity stress

2009 ◽  
Vol 66 (7) ◽  
pp. 1515-1519 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suchana Chavanich ◽  
Voranop Viyakarn ◽  
Thepsuda Loyjiw ◽  
Priyapat Pattaratamrong ◽  
Anchalee Chankong
Keyword(s):  
Salinity Stress ◽  
Soft Coral ◽  
Elevated Temperatures ◽  
Gulf Of Thailand ◽  
Field Observations ◽  
Experimental Trial ◽  
First Time ◽  
Upper Gulf Of Thailand ◽  
Mass Bleaching

Abstract Chavanich, S., Viyakarn, V., Loyjiw, T., Pattaratamrong, P., and Chankong, A. 2009. Mass bleaching of soft coral, Sarcophyton spp. in Thailand and the role of temperature and salinity stress. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 66: 1515–1519. From June to October 2006 and 2007, mass bleaching of the soft coral, Sarcophyton spp., occurred for the first time in the upper Gulf of Thailand. Approximately 90% of the populations experienced extensive bleaching, and almost 95% of colonies were affected. Field observations also revealed that fragmentation of Sarcophyton spp. set in 1 month after the onset of bleaching. Some colonies started to recover to some extent by the end of July, with 95% of the population of Sarcophyton spp. recovering by October. Both acute and chronic trials were conducted to determine whether temperature and/or salinity triggered bleaching. In the acute tests, Sarcophyton spp. at 40°C and salinity 20 psu were completely bleached, and death occurred after 57 and 204 h, respectively. However, the colonies at 40 psu could survive through the experimental trial. In the chronic tests, Sarcophyton spp. died when exposed to 34°C, whereas complete bleaching and mortality of Sarcophyton spp. occurred at salinities of 10 and 49 psu. We conclude that elevated temperatures had a greater effect on the bleaching of Sarcophyton spp. than did salinity.

scholarly journals Softening and instability of natural slopes in highly fissured plastic clay shales

2006 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 529-539 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Picarelli ◽  
G. Urciuoli ◽  
A. Mandolini ◽  
M. Ramondini
Keyword(s):  
Laboratory Data ◽  
Field Observations ◽  
Plastic Clay ◽  
Clay Shales ◽  
Italian Apennines ◽  
First Time ◽  
Natural Slopes

Abstract. Softening is often considered to be the main cause of first-time slides in OC clay, but so far the mechanics of softening has not been satisfactorily explained. Bearing on laboratory data and field observations about landslides in tectonized highly plastic clay shales of Italian Apennines, the paper describes a process of soil weakening that could explain some failures of natural slopes.

scholarly journals Busy Bees: Variation in Insect Flower-Visiting Rates across Multiple Plant Species

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret J. Couvillon ◽  
Chandra M. Walter ◽  
Eluned M. Blows ◽  
Tomer J. Czaczkes ◽  
Karin L. Alton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Apis Mellifera ◽  
Honey Bee ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Honey Bees ◽  
Bumble Bees ◽  
The Other ◽  
Insect Diversity ◽  
Visitation Rates ◽  
Insect Visitation ◽  
Flower Visiting

We quantified insect visitation rates by counting how many flowers/inflorescences were probed per unit time for five plant species (four native and one garden: California lilac, bramble, ragwort, wild marjoram, and ivy) growing in Sussex, United Kingdom, by following individual insects (n=2987) from nine functional groups (honey bees (Apis mellifera), bumble bees (Bombusspp.), hoverflies, flies, butterflies, beetles, wasps, non-Apidae bees, and moths). Additionally, we made a census of the insect diversity on the studied plant species. Overall we found that insect groups differed greatly in their rate of flower visits (P<2.2e-16), with bumble bees and honey bees visiting significantly more flowers per time (11.5 and 9.2 flowers/minute, resp.) than the other insect groups. Additionally, we report on a within-group difference in the non-Apidae bees, where the genusOsmia, which is often suggested as an alternative to honey bees as a managed pollinator, was very speedy (13.4 flowers/minute) compared to the other non-Apidae bees (4.3 flowers/minute). Our census showed that the plants attracted a range of insects, with the honey bee as the most abundant visitor (34%). Therefore, rate differences cannot be explained by particular specializations. Lastly, we discuss potential implications of our conclusions for pollination.

A synopsis of Actenosigynes Moure, Graf & Urban, 1999 (Hymenoptera: Colletidae)—new species, possible oligolecty and biogeographic comments

Zootaxa ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 2292 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
FERNANDO A. SILVEIRA
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Type Species ◽  
Disjunct Distribution ◽  
Mountain Range ◽  
New Taxon ◽  
Field Observations ◽  
Light Yellow ◽  
Speciation Event ◽  
Identification Analysis ◽  
First Time

A second species of Actenosigynes from the Mantiqueira mountain range, in the southeastern Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, is described. This new taxon can be readily distinguished from the type species of the genus, A. fulvoniger (Michener, 1989), by its entirely black-pubescent mesosoma and by the light-yellow pilosity on its terga, among other characters. Females of the two known species are illustrated for the first time and a key is presented for their identification. Analysis of the pollen extracted from the scopa of the holotype of the new species and field observations of A. fulvoniger indicate that both species of Actenosigynes are oligolectic on flowers of Loasaceae as pollen sources. This presumed couple of sister species is the first example of a speciation event related to the isolation of populations of temperate and subtropical bee species on the top of southeastern-Brazilian mountains. It suggests that complexes of sibling species may exist among the other bee species with similar disjunct distribution.

The Ruby-throated Hummingbird and its major food plants: ranges, flowering phenology, and migration

1982 ◽  
Vol 60 (2) ◽  
pp. 210-219 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert I. Bertin
Keyword(s):  
Seed Set ◽  
Flowering Phenology ◽  
Food Plants ◽  
Field Observations ◽  
Forest Types ◽  
Insect Pollination ◽  
Major Food ◽  
Insect Visitation ◽  
Herbarium Data ◽  
And Migration

The Ruby-throated Hummingbird (or rubythroat, Archilochus colubris) and several of its major food plants were examined to assess the importance of rubythroat versus insect pollination, the overlap of geographical ranges, and the synchrony between migration and flowering times. Seed set of Impatiens biflora was increased 8–17% by rubythroat and insect visitation over the level achieved by insects alone. The rubythroat's range is not contiguous with that of any of 22 putative food plants examined, but is nearly coincident with the range of certain forest types, perhaps reflecting the importance of sap for food. A new method was developed to estimate peak flowering times of plants from herbarium data. Based on these data and field observations, only one rubythroat food plant (Impatiens biflora) had peak flowering times close to peak rubythroat migration times throughout their shared range. Rubythroats and their North American food plants are facultative mutualists, with the plants apparently having been evolutionarily more labile.

scholarly journals Pollination services enhanced with urbanization despite increasing pollinator parasitism

2016 ◽  
Vol 283 (1833) ◽  
pp. 20160561 ◽  
Author(s):  
Panagiotis Theodorou ◽  
Rita Radzevičiūtė ◽  
Josef Settele ◽  
Oliver Schweiger ◽  
Tomás E. Murray ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Land Use Change ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Pollination Services ◽  
Pollination Success ◽  
Flower Visitation ◽  
Visitation Rates ◽  
Crithidia Bombi ◽  
Agricultural Areas

Animal-mediated pollination is required for the reproduction of the majority of angiosperms, and pollinators are therefore essential for ecosystem functioning and the economy. Two major threats to insect pollinators are anthropogenic land-use change and the spread of pathogens, whose effects may interact to impact pollination. Here, we investigated the relative effects on the ecosystem service of pollination of (i) land-use change brought on by agriculture and urbanization as well as (ii) the prevalence of pollinator parasites, using experimental insect pollinator-dependent plant species in natural pollinator communities. We found that pollinator habitat (i.e. availability of nesting resources for ground-nesting bees and local flower richness) was strongly related to flower visitation rates at the local scale and indirectly influenced plant pollination success. At the landscape scale, pollination was positively related to urbanization, both directly and indirectly via elevated visitation rates. Bumblebees were the most abundant pollinator group visiting experimental flowers. Prevalence of trypanosomatids, such as the common bumblebee parasite Crithidia bombi, was higher in urban compared with agricultural areas, a relationship which was mediated through higher Bombus abundance. Yet, we did not find any top-down, negative effects of bumblebee parasitism on pollination. We conclude that urban areas can be places of high transmission of both pollen and pathogens.

scholarly journals Chemical Ecology of Teak (Tectona grandis Linn.) Floral Volatiles

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (11) ◽  
pp. 2693-2699
Author(s):  
P. Mohamed Shafi ◽  
M. Mohanakrishnan
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Ecology ◽  
Wide Spectrum ◽  
Tectona Grandis ◽  
Floral Volatiles ◽  
Volatile Profile ◽  
Oxygenated Compounds ◽  
First Time ◽  
Enormous Number ◽  
Effective Pollinators ◽  
Insect Visitors

In present work, the GC, GC-MS and GC-olfactory techniques were applied for the first time for the analysis of floral volatiles of teak. Chemical ecology of the teak flower is also studied by correlating each of the components in its volatile profile with the major classes of insect visitors and pollinators with the help of the internet databases. Sixty six components consisting of 84% of the oil were identified in the GC-MS analysis. Out of these 78% were oxygenated compounds while only 20% were various hydrocarbons, either sesquiterpenes or diterpenes. All the monoterpenes were in the oxidized form which reduces the therapeutic potentials of the oil while improving its perfumery value. The olfactory evaluation of the oil revealed the presence of a wide spectrum of impressions ranging from spicy-floral to mushroom-metallic and woody-earthy to honey-like. The main reason for the enormous number of insects visiting teak flower is the presence of large number of volatile compounds with diverge semiochemical behaviour. At the same time the presence of some specific allomones and alarm pheromones results in the repulsion of some effective pollinators. This leads to ineffective pollination and comparatively low fruit development in teak.

scholarly journals Pollination success in three tropical dry forest orchid species from Mexico: insights from floral display, visitation rates, and flower micromorphology

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yazmín M. Miranda-Molina ◽  
Edgar J. González ◽  
Judith Márquez-Guzmán ◽  
Jorge Meave ◽  
Eduardo A. Pérez García
Keyword(s):  
Tropical Dry Forest ◽  
Dry Forest ◽  
Floral Display ◽  
Linear Modeling ◽  
Deposition Rates ◽  
Pollination Success ◽  
Visitation Rates ◽  
Orchid Pollination ◽  
Floral Micromorphology ◽  
Floral Visitors

Background: Despite long-lasting efforts to disentangle the drivers of orchid pollination, pollination success in tropical dry forest orchids remains largely unknown. Questions and hypothesis: How successful are pollination in three tropical dry forest orchids? How is pollination influenced by floral display and floral rewards (as suggested by floral micromorphology)? We hypothesized a positive effect of floral display on pollinia removal and deposition rates. Studied species: Barkeria whartoniana (C. Schweinf.) Soto Arenas, Clowesia dodsoniana E. Aguirre, and Cyrtopodium macrobulbon (La Llave & Lex.) G.A. Romero & Carnevali. Study site and dates: Nizanda (Oaxaca), Mexico; flowering periods of 2013 and 2014. Methods: We calculated pollinia removal and deposition rates, identified floral visitors and analyzed flower microstructure to search for structures potentially producing rewards. Floral display was measured through number of open flowers, and number and length of inflorescences, and its effect on pollination success was assessed through linear modeling. Results: Pollinia removal rates were higher than deposition rates, and floral display was related to pollination success in C. dodsoniana only. Visitation rates were low for the three species and most visitors were not true pollinators. The three species possess potentially secreting structures, but for B. whartoniana and C. macrobulbon these rewards are likely part of the pollinator deception mechanism. Conclusions: The generalized low pollination success implies the need for high population densities of both interacting parts. We emphasize the need for integrated evaluations of different aspects of the plant-pollinator interaction.

scholarly journals A Physiological Characterization in Controlled Bioreactors Reveals a Novel Survival Strategy for Debaryomyces hansenii at High Salinity and Confirms its Halophilic Behavior

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clara Navarrete ◽  
August T. Frost ◽  
Laura Ramos-Moreno ◽  
Mette R. Krum ◽  
José L. Martínez
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Metabolism ◽  
Debaryomyces Hansenii ◽  
Model Organism ◽  
Central Carbon Metabolism ◽  
Culture Conditions ◽  
Physiological Characterization ◽  
Behavioural Patterns ◽  
Central Carbon ◽  
First Time

AbstractDebaryomyces hansenii is traditionally described as a halotolerant non-conventional yeast, being the model organism for the study of osmo- and salt tolerance mechanisms in eukaryotic systems for the past 30 years.However, unravelling of D. hansenii’s biotechnological potential has always been difficult due to the persistent limitations in the availability of efficient molecular tools described for this yeast. Additionally, there is a lack of consensus and contradictory information along the recent years that limits a comprehensive understanding of its central carbon metabolism, mainly due to a lack of physiological studies in controlled and monitored environments. Moreover, there is controversy about the diversity in the culture conditions (media composition, temperature and pH among others) used by different groups, which makes it complicated when trying to get significant conclusions and behavioural patterns.In this work, we present for the first time a physiological characterization of D. hansenii in batch cultivations using highly instrumented and controlled lab-scale bioreactors. Our findings contribute to a more complete picture of the central carbon metabolism and the external pH influence on the yeast ability to tolerate high Na+ and K+ concentrations. Finally, the controversial halophilic/halotolerant character of this yeast is further clarified.

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