scholarly journals Radial and Bilateral Fluctuating Asymmetry of Iris pumila Flowers as Indicators of Environmental Stress

Symmetry ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 818
Author(s):  
Barišić Klisarić ◽  
Miljković ◽  
Avramov ◽  
Živković ◽  
Tarasjev

In this study we compared the biomonitoring potential of various types of flower asymmetry indices in Iris pumila (Dwarf Bearded Iris). We chose 197 naturally growing clones from the arid steppe habitat in the largest sandy area in Europe (Deliblato Sands Nature Reserve), and we transplanted two replicates of each clone to a polluted highway site with a heavy traffic flow. After a period of acclimatization, lower levels of photosynthetic pigment concentrations and higher stomatal density and specific leaf area in transplants verified that the chosen highway site was indeed more stressful and therefore suitable for estimation of the flower asymmetry biomonitoring potential. We analyzed radially and bilaterally symmetrical flower structures (radial fluctuating asymmetry (RA) and bilateral fluctuating asymmetry (FA)) on three perianth parts—falls, standards, and styles—and calculated various asymmetry indices based on linear and geometric morphometrics. Despite utilizing a heavily polluted environment and fairly large sample sizes, only one asymmetry index was significantly higher on the polluted site with demonstrated stressful effects on utilized plants, indicating that flower asymmetry was not an efficient method for biomonitoring in the case of I. pumila RA and FA indices.

Symmetry ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 327-335 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cino Pertoldi ◽  
Torsten Kristensen

Author(s):  
U. Semak ◽  
◽  
M. Mylen’ka ◽  

The article presents the study of leaf morphological features of Populus tremula L. Growing under the conditions of the influence emissions from Burshtynska TPP. The methods of linear morphometry were used to analyze the variability of the morphological parameters of leaves at high levels of pollutants. In the zone of influence of the industrial object there is a significant decrease in the foliar parameters. Uneven variability of morphological parameters between the study plots of industrial pollution and with minimized technogenic load are revealed. Levels of variability of morphological parameters are estimated using coefficient of variation, which for most of the analyzed morphological features at the polluted plot load is characterized by high and average values. The most varied ones were the distance between the first and second veins and the length of the second vein from the base of the leaf vein. For bioindication of anthropogenic load, an index of fluctuating asymmetry of P. tremul leaf blades has been tested. The analysis of the fluctuating asymmetry was based on leaf linear measurements and area of ​​ the halves of leaf blades. The results indicated an increase in fluctuating asymmetry index in plant growing at the polluted plot, both in linear measurements and in area indices. The comparison of the two approaches to the estimation of the level of fluctuating asymmetry has been carried out. As a result of this study, those foliar morphometric parameters of P. tremula, which exhibit high morphological reactivity under the influence of anthropogenic load, can be used as bioindicatory markers for assessing the state of the environment. A reliable indicator of technological pressure is the level of fluctuating asymmetry that can be recommended for use in bioindicative studies.


2020 ◽  
Vol 224 ◽  
pp. 04044
Author(s):  
G Kozlov ◽  
M Pushkarev ◽  
I Belyaeva ◽  
A Maksimova ◽  
S Shvidkoy ◽  
...  

The paper provides information on the index of fluctuating asymmetry of the Pitsunda pine in industrial and recreational areas in the city of Tuapse (the Russian Black Sea coast of the Caucasus). It is shown that pollution is localized in the port area, and in the city center, the fluctuating asymmetry index is comparable to that for resort areas at a considerable distance from the Tuapse port. The necessity of taking into account the climate when using the coefficient of fluctuating asymmetry of the needles of the Mediterranean (Pitsunda) pine in assessing the degree of ecological well-being of various areas is shown.


PeerJ ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. e11832
Author(s):  
Kara C. Hoover ◽  
Emily Gelipter ◽  
Volker Sommer ◽  
Kris Kovarovic

Background Developmental instability in archaeological samples can be detected through analysis of skeletal and dental remains. During life, disruptions to biological internal homeostasis that occur during growth and development redirect bodily resources to returning to homeostasis and away from normal processes such as symmetrical development. Because dental enamel does not remodel in life, any deviations from normal development are left behind. Even subtle disturbances to developmental trajectory may be detected in asymmetrical development of traits, specifically a random variation in sides termed fluctuating asymmetry. Human dental fluctuating asymmetry studies are common, but here we investigate the permanent dentition of a non-human primate Papio anubis, for potential fluctuating asymmetry relative to sex, weaning, and reproductive maturity. The sample stems from an outlier population that lives in the wettest and most humid habitat of any studied baboon group. Methods The skulls of adult baboons were collected after their natural death in Gashaka Gumti National Park, Nigeria. The permanent dentition of antimeric teeth (paired) were measured for maximum length and breadth using standard methods. The metrics were analyzed to assess the presence of fluctuating asymmetry in adult permanent mandibular and maxillary dentition. Measurement error and other forms of asymmetry (antisymmetry, directional asymmetry) were considered and dental measures expressing true fluctuating asymmetry were used to address three research questions. Results Males exhibit greater fluctuating asymmetry than females, suggesting that males experience greater overall instability during the developmental period. While weaning is not more stressful than other life history stages for males and females (using the first molar fluctuating asymmetry index as a proxy compared to other teeth), it is more stressful for females than males. The onset of reproduction is also not more stressful than other life history stages for males and females (using the third molar fluctuating asymmetry index as a proxy compared to other teeth), but it is more stressful for males than females. We explore possible explanations for these findings in the discussion.


2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 11-19
Author(s):  
Mei Lu

The purpose of this study is to conduct a comparative analysis of the leaf fall timing and parameters of fluctuating leaf asymmetry among two commonly used plant species for street landscaping in Detroit city, namely, American elm and American ash. The study was completed between summer and fall for the year 2019 in and around Detroit, US. Phenological leaf fall timing of elm and ash was studied, and the fluctuating asymmetry index of their leaves was estimated within the city limits (80 trees of ash and 40 of elm) and outside the city (control site, 20 trees of each species). Leaf fall in city ash trees was recorded from November 1st to 4th and 5-8 days prior to the leaf fall in elms (p ≤ 0.01). Elm trees in the control group shed their leaves 10 days later compared to the city trees, i.e., on average, on November 25th (p ≤ 0.01). Ash trees in the control group shed their leaves earlier than the elm control group, on November 11th (p ≤ 0.001). In the city streets, the average fluctuating asymmetry ranged from 0.065 to 0.086 (point 1), from 0.049 to 0.078 (point 2) and from 0.063 to 0.082 (control site, near the highway).


2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (4.30) ◽  
pp. 209 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aisha Idris ◽  
Alona C. Linatoc ◽  
Aisha M. Aliyu ◽  
Surayya M. Muhammad ◽  
Mohd Fadzelly Bin Abu Bakar

Light affects the growth and development of plants by influencing the physical appearance of one leaf as well as the appearance of the whole plant. Plant photosynthesis, stomata density, and pigment contents are all influenced by light The objective of this research is to determine the effect of light on the photosynthesis, pigment content and stomatal density of Sun and Shade Leaves of Vernonia amygdalina. Gas exchange was measured using Li-6400 and the data obtained was used to create a light response curve where parameters including light saturation point (LSP), light compensation point (LCP) and apparent quantum yield were estimated. Photosynthetic pigment were quantified spectrophotometrically.  Moreover, the stomatal density was counted under light microscope, after making a nail polish impression of the leaf. The results discovered shows that as the light intensity increases, the gas exchange and stomatal density increases while the photosynthetic pigment of the studied plant decreases (P<0.05). In addition, LSP and LCP increases with increasing light intensity. Besides, statistically significant negative correlation (P<0.05) was achieved among stomatal density and transpiration rate thereby leading to a conclusion that sun leaves of Vernonia amygdalina contribute the highest assimilation rate to the plant than shade leaves. Yet, the higher stomatal density of sun leaves provides water saving to the plant.


2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 77-90
Author(s):  
M.L. Butovskaya ◽  
E.V. Veselovskaya ◽  
E.A. Postnikova

In modern scientific literature on sexual selection, a significant place is occupied by scientific works that examine the relationship between indicators of fluctuating asymmetry of the face, the expression of sexual dimorphism and individual attractiveness and reproductive success. The present study is devoted to analysis of the data of the ethno-psychological research of representatives of Isanzu tribe - one of the traditional agricultural societies of East Africa (Tanzania). An assessment of the degree of symmetry of the faces of men and women of Isanzu tribe, as well as the expression of characteristics of sexual dimorphism in face proportions was the purpose of this study. On the basis of the evaluation of photographic images of 159 men and 56 women of Isanzu tribe we analyzed and compared the following indexes: indexes of fluctuating asymmetry and sexual dimorphism of the face, finger index, the ratio of waist to hips, the ratio of shoulders to hips, and finally indicators of the age in which expression of fluctuating asymmetry reaches its maximum level. The results of the analysis indicate that faces of men and women of Isanzu tribe do not differ in the level of fluctuating asymmetry, male faces are characterized by pronounced masculine traits; as for the calculation of indexes, we did not detect any age differences based on fluctuating asymmetry index, whereas masculine index tends to increase linearly with increasing age


Zootaxa ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 4434 (1) ◽  
pp. 130 ◽  
Author(s):  
YING-QIANG GE ◽  
DONG ZHANG ◽  
PAPE THOMAS

A new species, Wohlfahrtia spinisternum Pape & Zhang sp. nov., is described based on one male specimen collected from the arid steppe habitat of Kalamaili Nature Reserve, Xinjiang, China. The species shares with W. aschersoni (Enderlein, 1934) a reduction of the distal posteroventral row of flattened, spiny bristles (‘ctenidium’) on the male mid femur, and has male sternite 5 gradually raised posteriorly into a pointed process, which is a unique feature in the entire subfamily Paramacronychiinae. Lectotypes are designated for Wohlfahrtia musiva Séguy, 1953 and Wohlfahrtia triquetra Séguy, 1933, and three new synonymies are proposed: Wohlfahrtia longicorpuris Mawlood & Abdul-Rassoul, 2001 syn. nov. of W. nuba (Wiedemann, 1830), Wohlfahrtia musiva Séguy, 1953 syn. nov. of W. villeneuvi Salem, 1938, and Wohlfahrtia triquetra Séguy, 1933 syn. nov. of W. indigens (Wiedemann, 1830). A pictorial synopsis of male terminalia of the 24 recognized species of Wohlfahrtia Brauer & Bergenstamm, 1889 is provided. 


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