Environmental and genetic influences on phenology and plant size in a perennial herb, Senecio integrifolius

1991 ◽  
Vol 69 (1) ◽  
pp. 209-217 ◽  
Author(s):  
Björn Widén
Keyword(s):  
Natural Population ◽  
Rank Order ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Flowering Phenology ◽  
Plant Size ◽  
Genetic Influences ◽  
Perennial Herb ◽  
Cultivated Plants ◽  
Mother Plants ◽  
Progeny Size

Individual plants of the perennial herb Senecio integrifolius showed a highly significant correlation between rank order of the dates of first flowering and of first fruiting in a natural population and in cultivation. Plants exposed to full sunshine were smaller and flowered earlier than shaded plants both in a natural population and in cultivation. Within the two groups, plants with large inflorescences started to flower first. Duration of flowering was regulated by the size of the inflorescence; plants with many heads flowered longer than plants with few heads. There was a significant correlation between phenological rank order of mother plants in natural populations and their progenies in cultivation, but no consistent relationship between mother size and progeny size was found. Cultivated plants were consistent in rank order of flowering and in size over the years. Key words: flowering phenology, plant size, genetic variation, Senecio.

scholarly journals Genetic diversity and relationships among populations of Camellia japonica, an endangered species in China

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kai Yang ◽  
Yingkun Sun ◽  
Wei Li ◽  
Xiao Guo ◽  
Qinghua Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Natural Population ◽  
Rank Order ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Botanical Garden ◽  
High Genetic Diversity ◽  
Camellia Japonica ◽  
Information Index ◽  
Cultivated Populations

Camellia japonica, an evergreen ornamental plant in the Theaceae, its natural range is now shrinking. This is evidenced by the fact that the species is on the verge of extinction in Laoshan Mountain (Qingdao), the northernmost area of China for natural population of C. japonica. Little is known about the genetic diversity and relationships among cultivated and wild C. japonica populations. 180 samples of six C. japonica populations were tested for genetic diversity with SSR markers; these included three cultivated populations, two natural populations in Qingdao, and one natural population in Daqingshan. The average values of polymorphism information content (PIC), expected heterozygosity (He), and Shannon’s information index (I) were 0.5849, 0.6385 and 1.3170, respectively, indicating that C. japonica has a high genetic diversity. The genetic diversities of the six populations in rank order were as follows: Daqingshan > Zhongshan Park > Changmenyan Island > Daguan Island > Botanical Garden > May Fourth Square. The geographical isolation of the islands had no significant influence on the genetic diversity of C. japonica. Clustering results showed that the six C. japonica populations could be grouped into three categories, and most populations were clustered according to their geographical origin and genetic background. These results also reconfirmed that the C. japonica (Naidong) population in Qingdao originated from Changmenyan Island. Genetic variation was highest within populations (89%), indicating that C. japonica can be protected at the population level. These findings will prove useful for the genetic analysis, protection, and horticultural use of C. japonica.

scholarly journals Flowering Phenology Adjustment and Flower Longevity in a South American Alpine Species

Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 461
Author(s):  
Mary T. K. Arroyo ◽  
Ítalo Tamburrino ◽  
Patricio Pliscoff ◽  
Valeria Robles ◽  
Maria Colldecarrera ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Natural Populations ◽  
Flowering Phenology ◽  
Snow Accumulation ◽  
Growth Potential ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Temperature Threshold ◽  
Flower Longevity ◽  
Passive Warming ◽  
Alpine Species ◽  
Flowering Onset

Delayed flowering due to later snowmelt and colder temperatures at higher elevations in the alpine are expected to lead to flowering phenological adjustment to prevent decoupling of peak flowering from the warmest time of the year, thereby favoring pollination. However, even if flowering is brought forward in the season at higher elevations, an elevational temperature gap is likely to remain between the high- and low-elevation populations of a species at the time these reach peak flowering on account of the atmospheric reduction in temperature with increasing elevation. The negative effect of this temperature gap on pollination could be compensated by plastically-prolonged flower life spans at higher elevations, increasing the probability of pollination. In a tightly temperature-controlled study, the flowering phenology adjustment and flower longevity compensation hypotheses were investigated in an alpine species in the Andes of central Chile. The snow free period varied from 7 to 8.2 months over 810 m elevation. Temperatures were suitable for growth on 82–98% of the snow free days. Flowering onset was temporally displaced at the rate of 4.6 d per 100 m increase in elevation and flowering was more synchronous at higher elevations. Flowering phenology was adjusted over elevation. The latter was manifest in thermal sums tending to decrease with elevation for population flowering onset, 50% flowering, and peak flowering when the lower thermal limit for growth (TBASE) was held constant over elevation. For TBASE graded over elevation so as to reflect the growing season temperature decline, thermal sums did not vary with elevation, opening the door to a possible elevational decline in the thermal temperature threshold for growth. Potential flower longevity was reduced by passive warming and was more prolonged in natural populations when temperatures were lower, indicating a plastic trait. Pollination rates, as evaluated with the Relative Pollination Rate index (RPR), when weighted for differences in floral abundance over the flowering season, declined with elevation as did fruit set. Contrary to expectation, the life-spans of flowers at higher elevations were not more prolonged and failed to compensate for the elevational decrease in pollination rates. Although strong evidence for phenological adjustment was forthcoming, flower longevity compensation did not occur over Oxalis squamata’s elevational range. Thus, flower longevity compensation is not applicable in all alpine species. Comparison with work conducted several decades ago on the same species in the same area provides valuable clues regarding the effects of climate change on flowering phenology and fitness in the central Chilean alpine where temperatures have been increasing and winter snow accumulation has been declining.

Sex ratio and life history traits at reaching sexual maturity in the dioecious shrub Fuchsia parviflora: field and common garden experiments

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Jessica S. Ambriz ◽  
Clementina González ◽  
Eduardo Cuevas
Keyword(s):  
Natural Population ◽  
Sexual Maturity ◽  
Sex Ratios ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Common Garden ◽  
Common Garden Experiment ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Reproductive Biomass ◽  
Common Garden Experiments ◽  
Growth And Reproduction

Abstract Fuchsia parviflora is a dioecious shrub that depends on biotic pollination for reproduction. Previous studies suggest that the male plants produce more flowers, and male-biased sex ratios have been found in some natural populations. To assess whether the biased sex ratios found between genders in natural populations are present at the point at which plants reach sexual maturity, and to identify possible trade-offs between growth and reproduction, we performed a common garden experiment. Finally, to complement the information of the common garden experiment, we estimated the reproductive biomass allocation between genders in one natural population. Sex ratios at reaching sexual maturity in F. parviflora did not differ from 0.5, except in one population, which was the smallest seedling population. We found no differences between genders in terms of the probability of germination or flowering. When flowering began, female plants were taller than males and the tallest plants of both genders required more time to reach sexual maturity. Males produced significantly more flowers than females, and the number of flowers increased with plant height in both genders. Finally, in the natural population studied, the investment in reproductive biomass was seven-fold greater in female plants than in male plants. Our results showed no evidence of possible trade-offs between growth and reproduction. Despite the fact that female plants invest more in reproductive biomass, they were taller than the males after flowering, possibly at the expense of herbivory defence.

scholarly journals GENETIC LOAD IN NATURAL POPULATIONS: IS IT COMPATIBLE WITH THE HYPOTHESIS THAT MANY POLYMORPHISMS ARE MAINTAINED BY NATURAL SELECTION?

Genetics ◽  
1974 ◽  
Vol 77 (3) ◽  
pp. 569-589
Author(s):  
Martin L Tracey ◽  
Francisco J Ayala
Keyword(s):  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Natural Selection ◽  
Natural Population ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Genetic Load ◽  
Structural Genes ◽  
Invertebrate Species ◽  
Average Proportion ◽  
Mean Fitness ◽  
The Mean

ABSTRACT Recent studies of genetically controlled enzyme variation lead to an estimation that at least 30 to 60% of the structural genes are polymorphic in natural populations of many vertebrate and invertebrate species. Some authors have argued that a substantial proportion of these polymorphisms cannot be maintained by natural selection because this would result in an unbearable genetic load. If many polymorphisms are maintained by heterotic natural selection, individuals with much greater than average proportion of homozygous loci should have very low fitness. We have measured in Drosophila melanogaster the fitness of flies homozygous for a complete chromosome relative to normal wild flies. A total of 37 chromosomes from a natural population have been tested using 92 experimental populations. The mean fitness of homozygous flies is 0.12 for second chromosomes, and 0.13 for third chromosomes. These estimates are compatible with the hypothesis that many (more than one thousand) loci are maintained by heterotic selection in natural populations of D. melanogaster.

scholarly journals Parasite variation and the evolution of virulence in a Daphnia-microparasite system

Parasitology ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 135 (3) ◽  
pp. 303-308 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. J. LITTLE ◽  
W. CHADWICK ◽  
K. WATT
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Variation ◽  
Rank Order ◽  
Genetic Relationships ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Host Genotype ◽  
Relative Growth ◽  
Trade Off ◽  
Relative Growth Rates ◽  
Pasteuria Ramosa ◽  
Evolution Of Virulence

SUMMARYUnderstanding genetic relationships amongst the life-history traits of parasites is crucial for testing hypotheses on the evolution of virulence. This study therefore examined variation between parasite isolates (the bacterium Pasteuria ramosa) from the crustacean Daphnia magna. From a single wild-caught infected host we obtained 2 P. ramosa isolates that differed substantially in the mortality they caused. Surprisingly, the isolate causing higher early mortality was, on average, less successful at establishing infections and had a slower growth rate within hosts. The observation that within-host replication rate was negatively correlated with mortality could violate a central assumption of the trade-off hypothesis for the evolution of virulence, but we discuss a number of caveats which caution against premature rejection of the trade-off hypothesis. We sought to test if the characteristics of these parasite isolates were constant across host genotypes in a second experiment that included 2 Daphnia host clones. The relative growth rates of the two parasite isolates did indeed depend on the host genotype (although the rank order did not change). We suggest that testing evolutionary hypotheses for virulence may require substantial sampling of both host and parasite genetic variation, and discuss how selection for virulence may change with the epidemiological state of natural populations and how this can promote genetic variation for virulence.

scholarly journals The molecular through ecological genetics of abnormal abdomen. IV. Components of genetic variation in a natural population of Drosophila mercatorum.

Genetics ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 130 (2) ◽  
pp. 355-366
Author(s):  
H Hollocher ◽  
A R Templeton ◽  
R DeSalle ◽  
J S Johnston
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Variation ◽  
Natural Population ◽  
Allelic Variation ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Developmental Time ◽  
Ecological Genetics ◽  
Adult Longevity ◽  
Genetic Determinants ◽  
Drosophila Mercatorum ◽  
Y Chromosomes

Abstract Natural populations of Drosophila mercatorum are polymorphic for a phenotypic syndrome known as abnormal abdomen (aa). This syndrome is characterized by a slow-down in egg-to-adult developmental time, retention of juvenile abdominal cuticle in the adult, increased early female fecundity, and decreased adult longevity. Previous studies revealed that the expression of this syndrome in females is controlled by two closely linked X chromosomal elements: the occurrence of an R1 insert in a third or more of the X-linked 28S ribosomal genes (rDNA), and the failure of replicative selection favoring uninserted 28S genes in larval polytene tissues. The expression of this syndrome in males in a laboratory stock was associated with the deletion of the rDNA normally found on the Y chromosome. In this paper we quantify the levels of genetic variation for these three components in a natural population of Drosophila mercatorum found near Kamuela, Hawaii. Extensive variation is found in the natural population for both of the X-linked components. Moreover, there is a significant association between variation in the proportion of R1 inserted 28S genes with allelic variation at the underreplication (ur) locus such that both of the necessary components for aa expression in females tend to cosegregate in the natural population. Accordingly, these two closely linked X chromosomal elements are behaving as a supergene in the natural population. Because of this association, we do not believe the R1 insert to be actively transposing to an appreciable extent. The Y chromosomes extracted from nature are also polymorphic, with 16% of the Ys lacking the Y-specific rDNA marker. The absence of this marker is significantly associated with the expression of aa in males. Hence, all three of the major genetic determinants of the abnormal abdomen syndrome are polymorphic in this natural population.

scholarly journals Reproductive biology of Ophiorrhiza caudata C.E.C.Fisch. (Rubiaceae), an endemic and endangered creeping perennial herb of the Western Ghats, India

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (13) ◽  
pp. 20056-20065
Author(s):  
Maria Theresa ◽  
Appukuttan Kamalabai Sreekala ◽  
Jayalakshmi Mohanlal
Keyword(s):  
Seedling Establishment ◽  
Fruit Set ◽  
Floral Morphology ◽  
Climatic Factors ◽  
Monsoon Season ◽  
Natural Habitat ◽  
Flowering Phenology ◽  
Perennial Herb ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
The Western Ghats

Ophiorrhiza caudata is a creeping, perennial herb distributed along wet and shady areas. The species is distylous with two distinct floral morphs: pin and thrum. Flowering usually occurs during the monsoon season. No particular difference was noticed in the flowering phenology of the two morphs. Presently the species is self-incompatible, however, it shows a tendency towards intramorph compatibility. Fruit set is above 60% in open pollination and intermorph pollination. Bees and butterflies are the major pollinators. The pollen flow between the two floral morphs varies depending upon floral morphology and pollinators. Fruit is a bi-valved capsule which dehisces by a splashing drop mechanism. The seeds are very minute. The rate of seed germination and seedling establishment in the wild condition is very poor due to adverse climatic factors. Ophiorrhiza caudata is struggling for survival in its natural habitat, where habitat fragmentation, climatic factors and poor seedling establishment could account for its narrow distribution.

scholarly journals Quantitative genetics of response to competitors in Nemophila menziesii: a field experiment.

Genetics ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 139 (1) ◽  
pp. 397-406 ◽  
Author(s):  
R G Shaw ◽  
G A Platenkamp ◽  
F H Shaw ◽  
R H Podolsky
Keyword(s):  
Field Experiment ◽  
Genetic Variance ◽  
Plant Density ◽  
Additive Genetic Variance ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Plant Size ◽  
Heterogeneous Environments ◽  
Environmental Complexity ◽  
Sources Of Variation ◽  
Nemophila Menziesii

Abstract Recent investigations of evolution in heterogeneous environments have begun to accommodate genetic and environmental complexity typical of natural populations. Theoretical studies demonstrate that evolution of polygenic characters depends heavily on the genetic interdependence of the expression of traits in the different environments in which selection occurs, but information concerning this issue is scarce. We conducted a field experiment to assess the genetic variability of the annual plant Nemophila menziesii in five biotic regimes differing in plant density and composition. Significant, though modest, additive genetic variance in plant size was expressed in particular treatments. Evidence of additive genetic tradeoffs between interspecific and intraspecific competitive performance was found, but this result was not consistent throughout the experiment. Two aspects of experimental design may tend to obscure genetically based tradeoffs across environments in many previously published experiments: (1) inability to isolate additive genetic from other sources of variation and (2) use of novel (e.g., laboratory) environments.

Flowering phenology of tropical-alpine dwarf trees on Mount Kinabalu, Borneo

2004 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 563-571 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gaku Kudo ◽  
Shizuo Suzuki
Keyword(s):  
Flowering Phenology ◽  
Plant Size ◽  
Sympatric Species ◽  
Fruit Production ◽  
Flowering Pattern ◽  
Flowering Synchrony ◽  
Mount Kinabalu ◽  
Main Plot ◽  
Tropical Alpine ◽  
Summit Region

The flowering phenology of five alpine dwarf-tree species was observed in the summit region (3900–3950 m elevation) of Mt. Kinabalu on Borneo Island from March 1998 to November 2001. For each target species, 20–50 individual plants were numbered in two observation plots and the number of inflorescences was monitored at 2–3-mo intervals. The flowering patterns varied among species. Rhododendron buxifolium bloomed extensively every March–May at the main plot but the flowering pattern at the subplot was less predictable. Mass flowering occurred in March 1998 when drought stress was very severe due to an El Niño event. Rhododendron ericoides showed continuous flowering throughout the year and high synchrony between the plots. Extensive flowering of Leptospermum recurvum occurred synchronously within and between plots in the early half of 1999, then flowering activity decreased greatly. Photinia davidiana showed an annual flowering cycle but the timing of the peak flowering differed between the plots. Vaccinium stapfianum showed synchronous flowering between the plots and the flowering peak appeared at longer than 1-y intervals. Plant size was positively correlated with mean flower production in all species, and with the flowering frequency of R. ericoides, R. buxifolium, and V. stapfianum at one of the plots at least. Two fleshy-fruited species, P. davidiana and V. stapfianum, had high selfing ability for fruit production and showed relatively low flowering synchrony among individuals in comparison with the other species. These results indicate that the trigger for initiation of flowering may differ among sympatric species in a tropical-alpine ecosystem at least in normal years.

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