Reproductive biology of island and mainland populations of Primula mistassinica (Primulaceae) on Lake Huron shorelines

1998 ◽  
Vol 76 (11) ◽  
pp. 1819-1827 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brendon MH Larson ◽  
Spencer CH Barrett
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Biology ◽  
Floral Morphology ◽  
Ecological Factors ◽  
Reproductive Traits ◽  
Lake Huron ◽  
Geographic Scale ◽  
Seed Fertility ◽  
Island Populations ◽  
Incompatibility System ◽  
Morph Ratios

To investigate the influence of insularity on plant reproductive biology at a local geographic scale, we examined aspects of reproduction in distylous Primula mistassinica Michx. (Primulaceae) on Lake Huron shorelines of the Bruce Peninsula and adjacent Tobermory Islands in Ontario, Canada. A total of 7 mainland and 13 nearshore island populations were compared. Controlled pollinations demonstrated that P. mistassinica possesses a dimorphic incompatibility system with intermorph crosses setting significantly more seeds than self or intramorph crosses. Floral morphology, population style-morph ratios, and seed fertility were compared in mainland and nearshore island populations to determine whether there was evidence for differences in reproductive traits between these areas. Style-morph ratios did not differ significantly from equilibrium expectations, and there were no consistent differences between island and mainland populations in floral morphology or fertility. Rather, the generalized pollination system of P. mistassinica and extensive historical opportunities for colonization appear to have mitigated insular effects so that proximate ecological factors are more relevant to the current reproductive biology of populations.Key words: distyly, insularity, pollination, reproductive biology.

Incompatibility in Cordia alliodora (Boraginaceae), a neotropical tree

1995 ◽  
Vol 73 (3) ◽  
pp. 445-456 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. H. Boshier
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
Floral Morphology ◽  
Floral Traits ◽  
Cordia Alliodora ◽  
Evolution And Development ◽  
Neotropical Tree ◽  
Ultraviolet Microscopy ◽  
Incompatibility System ◽  
Controlled Crosses

Incompatibility and variation in floral morphology in Cordia alliodora (R. & P.) Oken (Boraginaceae) were investigated using a combination of fieldwork and light and ultraviolet microscopy. Results from controlled crosses clearly showed the presence of two groups of trees, where intergroup crosses were compatible but intragroup crosses were incompatible. A sporophytic, diallelic, one-locus incompatibility system was inferred. Limited failure of the incompatibility mechanism was found (approximately 1% of crosses) for both selfs and intragroup crosses. Whereas most authors previously described C. alliodora as a homostyle, measurement of floral traits and study of their relationship to controlled crosses revealed a poorly defined variation in stigma size strongly associated with the incompatibility groups. The relatively undeveloped heteromorphy, coupled with a strong incompatibility mechanism, is of particular interest. The genus Cordia, in particular the Cerdanae, appears to offer fruitful ground for further investigation into aspects of the evolution and development of heterostyly. Key words: incompatibility, heterostyly, Cordia alliodora.

Gynoecial ontogeny of Anthurium: contributions for floral developmental studies in Araceae (Alismatales)

Botany ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 93 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Letícia Peres Poli ◽  
Lívia Godinho Temponi ◽  
Alessandra Ike Coan
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Biology ◽  
Floral Development ◽  
Floral Morphology ◽  
Developmental Studies ◽  
Developmental Patterns ◽  
New Information ◽  
Developmental Phases

Studies on floral development have widened the knowledge on the floral morphology of Araceae, particularly in genera delimited through classical taxonomic treatments. In Pothoideae, floral ontogenetic studies are limited to some representatives of Pothoidium Schott and Pothos L. and only one species of Anthurium Schott, with no focus on gynoecium. This background reveals a lack of ontogenetic data on the largest genus in the clade. This paper presents gynoecial ontogeny of species circumscribed in different sections of Anthurium, describes gynoecial developmental patterns, and evaluates the relevance of ontogenetic characteristics in the taxonomy of the sections studied. New data for the Araceae include the recognition of four floral developmental phases, the carpellary nature of the ovarian septum, and the development of the symplicate and synascidiate zones of the gynoecium. The apical septum described in Anthurium scandens (Aubl.) Engl. is first reported for the genus in this study. We also highlight the importance of these ontogenetic data as new information for the Pothoideae within Araceae and to understand the notable phases of floral development in the reproductive biology of Anthurium.

scholarly journals Isolation and predation drive gecko life-history evolution on islands

2020 ◽  
Vol 129 (3) ◽  
pp. 618-629
Author(s):  
Rachel Schwarz ◽  
Yuval Itescu ◽  
Antonis Antonopoulos ◽  
Ioanna-Aikaterini Gavriilidi ◽  
Karin Tamar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Life Histories ◽  
Life History Traits ◽  
Life History Evolution ◽  
Reproductive Traits ◽  
Predation Pressure ◽  
Ecological Studies ◽  
Island Populations ◽  
Island Syndrome ◽  
Insular Populations

Abstract Insular animals are thought to be under weak predation pressure and increased intraspecific competition compared with those on the mainland. Thus, insular populations are predicted to evolve ‘slow’ life histories characterized by fewer and smaller clutches of larger eggs, a pattern called the ‘island syndrome’. To test this pattern, we collected data on egg volume, clutch size and laying frequency of 31 Aegean Island populations of the closely related geckos of the Mediodactylus kotschyi species complex. We tested how predation pressure, resource abundance, island area and isolation influenced reproductive traits. Isolation and predation were the main drivers of variation in life-history traits. Higher predator richness seemed to promote faster life histories, perhaps owing to predation on adults, whereas the presence of boas promoted slower life histories, perhaps owing to release from predation by rats on the eggs of geckos. Insular geckos followed only some of the predictions of the ‘island syndrome’. Predation pressure seemed to be more complex than expected and drove life histories of species in two opposing directions. Our results highlight the importance of considering the identity of specific predators in ecological studies.

Mating Systems

2001 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann K. Sakai ◽  
David F. Westneat
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Reproduction ◽  
Mating Systems ◽  
Evolutionary Ecology ◽  
Genetic Material ◽  
Ecological Factors ◽  
Reproductive Traits ◽  
Female Reproduction ◽  
Selective Pressures ◽  
Evolutionary Changes ◽  
Sex Allocation Theory

The study of mating is one of the most active areas in evolutionary ecology. What fuels this research is curiosity about a stunning diversity of ways in which zygotes are formed. Many plants and some animals can reproduce without combining gametes. Many other plants combine gametes but do so within the same individual (selfing). Still other plants and animals require a gamete from another individual to stimulate reproduction but do not incorporate the genetic material contained in that gamete in the offspring. Finally, many organisms combine gametes produced from different individuals in sexual reproduction, but the ways in which these individuals get together to reproduce are also amazingly diverse and have major implications for how selection acts in these populations. Why are there so many different ways to reproduce? Answering this question is a major challenge for evolutionary ecologists. Our approach begins with how a variety of ecological factors affect selection on reproductive traits. Because many reproductive traits show genetic variation, diversity in selective pressures can lead to a diversity of evolutionary changes. Thus, understanding the evolutionary ecology of mating systems can help to interpret the significance of this variation and can provide new insight into related phenomena. For example, costs of female reproduction associated with development of offspring greatly impact other aspects of the life history, and males are often limited by mates (Savalli, this volume). Factors such as levels of selfing, inbreeding depression, and allocation of resources play a part in mating systems of both plants and animals (Waser and Williams, this volume), and sex allocation theory has been used in both plants and animals to explore the evolution of hermaphroditism and unisexuality (Campbell 2000; Orzack, this volume). This chapter explores some of the major forces affecting mating systems. Our treatments of plants and animals differ in emphasis, but our goal is to use the perspective of evolutionary ecology to define more fully the similarities, differences, and diversity in plant and animal mating systems, and to highlight potentially interesting yet currently unanswered questions. Diversity in patterns of zygote production arises in part from ecological factors influencing two issues: selection on the evolution of sexual reproduction itself and differentiation of the sexes.

Reproductive biology of the great capricorn beetle,Cerambyx cerdo(Coleoptera: Cerambycidae): a protected but occasionally harmful species

2017 ◽  
Vol 107 (6) ◽  
pp. 799-811 ◽  
Author(s):  
L.M. Torres-Vila
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Biology ◽  
Body Length ◽  
Relative Size ◽  
Reproductive Traits ◽  
Oviposition Period ◽  
Female Size ◽  
Egg Volume ◽  
Ecological Features ◽  
Management Measures ◽  
Cerambyx Cerdo

AbstractCerambyx cerdo(Cc) is a protected saproxylic beetle in Europe, although it is increasingly reported as an oak ‘pest’. Cc ecological features are relatively well known, but, its reproductive biology is still poorly understood. Hence, we investigated the reproductive traits of Cc under laboratory conditions. In females, body length was 44.1 ± 0.9 mm, 28–53 (mean ± SE, range); fecundity 143 ± 11 eggs, 33–347; fertility 78 ± 1%, 65–93; oviposition period 44 ± 3 days, 13–128 and longevity 59 ± 5 days, 16–157. Fecundity was positively correlated with female size, longevity and oviposition period. Daily fecundity was 3.5 ± 0.2 eggs/day, 0.9–6.5 showing a fluctuating synovigenic pattern with a slight decreasing trend over time. Egg length was 3.74 ± 0.01 mm, 2.3–6.0 and egg volume 5.45 ± 0.04 mm3, 2.4–9.6. Egg size was correlated with female size, but, the relative size of eggs was larger in smaller females. Incubation time was 13.5 ± 0.1 days, 7–28. Hatching was superior in larger eggs and neonate size was positively correlated to egg volume. Females were polyandrous (up to 19 matings), but, multiple mating did not enhance fecundity or fertility. In males, body length was 41.8 ± 0.8 mm, 29–53 and longevity 49 ± 3 days, 9–124. Male longevity was unrelated to body size. Males were polygynous (up to 16 matings) and mating number did not affect male longevity. Overall, females were larger and lived longer than males. Cc reproductive traits are compared with those other Cerambycidae, especially with the congeneric pestCerambyx welensii. Our data may be valuable to improve the protection/management measures of Cc in dehesa woodlands and other oak forests.

Relating geographic pattern to phylogenetic process

1995 ◽  
Vol 349 (1327) ◽  
pp. 61-68 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Morphological Differentiation ◽  
Geographic Scale ◽  
Phylogenetic Information ◽  
Island Populations ◽  
Similar Work ◽  
Geographic Patterns ◽  
Molecular Phylogenetic ◽  
Venom Evolution ◽  
Microgeographic Variation ◽  
New Perspective

Observed patterns of within-species geographic variation may reflect phylogenetic history or ecogenetic adaptation, and it is frequently desirable to evaluate their relative contributions. Phylogenetic information can be recovered from relatively neutrally evolving molecular markers, but to what extent are they useful in understanding the causes of observed geographic patterns within species? In the lacertid lizard Gallotia galloti (Western Canary islands), it allows the colonization sequence to be hypothesized, giving a new perspective on the causes of morphological differentiation between island populations. In South-East Asian pit-vipers, venom evolution can be evaluated in relation to biogeographic processes and current ecology. At a finer geographic scale, alternative historical and geological hypotheses can be tested to explain within-island microgeographic variation in G. galloti in Tenerife. Similar work on Anolis oculatus within the island of Dominica, however, raises questions concerning some of the assumptions behind a molecular phylogenetic approach.

scholarly journals Asymmetrical mating patterns and the evolution of biased style-morph ratios in a tristylous daffodil

2008 ◽  
Vol 90 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
KATHRYN A. HODGINS ◽  
SPENCER C. H. BARRETT
Keyword(s):  
Floral Morphology ◽  
Random Mating ◽  
Empirical Support ◽  
Theoretical Models ◽  
Paternity Analysis ◽  
Pollen Transfer ◽  
Transfer Coefficients ◽  
Mating Patterns ◽  
Morph Ratios ◽  
Neutral Markers

SummaryNon-random mating in plant populations can be influenced by numerous reproductive and demographic factors, including floral morphology and inter-plant distance. Here, we investigate patterns of outcrossed mating through male function in Narcissus triandrus, a tristylous, bee-pollinated wild daffodil from the Iberian Peninsula, to test pollen transfer models which predict that floral morphology promotes asymmetrical mating and biased morph ratios. Unlike other tristylous species, N. triandrus has an incompatibility system that permits intra-morph mating and long-level rather than mid-level stamens in the L-morph. Incomplete sex-organ reciprocity should result in significant intra-morph mating in the L-morph. We measured mating patterns in two L-biased populations – dimorphic (two style morphs) and trimorphic (three style morphs) – using multilocus genotyping and maximum-likelihood-based paternity analysis. We also examined the spatial distribution of style morphs and neutral markers to investigate the potential consequence of spatially restricted mating on morph ratios. As predicted, we detected significant amounts of intra-morph mating in the L-morph in both populations. Pollen transfer coefficients generally supported predictions based on the Darwinian hypothesis that anthers and stigmas of equivalent level promote pollinator-mediated cross-pollination in heterostylous populations. There was evidence of significant spatial aggregation of both style morphs and neutral markers in populations of N. triandrus, probably as a result of restricted pollen and seed dispersal. Our results provide empirical support for theoretical models of pollen transfer, which indicate that the commonly observed L-biased morph ratios in Narcissus species result from significant intra-morph mating in the L-morph because of its atypical floral morphology.

Ecological Factors Affecting Rainbow Smelt Recruitment in the Main Basin of Lake Huron, 1976–2010

2014 ◽  
Vol 143 (3) ◽  
pp. 784-795 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy P. O’Brien ◽  
William W. Taylor ◽  
Edward F. Roseman ◽  
Charles P. Madenjian ◽  
Stephen C. Riley
Keyword(s):  
Ecological Factors ◽  
Lake Huron ◽  
Rainbow Smelt ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Main Basin
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