Pollinator convergence and the nature of species' boundaries in sympatric Sardinian Ophrys (Orchidaceae)

Background and Aims In the sexually deceptive Ophrys genus, species isolation is generally considered ethological and occurs via different, specific pollinators, but there are cases in which Ophrys species can share a common pollinator and differ in pollen placement on the body of the insect. In that condition, species are expected to be reproductively isolated through a pre-mating mechanical barrier. Here, the relative contribution of pre- vs. post-mating barriers to gene flow among two Ophrys species that share a common pollinator and can occur in sympatry is studied. Methods A natural hybrid zone on Sardinia between O. iricolor and O. incubacea, sharing Andrena morio as pollinator, was investigated by analysing floral traits involved in pollinator attraction as odour extracts both for non-active and active compounds and for labellum morphology. The genetic architecture of the hybrid zone was also estimated with amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers, and pollination fitness and seed set of both parental species and their hybrids in the sympatric zone were estimated by controlled crosses. Key Results Although hybrids were intermediate between parental species in labellum morphology and non-active odour compounds, both parental species and hybrids produced a similar odour bouquet for active compounds. However, hybrids produced significantly lower fruit and seed set than parental species, and the genetic architecture of the hybrid zone suggests that they were mostly first-generation hybrids. Conclusions The two parental species hybridize in sympatry as a consequence of pollinator overlap and weak mechanical isolation, but post-zygotic barriers reduce hybrid frequency and fitness, and prevent extensive introgression. These results highlight a significant contribution of late post-mating barriers, such as chromosomal divergence, for maintaining reproductive isolation, in an orchid group for which pre-mating barriers are often considered predominan

Exine Micromorphology of Orchidinae (Orchidoideae, Orchidaceae): Phylogenetic Constraints or Ecological Influences?

• Background and Aims Pollen characters have been widely used in defining evolutionary trends in orchids. In recent years, information on pollination biology and phylogenetic patterns within Orchidinae has become available. Hence, the aim of the presented work is to re-evaluate exine micromorphology of Orchidinae in light of recent phylogenetic studies and to test whether pollen micromorphology strictly depends on phylogenetic relationships among species or whether it is influenced by the marked differences in pollination ecology also reported among closely related species

Stomatal development in the Cycad family Zamiaceae

Background and Aims: The gymnosperm order Cycadales is pivotal to our understanding of seed-plant phylogeny because of its phylogenetic placement close to the root node of extant spermatophytes and its combination of both derived and plesiomorphic character states. Although widely considered a 'living fossil' group, extant cycads display a high degree of morphological and anatomical variation. We investigate stomatal development in Zamiaceae to evaluate variation within the order and homologies between cycads and other seed plants. Methods: Leaflets of seven species across five genera representing all major clades of Zamiaceae were examined at various stages of development using light microscopy and confocal microscopy. Key Results: All genera examined have lateral subsidiary cells of perigenous origin that differ from other pavement cells in mature leaflets and could have a role in stomatal physiology. Early epidermal patterning in a 'quartet' arrangement occurs in Ceratozamia, Zamia and Stangeria. Distal encircling cells, which are sclerified at maturity, are present in all genera except Bowenia, which shows relatively rapid elongation and differentiation of the pavement cells during leaflet development. Conclusions: Stomatal structure and development in Zamiaceae highlights some traits that are plesiomorphic in seed plants, including the presence of perigenous encircling subsidiary cells, and reveals a clear difference between the developmental trajectories of cycads and Bennettitales. Our study also shows an unexpected degree of variation among subclades in the family, potentially linked to differences in leaflet development and suggesting convergent evolution in cycads

La collezione storica dei modelli di strutture vegetali dell’Orto Botanico di Napoli

Models reproducing plant structures used for educational purposes at the Botanical Garden of Naples in the 19th century have been recently recovered from a state of partial abandonment, assembled and exposed. The models together with illustrative panels have been placed in showcases in the classrooms of the Botanical Garden of Naples and of the department of Biology at University of Naples Federico II. Moreover, models have been presented in a multimedia cd-rom that allows to improve their valorisation and fruition. For each species reproduced in the models, the cd-rom shows photos in the field of plants cultivated in the Botanical Garden of Naples. the images are accompanied by explanatory texts to make easier the understanding of the illustrated models and the identification of the plants

Sacred plant impressions from Somma-Vesuvius volcanic ash deposits: A medicinal garden in Late Antique Acerra (Naples, Campania, Italy)?

The AD 472 eruption of Somma-Vesuvius widely impacted the northern and eastern territory around the volcano, laying down a complex sequence of pyroclastic fallout and pyroclastic current deposits. During archaeological test excavations conducted in the Acerra locality, Pollena eruption (AD 472) fallout and lahar deposits composed of fine ash containing traces of plant impressions were found. These deposits were sampled and carefully fractured in order to recover the plant imprints. Features of the ash impressions were compared with those of live plants and dried Herbarium specimens. Species identification was based on the characteristics of leaves (maximum width, type of leaf margin, size of midrib, angle of formation of the secondary veins) and fruits. Impressions of Mandragora officinarum L., Rosa canina L. and Hedera helix L. were recognized. This is the first documented discovery of subfossil mandrake specimens. The use of mandrake plants for healing and psychotropic purposes is referred to by Classical authors such as Pliny the Elder and Dioscorides; it was sometimes used mixed with rose. In addition, rose and ivy plants were symbolically important to the ancient Romans and were employed together as medicinal plants. The coexistence of these plants in a restricted area suggests the presence of a garden dedicated to sacred/medicinal plants. In addition, it is interesting to note that the discovery of mandrake plants with fruits supports the hypothesis that the eruptive event took place between the end of summer and the autumn

Cell junctions during the early development of the sea urchin embryo (Paracentrotus lividus)

Thin sections, lanthanum tracer and the freeze-fracture technique revealed the presence of different types of cell junctions in early sea urchin (Paracentrotus lividus) embryos. During the first four cleavage cycles, which are characterized by synchrony of cell division, sister blastomeres were connected only by intercellular bridges, formed as a result of incomplete cytokinesis; no trace of other junctions was found at these stages. From the 16-cell stage onwards, septate junctions and gap junctions began to appear between blastomeres. It is postulated that cell-cell interactions may provide a mechanism for the propagation of signals necessary for the coordination of cell proliferation and differentiation