Geographic variation in floral scent of Echinopsis ancistrophora (Cactaceae); evidence for constraints on hawkmoth attraction

Variation in floral phenotype (color, depth, nectar) suggests incipient specialization for bee or hawkmoth pollination across the geographic distribution of Echinopsis ancistrophora, with flower depth ranging from 4.5 to 24 cm. We used chemical and behavioral analyses to test whether fragrance has evolved in concert with morphology in these Andean cacti. Floral scent (145 total compounds) was collected using dynamic headspace methods and analyzed with gas chromatographyÁmass spectrometry, revealing subspecies-specific odors dominated by sesquiterpenes in E. ssp. ancistrophora and arachnacantha and fatty acid derivatives or aromatics in E. ssp. cardenasiana and pojoensis. Compounds indicative of sphingophily were not consistently found in moth-pollinated plants, and total scent emissions were significantly lower in populations with nocturnal anthesis. In wind tunnel assays, Manduca sexta moths were attracted to scent of ssp. ancistrophora from both bee and hawkmoth-pollinated populations, but not to scent of ssp. cardenasiana. However, hawkmoths were most attracted to the methyl benzoate-dominated scent of a distant relative, Echinopsis mirabilis. Thus, hawkmoth-pollinated descendants of the E. ancistrophora lineage may be phylogenetically constrained to emit weak, sesquiterpene-dominated fragrances that are not optimally attractive to hawkmoths, or floral scent may be under stronger selection by destructive flower visitors

A taxonomic backbone for the global synthesis of species diversity in the angiosperm order Caryophyllales

The Caryophyllales constitute a major lineage of flowering plants with approximately 12500 species in 39 families. A taxonomic backbone at the genus level is provided that reflects the current state of knowledge and accepts 749 genera for the order. A detailed review of the literature of the past two decades shows that enormous progress has been made in understanding overall phylogenetic relationships in Caryophyllales. The process of re-circumscribing families in order to be monophyletic appears to be largely complete and has led to the recognition of eight new families (Anacampserotaceae, Kewaceae, Limeaceae, Lophiocarpaceae, Macarthuriaceae, Microteaceae, Montiaceae and Talinaceae), while the phylogenetic evaluation of generic concepts is still well underway. As a result of this, the number of genera has increased by more than ten percent in comparison to the last complete treatments in the Families and genera of vascular plants” series. A checklist with all currently accepted genus names in Caryophyllales, as well as nomenclatural references, type names and synonymy is presented. Notes indicate how extensively the respective genera have been studied in a phylogenetic context. The most diverse families at the generic level are Cactaceae and Aizoaceae, but 28 families comprise only one to six genera. This synopsis represents a first step towards the aim of creating a global synthesis of the species diversity in the angiosperm order Caryophyllales integrating the work of numerous specialists around the world

The uncertain history of an early illustration of Chamaedorea ernesti-augusti

[Extract] A high-quality, unattributed illustration of Chamaedorea ernesti-augusti is held in the archives of the Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Bibliothek, Hannover, Germany. We investigate its possible creator, its purpose and connection to the palm botanist Hermann Wendland

SISTEMA DE CRUZAMIENTO Y ESTIMACIONES EN LA EFICIENCIA DE POLINIZACI 3N SOBRE TRICHOCEREUS PASACANA (CACTACEAE) EN DOS POBLACIONES DEL NOROESTE ARGENTINO

The objectives of this study were to analyse the breeding system and the pollination efficiency in Trichocereus pasacana and their effects on the reproductive fitness in two populations from Northwest Argentina. The first population is in a protected area (Tin Tin Valley), and the other is in a site with high human activity in agriculture and apiculture (Cachi Adentro). The breeding system was analysed by a pollination experiment considering hand self-pollination, hand cross-pollination, natural pollination and automatic self-pollination. The response variables were fruit production, seed production and seed germination. The fruit production permit suggests that the breeding system of T. pasacana is xenogamic and the pollination efficiency is greater in the protected area. However, the seeds from the population with human activity presented higher germination rates. These results permit the suggestion that the Cachi Adentro population presented lower fruit production, but with a higher resource allocation for the seeds. Instead, the Tin Tin population produced a higher number of fruits, but seeds of lower quality.Los objetivos de este estudio fueron analizar el sistema de cruzamiento y la eficiencia de la polinización en Trichocereus pasacana y sus efectos sobre la reproducción. Se trabajó sobre dos poblaciones del noroeste Argentino, una dentro de un área protegida (Valle de Tin Tin) y otra en un sitio con marcada actividad humana de agricultura y apicultura (Cachi Adentro). El sistema de cruzamiento se analizó mediante un experimento donde se evaluó autopolinización manual, polinización cruzada manual, polinización natural y autopolinización automática. Las variables de respuesta fueron producción de frutos, producción de semillas y capacidad germinativa. La producción de frutos permite sugerir que el sistema de cruzamiento de T. pasacana es xenogámico y que la eficiencia de polinización es mayor en el área protegida. Sin embargo, las semillas provenientes de la población con actividad humana presentaron mayores tasas de germinación. Estos resultados permiten sugerir que aunque en Cachi Adentro hubo una menor producción de frutos, esta población presentó una mayor asignación de recursos para las semillas. En cambio, la población de Tin Tin produjo un mayor número de frutos pero con semillas de menor calidad

Breeding system and estimation of the pollination efficiency on Trichocereus pasacana (Cactaceae) in two populations from Northwest Argentina

Volume: 58Start Page: 115End Page: 12

The Australian cabbage palm at Herrenhausen Gardens

For almost 100 years a single individual of the Australian cabbage palm Livistona australis reigned as the centrepiece of the Royal Gardens palm collection at Herrenhausen in Germany. It is one of the few cultivated glasshouse plants for which horticultural and botanical publications yield a continuous record of its life. Here we tell of the cabbage palm’s unexpected acquisition by Herrenhausen in 1827, aspects of its horticultural and social history spanning almost a century, and its regrettable demise in 1920

The cactus-specialist bees of the genus brachyglossula Hedicke (Hymenoptera: Colletidae): Notes on host associations and description of a new species

The pollen-collecting behavior of three species of the South American Andean bee genus Brachyglossula is reported. Species studied are B. martinezi Trucco Alemn, B. communis Trucco Alemn, and B. ancasti Roig Alsina and Schlumpberger, new species. The new species, which is comparatively described and illustrated, inhabits the isolated mountain range of Sierra de Ancasti, in the province of Catamarca, Argentina. Observation of the bees in the field, and pollen counts from scopal loads strongly support specialization of these bees on the Cactaceae. Members of both major cactus subfamilies, the Opuntioideae and the Cactoideae, are frequently visited and represented in the pollen loads.Fil: Roig Alsina, Arturo Hernan. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia"; ArgentinaFil: Schlumpberger, Boris O.. Ludwig Maximilians Universitat; Alemani

The botanical expedition of Hermann Wendland in Central America: a nomenclatural study and travel report.

The plant collections gathered by Hermann Wendland during an expedition to Central America in 1856 – 1857 are significant because of the high number of new species that were described from them. Many of Wendland’s specimens have been lost, misplaced or have incorrectly been assessed or overlooked in regards to their nomenclatural or typification status. Wendland’s Central American specimens in GOET have recently been collated as a group and digitized, thus making them available for wider study. About 1,280 herbarium specimens associated with Wendland’s expedition have been located in a number of herbaria. These represent about 540 distinct gatherings. Wendland’s travel outcomes are associated with the publication of 185 names. The first part of this work deals with the nomenclature of these names. Original material is found in 30 plant families in the following groups: Bryophytes (2 families), Lycophytes (1), Ferns (7), and Angiosperms (20). Of the 185 names associated with Wendland’s material, 50 names are represented by holotypes, and 67 lectotypes and 5 neotypes have been published by previous authors. Herein, 51 new lectotypes and 5 neotypes have been designated. Typification remains unresolved for 7 names. The second part of this work consists of an annotated English translation of Wendland’s expedition correspondence originally published in German in Hamburger Garten- und Blumenzeitung (1857). This translation provides information concerning the itinerary and the locations and dates of several of Wendland’s collections. Las herborizaciones de Hermann Wendland durante su expedición a América Central en 1856 – 57 son relevantes porque constituyeron la base para la descripción de un importante número de nuevas especies. Muchos de sus especímenes se han perdido, extraviado, o han sido evaluados de forma incorrecta en términos de nomenclatura y tipificación. No obstante, sus especímenes centroamericanos conservados en GOET han sido recientemente procesados y digitalizados, lo cual posibilita la realización de nuevos estudios. Se han localizado en diferentes herbarios alrededor de 1,280 especímenes procedentes de la expedición. Éstos representan unas 540 colecciones. Los materiales de la expedición de Wendland están asociados a la publicación de 185 names. La primera parte de este trabajo trata sobre la nomenclatura de dichos nombres. Existe material original en 30 familias de plantas correspondientes a briófitos (2 familias), licófitos (1), helechos (7) y angiospermas (20). De los 185 nombres asociados al material de Wendland, 50 están representados por holotipos, así como 67 lectotipos y 5 neotipos fueron publicados en trabajos anteriores. En la presenta contribución se designan 51 lectotipos y 5 neotipos. Asimismo, 7 nombres permanecen sin tipificar. En la segunda parte del trabajo se presenta una traducción anotada en inglés de la correspondencia de Wendland durante su expedición, originariamente publicada en alemán en Hamburger Garten- und Blumenzeitung (1857). La traducción brinda información de su itinerario, además de las localidades y fechas de algunas de sus colecciones

Spatial and temporal variation in volatile composition suggests olfactory division of labor within the trap flowers of Aristolochia gigantea

The olfactory components of floral advertisement can be complex, often showing dynamic patterns of emission and chemical composition that may reflect diverse functions related to pollination. In this study we investigated the spatial and temporal variation of volatile production in the distinctive kettle trap flowers of the Neotropical pipevine Aristolochia gigantea (Aristolochiaceae). These flowers show unusual complexity in scent chemistry and floral morphology in addition to conspicuous changes in scent at distinct stages during floral ontogeny. In this study, volatiles were collected from separate stages in development (bud, female, male, wilted flower), and from different functional units (limb, black ring, yellow disk, utricle, nectary) within each stage. Our results document a strikingly complex and dynamic floral scent composition for A. gigantea. Female stage floral emissions are dominated by sweet lemon-scented citronella-like compounds including (E)- and (Z)-citral, citronellol and citronellal, and at the same time include smaller amounts of pungent, brood-site associated volatiles such as dimethyl disulfide, 2-heptanone, and 3-methyl-1-butanol. Volatile emissions plummet one day later in male stage flowers, except for increased production of monoterpenoids and sesquiterpenoids, including a burst of linalool within the floral chamber. Volatiles emitted from wilted flowers resemble the vegetative background as soon as 48 h post anthesis. Multidimensional scaling revealed unexpected differentiation of volatile emissions across spatial units of the complex flower (e.g. within vs. outside of the trap), as well as at different stages of sexual expression as flowers matured. These results suggest that protogynous kettle trap flowers or inflorescences utilize a chemical division of labor, in concert with visual and tactile cues, to choreograph pollinator behavior such that female and male floral functions are optimized.Fil: Martin, Kyle R.. Cornell University; Estados UnidosFil: More, Marcela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: Hipólito, Juliana. Universidade Federal Da Bahia; BrasilFil: Charlemagne, Shaniece. Benedict College. Department of Chemistry; Estados UnidosFil: Schlumpberger, Boris O.. University of South Carolina. Department of Biological Sciences; Estados UnidosFil: Raguso, Robert A.. University of South Carolina. Department of Biological Sciences; Estados Unido