Variation in floral displays, both between and within species, has been long known to be shaped by the mutualistic interactions that plants establish with their pollinators. However, increasing evidence suggests that abiotic selection pressures influence floral diversity as well. Here, we analyse the genetic and environmental factors that underlie patterns of floral pigmentation in wild sunflowers. While sunflower inflorescences appear invariably yellow to the human eye, they display extreme diversity for patterns of ultraviolet pigmentation, which are visible to most pollinators. We show that this diversity is largely controlled by cis-regulatory variation affecting a single MYB transcription factor, HaMYB111, through accumulation of ultraviolet (UV)-absorbing flavonol glycosides in ligules (the ‘petals’ of sunflower inflorescences). Different patterns of ultraviolet pigments in flowers are strongly correlated with pollinator preferences. Furthermore, variation for floral ultraviolet patterns is associated with environmental variables, especially relative humidity, across populations of wild sunflowers. Ligules with larger ultraviolet patterns, which are found in drier environments, show increased resistance to desiccation, suggesting a role in reducing water loss. The dual role of floral UV patterns in pollinator attraction and abiotic response reveals the complex adaptive balance underlying the evolution of floral traits.
The Capacity Development Programme (CDP) is an agreement between the Government of Mozambique and the Nordic Development Fund, to tackle climate variability by planning and the sustainable operations and maintenance of sanitation and drainage infrastructure. The Mozambican Administration of Water and Sanitation Infrastructure (AIAS) is the agency responsible for this project. The international consortium in charge of developing the CDP provided consultancy services to AIAS and the vulnerable cities of Beira and Matola. The assignment included not only capacity building but also institutional strengthening activities, as well as specific studies, mainly based on climate modelling (dynamic downscaling) and mapping exercises. Important results and conclusions were achieved, and further adaptation strategies to increase the resilience of the Mozambican urban water, sanitation, and drainage sector were proposed.
The Capacity Development Programme (CDP) is an agreement between the Government of Mozambique and the Nordic Development Fund, to tackle climate variability by planning and the sustainable operations and maintenance of sanitation and drainage infrastructure. The Mozambican Administration of Water and Sanitation Infrastructure (AIAS) is the agency responsible for this project. The international consortium in charge of developing the CDP provided consultancy services to AIAS and the vulnerable cities of Beira and Matola. The assignment included not only capacity building but also institutional strengthening activities, as well as specific studies, mainly based on climate modelling (dynamic downscaling) and mapping exercises. Important results and conclusions were achieved, and further adaptation strategies to increase the resilience of the Mozambican urban water, sanitation, and drainage sector were proposed.
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