Bouncy versus idles: On the different role of pollinators in the generalist Gentiana lutea L.

Plant Ecology & Diversity

2015

Self Cite

Background: Taxonomic analysis provides a basic understanding for taxon identification and contributes to preliminary information for several branches of applied biology, while studies on reproductive strategies and plant fitness are essential to interpret population status and dynamics. Aims: We tested the reliability of diagnostic characters for identification and to characterise sexual resource allocation, the breeding system and seed predation among subspecies of Gentiana lutea. Methods: We analysed morphological characters in 70 herbarium specimens. In five natural populations we counted pollen and ovule numbers, assessed reproductive output after pollination treatments and evaluated pre-dispersal predation. Results: Taxonomic traits previously indicated as diagnostic were not sufficient to discriminate among subspecies. The pollen number and pollen:ovule (P:O) ratio varied strongly among subspecies; self-pollinated flowers produced a significantly lower number of seeds than open-pollinated flowers. Retention of empty fruits and high levels of pre-dispersal seed predation were observed in every case. Conclusions: The variation of P:O ratios among subspecies suggests different efficiency in pollen transfer. The species is self-compatible, nevertheless all subspecies require pollen vectors to enhance cross pollination and viable seed production. Fruit retention may have evolved as a strategy to reduce predation, ensuring higher plant fitness.

Section: Breeding System and Seed Predationsupporting

confidence: 88%

Section: Breeding System and Seed Predationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Breeding System and Seed Predationmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Biosystematic studies on the mountain plantGentiana luteaL. reveal variability in reproductive traits among subspecies

Rossi

Fisogni

Plant Ecology & Diversity

2015

Self Cite

“…amino acids that are not constituents of proteins) without expressing any hypothesis about their ecological role or effect on flower visitors. However, NPAAs can be very abundant (Kaczorowski et al ., ; Rossi et al ., ), sometimes accounting for 30–50% of the total amino acids found in nectar (Nepi et al ., ; Nocentini et al ., ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Effects of nonprotein amino acids on survival and locomotion ofOsmia bicornis

Felicioli

Sagona

Insect Molecular Biology

et al. 2018

To investigate the effects of two nectar nonprotein amino acids, β-alanine and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), on Osmia bicornis survival and locomotion, two groups of caged bees were fed with sugar syrup enriched with β-alanine and GABA, respectively. A further control group was fed with sugar syrup. Five behavioural categories were chosen according to the principle of parsimony and intrinsic unitary consistency from start to end, and recorded by scan sampling: two states (remaining under paper or in tubes) and three events (walking on net, feeding from flower and flying). We also analysed the amino acid content of haemolymph sampled from an additional 45 bees fed the same diets (15 per diet type). Bees fed with β-alanine had a significantly shorter survival time than those fed with the control and GABA diets. The GABA diet induced higher levels of locomotion than β-alanine. The former nonprotein amino acid was only detected in the haemolymph of bees fed GABA. The results suggest that insects consuming nonprotein amino-acid-rich diets absorb and transfer these substances to the haemolymph and that nonprotein amino acids affect survival and locomotion. Ecological consequences are discussed in the framework of plant reproductive biology.

“…Gentiana lutea L. (Gentianaceae) is a perennial plant that grows in mountain meadows from the Pyrenees to Asia Minor (Anchisi et al ); reproductive stems show compact pseudo‐whorls composed of yellow tubular flowers, which develop to capsules containing many‐winged seeds. Despite having been treated as self‐incompatible in previous studies (Hegi , Kéry et al ), the species is self‐compatible, but it depends strongly on pollinators to successfully produce a viable progeny (Rossi et al , Losada et al ). Four subspecies are recognized: G. lutea subspp.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

The effect of pollination mode on seed performance of Gentiana lutea: a laboratory evaluation of seed germinability

Rossi

Fisogni

Nordic Journal of Botany

2016

Self Cite

Gentiana lutea L. (yellow gentian, Gentianaceae) is a protected orophyte of central and southern Europe, mainly threatened by the uncontrolled collection of its rhizome, used in traditional medicine and for liquor production. The species is selfcompatible, but outcrossing mediated by pollinators is needed to obtain a viable progeny. In this study, we considered five natural populations belonging to the four subspecies of G. lutea. We performed controlled pollinations in the field (self-versus cross-pollination) followed by seed germination tests in laboratory conditions, adding a solution of gibberellic acid, in order to evaluate the seed performance. A cumulative index of inbreeding depression was calculated considering maternal reproductive output as well as seed performance traits. Seed weight and seed germination performance was similar between seeds resulting from naturally pollinated and pollen-augmented flowers and higher compared to selfed flowers, highlighting a disadvantage of selfing and the importance of cross-pollen transfer in natural conditions. However, in the small and isolated population of G. lutea subsp. symphyandra on Mt Grande we found a general reduction in seed germination rate, likely due to increased selfing or mating among close relatives as a consequence of a severe bottleneck. We discuss our results with regards to implications for conservation practices.