Intraflower variation in nectar secretion: Secretion patterns and pollinator behavior in male‐ and female‐phase flowers

Misaki, Ando; Itagaki, Tomoyuki; Matsubara, Y.; Sakai, Satoki

doi:10.1002/ajb2.1099

Cited by 9 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…Most angiosperms have inflorescences (Harder & Prusinkiewicz, 2013), which are structures composed of multiple flowers but not a homogeneous set of flowers (Harder et al, 2019). Characteristics such as flower morphology, sexual expression, timing of anthesis, and nectar secretion vary among flowers in an inflorescence (Ando et al, 2018; Cuevas & Polito, 2004; Harder & Prusinkiewicz, 2013). This mosaic structure in the inflorescence contributes to reproductive efficiency by controlling pollinator visitation behavior, mitigating the negative effects of inclement weather, and controlling seed production according to the resource levels of the individual (Harder et al, 2019; Harder & Barrett, 1995; Harder & Prusinkiewicz, 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Differences in reproductive function between terminal and lateral flowers in the capitulum of Albizia julibrissin (Fabaceae) based on female fertility, ovule number, and pistil and polyad size

Mizusawa

Kato

Kurosawa

2023

Plant Species Biology

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The division of labor between florets responsible for reproduction and special functions occurs widely in condensed inflorescences. The capitulum of Albizia julibrissin consists of approximately 10–20 lateral flowers and usually one nectar‐secreting terminal flower; the two flower types are morphologically distinct, but the differences in reproductive function have not been revealed. To determine the differences in reproductive function between terminal and lateral flowers, we compared the ratio of terminal and lateral flowers at the flowering and young pod stages. Additionally, ovule number, stigma size, polyad size, and the ratio of flower abscission were compared between the two flower types. Significant differences were detected only in female fertility between the two flower types. At the flowering stage, 6.8% of flowers were terminal flowers, whereas at the young pod stage, all young fruits were obtained from lateral flowers. At the final stage of blooming, based on the generalized linear model analysis, the ratio of surviving terminal flowers was lower than that of the lateral flowers in a capitulum. These results suggest that the terminal flowers of A. julibrissin had female sterility or, at least, female fertility was lower than in lateral flowers. Therefore, it is necessary to reexamine some previous studies that assumed A. julibrissin to be andromonoecious with hermaphroditic terminal flowers and male lateral flowers. Further comparisons of the quality of ovules and polyads are necessary to clarify whether there is a division of labor between the terminal and lateral flowers in A. julibrissin.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Differences in reproductive function between terminal and lateral flowers in the capitulum of Albizia julibrissin (Fabaceae) based on female fertility, ovule number, and pistil and polyad size

Mizusawa

Kato

Kurosawa

2023

Plant Species Biology

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“…Nectar production is often greatest in larger flowers, or flowers with unique attributes that pollinators learn to associate with greater nectar rewards (Cresswell & Galen, 1991;Fenster et al 2006). Likewise, the variance in nectar production among flowers and inflorescences may be associated with sexual stage of the flower (Devlin et al 1987), movement of pollinators (Zhao et al 2016), pollination success (Pleasants & Chaplin 1983;Mitchell 1993), and levels of geitonomy/xenogamy (Hodges 1995;Biernaskie et al 2002;Misaki et al, 2018). Nectar production appears to have a significant genetic component in some species (Campbell 1996;Boose 1997;Klinkhamer et al 1999), although the experimental conditions rarely control for genotype x environmental interactions (Mitchell 2004).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Patterns of Nectar Production in Asclepias curassavica (Apocynaceae))

Broyles

Stoj²

2019

J Poll Ecol

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Milkweeds are important nectar resources for insects in the New World. In addition, nectar is the germination medium for milkweed pollen. This study is the first controlled, greenhouse examination of patterns of nectar production in a milkweed species. We measured nectar volume, concentration, and mg of sugar in the pantropical, weedy milkweed Asclepias curassavica. Our results show that A. curassavica secretes nectar primarily during daylight hours and it continues at a constant daily rate for four to five days. Freshly secreted nectar is lower in sugar concentration than older nectar. This provides an opportunity for milkweed pollen to germinate throughout the day, but pollen germination could be inhibited at times when the sugar concentration increases. Nectar production in A. curassavica is adapted to attract diurnal insect pollinators over several days and to allow pollen germination to occur quickly. Significant differences in nectar production exist among plants and among inflorescences within plants. Nectar production increases in flowers when nectar is extracted using paper wicks that simulate removal by insects in nature. Removal-enhanced nectar production in milkweeds may allow plants to adjust resources to inflorescences receiving insect visitation. Significant inter-plant differences in nectar production and the unique milkweed flower provides a model system for examining the role of pollinator-mediated selection on nectar traits.

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“…Other explanations could be pollinators are not attracted to plants with greater nectar production beyond some threshold (Misaki et al 2018), that nectar production is balanced in accordance to supply and demand (Ratnieks & Balfour 2021) or subject to trade-offs against plant growth (Dorken & Van Drunen 2018). However, the exact explanation remains unknown and awaits future research.…”

Section: -Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A study of bird-plant interactions in New Zealand

Lim¹

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Throughout their evolutionary history, animals have interacted with and evolved alongside plants. There is a long tradition of studying mutualistic relationships between plants and animals. However, the study of mutualistic relationships still present substantial challenges. For instance, the role of dual mutualists in the rebuilding of degraded ecological networks is poorly understood. Additionally, while syndromes have been studied for years, support for the role of fruit and flower colour and their association with animals are still being debated. Finally, even after decades of study, it is still unclear how colours are adaptive in fruit colour polymorphisms and the conditions that lead to them being maintained in nature. It is the goal of this thesis to investigate these understudied aspects of ecology using model species in New Zealand. To better understand how dual mutualists influence network properties in New Zealand, I compared how network properties have changed with reintroduction of native bird species. Rate of restoration of network properties was directly impacted by the order of reintroduction. Reintroducing dual mutualists can accelerate the rewiring of networks, but their loss will also have a two-fold impact on networks. Next, I examined how fruit reflectance properties influence frugivore behaviour. Results were consistent with a growing body of research that suggests that fruit reflectance properties are unrelated to frugivore behaviour. On the other hand, research with large scale study systems are uncovering links between fruit colour and frugivore behaviour. Support remains equivocal and may be dependent on scale. Thirdly, I examined whether sexual selection theory can predict flower traits by looking at how a suite of flower traits such as nectar production, flower conspicuousness and flower size are related. Flower traits such as nectar production were correlated with flower size and flower hue. These traits varied between gender consistent with sexual selection theory. Lastly, I investigated how fruit colour in a fruit-colour polymorphic plant can be attributed to both biotic and abiotic conditions. ‘Red’ fruits were more conspicuous than ‘white’ fruits and found at elevations that coincide with higher densities of avian frugivore. On the other hand, ‘white’ fruits were more common at higher elevations, reflected more UV and were better able to protect their seeds from UV damage. Together, these studies broaden our understanding of animal-plant interaction in New Zealand and the importance of dual mutualistic bird species to ecological networks. It provides evidence to a growing body of research on the role of colour in syndromes. Additionally, the results offer new insights into how different conditions influence fruit colour across an elevation gradient.

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Intraflower variation in nectar secretion: Secretion patterns and pollinator behavior in male‐ and female‐phase flowers

Cited by 9 publications

References 45 publications

Differences in reproductive function between terminal and lateral flowers in the capitulum of Albizia julibrissin (Fabaceae) based on female fertility, ovule number, and pistil and polyad size

Differences in reproductive function between terminal and lateral flowers in the capitulum of Albizia julibrissin (Fabaceae) based on female fertility, ovule number, and pistil and polyad size

Patterns of Nectar Production in <i>Asclepias curassavica</i> (Apocynaceae))

A study of bird-plant interactions in New Zealand

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