Investigation of pollen release by poricidal anthers using mathematical billiards

Hansen, Matheus; Lanes, Gabriel C.; Brito, Vinícius Lourenço Garcia de; Leonel, Edson D.

doi:10.1103/physreve.104.034409

Cited by 9 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…2020; see also the theoretical model of Hansen et al. 2021). Future work might benefit from exploring the effect of other combinations of parameters on pollen release and vibration transmission (principally amplitude and duration that are linked to pollen release [De Luca et al.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 92%

“…The choice of a single frequency, duration, and amplitude enabled us to focus on the comparison between the two contrasting anther architectures studied here while controlling for buzz type. Although spectral properties of bee vibrations, such as their fundamental frequency, vary between bee species, between individuals of the same species, and even between buzzes by the same bee (Burkart et al 2011;Arroyo-Correa et al 2019;De Luca et al 2019;Switzer et al 2019;Bochorny et al 2021), we selected a single test frequency based on previous empirical work in Solanum, which has established that, within the range of frequencies produced by bees (∼100-400 Hz), frequency has a relatively minor contribution to pollen release compared to the amplitude and duration of the buzz Rosi-Denadai et al 2020; see also the theoretical model of Hansen et al 2021). Future work might benefit from exploring the effect of other combinations of parameters on pollen release and vibration transmission (principally amplitude and duration that are linked to pollen release Vallejo-Marín 2019;Rosi-Denadai et al 2020], but also other potential sources of variation including frequency, harmonic structure, different modes of the bee holding the flower while buzzing, humidity variation, etc.…”

Section: Signal Generationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…We hypothesize that the higher vibration amplitude of anthers in joined architectures result in higher pollen release compared to free anther configurations. Our hypothesis is based on the fact that higher vibration amplitudes (e.g., higher velocity or acceleration amplitude) have been shown to be theoretically (Buchmann and Hurley 1978;Hansen et al 2021) and empirically associated with higher rates of pollen release Rosi-Denadai et al 2020;Kemp and Vallejo-Marin 2021). If joined anther architectures are associated with higher vibration magnitudes across more anthers (both focal and distal anthers), then we would expect pollen release to be proportionally higher as well.…”

mentioning

confidence: 93%

“…Our hypothesis is based on the fact that higher vibration amplitudes (e.g., higher velocity or acceleration amplitude) have been shown to be theoretically (Buchmann and Hurley 1978; Hansen et al. 2021) and empirically associated with higher rates of pollen release (De Luca et al. 2013; Rosi‐Denadai et al.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Anther cones increase pollen release in buzz‐pollinated Solanum flowers

2022

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The widespread evolution of tube-like anthers releasing pollen from apical pores is associated with buzz pollination, in which bees vibrate flowers to remove pollen. The mechanical connection among anthers in buzz-pollinated species varies from loosely held conformations, to anthers tightly held together with trichomes or bioadhesives forming a functionally joined conical structure (anther cone). Joined anther cones in buzz-pollinated species have evolved independently across plant families and via different genetic mechanisms, yet their functional significance remains mostly untested. We used experimental manipulations to compare vibrational and functional (pollen release) consequences of joined anther cones in three buzz-pollinated species of Solanum (Solanaceae). We applied bee-like vibrations to focal anthers in flowers with ("joined") and without ("free") experimentally created joined anther cones, and characterized vibrations transmitted to other anthers and the amount of pollen released. We found that joined anther architectures cause nonfocal anthers to vibrate at higher amplitudes than free architectures. Moreover, in the two species with naturally loosely held anthers, anther fusion increases pollen release, whereas in the species with a free but naturally compact architecture it does not. We discuss hypotheses for the adaptive significance of the convergent evolution of joined anther cones.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 92%

Section: Signal Generationmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 93%

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confidence: 99%

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Anther cones increase pollen release in buzz‐pollinated Solanum flowers

2022

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“…To date, there have been few efforts to develop a high-fidelity model of a poricidal stamen capable of describing its structural dynamics. While some models describe pollen ejection, the anther cavity and cavity wall motion in these models are greatly simplified [19,53]. The present work is particularly useful when simulating conditions difficult to emulate and study experimentally under controlled laboratory royalsocietypublishing.org/journal/rsif J. R. Soc.…”

Section: Computational Modellingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Structural dynamics of real and modelled Solanum stamens: implications for pollen ejection by buzzing bees

Jankauski

Ferguson

Russell

et al. 2022

J. R. Soc. Interface.

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An estimated 10% of flowering plant species conceal their pollen within tube-like anthers that dehisce through small apical pores (poricidal anthers). Bees extract pollen from poricidal anthers through a complex motor routine called floral buzzing, whereby the bee applies vibratory forces to the flower stamen by rapidly contracting its flight muscles. The resulting deformation depends on the stamen's natural frequencies and vibration mode shapes, yet for most poricidal species, these properties have not been sufficiently characterized. We performed experimental modal analysis on Solanum elaeagnifolium stamens to quantify their natural frequencies and vibration modes. Based on morphometric and dynamic measurements, we developed a finite-element model of the stamen to identify how variable material properties, geometry and bee weight could affect its dynamics. In general, stamen natural frequencies fell outside the reported floral buzzing range, and variations in stamen geometry and material properties were unlikely to bring natural frequencies within this range. However, inclusion of bee mass reduced natural frequencies to within the floral buzzing frequency range and gave rise to an axial-bending vibration mode. We hypothesize that floral buzzing bees exploit the large vibration amplification factor of this mode to increase anther deformation, which may facilitate pollen ejection.

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