Abstract
BackgroundTetracentron sinense Oliv. is an endangered tree mainly distributed in south-central China. The breeding system and pollination ecology of T. sinense are unclear. With a conservation perspective, the floral biology, breeding system and pollination ecology of Tetracentron sinense Oliv. were investigated, in order to discuss the endangered factors related to pollination, and to provide important information for its conservation.ResultsOur results revealed four important aspects of the reproductive biology of T. sinense. 1) T. sinense usually flowers by the beginning of June, and the flowering period of the population is about two months, and the florescence of florets lasted for 15 to 24 days with delicate fragrance. 2) The pollen/ovule ratio is 720 ± 28, and the outcrossing index is three. Artificial pollination experiments showed that T. sinense is self-compatible, with facultative xenogamy and no indication of agamospermy. 3) The pollination syndrome is ambophily, and self-pollination plays an important role in fruit production if wind and insect pollination is unavailable. 4) Insect pollinators were predominantly represented by Coleoptera, Diptera and Hymenoptera. Syrphid fly and bees were the main effective pollinators.ConclusionsThe results suggested that T. sinense exhibits a mixed-mating system, and autogamy in its breeding system may provide reproductive assurance for the population maintenance. During flowering and pollination in natural population, the decrease of population density and harsh environmental condition might be one of crucial reasons resulting in endanger for this species.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1999-3110-54-50) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Highlights
Tetracentron sinense Oliv. is an endangered tree mainly distributed in south-central China
The results suggested that T. sinense exhibits a mixed-mating system, and autogamy in its breeding system may provide reproductive assurance for the population maintenance
During flowering and pollination in natural population, the decrease of population density and harsh environmental condition might be one of crucial reasons resulting in endanger for this species
Summary
Tetracentron sinense Oliv. is an endangered tree mainly distributed in south-central China. The floral biology, breeding system and pollination ecology of Tetracentron sinense Oliv. Information on the reproductive biology of endangered plants is crucial for predicting their survival capacity and suggesting the appropriate conservation measures (Rodriguez-Perez 2005). Such studies may help to identify the factors affecting the reproduction of individual plants and the subsequent maintenance or regeneration of populations. A number of studies have suggested that the maintenance of plant populations is strongly influenced by both demographic (reproductive success) and genetic (inbreeding depression, evolutionary potential) mechanisms (Frankham & Ralls 1998, Saccheri et al 1998). The inbreeding depression of a rare plant due to a lack of pollinator visits, is usually the most important factor resulting in endanger for the species
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