Floral Components Research Articles

Decoupling the spread of grasslands from the evolution of grazer-type herbivores in South America

The evolution of high-crowned cheek teeth (hypsodonty) in herbivorous mammals during the late Cenozoic is classically regarded as an adaptive response to the near-global spread of grass-dominated habitats. Precocious hypsodonty in middle Eocene (∼38 million years (Myr) ago) faunas from Patagonia, South America, is therefore thought to signal Earth's first grasslands, 20 million years earlier than elsewhere. Here, using a high-resolution, 43-18 million-year record of plant silica (phytoliths) from Patagonia, we show that although open-habitat grasses existed in southern South America since the middle Eocene (∼40 Myr ago), they were minor floral components in overall forested habitats between 40 and 18 Myr ago. Thus, distinctly different, continent-specific environmental conditions (arid grasslands versus ash-laden forests) triggered convergent cheek-tooth evolution in Cenozoic herbivores. Hypsodonty evolution is an important example where the present is an insufficient key to the past, and contextual information from fossils is vital for understanding processes of adaptation.

Influence of Fermentation Method on Phenolics, Antioxidant Capacity, and Volatiles in Blackberry Wines

The influence of the type of fermentation method on phenolics, antioxidant capacity, and volatiles in blackberry wine was studied. Dry blackberry wines made by traditional fermentation (TF) and carbonic maceration fermentation (CMF) were analyzed for total polyphenols, flavanols, flavonoids, anthocyanins, proanthocyanidin, and antioxidant capacity. High-performance liquid chromatography was used for analysis of nonflavonoid phenolics (gallic, benzoic, salicylic, syringic, caffeic, coumaric, and ferulic) and flavonoids (catechin, quercetin, and rutin). Volatiles were detected by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The results showed that CMF fermentation afforded higher antioxidant activity and phenolic content, especially individual polyphenolics. The total level of phenolics in the CMF wine was substantially higher than in traditional wines: 2953 mg of gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/L for CMF wine vs. 1647 mg of GAE/L for traditional wine. A total of 53 kinds of volatile compounds were detected. Of these, 35 were detected in traditionally brewed wine and 46 in CMF fermented wine. Thus, CMF wine had a more complement volatile profile. The dominance of fruity and floral odor components derived from ethyl esters of fatty acids resulted in the indistinguishable aroma of TF and CMF wines. But, CMF wine had a more complicated aroma. The present results could complement existing theory on the processing of blackberry wines.

New insights into the role of STAT3 in IBD

Although it is clear that inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) involves an inappropriate immune response to floral components, the molecular determinants that mediate the gene transcription underlying and aggravating disease remain poorly understood. There is building momentum, however, that implicates differential regulation of the signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 3 as an important factor in mediating pathogenic gene transcription in IBD, and this notion was reinforced by studies presented at the recent 2011 Digestive Disease Week (DDW) conference in Chicago. In the present report we integrate the existing body of literature with the novel data presented at this meeting to present a kaleidoscopic scheme so as to provide further insight into the role of STAT3 in IBD. A genetic propensity to its overactivation in the monocyte and epithelial compartment compromises the innate defense to allow low-level bacterial infection to fester and eventually initiate disease. The subsequent STAT3 activation in various relevant mucosal immune compartments, in particular epithelial cell proliferation and survival, and the function of the regulatory T cells and Th17 cells allow the mucosal immune system to fight the infection and return to steady state. As such, the action of STAT3 in IBD is highly context-dependent but always important.

Meningitis associated with Vancomycin resistant Enterococcus casseliflavus: First report

Enterococci are present in the gastrointestinal system as normal floral components. In the past two decades members of the genus Enterococcus have emerged as important nosocomial pathogens worldwide. Enterococci may cause a range of different disorders such as urinary tract, intraabdominal, and wound infections, as well as endocarditis, meningitis and bacteraemia. Nosocomial enterococcal meningitis is most commonly observed following ventriculoperitoneal shunt operations. Vancomycin resistant enterococcus (VRE) represents 30% of all enterococci infections. This report presents a vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus casseliflavus meningitis case in a 66-year-old patient with ventriculoperitoneal shunt, which has not been reported in the literature before. Successful outcomes were obtained with daptomycin plus linezolid combined treatment in VRE meningitis. Treatment recommendations in VRE meningitis are also discussed in this article.

Employing Pythagorean Hodograph Curves for Artistic Patterns

In this paper we present a novel design element creator tool for the digital artist. The purpose of our tool is to support the creation of vines, swirls, swooshes and floral components. To create visually pleasing and gentle curves we employ Pythagorean Hodograph quintic spiral curves to join a hierarchy of control circles defined by the user. The control circles are joined by spiral segments with at least G2 continuity, ensuring smooth and seamless transitions. The control circles give the user a fast and intuitive way to define the desired curve. The resulting curves can be exported as cubic Bezier curves for further use in vector graphics applications.

On the problem of development and management of regional black books

A comparative analysis of invasive components in several regional floras within European Russia is carried out. Regional specifics of alien floral components, caused by climatic differences and local traditions in the cultivation are described. Trends of changes in the florogenetic and invasive statuses are revealed for number of alien species. Tasks for a program of integrated studies on the alien component of floras and for developing regional Black Books are formulated.

Comparative Analysis of Headspace Volatiles of Chinese Rosa rugosa

The floral headspace compounds of Chinese Rosa rugosa germplasms that were isolated by an automated headspace sampler with built-in trap, and followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for identification and quantification. Up to 33 volatile compounds were identified from the 23 rose germplasms, including nine alcohols, five esters, three alkanes, 10 terpenes, three aldehydes, two ketones, and one ether. The main floral components identified were 2-phenylethanol, β-citronellol, ethanol, and n-hexane. ‘xizi’, ‘miaofengshan’, ‘xiangciguo’, and ‘tangbai’ contained the highest amounts of 2-phenylethanol at 84.66 μg·g-1, β-citronellol at 70.98 μg·g-1, ethanol at 83.87 μg·g-1, and n-hexane at 18.23 μg·g-1, respectively. ‘Rongchengyesheng’, ‘tanghong’, ‘xizi’, ‘miaofengshan’, and ‘baizizhi’ could be considered good materials for extracting rose oil and breeding new cultivars.

DISTRIBUTION AND ACCUMULATION OF FLORAL SCENT COMPOUNDS IN ROSE FLOWERS, AND THE CHANGE IN THE GENE EXPRESSION INVOLVED IN THE BIOSYNTHESIS OF THESE COMPOUNDS DURING THE UNFURLING PROCESS

The concentrations of the aroma components 2-phenylethanol (2PE) and 3,5-dimethoxytoluene (DMT) emitted from the flower of Rosa 'Yves Piaget' change remarkably during the unfurling process. At each unfurling stage, flowers were separated into the following parts: outer petals, middle petals, and inner petals. The floral scent components were extracted from each sample and subjected to GC-MS analysis. 2PE accumulated mostly at the initial unfurling stage in outer petals, and DMT in inner petals. In addition we examined the gene expression levels corresponding to the enzymes involved in the biosyntheses of DMT by real time RT-PCR.

Proporção da dióicia e distribuição diamétrica de árvores masculinas e femininas de <i>Araucaria angustifolia</i> (Bert.) Kuntze., em povoamentos implantados

O estudo realizado na Floresta Nacional de São Francisco de Paula, Rio Grande do Sul, teve como objetivos quantificar o número de indivíduos femininos e masculinos, de Araucaria angustifolia, bem como estudar a distribuição diamétrica, em floresta de 25,11 ha, com 60 anos de idade. A classificação por sexo foi realizada nos períodos de maturação dos componentes florais e o levantamento dendrométrico efetuado para obtenção do diâmetro e frequência, sobre toda a área amostral. A proporção relativa de indivíduos do sexo feminino foi de 43,65% e de 56,35% para o masculino; 65,3% das árvores estavam concentradas entre as classes de diâmetro de 35-45 cm. Não houve diferença significativa em diâmetro médio, sendo encontrado para o sexo feminino 42 cm e para o masculino 38,5 cm. A distribuição diamétrica obedeceu à distribuição normal, sendo que houve presença de maior número de indivíduos do sexo feminino nas maiores classes diamétricas e maiores quantidades de indivíduos masculinos nas menores classes.

Pollination, Fertilization and Floral Traits Co-Segregating with Autofertility in Faba Bean

Heterotic autofertility in faba bean has been investigated in cultivars, inbred lines and F1 populations but not in segregating generations. This study evaluated the association between autofertility and floral components in the presence of different levels of heterosis in segregating generations, derived from two inbred lines – autofertile line Kristall 25 (K25) and autosterile line Diana 07 (D07). The autofertile populations had fewer pollen grains, greater style-ovary angle, longer style, lower papillae density than autosterile ones. The rate of flower bud growth and the release of exudate were considered to be related to protogyny of autofertile materials. Pod setting and fertilization values of autosterile bulks were significantly lower than those of autofertile ones, however, the latter had higher percentage of seeds and inbred embryos abortion. Autofertility was due to a range of complex components, not just one or two, the inheritance of which should be taken into consideration when developing sel...

Biological importance of an Atlantic European maërl bed off Benencia Island (northwest Iberian Peninsula)

Abstract We studied the conservation status of a maërl bed off Benencia Island (NW Spain) over a 2-year period using SCUBA and dredging. The maërl bed, which includes a maërl beach, extended from the intertidal to subtidal zones (18 m), and occupied an area of 215 ha. It was composed of a pure unattached coralline algal deposit occasionally mixed with broken shells. The area estimated for the highest maërl cover (76–100%) was greater than reported in previous research. The living maërl layer reached 15 cm in depth and the living/dead maërl ratio was high (80–100% living maërl cover). The dominant maërl-forming species was Phymatolithon calcareum, although unattached plants of Mesophyllum sp. reaching 10 cm in diameter were found in two sites. Both maërl species are fruticose. The proportion of discoidal specimens of P. calcareum was related to depth. The associated flora comprised 137 species whose seasonal variations were very marked, with high floristic richness in summer (71 species) and low in winter (35 species). Crustose and turf-like species were the dominant floral components throughout the year, whereas the presence of other species was restricted to specific periods. We propose that Benencia Island be included in future Atlantic Iberian maërl bed conservation schemes.

Continental Drift and the New Zealand Biota

Historical bio geographers have long been puzzled by the existence in the indigenous biota of New Zealand, of seemingly land tied tax a which are shared with other southern lands especially with South America. Authorities have been forced, often reluctantly, to attribute all origins to transoceanic dispersal or to envisage former land bridges. Without denying the validity of the former explanation for many tax a, there are strong biological arguments against the mechanism for some groups while land bridges have not been supported by geological evidence. The theory of continental drift has recently received strong support from a large number of earth scientists and may enable the resolution of many of the enigmas of Austral distributions. Explanations of the movements of lands of the Southern Hemisphere have been offered together with reasonably precise allocations of times at which various connections were finally severed. It appears likely that New Zealand might well have received its oldest faunal and floral components when it was part of, or immediately adjacent to, the Gondwanaland super continent. These could have included Glossopteris, Podocarps, Sphenodon, Leiopelma, and the Ratites. Nothofagus, together with a large number of other plants and invertebrates currently shared with South America, Australia and subantarctic islands, but absent from Africa and India, presumably arrived a little later. Absence of Marsupials is consistent with a severence of New Zealand prior to the overland arrival of the group in Australia. Much fossil and other evidence remains to be obtained but biologists and historical bio geographers will be happier with current explanations than they have been for more than a hundred years.

Efeito de vespas não-polinizadoras sobre o mutualismo Ficus - vespas de figos

Relações ecológicas interespecíficas, que resultam em benefício para todos os organismos participantes, são conhecidas como mutualismo. No entanto, tal cooperação abre espaço para o surgimento de estratégias oportunistas (ou de trapaça), representadas por indivíduos parasitas do mutualismo, que recebem o benefício de um dos parceiros sem oferecer nada em troca. A interação figueiras - vespas - de - figo é um sistema adequado para o estudo do mutualismo e de estratégias oportunistas (parasitas de mutualismos). Representantes do gênero Ficus (Moraceae) apresentam uma relação mutualística com pequenas vespas polinizadoras (Agaonidae) e são explorados por outras espécies de vespas não-polinizadoras. Esse trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o impacto das vespas não-polinizadoras sobre o mutualismo Ficus citrifolia e suas vespas polinizadoras, Pegoscapus tonduzi Grandi, 1919. Para tal, foi comparada a produção de aquênios (função feminina) e de fêmeas da espécie polinizadora (função masculina) entre amostras de sicônios altamente infestados e pouco infestados por vespas não-polinizadoras, coletadas nos municípios de Londrina (Paraná), Campinas e Ribeirão Preto (São Paulo), Brasil. Nossos resultados apontaram que as vespas não-polinizadoras exercem impacto negativo nos componentes feminino e masculino da planta, sendo maior no masculino. A produção de vespas polinizadoras foi cerca de sete vezes menor nos figos infestados, ao passo que a produção de aquênios foi 1,5 vez menor nesses mesmos figos. Hipóteses sobre a estabilidade do mutualismo na presença das espécies oportunistas são discutidas.

Floral Competence of Primocane-fruiting Blackberries Prime-Jan and Prime-Jim Grown at Three Temperature Regimens

We investigated the responses of staminate and pistillate floral components of Prime-Jan and Prime-Jim primocane-fruiting blackberry (Rubus L. subgenus Rubus Watson) to three different growth chamber temperature regimens, 35.0/23.9 °C (HT), 29.4/18.3 °C (MT), and 23.9/12.8 °C (LT). Temperature was negatively related to flower size, and morphologically abnormal floral structures were evident in 41% and 98% of the MT- and HT-grown plants, respectively. Anthers of LT- and MT-grown plants dehisced. The viability of pollen (as deduced through staining) from Prime-Jan grown at LT or MT exceeded 70%, whereas that of Prime-Jim pollen was significantly reduced (<40%) by the MT regimen. In vitro pollen germinability (typically <50%) was negatively influenced by temperature but was unaffected by cultivar. Pollen useful life was diminished under HT conditions; LT-grown pollen held at 23.9 °C retained 63% of its original germinability over a 32-h period, while the germinability of that held at 35.0 °C for 16 hours decreased by 97%. Virtually all flowers cultured under HT conditions were male sterile, exhibiting structural or sporogenous class abnormalities including petaloidy and malformation of tapetal cells or microspores; HT anthers that were present, failed to dehisce. Stigma receptivity, pistil density, and drupelet set were also negatively influenced by increased temperature; values for these parameters of floral competency among control plants were reduced by 51%, 39%, and 76%, respectively, in flowers cultured under HT conditions. In this study, flowering and fruiting parameters, and presumably the yield potential of Prime-Jan and Prime-Jim, were adversely affected by increased temperature. However, their adaptive response to heat stress under field conditions awaits assessment.

Seeing the wood and the trees—predicting the future for fragmented plant populations in Australian landscapes

Australian landscapes face significant environmental challenges in the coming decade. The fragmentation of vegetation following broadscale land-clearing has rapidly altered critical genetic and demographic processes within and among the remnants that still reside in these landscapes. These perturbations threaten the long-term persistence of many species. Although considerable research has been directed towards the management of rare species, little is understood about how common and widespread species respond to these new challenges. In this paper we review the current state of knowledge regarding species biology for some key Australian taxonomic groups to develop broad predictions about the major threats to species persistence, particularly for some of the most common and widespread floral components of fragmented Australian landscapes. The main focus is on associations between reproductive strategy, vulnerability to demographic and genetic threats, and implications for fecundity.

Solar forcing of Gulf of California climate during the past 2000 yr suggested by diatoms and silicoflagellates

High-resolution records of the past 2000 yr are compared in a north–south transect (28° N to 24° N) of three cores from the eastern slopes of the Guaymas, Carmen, and Pescadero Basins of the Gulf of California (hereafter referred to as the “Gulf”). Evenly-spaced samples from the varved sediments in each core allow sample resolution ranging from ∼ 16 to ∼ 37 yr. Diatoms and silicoflagellates capture the seasonal variation between a late fall to early spring period of high biosiliceous productivity, that is driven by northwest winds, and a summer period of warmer, more stratified waters during which these winds slacken and/or reverse direction (monsoonal flow). As these winds decrease, tropical waters enter the Gulf and spread northward. Individual samples represent a composite of 7 to 23 yr of deposition and are assumed to record the relative dominance of the winter vs. summer floral components. Intervals of enhanced summer incursion of tropical waters, alternating with periods of increased late fall to early spring biosiliceous productivity are recorded in all three cores. Regularly spaced cycles (∼ 100 yr duration) of Octactis pulchra, a silicoflagellate proxy for lower SST and high productivity, and Azpeitia nodulifera, a tropical diatom, occur between ∼ A.D. 400 and ∼ 1700 in the more nearshore Carmen Basin core, NH01-21 (26.3° N), suggesting a possible solar influence on coastal upwelling. Cores BAM80 E-17 (27.9° N) and NH01-26 (24.3° N) contain longer-duration cycles of diatoms and silicoflagellates. The early part of Medieval Climate Anomaly (∼ A.D. 900 to 1200) is characterized by two periods of reduced productivity (warmer SST) with an intervening high productivity (cool) interval centered at ∼ A.D. 1050. Reduced productivity and higher SST also characterize the record of the last ∼ 100 to 200 yr in these cores. Solar variability appears to be driving productivity cycles, as intervals of increased radiocarbon production (sunspot minima) correlate with intervals of enhanced productivity. It is proposed that increased winter cooling of the atmosphere above southwest U.S. during sunspot minima causes intensification of the northwest winds that blow down the Gulf during the late fall to early spring, leading to intensified overturn of surface waters and enhanced productivity. A new silicoflagellate species, Dictyocha franshepardii Bukry, is described and illustrated.

(116) Floral Competence of Primocane-fruiting Blackberries Prime-Jan™ and Prime-Jim™ Grown at Three Temperature Regimes

We investigated the response of staminate and pistillate floral components of Prime-Jan™ and Prime-Jim™ primocane-fruiting blackberry (Rubus L. subgenus Rubus Watson) to three different growth chamber temperature regimes, 35.0/23.9 °C (HT), 29.4/18.3 °C (MT), and 23.9/12.8 °C (LT). Temperature was negatively related to flower size and morphological abnormalities in floral structures were evident in 41% and 98% of the MT- and HT-grown plants, respectively. The viability (stainability) of pollen from LT- and MT-grown Prime-Jan™ flowers exceeded 70%; that of Prime-Jim™ pollen was significantly reduced (<40%) by the MT regime. Pollen in-vitro germinability was negatively influenced by temperature but was unaffected by cultivar. LT-grown pollen held at 23.9 °C retained 63% of its original germinability over a 32-hour period; the germinability of LT-grown pollen held at 35.0 °C was decreased by 97% from its original level after 16 hours. Virtually all flowers cultured under HT conditions were male-sterile, exhibiting structural and/or sporogenous class abnormalities including petaloidy, malformation of tapetal cells, and microspores or failure of dehiscence. The duration of stigma receptivity, pistil density, and drupelet set were also negatively influenced by increasing temperature; values for these parameters of floral competency among control plants were reduced by 51%, 39%, and 76%, respectively, in flowers cultured under HT conditions. Herein, flowering and fruiting parameters and presumably the yield potential of Prime-Jan™ and Prime-Jim™ were adversely affected by increased temperature. However, assessment of their adaptative response to heat stress under field conditions awaits experimentation.

Floral diagrams and inflorescences

We present a system for modeling flowers in three dimensions quickly and easily while preserving correct botanical structures. We use floral diagrams and inflorescences , which were developed by botanists to concisely describe structural information of flowers. Floral diagrams represent the layout of floral components on a single flower, while inflorescences are arrangements of multiple flowers. Based on these notions, we created a simple user interface that is specially tailored to flower editing, while retaining a maximum variety of generable models. We also provide sketching interfaces to define the geometries of floral components. Separation of structural editing and editing of geometry makes the authoring process more flexible and efficient. We found that even novice users could easily design various flower models using our technique. Our system is an example of application-customized sketching, illustrating the potential power of a sketching interface that is carefully designed for a specific application.

Fusarium Head Blight Infection following Point Inoculation in the Greenhouse Compared with Movement of Fusarium graminearum in Seed and Floral Components

Fusarium head blight (FHB) caused by Fusarium graminearum Schwabe can cause extensive losses in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seed quality and yield. Greenhouse studies were conducted in 2000 and 2001 to investigate the movement of F. graminearum into floral components of the wheat spike following point inoculation (PI) of a middle floret. The visual greenhouse rating of spikelet infection (severity) following PI for all genotypes in the Uniform Northern and Southern FHB Screening Nurseries with various levels of Type II resistance was also related to seed infection by F. graminearum in the same spikes and to field infection of all genotypes in 2001. Greenhouse ratings of FHB spikelet infection were poorly associated with F. graminearum infection in seeds and other floral components from the same spikelets. Pathogen movement was primarily localized around the PI (resistant cultivars) or moved basally from the PI (susceptible cultivars). Greenhouse FHB spikelet infection ranged from 5 (resistant genotypes) to 100% (susceptible genotypes) with a wide but unrelated range in seed infection in the same spikes. Thus, Type II resistance to FHB (measured by spikelet severity) in the greenhouse was not a good indicator of F. graminearum seed infection. Seed infection with F. graminearum exceeded 70% in all genotypes when grown under near epidemic conditions in the field nursery and was poorly related to visual measurements (spikelet severity and scabby seeds) of Type II resistance. It is proposed that a greenhouse rating of those spikes having <30% spikelet FHB infection can be combined with a laboratory evaluation of the same spikes with <30% F. graminearum seed infection to provide a more definitive method of selecting for Type II resistance.

Intra-inflorescence variation in floral traits and reproductive success of the hermaphrodite Silene acutifolia.

Intraspecific variation in floral components and reproductive success is often located at the intra-individual level. The arrangement of flowers within inflorescences may explain a great deal of this variation. The variation in number of ovules, fruit set, number of seeds per fruit, seed set, seed weight and seed germination is investigated at different positions within the inflorescence of Silene acutifolia. Data were obtained in natural populations, and germination experiments were conducted in a germination chamber. The number of ovules, fruit set, number of seeds, seed set and seed weight, showed a significant decline from early (primary) position to later (tertiary) position. The patterns of intra-inflorescence variation were consistent in different populations and years of study. Seed germination showed an opposite pattern, seeds from primary position showed the lowest germination percentages and seeds from tertiary position the highest, although the effect of position on germination was only marginally significant. There was significant among-population variation in number of ovules per flower. Fruit set also varied significantly among populations, with lower fruit set in the smaller and more isolated population. No significant among-population differences were detected in number of seeds per fruit and seed set. Seeds from the smallest and more isolated population (Arnado) were the lightest. Seed germination showed strong differences between populations, seeds from Arnado started to germinate later, and showed the lowest final germination percentages. Architectural effects or resource competition are the most commonly proposed hypothesis to explain these patterns. Data suggest that there is less pollen available to pollinate tertiary flowers, and that there is not enough outcross pollen in Arnado. The germination percentages suggest that there is variation in the source of pollen within inflorescences, with high probability of receiving outcross pollen in flowers from primary position, and higher probability of geitonogamous crosses in tertiary flowers.