Proboscidea Louisianica Research Articles

Proboscidea and Dicyphini: An example of spontaneous mutualism by a population of predatory bugs inhabiting a sticky plant

A population of the mirid-bug Dicyphus errans (Miridae) a species occurring in Europe, colonized a group of Devil’s Claw (Proboscidea louisianica subsp. fragrans (Martyniaceae)) native to the USA and cultivated in a garden in Germany. More than 20 individuals of these predatory bugs have been found living and moving freely on these sticky plants, feeding on stuck victims, while garden ants (Lasius spp. (Hymenoptera)) trying to place aphids for “sugar farming” became captured together with their “productive livestock”, as do small flies and bees. The observations on this spontaneous mutualism between the American Devil’s Claw and a small mosquito-like European mirid-bug has been recorded on video (Hartmeyer 2022). This constitutes an additional example for the adaptation of these ubiquitous predatory bugs to feed on the prey of sticky plants that would usually capture small-sized insects. The American Frank Obregon (2017), who found native mirid-bugs on his cultivated Roridula (Roridulaceae) in California, called the phenomenon assisted carnivory, which fits quite nicely. Proboscidea as well as Roridula do not produce digestive enzymes, so they cannot benefit directly from their diverse captured prey. But as soon as predatory bugs colonize the plants and feed on the sticking prey, their droppings provide a suitable fertilizer to be absorbed by the stomata of the leaf. A perfect mutualism. In addition, some historic facts on bug-plant interaction are provided.

Functional packaging of seeds.

SummaryThe encapsulation of seeds in hard coats and fruit walls (pericarp layers) fulfils protective and dispersal functions in many plant families. In angiosperms, packaging structures possess a remarkable range of different morphologies and functionalities, as illustrated by thermo and hygro‐responsive seed pods and appendages, as well as mechanically strong and water‐impermeable shells. Key to these different functionalities are characteristic structural arrangements and chemical modifications of the underlying sclerenchymatous tissues. Although many ecological aspects of hard seed encapsulation have been well documented, a detailed understanding of the relationship between tissue structure and function only recently started to emerge, especially in the context of environmentally driven fruit opening and seed dispersal (responsive encapsulations) and the outstanding durability of some seed coats and indehiscent fruits (static encapsulations). In this review, we focus on the tissue properties of these two systems, with particular consideration of water interactions, mechanical resistance, and force generation. Common principles, as well as unique adaptations, are discussed in different plant species. Understanding how plants integrate a broad range of functions and properties for seed protection during storage and dispersal plays a central role for seed conservation, population dynamics, and plant‐based material developments.

Plantas silvestres del centro-norte de México con potencial para la producción de aceite

Ante la fluctuación de precios y el agotamiento de los combustibles fósiles, así como de sus efectos negativos en el ambiente, el desarrollo y aprovechamiento de biocombustibles representan una alternativa potencialmente viable. No obstante, los insumos empleados en la producción de bioenergéticos, son altamente cuestionados por su sostenibilidad energética. Debido a ello, es prioritaria la búsqueda de fuentes alternativas a partir de plantas resistentes a factores climáticos adversos, alta capacidad de adaptación, bajo requerimiento de insumos y que no compitan con los alimentos. Considerando lo anterior, se realizaron muestreos en el centro-norte de México para colectar especies silvestres, a fin de determinar su potencial productivo, el contenido de aceite de las semillas, y analizar las características físico químicas del aceite. Se colectaron semillas de 19 especies de plantas. Agave sp., registró el potencial productivo de semilla más alto con 24 305 kg ha-1; sin embargo, presenta la limitante de tener un largo periodo de fructificación y su contenido de aceite es bajo. Cinco de las especies de semillas colectadas (Cucurbita ficifolia, Cucurbita foetidissima, Proboscidea louisianica, Jatropha dioica y Apodanthera undulata) alcanzaron contenidos de aceite superiores a 30%. A. undulata podría producir potencialmente hasta 1 315 kg ha-1 de aceite, lo que la hace tan competitiva como los insumos disponibles comercialmente. La caracterización físico química de los aceites mostró una amplia variación, que permitió identificar aceites con cualidades alimenticias, bioenergéticas y otros usos potenciales.

First report of squash leaf curl virus detected in Proboscidea louisianica in Mexico

First report of squash leaf curl virus detected in Proboscidea louisianica in Mexico

A new alien species record for the flora of Turkey: Proboscidea louisianica (Miller) Thell.

Proboscidea louisianica (Miller) Thell. (Martyniaceae) is reported as a new alien species for the flora of Turkey. A plant species with different and interesting fruits was photographed in 2016. During a field investigation, a population of P. louisianica consisting of ca. 25 was found at roadside between Biga and Karabiga town, district of Canakkale and plant specimens with flowers were collected in 2017. After detailed literature studies, this species was identified as Proboscidea louisianica . The family Martyniaceae is represented by just 1 genus with 1 taxa ( Ibicella lutea (Lindl.) Van Eselt.) in Turkey and no member of the genus Proboscidea has been recorded before. In this paper, the species was introduced with taxonomical and morphological features. Its ecological impact was evaluated with potential risks also.

Aportaciones a la flora alóctona de Córdoba y Andalucía Occidental (España)

Se citan por primera vez para la provincia de Córdoba cuatro taxones alóctonos: Amaranthus blitum subsp. emarginatus, Chamaesyce maculata, Onobrychis viciifolia y Proboscidea louisianica, todos ellos poco frecuentes en Andalucía occidental (y en Andalucía en general). Para cada uno de ellos se ha identificado el origen: predominan los procedentes de América del Norte; estatus de invasión (para A. occidental): naturalizado, invasor, casual y casual, respectivamente; estatus de residencia: los cuatro son neófitos; hábitat: predominan los de zonas construidas y tierras cultivadas; vía de introducción: involuntaria excepto en el caso de O. viciifolia, que se ha considerado intencionada; y primera cita conocida (para A. occidental), entre 1886 (O. viciifolia) y 2001 (P. louisianica). Se ha analizado además la dificultad de identificar el estatus de invasión.

Grain Sorghum Tolerance and Weed Control with Pyrasulfotole plus Bromoxynil Combinations

Research was conducted in Texas from 2010 through 2012 to evaluate combinations of pyrasulfotole plus bromoxynil for weed control and grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] response. In most instances, combinations of pyrasulfotole plus bromoxynil applied early postemergence controlled Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri S. Wats), devil's-claw [Proboscidea louisianica (Mill.) Thellung], pitted morningglory (Ipomoea lacunosa L.), and smellmelon [Cucumis melo L. subsp. agrestis (Naudin) Pangalo var. dudaim (L.) Naudin (syn. Cucumis melo L. var. dudaim Naud.)] at least 81%. However, these combinations controlled Texas millet [(Urochloa texana (Buckl.) L.] no more than 72%. Horse purslane (Trianthema portulacastrum L.) was controlled completely when pyrasulfotole plus bromoxynil was applied to plants ≤10 cm in height but no more than 65% when applied to taller plants. Pyrasulfotole plus bromoxynil combinations injured grain sorghum transiently and injury was not apparent later in the season. Early season injury caused by combinations of pyrasulfotole plus bromoxynil did not adversely affect yield except in the case of pyrasulfotole at 0.03 kg a.i./ha plus bromoxynil at 0.20 kg a.i./ha plus atrazine at 0.58 kg a.i./ha plus dicamba at 0.13 kg a.i./ha. Results from this research indicate that combinations of pyrasulfotole and bromoxynil can be effective in managing problematic weeds in Texas.

Host plant adaptation and the evolution of thermal reaction norms

For most ectotherms, increasing the rearing temperature reduces the final (adult) body size, producing a negative slope for the thermal reaction norm. Recent studies show that this relationship may be reversed under conditions of low resource quality, producing a positive slope for the thermal reaction norm. If populations or species differ in the degree of evolutionary adaptation to a resource, how does this differential adaptation alter their thermal reaction norms? We used a common garden experiment with the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta, to address this question. We examined the thermal reaction norms for body size of two populations of M. sexta that differ in their evolutionary exposures to an atypical, low-quality resource (devil's claw; Proboscidea louisianica), but have comparable exposures to a typical, high-quality resource (tobacco; Nicotiana tabacum). Both populations had increased mean larval mortalities and development times when reared on devil's claw compared with tobacco, but the magnitudes of these increases differed between populations. Both populations had similar, negatively sloped thermal reaction norms on the typical, high-quality resource (tobacco), but had divergent, non-negative thermal reaction norms on the atypical, low-quality resource (devil's claw): the population with the longer evolutionary history of exposure to the atypical resource exhibited a flat (rather than positive) reaction norm. These results suggest that population differences in host plant adaptation can predictably influence the slopes of thermal reaction norms.

Weed Control and Peanut Tolerance with Ethalfluralin-Based Herbicide Systems

Field studies were conducted from 2007 through 2009 to determine weed efficacy and peanut (Arachis hypogaeaL.) response to herbicide systems that included ethalfluralin applied preplant incorporated. Control of devil's claw (Proboscidea louisianica(Mill.) Thellung), yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentusL.), Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeriS. Wats.), and puncturevine (Tribulus terrestrisL.) was most consistent with ethalfluralin followed by either imazapic or imazethapyr applied postemergence. Peanut stunting was 19% when paraquat alone was applied early-postemergence. Stunting increased to greater than 30% when ethalfluralin applied preplant incorporated was followed byS-metolachlor applied preemergence and paraquat applied early-postemergence. Stunting (7%) was also observed when ethalfluralin was followed by flumioxazin plusS-metolachlor applied preemergence with lactofen applied mid-postemergence. Ethalfluralin followed by paraquat applied early-postemergence reduced peanut yield when compared to the nontreated check. Ethalfluralin applied preplant incorporated followed by imazapic applied mid-postemergence provided the greatest yield (6220 kg/ha). None of the herbicide treatments reduced peanut grade (sound mature kernels plus sound splits) when compared with the nontreated check.

Evolutionary divergence of field and laboratory populations of Manduca sexta in response to host‐plant quality

1. The tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta, has been an important model system in insect biology for more than 50 years. In nature, M. sexta successfully utilises a range of host plants that vary in quality. The consequences of laboratory domestication and rearing on artificial diet for fitness of phytophagous insects on natural host plants have not been explored.2. We examine the evolutionary divergence of two domesticated laboratory populations and a field population (separated for more than 40 years, or > 250 laboratory generations) of M. sexta with respect to performance and fitness on two natural host plants: a typical host plant, tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) and a novel host plant, devil's claw (Proboscidea louisianica).3. For both field and laboratory populations, rearing on devil's claw resulted in animals with lower survival, smaller final size, longer development time, and reduced size‐corrected fecundity than animals reared on tobacco. Reductions in some fitness components (survival and fecundity) were greater for the laboratory population animals than the field population animals.4. When reared on tobacco, the laboratory population animals had similar or larger pupal masses and slightly shorter development times than when reared on artificial diet, suggesting that laboratory domestication on artificial diet has not greatly affected the ability of M. sexta to perform well on a typical natural host plant.5. Although field and laboratory populations exhibited qualitatively similar responses to host‐plant quality, i.e. reduced performance on devil‘s claw, the magnitude of this reduction differed across populations, with the domesticated laboratory populations having greater reductions in performance than the field population. The use of domesticated populations as models for responses of field populations may therefore be more appropriate for considering environmental conditions that are relatively benign or near‐optimal, than when exploring responses to extreme or stressful conditions.

Fitness consequences of host plant choice: a field experiment

Determining the relative contributions of different ecological factors for herbivore fitness is one key to understanding the ecology and evolution of host plant choice by herbivores. Natural enemies are increasingly being recognized as an important factor: host plants of inferior quality for development may still be used by herbivores if they provide enemy-free space (EFS). Here we used the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta, to experimentally disentangle the effects of natural enemies from the potentially confounding factors of host plant quality, competition and microhabitat. We explored the consequences for both individual components of fitness and total fitness of M. sexta feeding on a typical high quality host plant, tobacco Nicotiana tabacum and a novel, low quality host plant, devil's claw Proboscidea louisianica in an experimental field environment in the presence of a parasitoid natural enemy, Cotesia congregata. Although early larval survival, development and growth rates, final body size and fecundity were all reduced for M. sexta feeding on devil's claw, a high rate of parasitism on tobacco and an absence of parasitism on devil's claw contributed to similar total fitness (net reproductive rate, R 0 ,) across the two host plant species. Our results suggest M. sexta has adopted a novel host plant (devil's claw) outside its typical host range because this host plant provides enemy free space. In addition, oviposition behavior of adult female M. sexta appears to be well suited to exploiting the enemy-free space on devil's claw; oviposition by M. sexta on devil's claw appears to correspond with seasonal variation in parasitoid abundance.

Environmental Dependence of Thermal Reaction Norms: Host Plant Quality Can Reverse the Temperature‐Size Rule

The temperature-size rule, a form of phenotypic plasticity in which decreased temperature increases final size, is one of the most widespread patterns in biology, particularly for ectotherms. Identifying the environmental conditions in which this pattern is reversed is key to understanding the generality of the rule. We use wild and domesticated populations of the tobacco hornworm Manduca sexta and the natural host plants of this species to explore the consequences of resource quality for the temperature-size rule. Manduca sexta reared on a high-quality host, tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum), followed the temperature-size rule, with larger final sizes at lower temperatures. In contrast, M. sexta reared on a low-quality host, devil's claw (Proboscidea louisianica), showed the reverse response. Wild and domesticated M. sexta exhibited qualitatively similar responses. Survival, growth and development rates, fecundity, and final size decreased with decreasing temperature in M. sexta reared on devil's claw. We propose that the reversal of the temperature-size rule results from the stressful combination of low temperatures and low dietary quality. Such reversals may impact seasonal and geographic patterns of host use in Manduca and other systems. Our results suggest that the temperature-size rule occurs for a restricted range of nonstressful environmental conditions, limiting the robustness of this widespread pattern of phenotypic plasticity.

Pathogenicity on Chile Pepper of Vertcillium dahliae Recovered from Three Weed Hosts in New Mexico.

In July 2002, in the course of field surveys for Verticillium dahliae in chile pepper (Capsicum annuum), three weed species, Physalis wrightii (Wright groundcherry), Anoda cristata (spurred anoda), and Proboscidea louisianica (devil's-claw), were found with symptoms of vascular necrosis in three fields in Luna County and two fields in each Hidalgo and Doña Ana counties in southern New Mexico. Across the three weed species, vascular area with necrosis was approximately 5 to 15%, and was rated on longitudinal crown and stem sections (1). Except for a few plants of P. wrightii that had leaves with necrotic margins in one field in Luna County, no other symptoms were observed. The three weed species were at growth stages between flowering and fruit set. Isolates recovered from the vascular tissue were identified as V. dahliae based on morphological features when cultured on prune extract medium (2). Two isolates of V. dahliae from each weed species, along with an isolate from chile pepper, were grown on potato dextrose agar at 20, 25, or 30°C for 12 days. There was no significant difference in radial growth among isolates at the three temperatures, and maximum radial growth occurred at 25°C. The isolates were tested for pathogenicity on the chile pepper cv. NM 6-4 in the greenhouse. In each of the three trials, 15 plants were inoculated each by root dipping (1) in 20 ml conidial suspension (106 conidia/ml) of each V. dahliae isolate. Control plants were root dipped in sterile distilled water. Symptoms of foliar wilting with 75 to 100% vascular necrosis (1) were observed in all plants 4 weeks after inoculation. V. dahliae was recovered from symptomatic plants (2). To our knowledge, this is the first report that V. dahliae recovered from P. wrightii, A. cristata, and Proboscidea louisianica is pathogenic to chile pepper. Control of Wright groundcherry, spurred anoda, and devil's-claw may be important in the management of V. dahliae in chile pepper.

Proboscidea louisianica: An Unreported Host of Heliothis virescens (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

The tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens (F.), was found to be strongly attracted to devil's claw, Proboscidea louisianica (Mill.) Thellung, plants. Of 160 larvae collected from the plants in 1992, 99.4% were H. virescens, 0.6% were Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), 42.5% died from infection by undetermined disease pathogens, and 11.3% H. virescens were parasitized by Cardiochiles nigriceps Vierick. Of 112 larvae collected from P. louisianica in 1994, 90.2% were H. virescens, 9.8% were H. zea, 59.8% died from infection by undetermined pathogens, and 26.7% H. virescens were parasitized by C. nigriceps. Feeding studies showed that P. louisianica was a nutritionally poor host for H. virescens, backcrosses of H. subflexa X H. virescens, and H. zea; when compared with their development on semisynthetic diet, development was much slower, pupal weights were lower, and survival rates were lower for larvae fed P. louisianica than for those fed semisynthetic diet. None of the backcross or H. zea and only one H. virescens female developed on P. louisianica survived to reproduce. This study reports P. louisianica as a new host record for H. virescens. Data show that H. virescens can survive and reproduce on this plant and that P. louisianica could be a major host of H. virescens in the Mississippi Delta if it were to become widespread.

Devil's-claw (Proboscidea louisianica), essential oil and its components

The potential allelopathic activity of devil's-claw [Proboscidea louisianica (Mill.) Thellung] essential oil and a few of the compounds it contains on the elongation of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) radicles was studied using a Petri dish bioassay. Essential oil was collected by steam distillation using an all-glass-Teflon assembly. Ether extracts of the steam distillates from fresh devil's-claw were inhibitory to cotton and wheat radicle elongation. The following six components of devil's-claw essential oil identified by CGC-MS-DS were inhibitory to cotton and/or wheat at a concentration of 1 mM: vanillin, piperitenone, δ-cadinene,p-cymen-9-ol, α-bisabolol, and phenethyl alcohol.

Biochemical frontiers of allelopathy

Allelopathic interactions between plants and other organisms have been recognized by scientists worldwide because they offer alternative uses in agriculture, such as decreasing our reliance on synthetic herbicides, insecticides, and nematicides for disease and insect control. The recognition of the role that allelopathy can have in producing optimum crop yields is of fundamental importance. Despite much optimism and some progress in unravelling the complexities of biochemical interactions between species, a firm foundation for the scientific rationale of the existence and function of the allelopathic phenomenon has not been developed. Allelopathic chemicals are primarily secondary products of plant metabolism which have been an enigma to plant scientists; however, they undergo a variety of reactions with plant, insect and animal species that inhibit or stimulate their growth and development. Examples of some allelochemicals and their basis of molecular and biological action are shown: interaction between the unicorn plant (Proboscidea louisianica L.) and cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.); diterpenoid alkaloids (fromDelphinium ajacis L.) as allelochemicals; substances that occur in wheat (Tritcum aestivum) and wheat soil that cause autotoxic effects; alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) root saponins as allelochemicals; humic acids from wheat soil as allelochemicals; and structure-function of flavonols serving as allelochemicals in chloroplast-mediated electron transport and phosphorylation. This paper concludes with a discussion of some frontier areas of research in allelopathy.

Establishing a Weed Nursery with Low Construction Costs and Maintenance Requirements

A nursery of economically important weeds in Kansas field crops, representing 15 families, was designed to include 32 species from the Magnoliopsida (dicotyledons) class and 16 species from the Liliopsida (monocotyledons) class. Using hydraulically operated equipment, 48 facricated metal cylinders 60 cm in both diameter and length were inserted in 4 h. Cylinders were inserted 40 cm deep on an established turf site and were filled with Muir silt loam collected near Manhattan, KS. Thirty summer annual species, nine perennial species, and one biennial species were transplanted in the spring; and eight winter annual species either were seeded or were transplanted in the fall. All species except tall waterhemp (Amaranthus tuberculatus (Moq.) J.D. Sauer # AMATU), a dioecious species, Russian thistle (Salsola iberica Sennen & Pau # SASKR), and unicorn-plant [Proboscidea louisianica (Mill.) Thellung # PROLO] successfully propagated themselves from either seed or buds. Labor requirements for healthy plant growth and overall nursery attractiveness were estimated at 50 h/yr. Installation costs prorated over a 10-yr period plus annual labor costs totaled $300/yr.

Interference of Unicorn-Plant (Proboscidea louisianica) with Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum)

Full-season interference from unicorn-plant [Proboscidea louisianica(Mill.) Thell. # PROLO] at densities ranging from 0 to 32 weeds/10 m row was measured on weed and cotton (Gossypium hirsutumL. ‘Westburn M′) parameters in three Oklahoma environments. Linear regression models using log10transformations were superior to linear and comparable to quadratic models in estimating the impact of inter- and intraspecific competition. Weed measurements on an individual plant basis were not reliable indicators of interference. Weed dry biomass, ground cover, and seed capsule production/plot generally increased with increasing weed densities. In the three environments, densities of two, four, and eight weeds/10 m row initially reduced cotton plant height. Maximum height reductions averaged 20, 28, and 43% in the three environments but did not detrimentally affect the mechanical harvest of cotton. As unicorn-plant density (expressed in log10units) doubled (within a range of 1 to 32 plants/10 m of row), lint yield reductions ranged from 84 to 146 kg/ha. Maximum lint yield losses averaged 59, 65, and 74% in the three environments. Transforming lint yield/plot to a percentage of that from weed-free plots resulted in a single quadratic equation applicable over environments. Unicorn-plant at the highest weed density reduced fiber fineness, uniformity, and length, but not fiber strength.

The Taxonomic Relationship between Proboscidea louisianica and Proboscidea fragrans (Martyniaceae)

The Taxonomic Relationship between Proboscidea louisianica and Proboscidea fragrans (Martyniaceae)

POLLEN TUBE‐SYNERGID INTERACTIONS IN PROBOSCIDEA LOUISIANICA (MARTINEACEAE)

The ultrastructure of the synergids of Proboscidea louisianica was investigated from just before fertilization until 48 hr after pollination. It was found that the cytoplasm of one synergid consistently begins to degenerate before arrival of the pollen tube at the embryo sac, and that it is always this synergid which receives the pollen tube tip and its discharge. The other synergid (persistent synergid) remained unchanged throughout the study period. Polysaccharide vesicles of pollen tube origin were observed fusing with the pollen tube wall as well as contributing to cell wall formation of the degenerate synergid. In one ovule (48 hr after pollination) two pollen tubes had entered and grown the length of the micropyle, but only the first tube penetrated the degenerate synergid and discharged normally. The second pollen tube was abutting against the persistent synergid, but had not entered or discharged. In another exceptional case (18 hr after pollination), a pollen tube had grown the length of the micropyle, but did not discharge, or enter either synergid. Both synergids of this ovule were observed to be completely intact. It is concluded that synergid and pollen tube cytoplasmic degeneration is the result of a very specific interaction between these two cells and that this degeneration is probably a prerequisite for normal pollen tube entrance and discharge into the embryo sac, and for male gamete transfer to the egg and central cell.