Sigmoid Growth Curve Research Articles

Community-Level Physiological Profiling for Microbial Community Function in Broiler Ceca.

Poultry production is a major agricultural output worldwide. It is known that the gut health of broilers is essential for their growth and for providing wholesome products for human consumption. Previously, the microbial diversity of broiler ceca was studied at the genetic level. However, the functional diversity and metabolic activity of broiler cecal bacterial communities are not fully investigated. Recently, the EcoPlates™ from Biolog, Inc. have been used for characterizing bacterial communities from various environments. In this study, we applied these plates to physiologically profile cecal bacterial communities in broilers. The ceca were aseptically excised from 6-week-old broilers, and their contents were suspended in phosphate buffered saline. The cultures in the EcoPlates™ were incubated at 42°C for 5days in an OmniLog® system. Responses of the bacterial communities to the various chemicals as carbon sources were measured on formazan production. The results show sigmoidal growth curves with three phases in all 12 cecal samples. Cecal bacterial communities could not use 11 carbon substrates for carbon sources; instead, they used pyruvic acid methyl ester, glycogen, glucose-1-phosphate and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine most frequently. Each bacterial community metabolized various numbers of the substrates at different rates among broilers. In the future, modification of the culture conditions to mimic the gut environment is needed. More investigations on the effects of nutrients, Salmonella or Campylobacter on physiological functions of cecal bacterial communities will provide insights into the improvement of animal well-being, saving production expenditures for producers and providing safer poultry products for human consumption.

Selecting Best Double Sigmoid Function to Describe Growth and Growth Rate of Rapeseed Under Water Stress

Dry matter accumulation pattern of winter cereals and rapeseed is similar to double sigmoid growth curve and can be described by sum of two different or similar singular sigmoid (S-shape) functions (e.g., Richards, Von Bertalanffy, and other functions) that they have overlap on one point. In this study, accuracy of 49 different function compositions of double sigmoid function for describing the rapeseed dry matter based on days after planting (DAP) and growing degree days (GDD) were tested. Results of this study showed that the Beta–Richards and Richards–Gompertz functions were fitted to the measured dry matter during growing season very accurately based on DAP and GDD, respectively. Sum of two Von Bertalanffy or Weibull functions can not describe the winter rapeseed growth. Results of this investigation can be used to estimate dry matter of rapeseed during growing season and analysis of plant growth rate variation under different irrigation treatments.

Physico-chemical changes during fruit growth and developmental stages in yellow type passion fruit (Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa Degener) accessions

Physiological and biochemical changes during fruit growth, development and maturity of six yellow type passion fruit (Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa Degener) accessions were studied at weekly interval after fruit set from 21 days to 91 days after fruit set and after dropping from vine also. Fruit growth of passion fruit followed a single sigmoid growth curve. Fruit length (cm), diameter (cm) and weight (g) increased continuously (25.24%, 33.13% and 75.08% respectively) (from the initial stage till maturity up to 84 days), which slightly declined at ripening stage. Fruits developed acceptable physico-chemical qualities with good colour, when harvested at 84 to 91 days after fruit set (DAF). The study further revealed that the days taken from fruit set to maturity and ripening, colour change, total soluble solids and acidity may be considered as the most reliable maturity indices for taking harvest decision in pas-sion fruit.

First attempt on somatic cell cryopreservation of critically endangered Camelus bactrianus of India

The double-humped camel (Camelus bactrianus) of India is critically endangered since the population is around two hundred only. Immediate measures are required for its conservation so as to prevent loss of this precious germplasm forever. This is the first report on development of ear marginal tissue fibroblast cell line from Bactrian camels using primary explant technique followed by cryopreservation. The cells showed typical fusiform morphology with centrally located oval nuclei with radiating, flame like or whirlpool like migrating patterns. Four different culture media MEM, DMEM-Hi glucose, DMEM/Ham's F-12 and fibroblast specific media (HiFibroXL™) were tested with respect to the potential to support growth of camel fibroblasts. Fibroblast specific media was selected for the primary culture. Maximum cell multiplication during secondary culture was supported by the DMEM/Ham's F-12 as total cell count with same seeding (80,000 cells) and under similar culture conditions was 6,75,000, 3,05,000, 13,90,000 and 10,05,000cells/mL for MEM, DMEM-Hi glucose, DMEM/Ham's F-12 and fibroblast specific media (HiFibroXL™), respectively. Cells followed a typical sigmoid growth curve with population doubling time of 26.13h. Epithelial and fibroblast cell initially grew together. However, fibroblast cells outgrew their epithelial counterparts in subsequent passages. Reverse transcriptase PCR was performed for individual samples at different passages by designing primers specific to Cytokeratin19 (CK19) and Osteopontin (OPN). Osteocytes were absent from the very beginning whereas, epithelial cells were eliminated after the first passage. Thus, the cells were cryopreserved from 4th to 6th passages. Chromosome karyotyping showed normal diploid (2n=74) number and the cells were free from microbial contaminations. Cells had more than 90% viability in the culture after one month of cryopreservation. These cells were morphologically indistinguishable from the cell stocks prior to freezing. Thus, genetic resource of Bactrian camel has been preserved at cellular level. The repository can also serves as a valuable resource for genome, post genome and somatic cell cloning research.

Modelling of growth kinetics of Vibrio cholerae in presence of gold nanoparticles: effect of size and morphology

Emergence of multiple drug resistant strains of pathogenic bacteria calls for new initiatives to combat infectious diseases. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), because of their non-toxic nature and size/shape dependent optical properties, offer interesting possibility. Here we report the antibacterial efficacy of AuNPs of different size and shape (AuNS10, AuNS100 and AuNR10; the number indicating the diameter in nm; S stands for sphere and R for rod) against the classical (O395) and El Tor (N16961) biotypes of Vibrio cholerae, the etiological agent responsible for cholera. Growth kinetics was monitored by measuring optical density at different time intervals and fitted by non-linear regression of modified Buchanan model. Sigmoidal growth curve for VcO395 indicated the existence of single phenotype population and was affected by AuNR10 only, implying the importance of morphology of AuNP. Growth of VcN16961 was affected by all three AuNPs indicating the vulnerability of El Tor biotype. Interestingly, VcN16961 exhibited the occurrence of two phenotypic subpopulations – one with shorter (vulnerable Type 1) and the other with extended (tolerant Type 2) lag phase. Various assays were conducted to probe the impact of AuNPs on bacterial cells. Apart from AuNR10, antimicrobial efficacy of AuNS10 was better compared to AuNS100.

Comparison between the modified Gompertz and Churchill death models in modelling the growth of cell culture from leaf-derived cell suspension of Barringtonia racemose

The growth of plant cell suspension culture often is observed to show a declining phase. Commonly used growth models such as can be used to model sigmoidal growth curves but do not fit curves showing a declining or death phase. In this study, the growth curves of Barringtonia racemose cell suspension under light and dark conditions were modelled according to the Churchill model, which incorporates growth and decline phases, and was compared to the popular modified Gompertz model. For both growth conditions, the Churchill model gave better results for the error functions Root Mean Square Error, the coefficient of determination, adjusted coefficient of determination, bias factor and accuracy factor with the exception of the corrected Akaike Information Criterion (AICc). The regressed parameters or constants obtained from the Churchill model shows growth and decline rates with higher values for the growth rate compared to the decline rates for both growth conditions. The decline and growth rate parameters signify as 1 and 2 for growth under light conditions were 0.367 (95% confidence; 0.103 to 0.632) and 0.796 (95% confidence; 0.458 to 1.134), respectively, while the decline and growth rate parameters 1 and 2 for growth under dark conditions were 0.158 (95% confidence; 0.314 to 0.629) and 1.491 (95% confidence; -0.809 to 3.720), respectively. The 95% confidence interval values were overlapped for both growth rate parameters under light, and dark conditions are indicating that the differences observed were not significant.

Testicular growth and development in puberty.

To describe pubertal testicular growth in humans, changes in testicular cell populations that result in testicular growth, and the role of testosterone and gonadotrophins follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) in testicular growth. When human data were not available, studies in nonhuman primates and/or rodents were used as surrogates. Testicular growth in puberty follows a sigmoidal growth curve, with a large variation in timing of testicular growth and adult testicular volume. Testicular growth early in puberty is due to increase in Sertoli cell number and length of seminiferous tubules, whereas the largest and fastest growth results from the increase in the diameter of the seminiferous tubules first due to spermatogonial proliferation and then due to the expansion of meiotic and haploid germ cells. FSH stimulates Sertoli cell and spermatogonial proliferation, whereas LH/testosterone is mandatory to complete spermatogenesis. However, FSH and LH/testosterone work in synergy and are both needed for normal spermatogenesis. Testicular growth during puberty is rapid, and mostly due to germ cell expansion and growth in seminiferous tubule diameter triggered by androgens. Pre-treatment with FSH before the induction of puberty may improve the treatment of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, but remains to be proven.

Colonization of mid- and late-Holocene moraines by lichens and trees in the Magellanic sub-Antarctic province

Understanding the process of primary succession is a relevant topic in restoration and global change ecology, and provides the basis for classic dating methods in geomorphology, such as lichenometry and dendrochronology. The aim of this study is to investigate the colonization by lichens and vascular plants of two pro-glacial chronosequences encompassing the late- and mid-Holocene periods in the sub-Antarctic sub-region of South America. We use this information to address questions related to the pattern of Magellanic forests recovery after disturbance and the applicability of lichenometry for developing glacier retreat chronologies. Progression of succession to a state with high vascular plant cover was slow, and some moraines remained unforested for about 2000 years. Our results contrast with previous reports indicating a quick development of mature forest states on disturbed terrains, suggesting large regional variability on the course of succession. Environmental conditions seem propitious for lichens that colonize immediately after moraine formation. Lichens grow at relatively high rates in comparison to other world areas, but half as fast as in Antarctica and sub-Antarctic islands. Growth rates for the Rhizocarpon Ram. em. Th. Fr. sub-gen. Rhizocarpon group increase with lichen sizes up to ca. 50 mm and decrease in larger thalli, leading to a sigmoidal lichenometric growth curve that extends the applicable range of lichenometry to the last 5700 years in dry sites in the Magellanic province of the sub-Antarctic sub-region. Our results suggest that lichenometry is an effective technique in multi-proxy approaches for reconstructing glacier fluctuations, and agree with early studies in Antarctica suggesting that lichen annual growth rate is a sensitive attribute for the biomonitoring of climate changes.

Sigmoidal Nucleation and Growth Curves Across Nature Fit by the Finke–Watzky Model of Slow Continuous Nucleation and Autocatalytic Growth: Explicit Formulas for the Lag and Growth Times Plus Other Key Insights

Sigmoidal kinetic curves have been reported for a number of cooperative phenomena in nature. These curves may be fit by purely mathematical functions that, however, do not correspond to any physical model. The 1997 Finke–Watzky (F–W) two-step model of slow, continuous nucleation (A → B, rate constant k1) and fast, autocatalytic growth (A + B → 2B, rate constant k2) provides both a physical model and a mathematical solution. As a result, the F–W two-step kinetic model has been successfully applied to a large number of cooperative phenomena throughout nature that display sigmoidal kinetic curves. Herein, we derive formulas for the first, second, and third derivatives of the concentration of product versus time, [B]t, expressed in terms of the F–W parameters k1, k2, and the initial concentration of monomer, [A]0. Mathematical expressions are then derived for key empirical parameters in sigmoidal curves, including the induction period and (maximum) slope, which are then examined under the limit k1 ≪ k2[A]0 wh...

Assessment of tissue development in fattening quails using the stable isotope technique.

We aimed to study the behaviour of tissue renewal in blood, pectoral muscle and keel of fattening quails during their growth and adulthood through carbon-13 turnover using the stable isotope technique. Three hundred male European quails were randomly subjected to six treatments. Diets fed to animals were initially based on corn and soybean meal and were replaced at 0, 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35days of age with diets of rice grits and soybean meal. These diets have distinct isotopic signals and over time it changes; the tissue will incorporate dietary signal, and then, we can measure the return time for each tissue in each age. Treatments were T1 (0 to 21days), T2 (7 to 35days), T3 (14 to 42days), T4 (21 to 56days), T5 (28 to 63days) and T6 (35 to 70days). Carbon-13 turnover in tissues of the birds at the above-mentioned time periods was calculated using the first-order exponential function. The values of half-lives were 2.6, 3.6, 5.4, 6.3, 9.0 and 9.8days for blood and 2.0, 1.7, 4.8, 6.7, 6.9 and 6.6days for pectoral muscle in treatments T1, T2, T3, T4, T5 and T6 respectively. The half-lives for the keel in treatments T2, T3, T4, T5 and T6 were 2.0, 5.4, 7.7, 8.9 and 15days respectively. Thus, half-life in sampled tissues generally increased with age of birds. Initially, the tissue half-lives are influenced by growth, and at the end of the growth cycle, the breast muscle tissue was the most metabolically active in either periods, followed by blood and the keel. All tissues showed a sigmoidal growth curve, which can be confirmed by half-life as a function of age.

Modelling methane production kinetics of complex poultry slaughterhouse wastes using sigmoidal growth functions

The kinetic evaluation of the methane potential from poultry slaughterhouse waste streams was performed using modified sigmoidal bacterial growth curve equations (Richards, logistic, Gompertz) in order to investigate their suitability to describe the degradation patterns associated with complex substrates, primarily composed of fats. The methane potential and degradation patterns under mesophilic conditions were assessed using Biochemical Methane Potential (BMP) assays. A nonlinear least-square regression analysis was performed to fit the sigmoidal functions to the cumulative methane production curves with respect to time generated from the BMP assays. In the cases modelled the Gompertz and logistic, three parameter models, sufficiently described the methane generation of the simple substrates (dissolved air flotation sludge) with no sign of acute inhibition due to high fat contents. When dealing with more complex degradation patterns of the substrates with a higher fat content (soft offals) and increased bioavailability of the organics, the three parameter models became insufficient in describing the experimental data due to features of the original growth functions, in particularly their fixed points of inflection. In such cases the fourth parameter afforded in the Richards model became critical allowing variability in the point of inflection allowing a much better fit to the experimental curves.

Cotton growth modeling and assessment using unmanned aircraft system visual-band imagery

This paper explores the potential of using unmanned aircraft system (UAS)-based visible-band images to assess cotton growth. By applying the structure-from-motion algorithm, the cotton plant height (ph) and canopy cover (cc) information were retrieved from the point cloud-based digital surface models (DSMs) and orthomosaic images. Both UAS-based ph and cc follow a sigmoid growth pattern as confirmed by ground-based studies. By applying an empirical model that converts the cotton ph to cc, the estimated cc shows strong correlation (R2=0.990) with the observed cc. An attempt for modeling cotton yield was carried out using the ph and cc information obtained on June 26, 2015, the date when sigmoid growth curves for both ph and cc tended to decline in slope. In a cross-validation test, the correlation between the ground-measured yield and the estimated equivalent derived from the ph and/or cc was compared. Generally, combining ph and cc, the performance of the yield estimation is most comparable against the observed yield. On the other hand, the observed yield and cc-based estimation produce the second strongest correlation, regardless of the complexity of the models.

Modelling the effect of picloram on the growth kinetics of cell suspension cultures of Ficus deltoidea L.

Ficus deltoidea (or commonly known as mistletoe fig) in various parts of the world mainly serves as an ornamental shrub or houseplant and found native mainly in Asia tropical region, for example, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines and Thailand. Studies on the effect of plant growth regulators on cells production from this plant is important as optimization of cells production can lead to efficient production of secondary products characterization and production. An important aspect of the sigmoidal cells growth curve is the growth parameters. In this work, we model the effect of picloram (4-amino-3,5,6-trichloropicolinic acid) on the growth kinetics of the cell suspension cultures of Ficus deltoidea according to the modified Gompertz model. The adjusted coefficient of determination showed good agreement between experimental and predicted data with values ranging from 0.97-0.99. Parameters obtained from the fitting exercise were maximum cells growth rate (mm), lag time (l) and maximal cells production (Ymax). The results showed that picloram at concentrations of 3 mg/L and above were optimal for giving the highest cells growth rate measured as PCV (packed cell volume). The parameter growth rate obtained from the modelling exercise will be helpful for additional secondary modelling implicating the consequence of media conditions as well as other factors on the effect of picloram on the growth rate of cell suspension from this plant.

Sigmoid-growth curve of lattice-constant against annealing-temperature of Cd1−xZnxTe thin films and its structural, optical and morphological characteristics

Stacked CdTe/Zn/CdTe layers were deposited on glass substrates. The vacuum-evaporated thin films were subsequently annealed in vacuum ambience at various temperatures. Change in lattice-constant of major Cd1−xZnxTe planes against temperature was plotted from the XRD results. The graphs followed sigmoid-growth model and were regressed well by standard Boltzmann and Logistic functions. Lattice-constant varied maximum in between 375–400°C and 425–450°C, giving two separate growth trends. Optical studies suggested that presence of charge impurities and defects reduced the transmittance and band-gap values of the samples. Such reduction occurred, despite of greater formation of Cd1−xZnxTe. Decreasing granularity was however associated with increasing band-gap for samples annealed at 425 and 450°C. SEM micrographs showed that granularity decreased significantly for samples annealed at higher temperatures. EDX results were further used to co-relate the compositional characteristics with structural and optical features.

The Role of Oxygen in Avascular Tumor Growth.

The oxygen status of a tumor has significant clinical implications for treatment prognosis, with well-oxygenated subvolumes responding markedly better to radiotherapy than poorly supplied regions. Oxygen is essential for tumor growth, yet estimation of local oxygen distribution can be difficult to ascertain in situ, due to chaotic patterns of vasculature. It is possible to avoid this confounding influence by using avascular tumor models, such as tumor spheroids, a much better approximation of realistic tumor dynamics than monolayers, where oxygen supply can be described by diffusion alone. Similar to in situ tumours, spheroids exhibit an approximately sigmoidal growth curve, often approximated and fitted by logistic and Gompertzian sigmoid functions. These describe the basic rate of growth well, but do not offer an explicitly mechanistic explanation. This work examines the oxygen dynamics of spheroids and demonstrates that this growth can be derived mechanistically with cellular doubling time and oxygen consumption rate (OCR) being key parameters. The model is fitted to growth curves for a range of cell lines and derived values of OCR are validated using clinical measurement. Finally, we illustrate how changes in OCR due to gemcitabine treatment can be directly inferred using this model.

Develop Mechanistic Models of Transition Periods between Lag/Exponential and Exponential/Stationary Phase

A continuing goal in predictive microbiology is models directly based on physiological behavior. Buchanan et al.1 hypothesized that (1) the curvilinear lag/exponential transition represents the variability of cells in the adjustment (ta) and metabolic (tm) periods, and (2) the exponential/stationary transition is determined by limiting nutrient diffusion rates. Nutritional shift trials were conducted to estimate E.coli K-12 growth. Lactase production time suggest that lactase gene translation occurs after completion of lag phase. Agitation rates and inoculum sizes both influenced the shape of the exponential/stationary phase transition. Monte Carlo simulations allowed the generation of sigmoidal growth curves while considering physiological events.

Quantification of Dry-Matter Accumulation and Nutrient Uptake Pattern of Short Day Onion (Allium cepa L.)

ABSTRACTUnderstanding the physiology of dry-matter accumulation and nutrient uptake pattern of an onion crop is an essential criteria for optimizing fertilizer practices. An experiment was conducted to estimate the dry-matter accumulation and nutrient uptake pattern of short day onion. The dry-matter accumulation and nutrient uptake followed the sigmoid growth curve pattern. Uptake of nitrogen and potassium was slow for the first 15 days followed by rapid uptake from 15 to 60 days after transplanting and accounted for 76.2–78.2% of total uptake. Takeup of phosphorus, sulfur, manganese, zinc, and copper uptake was greater during 30 to 75 days after transplanting and accounted for 64.9–70.6% of total uptake. The deficiency of nutrients during these period reduces the crop yield significantly. The dry-matter accumulation and nutrient-uptake pattern reported in this study provide an opportunity for optimizing quantity and timing of nutrient application through fertilizers for short day onions.

Mathematical Modelling of the Growth of Klebsiella pneumoniae on 2- methylquinoline

Quinolines compounds are toxic pollutants. Their biodegradation by microbes represents a tool for bioremediation. The growth of Klebsiella penumoniae on 2-methylquinoline shows typical sigmoidal bacterial growth curves. Since there exists a variety of models for describing the growth profile of microorganism such as logistic, Gompertz, Richards, Schnute, Baranyi- Roberts, Von Bertalanffy, Buchanan three-phase and more recently Huang models, the growth curves exhibit under such conditions would be an excellent study for finding the best model. The Huang model was chosen as the best model based on statistical tests such as root-meansquare error (RMSE), adjusted coefficient of determination (R2), bias factor (BF), accuracy factor (AF) and corrected AICc (Akaike Information Criterion). Novel constants obtained from the modelling exercise would be used for further secondary modelling.

Understanding the ontogenetic changes in particle processing of the greenshell™ mussel, Perna canaliculus, in order to improve hatchery feeding practices

Despite the commercial aquaculture importance of the Greenshell™ mussel, Perna canaliculus, the morphological development of gill structure (ctenidial filaments) in relation to potential particle feeding abilities have not been described. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and light microscopy were used to examine the ontogenetic changes across five size classes of mussels from post-settlement larvae to adults ranging from 300μm to >100mm in shell height. Key morphological characteristics were measured including filament width, the eulatero-frontal cirri (ELF) length, interfilamentary space (IFS) and the mean distance between adjacent ELF, dELF. Overall the development of the ctenidial filaments in P. canaliculus, shared some similarities to other homorhabdic filibranch bivalves with differences in the timing of development. Filament width and ELF length followed sigmoidal growth curves in relation to increasing shell height of mussels. The morphological changes of the ctenidia, reflected in changes in the ELF/IFS ratios, together with the development of cilia in the ELF may help explain the differences in the capture efficiency of small particles between small individuals (<6mm in shell height) and bigger mussels (around 60mm in shell height). Ctenidial filaments in small individuals are not fully developed and resemble the “leaking” model, letting small particles through and capturing particles between 15–25μm, while the filaments in bigger mussels resemble the “complete block” model being able to capture bacteria-sized particles around 2μm. This information is not only useful to further the understanding of the feeding biology of this species, but also for the feeding management in hatcheries producing large numbers of juveniles of this commercially important species, considering that under current hatchery practices small-sized mussels are being fed microalgal species mainly with a size of around 5μm. Statement of relevance–This article provides information regarding the gill ontogenetic development of the commercially important Greenshell™ mussel, Perna canaliculus.–The information given will help improve hatchery practices, especially regarding the selection of adequate particle size for feeding post-settlement P. canaliculus.–Considering that mussel aquaculture is a global phenomenon, these results could be used worldwide in order to help the industry find economically feasible alternatives for mussel juvenile supply.The New Zealand Greenshell™ industry has recently invested $20M to build a large scale hatchery/nursery to address an on-going shortage with seed supply which has been constraining the growth of the industry. Shortages of mussel seed, caused by poor feeding and starvation, have resulted in seed shortages in the industry for the last three years, shaving off almost 20% production of the entire industry, in the order of $30M lost production a year. Hence there is intense interest in better understanding the feeding biology of juvenile mussels and using this knowledge to resolve the major production issues faced by this aquaculture industry. From our international contacts, we understand that other countries with significant mussel farming industries face similar issues, such as Chile. Therefore, we believe that there is strong reader interest and value in the publication of this fundamental research.

Escontria chiotilla(Cactaceae): fruit development, maturation and harvest index

Introduction . The edible fruit of jiotilla (Escontria chiotilla (Weber) Rose), a cactus endemic to Central Mexico, mature asynchronously and are characterized by the presence of bracts in the fruit peel (pericarpel). In order to establish a harvest index, a series of physical, chemical, and morphological classical parameters coupled with histological observations were determined at four different stages of fruit development from anthesis to mature fruit (S1–S4). Materials and methods. Flowers and fruit samples at each stage were collected for analysis from randomly selected plants from the desert shrub. Results and discussion. The single sigmoid growth curve exhibited major and minor changes between S2 and S3, S3 and S4, respectively. Growth cessation and maturation began at S3, the maximum concentration of total sugars occurred in S3, and the maximum value of firmness decreased in S3 and S4. A thinning of the fruit peel due to aerenchyma compression occurred in the transition period S3-S4 and fruit firmness was the mechanical parameter more closely associated with it. Poor relationships with ripening stages were shown by the other physicochemical parameters measured. Conclusions. We propose two morphological-histological indicators of harvest: 1) Fruit peel thickness, and 2) Color and texture changes of the bracts. The infundibuliform flower adapted to confine, protect and improve the aqueous reserves in the ovary of the cactus species becoming a special berry with a successful strategy for saving water during fruit development and ripening. This strategy involves structural and physiological adaptive traits to survive in arid lands.