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Biogeographical patterns of Pinguicula L. (Lentibulariaceae) in the Americas revealed by endemicity and habitat suitability analyses Flora (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2024-03-14 Yoannis Domínguez, Paul Temple, Ivan Pančo, Vitor F.O. Miranda
Butterworts ( L.) exhibit a widespread and highly discontinuous distribution in the American continents that host 87 species showing a high level of endemism. To increase our understanding of how such biogeographical patterns originated, we searched for areas of endemism and modelled the suitable habitats for three functional groups of species: temperate heterophyllous, tropical heterophyllous and
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Describing heterostyly, pollen, and sexual organ reciprocity in Rourea chrysomalla (Connaraceae), a rare and threatened species from the Brazilian Cerrado Flora (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2024-03-11 Joicelene Regina Lima da Paz, Beatriz Ribeiro dos Santos, Túlio Freitas Filgueira de Sá, Jair Eustáquio Quintino Faria Júnior, Wagner Pereira Silva, Cássio Augusto Patrocinio Toledo, Camila Magalhães Pigozzo, Talita Kely Bellonzi, Eduardo Custódio Gasparino, Vinicius Castro Souza, Mario Vallejo-Marín, Hélder Nagai Consolaro
is a rare and endemic plant species from the Brazilian Cerrado, presumably threatened and lacking records within conservation units. In this study, we recorded and characterized, for the first time, the floral and pollen dimorphism, as well as the reciprocity of sexual organs among different morphs of . For this purpose, fertile individuals were observed over three years in two natural populations
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Floral biology and flower visitors of cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) in the upper Magdalena Valley, Colombia Flora (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2024-03-10 M. Alejandra Jaramillo, Jaime Reyes-Palencia, Pedro Jiménez
Cocoa ( L.) is an important crop, but yield is generally low. Improving yield requires detailed understanding of the reproductive ecology, especially the pollination system and factors determining pollination success, such as proximity to natural areas. Since the 1940s biting midges have been proposed as the pollinators of cocoa flowers but this idea has recently been questioned in various studies
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Nectary microstructure and nectar production in two species of Cephalocereus (Cactaceae) and their natural hybrid Flora (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2024-03-08 Whaleeha Gudiño, David E. Torres, Gabriel Merino, Eleazar Martínez-Barajas, Judith Márquez-Guzmán
Variation in the quantity and quality of reward substances produced by flowers influences reproductive success in angiosperms. In this study, a comparative analysis of nectaries and nectar traits (volume, concentration and sugar composition) was performed on the hybrid × and its parental species to identify phenotypic variation that could affect reproductive success. The presence of nectarostomata
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The effects of grazing on flowering and fruiting phenology in South Brazilian subtropical grasslands Flora (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2024-03-05 Graziela Har Minervini Silva, Luciana da Silva Menezes, Fábio Piccin Torchelsen, Daniel Dutra Saraiva, Gerhard Ernst Overbeck
In subtropical grasslands, characterized by the coexistence of species with different physiology, for example C3 and C4 grasses, studies on the reproductive patterns of plants at the community level are scarce. Most available studies are limited to plant-pollinator interactions, and do not include grasses, even though knowledge on phenology of this species group is highly relevant, e.g., for grazing
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Biogeography of a multifunctional trait: Spiny plant species in the flora of Israel and the Palestinian Authority Flora (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2024-03-05 Ofir Katz, Michal Ronel, Simcha Lev-Yadun
Functional biogeography is the discipline that studies the geographic distribution of organismal traits and their relationships with environmental conditions and ecosystem functioning. Trait multifunctionality can be a major challenge in such analyses, so deciphering trait geographic distributions from functions is not always straightforward. We studied spinescence in the flora of Israel and the Palestinian
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Structure of the ligule in American species of Selaginella P. Beauv. (Selaginellaceae) Flora (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2024-03-04 Priscila D. López, Olga G. Martínez, M. Mónica Ponce
The ligule is an important character in the taxonomic delimitation of species. Here, the morphology of this organ is described in 11 American species. Four of these species are xerophytic: , and , and seven are mesophytic: , and . Morphological data were obtained by traditional histological techniques. Observations were made by light and scanning electron microscopy. Variations in ligule size in vegetative
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Anatomy of vegetative organs of Eleutherococcus senticosus (Rupr. & Maxim.) Maxim. (Araliaceae) Flora (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2024-03-03 Barbara Łotocka, Katarzyna Bączek
(Araliaceae) is widely used as adaptogen in herbal medicine. Since comprehensive anatomical analysis of its vegetative organs was not available, the present study aimed at providing the reference data on the structure of leaves and roots, under- and aboveground stems of 1-4 year-old plants by means of conventional light microscopy. In the primary structure, roots were di- or triarch, with secretory
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Diversity of melliferous Flora (Apiaries) in Honey and microscopic authentication using LM and SEM Techniques Flora (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2024-03-03 Khushdil Khan, Khafsa Malik, Mushtaq Ahmad, Rahmatullah Qureshi, Muhammad Asif Aziz, Safia Gul, Wahidah H. Al-Qahtani, Raees Khan
The diversity of melliferous flora is significant for sustaining healthy apiaries and apicultural research for the production of high-quality and quantity honey. This study aims to explore the richness and variety of melliferous plant species within apiaries, focusing on their role in honey yield and subsequently employing advanced microscopy techniques for their microscopic authentication. The study
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Arid agroecosystem plant diversity results from habitat-specific traditional management Flora (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2024-03-02 Soufian Chakkour, Erwin Bergmeier, Stefan Meyer, Mhammad Houssni, Khalil Kadaoui, Abdelouahab Sahli, Jalal Kassout, Mohammed Ater
In the arid landscapes of South Morocco's Saharan fringe, traditional agroecosystems stand out for their rich diversity of segetal vegetation. This study examines the segetal flora of these unique agroecosystems, investigating their richness, community characteristics and composition. We collected 155 relevés in fields located in the Guelmim province comprising three agroecosystem types: Oases, terraced
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Vegetation mosaic shaping bryophyte diversity in a threatened ecosystem: A case study of Brazilian Cangas (ferruginous rupestrian fields) Flora (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2024-03-02 Barbara Azevedo de Oliveira, Mateus Fernandes de Oliveira, Adaíses S. Maciel-Silva
The vegetation in Brazil is a unique ecosystem found on ironstone outcrops, known as ferruginous rupestrian fields, and is considered one of the most diverse in the world. This mosaic landscape, comprised of trees, shrubs, and herbaceous vegetation, is home to a diverse range of plants, including angiosperm, bryophytes, and lichens. To understand the effect of patchy landscape, here called mesohabitats
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Diversity of pollen morphology in species of Cercidoideae (Fabaceae) from Cerrado forest fragments, Brazil: Bauhinia L. and Schnella Raddi Flora (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2024-02-29 Eduardo Lopes Soares, Lorrayne Albernaz Domingues Camilo Landi, Cintia Neves de Souza, Ana Carolina Venancio Lopes, Eduardo Custódio Gasparino
The Cercidoideae subfamily has a wide geographic distribution in Brazil, with its most representative genera, L. and Raddi. This study aims to describe the pollen morphology of native species of and that occur in forest fragments in southeastern Brazil, expanding the morphological knowledge of Cercidoideae species. The pollen morphology of 21 species of the subfamily Cercidoideae were analyzed, including
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Morphology and excreting-function of microhairs in salt-tolerant Zoysia japonica, comparing adaxial and abaxial leaf surfaces Flora (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2024-02-23 Masahiro Koyama, Takao Oi
Bicellular trichomes called ‘microhairs’ are known as ‘salt glands’ in some Chloridoideae in the Poaceae. The adaxial leaf surface of a salt-tolerant grass, excretes salts, whereas the abaxial leaf surface does not. In this study, we investigated the morphology and excreting-function of the microhairs of , comparing the adaxial and abaxial leaf surfaces. Scanning electron microscopy of the leaf surfaces
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Leaf anatomy of species from the Pombalia lanata complex (Violaceae) with implications for taxonomy and ecology Flora (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2024-02-21 Jailma Rodrigues Gonçalves, Juliana de Paula-Souza, Vinícius Coelho Kuster, Valdnéa Casagrande Dalvi
As traditionally circumscribed, Jacq. was the third-largest Violaceae genus, and the circumscription of its 9-10 lineages has been very problematic, particularly Vand.. This largest and most heterogeneous segregate genus includes a phylogenetically strongly supported subclade exclusive of the Brazilian Cerrado known as complex comprising six species. Though this complex is readily distinct due to its
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A multitude of bee pollinators in a phenotypic specialist - pollinator diversity from the plant's perspective Flora (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2024-02-07 Noel Silló, Regine Claßen-Bockhoff
Bilabiate flowers are phenotypically specialized and primarily pollinated by bees. However, this phenotypic specialization does not necessarily result in functional and/or ecological specialization. We use the bee-pollinated L. (Lamiaceae) as a model species to elucidate the number of pollinators, their fitting to the flower and their behavior in order to identify the best fitting pollinators and most
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Atypical tristyly and generalist pollination system in a population of Oxalis psoraleoides (Oxalidaceae) Flora (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2024-02-06 Luciana Soares Lima, Túlio Freitas Filgueira de Sá, Sinzinando Albuquerque-Lima, Arthur Domingos-Melo, Isabel Cristina Machado
Heterostyly is a polymorphism of reproductive structures, which can manifest as distyly or tristyly, depending on whether there are two or three floral morphs in the population. Such system commonly exhibits a heteromorphic incompatibility system, reciprocal heights in the sexual organs between floral morphs, and a balanced ratio of the morphs in a population. Deviations in heteromorphic incompatibility
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Adaptation to lead in a Pb/Zn-mine population of Marrubium cuneatum Flora (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2024-02-05 Behrooz Salehi-Eskandari, Reza Hesami, Azam Salimi, Henk Schat
is an endemic Iranian plant species, which can be found in lead-contaminated environments. This study aimed to investigate the effects of lead on the growth and germination in two populations, from metalliferous, Pb-contaminated and uncontaminated soil, respectively. Soil and plant samples of the Tang-e Douzan Pb-Zn mine and Morghab Spring (non-contaminated site) were collected and analysed. Germination
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Seed dispersal and germination of Lilium concolor var. megalanthum (Liliaceae) in wetland of Northeast China Flora (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2024-02-05 Xin Chen, Lei Wang, Xingfu Yan, Zhanhui Tang
Some wetland plants can regenerate and expand their populations through sexual reproduction (seeds). var. is the only species known to occur in wetlands in Northeast China at present, its seed dispersal pattern and germination strategy reflects its adaptation to the wetland environment. In this paper, the adaptation mechanism of var. to wetland environments was explored by investigating its seed dispersal
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Mechanical advantage of subsidiary cells depends on the stomatal complex structure Flora (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2024-01-21 Anatoly Pautov, Svetlana Bauer, Olga Ivanova, Alexandra Ivanova, Elena Krylova
Structural features of stomatal complexes influencing the mechanical advantage of subsidiary cells were studied. Light, scanning and transmission electron microscopy were used to research the morphology of Fagraea ceilanica stomatal complexes. Their guard cells are located on subsidiary cells. The walls of the subsidiary cells are thickened unevenly. The inner tangential walls are thin and most extensive
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Glandular trichomes as a source of antifungal metabolites in a karyologically characterized population of Argyrochosma flava: Morphology and histochemistry Flora (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2024-01-20 Ana M. Rodriguez, Marcos G. Derita, Aldo R. Andrada, Valeria de los A. Páez, Mónica Ponce, Olga G. Martínez, Diego A. Neira, Marcela A. Hernández
Argyrochosma, a xeric-adapted fern genus mostly from the New World, includes both farinose and non-farinose species. The yellow farina appears to be a synapomorphy of A. flava. The aims of this research were to study the morphology, location, distribution, and density of glandular trichomes; perform a histochemical analysis of the farina secretion; evaluate the biological activity of farinas against
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Ontogeny of interxylary phloem and stem anatomy of the Cuban endemic Henleophytum (Malpighiaceae) Flora (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2024-01-20 Angélica Quintanar-Castillo, Pedro A. González Gutiérrez, Marcelo R. Pace
Lianas and vascular variants have long been correlated since it is in lianas where they are most commonly found. Structurally, these vascular variants mix soft and stiff tissues allowing lianas to twist without breaking when climbing up to the forest canopies. The study of vascular variants in Malpighiaceae lianas has a long history focusing on species-diverse taxa; however, interest in understanding
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Floral biology, pollination biology, and breeding mechanisms reveal challenges to the restoration of Buchanania lanzan, a vulnerable plant species Flora (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2024-01-09 Sonal Bhatnagar, Reeta Kumari
Understanding a species' reproductive biology, which encompasses floral biology, pollination biology, and breeding system, is necessary for the restoration of endangered plant species. Buchanania lanzan is a vulnerable evergreen tree in IUCN Red Data Book due to excessive deforestation and over-exploitation. Light and scanning electron microscopy and histochemical analysis were used to study floral
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Decline in large-seeded species in Danish grasslands over an eight-year period Flora (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-12-26 Christian Damgaard
To demonstrate possible community selection on seed size, a time-series analysis of cover data from 236 Danish grassland sites was performed in a linear model. Across four grassland habitat types and during an eight-year period, there was a significant decline in large-seeded species. Therefore, it was not possible to corroborate the initial hypothesis that a historical increase in nitrogen deposition
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Coexistence of Ambrosia chamissonis and Ammophila arenaria in coastal dunes in the Ñuble Region, Chile Flora (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-12-28 José Miguel Cerda-Paredes, Rosanna Ginocchio, José Miguel Fariña
Coastal dunes are unique ecosystems distributed worldwide. They share coastline-to-inland abiotic stress gradients determining their plant´s spatial distribution and biological interactions. Ambrosia chamissonis and Ammophila arenaria dominate coastal dunes in Chile, but there is scarce ecological information about their interactions and spatial distribution. The aim of this study was to characterize
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Comparative morpho-anatomy of the sporophyte of the most austral American species of Didymoglossum (Polypodiopsida: Hymenophyllaceae) Flora (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-12-20 María Gabriela Romagnoli, Patricia L. Albornoz, Marcelo D. Arana
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Anatomical and histochemical adaptations of Melpomene peruviana to the xeric environment of high altitudes Flora (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-12-18 M.I. Mercado, K. Mehltreter, D.A. Neira, N.F. Ríos, M.A. Hernández
Melpomene peruviana is one of the ecologically toughest fern species that prospers under climatically extreme conditions between 3400-5200 meters above sea level and occasionally in dry areas at lower elevations. To gain a better understanding of the adaptations that allow this species to withstand such extreme environmental conditions, we investigated the anatomy and histochemistry of the sporophyte
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Taxonomic relevance of stem and leaf anatomy in 10 endemic Fritillaria species from the Mediterranean Region Flora (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-12-18 Nezahat Kandemir, Ali Çelik, Syed Nasar Shah, Gadah Albasher, Majid Iqbal
Fritillaria has important medicinal and horticultural values. This research aims to comprehensively assess the taxonomic relevance of micro-anatomical features within ten species belonging to Fritillaria subgenus Fritillaria, namely F. aurea, F. bithynica, F. crassifolia, F. enginiana, F. glaucoviridis, F. kittaniae, F. serpenticola, F. sibthorpiana, F. wendelboi, and F. whittallii, utilizing light
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Modifications in floral morphology of Coffea spp. genotypes at two distinct elevations Flora (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-12-16 Larícia Olária Emerick Silva, Maria Juliete Lucindo Rodrigues, Marcia Flores da Silva Ferreira, Rafael Nunes de Almeida, José Cochicho Ramalho, Miroslava Rakocevic, Fábio Luiz Partelli
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Reproductive ecology of Dianthus inoxianus: A rare wild carnation with a specialized pollination system Flora (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-12-15 F. Balao, S. Talavera, J. Herrera
Plants with specialized pollination systems may be susceptible to reproductive failure when pollinator service is unpredictable. This can influence the selection of floral traits that promote outcrossing in the presence of pollinators and selfing in their absence. Limited evidence exists regarding the association between specialized pollination and reproductive assurance, necessitating further investigation
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Vertical explorers: Unraveling vertical and horizontal patterns of vascular epiphyte diversity in a dwarf cloud forest Flora (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-12-15 Camila Nardy, Samyra Gomes Furtado, Luiz Menini Neto, Flavio Nunes Ramos
Vascular epiphytes are plants that grow on phorophytes, and their distribution may vary both horizontally and vertically. Understanding the factors shaping epiphyte distribution and their relationship with alpha and beta diversities is crucial for understanding richness and composition patterns. We investigated alpha and beta diversity variation in the vertical and horizontal stratification of epiphyte
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A new approach for assessing winning and losing plant species facing climate change on the GLORIA alpine summits Flora (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-12-12 Silvano Lodetti, Simone Orsenigo, Brigitta Erschbamer, Angela Stanisci, Marcello Tomaselli, Alessandro Petraglia, Michele Carbognani, Valter di Cecco, Luciano di Martino, Graziano Rossi, Francesco Porro
Climate change in alpine habitats has a direct impact on vascular plant species, and is leading to changes in species abundance and distribution. Alpine plant communities are expected to experience a turnover of species over time, due to the loss of cold-adapted specialists and the upslope migration of more thermophilic taxa. Therefore, assessments of single species changes are important for research
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Foliar non-structural carbohydrates and resprouting ability of woody species in a tropical dry forest Flora (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-12-07 Ellen Baião, Wanessa S. Carvalho, Fernanda M.P. Oliveira, Jakelyne S. Bezerra, Mariana Santos, Mauro G. Santos
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Ecological adaptation of Australian Myrtaceae through the leaf waxes analysis: Corymbia citriodora, Eucalyptus gunnii, and Eucalyptus globulus Flora (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-12-07 J. Rocha, P.J. Nunes, A. Pinto, L. Fenina, A.L. Afonso, A.R. Seixas, R. Cruz, R.F.P. Pereira, M. Fernandes, S. Casal, V. de Zea Bermudez, A.L. Crespí
Seeking to get insight into the close relationship between plant waxes and the climatic conditions of plants’ original biomes, the leaves of three Myrtaceae from the eastern Australian-Tasmanian region (Corymbia citriodora (Hook.) K.D.Hill & L.A.S.Johnson (lemon-scented gum), Eucalyptus gunnii Hook. (cider gum), and Eucalyptus globulus Labill. (blue gum)) were selected. The present study relied on
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Functional leaf-trait variability and herbivory in oaks along a Mexican avocado agrosystem mosaic Flora (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-12-07 Marcela Sofía Vaca-Sánchez, Mário M. Espírito-Santo, Yurixhi Maldonado-López, Ken Oyama, Abel Pérez-Solache, Maurício Lopes de Faria, Magno Augusto Zazá Borges, G. Wilson Fernandes, Pablo Cuevas-Reyes
Land-use changes transforming forested landscapes to avocado orchards affect abiotic conditions and ecological processes. As a consequence, such changes can also affect leaf functional traits expression of co-occurring trees in orchards and related plant–insect interactions. Here, we evaluated changes in chemical soil properties and the effects of micro-climatic variables on leaf functional traits
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Plant-plant parasitism: Trends in the last 50 years and a call for papers for a special issue in Flora Flora (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-12-07 Marina C. Scalon, Hermann Heilmeier, Davi R. Rossatto
The study of plant–plant parasitism has experienced remarkable growth in the scientific literature, particularly over the past two decades. Hemi- and holoparasites, in particular, have been recognized as pivotal components within plant communities, capable of upscale effects to the ecosystem. Research on plant parasites has predominantly focused on ecological and physiological aspects of parasites
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Sporangial arrangement patterns in Selaginella strobili of Arunachal Pradesh, a state in North East India: An insightful analysis Flora (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-12-05 Khencha Aran, Himu Roy, Manabendra Nath, Bhaben Tanti
The study on sporangial arrangement patterns in strobili of Selaginella species from Arunachal Pradesh, India aims to provide a morphological analysis of strobili in 20 species of Selaginella. The study recorded variations in the distributional patterns of sporangia in the strobili within and among the Selaginella species. It provides a detailed description of the position and features of strobili
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FUNCTIONAL LEAF TRAITS IN CONGENERIC SPECIES OF TREE COMMUNITIES IN CENTRAL AMAZON Flora (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-12-03 Lucas Vinicius Cavalcante Esteves, Kleyton Kleber dos Santos Correa, Mayda Cecília dos Santos Rocha, Gleicy Assunção Rodrigues, Darlisson Mesquita Batista, Anderson Alves-Araújo, Deliane Vieira Penha, Leandro Lacerda Giacomin, Advanio Inácio Siqueira-Silva
The Amazon is a Neotropical region that features various types of phytophysiognomies subject to multiple environmental filters. The Amazonian Savanna and Ombrophilous Forest areas support complex ecosystem functions and are sensitive to biotic and abiotic disturbances. The low availability of nutrients and water, along with the high solar exposure these vegetations experience, impose rigorous environmental
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Temporal and spatial variation of floral resources of woody species in a vereda ecosystem: Uniformity and habitat complementarity Flora (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-12-02 Andressa Laís Lacerda Luna, Camila Silveira Souza, José Gustavo Santana Neves, Yule Roberta Ferreira Nunes, Paulo Eugênio Oliveira, Islaine Franciely Pinheiro de Azevedo
Floral resource distribution, pollinator community structure, and flowering season are essential for maintaining and preserving pollination services in ecosystems. In humid Cerrado areas, veredas are considered hygrophilous communities, marked by the presence of the Mauritia flexuosa palm tree emerging in the wetter zones. Waterlogged portions present dense hygrophilous forests, whereas open areas
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Genome size and DNA endoreplication pattern of non-generative cells in the antheridia of Chara connivens Salzmann ex A. Braun from Northern Morocco Flora (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-11-25 G.M. Gargiulo, R. Damino, A. Merzouki, R.M. Picone, F.Z. Redouan, A. Boutahar, A. Crisafulli
Data on nuclei, mitotic divisions, chromosomal behaviors, and DNA measurements have been examined in individuals of Chara connivens collected in a pond from the Tangier-Tetouan Region (Northern Morocco). Image Cytometry of individual nuclei was used to examine the endoreduplication level in germ line and somatic cells of the antheridia. DNA content increased from 2C up to 128C in shield cells, manubria
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Increased and fluctuating phosphorus nutrient availability positively affects the growth of the invasive plant Solidago canadensis Flora (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-11-24 Miaomiao Cui, Bin Yang, Guangqian Ren, Piergiorgio Stevanato, Xue Fan, Ping Huang, Jianfan Sun, Daolin Du
Phosphorus and biological invasions are rapidly altering global ecosystems at an unprecedented rate. The natural deposition rate of phosphorus is fluctuates, and the accumulation and release of resources over time often result in resource pulses. This study aimed to investigate the effects of phosphorus fluctuations on Solidago canadensis. We selected S. canadensis as the target species and implemented
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Comparative study on root anatomy of six species of Himalayan Dendrobium Swartz Flora (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-11-29 Preshina Rai, Kesang Bhutia, Saurav Moktan
Comprehensive knowledge of plant anatomy is an absolute necessity for accurately identifying taxa during their vegetative phase. Orchidaceae family has been extensively studied in the Himalayan region, with a focus on morphology and floristics. However, the anatomy of orchid roots has not been investigated in detail. This study examines the root anatomy of six Himalayan Dendrobium species (D. chrysanthum
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Colonization–persistence trade-offs shape changes on vegetation island community assembly in campo rupestre under fire disturbance Flora (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-11-28 Abel Augusto Conceição, Graziela de Araújo Lima, Adelly Cardoso de Araujo Fagundes, Jamerson Souza da Costa, Oscar Julian Vanegas Florez, Alexsandro Bezerra-Silva, Pedro Manuel Villa
We studied neglected island plant communities on rock outcrops (vegetation islands or patches) that harbor many endemic species. We assessed how the post-fire habitat conditions (factor related to habitat filtering), the patch area and substrate depth (factors related to resource availability and environmental filtering), and the patch distance (spatial factor related to dispersal limitation) shape
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Towards a functional understanding of rehabilitated urban road verge grasslands: Effects of planting year, site conditions, and landscape factors Flora (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-11-21 Sandra Rojas-Botero, Simon Dietzel, Johannes Kollmann, Leonardo H. Teixeira
Urbanization causes ecosystem degradation and losses of biodiversity. Still, urban landscapes favor organisms, depending on how well they fit the anthropogenic conditions. Creating urban green spaces of high ecological quality, such as pollinator-friendly road verges, promotes biodiversity in cities. We sowed a seed mixture consisting of 26 native plant species with diverse functional traits in 46
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Comparative taxonomy and evolutionary significance of foliar epidermis in Jasminum L. (Oleaceae) based on light and scanning electron microscopy Flora (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-11-22 Naeem Akhtar, Muhammad Q. Hayat, Umer Habib, Muhammad A. Khan, Saad I. Malik, Hina Hafeez, Adil Hussain, Azhar Hussain, Daniel Potter
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Ecological implications of plant clonality Flora (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-11-21 Sergio R. Roiloa, Wei Xue, Bi-Cheng Dong, Fei-Hai Yu
Clonal plants dominate many plant communities and play important roles in ecological functions and processes. Understanding the ecological implications of clonal growth requires further examination of the effects of clonal traits under a wide range of environmental conditions. The published results in this Special Issue emphasize the significance of considering clonal characteristics when exploring
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Ecological attributes promoting intra-continental range-expansion of a native annual forb triggered by intensified land-use Flora (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-11-18 Eszter Ruprecht, Franz Essl, C. Augustin Moț, Beatrix Balaji, Thomas Kuhn, Annamária Fenesi, Constantin Mardari, Zsombor Miholcsa
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Short-term functional response to post-fire vegetation dynamic: A case study in a Mediterranean Pinus halepensis forest Flora (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-11-17 Lorenzo Ricci, Beatrice Farda, Arianna Ferrara, Francesco Cerasoli, Walter De Simone, Anna Rita Frattaroli, Gianfranco Pirone, Michele Di Musciano
Wildfire events significantly affect plant communities. Understanding the post-fire vegetation dynamics and how native and alien species interact to shape the composition and structure of the community is crucial to address conservation policy. Dispersal mechanisms and resource exploration strategies are two functional strategies which can explain variability in species response to disturbance. Here
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Illegitimate flower visitors and pollinators are associated with different flower morphology: Evidence from five species of Penstemon (Plantaginaceae) Flora (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-11-14 Rosa A. Rodríguez-Peña, Andrea D. Wolfe
The role of pollinators as drivers of morphological diversification has been extensively documented. However, how non-pollinators, such as pollen thieves and nectar robbers, affect flower morphology has received little attention. In this study, we used five species of Penstemon to investigate the relationship between pollinators and non-pollinators, and the flower morphology of the plants they visit
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Functional traits patterns along an altitudinal gradient in a large tropical forest region Flora (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-10-27 Nathália Silva, Alex Josélio Pires Coelho, João Augusto Alves Meira-Neto
Understanding the link between functional traits and environmental gradients can provide important information to face global change. Here, we assessed how environmental variables act on functional trait-based ecological strategies of the acquisitive-conservative continuum and dispersal syndromes in forests of the Rio Doce Basin in Brazil's Atlantic Forest. Through literature and herbarium measurements
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Effects of salinity and UV-B on seed germination behaviour of the halophyte Zygophyllum album L.: Enforced dormancy and trade-off strategy Flora (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-10-31 Elsayed Mohamed, Ahmed M.M.A. Kasem, AbdEl-Mageed F.M. Ghanem, Naushad Ansari, Durgesh Singh Yadav, Shashi Bhushan Agrawal
Understanding the behavior of halophyte seed germination under multiple abiotic stressors is crucial for restoring salt-affected lands. Zygophyllum album L. (syn. Tetraena alba (L.f.) Beier & Thulin) is a perennial halophytic species that spreads in the coastal ecosystems of Mediterranean areas. Halophytes' seed germination indices concerning the influence of UV-B remain unexplored in scientific investigations
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Ontogeny of multiple variants in the stems of Phaseolus lunatus L. (Fabaceae) Flora (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-10-30 Kishore S. Rajput, Roger Moya, Amit D. Gondaliya
Development of the cambial variant is characteristic to most of the climbing members of the Fabaceae and is considered as an alternative path to increase their stem diameter for efficient supply of minerals and photosynthate within limited stem diameter. These alternative forms of secondary growths are ascribed as an adaptive character to increase stem flexibility and most often they are found to be
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Germination niche of the endangered dragon tree Dracaena draco (L.) L. subsp. draco of the Macaronesian Islands Flora (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-10-27 Manuel Cartereau, Alex Baumel, Agathe Leriche, Frédéric Médail, Arnoldo Santos Guerra, Arne Saatkamp
The Canary Islands dragon tree (Dracaena draco (L.) L. subsp. draco) is an endangered Tertiary relict species endemic to the Canary and Madeira archipelagos. Based on an ex-situ experiment under controlled conditions, we investigated its germination response to both constant and alternating temperatures, moisture levels (water potential), exposure to light, and desiccation. We found that suitable temperatures
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Community-level differentiation of Grime's CSR strategies along a post-abandonment secondary successional gradient Flora (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-10-24 Anna Mastrogianni, Diogenis A. Kiziridis, Elpida Karadimou, Magdalini Pleniou, Fotios Xystrakis, Spyros Tsiftsis, Ioannis Tsiripidis
Understanding the ecological processes and the mechanisms of community assembly during secondary succession of vegetation has been a central topic of ecological research. In the last decades, it has also been rendered as a necessity for wildlife management due to the ongoing vegetation succession caused by land abandonment in many parts of the world. Here, we investigated the taxonomic and life strategies
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Effect of plant traits and network metrics on pollen limitation in hummingbird-pollinated plants from the Brazilian Campos Rupestres Flora (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-10-28 Sabrina Aparecida Lopes, Pedro Joaquim Bergamo, André Rodrigo Rech
Pollen limitation (PL) can be an important estimate of the contribution of pollinators to the reproductive success of plants. PL often varies between species within the same community, and interspecific variation in PL may be related to plant traits and interaction patterns. However, few studies have investigated its drivers at the community level. In this study we assessed PL and its relationship
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Fruit morphology in Anthurium sect. Pachyneurium from Brazil (Araceae) and its taxonomic implications Flora (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-10-28 Mel de Castro Camelo, Lívia Godinho Temponi, Marcus Alberto Nadruz Coelho, José Fernando A. Baumgratz
The revision of Anthurium section Pachyneurium from Brazil provided the opportunity to expand the knowledge of berry attributes. Through examination of infructescence, fruits, and seeds from 11 species A. sect. Pachyneurium from Brazil, we aimed to uncover morphological variations in berry shape, size, color, ornamentation, and seed characteristics are crucial for taxonomic insights within the broader
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Physical traits are better drivers than secondary compounds for leaf litter decomposition in a tropical heath vegetation Flora (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-10-24 Valéria S. de Oliveira, Mery I.G. Alencar, André Y.S.P. Belo, Eduarda F. Gomes, Jesiel de Oliveira Teixeira, José Luiz Alves Silva, Ana Elizabeth Bonato Asato, Vitória M.L. Pereira, Adriano S. Mota, Otávio de Sena Monte, Gabriel Silva, Adriano Caliman
Litter plays a crucial role in regulating nutrient and energy flows in tropical forests, and secondary compounds, specifically phenolic compounds and tannins, have been identified as the main drivers of litter decomposition in tropical rainforests. The effect of secondary compounds could be stronger in tropical forests with high solar incidence such as tropical heath vegetation (Restinga). To investigate
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Micromorphology of hesperidin crystals and ultrastructure of crystal-bearing cells in Metrodorea nigra, a neotropical Rutaceae species Flora (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-10-21 Silvia Rodrigues Machado, Karla Bianca de Deus Bento, Shelly Favorito de Carvalho, Yve Canaveze, Tatiane Maria Rodrigues
Researches on the developmental and morphological features of organic crystals in plants are relatively scarce. Hesperidin is a flavanone glycoside found abundantly in Rutaceae, mainly in Citrus fruits. Due to the variety of biological activities, hesperidin is one of the most promising bioflavonoids. We investigated the distribution, micromorphology and intracellular localization of hesperidin crystals
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Comparative rhizome anatomy of Polypodiaceous ferns from eastern Himalaya and its Taxonomic implications Flora (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-10-16 Sinjini Mondal, Saurav Moktan
Polypodiaceae is the second largest family of ferns characterized by creeping rhizomes covered with scales whose systematics however is mainly focused on frond and reproductive structures. Over the years, studies have demonstrated the significance of rhizome anatomical characters for fern taxonomy. However, work focusing on rhizome anatomy from the eastern Himalayan species is scanty. Morpho-anatomical