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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

The functional roles of 3D heterostyly and floral visitors in the reproductive biology of Turnera subulata (Turneroideae: Passifloraceae)

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Author(s):
Rech, Andre Rodrigo [1] ; Achkar, Marina Teixeira [2] ; Jorge, Leonardo Re [3, 4] ; Armbruster, W. Scott [5] ; Almeida, Odair J. G. [1]
Total Authors: 5
Affiliation:
[1] UFVJM, Educ Campo, Teofilo Otoni - Brazil
[2] Sao Paulo State Univ, Biosci Inst, Plant Morphol Lab, UNESP, Coastal Campus, Sao Paulo - Brazil
[3] Univ Estadual Campinas, Dept Biol Anim, UNICAMP, Ceske Budejovice - Czech Republic
[4] Czech Acad Sci, Dept Ecol, Biol Ctr, Inst Entomol, Ceske Budejovice - Czech Republic
[5] Univ Portsmouth, Sch Biol Sci, Portsmouth, Hants - England
Total Affiliations: 5
Document type: Journal article
Source: FLORA; v. 264, MAR 2020.
Web of Science Citations: 0
Abstract

Heterostyly is a floral polymorphism that reduces conflicts between sexual functions (sexual interference), such as self-pollination in self-incompatible flowers and loss of pollen to incompatible stigmas. In many distylous pollination systems, there is a remarkable structural fit between the stigmas of each morph and the part of the pollinator body where compatible (disassortative) pollen is deposited. Nevertheless, inter-morph pollen transfer is often asymmetrical, with short-styled flowers (S-morph) receiving less compatible pollen than long-styled flowers (L-morph). One way to reduce the problem of sexual interference in short-styled flowers is to place stigmas outside of the flower centre, as seen in three-dimensionally (3D) heterostylous flowers. Heterostyly in Turnera has been extensively studied; however, 3D heterostyly has not been previously reported in this genus. The aims of this study were: 1) to elucidate the pollination system of T. subulata; and 2) to assess whether 3D heterostyly promotes disassortative pollination and reduces self-pollination in short-styled flowers in this taxon. The study population of Turnera subulata exhibited an isoplethic (1:1) ratio, with two well-defined morphs, and a high floral accuracy index for both morphs. Results from an experiment in which we manipulated the 3D orientation of the style showed that compatible crosses were favoured by the 3D flower morphology, consistent with a high floral accuracy. Our results also demonstrate the functional importance of 3D heterostyly in reducing intramorph pollination, as it increases the amount of cross pollen reaching the S-morph flowers. Our results provide the first observation of the presence of 3D heterostyly in this well-studied species and demonstrate the importance of this kind of morphological specialization in ensuring efficiency in an ecologically generalized pollination system. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 18/19634-3 - Interdisciplinary studies on epiphytic cacti from Brazilian Atlantic Forest: floral morphology and the chemical profile
Grantee:Odair José Garcia de Almeida
Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
FAPESP's process: 15/26134-9 - The role of the 3D heterostyly and the floral visitors on mating system of Turnera ulmifolia var. elegans (Tuneroideae: Passifloraceae)
Grantee:Marina Teixeira Achkar
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation