Describing heterostyly, pollen, and sexual organ reciprocity in Rourea chrysomalla (Connaraceae), a rare and threatened species from the Brazilian Cerrado

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da Paz, Joicelene Regina Lima ; dos Santos, Beatriz Ribeiro ; Sa, Tulio Freitas Filgueira ; Faria, Jair Eustaquio Quintino ; Silva, Wagner Pereira ; Toledo, Cassio Augusto Patrocinio ; Pigozzo, Camila Magalhaes ; Bellonzi, Talita Kely ; Gasparino, Eduardo Custodio ; Souza, Vinicius Castro ; Vallejo-Marin, Mario ; Consolaro, Helder Nagai

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: FLORA; v. 314, p. 10-pg., 2024-04-03.

Abstract

Rourea chrysomalla 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 R. chrysomalla. For this purpose, fertile individuals were observed over three years in two natural populations and supplemented by herbarium data. This species is distylous and distinctly exhibits two types of flowers, each characterized by stamens arranged in two whorls of unequal lengths: L-styled and S-styled morphs, both occuring in similar proportions in the two populations. Cross-pollination among anthers of any stamen whorl in L-styled flowers and stigmas in S-styled flowers is more precise in the two morphs, while anthers in S-styled flowers are less reciprocal with the stigmas in L-styled flowers. S-styled flowers exhibit larger pollen grains compared to Lstyled flowers, with no differences between the two whorls of stamens. The balanced proportion of floral morphs provides equal opportunities for pollen donation and reception, and reciprocity between morphs is essential for the conservation of R. chrysomalla due to its limited distribution and low population density in the central Brazilian savanna. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 19/03173-0 - Systematic, ontogenetic, reproductive and phytochemical studies in Connaraceae, with emphasis on Neotropical species
• Grantee: Vinicius Castro Souza
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 23/00985-9 - Evolution of the reproductive system and implications for floral morphology in Connaraceae, with emphasis on neotropical species
• Grantee: Joicelene Regina Lima da Paz
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 22/03702-5 - Data management of the Connaraceae
• Grantee: Joicelene Regina Lima da Paz
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Technical Training Program - Technical Training