Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ting Zhang, K. Charlotte Jander, Jian-Feng Huang, Bo Wang, Jiang-Bo Zhao, Bai-Ge Miao, Yan-Qiong Peng, Edward Allen Herre
Summary: This study examined two functionally distinct Eupristina wasp species associated with Ficus microcarpa in Yunnan Province, China, revealing one as a competent pollinator and the other as a parasitic species dramatically impacting the reproductive success of its host. The parasitic species displayed greater relative fitness in competitions with the pollinators, and phylogenetic analyses suggested their sister taxon relationship. Unlike existing studies, this research found no evidence of host sanctions affecting the reproductive success of nonpollinating wasps, likely promoting the evolution of cheating.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Wen-Hsuan Chen, Anthony Bain, Sheng-Yang Wang, Yi-Chiao Ho, Hsy-Yu Tzeng
Summary: The vegetative and reproductive growth of plants play a crucial role in regulating the interactions within an ecosystem. In the case of plant-insect interactions, plants use visual and chemical cues to signal their reproductive period. Ficus mutualism, however, relies solely on chemical cues for the figs to attract pollinating wasps. This study examines the phenological pattern and volatile compound emissions of Ficus septica in Central Taiwan. The results show that the fig species displays continuous growth throughout the year, with a decrease in winter. The emissions of odor blends from male and female trees are similar, but with seasonal variations, and are influenced by the size of the wasp population.
Article
Plant Sciences
Bai-Ge Miao, Ming-Xin Liu, Bo Wang, Yan-Qiong Peng, Annick Lesne, Finn Kjellberg, K. Charlotte Jander
Summary: Active pollination has evolved four times in brood site pollination mutualisms. In male figs, the wasp inserts its ovipositor into the flower and deposits a pollen grain on the hypopygium, resulting in flower pollination and insect oviposition. In female figs, the wasp's pollination behavior occurs less frequently but lasts longer, ensuring efficient ovule fertilization.
Article
Agronomy
Ujjwal Layek, Nitol Krishna Baghira, Alokesh Das, Arijit Kundu, Prakash Karmakar
Summary: By conducting experiments on certain crops, we determined their dependence on biotic pollinators and evaluated their pollen transfer limitations in open field conditions. The results showed that crops in the Cucurbitaceae family are obligatorily dependent on pollinators, while crops in the Brassicaceae and Rutaceae families are highly reliant on pollinators. Some crops have a lower dependence on pollinators. This study is important for understanding and mitigating the impacts of pollinator losses, as well as selecting crops that require supplemental pollination services to increase agricultural production.
Article
Plant Sciences
Leda T. Silvera Ruiz, Leonardo D. Amarilla, Carolina Torres, Dominika Kosutova, Jana Konopkova, Peter Ferus, Leonardo Galetto
Summary: This study investigated the reproductive biology of the invasive honey locust and found that it has a generalist pollination system and the ability to produce seeds through both self and cross-pollination. It was also observed that pollinators can increase its reproductive success. These reproductive traits are advantageous for the invasion process of the honey locust and should be considered in controlling its expansion.
Article
Plant Sciences
Manru Li, Jin Chen, Ling Zhang
Summary: This study conducted a two-year observation on a generalist mistletoe in a tropical region in Southwest China, and found that the flowering and fruiting patterns exhibited seasonality. The first flowering date was influenced by crown area and light exposure, while different host species had a significant impact on the mistletoe's phenology. However, the number of host species did not change the asynchrony of reproductive phenology.
JOURNAL OF PLANT ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Wanzhen Liu, Xue Xia, Ary A. Hoffmann, Yamei Ding, Ji-Chao Fang, Hui Yu
Summary: This study discovered novel Wolbachia strains in a pollinator species through genome sequencing, investigated their phylogenetic relationship and cytoplasmic incompatibility, and identified mobile genetic elements and metabolic genes. The findings provide important resources for further research on Wolbachia-pollinator-host plant interactions.
Article
Ecology
Maureen L. L. Page, Neal M. M. Williams
Summary: Introduced species can have cascading effects on ecological communities, but their indirect impacts are rarely studied. This study investigated the indirect effects of honey bee introductions on pollination and found that increased honey bee abundance indirectly decreased pollination by reducing nectar and pollen availability and competitively excluding native bee visits.
Article
Ecology
Xiaoxia Deng, Bruno Buatois, Yan-Qiong Peng, Hui Yu, Yufen Cheng, Xuejun Ge, Magali Proffit, Finn Kjellberg
Summary: This study investigates the geographic variation of floral odour in the mutualism between Ficus hirta and its pollinators. The results show progressive divergence of floral odours, which is driven by plants and followed by insects. The variation is not influenced by the insects and fits the genetic structure of the plant.
ACTA OECOLOGICA-INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Erin O'Neill, Alison K. Brody, Taylor Ricketts
Summary: Most terrestrial angiosperms form mutualistic relationships with mycorrhizal fungi and animal pollinators, but the effects of mycorrhizae on pollinator behavior and plant reproduction are not well understood. This study examined the effects of inoculating highbush blueberry plants with ericoid mycorrhizal fungi on flowering investment and attractiveness to pollinators. The results showed that plants treated with inoculums were more likely to flower and produced more inflorescence buds than non-inoculated plants.
Article
Ecology
Kai Hao, Ting-Ting Liu, David H. Hembry, Shi-Xiao Luo
Summary: This study found that trait matching between mutualistic species varies among populations, indicating varying adaptation responses to different partner species. Seed-predatory moths are able to track changes in host plant tissue depth for oviposition.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
N. K. Meena, K. Kant, R. S. Meena, R. D. Meena
Summary: The study identified bees as the most important and potential pollinators for ajwain seed production in semi-arid regions, with bee pollination services increasing seed yield by 61.54% and enhancing seed quality. Most insect pollinators foraged for nectar and/or pollen, with bees visiting for both nectar and pollen. The peak activity of pollinators was observed between 12:00 and 14:00, contributing to the increased seed yield of ajwain.
INDIAN JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Angela P. Rojas-Cortes, Angela P. Cuervo-Robayo, Guadalupe Cornejo-Tenorio, Guillermo Ibarra-Manriquez
Summary: This study describes the development phases and morphological changes of Ficus pringlei syconium, and identifies suitable distribution areas for this species. F. pringlei is distributed in the western tropical dry forests of Mexico and is rarely registered in Protected Areas. Therefore, conservation strategies are essential for this species.
ACTA BOTANICA MEXICANA
(2022)