Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Andrew B. Leslie, Carl Simpson, Luke Mander
Summary: This study examines the evolution of reproductive complexity in vascular plants over a 250 million year period, finding two pulses of increased complexity, one in the Devonian period and another in the Late Cretaceous period. These increases were associated with innovations that enhanced functional diversity, suggesting a link between complexity and function in vascular plant evolution.
Article
Plant Sciences
Yiling Wang, Yafei Lan, Hang Ye, Xiaolong Feng, Qiyang Qie, Li Liu, Min Chai
Summary: This study provides the first detailed report on the reproductive biology and breeding systems of Opisthopappus longilobus and Opisthopappus taihangensis. Both species have similar floral syndromes and require insect pollination. Hymenopteran and Diptera species were observed as effective pollinators. The results also suggest that in the absence of insect pollination, self-pollination plays an important role in seed production, particularly in harsh environments like the Taihang Mountains cliffs.
Article
Plant Sciences
Mohamed Abdelaziz, A. Jesus Munoz-Pajares, Modesto Berbel, Ana Garcia-Munoz, Jose M. Gomez, Francisco Perfectti
Summary: The study of plant hybrid zones in the Sierra Nevada mountains of SE Spain revealed a stable and narrow hybrid zone between Erysimum mediohispanicum and Erysimum nevadense. Hybrid genotypes were found to be maintained by gene flow from parental populations and weak reproductive isolation between them, exhibiting intermediate or vigorous phenotypes with consistent trait differences between hybrid and parental plants.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Yuan-Mi Wu, Xue-Li Shen, Ling Tong, Feng-Wei Lei, Xiao-Fei Xia, Xian-Yun Mu, Zhi-Xiang Zhang
Summary: This study revealed the reproductive characteristics of L. oblata, a critically endangered species endemic to cliffs in North China, providing insight into its endangerment and suggesting conservation strategies. L. oblata has highly pollinator-dependent self-fertilization as part of a mixed mating system. Floral features such as low-flowering synchrony, asynchronous anthers dehiscence, and high duration of stigma receptivity, improve pollination efficiency in the case of low pollinator service.
Article
Biology
Leonardo Llorens, Marcello D. Cerrato, Ivan Cortes-Fernandez, Lorenzo Gil
Summary: Delphinium pentagynum subsp. formenteranum is an endangered endemic species on the Formentera island. The study found that it has flowering synchrony and lack of odor-related volatiles in flowers, and high alkaloid content. The germination of the seeds is affected by temperature and water availability, but the seeds can maintain high viability for several years.
Article
Ecology
Carina Motta, Justin C. Luong, Katja C. Seltmann
Summary: The reintroduction of endangered plant species is crucial for conservation efforts, but success can be hindered by a lack of understanding of environmental factors. The interactions between arthropods and endangered plants play a significant role in their establishment and reproductive success, highlighting the importance of further research in this area.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Georgia Basist, Adrian G. Dyer, Jair E. Garcia, Ruth E. Raleigh, Ann C. Lawrie
Summary: The study revealed the presence of color polymorphism in the Caladenia fulva orchid, with no reproductive barriers observed among different flower colors. Natural fruit set was proportional to the numbers of different flower colors but varied within the population. Spectral data suggested a hymenopteran pollinator could visually discriminate among color variants, and the color polymorphism may help avoid habituation to specific flower colors by pollinators.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Manu E. E. Saunders, Liam K. K. Kendall, Jose B. B. Lanuza, Mark A. A. Hall, Romina Rader, Jamie R. R. Stavert
Summary: Understanding how climate influences plant-pollinator interactions is crucial. This study found that climate strongly affects the roles of different pollinator taxa within networks, with non-bee taxa playing central roles across most climate zones.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Ana Garcia-Munoz, Camilo Ferron, Celia Vaca-Benito, Joao Loureiro, Silvia Castro, A. Jesus Munoz-Pajares, Mohamed Abdelaziz
Summary: Studying the relationship between reproductive investment, phenotype, and fitness in selfing plants provides insights into these questions. Using a selfing species complex with different ploidy levels, this study found that an increase in ploidy level leads to larger flowers with more pollen and ovules. Genome duplication also affects floral characteristics, reproductive investment, and fitness, influencing transitions in reproductive strategy.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Shuxuan Jing, Per Kryger, Bo Markussen, Birte Boelt
Summary: The study explored the influences of visitation rate, flowering stage, and ploidy on reproductive success in red clover. Different factors affected seed production, with diploid cultivars generally having higher seed yield than tetraploids. Hand pollination and honey bee pollination resulted in different seed numbers per pollinated floret, indicating the complexities of plant reproductive success.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Luis F. De-Farias, Simone A. Silva, Lidyanne Y. S. Aona, Favizia F. De Oliveira
Summary: This study investigates the floral biology and reproductive system of different-aged Jatropha curcas populations. It reveals that Jatropha curcas is a monoecious species with a flowering period between September and April. The plant can reproduce through self-fertilization and cross-pollination, with the latter resulting in a higher number of fruits/seeds. The second experimental population exhibits a larger number of flowers, possibly due to the age and physiology of the plants.
ANAIS DA ACADEMIA BRASILEIRA DE CIENCIAS
(2022)
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Railson Alves Correia de Almeida Junior, Everton Hilo de Souza, Grenivel Mota da Costa, Monica Lanzoni Rossi, Volker Bittrich, Maria do Carmo Estanislau do Amaral, Lidyanne Yuriko Saleme Aona
Summary: This study analyzed the phenology, floral and reproductive biology of Dichorisandra rhizantha in the Atlantic Forest. The results showed that the species has high pollen viability and relies on bee pollination. However, the species is endangered due to habitat fragmentation caused by deforestation and urban encroachment.
MICROSCOPY RESEARCH AND TECHNIQUE
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Oscar J. Rocha, Elizabeth Braker
Summary: OTS has been instrumental in advancing our understanding of tropical ecosystems, particularly in the areas of plant reproductive ecology and genetics. Their research has inspired other tropical biologists and highlighted the importance of studying critical topics in tropical systems to slow down biodiversity loss and prevent the spread of zoonotic diseases.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Kaylee van den Bosch, E. T. F. Witkowski, D. I. Thompson, G. V. Cron
Summary: Warburgia salutaris is an endangered species valued for its use in traditional medicine in South Africa. The study found that the species has low fruit production and a low proportion of juveniles in the population. It is likely self-incompatible and may rely on clonal reproduction, which could impair its ability to sexually reproduce.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
D. Takahashi, S. Sakaguchi, T. Teramine, H. Setoguchi
Summary: This study investigates the reproductive ecology of A. costatum and A. minamitanianum in Japan and reveals their adaptation to fly pollination in the shady forest understorey. Both species show strong spatial genetic structures and limited seed dispersal. The elongated calyx lobe of A. minamitanianum may have evolved for effective pollen dispersal by attracting fly visitors.
Article
Entomology
Jordi Bosch, Sergio Osorio-Canadas, Fabio Sgolastra, Narcis Vicens
Summary: Studies have shown that Osmia populations can be sustained in orchard environments, and even a small population of highly effective pollinators like Osmia bees can have a significant impact on fruit set. This highlights the potential for using managed Osmia populations and implementing measures to promote wild pollinators in agricultural settings.
Article
Ecology
R. Balaguer-Romano, A. Barea-Marquez, F. J. Ocana-Calahorro, J. M. Gomez, E. W. Schupp, J. Zhang, R. Rubio de Casas
Summary: The study found that almond naturalization in SE Spain is likely promoted by dispersal by rodents, such as Apodemus and Rattus. Seed burial facilitates germination and seedling emergence of almonds, while recruitment does not appear to be influenced by proximity to the maternal plant.
BASIC AND APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
C. Azpiazu, J. Bosch, L. Bortolotti, P. Medrzycki, D. Teper, R. Molowny-Horas, F. Sgolastra
Summary: The study evaluated the acute oral toxicity of the sulfoximine insecticide sulfoxaflor alone and in combination with the succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor fungicide fluxapyroxad in three bee species. The results showed that Osmia bicornis was the most sensitive species to sulfoxaflor, with both O. bicornis and A. mellifera exhibiting significant synergism between the insecticide and the fungicide.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Ruben Torices, Lucia DeSoto, Eduardo Narbona, Jose Maria Gomez, John Richard Pannell
Summary: Plant reproductive success depends on phenotype and local neighborhood; animal-pollinated plants benefit from attractive conspecifics nearby; petal color is related to floral signaling and advertising.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Michael P. D. Garratt, G. Arjen de Groot, Matthias Albrecht, Jordi Bosch, Tom D. Breeze, Michelle T. Fountain, Alexandra M. Klein, Megan McKerchar, Mia Park, Robert J. Paxton, Simon G. Potts, Gesine Pufal, Romina Rader, Deepa Senapathi, Georg K. S. Andersson, Olivia M. Bernauer, Eleanor J. Blitzer, Virginie Boreux, Alistair J. Campbell, Claire Carvell, Rita Foeldesi, Lucas A. Garibaldi, Peter A. Hamback, Giorgi Kirkitadze, Aniko Kovacs-Hostyanszki, Kyle T. Martins, Marcos Minarro, Rory O'Connor, Rita Radzeviciute, Laura Roquer-Beni, Ulrika Samnegard, Lorraine Scott, Nicolas J. Vereecken, Felix Wackers, Sean M. Webber, George Japoshvili, Aigul Zhusupbaeva, Daniel Garcia
Summary: Pollinators face multiple pressures with evidence of population decline. Understanding and managing pollination deficits in crops is crucial for international food security. Variations in pollinator dependence and fruit quality exist across different apple varieties, providing opportunities for targeted management to improve production.
ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Biology
Jose Maria Gomez, Miguel Verdu, Adela Gonzalez-Megias
Summary: In mammals, adulticide behavior is influenced by various factors, with male adulticide associated with size dimorphism and intrasexually selected weapons, while female adulticide is related to infanticide. The evolutionary pathways of adulticide differ between sexes in mammals.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Nuria Galiana, Miguel Lurgi, Vinicius A. G. Bastazini, Jordi Bosch, Luciano Cagnolo, Kevin Cazelles, Bernat Claramunt-Lopez, Carine Emer, Marie-Josee Fortin, Ingo Grass, Carlos Hernandez-Castellano, Frank Jauker, Shawn J. Leroux, Kevin McCann, Anne M. McLeod, Daniel Montoya, Christian Mulder, Sergio Osorio-Canadas, Sara Reverte, Anselm Rodrigo, Ingolf Steffan-Dewenter, Anna Traveset, Sergi Valverde, Diego P. Vazquez, Spencer A. Wood, Dominique Gravel, Tomas Roslin, Wilfried Thuiller, Jose M. Montoya
Summary: The study finds that the number of species, links, and links per species in ecological networks increase with the size of the geographical area following a power law. However, the distribution of links per species varies little with area, indicating the conservation of the fundamental organization of interactions within networks. The results suggest that biodiversity-area relationships can be extended to higher levels of network complexity.
NATURE ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Timothy Weekers, Leon Marshall, Nicolas Leclercq, Thomas J. Wood, Diego Cejas, Bianca Drepper, Michael Garratt, Louise Hutchinson, Stuart Roberts, Jordi Bosch, Laura Roquer-Beni, Patrick Lhomme, Denis Michez, Jean-Marc Molenberg, Guy Smagghe, Peter Vandamme, Nicolas J. Vereecken
Summary: This study investigates the impact of variables such as climate, landscape composition, management practices, and wild bee pollination on commercial apple production. The results show that apple yields are mainly influenced by management practices, not the contribution of managed honey bees. Wild bee diversity is negatively correlated with honey bee dominance but promotes apple quality. Thus, harnessing wild bee diversity can be a nature-based solution and a substitute for an exclusive reliance on honey bees in apple production.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Narcis Vicens, Rafael Carbonell, Alexander V. Antropov, Jordi Bosch
Summary: We report the discovery of a spider-hunting wasp species, Trypoxylon petiolatum, in three localities in Catalonia, Spain. This species, native to eastern Asia, has not been previously reported in Europe. We provide a detailed description of the species and information on its nest architecture, cocoon shape, spiders captured for nest provisioning, and mortality rates, including parasitism by a native cleptoparasitic fly and a native parasitoid wasp.
JOURNAL OF HYMENOPTERA RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Laura Roquer-Beni, Xavier Arnan, Anselm Rodrigo, Jordi Bosch
Summary: This study explored the relationship between pollinator traits and pollination effectiveness (PE) by using single-visit pollen deposition to apple flowers. The results showed that PE was positively correlated with flower handling behavior (top-working visitors were more effective) and was also correlated with body size and visit duration, but not with hairiness. There were significant differences in PE among different pollinator species, with solitary bees being more effective than social bees, dipterans, and beetles. Effective pollinators were mostly top-workers, but did not necessarily share similar traits.
ENTOMOLOGIA GENERALIS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Catia Ariana Henriques Martins, Ilaria Caliani, Antonella D'Agostino, Agata Di Noi, Silvia Casini, Martina Parrilli, Celeste Azpiazu, Jordi Bosch, Fabio Sgolastra
Summary: This study simulated the long-term exposure of bees to pesticides in agricultural ecosystems and evaluated the effects of insecticides and fungicides on bees. The results showed that the insecticide significantly reduced bee survival and neurological enzyme activity, while the fungicide caused a temporary decrease in syrup consumption and potential molecular alterations. Co-exposure did not increase toxicity. Acetylcholinesterase was identified as an effective biomarker for early detection of effects.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Celeste Azpiazu, Jordi Bosch, Catia Martins, Fabio Sgolastra
Summary: This study examines the effects of chronic exposure to sulfoxaflor and fungicides on syrup consumption and longevity in Osmia bicornis bees. The results show that low concentrations of sulfoxaflor stimulate syrup consumption, while high concentrations lead to bee mortality. Osmia bicornis bees are more sensitive to sulfoxaflor compared to honey bees.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Xenia Jaumejoan, Xavier Arnan, Steffen Hagenbucher, Anselm Rodrigo, Claudio Sedivy, Jordi Bosch
Summary: This study compared pollen collection in introduced populations of Osmia cornuta and Bombus terrestris in orchards, and analyzed the effects of local and landscape floral context. The results showed that O. cornuta collected a greater proportion of fruit tree pollen than B. terrestris and was not influenced by the availability of alternative flower resources. Therefore, introducing managed O. cornuta populations in orchards to supplement pollination services is compatible with agri-environmental measures to promote wild pollinators.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Sergio Albacete, Gonzalo Sancho, Celeste Azpiazu, Anselm Rodrigo, Roberto Molowny-Horas, Fabio Sgolastra, Jordi Bosch
Summary: This study analyzes the combined effects of climate warming and sublethal insecticide exposure on Osmia cornuta bees. The results show that warm wintering temperatures cause weight loss, lipid consumption, and fat body depletion in bees, making them more sensitive to pesticides. Additionally, high doses of insecticide impair the bees' ability to respond to light, reduce syrup consumption, and shorten their lifespan.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Sara Reverte, Marija Milicic, Jelena Acanski, Andrijana Andric, Andrea Aracil, Matthieu Aubert, Mario Victor Balzan, Ignasi Bartomeus, Petr Bogusch, Jordi Bosch, Eduardas Budrys, Lisette Cantu-Salazar, Silvia Castro, Maurizio Cornalba, Imre Demeter, Jelle Devalez, Achik Dorchin, Eric Dufrene, Aleksandra Dordevic, Lisa Fisler, Una Fitzpatrick, Simone Flaminio, Rita Foeldesi, Hugo Gaspar, David Genoud, Benoit Geslin, Guillaume Ghisbain, Francis Gilbert, Andrej Gogala, Ana Grkovic, Helge Heimburg, Fernanda Herrera-Mesias, Maarten Jacobs, Marina Jankovic Milosavljevic, Kobe Janssen, Jens-Kjeld Jensen, Ana Jesovnik, Zsolt Jozan, Giorgos Karlis, Max Kasparek, Aniko Kovacs-Hostyanszki, Michael Kuhlmann, Romain Le Divelec, Nicolas Leclercq, Laura Likov, Jessica Litman, Toshko Ljubomirov, Henning Bang Madsen, Leon Marshall, Libor Mazanek, Dubravka Milic, Maud Mignot, Sonja Mudri-Stojnic, Andreas Mueller, Zorica Nedeljkovic, Petar Nikolic, Frode Odegaard, Sebastien Patiny, Juho Paukkunen, Gerard Pennards, Celeste Perez-Banon, Adrien Perrard, Theodora Petanidou, Lars B. Pettersson, Grigory Popov, Snezana Popov, Christophe Praz, Alex Prokhorov, Marino Quaranta, Vladimir G. Radchenko, Snezana Radenkovic, Pierre Rasmont, Claus Rasmussen, Menno Reemer, Antonio Ricarte, Stephan Risch, Stuart P. M. Roberts, Santos Rojo, Lise Ropars, Paolo Rosa, Carlos Ruiz, Ahlam Sentil, Viktor Shparyk, Jan Smit, Daniele Sommaggio, Villu Soon, Axel Ssymank, Gunilla Stahls, Menelaos Stavrinides, Jakub Straka, Peeter Tarlap, Michael Terzo, Bogdan Tomozii, Tamara Tot, Leendert-Jan van Der Ent, Jeroen van Steenis, Wouter van Steenis, Androulla I. Varnava, Nicolas J. Vereecken, Sanja Veselic, Adi Vesnic, Alexander Weigand, Bogdan Wisniowski, Thomas J. Wood, Dominique Zimmermann, Denis Michez, Ante Vujic
Summary: This article highlights the importance of pollinators in global ecosystems and their distribution at national and continental levels. By compiling data and knowledge from experts, an updated list of bee and hoverfly species is provided, along with an analysis of their distribution patterns.
INSECT CONSERVATION AND DIVERSITY
(2023)