IF 1.8 4区生物学

Flora Pub Date : 2026-02-01 Epub Date: 2025-12-13 DOI: 10.1016/j.flora.2025.152908

Carlos Henrique Goulart dos Reis , Marcelo Ramos de Anchieta , Amanda Coletti Santolino , Kauê Shindi Dias Nakamura , Murillo Tinheira do Prado , Vitor Hugo Silva Ribeiro , Vinícius Politi Duarte , Evaristo Mauro de Castro , Fabricio José Pereira

{"title":"UV radiation decreases photosynthesis in Typha domingensis, but the species shows tolerance mechanisms related to anthocyanin production and clonal growth","authors":"Carlos Henrique Goulart dos Reis , Marcelo Ramos de Anchieta , Amanda Coletti Santolino , Kauê Shindi Dias Nakamura , Murillo Tinheira do Prado , Vitor Hugo Silva Ribeiro , Vinícius Politi Duarte , Evaristo Mauro de Castro , Fabricio José Pereira","doi":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152908","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152908","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Typha domingensis</em> Pers. (cattail) is an aquatic plant presenting high growth capacity and tolerance to various environmental stressors. However, the effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation on growth and development have not yet been explored for <em>T. domingensis</em>. Furthermore, increased UV radiation is expected due to climate change, which may favor <em>T. domingensis</em> in competition with other species. This work aimed to evaluate the effect of UV radiation on the growth, photosynthesis, anatomy, and biochemistry of <em>T. domingensis</em> depending on leaf position. The individuals were subjected to the following conditions: unshaded (US), shaded net (SN), greenhouse (GH), and greenhouse plus UV supplementation (GH+UV). We performed a completely randomized two-way ANOVA to analyze the interaction effects between UV radiation and leaf position (leaf apex and middle parts). Growth, leaf gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence, anatomy, anthocyanin, and chlorophyll concentration were evaluated. UV radiation reduced the effective photochemical yield and the carboxylation efficiency of <em>T. domingensis</em>. The highest UV intensity (US) reduced <em>T. domingensis</em> dry mass but increased its clone production, suggesting a UV-defense mechanism by enhancing population growth and self-shading. Moreover, the leaf apex of <em>T. domingensis</em> showed higher photosynthesis compared to its middle part. <em>Typha domingensis</em> leaves synthesize anthocyanins as a UV-defense mechanism due to the absence of relevant anatomical defense traits. Therefore, our results indicate that <em>T. domingensis</em> is a UV-tolerant species, although some degree of damage is found in its photosynthetic system.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55156,"journal":{"name":"Flora","volume":"335 ","pages":"Article 152908"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145790725","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Lighting up the underground: Enhancing growth-ring detection in grassland subshrubs using autofluorescence and histochemistry 照亮地下：利用自体荧光和组织化学增强草地亚灌木生长年轮检测

IF 1.8 4区生物学

Flora Pub Date : 2026-02-01 Epub Date: 2025-12-13 DOI: 10.1016/j.flora.2025.152907

Tiago M. Gomes-Pinto , Jean-Luc Verdeil , Christelle Baptiste , Claudia Fontana , Matthieu Dejean , Gilles Chaix , Davi N. Lemos , Maycon S. Teixeira , Mario Tomazello-Filho , Giselda Durigan

{"title":"Lighting up the underground: Enhancing growth-ring detection in grassland subshrubs using autofluorescence and histochemistry","authors":"Tiago M. Gomes-Pinto , Jean-Luc Verdeil , Christelle Baptiste , Claudia Fontana , Matthieu Dejean , Gilles Chaix , Davi N. Lemos , Maycon S. Teixeira , Mario Tomazello-Filho , Giselda Durigan","doi":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152907","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152907","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Growth rings in woody plants form in response to seasonal variation in the environment and are fundamental to dendrochronological studies, but estimating plant ages—especially in underexplored growth forms such as forbs, shrubs and subshrubs from grasslands—remains challenging. Here, we address a knowledge gap in the anatomy and histochemistry of subshrubs from natural Cerrado grasslands and evaluate their potential for dendrochronological applications. We studied underground woody organs of <em>Jacaranda decurrens, Lippia lupulina</em>, and <em>Mandevilla longiflora</em>, collected at the Santa Bárbara Ecological Station (Brazil). We used autofluorescence microscopy and a suite of histochemical tests targeting structural and non-structural compounds. Autofluorescence allowed spatial assessment of wood tissues without staining, and improved growth-ring visualization. FASGA staining increased contrast between fibers and parenchyma, facilitating tissue discrimination and growth-ring delimitation, while Mäule staining highlighted differences in cell-wall composition and guaiacyl/syringyl (G/S) ratios throughout growth-ring formation. Starch was consistently detected in parenchymatic cells of all species (lowest in <em>J. decurrens</em>, intermediate in L. <em>lupulina</em>, highest in <em>M. longiflora</em>), and its spatial association with parenchyma aided growth-ring identification. Combining fluorescence and histochemical approaches provides complementary insights into the anatomy and chemistry of underground organs and advances dendrochronological studies in grassland ecosystems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55156,"journal":{"name":"Flora","volume":"335 ","pages":"Article 152907"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145790726","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Leaf anatomical diversity in subfamily Dryadoideae (Rosaceae): taxonomic significance at the generic level 蔷薇科杉木亚科叶片解剖多样性：属水平上的分类学意义

IF 1.8 4区生物学

Flora Pub Date : 2026-02-01 Epub Date: 2025-11-29 DOI: 10.1016/j.flora.2025.152903

Diana I. Trujillo-Juárez , Alicia Rojas-Leal , Teresa Terrazas

{"title":"Leaf anatomical diversity in subfamily Dryadoideae (Rosaceae): taxonomic significance at the generic level","authors":"Diana I. Trujillo-Juárez , Alicia Rojas-Leal , Teresa Terrazas","doi":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152903","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152903","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Dryadoideae (Rosaceae) comprises the genera <em>Cercocarpus, Chamaebatia, Dryas</em>, and <em>Purshia</em>. Despite its taxonomic value, the foliar anatomy of this subfamily has not been studied or compared between genera. The objective was to characterize and identify qualitative leaf anatomical traits that allow diagnosis of genera and compare them with other Rosaceae. Transverse and paradermal sections were prepared from 32 species and analyzed using light microscopy. Each genus exhibited a unique combination of traits. <em>Cercocarpus</em> showed stomatal crypts and an abaxial hypodermis. <em>Chamaebatia</em> displayed S-undulated anticlinal epidermal walls and fibers above the phloem. It also showed glandular trichomes with a multiseriate stalk and vascular tissue at the base. Additionally, the mesophyll was reduced and continuous, supporting simple leaves in <em>Chamaebatia</em>, a trait not previously recognized in this genus. <em>Purshia</em> showed glandular trichomes with a multiseriate stalk on the adaxial surface, less developed spongy parenchyma and palisade parenchyma in the midvein. In <em>Dryas</em> eglandular multicellular trichomes were found on the abaxial surface, and a sunken adaxial midvein. Other informative characters included mesophyll type, idioblasts, and secondary growth in the midvein. Although some intrageneric variation was observed, anatomical traits were generally consistent within genera. These findings provide the first comprehensive anatomical framework for Dryadoideae and highlight the taxonomic value of leaf anatomy. The results contribute with novel characters for genera, and offer their integration into future phylogenetic and evolutionary studies within Rosaceae.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55156,"journal":{"name":"Flora","volume":"335 ","pages":"Article 152903"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145737558","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Topographic factors drive plant diversity to a greater extent than vegetation structure in dry woodlands dominated by Ramorinoa girolae Speg 在以柽柳为主的干旱区，地形因素对植物多样性的驱动作用大于植被结构

IF 1.8 4区生物学

Flora Pub Date : 2026-02-01 Epub Date: 2025-11-20 DOI: 10.1016/j.flora.2025.152880

Campos Valeria Evelín , Gatica Gabriel

{"title":"Topographic factors drive plant diversity to a greater extent than vegetation structure in dry woodlands dominated by Ramorinoa girolae Speg","authors":"Campos Valeria Evelín , Gatica Gabriel","doi":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152880","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152880","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The dominant woody species inhabiting drylands play a critical role as ecosystem engineers, altering microclimate, soil properties, and resource availability, thereby enhancing plant species diversity at the community level. Understanding the importance of woodland structure versus environmental drivers (such as topographic factors) is key to defining management and conservation strategies for species diversity. We test the importance of these drivers in dry woodlands dominated by <em>Ramorinoa girolae</em> Speg., an endemic woody species in the Monte Desert that provides valuable ecosystem services. We hypothesized that <em>R. girolae</em> is a nurse woody species, modifying microclimate and soil conditions to create spatial heterogeneity in resources and habitats, thereby promoting high plant species diversity. To this end, we conducted an observational study over 36 plots of dry <em>R. girolae</em>-dominated woodlands, distributed across a topographic factors gradient. Although woodland structure did not affect the diversity, altitude exhibited a negative relationship with the number of common and dominant species across all study sites and scales. The ruggedness and wetness indices exerted significant effects but only at a single spatial scale. Our results highlight that conservation concerns are greater when plant species diversity depends primarily on abiotic factors beyond the reach of forest management.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55156,"journal":{"name":"Flora","volume":"335 ","pages":"Article 152880"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145610307","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Pollen cones of Afrocarpus and Podocarpus (Podocarpaceae, Coniferales) in the light of conifer evolution and Zimmermann´s telome theory 根据针叶树进化和Zimmermann的端粒理论研究非洲树和Podocarpus （podocarpacae，针叶树科）的花粉球果

IF 1.8 4区生物学

Flora Pub Date : 2026-02-01 Epub Date: 2025-12-11 DOI: 10.1016/j.flora.2025.152906

Veit Martin Dörken , Thomas Stützel

{"title":"Pollen cones of Afrocarpus and Podocarpus (Podocarpaceae, Coniferales) in the light of conifer evolution and Zimmermann´s telome theory","authors":"Veit Martin Dörken , Thomas Stützel","doi":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152906","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152906","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Pollen cones from various species of Podocarpaceae were investigated and a new evolutionary model of coniferous male reproductive structures is proposed. The inflorescence-like groups of pollen cones are identified as dense pollen cone clusters. These clusters result from a significant reduction in the length of the internodes of the fertile shoot axis, coupled with a shift of the cones towards the distal end. There is strong evidence that the simple structure of each pollen cone originates from a markedly reduced pseudanthial structure. The lateral hyposporangiate microsporangiophores are dorsiventral synangia comprising numerous fused, stalked microsporangia. It is highly likely that the hyposporangiate structure evolved from an ancestral radial (= perisporangiate) condition. The distal, leaf-like scutellum is formed by one or more sterile microsporangia that are fused and compressed. Contrary to the widely held view, the scutellum is not the tip of a microsporophyll. Based on Zimmermann's telome theory it is demonstrated how microsporangia can be produced in the absence of a microsporophyll.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55156,"journal":{"name":"Flora","volume":"335 ","pages":"Article 152906"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145790724","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

The effects of lead and manganese in soil on males and females of the dioecious herb Spinacia oleracea 土壤中铅和锰对雌雄异株苋雄性和雌性的影响

IF 1.8 4区生物学

Flora Pub Date : 2026-01-01 Epub Date: 2025-11-15 DOI: 10.1016/j.flora.2025.152879

M. Fisher , K. BéruBé , T. Jones , B. Rees , J. Sánchez Vilas

{"title":"The effects of lead and manganese in soil on males and females of the dioecious herb Spinacia oleracea","authors":"M. Fisher , K. BéruBé , T. Jones , B. Rees , J. Sánchez Vilas","doi":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152879","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152879","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Males and females of dioecious plant species commonly differ in their morphology, physiology or life-history traits, and also in their response to environmental stress, which may lead to sex biases and eventually to population declines. Metal toxicity is an extreme case of environmental stress, where differences in tolerance between males and females have been reported before, but mainly in woody species (trees from the genus <em>Populus</em>)<em>.</em> Here, we aimed to increase our understanding of the response of the sexes of dioecious species to metal stress by investigating the individual and combined effects of added Pb and Mn to the soil on the growth and physiological performance of male and female plants of the wind-pollinated herb spinach (<em>Spinacia oleracea</em> L). We carried out a glasshouse experiment, where male and female plants of <em>S. oleracea</em> were grown in soils without and with added Pb, Mn and combined Pb + Mn (added as nitrates), and with different nutrient levels (‘low’ or ‘high’ nutrients). The addition of Pb and Mn as nitrates did not have any detrimental effects on the growth, chlorophyll content, % N, %C and C/N in spinach plants. Moreover, the addition of Pb (NO<sub>3</sub>)<sub>2</sub> and Mn (NO<sub>3</sub>)<sub>2</sub> appears to have increased the nitrates in the soil, as shown by the improved nitrogen content found in plants growing under low nutrients. Male plants accumulated more Pb and Mn in their aboveground tissues than females, but this was not followed by greater detrimental effects on growth. Overall, this study highlights the relevance of the metal species added in causing toxic effects and points to a greater tolerance to metal stress in males of <em>S. oleracea</em>.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55156,"journal":{"name":"Flora","volume":"334 ","pages":"Article 152879"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145580096","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

The equilibrium of nutrition and protection in the interaction between Byrsonima coccolobifolia and Cecidomyiidae 红杉与柞蚕科互作的营养平衡与保护

IF 1.8 4区生物学

Flora Pub Date : 2026-01-01 Epub Date: 2025-08-30 DOI: 10.1016/j.flora.2025.152830

Reisila Simone Migliorini Mendes , Elaine Cotrim Costa , Gracielle Pereira Pimenta Bragança , Rosy Mary dos Santos Isaias

{"title":"The equilibrium of nutrition and protection in the interaction between Byrsonima coccolobifolia and Cecidomyiidae","authors":"Reisila Simone Migliorini Mendes , Elaine Cotrim Costa , Gracielle Pereira Pimenta Bragança , Rosy Mary dos Santos Isaias","doi":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152830","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152830","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Gall induction promotes different modifications in host plant leaf tissues, due to alterations in the number of cell layers, the cell elongation axis, and the accumulation of metabolites. This tissue specialization in gall developmental sites allows the identification of structural and functional compartments. The outer tissue compartment accumulates metabolites with nutritive and protective functions, while the inner tissue compartment accumulates energetic molecules involved in the nutrition of the inducer. Using anatomical, histometric, histochemical, and immunocytochemical techniques, tissue origin and fate were mapped to evaluate the level of investment from each original tissue layer toward the mature gall structure. In the <em>Byrsonima coccolobifolia-</em>Cecidomyiidae system, a balance between the formation of specialized tissues and the accumulation of energetic and defensive molecules was observed. Anatomical, histochemical, and immunocytochemical analyses revealed a significant investment in storage and protective tissues compared to the non-galled leaf. These tissues are structurally compartmentalized in specific regions of the gall. However, the cellular symplastic and apoplastic characteristics allow for the sharing of these protective and nutritional functions between the two compartments.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55156,"journal":{"name":"Flora","volume":"334 ","pages":"Article 152830"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145693911","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

High salt tolerance and salt-mediated enhancement of drought stress tolerance in Zygophyllum fabago 高耐盐性及盐介导的蚕豆籽粒抗旱性增强

IF 1.8 4区生物学

Flora Pub Date : 2026-01-01 Epub Date: 2025-11-21 DOI: 10.1016/j.flora.2025.152891

Fereshteh Karimian, Roghieh Hajiboland, Fatemeh Nazari

{"title":"High salt tolerance and salt-mediated enhancement of drought stress tolerance in Zygophyllum fabago","authors":"Fereshteh Karimian, Roghieh Hajiboland, Fatemeh Nazari","doi":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152891","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152891","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Zygophyllum fabago,</em> a perennial species of the family Zygophyllaceae native to arid and semi-arid regions, is a key component of the Irano-Turanian floristic zone. Despite its ecological relevance, this species’ halophytic behavior and salt response mechanisms have not been previously characterized. In a short-term hydroponic experiment, plants were exposed to NaCl concentrations of up to 700 mM for two weeks. In a long-term study, plants subjected to control, 150 mM, and 400 mM NaCl were further exposed to three levels of drought stress. The highest dry biomass production was observed at 200–400 mM, with no significant growth reduction even at 700 mM, indicating a remarkable level of salt tolerance. Measurements of growth parameters, water relations, and stress indicators confirmed a high tolerance to both salt and drought, with evidence of salt-enhanced drought resilience. Under single-stress conditions, the activity of antioxidant enzymes and organic osmolyte levels remained unchanged or declined, but elevated when both stresses were applied simultaneously. Under both treatments, phenolics content in the leaves increased, whereas lignin deposition decreased, reaching the lowest levels under stress combination. The findings indicate that <em>Z. fabago</em> employs integrated tolerance mechanisms, including high Na accumulation capacity, salt-induced succulence, optimized stomatal density, enhanced taproot elongation, and minimization of non-essential metabolic costs. These features support individual stress tolerance and cross-tolerance to combined salt and drought conditions. Given its physiological resilience and adaptive plasticity, <em>Z. fabago</em> is proposed as a promising candidate for land stabilization and ecological restoration of saline soils in arid and semi-arid environments.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55156,"journal":{"name":"Flora","volume":"334 ","pages":"Article 152891"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145624335","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Endemic plant parasite (Cuscuta howelliana) and host (Eryngium castrense) vary along a hydroperiod gradient in California vernal pools 加州春季池塘的特有植物寄生虫（Cuscuta howelliana）和寄主（Eryngium castrense）沿水循环梯度变化

IF 1.8 4区生物学

Flora Pub Date : 2026-01-01 Epub Date: 2025-11-12 DOI: 10.1016/j.flora.2025.152878

Tirzah Cochran, Madeline Baker, Jamie M. Kneitel

{"title":"Endemic plant parasite (Cuscuta howelliana) and host (Eryngium castrense) vary along a hydroperiod gradient in California vernal pools","authors":"Tirzah Cochran, Madeline Baker, Jamie M. Kneitel","doi":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152878","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152878","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Understanding host-parasite interactions is a central question in ecology. The distribution and abundance of plant hosts and parasites tend to be less studied in natural ecosystems. In California, vernal pools are seasonal wetlands that are habitat to the plant parasite <em>Cuscuta howelliana</em> (Bogg’s lake dodder) and its most common host, <em>Eryngium castrense</em> (Coyote thistle). Previous research has identified the interaction and its community effects, but little research has been conducted on their distribution, abundance, and infection patterns, as well as how these change, along a hydroperiod gradient. Ten vernal pools were sampled using 5 random quadrats along 2 transects. Both <em>Cuscuta</em> and <em>Eryngium</em> displayed clumped dispersion patterns within pools. <em>Cuscuta</em> cover had a strong positive association with inundation period and <em>Eryngium</em> traits (height and inflorescence number) had a strong positive association with inundation period. <em>Eryngium</em> plants were smaller at higher densities. <em>Eryngium</em> characteristics were significantly smaller in the presence of <em>Cuscuta</em> infection but highly variable across pools. Path analysis showed that there were significant direct and indirect pathways from hydroperiod to infection rates. The strongest pathway was the increased hydroperiod to increasing <em>Cuscuta</em> cover to increasing infection. These results highlighted the complex interactions among parasite, host, and the environment. This will help understand the spatial ecology of parasite-host interactions along an environmental gradient of this imperiled and diverse ecosystem.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55156,"journal":{"name":"Flora","volume":"334 ","pages":"Article 152878"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145580181","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Temporal alignment? Assessing phenological synchrony between host plants and gall-inducing arthropods in Brazilian Dry Forest 时间对齐?巴西干旱林寄主植物与节肢动物的物候同步性评估

IF 1.8 4区生物学

Flora Pub Date : 2026-01-01 Epub Date: 2025-11-03 DOI: 10.1016/j.flora.2025.152869

Juliana Santos-Silva , Fabrício Carvalho-Silva , Maria Isabel Alves de Lima , Amadeu dos Santos Neto , Henrique Venâncio , Jean Carlos Santos

{"title":"Temporal alignment? Assessing phenological synchrony between host plants and gall-inducing arthropods in Brazilian Dry Forest","authors":"Juliana Santos-Silva , Fabrício Carvalho-Silva , Maria Isabel Alves de Lima , Amadeu dos Santos Neto , Henrique Venâncio , Jean Carlos Santos","doi":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152869","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152869","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The synchronization between the phenology of gall-inducing insects and that of their host plants is a key ecological and evolutionary process influencing insect reproductive success and the dynamics of insect–plant interactions. This temporal alignment can also drive co-evolutionary processes between the associated species. Despite their importance, the phenological patterns of gall-inducing insects and their host plants remain understudied in the Neotropical region, limiting our understanding of their evolutionary implications. In this study, we evaluated the association between the phenological cycle of gall-inducing arthropods and the phenological phases of <em>Cnidoscolus quercifolius</em> Pohl (Euphorbiaceae) and <em>Poecilanthe ulei</em> (Harms) Arroyo & Rudd (Fabaceae) in the Brazilian dry forest (Caatinga). In general, the phenophases of host plant exhibit significant seasonality, which may regulate the development of associated gall-forming organisms. The induction, development and abundance of gall morphotypes were also influenced by the characteristic seasonal climate of the Caatinga. This phenological pattern suggests that the studied plant species may host gall-inducing insects with an univoltine life cycle (one generation per year). The pronounced environmental seasonality of the Caatinga, characterized by distinct wet and dry periods, is reflected in the phenological response of the studied systems. Our findings indicate that gall-inducing insects represent as a valuable model system for investigating phenological processes, owing to their specialized interactions with host plants in the Caatinga biome.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55156,"journal":{"name":"Flora","volume":"334 ","pages":"Article 152869"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145479356","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

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