FloraPub Date : 2024-11-09DOI: 10.1016/j.flora.2024.152639
Kailin Sun, Silke Werth
{"title":"Journey to the west: Migration patterns of the riparian montane genus Myricaria","authors":"Kailin Sun, Silke Werth","doi":"10.1016/j.flora.2024.152639","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.flora.2024.152639","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Myricaria</em> Desv. (Tamaricaceae) is a genus of riparian plants found in montane regions throughout Eurasia. We present molecular phylogenies covering the entire Eurasian range of the genus using the chloroplast interspacer region <em>psb</em>A-<em>trn</em>H, the chloroplast region <em>trn</em>L-<em>trn</em>F, and the nuclear ribosomal Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS). Biogeographical analyses of the DNA sequencing data based on Takhtajan's Floristic Provinces using a Bayesian Binary Markov Chain Monte Carlo reconstruction show that the origin of <em>Myricaria</em> is the Tibetan Floristic Province, specifically in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. A molecular clock analysis was also performed. We estimate that the crown age of <em>Myricaria</em> is around 22.8 Ma and that the common ancestor of all European <em>Myricaria</em> occurred around 8.8 Ma ago. By covering the entire native range of the genus, our analyses confirm previous hypotheses on the origin and migration patterns of <em>Myricaria</em>, namely a central Asian centre of origin, followed by a westward migration to Europe via the central Asian mountain ranges, the Caucasus, and Eastern Europe. The divergence times and migration routes of <em>Myricaria</em> are remarkably similar to that of the genus <em>Hippophae</em> L<em>.</em></div></div>","PeriodicalId":55156,"journal":{"name":"Flora","volume":"321 ","pages":"Article 152639"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2024-11-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142659601","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
FloraPub Date : 2024-11-08DOI: 10.1016/j.flora.2024.152638
Jana Tulková , Antonio Pompeiano , Tara Joy Massad , Petr Vahalík , Zuzana Paschová , Lucie Vaníčková , Petr Maděra
{"title":"Geographical and environmental influences on Boswellia elongata Balf.f. volatiles: An in situ study on Socotra Island","authors":"Jana Tulková , Antonio Pompeiano , Tara Joy Massad , Petr Vahalík , Zuzana Paschová , Lucie Vaníčková , Petr Maděra","doi":"10.1016/j.flora.2024.152638","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.flora.2024.152638","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Frankincense, an esteemed oleo-gum resin derived from <em>Boswellia</em> species (Burseraceae), has been prized by humans for its aromatic, medicinal, and spiritual properties across millennia. Environmental factors play a crucial role in shaping the volatile compound composition of this resin, thereby influencing its quality. In this investigation, we analyzed frankincense sourced from <em>Boswellia elongata</em> Balf.f. at six distinct locations on Socotra Island. Employing thermal desorption-gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (TD-GC/MS), we identified 92 terpenoid compounds, spanning monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, and diterpenes. Predominant among these volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were α-pinene, γ-terpinene, o-cymene, and (<em>E</em>)-β-farnesene. Multivariate analyses revealed subtle differences in VOC composition, particularly pronounced at the Ma'aleh site, the most geographically isolated research locality. The flowers in this population also displayed distinct red-pink coloration compared to other populations. Integration of VOC data with environmental variables revealed correlations with temperature, elevation, and proximity to the sea, with specific compounds exhibiting associations with distinct environmental contexts. Our findings underscore the impact of microclimatic and abiotic conditions on the volatile profile of individual trees. Moreover, this study offers comprehensive insights into the VOC profile of <em>B. elongata</em> resin and its interplay with environmental factors, thereby suggesting avenues for the cultivation of new varieties or hybridization within the species.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55156,"journal":{"name":"Flora","volume":"321 ","pages":"Article 152638"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2024-11-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142659603","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}
FloraPub Date : 2024-11-07DOI: 10.1016/j.flora.2024.152626
Ignacio J. Agudelo , María Victoria Cura , Cecilia B. Dobrecky , Leonardo M. Anconatani , María Inés Mercado , Marcelo L. Wagner , Rafael A. Ricco
{"title":"Anatomical, histochemical and micrographic analysis of aerial parts of Aristolochia elegans Mast. (Aristolochiaceae), a potentially toxic plant used in folk medicine","authors":"Ignacio J. Agudelo , María Victoria Cura , Cecilia B. Dobrecky , Leonardo M. Anconatani , María Inés Mercado , Marcelo L. Wagner , Rafael A. Ricco","doi":"10.1016/j.flora.2024.152626","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.flora.2024.152626","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Aristolochia elegans</em> (Aristolochiaceae) is a plant species indigenous to South America, widely employed in traditional folk medicine and commonly referred to as 'mil hombres'. Despite its medicinal applications, this plant contains aristolochic acid; a compound associated with the potential risk of chronic intoxications and induced nephropathy following prolonged ingestion. The absence of comprehensive microscopic identification guidelines for <em>A. elegans</em>, whether utilizing fresh, dried, or powdered specimens, highlights the necessity to establish its pharmacognostic diagnostic characteristics ensuring the recognition of the species and its safe and controlled utilization.</div><div>Mild dissociations, transversal sections and electron microscopy observations were performed on specimens collected at the Costanera Sur Ecological Reserve and the Buenos Aires Botanical Garden (CABA). In addition, histochemical tests were conducted to asess the presence of primary and secondary metabolites.</div><div>The stems exhibited secondary growth, characterized by diffuse porous wood and 7–9 medullary rays. The xylem showed wide scalariform pitted vessel units and fibrotracheids. Whereas the leaves presented hooked trichomes and rodlet-shaped epicuticular wax deposits, a common trait among <em>Aristolochia</em> species. The histochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids in the cortical parenchyma and fibers of the stems and petioles, as well as phenolic compounds in the xylem and cortical parenchyma of young stem and in the lamina mesophyll and abaxial epidermis adjacent to the midrib of the leaf. These micrographic described features serve as valuable tools for identifying <em>A. elegans</em> in commercial samples.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55156,"journal":{"name":"Flora","volume":"321 ","pages":"Article 152626"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2024-11-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142659602","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}
FloraPub Date : 2024-11-07DOI: 10.1016/j.flora.2024.152628
Lu-Han Wang
{"title":"The phenology of flowering in Spiranthes sinensis s.s.","authors":"Lu-Han Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.flora.2024.152628","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.flora.2024.152628","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The native <em>Spiranthes sinensis s.s.</em> of Taiwan is an emerging ornamental potted orchid. This study aims to understand the conditions for floral differentiation and life cycle to facilitate artificial cultivation and commercial production of <em>S. sinensis</em>. Every August, new leaves appeared from the dwarf stem, during which the old roots acted as a nutrient source, providing the energy needed for the initial foliation phase. In November, the apical bud enters the floral initiation. In January, the apical bud began to transform into the primary inflorescence of the plant, while the lateral bud apical meristem began to differentiate into floral meristem. The plant produced a main spike in February, followed by the lateral bud inflorescences; the plant bloomed from March to May. Changes in sugar and starch contents were associated with inflorescence development. A higher soluble sugar level was noted in the roots and stems from January to April at the time of anthesis. Starch began to accumulate in the roots from February to August. The growth cycle restarted in August every year with new shoot formation, with the roots providing the initial nutrients for shoot growth to restart a new growing cycle. The influence of temperature changes on inflorescence development and flowering is discussed.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55156,"journal":{"name":"Flora","volume":"321 ","pages":"Article 152628"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2024-11-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142659612","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}
FloraPub Date : 2024-11-06DOI: 10.1016/j.flora.2024.152629
Mário Sérgio Duarte Branco , Paulo Weslem Portal Gomes , Laymara Xavier-Sampaio , José Luis Passos Cordeiro , Luciana dos Santos Dias de Oliveira , Eimear Nic Lughadha , Marcelo Freire Moro
{"title":"Were Dry Forests widespread in the Pleistocene and what is their fate under climate change? A modelling approach using a specialist plant","authors":"Mário Sérgio Duarte Branco , Paulo Weslem Portal Gomes , Laymara Xavier-Sampaio , José Luis Passos Cordeiro , Luciana dos Santos Dias de Oliveira , Eimear Nic Lughadha , Marcelo Freire Moro","doi":"10.1016/j.flora.2024.152629","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.flora.2024.152629","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Seasonally Dry Tropical Forests (SDTF) are deciduous and semideciduous seasonal forests that are geographically distant from each other in South America, but share multiple species in common. How did these disjunct species distributions arise and what changes in their distribution can be expected under climate change? <em>Gymnanthes boticario</em>, a SDTF specialist, is a perfect model to test these questions.Occurrence data were obtained from herbarium sheets and confirmed by the authors and/or taxonomic publications. We selected bioclimatic variables for past, current and future scenarios and modeled the potential distribution of <em>Gymnanthes boticario</em> for three paleoclimatic conditions and two future climate change scenarios. We found an unexpectedly large geographical extent of climate suitability for <em>G. boticario</em> during the Last Interglacial (LIG), forming a possible connection between the Brazilian dry Caatinga forests and the dry forests of Bolivia. In the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), our model shows a reduction in the extent of suitability compared to the LIG, making the suitable area more similar to that modelled for the current period. For all future climate change scenarios, we found a decrease in the total suitable area. The future scenario of SSP585 is most severe, with a loss of almost 60 % of <em>G.boticario</em> suitable areas. We show that during drier timeframes, dry forests likely became less geographically distant from each other, allowing migration between the two now isolated dry forests. This historic connectivity could explain the considerable number of species disjunctions between Caatinga and Bolivian dry forests. Our models indicate that the broadest distribution of SDTF may have occurred during the LIG, and not in the LGM as previously thought. Moreover, climate change models indicate that the future may be even more challenging than the current for SDTF habitats.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55156,"journal":{"name":"Flora","volume":"321 ","pages":"Article 152629"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2024-11-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142659611","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}
FloraPub Date : 2024-11-04DOI: 10.1016/j.flora.2024.152630
Bruno B. Cozin , Alice S. Leal , L. Felipe Daibes , Alessandra Fidelis , Aline R. Martins
{"title":"Origin and ontogeny of the xylopodium in Cerrado legumes: Role of the hypocotyl and ecological significance","authors":"Bruno B. Cozin , Alice S. Leal , L. Felipe Daibes , Alessandra Fidelis , Aline R. Martins","doi":"10.1016/j.flora.2024.152630","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.flora.2024.152630","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Bud-bearing underground organs play a role on plant persistence in different fire-prone ecosystems worldwide, but their origin, development and anatomical features are still a matter of inquiry. The xylopodium, for instance, seem to originate from the hypocotyl or primary root, or both, usually associated with tuberous roots. Because this structure is commonly found in legumes across the Brazilian savannas (Cerrado), understanding its formation is important for unveiling its relevance for post-fire resprouting. Here we aimed to investigate the role of the hypocotyl on the development of six Cerrado legume shrubs, as well as histochemical features and ecological implications from seedlings to adult plants in this frequently-burned ecosystem. Seeds of the six study species were collected in central Brazil, set to germinate and cultivated until the stages of four, six, nine, and twelve months. At each stage, the region correspondent to the hypocotyl was delimited and anatomical and histochemical analyses performed. Over time, the hypocotyl region underwent a tuberization process, during which the cortex was progressively replaced by the formation of secondary xylem through intense cambial activity. Before the twelve-month-old stage, all species presented buds, mainly cotyledonary, and reacted to starch, phenols and pectins. Early hypocotyl tuberization drives the formation of the xylopodium from seedlings to adulthood, and the presence of buds and the accumulation of reserves during its formation is a fundamental process driving species’ persistence after fire.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55156,"journal":{"name":"Flora","volume":"321 ","pages":"Article 152630"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2024-11-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142659600","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}
FloraPub Date : 2024-11-03DOI: 10.1016/j.flora.2024.152625
Bingshuai Du , Xinghua Nie , Qing Zhang , Yu Xing , Qingqin Cao , Ling Qin , Kefeng Fang
{"title":"Ovule abortion accompanied by programmed cell death in Castanea mollissima","authors":"Bingshuai Du , Xinghua Nie , Qing Zhang , Yu Xing , Qingqin Cao , Ling Qin , Kefeng Fang","doi":"10.1016/j.flora.2024.152625","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.flora.2024.152625","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Chinese chestnut (<em>Castanea mollissima</em> Blume.) ovary contains 12–18 ovules, but only one can develop and grow normally, which indicates that the abortive rate of ovules can go as high as 94 %. In this study, we observed the developmental characteristics and cytological changes of abortive ovules and fertile ovules during development. Morphological analysis showed it would take about 15∼20 days from globular to cotyledon embryo in fertile ovules, which is accompanied with the formation and apoptosis of endosperm. But there were stark differences in the nutrient transport, microstructure and ultrastructure of fertile and abortive ovules. The fluorescence disodium fluorescein and FDA indicated that all ovules were viable at early stages, but some ovules became inactive at different times as the ovary developed. Fluorescence labelling and ultrastructure showed cell nuclei of abortive ovules were disintegrated at 25 days after anthesis (DAA). Compared with the fertile ovules, starch grains were synthesized at earlier periods, but disappeared immediately, and the cells were usually irregular in shape, and had folded cell membranes in the abortive ovules. Furthermore, the Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) was carried out to assess programmed cell death in fertile and abortive ovules, results showed that DNA fragmentation was occurred in the cells of abortive ovules. In short, these results provide new insights into ovule abortion in the angiosperm.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55156,"journal":{"name":"Flora","volume":"321 ","pages":"Article 152625"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2024-11-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142659599","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}
FloraPub Date : 2024-11-01DOI: 10.1016/j.flora.2024.152623
Claudia González-Salvatierra , Joel Flores , Omar Díaz-Segura , M. Loraine Matías-Palafox , Cecilia L. Jiménez-Sierra
{"title":"Seasonal chlorophyll fluorescence before and after rapid light curves in the endangered species Lophophora diffusa (Cactaceae) across two microenvironments","authors":"Claudia González-Salvatierra , Joel Flores , Omar Díaz-Segura , M. Loraine Matías-Palafox , Cecilia L. Jiménez-Sierra","doi":"10.1016/j.flora.2024.152623","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.flora.2024.152623","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In desert environments, intense light stress can significantly impede the growth and survival of plants, making microenvironments formed under nurse plants crucial. Chlorophyll a fluorescence serves as a widely employed tool for detecting plant stress conditions. Here, we investigated the seasonal ecophysiological performance of <em>Lophophora diffusa</em> (Cactaceae) under nurse plants and in direct sunlight. Our assessment involved monitoring chlorophyll fluorescence parameters as indicators of photosynthetic efficiency over the course of one year, including the effective quantum yield of photosystem II (Φ<sub>PSII</sub>), maximum quantum efficiency of photosystem II (<em>F<sub>v</sub>/F<sub>m</sub></em>), electron transport rate (ETR), and non-photochemical quenching (NPQ). Higher daily PPFD levels were observed in open spaces throughout all seasons except for winter. Additionally, temperatures were lower beneath nurse plants compared to exposed sites during spring and autumn. <em>Lophophora diffusa</em> exhibited dynamic photoinhibition, as evidenced by lower <em>F</em><sub>v</sub>/<em>F</em><sub>m</sub> values in plants exposed to sunlight compared to those sheltered under nurse plants in spring. During rapid light curves, L. <em>diffusa</em> exhibited decreased maximum Φ<sub>PSII</sub> and maximum ETR values in winter across both microenvironments, while displaying higher maximum NPQ in cacti exposed to sunlight compared to those sheltered under nurse plants in spring. High saturating light levels for ETR were observed in both environments throughout most seasons, except for winter, indicating a high tolerance to high-light conditions. Light curves induced greater stress compared to natural conditions, as evidenced by the acclimation with increased NPQ observed only after rapid light curves. These findings suggest that adult individuals of L. <em>diffusa</em> may not strictly rely on nurse plants for survival and have developed various mechanisms to thrive in diverse microenvironments.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55156,"journal":{"name":"Flora","volume":"320 ","pages":"Article 152623"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142552514","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}
{"title":"Growth and acclimation dynamics in reintroduced Erioderma pedicellatum (Hue) P.M.Jørg., a critically endangered cyanolichen in boreal rainforest","authors":"Vivian Ytterdahl Bolkan, Knut Asbjørn Solhaug, Yngvar Gauslaa","doi":"10.1016/j.flora.2024.152624","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.flora.2024.152624","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study focuses on the critically endangered <em>Erioderma pedicellatu</em>m, a sexually reproducing cyanolichen. The species’ decline is primarily attributed to habitat loss and extinction debts. The aim is to understand the possibilities of reintroduction via transplantation on <em>Picea abies</em> (L.) H.Karst. and gain insights into the species' growth response to environmental gradients in its boreal rainforest habitat. The source population of <em>E. pedicellatum</em> found on open, sun-exposed spruce branches within a waterfall spray zone, underwent a significant environmental shift when transplanted to the rainforest. The shift induced shade acclimation, which was marked by an increased maximal photosystem II efficiency (<em>F<sub>V</sub>/F<sub>M</sub></em>), reduced thallus thickness and reduced apparent electron transport rate (ETR<sub>app</sub>). However, stochastic fragmentation impacted 57 % of thalli, causing significant losses, particularly in sections with numerous apothecia, suggesting a trade-off between growth and reproduction. Unfragmented thalli with positive relative growth rate (RGR) exhibited increased growth correlated with base cation availability (high soil and bark pH) and light availability. Thalli that were already shade-adapted at the start (low ETR<sub>app</sub> at high light) displayed the fastest growth in the rainforest. The best subset regression model of unfragmented thalli accounted for 72.8 % of the variation in RGR. The reintroduction of <em>E. pedicellatum</em> into the boreal rainforest is possible, but challenging, given that well-lit spruce branches with high base cation availability in humid canopy layers are rare.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55156,"journal":{"name":"Flora","volume":"320 ","pages":"Article 152624"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142578272","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
FloraPub Date : 2024-10-22DOI: 10.1016/j.flora.2024.152622
Agustina Rosa Andrés-Hernández , Fressia N. Ames-Martínez , Agustín Maceda , Luiza Teixeira-Costa , Ernesto C. Rodríguez-Ramírez
{"title":"Functional traits of Epifagus virginiana (Orobanchaceae) tubers as adaptations to the Mexican beech microenvironment","authors":"Agustina Rosa Andrés-Hernández , Fressia N. Ames-Martínez , Agustín Maceda , Luiza Teixeira-Costa , Ernesto C. Rodríguez-Ramírez","doi":"10.1016/j.flora.2024.152622","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.flora.2024.152622","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Epifagus virginiana</em> (Orobanchaceae), known as beechdrops, is a holoparasitic plant that acquires all its resources from a narrow range of host plants, restricted to North American <em>Fagus</em> species. To do so, beechdrops develop a vascular connection with the host via a terminal haustoria that develops as a tuber attached to the host root. We hypothesized that microenvironmental conditions can influence functional traits of the <em>E. virginiana</em> tuber despite this parasite's complete reliance on the host plant for its nutrition. Therefore, the aims of this study were i) to analyze the structure of the tubers of <em>E. virginiana</em>; ii) to assess the variation in tuber functional traits between two <em>E. virginiana</em> populations; and iii) to analyze how microenvironmental factors influence functional traits in the tuber. We detected that functional trait of beechdrops tuber along Mexican beech microenvironmental covaried with traits important for below-ground processes. Boosted regression trees provided a powerful analysis tool, giving substantially superior predictive performance to generalized additive models, despite the fitting of interaction terms in the latter.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55156,"journal":{"name":"Flora","volume":"320 ","pages":"Article 152622"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2024-10-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142533120","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}