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Ocotea catharinensis. (a) Partially open flower (ST, oxidized stigma; #, extrorse stamens). (b) Open flower (TE, tepals; *, nectaries; +, introrse stamens). (c) Flowering sequence of O. catharinensis: 1, 2, and 3, buds; 4, partially open flower already with oxidised stigma; 5 and 6, open flowers; 7, open flower with nonfunctional stamens, stigma, and nectaries.
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Ocotea catharinensis (Lauraceae) is an endangered tree species from the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest. Currently, little is known about the reproductive ecology of this species. Aiming to propose conservation measures, we described aspects related to phenology, floral biology, pollination, seed dispersal, and mating system of O. catharinensis.
We c...
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... observations were carried out from January 2016 to December (except in February 2016and July 2017 due to logistical difficulties). In this period, 62 individu- als, with DBH > 20 cm, were observed monthly for the flowering (buds and open flowers; Fig. 3) and the fruiting (un- ripe and ripe fruits) using binoculars. We applied the method proposed by Fournier (1974) to score the intensity of pheno- logical events, attributing 0 for individuals without phenologi- cal activity, and 1, 2, 3 and 4 for individuals with 1-25, 26-50, 51-75 and 76-100% of phenological intensity, respectively. Phenological index to each phenophase was obtained by sum- ming all intensity values (6 ?0) and averaging by the number of individuals presenting phenological activity during a given month, modifying the proposal of Bencke & Morellato (2002). We compared the average DBH between reproductive and non-reproductive individuals through a confidence interval (CI) (95%) obtained with 1000 bootstrap replicates. Possible relationships between phenological events, including monthly frequency of individuals presenting buds, open flowers, unripe or ripe fruits and climatological data, including monthly aver- ages of mean temperature, maximum temperature and mini- mum temperature and total monthly rainfall, were investigated through Spearman correlation. Climatological data were obtained from an official meteorological station 18 km from the study ...
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... III-glycerin test (Dafni 1992) revealed 100% of stig- matic receptivity before and after anthesis. Stigmas remained receptive until oxidation; nevertheless, it was not possible to determine the average time between anthesis and oxidation. Based on the observations in fully opened and partially opened flowers, it was possible to describe the occurrence of protog- yny. All flowers with open anthers presented oxidised (76) or partially oxidised (13) stigmas, while all flowers with non-oxi- dised stigmas had closed anthers (13) (Fig. 2). Pollen had 100% viability according to the aceto-carmine test (Dafni 1992). Pollen grains were also highly sticky, easily adhering to tweezers and to other pollen grains, forming pollen aggregates. The flowers are bisexual, radially symmetric, with six tepals, six nectaries, six introrse stamens, three extrorse stamens and three staminodes (Fig. 3). Each anther has four valves. The six nec- taries are kidney-shaped, positioned at the base of the filament of the extrorse stamens, in pairs. According to the proposal of Schmid (1988), the nectaries can be classified as filament nec- taries. The stamens surrounding the stigma present extrorse dehiscence (Fig. 3); therefore, there is a spatial separation between stigma and anthers, characterising ...
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... III-glycerin test (Dafni 1992) revealed 100% of stig- matic receptivity before and after anthesis. Stigmas remained receptive until oxidation; nevertheless, it was not possible to determine the average time between anthesis and oxidation. Based on the observations in fully opened and partially opened flowers, it was possible to describe the occurrence of protog- yny. All flowers with open anthers presented oxidised (76) or partially oxidised (13) stigmas, while all flowers with non-oxi- dised stigmas had closed anthers (13) (Fig. 2). Pollen had 100% viability according to the aceto-carmine test (Dafni 1992). Pollen grains were also highly sticky, easily adhering to tweezers and to other pollen grains, forming pollen aggregates. The flowers are bisexual, radially symmetric, with six tepals, six nectaries, six introrse stamens, three extrorse stamens and three staminodes (Fig. 3). Each anther has four valves. The six nec- taries are kidney-shaped, positioned at the base of the filament of the extrorse stamens, in pairs. According to the proposal of Schmid (1988), the nectaries can be classified as filament nec- taries. The stamens surrounding the stigma present extrorse dehiscence (Fig. 3); therefore, there is a spatial separation between stigma and anthers, characterising ...
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Ocotea floribunda (Lauraceae) is a Neotropical, bird-dispersed, canopy tree species commonly found in Monteverde, Costa Rica. The post-dispersal fate of seeds was studied to determine how regurgitation by avian frugivores and microhabitat characteristics affect seed removal through a Giving-Up Density (GUD) experiment. The fate of removed seeds was...
Citations
... O estudo sobre dieta de cotingídeos de Pizo et al. (2002) reportou 45 espécies de plantas cujos frutos foram consumidos por Carpornis cucullata na Floresta Atlântica do sul de São Paulo. A compilação de dados de frugivoria na Floresta Atlântica (Bello et al., 2017) e outras contri-buições (Mendonça-Lima et al., 2001;Parrini et al., 2017;Montagna et al., 2018;Emer et al., 2019) adicionaram várias outras espécies, totalizando 71 táxons botânicos conhecidos para a dieta da espécie. Entre as espécies botânicas reportadas no presente estudo, 38 são novas para essa lista (26 verificadas na área de estudo e outras 12 nas localidades próximas). ...
Abstract. Carpornis cucullata (Aves: Cotingidae) is a little-known frugivorous passerine endemic to the Atlantic Forest, where it is restricted to pristine forests. We investigated its diet at Pontal da Barra, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, a locality in the extreme southern limit of the species distribution. Approximately 99% of C. cucullata’s diet consisted of fruits and 1% of insects. We identified 33 species of angiosperms and 1 of gymnosperms whose fruits or strobiles were consumed by Carpornis cucullata in the study area, distributed across 22 botanical families. Moraceae, Myrtaceae and Sapotaceae were the families with the most species consumed (3 species in each). Insects with low mobility, such as caterpillars (Lepidoptera larvae), stick insects (Phasmatodea) and cicadas (Hemiptera), were consumed in small numbers. We highlight 12 tree species whose fruits were consumed by Carpornis cucullata in more than ten feeding events, totaling 588 events: Geonoma schottiana (14 events), Syagrus romanzoffiana (20 events), Cordia ecalyculata (23), Vitex megapotamica (17), Aiouea saligna (50), Ocotea pulchella (49), Ficus cestrifolia (144), Ficus luschnathiana (118), Sorocea bonplandii (37), Guapira opposita (20), Myrsine umbellata (20) and Faramea montevidensis (76). The estimated age for diversification events among cotingids, partly coinciding with dated phylogenies of several botanical genera present in the diet of C. cucullata, corroborates the idea of animal-plant co-evolution.
... Research on the reproductive ecology of species is helpful to understand the pollination mechanism of plants, reproductive strategies, and adaptive evolution to the environment. As people pay more attention to the protection of plant diversity, the reproduction characteristics and flowering biological characteristics of more and more species have been revealed step by step (Montagna et al., 2018;Pool-Chale et al., 2018;Roccotiello et al., 2009;Yamasaki & Sakai, 2013). ...
Plant reproductive ecology is one of the research hotspots in ecology. With the increasing attention paid to the conservation of plant diversity, the research on reproductive characteristics and flowering biological characteristics of more species has attracted more attention. However, plant reproduction is affected by multiple interacting factors such as pollen limitation and resource availability. Vitex negundo var. heterophylla (Franch.) Rehder (Lamiaceae) is a significant species for water and soil conservation. Previous studies have revealed its mating system by the biological characteristics of flowering and SSR markers, but its reproductive strategies remain to be further studied. We evaluated reproductive success through artificial pollination to explore the reproductive characteristics of V. negundo var. heterophylla for the first time. From the results of fruit set, there is a mixed mating system dominated by outcrossing in V. negundo var. heterophylla accompanied by self‐compatibility, and it cannot carry out autonomous selfing. Our data show the pollinator‐mediated interaction in the success of reproduction, whereas the effect of anemophily is very weak. And the seed germination rate of inbred line progenies was lower than that of hybrid progenies, which is suspected to be caused by inbreeding depression. The research will provide scientific information for the protection and conservation of V. negundo var. heterophylla from the point of view of reproduction. In sum, the results are necessary to protect animal vectors in the background of insect decline.
... Therefore, seed collection must be carried out based on technical criteria to ensure the maintenance of genetic diversity and the evolutionary potential of restored populations (Breed et al. 2018). To achieve this, it is crucial to develop recommendations that determine the minimum number of source trees (Montagna et al. 2018c), the minimum distance between source trees (Tarazi et al. 2010), the ideal collection season (Luna-Nieves et al. 2017), and density of source trees (Montagna et al. 2018b). Implementing these guidelines will permit the capture of samples representing the genetic variability of one or more populations, thereby reducing the potential risks of introducing nonadapted genotypes and avoiding exogamy/endogamy depression (Stingemore and Krauss 2013). ...
Ecological restoration mitigates the negative effects of fragmentation and habitat loss. This practice allows the conservation of key species, such as Ocotea porosa, a tree native to the Araucaria Forest and extremely endangered. A key point in restoration projects is the source of seeds, as well as guidelines for collection. When carried out under technical criteria, the collection allows the maintenance of genetic diversity and adaptive potential in restoration plantations. Given the importance of seed source, genetic diversity, and adaptive potential, this study aimed to define areas and criteria for collecting seeds by characterizing the demography, genetics, and reproductive phenology of an O. porosa population. A plot of 16 hectares was installed in the municipality of Passos Maia, Santa Catarina, Brazil, and a demographic survey of trees with diameter at breast height (DBH) > 15 cm was carried out. Indices of diversity and internal genetic structure (IGS) were estimated using allozyme markers. The reproductive phenology of 67 individuals was evaluated during 8 months. The studied population showed a high density of individuals (10.7 ind. ha⁻¹) with normal diametric distribution. The phenological pattern of the species is regular, seasonal, and annual. The evaluated population showed high genetic diversity, high fixation index, and significant IGS up to 80 meters away. Based on these results, the evaluated fragment can be used as a seed collection area. It has high genetic diversity, density, and area size sufficient to contain several demes. In addition, it is highly recommended that the matrices be at least 80 meters apart to avoid the effects of significant IGS.
Keywords:
Araucaria Forest; Ecological restoration; Spatial genetic structure
... Individuals have been reported in bird nests, peaty soil, rotting straw, rotten wood, fallen leaves, decaying vegetation, decaying fruits of Citrus spp., galls of Viola spp. (Miller, 1977), and as pollinators of Lauraceae species such as Lindera erythrocarpa (Dupont & Kato, 1999) and Ocotea catharinensis (Montagna et al., 2018). To our knowledge, this is the first report of a Lauxaniidae species associate with Lauraceae fruits. ...
Besides recruitment and dispersal, fruits are key resources for the maintenance of insect communities. This study is focused on the insects inhabiting the fruits of 4 wild Lauraceae species. Although the trees of this family are important elements of tropical forests, their interaction with insects, especially in association with fruits, remains poorly studied in wild tree species. Our study aims to characterize the diversity of insects associated with fruits of Damburneya ambigens, Damburneya gentlei, Damburneya salicifolia, and Nectandra turbacensis, in the rainforest of Los Tuxtlas, Veracruz. We present an illustrated taxonomic list of species, annotated with a comprehensive review of the insects’ natural history and their interactions with Lauraceae species. We reared 54 insect species from approximately 6,500 fruits, some of which represent potential new species and records for Mexico. Insect species diversity was high and differed between Lauraceae species. The reared insects comprise a wide variety of distributional ranges, feeding types, and habitats. This research provides novel information about the interactions among insects and fruits of Lauraceae and the complexity of their trophic networks in tropical rainforests. Furthermore, it evidences the importance of wild fruits as resources for insect communities.
... However, these reproductive systems are not favourable for long periods in an evolutionary context (De Jong et al. 2008;Wang et al. 2021). Due to the loss of genetic variability, the adaptive potential of species tends to be impacted (Montagna et al. 2018). ...
... that do not have structural or functional barriers can self-pollinate in the absence or scarcity of pollinators (Santos et al. 2010). It is an option for situations where cross-pollination may be affected (Montagna et al. 2018), reducing the risk of extinction and promoting the species reproductive success (Henry et al. 2018). ...
In Cerrado humid areas, veredas are considered as hygrophilous communities, with an herbaceous/shrub stratum in open areas and an arboreal stratum in forest areas. We identified the sexual and reproductive systems of woody species, and the distribution of these systems among the different habitats and plants habits in this ecosystem. We investigated whether the occurrence of sexual and reproductive systems may be related to ecological and/or evolutionary factors and if hermaphroditism predominates in open areas. In this case, we evaluated which reproductive strategies promote cross‐pollination and which species are dependent on pollinating agents to promote the reproductive process. We selected the species according to a phytosociological study, using plots distributed in parallel transects and allocated in the hygrophilous forest and open areas. Floral morphology analyses, self‐pollination treatments, presence of barriers that prevent self‐pollination, phylogenetic signal and literature survey were performed. We did not find phylogenetic signal evidence for the traits evaluated. Most species are trees, followed by shrubs and sub‐shrubs. Dioecy predominated among tree species in the open area, with hermaphroditism more related to shrub species in the open areas. Shrubs and sub‐shrubs were mainly represented by autogamous and apomictic species. Despite autogamy and apomixis were related to the open areas, we found no significant difference between the habitats. In veredas, that are considered a poorly resilient environment that has constant problems with recent anthropogenic activities, we expected a high number of autogamous and apomictic species. However, the results showed that most species have characteristics that promote allogamy and are pollinating agents dependent for reproduction.
... Some species of this family are widely commercialized and appreciated for their culinary uses, such as cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum and C. cassia) (Anand et al., 2016) and avocado (Persea americana) (Cervantes-Paz and Yahia, 2021;Jimenez et al., 2021). The genus Ocotea, one of the Brazilian genera with wide occurrence in the tropics, provide high quality wood with species like Ocotea catharinensis and O. acutifolia often been used in construction and carpentry (Montagna et al., 2018). Furthermore, species from the Lauraceae family like Cinnamomun camphora in Asia, popularly known as camphor and Aniba rosiodora, source of rosewood in South America, are rich in essential oils and are used worldwide in perfumery (Amaral et al., 2017;Amazonas et al., 2020). ...
... Ocotea catharinensis is a native species to the Atlantic Forest of Brazil, found in the states of Paraná, Santa Catarina, Rio Grande do Sul and São Paulo. Due to the high quality of its wood and difficulty in propagation, however, its natural population has decreased significantly, resulting in its inclusion in the list of endangered species (Montagna et al., 2018). Therefore, a somatic embryogenesis system has been developed with the aim of increasing cultivation and propagation. ...
Somatic embryos of Ocotea catharinensis were used as a model to investigate the biosynthetic pathway of tetrahydrobenzofuran neolignan formation by means of feeding 13C-labelled precursors followed by analysis using MS and 13C NMR. Isotopomers of L-[13C]-phenylalanine administered to embryos were incorporated into tetrahydrobenzofuran neolignans and the analysis of 13C NMR clearly revealed the enriched position of precursors. While feeding a series of putative intermediate including [8�13C]-ferulic acid, [8�13C]-glycoferulic acid, and [8�13C]-coniferyl alcohol were not successful in incorporation to the neolignans, the [8�13C]-coniferyl acetate was detected as an intermediate in the biosynthesis of the neolignan 5�-methoxy-porosin. In the bioconversion assay using the protein fraction from the embryogenic cultures, only the substrate coniferyl acetate was converted into isoeugenol, which together with eugenol, is one of the putative precursors of neolignan formation. These findings support that the tetrahydrobenzofuran neolignans are derived from the oxidative coupling between units of E- isoeugenol and 5�-methoxy-eugenol leading to a regio- and stereospecific products.
... Other relevant species found in the forests that were not found in the seed bank are Ocotea catharinensis (VU), O. odorifera (VU), and Virola bicuhyba (EN) -species with seeds bigger than E. edulis. The species Ocotea catharinensis produce few seeds in number (Montagna et al., 2018), while O. odorifera has seeds capable to germinate only under adequate physical and morphological conditions (Zanotelli & Kissmann, 2017). Finally, most V. bicuhyba seeds are predated or naturally deteriorate in the field (Zipparro & Morellato, 2005). ...
The current study aimed to evaluate the seed bank diversity and composition found in the Municipal Natural Park São Francisco de Assis (PSFA), Santa Catarina, Brazil, located within the subtropical Atlantic Forest. Samplings were carried out within four different locations (n = 20 sample plots per location). All samples were kept in suspended beds for germination, growth, and subsequent species identification. We were able to identify 85 morphospecies (1,016 individuals). Most of them were categorized as pioneers. Pioneers were also the ecological category that had more individuals (73.12%). The predominant dispersion syndrome was zoochoric, with 58 taxa included. Our results indicate that the seeds are being provided by species that occur around the park, in some cases favored by recent landslides in the area.
... To monitor potential seed dispersers of P. costaricense, five camera traps (models; Reconyx Ultrafire XR6, Bushnell Trophy Cam and Bushnell Core No Glow) were placed at tree #1, from the lower to the upper canopy, facing branches covered in fruits to increase detection likelihood. All cameras were programmed to take 20s video with a 10s resting period to maximize battery life (Bowler et al., 2017;Meek et al., 2014;Montagna et al., 2018;Whitworth et al., 2019). To record terrestrial dispersers, 30 ripe fruits were collected from the ground and piled under the target tree's crown (tree #1), and a camera trap was installed to focus on the fruit pile (programming identical to that in the canopy). ...
Background and Research aims
The extinction of relict and rare tree species is accelerated by habitat loss and climate change. Pleodendron costaricense is a critically endangered tree, with only four mature individuals known in Southern Pacific Costa Rica. With the discovery of three additional trees, we set out to learn more about P. costaricense’s natural history and attempt the first successful germination.
Methods
We collected fruits from two trees and carried out preliminary germination trials in a nursery at the study site. We also used camera traps in one of the fruiting mother-trees to understand natural dispersal mechanisms of the species.
Results
Although plagued by excessive levels of invertebrate predation, we were able to germinate and produce 59 saplings ready for restoration planting. Five mammal species were detected on the camera traps feeding on the fruits, along with one primate potentially using the fruits as a topical medicine.
Conclusion
P. costaricense can be propagated ex-situ, potentially with greater success using stimulating hormones. To improve production rates, future efforts should focus on the protection of germinating seeds and saplings from seed predators. We also identified numerous potential natural mammalian seed dispersers, mostly in the family Procyonidae.
Implications for Conservation
Given the propagation knowledge we have developed, the active restoration efforts of the saplings by Osa Conservation to help increase population numbers, and the strict protection of the two fruiting mother trees, there is now the possibility to attain a positive conservation outcome for this critically endangered species.
... Our study has confirmed cross-pollination is the only pollination method to obtain viable seeds of M. bartlettii to supplement wild populations. Hand pollination has been successfully applied to critically endangered tree species such as Magnolia sinica, a pollinator dependant species in China (Chen et al. 2016) and Ocotea catharinensis in Brazil (Montagna et al. 2018). For the critically endangered Morus boninensis, controlled crossing between genotypes is now the only way to obtain pure seedlings due to extensive hybridisation with the invasive species Morus accidosa (Tani et al. 2006). ...
Context. Metrosideros bartlettii is one of the most threatened trees in New Zealand and with less
than 14 individuals spread across three populations, the species is at high risk of extinction. Despite
reproductive failure being identified as one of the factors contributing to population decline, little is
known about its pollination biology. Aim. The current study aimed to gain knowledge of the
reproductive biology of M. bartlettii by using trees in cultivation of which origin is known.
Methods. We tested the effect of self-pollination, cross-pollination and hybridisation
treatments on reproductive output. In addition, the viability of fresh pollen was determined for
each tree and the impact of desiccation and storage temperature (5°C, −18°C and −196°C)
on pollen viability assessed. Key results. Metrosideros bartlettii was found to be highly selfincompatible with seed formed via autonomous self-pollination having low viability. Hybridisation
with Metrosideros excelsa, another native species commonly found in cultivation, produced viable
seeds, but seedlings failed to survive. Pollen viability differed significantly among trees, and pollen
stored at −18°C and −196°C retained viability after 6 months. Conclusion. Metrosideros
bartlettii is self-incompatible and cross-pollination is required to increase seed production and
supplement wild populations. Implications. Trees in cultivation provide a valuable tool for the
conservation of M. bartlettii. However, cross-pollination is essential to prevent hybridisation and
ensure genetically robust seed. Long-term storage of pollen at the temperatures determined
here will help to overcome challenges in cross-pollination of trees that are spatially and
geographically isolated.
... Such a wide range in outcrossing rates for mixed-mating species are common and can change over time and space due to environmental conditions and intrinsic population features, such density and demographic structure (e.g., Wright et al., 2013). As with M. catharinensis, high outcrossing rates have been reported for many Neotropical plant species (e.g., Ward et al., 2005;Feres et al., 2012Feres et al., , 2021Nazareno and Reis, 2012;Spoladore et al., 2017;Godoy et al., 2018;Montagna et al., 2018;Sujii et al., 2021), including two congener Mimosa species (Moreira et al., 2011;Arruda et al., 2020). Studies on populations of M. scabrella (Arruda et al., 2020), for instance, showed a similar reproductive pattern with high outcrossing rates (t = 0.925/0.845) ...
Intraspecific genetic variation plays a fundamental role in maintaining the evolutionary potential of wild populations. Hence, the assessment of genetic diversity patterns becomes essential to guide biodiversity conservation policies, particularly for threatened species. To inform management strategies for conservation of Mimosa catharinensis – a narrow endemic, critically endangered plant species – we identified 1,497 unlinked SNP markers derived from a reduced representation sequencing method (i.e., double digest restriction site associated DNA sequencing, or ddRADseq). This set of molecular markers was employed to assess intrapopulation genetic parameters and the demographic history of one extremely small population of M. catharinensis (N=33) located in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Contrary to what is expected for narrow endemic and threatened species with small population sizes, we observed a moderate level of genetic diversity for M. catharinensis [uH E(0%missing data)=0.205, 95% CI (0.160, 0.250); uH E(30%missing data)=0.233, 95% CI (0.174, 0.292)]. Interestingly, M. catharinensis, which is a lianescent shrub with no indication of seed production for at least two decades, presented high levels of outcrossing [t (0%missing data)=0.883, SE±0.0483; t (30%missing data)=0.909, SE±0.011] and an apparent absence of inbreeding [F (0%missing data)=−0.145, 95% CI (−0.189, −0.101); F (30%missing data)=−0.105, 95% CI (−0.199, −0.011)]. However, the reconstruction of demographic history of M. catharinensis indicated that the population should be suffered a recent bottleneck. Our population genomic study tackles a central issue in evolution and conservation biology and we expect that it will be useful to help safeguard the remaining genetic diversity reported for this unique genetic resource.
