5 results on '"Rossi, Martina"'
Search Results
2. Biosystematic studies on the mountain plant Gentiana lutea L. reveal variability in reproductive traits among subspecies.
- Author
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Rossi, Martina, Fisogni, Alessandro, and Galloni, Marta
- Subjects
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PLANT classification , *MOUNTAIN plants , *SEX allocation , *PLANT breeding research , *GENTIANA , *PREDATION - Abstract
Background:Taxonomic analysis provides a basic understanding for taxon identification and contributes to preliminary information for several branches of applied biology, while studies on reproductive strategies and plant fitness are essential to interpret population status and dynamics. Aims:We tested the reliability of diagnostic characters for identification and to characterise sexual resource allocation, the breeding system and seed predation among subspecies ofGentiana lutea. Methods:We analysed morphological characters in 70 herbarium specimens. In five natural populations we counted pollen and ovule numbers, assessed reproductive output after pollination treatments and evaluated pre-dispersal predation. Results:Taxonomic traits previously indicated as diagnostic were not sufficient to discriminate among subspecies. The pollen number and pollen:ovule (P:O) ratio varied strongly among subspecies; self-pollinated flowers produced a significantly lower number of seeds than open-pollinated flowers. Retention of empty fruits and high levels of pre-dispersal seed predation were observed in every case. Conclusions:The variation of P:O ratios among subspecies suggests different efficiency in pollen transfer. The species is self-compatible, nevertheless all subspecies require pollen vectors to enhance cross pollination and viable seed production. Fruit retention may have evolved as a strategy to reduce predation, ensuring higher plant fitness. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]
- Published
- 2016
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
3. Bouncy versus idles: On the different role of pollinators in the generalist Gentiana lutea L.
- Author
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Rossi, Martina, Fisogni, Alessandro, Nepi, Massimo, Quaranta, Marino, and Galloni, Marta
- Subjects
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POLLINATORS , *GENTIANA , *NECTAR , *ANIMAL variation , *PLANT evolution , *PLANT populations , *INSECTS - Abstract
Abstract: Generalist flowers are visited by a broad variety of insects that function as pollinators, occasional visitors and as pollen and/or nectar robbers. Moreover, among legitimate pollinators the pollination efficiency can be different. Nectar greatly affects visitor behaviour and fidelity to a certain species, influencing plant reproductive effort. In this study we have investigated a generalist system (Gentiana lutea L.), examining the role of flower visitors and quantifying the contribution of each pollinating taxon in three natural populations. In order to verify the level of generalization, we introduce an index of Pollinator Performance (PoP), based on insect visitation rate and cross-pollen transport efficiency. Our results confirm the high degree of pollinator-generalization of the study species. Nevertheless, flower visitors show various degree of pollinating performance, mainly defined by their sedentary versus dynamic behaviour. Sedentary insects enhance geitonogamous pollen transfer, which results in reduced seed set and pollen limitation. In particular, an unusual sluggish behaviour was observed in bumblebees feeding on nectar. The hexose-rich abundant nectar offered by G. lutea flowers is remarkably rich in proline and β-alanine amino acids: this composition presumably influences feeding choice and insect dynamism, likely exerting a narcotic effect on pollinators. The consequences on plant fitness are discussed in an evolutionary perspective. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
- Published
- 2014
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
4. The effect of pollination mode on seed performance ofGentiana lutea: a laboratory evaluation of seed germinability
- Author
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Alessandro Fisogni, Martina Rossi, Marta Galloni, Rossi, Martina, Fisogni, Alessandro, and Galloni, Marta
- Subjects
0106 biological sciences ,Gentianaceae ,Pollination mode ,Pollination ,Yellow Gentian ,seed germination ,Outcrossing ,Plant Science ,010603 evolutionary biology ,01 natural sciences ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,Botany ,Inbreeding depression ,Gentiana ,Gibberellic acid ,seed performance ,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics ,threatened plant ,biology ,food and beverages ,Selfing ,biology.organism_classification ,Agronomy ,chemistry ,Germination ,010606 plant biology & botany - Abstract
Gentiana lutea L. (yellow gentian, Gentianaceae) is a protected orophyte of central and southern Europe, mainly threatened by the uncontrolled collection of its rhizome, used in traditional medicine and for liquor production. The species is self-compatible, but outcrossing mediated by pollinators is needed to obtain a viable progeny. In this study, we considered five natural populations belonging to the four subspecies of G. lutea. We performed controlled pollinations in the field (self- versus cross-pollination) followed by seed germination tests in laboratory conditions, adding a solution of gibberellic acid, in order to evaluate the seed performance. A cumulative index of inbreeding depression was calculated considering maternal reproductive output as well as seed performance traits. Seed weight and seed germination performance was similar between seeds resulting from naturally pollinated and pollen-augmented flowers and higher compared to selfed flowers, highlighting a disadvantage of selfing and the importance of cross-pollen transfer in natural conditions. However, in the small and isolated population of G. lutea subsp. symphyandra on Mt Grande we found a general reduction in seed germination rate, likely due to increased selfing or mating among close relatives as a consequence of a severe bottleneck. We discuss our results with regards to implications for conservation practices.
- Published
- 2016
5. Biosystematic studies on the mountain plant Gentiana lutea L. reveal variability in reproductive traits among subspecies
- Author
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Marta Galloni, Martina Rossi, Alessandro Fisogni, Rossi, Martina, Fisogni, Alessandro, and Galloni, Marta
- Subjects
0106 biological sciences ,mountain specie ,Pollination ,fruit retention ,plant fitne ,Plant Science ,Biology ,Subspecies ,medicine.disease_cause ,010603 evolutionary biology ,01 natural sciences ,Pollen ,Botany ,medicine ,Ovule ,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics ,sex allocation ,Ecology ,food and beverages ,taxonomic trait ,biology.organism_classification ,breeding system ,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematic ,Herbarium ,Taxon ,seed predation ,Seed predation ,Gentiana ,010606 plant biology & botany - Abstract
Background: Taxonomic analysis provides a basic understanding for taxon identification and contributes to preliminary information for several branches of applied biology, while studies on reproductive strategies and plant fitness are essential to interpret population status and dynamics. Aims: We tested the reliability of diagnostic characters for identification and to characterise sexual resource allocation, the breeding system and seed predation among subspecies of Gentiana lutea. Methods: We analysed morphological characters in 70 herbarium specimens. In five natural populations we counted pollen and ovule numbers, assessed reproductive output after pollination treatments and evaluated pre-dispersal predation. Results: Taxonomic traits previously indicated as diagnostic were not sufficient to discriminate among subspecies. The pollen number and pollen:ovule (P:O) ratio varied strongly among subspecies; self-pollinated flowers produced a significantly lower number of seeds than open-pollinated flowers. Retention of empty fruits and high levels of pre-dispersal seed predation were observed in every case. Conclusions: The variation of P:O ratios among subspecies suggests different efficiency in pollen transfer. The species is self-compatible, nevertheless all subspecies require pollen vectors to enhance cross pollination and viable seed production. Fruit retention may have evolved as a strategy to reduce predation, ensuring higher plant fitness.
- Published
- 2019
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
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