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Special Issue "Advances in Plant Reproductive Ecology and Conservation Biology"

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A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant Ecology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 June 2023 | Viewed by 5330

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Brenda Molano-Flores

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Guest Editor

Illinois Natural History Survey, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Champaing, IL 61820, USA
Interests: plant reproductive biology/ecology; plant-insect interactions; threatened/endangered plant species; conservation biology

Dr. James Cohen

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Department of Botany and Plant Ecology, Weber State University, Ogden, UT 84408, USA
Interests: systematics of Boraginaceae; conservation genetics and genomics; evolution and development of heterostyly

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

New advances and research in plant reproductive ecology continue to provide key insights into the conservation of plant species. Similarly, the emerging technologies, techniques, and tools in data collection and analyses continue to advance the field of plant conservation biology, allowing for discoveries and interpretations that were not feasible at the beginning of the century. For this Special Issue of Plants, we are seeking papers to cover a wide variety of perspectives in ecology, systematics, population genetics, modeling, seed ecology, mutualist and antagonistic interactions, etc., toward advancing the fields of reproductive ecology and the conservation of plants. We welcome single species to multiple species papers that include broader implications within the subject matter of the Special Issue. We want to highlight work conducted with vascular plants, nonvascular plants, and lichens. In addition, we are seeking different research viewpoints and perspectives within academia, botanical gardens, herbarium collections, natural heritage programs, etc. Lastly, our vision for this Special Issue of Plants is to capture a global perspective of plant reproductive ecology and conservation biology, and as such, we welcome and encourage submission from around the world.

Dr. Brenda Molano-Flores
Dr. James Cohen
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Plants is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

plant reproductive ecology
plant conservation biology
vascular plants
nonvascular plants
lichens

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

Open AccessArticle

Assessing the Reproductive Ecology of a Rare Mint, Macbridea alba, an Endangered Species Act Protected Species

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Plants 2023, 12(7), 1485; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12071485 - 28 Mar 2023

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Abstract

Many rare plant species lack up-to-date research about their reproductive ecology, which challenges effective in situ and ex situ conservation, particularly in the face of ongoing environmental and anthropogenic changes. For protected species, outdated and incomplete information also creates barriers to successful recovery planning and delisting. In this study, we gathered a range of reproductive metrics for the federally threatened and state endangered Florida endemic mint, Macbridea alba Chapman (Lamiaceae). We collected data at seven populations within Apalachicola National Forest (Florida, USA) and conducted germination trials to estimate reproductive potential. Additionally, we observed a previously undocumented lepidopteran seed predator for the species and confirmed the occurrence of vivipary. The seed set was low with less than 20% of flowers per inflorescence producing seed across populations; however, germination was high with more than 60% of seeds germinating in five of seven populations. When comparing our results to previous research conducted more than 20 years ago, the results were similar overall (i.e., germination, vivipary); however, new information emerged (i.e., herbivore pressure). As M. alba undergoes reassessment as a potential candidate for delisting from the Endangered Species Act (ESA) list, this information is critical for assessing recovery goals and decisions regarding the species’ protected status. For recovery needs related to propagation and reintroduction, these results can inform future seed collection and propagation efforts for the species. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Plant Reproductive Ecology and Conservation Biology)

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Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Population Assessments of Federally Threatened Everglades Bully in Big Cypress National Preserve, Florida, USA, Using Habitat Suitability Modeling and Micromorphology

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Plants 2023, 12(7), 1430; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12071430 - 23 Mar 2023

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Abstract

In Big Cypress National Preserve, the federally threatened Everglades bully (Sideroxylon reclinatum subsp. austrofloridense) is sympatric with its conspecific, more widespread relative, the Florida bully (Sideroxylon reclinatum subsp. reclinatum). In this area of overlap, the only reliable characters to distinguish the two are cryptic, micromorphological traits of the abaxial laminar surface. In order to better understand the distribution of the federally threatened taxon, we used a combination of habitat suitability modeling (HSM), field surveys, and microscopy. Using models to inform initial surveys, we collected leaf material of 96 individuals in the field, 86 of which we were able to identify to subspecies. Of these, 73 (85%) were identified as the threatened taxon, expanding both the known range and population size within Big Cypress. We used these 73 new occurrences to rerun HSMs to create a more accurate picture of where the taxon is likely to occur. A total of 15,015 hectares were predicted to be suitable habitat within Big Cypress, with 34,069 hectares across the entire study area. These model results could be used to inform the critical habitat designation for this taxon. For at-risk, cryptic taxa, such as the Everglades bully, multiple approaches are needed to inform management and conservation priorities, including the consideration of a hybridization zone. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Plant Reproductive Ecology and Conservation Biology)

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Open AccessArticle

High Prevalence of Clonal Reproduction and Low Genetic Diversity in Scutellaria floridana, a Federally Threatened Florida-Endemic Mint

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Plants 2023, 12(4), 919; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12040919 - 17 Feb 2023

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Abstract

The threatened mint Florida skullcap (Scutellaria floridana) is endemic to four counties in the Florida panhandle. Because development and habitat modification extirpated several historical occurrences, only 19 remain to date. To inform conservation management and delisting decisions, a comprehensive investigation of the genetic diversity and relatedness, population structure, and clonal diversity was conducted using SNP data generated by ddRAD. Compared with other Lamiaceae, we detected low genetic diversity (H_E = 0.125–0.145), low to moderate evidence of inbreeding (F_IS = −0.02–0.555), and moderate divergence (F_ST = 0.05–0.15). We identified eight populations with most of the genetic diversity, which should be protected in situ, and four populations with low genetic diversity and high clonality. Clonal reproduction in our circular plots and in 92% of the sites examined was substantial, with average clonal richness of 0.07 and 0.59, respectively. Scutellaria floridana appears to have experienced a continued decline in the number of extant populations since its listing under the Endangered Species Act; still, the combination of sexual and asexual reproduction may be advantageous for maintaining the viability of extant populations. However, the species will likely require ongoing monitoring, management, and increased public awareness to ensure its survival and effectively conserve its genetic diversity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Plant Reproductive Ecology and Conservation Biology)

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Open AccessArticle

Reproduction Modes and Conservation Implications in Three Polyploid Sorbus Stenoendemics in Eastern Slovakia (Central Europe)

Vladislav Kolarčik

Mária Mirková

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Vlastimil Mikoláš

Plants 2023, 12(2), 373; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12020373 - 13 Jan 2023

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Abstract

The remarkable species diversity of the genus Sorbus is a result of polyploidization and frequent hybridization between interacting species of different cytotypes. Moreover, hybridization is possible between several parental taxa. Gametophytic apomixis, which is common among polyploid Sorbus taxa, indicates the role of clonal reproduction in the evolutionary stabilization of hybridogeneous genotypes. The precise determination of the origin of seeds and their quantitative evaluation may elucidate inter-cytotype interactions, the potential role of mixed-cytotype populations in evolutionary success, and the long-term survival of some hybrid species. We investigated the reproduction modes of selected species of Sorbus in mixed-cytotype populations in eastern Slovakia, Central Europe. We determined the pollen quality, seed production rate, and the ploidy level of mature trees, as well as the origin of the embryo and endosperm in seeds of the stenoendemics S. amici-petri, S. dolomiticola, and S. hornadensis. The tetraploids S. amici-petri and S. hornadensis are characterized by regular and highly stainable pollen grains and reproduce predominantly via pseudogamous apomixis. In contrast, triploid S. dolomiticola usually has oval, heterogenous, and weakly stainable pollen grains, suggesting male meiotic irregularities. Although seeds originate via pseudogamous apomixis in S. dolomiticola as well, the ploidy level of sperm cells participating in the fertilization of central cells is usually determined by co-occurring species of different cytotypes. This suggests that maintaining mating partners is necessary for the long-term survival of a triploid species. We documented rare B_III hybrids and the residual sexuality in tetraploids. The distribution of seeds of meiotic and apomeiotic origins in S. amici-petri shows bimodal characteristics; however, genotypes with predominantly sexual seed types are rare. Reproduction modes documented in polyploid stenoendemics of Sorbus and inferred microevolutionary intercytotype relationships highlight the mixed-cytotype populations as the source of biodiversity in apomictic plant complexes. We suggest that conservation efforts should focus on maintaining the species and cytotypic diversity of Sorbus populations, especially when it comes to the conservation of triploid species. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Plant Reproductive Ecology and Conservation Biology)

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Open AccessArticle

More than Moths: Flower Visitors of a Night-Blooming Plant in South Florida Pine Rocklands, USA

María Cleopatra Pimienta

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Suzanne Koptur

Plants 2022, 11(20), 2799; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11202799 - 21 Oct 2022

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Abstract

Plants whose flowers open at night but remain open during the day also attract diurnal flower visitors, potentially boosting their pollination rates and providing resources that can support diverse arthropod communities. The rough-leaf velvetseed, Guettarda scabra (Rubiaceae), is an evergreen shrub that thrives only in the imperiled pine rockland habitat in south Florida. Its white, tubular, and fragrant flowers open during late afternoon, exhibiting traits strongly associated with the attraction of nocturnal hawkmoths (Sphingidae). Flowers of G. scabra remain open until the following morning, becoming available to a wider array of visitors, bringing into question the expectation that sphingophilous flowers are visited mainly by hawkmoths. To evaluate whether the flowers of G. scabra are mainly visited by nocturnal hawkmoths and understand the role of this plant in the pine rockland habitat, we characterized the arthropod fauna associated with its flowers during the morning, evening, and at night. We found that most flower visitors were diurnal insects of the orders Hymenoptera and Lepidoptera, although we observed other arthropod groups too. Visitation at night was dominated by two species of hawkmoths. Nectar was the main resource used by the arthropod community during this study. Legitimate visitation and nectar-robbing were the behaviors most frequently observed among the flower visitors. Our results suggest that flowers of the night-blooming G. scabra constitute an important food source for both diurnal and nocturnal arthropod fauna in the fire-dependent pine rocklands of southern Florida. Our study provides novel data to support efforts to conserve and protect pine rocklands and the plants and animals that inhabit them. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Plant Reproductive Ecology and Conservation Biology)

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Open AccessArticle

Phenology and Floral Biology of Diospyros sericea A. DC. (Ebenaceae): Inconstant Males May Be behind an Enigma of Dioecy

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Plants 2022, 11(19), 2535; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11192535 - 27 Sep 2022

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Abstract

Diospyros sericea is a tree/shrub species considered dioecious and broadly distributed in Brazil. Despite its importance for niche composition in a range of ecosystems, there is little knowledge about this species, and so far no study has analyzed its sexual system. We aimed to investigate dioecy expression in D. sericea through sexual dimorphisms in its phenology and floral biology. We analyzed the phenological events over a year and studied floral biology traits (morphology, flower development, floral resource, floral attractants supply, viability of pollen, and stigma receptivity) in both male and female plants. D. sericea presents typical features of dioecious plants like well-established primary and secondary dimorphisms that contribute to its reproductive success. However, we also identified fruit development in what should be structurally male individuals. We suggest that the evolutionary pathway leading to the observed phenomenon may be the existence of subdioecious populations with “inconstant males”. Although our data prevented us from making further assumptions about the origin of this trait, the study contributes to future analyses towards unraveling the enigma of dioecy not only in D. sericea but in other Diospyros species. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Plant Reproductive Ecology and Conservation Biology)

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Planned Papers

The below list represents only planned manuscripts. Some of these manuscripts have not been received by the Editorial Office yet. Papers submitted to MDPI journals are subject to peer-review.

1. Phenology and Floral Biology of Diospyros sericea A. DC. (Ebenaceae): Inconstant Males May Be behind an Enigma of Dioecy

2. More Than Moths: Flower Visitors of a Night-Blooming Plant in South Florida Pine Rocklands, USA

3. Population Genetics and Conservation Biology of Commmophira Gileadensis

4.Analysis of Organic Acids During the Course of Droplet-Vitrification Procedure of Endangered Species Pogostemon yatabeanus

5. The Importance of Revisiting the Reproductive Ecology of Rare Plants for Delisting Purposes

6. Genetic Diversity and Clonality Assessment of a Federally Threatened Florida Endemic Mint, Scutellaria floridana

7. Acclimation of the Threatened Lichen Lobaria pulmonaria after Forest Logging Occurs by Thallus Melanisation: Conservation Issues in Mediterranean Oak Forests

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