Aerodynamics and pollen ultrastructure in Ephedra

American Journal of Botany
Kristina BolinderCatarina Rydin

Abstract

• Pollen dispersal is affected by the terminal settling velocity (Ut) of the grains, which is determined by their size, bulk density, and by atmospheric conditions. The likelihood that wind-dispersed pollen is captured by ovulate organs is influenced by the aerodynamic environment created around and by ovulate organs. We investigated pollen ultrastructure and Ut of Ephedra foeminea (purported to be entomophilous), and simulated the capture efficiency of its ovules. Results were compared with those from previously studied anemophilous Ephedra species.• Ut was determined using stroboscopic photography of pollen in free fall. The acceleration field around an "average" ovule was calculated, and inflight behavior of pollen grains was predicted using computer simulations. Pollen morphology and ultrastructure were investigated using SEM and STEM.• Pollen wall ultrastructure was correlated with Ut in Ephedra. The relative proportion and amount of granules in the infratectum determine pollen bulk densities, and (together with overall size) determine Ut and thus dispersal capability. Computer simulations failed to reveal any functional traits favoring anemophilous pollen capture in E. foeminea.• The fast Ut and dense ultrastructure of E....Continue Reading

References

Nov 17, 2004·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Catarina RydinElse Marie Friis
Jan 1, 1982·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·K J Niklas
Aug 19, 2008·The American Naturalist·R P FreckletonM Pagel
Aug 30, 2008·Physiological and Biochemical Zoology : PBZ·Shana R LavinTheodore Garland
Aug 31, 2010·Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society·Catarina RydinPeter K Endress
Aug 1, 2007·American Journal of Botany·Andrew B SchwendemannJeffrey M Osborn
Jan 1, 1987·Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution·Karl J Niklas, Stephen L Buchmann
Dec 1, 1997·Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution·Dolph SchluterDonald Ludwig

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Dec 30, 2015·Mitochondrial DNA. Part A. DNA Mapping, Sequencing, and Analysis·Chen HouCatarina Rydin
Feb 24, 2016·Frontiers in Plant Science·Jorge LoraMaría Herrero
Apr 4, 2015·Biology Letters·Catarina Rydin, Kristina Bolinder
Jun 15, 2016·Annals of Botany·Florian ZanattaAlain Vanderpoorten
Oct 19, 2017·Annals of Botany·Massimo NepiPatrick von Aderkas
Jul 3, 2021·Plants·Maria BreyginaOlga Schekaleva
Nov 3, 2021·Microscopy Research and Technique·Xiaojian LuJiaxi Liu

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.