Reproductive success, herbivory and

Abstract

Herbivory in plant reproductive tissues can severely reduce the fitness of the species, especially for those threatened with extinction. We investigated aspects of the reproductive ecology of Neoregelia ibitipocensis (Leme) Leme, an endangered species restricted to a few cloud forests sites in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Data on breeding systems, fertility, and viability of its populations are provided, as well as alternatives for development of strategies for ex situ conservation. Hand pollination experiments revealed that N. ibitipocensis is partially self-incompatible. Fruit and seeds were affected by intense herbivory caused by Tipulidae (Diptera) larvae. The predation reached 100% of the analysed infructescences during the first year of the study. We observed the production of parthenocarpic fruit both through controlled pollination experiments and under natural conditions. The potential for self-pollination and autogamy probably compensate for the reduced ability of the species to attract pollinators due to its small floral display. In the same way, parthenocarpy seems to represent a strategy to enhance the fitness of N. ibitipocensis, mitigating the effects of the predation. We developed an efficient protocol of in vitro multiplication, which represents a viable alternative for ex situ conservation of the species.

Recent Advances in Common Transition Metal‐Based Single‐Atom Nanozymes and Their Applications in Pollutant Detection and Degradation

“…Hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)), a heavy metal, is considered to be a carcinogen that is extremely harmful to the human body and is known as one of the most harmful and common water pollutants. [ 88 ] Mao et al. reported the establishment of a SAzyme‐based Cr(VI) colorimetric sensing method to improve detection performance.…”

Tannery Effluents: Current Practices, Environmental Consequences, Human Health Risks, and Treatment Options

“…[ 66,67 ] In plant communities, Cr does not possess any specific mechanisms for its uptake because it is a nonessential element for plants. [ 68 ] Plant uptake of Cr depends on Cr speciation; thus, its toxicity depends upon speciation. [ 69 ] In plant growth, Cr toxicity causes the inhibition of germination, root growth, seedling growth, and development.…”

Eradication of rabbits from islets is essential for conservation of microinsular vegetation and narrow endangered flora: the case of Medicago citrina (Fabaceae) in s’Espartar islet (Balearic Islands, Western Mediterranean Basin)

“…Though herbivory by alien interferes with the whole ecosystem, range-restricted species are considered to be the most vulnerable species, especially if they lack defenses against herbivory or have high palatability (Bowen and Van Vuren 1997;Cubas et al 2019;Capó et al 2021). Therefore, range-restricted species may become extinct or constrain their distribution if alien herbivores are uncontrolled (Pisanu et al 2012;Doherty et al 2016;Fenu et al 2016;Bellard et al 2016a;Oliveira et al 2021). Many species have been threatened by alien herbivores on archipelagos such as the Hawaiian Islands (Eijzenga 2011;Barton and Hanley 2013;Barton 2016), Galápagos Archipelago (Campbell et al 2004;Carrion et al 2011), Santa Cruz Island in California (Beltran et al 2014), Canary Islands (Nogales et al 2006;Garzón-Machado et al 2010;Cubas et al 2019) and Balearic Islands (Latorre et al 2013;Capó et al 2021).…”