The feral buffalo gourd,Cucurbita foetidissima

Bemis, W. P.; Curtis, L. D.; Weber, C. W.; Berry, J. W.

doi:10.1007/bf02906733

Cited by 26 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…Larger species are likely able to metabolize or pass moderate toxins harmlessly as part of a high daily biomass intake. For example, even if we ignore any additional physiological or behavioral detoxification strategies and the large digestive throughput of hindgut fermenters, a fully-grown African elephant [averaging 4,540 kg (22)] would need to ingest an estimated 7.5-23 kg of wild Cucurbita gourds-approximately 75-230 whole fruits-over a short timespan (25,26) to approach a lethal dose of cucurbitacins (27). Indeed, several bitter species of Cucurbitaceae are eaten and dispersed by African elephants in the present (10).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gourds and squashes ( Cucurbita spp.) adapted to megafaunal extinction and ecological anachronism through domestication

Kistler

Newsom

Ryan

et al. 2015

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

100

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The genus Cucurbita (squashes, pumpkins, gourds) contains numerous domesticated lineages with ancient New World origins. It was broadly distributed in the past but has declined to the point that several of the crops' progenitor species are scarce or unknown in the wild. We hypothesize that Holocene ecological shifts and megafaunal extinctions severely impacted wild Cucurbita, whereas their domestic counterparts adapted to changing conditions via symbiosis with human cultivators. First, we used high-throughput sequencing to analyze complete plastid genomes of 91 total Cucurbita samples, comprising ancient (n = 19), modern wild (n = 30), and modern domestic (n = 42) taxa. This analysis demonstrates independent domestication in eastern North America, evidence of a previously unknown pathway to domestication in northeastern Mexico, and broad archaeological distributions of taxa currently unknown in the wild. Further, sequence similarity between distant wild populations suggests recent fragmentation. Collectively, these results point to wild-type declines coinciding with widespread domestication. Second, we hypothesize that the disappearance of large herbivores struck a critical ecological blow against wild Cucurbita, and we take initial steps to consider this hypothesis through crossmammal analyses of bitter taste receptor gene repertoires. Directly, megafauna consumed Cucurbita fruits and dispersed their seeds; wild Cucurbita were likely left without mutualistic dispersal partners in the Holocene because they are unpalatable to smaller surviving mammals with more bitter taste receptor genes. Indirectly, megafauna maintained mosaic-like landscapes ideal for Cucurbita, and vegetative changes following the megafaunal extinctions likely crowded out their disturbed-ground niche. Thus, anthropogenic landscapes provided favorable growth habitats and willing dispersal partners in the wake of ecological upheaval.evolutionary ecology | sensory ecology | TAS2R genes | ancient DNA | archaeogenomics

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gourds and squashes ( Cucurbita spp.) adapted to megafaunal extinction and ecological anachronism through domestication

Kistler

Newsom

Ryan

et al. 2015

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

100

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“…An exciting development is the attempt being made to produce an 'instant' domesticated plant using C. foetidissimu, a xerophytic perennial species native in northern Mexico and southern U.S.A. Like Citrullus colocynthis and Acanthosicyos naudinianus, it has a number of features which favourably predispose it to such exploitation. It is a perennial plant of regions of low rainfall; it produces an abundant crop of fruit, containing seeds rich in oil and protein; it lends itself to mechanical harvesting; it produces a large storage root, rich in extractable starch, and it readily reproduces vegetatively by rooting at the nodes (Ayensu, el al., 1975;Bemis, Berry, Weber & Whitaker, 1978;Bemis, Curtis, Weber & Berry, 1978;Thomson et al, 1978;Tu et al, 1978). Wild populations consist either entirely of monoecious plants or of monoecious and gynoecious plants in an approximately 1 : 1 ratio.…”

Section: Cucurbi Teaementioning

confidence: 99%

A review of the Cucurbitaceae

Jeffrey

1980

Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society

354

155

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Progress in studies of Cucurbitaceae since 1964 is reviewed, particular attention being paid to the roles of seed‐coat anatomy, palynology and phytochemistry in elucidating the taxonomy of the family; to the use of wild species and land‐races as sources of horticulturally desirable traits for the improvement of crops; to the potentialities of wild species for domestication as new crops for tropical areas, and to the biology of reproduction, sex control and sex expression. The classification of the lady is outlined, illustrated by discussion of the more important members of each tribe, and a revised classification ofCucumis is presented.

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“…Buffalo gourd, which contained the highest protein content, is a common perennial plant in disturbed areas throughout the west and is a wild gourd or squash for which both root and seeds were consumed by indigenous people (Bemis et al 1978). It contains bitter compounds, so desirability is likely lower.…”

Section: Research Communicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nutritional Properties of Native Plants and Traditional Foods from the Central United States

Kindscher

Martin

Corbett

et al. 2018

EBL

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Traditional foods of indigenous people are a potential untapped source for providing nutritious dietary options in the modern world. The rising popularity of indigenous foods such as amaranth in recent years suggests that these foods can become a popular part of a healthy diet in the United States. Traditional knowledge of indigenous people can form the basis for using wild food resources. This research provides data on 50 plant species common to the central United States that are abundant sources of dietary protein and fiber, and used traditionally by Native American tribes. Many species show promise with high amounts of protein and fiber being found in lamb’s quarters, nettles, grass seeds, and buffalo gourd seeds. These results honor traditional knowledge. In addition, many of these species could be cultivated using techniques similar to those existing for commercial grains and vegetables. Seeds and/or greens of these wild plants could easily be incorporated into the diets of many more people, improving modern diets, and the nutritional quality of food products.

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The feral buffalo gourd,Cucurbita foetidissima

Cited by 26 publications

References 14 publications

Gourds and squashes ( Cucurbita spp.) adapted to megafaunal extinction and ecological anachronism through domestication

Gourds and squashes ( Cucurbita spp.) adapted to megafaunal extinction and ecological anachronism through domestication

A review of the Cucurbitaceae

Nutritional Properties of Native Plants and Traditional Foods from the Central United States

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