We provide an overview of the current state of knowledge of island frugivory and seed dispersal and identify knowledge gaps that are important for fundamental research on—and applied conservation of—island ecosystems. We conducted a systematic literature search of frugivory and seed dispersal on islands, omitting large, continental islands. This revealed a total of 448 studies...
Fractal dimension (D) can be used to characterise temporal changes of crown architecture of individual trees. Our goal in this study was to analyse seasonal changes in tree crown fractal dimension of two species of deciduous oaks (Quercus castanea and Q. obtusata) coexisting in a natural forest in central Mexico using low cost sampling, and relate these changes to morphological...
Taxonomic data is essential to advance the discovery and description of biodiversity, as well as the study of evolutionary processes. Emerging large-scale datasets and new methods of analysis have provided different approaches to describe biodiversity. Here, we present a review of the taxonomic history in Cycadales including an analysis of historical taxonomic concepts and...
Parasitic plants have evolved independently in 12 Angiosperm orders. Nine of them (Boraginales, Cucurbitales, Ericales, Lamiales, Laurales, Malvales, Santalales, Solanales, and Zygophyllales) are represented in Colombia by 17 families, 44 genera and 246 species, including facultative (37) and obligate (187) hemiparasites, holoexoparasites (19) and holoendoparasites (3...
Monitoring the impact of anthropogenic and naturogenic threats on orchid community through diversity, taxonomy and conservation studies is necessary. Reintroduction of these species to their natural habitat associates with their resilience, selection of suitable trees and sites for regeneration and restoration efforts, drives the conservation initiative. Upon obtaining an...
The expansion of the vascular cambium cylinder in the stem of woody plants has been modeled many times, using different approaches and focusing on contributions of different cell events (cell divisions, intrusive cell growth and symplastic cell growth). Although there are many case studies in the literature, a universal model is still lacking. Therefore, the aim of this study is...
The magnoliid clade encompasses 18 extant families arranged in four orders, plus several extinct taxa, including some of the most ancient angiosperm fossils. The clade is characterized by paracytic stomata with a distinct pair of lateral subsidiary cells that flank the guard cells, though other stomatal types are also reported, including anomocytic and anisocytic. In contrast...
To uncover the nature of various kinds of stolons of Utricularia subgenus Polypompholyx (Lentibulariaceae) we studied branching of stolons by scanning electron microscopy, statistically investigated correlations of stolon types and other traits across 56 species, and evaluated seedling development and process morphological aspects. Some results were compared to the sister genera...
The composition of fluids that mediate fertilization in cycads is described for the first time. Using tandem mass spectrometry, proteomes of two stages of fluid production, megagametophyte fluid and archegonial chamber fluid production, are compared in Cycas revoluta. These were compared with the proteome of another sexual fluid produced by ovules, the pollination drop proteins...
To mark the commencement of his retirement as Nathaniel Lord Britton Curator of Botany, and appointment as Curator Emeritus at the New York Botanical Garden, we pay tribute to Robbin Moran and impact on the botanical community with a brief synopsis of his career. Naturalist, fern expert, adored teacher—it is difficult to adequately pay tribute to his accomplishments, and his...
To mark the commencement of Dennis Stevenson’s status as Senior Curator Emeritus at New York Botanical Garden, we present a brief and subjective overview of his academic achievements to date. We highlight his deep and scholarly background in plant morphology, his adherence to cladistic methodologies for testing hypotheses of organismal relationships, especially in cycads and...
A review is given of the studies of Ghillean Prance and associates on the Chrysobalanaceae over the past sixty years. This has focussed on defining the generic boundaries in the family and on monographic work with a worldwide approach to this pantropical family. The importance of field studies for work on monographs and Floras is emphasized. Monographs are still the basis for...
Sorrel (Rumex acetosa L.) is a perennial, dioecious herb occupying a variety of habitats. Sorrel has been utilized as a wild gathered plant for thousands of years and as a cultivated plant for centuries. Primarily roots but also other tissues have been used in folk remedies since ancient times. In recent investigations, different phytochemical and pharmacological activities of...
Ligustrum lucidum is a highly invasive East Asian tree that successfully colonizes several subtropical and temperate areas around the world. Its invasion capacity results from a widespread human use mostly in urban and periurban settings, very abundant fruit and seed production, small bird-dispersed fruits, high germination rates, resprouting capacity, fast growth rates, low...
Amazonia is one of the most diverse biomes worldwide, and, as well as luxuriant forest, it includes mountain areas which, despite their small surface area, display fascinating endemism. In these regions, the specificity of edaphic factors is mirrored by a highly specialised, isolated flora adapted to survive adverse conditions. The Serra dos Carajás in the Brazilian state of Pará...
In the Indian sub-continent Lantana has invaded vast tracts of dry-moist forests and other culturable wastelands, and has potentially altered biodiversity, landscape ecology and ecosystem services. It has invaded most Indian pasture lands (13.2 million ha) besides forest and fallow areas, and the cost of its control is estimated at US$ 70 per ha. This invasive weed stands out...
The Spondioideae subfamily of the Anacardiaceae is widely distributed today in tropical regions. Recent molecular phylogenetic investigations indicate that the Spondioideae are not monophyletic, but rather comprise at least two separate clades that are difficult to distinguish using vegetative and floral characters. Nevertheless, the syndrome of fruit characters traditionally...
Cycads are the most endangered of plant groups based on IUCN Red List assessments; all are in Appendix I or II of CITES, about 40% are within biodiversity ‘hotspots,’ and the call for action to improve their protection is long-standing. We contend that progress in this direction will not be made until there is better understanding of cycad pollen, seed and tissue biology, which...
This review highlights key historical works and the recent research on the monocot lateral meristems. It discusses the terminological issues (elucidating the terminological inconsistency found in the literature concerned), origination of secondary meristems, their morphology and characteristic features of the derivative tissues. Also the monocot cambium response to hormonal and...