Botany Commons^™

Local Filters Limit Species Diversity, But Species Pools Determine Composition, Tara K. Rajaniemi, Deborah E. Goldberg, Roy Turkington, Andrew R. Dyer

Faculty Publications

In a series of three experiments, we tested for effects of species pools, resource stress, and species interactions on four aspects of community structure: species richness, evenness, species composition, and functional group composition. We also examined whether the impacts of species interactions on the community varied with resource availability or species pool. Communities of sand dune annuals grew from seed bank samples collected from two sites in three different years, so that the species pool differed at two levels: the source site and the year of seed bank collection. Communities experienced one of three irrigation treatments and a range of …

Traversing Swanton Road, 10th Ed., James A. West

Academic, Government & Associated Organizational Research Resources

Situated at the northwest end of Santa Cruz County and occupying circa 30 square miles of sharply contrasted terrain, the Scott Creek Watershed concentrates within its geomorphological boundaries, at least 10-12% of California's flora, both native and introduced. Paradoxically, the use/abuse that the watershed has sustained over the past 140+ years, has not necessarily diminished the biodiversity and perhaps parallels the naturally disruptive but biologically energizing processes (fire, flooding, landslides and erosion), which have also been historically documented for the area for +60 years. This is an early edition of an extensive document by James A. West. Please visit the …

Relative Stability Of Plant Communities In A South Carolina High Salt Marsh, James O. Luken

Biology

The high marsh in southeast Atlantic coast salt marshes forms a relatively small but ecologically important transition zone between low marsh and the terrestrial shoreline. However, long-term trend data from high marshes are limited to a few studies. Permanent plots established in a high marsh near Waties Island in northeast South Carolina were measured for plant coverage from 2002-2010. At the beginning and at the end of the study, four groups of plots were identified: mixed indicated by Borrichia frutescens, Distichlis spicata, and Fimbristylis castanea; Juncus indicated by Juncus roemerianus; Salicornia indicated by Salicornia virginica; and Spartina indicated by Spartina …

The Role Of Olfactory Cues In The Sequential Radiation Of A Gall-Boring Beetle, Mordellistena Convicta, Bradley Rhodes, Catherine Blair, Mizuki Takahashi, Warren Abrahamson

Warren G. Abrahamson, II

1. Herbivorous insects often have close associations with specific host plants, and their preferences for mating and ovipositing on a specific host-plant species can reproductively isolate populations, facilitating ecological speciation. Volatile emissions from host plants can play a major role in assisting herbivores to locate their natal host plants and thus facilitate assortative mating and host-specific oviposition. 2. The present study investigated the role of host-plant volatiles in host fidelity and oviposition preference of the gall-boring, inquiline beetle, Mordellistena convicta, using Y-tube olfactometers. Previous studies suggest that the gall-boring beetle is undergoing sequential host-associated divergence by utilizing the resources that …

Phylogenomics And A Posteriori Data Partitioning Resolve The Cretaceous Angiosperm Radiation Malpighiales, Zhenxiang Xi, Brad Ruhfel, Hanno Schaefer, André Amorim, M. Sugumaran, Kenneth Wurdack, Peter Endress, Merran Matthews, Peter Stevens, Sarah Mathews, Charles Davis

Brad R. Ruhfel

The angiosperm order Malpighiales includes ∼16,000 species and constitutes up to 40% of the understory tree diversity in tropical rain forests. Despite remarkable progress in angiosperm systematics during the last 20 y, relationships within Malpighiales remain poorly resolved, possibly owing to its rapid rise during the mid-Cretaceous. Using phylogenomic approaches, including analyses of 82 plastid genes from 58 species, we identified 12 additional clades in Malpighiales and substantially increased resolution along the backbone. This greatly improved phylogeny revealed a dynamic history of shifts in net diversification rates across Malpighiales, with bursts of diversification noted in the Barbados cherries (Malpighiaceae), cocas …

Involvement Of Hexokinase1 In Plant Growth Promotion As Mediated By Burkholderia Phytofimans, Jae Min Park

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Burkholderia phytofirmans strain PsJN consistently enhanced the growth of potato plants in vitro. The role of hexokinase1 in glucose phosphorylation was investigated in plants with PsJN. Increased hexokinase1 activity only in roots of PsJN-treated plants cultivar Kennebec suggests that hexokinase1 is associated with plant root and stem growth.

Plant growth with PsJN was determined when plants were grown with different sugars at various concentrations. PsJN-treated plants expressed diverse forms of growth promotion. When growth promotion did occur, hexokinase1 activity also increased. Growth promotion and hexokinase1 activity appear to be correlated to the enzyme to recognize the substrate for catalytic activity. …

Hairy Roots As A Model To Investigate The Role Of Suberin In The Phytophthora Sojae-Soybean Pathosystem, Pooja Sharma

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Part of the resistance mechanism of soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) to Phytopthora sojae Kauf. & Gerd. involves pre-formed root suberin. In order to investigate the role of suberin in this host-pathogen interaction, I characterized hairy roots, formed as a result of Agrobacterium rhizogenes (Riker et al.) Conn infection, as a model to be used as a reliable soybean transformation system. I established hairy root cultures and demonstrated that they were a result of A. rhizogenes infection. The anatomy and suberin deposition in soybean hairy roots was examined, and found to be very similar to that of wild-type roots. …

Tcp Transcription Factor, Branch Angle Defective 1 (Bad1), Is Required For Normal Tassel Branch Angle Formation In Maize, Fang Bai, Renata Reinheimer, Diego Durantini, Elizabeth Kellogg, Robert Schmidt

Biology Department Faculty Works

In grass inflorescences, a structure called the “pulvinus” is found between the inflorescence main stem and lateral branches. The size of the pulvinus affects the angle of the lateral branches that emerge from the main axis and therefore has a large impact on inflorescence architecture. Through EMS mutagenesis we have identified three complementation groups of recessive mutants in maize having defects in pulvinus formation. All mutants showed extremely acute tassel branch angles accompanied by a significant reduction in the size of the pulvinus compared with normal plants. Two of the complementation groups correspond to mutations in the previously identified genes, …

The Spatial Signature Of Biotic Interactions Of A Clonal And A Non-Clonal Palmetto In A Subtropical Plant Community, Mizuki Takahashi, Toshiro Kubota, Liana Horner, Nathan Keller, Warren Abrahamson

Warren G. Abrahamson, II

Spatial analyses of plant-distribution patterns can provide inferences about intra- and interspecific biotic interactions. Yet, such analyses are rare for clonal plants because effective tools (i.e., molecular markers) needed to map naturally occurring clonal individuals have only become available recently. Clonal plants are unique in that a single genotype has a potential to spatially place new individuals (i.e., ramets) in response to intra- and interspecific biotic interactions. Laboratory and greenhouse studies suggest that some clonal plants can avoid intra-genet, inter-genet, and inter-specific competition via rootplacement patterns. An intriguing and yet to be explored question is whether a spatial signature of …

Five Nuclear Loci Resolve The Polyploid History Of Switchgrass (Panicum Virgatum L.) And Relatives, Jimmy Triplett, Yunjing Wang, Jinshun Zhong, Elizabeth Kellogg

Biology Department Faculty Works

Polyploidy poses challenges for phylogenetic reconstruction because of the need to identify and distinguish between homoeologous loci. This can be addressed by use of low copy nuclear markers. Panicum s.s. is a genus of about 100 species in the grass tribe Paniceae, subfamily Panicoideae, and is divided into five sections. Many of the species are known to be polyploids. The most well-known of the Panicum polyploids are switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) and common or Proso millet (P. miliaceum). Switchgrass is in section Virgata, along with P. tricholaenoides, P. amarum, and P. amarulum, whereas P. miliaceum is in sect. Panicum. We have …

Traversing Swanton Road, 9th Ed., James A. West

Academic, Government & Associated Organizational Research Resources

Situated at the northwest end of Santa Cruz County and occupying circa 30 square miles of sharply contrasted terrain, the Scott Creek Watershed concentrates within its geomorphological boundaries, at least 10-12% of California's flora, both native and introduced. Paradoxically, the use/abuse that the watershed has sustained over the past 140+ years, has not necessarily diminished the biodiversity and perhaps parallels the naturally disruptive but biologically energizing processes (fire, flooding, landslides and erosion), which have also been historically documented for the area for +60 years. This is an early edition of an extensive document by James A. West. Please visit the …

Traversing Swanton Road, 8th Ed., James A. West

Academic, Government & Associated Organizational Research Resources

Situated at the northwest end of Santa Cruz County and occupying circa 30 square miles of sharply contrasted terrain, the Scott Creek Watershed concentrates within its geomorphological boundaries, at least 10-12% of California's flora, both native and introduced. Paradoxically, the use/abuse that the watershed has sustained over the past 140+ years, has not necessarily diminished the biodiversity and perhaps parallels the naturally disruptive but biologically energizing processes (fire, flooding, landslides and erosion), which have also been historically documented for the area for +60 years. This is an early edition of an extensive document by James A. West. Please visit the …

Host Plant Use By Competing Acacia-Ants: Mutualists Monopolize While Parasites Share Hosts, Stefanie Kautz, Daniel J. Ballhorn, Johannes Kroiss, Steffen U. Pauls, Corrie S. Moreau, Sascha Eilmus, Erhard Strohm, Martin Heil

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Protective ant-plant mutualisms that are exploited by non-defending parasitic ants represent prominent model systems for ecology and evolutionary biology. The mutualist Pseudomyrmex ferrugineus is an obligate plant-ant and fully depends on acacias for nesting space and food. The parasite Pseudomyrmex gracilis facultatively nests on acacias and uses host-derived food rewards but also external food sources. Integrative analyses of genetic microsatellite data, cuticular hydrocarbons and behavioral assays showed that an individual acacia might be inhabited by the workers of several P. gracilis queens, whereas one P. ferrugineus colony monopolizes one or more host trees. Despite these differences in social organization, neither …

A Comparative Analysis Of The Relative Water Content Of The Pollen Of Early Diverging Angiosperms, Andrew Robert Moffatt

Chancellor’s Honors Program Projects

No abstract provided.

Traversing Swanton Road, 7th Ed., James A. West

Academic, Government & Associated Organizational Research Resources

Situated at the northwest end of Santa Cruz County and occupying circa 30 square miles of sharply contrasted terrain, the Scott Creek Watershed concentrates within its geomorphological boundaries, at least 10-12% of California's flora, both native and introduced. Paradoxically, the use/abuse that the watershed has sustained over the past 140+ years, has not necessarily diminished the biodiversity and perhaps parallels the naturally disruptive but biologically energizing processes (fire, flooding, landslides and erosion), which have also been historically documented for the area for +60 years. This is an early edition of an extensive document by James A. West. Please visit the …

Phylogenetics Of Morus (Moraceae) Inferred From Its And Trnl-Trnf Sequence Data., Madhav Nepal

Madhav Nepal

Rhythmic Growth And Vascular Development In Brachypodium Distachyon, Dominick A. Matos

Masters Theses 1911 - February 2014

Plants reduce inorganic carbon to synthesize biomass that is comprised of mostly polysaccharides and lignin. Growth is intricately regulated by external cues such as light, temperature, and water availability and internal cues including those generated by the circadian clock. While many aspects of polymer biosynthesis are known, their regulation and distribution within the stem are poorly understood. Plant biomass is perhaps the most abundant organic substance on Earth and can be used as feedstock for energy production. Various grass species are under development as energy crops yet several of their attributes make them challenging research subjects. Brachypodium distachyon has emerged …

Salve Regina University Tree Inventory And Management Plan 2012, Bartlett Tree Experts

Archives Books

The Bartlett Inventory Solutions Team from Bartlett Tree Experts conducted an inventory of trees on the campus of Salve Regina University in May 2012. The inventory included: identifying trees and attaching to each tree a tag with an assigned tag number; identifying the trees' condition, health, and vigor; recommending risk evaluations and removals of appropriate trees; recommending pruning, soil management, and pest management treatments to promote tree safety; health, appearance, and longevity; and mapping the trees using GPSr hardware and Geographic Information System (GIS) software.

This digital copy of the plan is redacted. Information about the estimated values of individual …

Experimental And Molecular Studies Of Bryophyte Dispersal On Alpine Summits, Sean Charles Robinson

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

A review of bryophyte dispersal studies over the last sixty years revealed that the role of gametophytic fragments in bryophyte population dynamics has not been adequately addressed. In this dissertation, I investigate the dispersal potential of wind blown bryophyte fragments on Adirondack alpine summits using a combination of field and laboratory methods.

Rapid Diversification Of Tragopogon And Ecological Associates In Eurasia, Charles Bell

Charles D. Bell

No abstract provided.

Phylogeny And Diversification Of Valerianaceae (Dipsacales) In The Southern Andes, Charles D. Bell

Charles D. Bell

No abstract provided.