Differential abortion in the yucca

Article Abstract:

Differential abortion is an adaptation in Yucca fillamentosa to prevent over-exploitation by the yucca moth Tegeticula yuccasella, which is a pollinator/seed predator. This is a viable adaptation for yucca as it overproduces flowers in a single inflorescence. The most infested fruits, pollinated by Tegeticula females, are aborted to maintain the mutualism between yucca and the moth. A comparison of differential as opposed to random abortion shows that more plants survive under differential abortion while moth egg mortality is severe compared to random abortion.

Observations, Insect-plant relationships, Pollination by insects, Insect pollination, Yucca

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Coming up for air and sporulation

Article Abstract:

Hydrophobin proteins make up the special ingredient releasing fungal structures from damp surroundings, and enabling them to grow and sporulate, according to Wosten and colleagues. They investigated the hydrophobin SC3 produced by the gill-mushroom fungus Schizophyllum commune. SC3 is secreted as a monomer, aggregating into a large polymeric complex when encountering an air-water interface. It is also abundantly produced if the fungus is growing in liquids.

Fungi

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Surrogate mother for endangered Cupressus

Article Abstract:

Research describing the reproductive strategy of the Mediterranean cypress tree, Cupressus dupreziana, is presented. In particular apomictic pollen development and the use of another cypress species for surrogacy is investigated.

Apomixis, Cypress, Plant asexual reproduction

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