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How did cactuses evolve?
May 15, 2006In a groundbreaking new study in the June issue of American Naturalist, Erika J. Edwards (Yale University and University of California, Santa Barbara) and Michael J. Donoghue (Yale University) explore how leafy, "normal" plants evolved into the leafless succulent cactus.
"The cactus form is often heralded as a striking example of the tight relationship between form and function in plants," write the authors. "A succulent, long-lived photosynthetic system allows cacti to survive periods of extreme drought while maintaining well-hydrated tissues."
Recent molecular phylogenetic work has confirmed that Pereskia, a genus that consists of 17 species of leafy shrubs and trees, is where the earliest cactus lineages began. Using field studies and environmental modeling, Edwards and Donoghue found that the Pereskia species already showed water use patterns that are similar to the leafless, stem-succulent cacti.
"[Our] analyses suggest that several key elements of cactus ecological function were established prior to the evolution of the cactus life form," explain the authors. "Such a sequence may be common in evolution, but it has rarely been documented as few studies have incorporated physiological, ecological, anatomical, and phylogenetic data."
University of Chicago Press Journals
"[Our] analyses suggest that several key elements of cactus ecological function were established prior to the evolution of the cactus life form," explain the authors. "Such a sequence may be common in evolution, but it has rarely been documented as few studies have incorporated physiological, ecological, anatomical, and phylogenetic data."
University of Chicago Press Journals
Cactus Current Events and Cactus News RSSDiabetics on high-fiber diets might need extra calcium, report UT Southwestern researchers
The amount of calcium your body absorbs might depend, in part, on the amount of dietary fiber you consume.
Summer burning may be option for pasture maintenance
The greater duration of heat in a summer-prescribed burn provides more effective management of encroaching woody or cactus species on rangeland, a Texas AgriLife Research scientist said.
Indigenous peoples hardest hit by climate change describe impacts
Indigenous peoples have contributed the least to world greenhouse gas emissions and have the smallest ecological footprints on Earth.
Massive project reveals shortcomings of modern genome analysis
The sequencing and comparison of 12 fruit fly genomes -- the result of a massive collaboration of hundreds of scientists from more than 100 institutions in 16 countries -- has thrust forward researchers' understanding of fruit flies, a popular animal model in science.
Which came first, the moth or the cactus?
It's not a good idea to put all your eggs in one basket- unless you're a senita moth.
Why do insects like to eat some plants more than others?
In a study appearing in the forthcoming issue of The American Naturalist, Tom E. X. Miller, Andrew J. Tyre, and Svata M. Louda (all of the University of Nebraska, Lincoln) examined herbivore dynamics, specifically why plants aren't all eaten at the same rate.
Learning global solutions to local problems
Seven scientists were selected to participate in a year-long global awareness program which would end with an international immersion trip to Mexico.
Ecological significance of tool-use in the woodpecker finch Cactospiza pallida
The Woodpecker finch, one of 14 Darwin`s finches of the Galapagos Islands, uses twigs or cactus spines to pry insects and spiders out of tree-holes. The advantage of using tools may seem evident, but empirical evidence is scarce. In a paper soon to appear in Ecology Letters, Tebbich and colleagues present the first study on the ecological relevance of tool-use by a bird species. Woodpecker finches hardly use tools in humid areas where food is abundant and easily accessible. In contrast, in arid coastal areas where food is scarce, Woodpecker finches rely almost exclusively on the extraction of food from bark and tree-holes and use tools frequently. They acquire a greater proportion of food
CACTUS conserves water in paper manufacture
The aim of the CACTUS technology programme, which was funded by the Technology Development Centre (Tekes) and major companies of the forest cluster and co-ordinated by VTT, the Technical Research Centre of Finland, was to reduce the consumption of water in the papermaking process. The performance of new water treatment methods as well as their integration into the process and their overall effect were studied. The four-year programme, which cost FIM 100 million and involved the combined efforts of chemists, physicists, papermaking engineers and energy sector experts, produced new knowledge on the complex dependent relationships of water consumption in the paper manufacturing process. A calcu
Nature press release for 26 July issue
[412452] LIFELINES: ANTIBACTERIAL HITS A PUNCH (pp452–455; N&V) With the rise of antibiotic resistance, there is enormous interest in finding alternatives to overused drugs — and one such solution is offered in this week’s Nature. Naturally alluring as potential alternatives to conventional antibiotics, peptides — molecules to combat bacterial infections — are produced by a wealth of plants and animals. But unlike antibiotics, peptides are large and don’t get transported to the site of infection, making them all but useless as drugs. Reza Ghadiri and colleagues at the Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, California, now describe a synthetic peptide wit
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Living Stones 10 Seeds by Hirt's Gardens A perfect example of nature's adaptability. Neat little plants that look for all the world like stones. They are actually Succulents, easy to grow and create a great deal of interest. Plus they have spectacular yellow and white daisy like flowers that magically arise from the center of the living stones. |
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Cactus by Cactus CD reissue of the classic 1970 debut by this super group featuring Vanilla Fudge’s rhythm section (Tim Bogert on bass and Carmen Appice on drums), the Amboy Dukes’ Rusty Day on vocals and Detroit Wheels guitarist Jim McCarty. |
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Instant Cactus Collection 10 Plants by Hirt's Gardens You will get an assortment, 10 different species of Cacti and Succulents growing in 1" pots, similar to the ones pictured. Cacti & Succulent Care Many people tend to think that cacti and succulents are too difficult to care for and decide against even buying them. As it turns out, many people are simply caring for them too much or too often. Cacti and succulents will do quite well under the same conditions which would be considered neglect with other plants. -Watering- The most common problem people have with cacti and succulent plants is overwatering. They are 'water storing' plants and will do better with less water than they will with more. Since every situation is considerably different, there is not set time interval for when to water cacti and succulents. Many factors play a... |
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Complete Book of Cacti & Succulents by Terry Hewitt (Author) The Complete Book of Cacti & Succulents features the history, cultivation, and imaginative use of more than 300 plants -- in step-by-step color stages. This is a feast of in-depth information and eye-catching photography. DK's new line of paperback titles combines all the qualities of its hardcovers with the advantages of the soft cover format. Each of these already popular books will now be available to a large new readership who will delight in the essential elements of every DK title: clarity, educational value, and visual appeal. |
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Plan Toy Balancing Cactus by Plan Toys This is a challenging game for planning and imaginative abilities. The player that can balance the cactus without making it fall is the winner; a challenging game for minds indeed. Great for 1 to 4 players. Ages 3 and up. |
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Cactology: The Cactus Collection by Cactus No Description Available No Track Information Available Media Type: CD Artist: CACTUS Title: CACTOLOGY! CACTUS COLLECTION Street Release Date: 04/23/1996 |
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Cactus & Succulent 100 Seeds-Barrel/Column/Old Man etc. by Hirt's Gardens Cactus plants are a joy to grow. A mix of plant types, shapes and heights will provide a unique planting, indoors or outside. Start seeds inside in pots filled with equal parts of coarse sand and potting soil. Keep warm, moist, and shaded until plants have emerged. When plants are established, transplant to larger pots inside or out. Feed monthly and protect from freezing. Varieties included in the packet: Saquaro, Cane Cholla, Vericolor Cholla, Compass Barrel, Fishook Barrel, Strawberry Hedgehog, Florence Hedgehog, Organ Pipe, Old Man Cactus, Dollar Prickly Pear, Coastal Prickly Pear, Small Desert Prickly Pear, Large Desert Prickly Pear, Santa Rita Prickly Pear, Purple Prickly Pear, Cardon. |
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Red Spined African Milk Bush Cactus - Euphorbia by Hirt's Gardens Euphorbias are an African succulent that evolved to look like a cactus, but are totally unrelated. The spines are actually the dried remnants of flower stalks. They have a complex milky white sap, hence the name "Milk Cactus" . They thrive under the same conditions as other succulents and cactus. They come in many different an beautiful forms. Euphorbias make excellent house plants and are even used as bonsai specimums. |
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500 Cacti: Species and Varieties in Cultivation by Ken Preston-Mafham (Author) A visual reference to 500 cacti. The cactus family includes more than 2,500 species of cacti, succulents, caudiciforms and euphorbs. Native to the Americas, they are at least 50 million years old and highly advanced in their evolution. Not all are desert plants. Some are found in the rainforest, where they enjoy the heavy rainfall and grow much more vigorously than their desert cousins. Many cacti are very popular with rock gardeners and houseplant enthusiasts. This new book features 500 species representing all cactus groups. The cacti are arranged alphabetically by scientific genus, with an entire page devoted to each species. At-a-glance information includes size, distribution, spination, flower and flowering time, plus varieties and synonyms used. Detailed... |
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Cactus: Live Starring: Cactus The first live Cactus performance in over 30 years was greeted by a wildly enthusiastic New York City audience. Filmed at B.B.King's Blues Club in Times Square, the hard driving, boogie based, blues rock band took control of the stage from the first note |
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