When enemies come to help
Crab spiders aid buckler-mustard plants by eliminating plant-eating insects and their larvae. This unexpected alliance benefits the plant, as it increases the production of floral volatile that attracts beneficial spiders.
Angiosperms
Articles tagged with Angiosperms
When did flowers originate?
The study reveals that flowering plants diversified suddenly in the Cretaceous period, while molecular-clock dating suggests an older origin. The discrepancy is attributed to false precision on both palaeontological and molecular evolutionary timescales.
Scientists reveal the evolutionary history of the angiosperm flora of China
Researchers studied angiosperm genera in China, finding that eastern provinces have a 'museum' of ancient plants, while western provinces are an evolutionary cradle for herbaceous genera. The study suggests conservation efforts should focus on connecting nature reserves across provincial borders.
Evolution of China's flowering plants shows East-West divide between old, new lineages
A study mapping China's 30,000 flowering plant species reveals a significant East-West divide in evolutionary relationships and biodiversity. The research highlights the need for conservation efforts in densely populated eastern China to protect threatened plant species and their animals.
Solving Darwin's 'abominable mystery': How flowering plants conquered the world
Researchers found that flowering plants' small cell size is made possible by a greatly reduced genome size, allowing for faster rates of water transport and carbon dioxide uptake. This discovery explains the rapid spread of flowering plants across the globe and their unparalleled success in ecosystems.
In 'pond scum,' scientists find answers to one of evolution's which-came-first cases
Researchers have discovered that primitive moths and butterflies, known as Glossata, evolved earlier than previously established - emerging during the Jurassic period. They developed physical attributes to find nutrition by drawing off water droplets from immature gymnosperm seeds.
Earliest fossil evidence of butterflies and moths
Researchers have uncovered the earliest known fossil evidence of insects from the order Lepidoptera, providing important insights into their evolutionary history. The fossils, mostly wing scales, suggest that lepidopterans likely depended first on gymnosperms before shifting to angiosperms as a primary food source.
SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Advances·DateJan 10, 2018
85 new species described by the California Academy of Sciences in 2017
The California Academy of Sciences has described 85 new plant and animal species, including flowering plants, sharks, fish, scorpions, and sea slugs. The discoveries were made over five continents and three oceans, highlighting the vast diversity of life on Earth.
Reductions in individual plant growth sometimes boost community resilience
A study published in Nature Communications found that reduced individual plant growth can benefit overall communities by controlling herbivore populations and indirectly supporting pollinators. This counterintuitive effect helps explain the persistence of some plant communities despite theory predicting their extinction.
Caterpillar attacks allow aphids to sneak up on plants
A study found that plants prioritize flower protection over leaf defense and increase hormone concentrations in flowers to deter attackers. Dual attacks by caterpillars and bacteria leave plants more vulnerable to aphid attacks.
Production timings could stem illegal wildlife laundering
Researchers have developed a method to flag up potentially illegal wildlife trade by analyzing the growth rates of certain species. A study published in Biological Conservation has found that understanding these growth rates can help identify when an item is not yet legally available for sale, allowing authorities to act earlier.
Lightning-fast trappers
Researchers discovered that bladderwort traps suck in prey like water fleas at incredible speeds, decelerating them before trapping. Comparative analyses of different species revealed unique trap entrance structures and movement patterns adapted to various habitats.
First winged mammals from the Jurassic period discovered
Fossil discoveries of Maiopatagium furculiferum and Vilevolodon diplomylos reveal ancient gliding behavior among extinct mammalian ancestors. These Jurassic mammals lived 100 million years before modern mammal fliers, with adaptations allowing them to thrive in a dinosaur-dominated landscape.
Cycad leaf physiology research needed
Recent reports on gymnosperms' slow photosynthetic use of sunflecks prompted a call for cycad species study. Experimental protocols should be defined from natural habitats to accurately represent species behavior.
Nesting aids make agricultural fields attractive for bees
A study conducted in rapeseed fields found that nesting aids increased brood cells and attracted a variety of pollinator species. The availability of flowering plants and nesting sites is crucial for wild bee reproduction and diversity.
More milkweeds located throughout the landscape can help conserve monarchs
A new study suggests that converting marginal cropland to monarch-friendly habitat is the most effective way to add milkweed and restore the eastern migratory monarch population. Planting milkweeds in protected areas, urban, and suburban locations may also be necessary to achieve a full population recovery.
Charred flowers and the fossil record
Researchers Victoria Hudspith and Claire Belcher found that different types of plants burned at varying temperatures and that certain flower shapes made them more likely to be destroyed by fire. This discovery affects the interpretation of charred flowers as a source of information about ancient flowering plants.
Mid-Mesozoic beetle in amber stirs questions on rise of flowering plants and pollinators
A newly discovered beetle, Darwinylus marcosi, provides direct evidence of a fourth major gymnosperm-insect pollination mode during the mid-Mesozoic era. The beetle's jaw-like mouthparts and chewing feeding style suggest that it was involved in pollination before flowering plants emerged.
One of the world largest digital herbaria launched
The Lomonosov Moscow State University has launched the world's largest digital herbarium, featuring over 786,000 scanned images of plant samples. The database is part of the 'Noah's Ark' project and provides a valuable resource for studying and conserving biological diversity.
Bacterial discovery solves 20-year-old molecular paleontology mystery
A fatty molecule thought to be unique to flowering plants has been found in bacteria from the Adriatic Sea, solving a 20-year-old paleontological mystery. The discovery challenges the assumption that isoarborinol's presence indicates land and flowering plant life.
SourceStanford's School of Earth, Energy & Environmental Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 20, 2017
Herbaria prove valuable in demonstrating long-term changes in plant populations
A new study uses herbaria specimens to show a decrease in white trillium leaf area due to deer overbrowsing, indicating lower reproductive potential. The research demonstrates the value of herbaria collections for long-term plant population studies.
New research sheds light on why plants change sex
A four-year study by researchers at the University of Lincoln found that high-light environments trigger sex change in gynodioecious plants. This discovery sheds light on the evolutionary mechanisms behind this phenomenon, which has significant implications for our understanding of plant breeding systems.
The fruits of life
A new international collaboration has reconstructed the tree of life for Rosaceae and found strong evidence for whole genome duplications contributing to fruit diversity. The study suggests that enlarged and fleshy fruits likely evolved through two distinct ways, resulting in a wide range of fruit types across the 3,000 known species.
SourceSMBE Journals (Molecular Biology and Evolution and Genome Biology and Evolution)·JournalMolecular Biology and Evolution·DateNov 15, 2016
How pygmy moths started to diversify 100 million years ago
The leaf-mining pygmy moths and white eyecap moths have a rich evolutionary history that dates back to the early Cretaceous period, around 100 million years ago. A new classification system has been established based on DNA analysis, revealing three new genera in South and Central America.
Plant discovered that neither photosynthesizes nor blooms
A new species of plant, Gastrodia kuroshimensis, has been discovered in Japan, exhibiting unique characteristics of non-photosynthesis and cleistogamy. This discovery provides an opportunity to investigate the ecological significance and evolutionary history of complete cleistogamy.
Urbanization affects diets of butterflies: NUS study
A NUS study found that tropical butterflies are more likely to be flower specialists, preferring native plants and having shorter proboscis. Urbanization threatens these specialized species by reducing native plant availability, necessitating conservation intervention measures.
Planting time, flurprimidol treatments recommended for Lachenalia
A study recommends planting lachenalias in November, December, January, or February to produce healthy compact plants. Soaking bulbs in flurprimidol at a concentration of 30 mg·L-1 can also enhance plant appearance and marketing quality.
Flight of the bumble bee reveals plants' flair for flower arranging
A study by the University of Edinburgh reveals that plant flower arrangements influence bee flight patterns to maximize pollination and reproduction. Researchers found that flowers on one side of the stem lead to vertical flights, while circular arrangements discourage upward flights.
The success of the plant-eating dinosaurs
A new study reveals that plant-eating ornithopod dinosaurs experienced four evolutionary bursts, with improved jaws and efficiency playing a key role. Despite rapid plant evolution during the Mesozoic, these herbivores remained successful, with some species even specializing in conifer digestion.
UK wildlife calendar reshuffled by climate change
Climate change is altering the UK's wildlife calendar, with plants and animals responding differently to temperature changes throughout the year. By 2050, primary consumers are forecasted to shift their seasonal timing by more than twice as much as other species, potentially disrupting relationships between plants and animals.
New evidence connects dung beetle evolution to dinosaurs
Researchers discovered an evolutionary link between dinosaurs and dung beetles, with the first molecular evidence indicating their origins in the Lower Cretaceous period. The study suggests that the incorporation of flowering plants in dinosaurs' diet led to a new niche for evolution.
Immunity gene fusions uncovered in plants
Researchers have identified plant immune receptors with additional integrated domains that mimic authentic host targets of pathogen effectors. These discoveries provide new insights into plant disease resistance and may help scientists develop sustainable production methods for key crops.
Indiana University paleobotanist plays role in discovery of 'Jurassic butterflies'
A study published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society: B identifies a Jurassic-age insect whose behavior and appearance closely mimic those of butterflies. The discovery was made possible by the examination of well-preserved fossils from ancient lake deposits in China and Kazakhstan. Researchers found that these 'Jurassic butterfli...
Land plant became key marine species
Researchers have unveiled the genome of eelgrass, a marine plant that once thrived on land. The study reveals that the plant has lost essential genes required for survival out of water, highlighting its unique evolutionary path.
Preserved embryos illustrate seed dormancy in early angiosperms
Researchers found small, well-preserved seed embryos in fossil seeds dating back to the Early Cretaceous, supporting the idea that early angiosperms were small opportunistic colonizers. The tiny embryo size suggests that seed dormancy allowed these early plants to survive harsh conditions.
Re-thinking plant and insect diversity
Biologists at the University of York have found that there is no simple relationship between insect diet and diversity, with some plant-feeding groups being incredibly rich while others are not. The study suggests that other factors play a greater role in explaining diversity.
IU paleobotanist identifies what could be the mythical 'first flower'
Researchers have identified a 125 million- to 130 million-year-old freshwater plant, Montsechia vidalii, as one of the earliest known flowering plants on Earth. The finding represents a major change in the presumed form of one of the planet's earliest flowers and raises significant questions about its early evolutionary history.
IU biologists find mistletoe species lacks genes found in all other complex organisms
Researchers at Indiana University discovered that the parasitic plant Viscum scurruloideum lacks genes involved in energy production, a phenomenon not seen before in complex organisms. The plant's ability to survive without these genes is likely related to its parasitic lifestyle.
The mite and the rose: Non-threatening new mite species found in Xinjiang, China
Three new eriophyoid mite species were found in Xinjiang, China, infesting the undersurface of rose family plants without causing damage. The discovery adds to over 1000 previously identified eriophyoid mites in China.
MarkerMiner 1.0: An easy-to-use bioinformatics platform for DNA analysis in angiosperms
A new open-source software program named MarkerMiner facilitates identification of genes for elucidating evolutionary relationships between flowering plants. The software helps researchers discover genes useful for inferring evolutionary patterns by comparing genes across superficially similar plants.
Plants survive better through mass extinctions than animals
A new study reveals that plants have been highly resilient to mass extinction events, with negative rates of diversification never sustained for long periods. Plant groups such as flowering plants (angiosperms) experienced a rapid increase in diversity shortly after the Cretaceous-Paleogene asteroid impact.
Distant species produce love child after 60 million year breakup
Researchers discovered a fern that is the offspring of two distantly-related plant groups that haven't interbred in 60 million years. The finding challenges traditional views on reproductive incompatibility among species.
A rare new plant inspires the first genus named after Sir David Attenborough
A new genus and species of flowering plants, Sirdavidia solannona, has been discovered in Gabon's Monts de Cristal National Park. The unusual flower structure and DNA analysis revealed the need for a new genus to accommodate it.
Getting more out of nature: Genetic toolkit finds new maximum for crop yields
Scientists have discovered a set of gene variations that can increase fruit production in tomatoes and potentially other flowering plants, including staple crops like soybeans. By fine-tuning the balance between florigen and anti-florigen, plant breeders can customize genetic variations to maximize yield gains.
New study uses DNA sequences to look back in time at key events in plant evolution
A team of international researchers used DNA sequences to reconstruct the evolution of plants, revealing new insights into their relationships and adaptations. The study, part of the One Thousand Plants initiative, generated millions of gene sequences from diverse plant species.
Meteorite that doomed the dinosaurs helped the forests bloom
A new study published in PLOS Biology reveals that the meteorite impact that ended the dinosaurs also accelerated the growth of fast-growing flowering plants, which replaced slower-growing evergreen species. The research used fossilized leaves to reconstruct a plant community thriving during a 2.2 million-year period after the impact.
Meteorite that doomed dinosaurs remade forests
A study of fossilized leaves reveals that the meteorite impact that ended the dinosaurs' reign favored fast-growing, deciduous plants. This shift from slow-growing evergreens to fast-growing species indicates that the extinction was not random, but rather a response to the major disturbance caused by the impact.
A Mexican plant could lend the perfume industry more green credibility
A Mexican plant-based fixative alternative to expensive ambergris could significantly reduce the environmental impact of perfumery. Researchers found that producing this new fixative could generate $20 million in local profits and create hundreds of jobs, while minimizing its environmental cost through renewable energy use.
New plant species from the heart of Texas
Scientists at the University of Utah have identified a new plant species found in Valentine, Texas, as Solanum cordicitum. The genus Solanum includes over 1,500 species, including poisonous nightshades and edible crops like tomatoes and potatoes.
SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalJournal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas·DateJul 8, 2014
Novel type of bird pollination mechanism discovered in South America
Researchers found that birds consume the male reproductive organs while visiting Axinaea flowers, which are attracted by sugar-rich stamen-appendages. This unique mechanism involves a complex 'bellows' organ for pollen dispersal and differs from known bird pollination systems.
Which came first, bi- or tricellular pollen? New research updates a classic debate
A new study revisits the evolution of pollen development in flowering plants, finding that both bi- and tricellular lineages gave rise to each other, debunking the long-standing assumption of one-way evolution. Tricellular lineages are slower-evolving but still advantageous in certain lifestyles.
Using different scents to attract or repel insects
Flowering plants adapt their scent signals to balance attraction of pollinators with protection from herbivore damage. Research shows that infested plants reduce floral scent to lure parasitic wasps, which are then attracted by leaf scents. This complex interaction highlights the trade-offs in plant defense strategies.
Nectar: A sweet reward from plants to attract pollinators
A team of scientists has identified the transport protein SWEET9 as a key player in three diverse flowering plant species, demonstrating its essential role in nectar production. By analyzing specially engineered plants lacking this transporter, they found that sugars accumulate in stems instead of being secreted into nectaries.
Plant used in Chinese medicine fights chronic pain
Researchers from the University of California, Irvine, have identified a new natural compound in a traditional Chinese medicine plant that relieves chronic pain. The compound, dehydrocorybulbine (DHCB), acts on dopamine receptors and shows promise for treating low-level chronic pain without losing effectiveness over time.
Amber fossil reveals ancient reproduction in flowering plants
A 100-million-year-old piece of amber has revealed the oldest evidence of sexual reproduction in a flowering plant, featuring a cluster of tiny flowers and pollen tubes. Researchers from Oregon State University discovered the fossilized scene, which appears identical to modern angiosperm reproduction.
SourceOregon State University·JournalJournal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas·DateJan 2, 2014
Researchers create largest evolutionary 'timetree' of land plants to investigate traits that permit survival in cold climates
The study identified three repeated evolutionary shifts: seasonal shedding of leaves, thinner water-conducting pathways, and avoiding cold seasons. Researchers used a comprehensive 'timetree' with 32,223 species to model the evolution of these traits and climate surroundings.
Study: Some plants may not adapt quickly to future climate change
A new study suggests that many flowering plants, including crops, may not have the necessary traits to rapidly respond to human-induced climate change. Researchers used a large dated evolutionary tree of flowering plants to identify three repeated evolutionary shifts that allowed them to tolerate cold temperatures.
Study offers clues to how plants evolved to cope with cold
Researchers constructed an evolutionary tree of flowering plants and found that many species acquired characteristics to thrive in colder climates before encountering freezing conditions. Plants like birches and poplars developed narrower water transport cells to protect themselves from blockage during freezing and thawing.
A gluttonous plant reveals how its cellular power plant devours foreign DNA
Researchers have discovered that the mitochondria of Amborella trichopoda, a sprawling shrub in the remote South Pacific, have acquired six genome equivalents of foreign DNA. The plant's energy-producing organelles absorbed genes from moss, green algae and flowering plants, creating an enormous mitochondrial genome.
Gene transfer gone wild reveals driving force behind mitochondrial sex
Researchers discovered the largest example of horizontal gene transfer in any organism, where <i> Amborella </i> acquired foreign genes from green algae and other plants. The study provides insight into the evolution of mitochondrial fusion and its role in horizontal gene transfer.