Dataset Information

Tail-like anther crest aids pollination by manipulating pollinator's behaviour in a wild ginger.

ABSTRACT: Innovative floral organs are widely distributed taxonomically in angiosperms, and some of them are conspicuous and curious in morphology. Floral organs have long been supposed to play a crucial role in fertilization by pollinators. However, why innovative organs occur, how they are adapted for pollinators and what sexual roles they play are still puzzling. Here we focused on a wild ginger (Zingiber densissimum, Zingiberaceae) and tested the function of the curious anther crest, an innovative floral structure widely distributed in Zingiberaceae. The anther crest is a specialized anther appendage that extends up from the top of the anther to form a tail-like structure, about 150% as long as the anther. We found this structure promoted both the male and the female functions of plants by manipulating its pollinators and causing pollinators to adopt a position ideal for pollen removal and receipt. This study provides a novel example of structure adaptation in which both the male and the female functions are enhanced by resource allocation on a male organ, expanding the knowledge of the sexual roles of the anther appendage.

SUBMITTER: Fan YL

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4772108 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Tail-like anther crest aids pollination by manipulating pollinator's behaviour in a wild ginger.

Fan Yong-Li YL Li Qing-Jun QJ

Scientific reports 20160301

Innovative floral organs are widely distributed taxonomically in angiosperms, and some of them are conspicuous and curious in morphology. Floral organs have long been supposed to play a crucial role in fertilization by pollinators. However, why innovative organs occur, how they are adapted for pollinators and what sexual roles they play are still puzzling. Here we focused on a wild ginger (Zingiber densissimum, Zingiberaceae) and tested the function of the curious anther crest, an innovative flo ...[more]

PMID: 26928902

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Dataset Information

Tail-like anther crest aids pollination by manipulating pollinator's behaviour in a wild ginger.

Publications

Tail-like anther crest aids pollination by manipulating pollinator's behaviour in a wild ginger.

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