RESUMO

Catasetum is a speciose Neotropical orchid genus of which male and female flowers emit scents acting both as attractant and reward for their exclusive pollinators, male orchid bees (Euglossini: Apidae). In Catasetum, it is well known that flowers display a remarkably morphological sexual dimorphism. However, it remains poorly investigated whether this is also true for floral scents. Here, we investigated the pollination ecology and floral scent traits (chemistry and total emission) of C. maranhense, a species endemic to the Brazilian N/NE region. Males of Euglossa securigera are the only pollinators of C. maranhense. The floral scent of C. maranhense is composed of 29 volatile compounds, with eucalyptol, indole, (E)-Methyl p-methoxycinnamate, and (Z)-Methyl p-methoxycinnamate accounting for more than 80% of the scent bouquet. No sexual dimorphism was detected in any of the traits investigated. We discuss the ecological and evolutionary significance of our findings to Catasetum species and other unisexual perfume plants.

RESUMO

Catasetum fimbriatum is a dioecious species whose flowers fully adapted to an euglossinophilic mode of pollination. Euglossini male bees collect the volatile fragrances which are produced in osmophores on the flowers. In order to understand the mechanism of scent secretion and floral interaction with the pollinator, we describe the location, histochemistry, anatomy, and ultrastructure of osmophores in pistillate and staminate flowers of this species. Fresh flowers were submerged in neutral red solution to locate the position of the osmophores. Other histochemical test performed includes the NADI reaction to detect terpenoids, Sudan IV for lipids, and Lugol's iodine solution to detect starch. Anatomical and ultrastructural traits were studied with bright field and transmission electron microscopes, respectively. The location of osmophores differs between pistillate and staminate flowers. In pistillate flowers, secretory tissues were observed on the ribbed adaxial surface of the labellum, but not on its margins, whereas in staminate flowers, they were found throughout the adaxial surface of the labellum and especially in the fimbriae. Anatomy and ultrastructure of the osmophores in the labellum of both types of flowers were similar. They present characteristics of metabolically active cells, such as abundant mitochondria, rough endoplasmic reticulum, vesicles, plastids with starch grains, and lipid globules. Granulocrine secretion and cycles of cytoplasmic contraction and expansion appear to allow the release of products without involving the rupture of the cuticle. Individuals of Eufriesea auriceps and Euglossa sp. were captured in staminate and pistillate flowers but, it seems likely, that only the former pollinates this orchid species.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Orchids are known for the beauty, exuberance, and color of their flowers and therefore represent one of the most coveted ornamental plants. Due to their high commercial value, several illegal practices of removal and commercialization have led to the verge of extinction. This study aimed to develop protocols for in vitro conservation under slow growth and acclimatization of species of the subfamily Epidendroideae (Orchidaceae), from the state of Sergipe, Brazil. Two experiments were conducted: the first one tested four concentrations of MS (MURASHIGE and SKOOG, 1962) (25%, 50%, 75%, 100%), three orchid species (Catasetum macrocarpum, Oeceoclades maculata, and Polystachya estrellensis), and two temperatures (18 and 25ºC); the second one tested three combinations of carbon sources and osmotic regulators (20 g L-1 sucrose; 10 g L-1 sucrose + 5 g L-1 de mannitol; 10 g L-1 sucrose + 5 g L-1 sorbitol) and the same three species and two temperatures. For the in vitro conservation of C. macrocarpum, O. maculata, and P. estrellensis over 450 days, the use of 25% of MS salts or 20 g.L-1 sucrose at 25ºC is recommended. C. macrocarpum seedlings were acclimatized using sand + shredded pine bark + worm castings at a ratio of 2:2:1 (w:w:w). The use of sand alone is recommended for the acclimatization of O. maculata

As orquídeas são conhecidas pela beleza, exuberância e cores de suas flores e por isso representam uma das plantas ornamentais mais cobiçadas. Devido ao alto valor comercial, muitas são as práticas ilegais de retirada e comercialização de orquídeas, o que leva as espécies à beira de extinção. O objetivo deste estudo foi desenvolver protocolos para a conservação in vitro sob crescimento lento e aclimatação de espécies da subfamília Epidendroideae (Orchidaceae) do Estado de Sergipe, Brasil. Dois experimentos foram realizados: o primeiro ensaio testou quatro concentrações dos sais MS (MURASHIGE e SKOOG, 1962) (25, 50, 75 e 100%), três espécies (Catasetum macrocarpum, Oeceocladesmaculata e Polystachya estrellensis) e duas temperaturas (18 e 25ºC); o segundo ensaio testou três combinações de fontes de carbono e reguladores osmóticos (20 g L-1 de sacarose; 10 g L-1 de sacarose + 5 g L-1 manitol; 10 g L-1 de sacarose + 5 g L-1 sorbitol), três espécies (C. macrocarpum, O. maculata e P. estrellensis) e duas temperaturas (18 e 25ºC). Para executar a aclimatação, oito substratos foram testados para as espécies C. macrocarpum e O. maculata. Para realizar a conservação in vitro de C. macrocarpum, O. maculata e P.estrellensis ao longo de 450 dias, recomenda-se a utilização 25% dos sais de MS ede 20 g L-1 de sacarose a 25°C. Mudas de C. macrocarpum foram aclimatizadas utilizando areia + casca de pinus + húmus de minhoca (2:2:1). Recomenda-se a utilização de areia para aclimatização de O. maculata.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Catasetum is a neotropical orchid genus that comprises about 160 dioecious species with a remarkable sexual dimorphism in floral morphology. Flowers of Catasetum produce perfumes as rewards, which are collected only by male euglossine bees. Currently, floral scents are known to be involved in the selective attraction of specific euglossine species. However, sexual dimorphism in floral scent and its eventual role in the pollination of Catasetum species have never been investigated. Here, we have investigated the pollination of Catasetum uncatum and asked: (1) Is floral scent a sexual dimorphic trait? (2) Does pollinarium removal/deposition affect scent emission? (3) Does sexual dimorphism in floral scent and changed scent emission have implications with regard to the behaviour of the pollinators? The frequency and behaviour of floral visitors were observed in non-manipulated flowers (both flower sexes) and in manipulated flowers (pistillate only) in which pollinaria were deposited. Scents of staminate and pistillate flowers (both manipulated and non-manipulated) were collected by using dynamic headspace methods and analysed chemically. Electrophysiological analyses were performed to detect compounds triggering antennal depolarisation in the euglossine species. C. uncatum is pollinated mainly by males of Euglossa nanomelanotricha. Pollinators were more frequent in pistillate than in staminate inflorescences. Bees approaching staminate flowers frequently flew away without visiting them, a behavioural pattern not observed in pistillate flowers. In the chemical analyses, we recorded 99 compounds, 31 of which triggered antennal depolarisation in pollinators. Multivariate analyses with the electrophysiological-active compounds did not detect differences between the scent composition of staminate and pistillate flowers. Pollinarium removal or deposition resulted in diminished scent emission within 24h in staminate and pistillate flowers, respectively. Surprisingly, bees discriminated pollinated from non-pollinated pistillate flowers as early as 2h after pollination. The rapid loss in the attractiveness of flowers following pollinarium removal/deposition can be interpreted as a strategy to direct pollinators to non-pollinated flowers. We have found no evidence that euglossine males discriminate staminate from pistillate flowers by means of floral scent. Instead, we speculate that bees use visual cues, such as sex dimorphic traits, to discriminate flowers of different sexes. Together, our results provide interesting insights into the evolution of floral signals in gender-dimorphic species and into its significance in plant reproductive biology.

Assuntos

RESUMO

In this work, RAPD molecular markers were used to access the genetic variability and to study the inter and intraespecifc relationship in a group of 37 species, including 56 individuals. A total of 15 RAPD primers were selected for DNA amplification. From a total of 221 bands analyzed, 209 (95 percent) were polymorphics. The level of interespecifc genetic similarity ranged from 37 percent between Catasetum complanatum and Catasetum laminatum to 83 percent between Catasetum triodon and Catasetum uncatum. The intraspecifc genetic similarity varied 88 percent for the individuals of Catasetum triodon to 93 percent between the individuals of Catasetum atratum and Catasetum macrocarpum. These results would contribute to understand the genetic relationship in Catasetum, to define the strategies to establish a germplasm core collection for the genus and to provide support for breeding programs.

Neste trabalho, marcadores moleculares de RAPD foram utilizados para acessar a variabilidade genética e estudar as relações interespecíficas e intraespecífica em um grupo de 37 espécies, compreendendo 56 plantas individuais. Um total de 15 primers foram selecionados para amplificação do DNA. De um total de 221 bandas analisadas, 209 (95 por cento) foram polimórficas. O nível de similaridade genética interespecífica variou de 37 por cento entre Catasetum complanatum e Catasetum laminatums a 83 por cento entre Catasetum triodon e Catasetum uncatum. A similaridade genética intraespecífica variou de 88 por cento entre os indivíduos de Catasetum triodon a 93 por cento entre os indivíduos de Catasetum atratum e Catasetum macrocarpum. Os resultados deste trabalho contribuem para o entendimento das relações interespecíficas no gênero Catasetum, para definir estratégias para o estabelecimento de um banco de germoplasma e para dar suporte a programas de melhoramento.

RESUMO

This paper presents a study of morphological variation, of the lip of the flowes of Catasetum barbatum (Lindl.) Lindl., basead on plants collected in Brazillian Amazonia and Central Brazil. Sixteen variations in 4 different habitats were recognized and related to the ecological characteristics of the environment. Geographical distribution and the illustrations of the lip are presented.

Este trabalho apresenta as variações morfológicas no labelo da flor de Catasetum barbatum (Lindl.) Lindl. em material oriundo de comunidades naturais na Amazônia legal e no Brasil Central. Foram reconhecidas 16 variações em 4 habitats diferentes, provavelmente relacionadas com mudanças nas características ecológicas do meio. São apresentadas ainda distribuição geográfica e ilustrações das variações do labelo.

RESUMO

This paper presents a study of morphological variation, of the lip of the flowes of Catasetum barbatum (Lindl.) Lindl., basead on plants collected in Brazillian Amazonia and Central Brazil. Sixteen variations in 4 different habitats were recognized and related to the ecological characteristics of the environment. Geographical distribution and the illustrations of the lip are presented.

Este trabalho apresenta as variações morfológicas no labelo da flor de Catasetum barbatum (Lindl.) Lindl. em material oriundo de comunidades naturais na Amazônia legal e no Brasil Central. Foram reconhecidas 16 variações em 4 habitats diferentes, provavelmente relacionadas com mudanças nas características ecológicas do meio. São apresentadas ainda distribuição geográfica e ilustrações das variações do labelo.