Agricultural and Biological Sciences · Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
A study of two co-occurring Florida shrub species found that infrared light passing through translucent petal areas warmed one species’ flowers. Warmer flowers had fewer culturable yeasts, molds and bacteria, while natural differences in ultraviolet transmission did not predict microbial abundance or resistance to ultraviolet exposure.
A study of two Andean butterfly species found darker wings at higher elevations and differences in how populations responded to heat. The results show that both inherited traits and rearing temperatures shape butterflies’ development, appearance and heat tolerance.
A common-garden experiment found that a mountain plant showed rapid adaptation during the 2012–2016 western U.S. drought. The benefits were clearest at the high-elevation, advancing edge of the plant’s range, while low-elevation populations showed signs of mismatch with current conditions.
The dry-season shrub Wigandia urens can produce seeds through autonomous self-pollination when pollinators are less active. Researchers found that animal pollinators still contributed substantially to seed production, giving the plant both reproductive backup and opportunities for cross-pollination.
Prescribed burns made the Brazilian Cerrado shrub Macairea radula flower earlier and for longer, but reduced its fruiting period and fruit abundance. The findings suggest that fire management should consider effects on reproduction beyond flowering.
