BACKGROUND AND AIMS Although conservation biology has long focused on population dynamics and genetics, phenotypic plasticity is likely to play a significant role in population viability. Here, an investigation is made into the relative contribution of genetic diversity and phenotypic plasticity to the phenotypic variation in natural populations of Ranunculus nodiflorus, a rare annual plant inh...

Two new ent-kaurane diterpene glycosides, ranunculosides A (1) and B (2), and a new benzophenone, ranunculone C (3), were isolated from the aerial part of Ranunculus muricatus Linn. The chemical structures of compounds 1-3 were established to be (2S)-ent-kauran-2β-ol-15-en-14-O-β-d-glucopyranoside, (2S,4S)-ent-kauran-2β,18-diol-15-en-14-O-β-d-glucopyranoside, and (R)-3-[2-(3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl)...

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Asexual organisms are more widespread in previously glaciated areas than their sexual relatives ('geographical parthenogenesis'). In plants, this pattern is probably dependent on reproductive isolation and stability of cytotypes within their respective distribution areas. Both partial apomixis and introgressive hybridization potentially destabilize the spatial separation of ...

Fuller's rose weevil, Naupactus cervinus (Boheman) (Curculionidae: Entiminae), is an important quarantine pest of New Zealand kiwifruit exported to Asian markets. Both adults and larvae are considered to be polyphagous. In this study, the survival of larval N. cervinus was estimated on common groundcover species of kiwifruit (Actinidia spp.) in the Bay of Plenty, the main region in New Zealand ...

Ranunculus sceleratus L. which was earlier reported from northern India, is recorded Tamil Nadu State for the first time. The present study documents an extended distribution record species, and also forms additional to flora of State. Detailed descriptions with photographs species are provided.

Streszczenie W pracy przedstawiono nowe stanowiska 12 rzadkich (lub regionalnie rzadkich) roślin naczyniowych w Polsce, tj. Cochlearia danica , Colchicum autumnale Cuscuta campestris Lythrum hyssopifolia Ostericum palustre Pedicularis sylvatica Plantago coronopus Ranunculus arvensis Rosa gallica Sesleria uliginosa Succisella inflexa oraz Veronica prostrata .

Hybridisation and polyploidy are major forces contributing to plant speciation. Homoploid (2x) and heteroploid (3x) hybrids, however, represent critical stages for evolution due to disturbed meiosis and reduced fertility. Apomixis--asexual reproduction via seeds--can overcome hybrid sterility, but requires several concerted alterations of developmental pathways to result in functional seed form...