Abstract The Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (QTP) is the highest and largest plateau in world. It covers correspondingly wide geological, topographical, climatic gradients, thus hosts greater biodiversity than surrounding lowlands other high elevation regions. Due to its extreme environmental biological diversity, QTP an ideal region for studying adaptations of plant species under harsh conditions at multiple evolutionary levels. Many recent ecological studies have revealed functions distinctive...

Exposure to soy isoflavones has been associated with low mortality of prostate cancer. In this study, we examined the effects (±)equol and two representative isoflavones, daidzein genistein, on migration invasion in human cancer DU145 cells. First all, three regents did not show significant growth inhibitive effect cells until treatments last for 72 h. Treatment 5 μM, 10 50 μM (±)equol, 0.5 1 genistein 24 h decreased cell significantly. activated phosphatase tensin homologue deleted...

Floral colour is a primary signal in plant-pollinator interactions. The association between red flowers and bird pollination well known, explained by the 'bee avoidance' 'bird attraction' hypotheses. Nevertheless, relative importance of these two hypotheses has rarely been investigated on large scale, even terms perception per se.

Abstract Aims Bee-pollinated flowers are rarely red, presumably because bees (which lack red receptors) have difficulty detecting targets. Although the response of to colour has been investigated in lab experiments, most stimuli pure while subtle diversity as perceived by humans (human-red) received very limited attention. Here we test hypothesis that ultraviolet (UV) reflected from human-red enhances their attractiveness bees, through increased chromatic contrast. Methods Using Onosma...

Pollination and seed dispersal in angiosperms have long been investigated order to understand the coevolution of plants animals. However, signals from flowers and/or seeds attract pollinators dispersers received comparatively little attention. In this study, pollination biology vulnerable agarwood plant Aquilaria sinensis (Lour.) Gilg, a traditional medicinal China, was studied its natural distribution range. The reproductive tactics A. were detail by employing various tests dealing with...

Abstract Pollination ecology of many crops is not fully known, especially in tropical and subtropical regions. Non‐bee pollinators may contribute substantially to crop yield, even if they do receive much attention. Although moth pollination has fascinated ecologists evolutionary biologists since Darwin, by moths been well investigated experimentally examined. Hence, we explored the four cucurbit with crepuscular or nocturnal flowers. Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standl., Luffa acutangula...

Premise Evolutionary transitions among floral morphologies, many of which provide evidence for adaptation to novel pollinators, are common. Some trumpet‐shaped flowers the largest in angiosperms, occurring different lineages. Our goal was investigate role pollinators evolution these using Lilium . Methods We investigated traits and L primulinum var. ochraceum brownii viridulum reviewed reports visitors huge flowers. Using a published phylogeny , we reconstructed ancestral morphological...

Abstract The geographical distribution of pollinators is an important factor determining the biogeographical pattern floral evolution and diversification. In Africa, a guild plant species has converged in syndrome for pollination by long‐tongued hawkmoths (predominantly Agrius convolvuli ). It hypothesized that such convergence could track hawkmoths, so it may not be confined to Africa. We investigated biology Lilium sargentiae E. H. Wilson, which endemic China exhibits traits suggestive...

Abstract Pollination niche shifts can drive remarkable floral divergence between closely related plant species. The Leucolirion clade of Lilium contains species with either tepal-recurved or trumpet-shaped flowers. flowers are bright orange and might be pollinated by butterflies and/or birds. mostly pale strongly fragrant permit visitation a variety hawkmoths. leucanthum has flowers, some populations this show dark coloration on the outer surface, suggesting pollination mammals. We...

Abstract A great diversity of flower morphology in orchids has long been thought to be selected by diverse pollinators. Habenaria Willd. (Orchidaceae) species are generally characterized nectar spurs and pollinated long‐tongued insects (Lepidoptera), the mechanical fit between spur pollinator proboscis length being supposedly caused “arms race” reciprocal selection. Here, we report that flowers aitchisonii Rchb. f. with (approximately 9 mm) were three settling noctuid moths whose proboscises...

Abstract Variation in floral allocation within inflorescences has been attributed to resource competition and/or architectural effect. The two hypotheses were extensively studied and both partly supported by previous studies. However, the relative importance of effect may vary with stages ontogeny a species. To detect effects ontogenetic on variation, we manipulated 6‐flowered Adenophora jasionifolia (Campanulaceae) early, late, non‐thinning flowers. Our results indicated that pollen ovule...

The floral traits of bisexual flowers may evolve in response to selection on both male and female functions, but the relative importance associated with each these two aspects is poorly resolved. Sexually dimorphic plants unisexual reflect gender-specific selection, providing opportunities for gaining an increased understanding evolution specific traits. We examined sexually patterns perfect gynodioecious species Cyananthus delavayi. A special corolla appendage, throat hair, was investigated...

A biological trait may promote adaptation to particular pollinators, and this be a major factor governing the variation of pollination systems among angiosperm taxa. For instance, one long-standing hypothesis is that compared with superior ovaries, inferior ovaries flowers protected from damage by visiting bird bills and, therefore, associated more frequently pollination. To test hypothesis, we explored ecology two Cerasus spp. (Rosaceae) investigated potential bills, because such must...

Species boundaries are dynamic and constantly challenged by gene flow. Understanding the strategies different lineages adopt to maintain ecological genetic distinctiveness requires employing an integrative species concept that incorporates data from a variety of sources. In this study, we incorporated genetic, ecological, environmental evidence assess extent speciation or evolutionary divergence within monophyletic yet dimorphic group (i.e., clade Leucolirion consisting six species) genus...

Human experimentation is important to the development of life science. There are so many problems brought about by human experimentation, which should be paid more attention law in order protect right subject. International as well domestic laws enacted beat illegitimate experiment, while criminal countermeasures taken redeem failure common legal measures, especially for China.