Abstract Detail

Reproductive Processes

Wilson, Adam [1], Dang, Christie [2], Baker, Emma [2], Lamsal, Neha [2], DuMond, Sabrina [2], Taylor, Mackenzie [3].

Reproductive ecology and post-pollination processes of water-pollinated Stuckenia pectinata.

Water-pollination, or hydrophily, has allowed angiosperms to colonize aquatic habitats where they provide habitat, wave attenuation, nutrient cycling, carbon sequestration, and primary production. Hydrophily occurs when pollen is transferred across or beneath the water surface. Mature pollen grains are released from anthers and are transported until the pollen contacts a receptive stigma. This rare method of pollen transfer is exhibited by less than 30 genera in a handful of flowering plant families, predominantly within the monocot subclass Alismatidae. Hydrophily has known correlations with pollen traits, but the consequences of a transition to hydrophily for post-pollination reproductive development are not well understood. A better understanding of water pollination and the pollen and carpel traits that facilitate the success of hydrophilous plants will contribute to efforts to manage aquatic ecosystem health. Understanding post-pollination events in a comparative context will highlight key reproductive traits that allow hydrophily to be a viable pollen transfer mechanism. In this study, we characterized reproductive traits in water-pollinated Stuckenia pectinata (Potamogetonaceae). Naturally-pollinated flowers were collected to determine the timing of stigma receptivity and pollen reception, as well as carpel morphology, pollen-to-ovule ratio, and seed set. Hand-pollinations were carried out to determine the timing of pollen germination and pollen tube growth rate. The success of pollen germination and seed set following self-pollinations was also documented. Our results will be compared to other hydrophilous plants, as well as closely related wind-pollinated plants, to understand key adaptations for water pollination and the reproductive consequences of a shift from wind to water pollination.

1 - Creighton University, Biology Department, 2500 California Plaza, Omaha, Nebraska, 68178, USA
2 - Creighton University, 2500 California Plaza, Omaha, Nebraska, 68178, USA
3 - Creighton University, Biology Department, 2500 California Plaza, Omaha, NE, 68178, United States

Keywords:
Potamogetonaceae
Hydrophily
pollination
Progamic phase
pollen
self-pollination.

Presentation Type: Poster
Session: P3, Reproductive Processes Posters
Location: Virtual/Virtual
Date: Wednesday, July 21st, 2021
Time: 5:00 PM(EDT)
Number: P3RP008
Abstract ID:827
Candidate for Awards:None