The invasive bumblebee Bombus terrestris (Linnaeus, 1758) disrupts the adaptive function of heteranthery by indiscriminately visiting the pollinating and feeding anthers of Senna arnottiana flowers.

Heteranthery, the presence of different types of anthers on the same flower, is a floral adaptation that aims to balance the need for pollinators to collect pollen as a food resource while ensuring sufficient pollen for pollination. We investigate the role of heteranthery in the pollination of Senna arnottiana flowers and how it is affected by the behaviour of visiting bee species, with a particular focus on the impact of the invasive bumblebee Bombus terrestris. In three populations of S. arnottiana we measured the size of three sets of anthers and style, stigma-anther separation, pollen quantity and fruit set, and contrasted it with the body size, behaviour, and pollination effectiveness of all floral visitors. Different bee species visited S. arnottiana flowers, and their foraging behaviour varied. Large-bodied native bees, including Centris cineraria, Caupolicana sp. and Cadeguala occidentalis, preferentially visited short anthers, whereas B. terrestris, an exotic bumblebee, foraged from both short and long anthers without distinction. In addition, B. terrestris contacted the stigma at a lower rate than large-bodied native bees. Instead of concentrating its pollen-gathering efforts on the feeding anthers, as predicted by the "division of labor" hypothesis, B. terrestris indiscriminately visited both types of anthers similarly. This behaviour of B. terrestris may disrupt the adaptive significance of heteranthery by mixing the roles of pollination and feeding anthers of S. arnottiana. Therefore, our results highlight the potential disruption of this relationship by exotic pollinators and the need to consider it in conservation efforts.

Why large seeds with physical dormancy become nondormant earlier than small ones.

Under natural conditions, large seeds with physical dormancy (PY) may become water permeable earlier than small ones. However, the mechanism for this difference has not been elucidated. Thus, our aim was to evaluate the traits associated with PY in seeds of Senna multijuga (Fabaceae) and to propose a mechanism for earlier dormancy-break in large than in small seeds. Two seedlots were collected and each separated into large and small seeds. Seed dry mass, water content, thickness of palisade layer in the hilar and distal regions and the ratio between palisade layer thickness (P) in the lens fissure and seed mass (M) were evaluated. Further, the correlation between seed mass and seed dimensions was investigated. Large seeds had higher dry mass and water content than small seeds. The absolute thickness of the palisade layer in the different regions did not show any trend with seed size; however, large seeds had a lower P:M ratio than small seeds. Seed mass correlated positively with all seed dimensions, providing evidence for a substantially higher volume in large seeds. Since wet, but not dry, high temperatures break PY in sensitive seeds of S. multijuga, the data support our prediction that internal pressure potential in the seed and palisade layer thickness in the water gap (lens), which is related to seed mass (i.e. P:M ratio), act together to modulate the second step (dormancy break) of the two-stage sensitivity cycling model for PY break. In which case, large seeds are predetermined to become water-permeable earlier than small ones.

Ecofisiologia da germinação de fedegoso Senna obtusifolia (L.) H. S. Irwin & Barneby / Germination ecophysiology of fedegoso Senna obtusifolia (L.) H. S. Irwin & Barneby

Objetivou-se com esse trabalho avaliar a germinação das sementes de Senna obtusifolia (L.) H. S. Irwin & Barneby em diferentes condições ambientais. Para isso, foram realizados quatro experimentos: 1 - avaliação de diferentes métodos de superação de dormência (escarificação manual com lixa; imersão em ácido sulfúrico por 1, 5 e 10 minutos; imersão em água quente (95°C) por 1, 5 e 10 minutos; e tratamento controle); 2 - avaliação da germinação em diferentes temperaturas (20, 25, 30 e 35 ºC); 3 - influência de soluções aquosas com diferentes níveis pH (3,0; 5,0; 7,0; 9,0; e 11,0) na germinação; 4 influência dos sais NaCl, KCl e CaCl2 nas concentrações 0, 25, 50, 75 e 100 mM no processo germinativo. Onde todos os tratamentos foram testados no fotoperíodo de 12 horas. Os parâmetros avaliados foram à porcentagem de germinação e IVG. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado, com quatro repetições de 50 sementes para cada tratamento. Os dados dos tratamentos de superação de dormência foram submetidos ao teste de médias através do software Sisvar, pelo teste Tukey a nível de 5% de probabilidade. Os dados de temperatura, pH e estresse salino foram submetidos à análise de regressão utilizando o software Sigmaplot 10.0 e o modelo de regressão escolhido foi baseado na significância dos coeficientes da equação de regressão e determinação a 5% de probabilidade. Os resultados mostraram que o melhor método para superação da dormência de sementes foi à imersão ácido sulfúrico por 10 minutos. A temperatura ótima para porcentagem de germinação e IVG foi de 25°C. A germinação ocorreu em todas as faixas de pH analisadas, porém decrescendo com o aumento do pH. O tratamento realizado com estresse salino afetou negativamente a germinação das sementes, tendo os piores resultados na solução salina de CaCl2 na concentração de 50 mM.(AU)

The objective of this work was to evaluate the germination of Senna obtusifolia (L.) H. S. Irwin & Barneby seeds in different environmental conditions. Four experiments were carried out: 1 evaluation of different methods to overcome seed dormancy (manual scarification with sandpaper; immersion in sulfuric acid for 1, 5 and 10 minutes; immersion in hot water (95 °C) for 1, 5 and 10 minutes and control treatment); 2 evaluation of germination at different temperatures (20, 25, 30 and 35°C); 3 Influence of aqueous solutions with different pH levels (3.0, 5.0, 7.0, 9.0 and 11.0) on germination; and 4 influence of salts NaCl, KCl and CaCl2 at concentrations of 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 mM in the germination process. Where all treatments were tested in the 12-hour photoperiod. The evaluated parameters were the percentage of germination and IVG. The experimental design was completely randomized, with four replicates of 50 seeds for each treatment. The data of the dormancy surpass treatments were submitted to the means test using the Sisvar software, using the Tukey test at a 5% probability level. The results showed that the best method to overcome seed dormancy was to immersion sulfuric acid for 10 minutes. The optimum temperature for percentage of germination and IVG was 25 ° C. Germination occurred in all pH ranges analyzed, but decreasing with increasing pH. The treatment with saline stress negatively affected seed germination, with the worst results in 50 mM CaCl2 salt solution.(AU)

Ecofisiologia da germinação de fedegoso Senna obtusifolia (L.) H. S. Irwin & Barneby / Germination ecophysiology of fedegoso Senna obtusifolia (L.) H. S. Irwin & Barneby

Objetivou-se com esse trabalho avaliar a germinação das sementes de Senna obtusifolia (L.) H. S. Irwin & Barneby em diferentes condições ambientais. Para isso, foram realizados quatro experimentos: 1 - avaliação de diferentes métodos de superação de dormência (escarificação manual com lixa; imersão em ácido sulfúrico por 1, 5 e 10 minutos; imersão em água quente (95°C) por 1, 5 e 10 minutos; e tratamento controle); 2 - avaliação da germinação em diferentes temperaturas (20, 25, 30 e 35 ºC); 3 - influência de soluções aquosas com diferentes níveis pH (3,0; 5,0; 7,0; 9,0; e 11,0) na germinação; 4 – influência dos sais NaCl, KCl e CaCl2 nas concentrações 0, 25, 50, 75 e 100 mM no processo germinativo. Onde todos os tratamentos foram testados no fotoperíodo de 12 horas. Os parâmetros avaliados foram à porcentagem de germinação e IVG. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado, com quatro repetições de 50 sementes para cada tratamento. Os dados dos tratamentos de superação de dormência foram submetidos ao teste de médias através do software Sisvar, pelo teste Tukey a nível de 5% de probabilidade. Os dados de temperatura, pH e estresse salino foram submetidos à análise de regressão utilizando o software Sigmaplot 10.0 e o modelo de regressão escolhido foi baseado na significância dos coeficientes da equação de regressão e determinação a 5% de probabilidade. Os resultados mostraram que o melhor método para superação da dormência de sementes foi à imersão ácido sulfúrico por 10 minutos. A temperatura ótima para porcentagem de germinação e IVG foi de 25°C. A germinação ocorreu em todas as faixas de pH analisadas, porém decrescendo com o aumento do pH. O tratamento realizado com estresse salino afetou negativamente a germinação das sementes, tendo os piores resultados na solução salina de CaCl2 na concentração de 50 mM.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the germination of Senna obtusifolia (L.) H. S. Irwin & Barneby seeds in different environmental conditions. Four experiments were carried out: 1 – evaluation of different methods to overcome seed dormancy (manual scarification with sandpaper; immersion in sulfuric acid for 1, 5 and 10 minutes; immersion in hot water (95 °C) for 1, 5 and 10 minutes and control treatment); 2 – evaluation of germination at different temperatures (20, 25, 30 and 35°C); 3 – Influence of aqueous solutions with different pH levels (3.0, 5.0, 7.0, 9.0 and 11.0) on germination; and 4 – influence of salts NaCl, KCl and CaCl2 at concentrations of 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 mM in the germination process. Where all treatments were tested in the 12-hour photoperiod. The evaluated parameters were the percentage of germination and IVG. The experimental design was completely randomized, with four replicates of 50 seeds for each treatment. The data of the dormancy surpass treatments were submitted to the means test using the Sisvar software, using the Tukey test at a 5% probability level. The results showed that the best method to overcome seed dormancy was to immersion sulfuric acid for 10 minutes. The optimum temperature for percentage of germination and IVG was 25 ° C. Germination occurred in all pH ranges analyzed, but decreasing with increasing pH. The treatment with saline stress negatively affected seed germination, with the worst results in 50 mM CaCl2 salt solution.

The genus Senna Mill. (Leguminosae: Caesalpinioideae) in a fragment of the Ecological Station Raso da Catarina, Bahia, Brazil / O gênero Senna Mill. (Leguminosae: Caesalpinioideae) em um fragmento da Estação Ecológica Raso da Catarina, Bahia, Brasil

Senna comprises about 300 species with circuntropical distribution, widely represented in the Americas, also occurring in Africa, Australia, Asia and Oceania. The Brazil includes 80 species, of which 27 are endemic, 50 reported from Bahia and 22 recorded from the Caatinga. The floristic survey of Senna in the Ecological Station Raso da Catarina included analysis of specimens collected March 2010 to October 2011. The analyses were supplemented with dried collections from the following herbaria: ALCB, EAC, HRB, HUEFS and MBM. Seven taxa were recorded. The most representative taxa in the area were Senna rizzinii H.S.Irwin & Barneby and S. acuruensis (Benth.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby var. acuruensis. The genus can be found in a variety of environments from preserved to degraded areas and in sandy, sandy-clayey or rocky soils. The taxonomic treatment includes anidentification key, descriptions, illustrations, photos, data of the geographical distribution, reproductive phenology and comments about the taxa.(AU)

Senna inclui cerca de 300 espécies com distribuição circuntropical, amplamente representada nas Américas, ocorrendo ainda na África, Austrália, Ásia e Oceania. O Brasil inclui 80 espécies, dentre estas 27 são endêmicas, 50 são registradas para Bahia e 22 para Caatinga. O levantamento florístico de Senna na Estação Ecológica Raso da Catarina incluiu a análise de espécimes coletados de março de 2010 a outubro de 2011. As análises foram complementadas com coleções dos seguintes herbários: ALCB, EAC, HRB, HUEFS e MBM. Sete táxons foram registrados. Os táxons mais representativos na área foram Senna rizzinii H.S.Irwin & Barneby e S. acuruensis (Benth.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby var. acuruensis. O gênero pode ser encontrado em uma variedade de ambientes de preservados até áreas degradadas e em solos arenosos, argilo-arenosos ou rochosos. O tratamento taxonômico inclui uma chave de identificação, descrições, ilustrações, fotografias, dados de distribuição geográfica, fenologia reprodutiva e comentários sobre os táxons.(AU)

Heteranthery as a solution to the demand for pollen as food and for pollination - Legitimate flower visitors reject flowers without feeding anthers.

Heteranthery, the presence of feeding and pollinating anthers in the same flower, seems to mediate the evolutionary dilemma for plants to protect their gametes and yet provide food for pollinators. This study aims to elucidate the role of heteranthery in the buzz-pollinated Senna reniformis. The fecundity of pollen from long-, medium- and short-sized anthers was determined by hand cross-pollination experiments, and the quantity, size, ornamentation and viability of pollen of different anthers were compared. Rates of flower rejection by bees were measured in anther removal experiments to assess the preferences of flower visitors for feeding or pollinating anthers. Large bees, which were the effective pollinators of self-incompatible S. reniformis, avoided flowers without short feeding anthers, but not those without medium or long anthers. Illegitimate small and medium-sized bees were unresponsive to anther exclusion experiments. Long anthers deposited pollen on the back and short anthers on the venter of large bees. Pollen from long anthers had higher in vitro viability and higher fruit and seed set after cross-pollination than pollen from other sized anthers. Short anthers produce feeding pollen to effective pollinators and long anthers are related to pollination of S. reniformis. Bee behaviour and size was found to directly influence the role of anthers in the 'division of labour'. Only large bee pollinators that carry the pollinating pollen from long anthers in 'safe sites' associated short anthers with the presence of food. In the absence of these larger bee pollinators, the role of heteranthery in S. reniformis would be strongly compromised and its function would be lost.

Ricochet pollination in Senna (Fabaceae) - petals deflect pollen jets and promote division of labour among flower structures.

Naturalists Fritz and Hermann Müller hypothesised that heteranthery often leads to a division of labour into 'feeding' and 'pollinating' stamens; the latter often being as long as the pistil so as to promote successful pollination on the bees' back. In many buzz-pollinated species of Senna, however, the so-called pollinating stamens are short and not level with the stigma, raising the question of how pollen is shed on the bees' back. Here we explore a mechanism called 'ricochet pollination'. We test whether division of labour is achieved through the interaction between short lower stamens and strongly concave 'deflector petals'. We studied the arrangement and morphology of the floral organs involved in the ricochet pollination, functioning of the flowers through artificial sonication and observed the interactions between bees and flowers in the field. The middle stamens are adapted to eject pollen downwards, which can be readily collected on the bee mid legs. Most of the pollen is ejected towards the deflector petal(s). Pollen from this set of stamens is more likely to contribute to pollination. The pollen grains seem to ricochet multiple times against the deflector petals to eventually reach the bee's back. The pollen ricochet mechanism promotes a division of labour by involving additional floral organs, such as petals, reinforcing the Müllers' division-of-labour hypothesis. However, alternative, non-multiexclusive hypotheses could be explored in genus Senna and other angiosperm species.

Dynamic extrafloral nectar production: the timing of leaf damage affects the defensive response in Senna mexicana var. chapmanii (Fabaceae).

UNLABELLED: • PREMISE OF THE STUDY: Extrafloral nectar (EFN) mediates food for protection mutualisms between plants and defensive insects. Understanding sources of variation in EFN production is important because such variations may affect the number and identity of visitors and the effectiveness of plant defense. We investigated the influence of plant developmental stage, time of day, leaf age, and leaf damage on EFN production in Senna mexicana var. chapmanii. The observed patterns of variation in EFN production were compared with those predicted by optimal defense theory.• METHODS: Greenhouse experiments with potted plants were conducted to determine how plant age, time of day, and leaf damage affected EFN production. A subsequent field study was conducted to determine how leaf damage, and the resulting increase in EFN production, affected ant visitation in S. chapmanii.• KEY RESULTS: More nectar was produced at night and by older plants. Leaf damage resulted in increased EFN production, and the magnitude of the response was greater in plants damaged in the morning than those damaged at night. Damage to young leaves elicited a stronger defensive response than damage to older leaves, in line with optimal defense theory. Damage to the leaves of S. chapmanii also resulted in significantly higher ant visitation in the field.• CONCLUSIONS: Extrafloral nectar is an inducible defense in S. chapmanii. Developmental variations in its production support the growth differentiation balance hypothesis, while within-plant variations and damage responses support optimal defense theory.

Avaliação in vitro de propriedades biológicas de Senna occidentalis (L) Link / Evaluation of in vitro biological properties of Senna occidentalis (L) Link

Espécies de Senna são amplamente utilizadas por tribos americanas, africanas e indianas, principalmente para tratar a fraqueza, a constipação, as desordens do fígado e também em preparações tópicas para infecções de pele. A Senna occidentalis (L.) Link é um arbusto perene nativo da América do Sul encontrado em regiões tropicais. Este trabalho avaliou a atividade antimicrobiana de extratos aquosos e hidroalcoólicos de diferentes partes da planta. A atividade antimicrobiana foi estabelecida frente aos microrganismos padrões farmacêuticos por espectrofotometria e técnica de microdiluição. A Escherichia coli apresentou sensibilidade apenas a componentes extraídos das sementes, os quais podem ser de natureza proteica. O espectro mais amplo de atividade antimicrobiana foi obtido com o extrato hidroalcoólico das sementes, principalmente contra Pseudomonas aeruginosa. A toxicidade in vitro utilizando fibroblastos de camundongo indicou que este extrato pode ser um ingrediente biocompatível para formulações de uso tópico. Já o extrato hidroalcoólico de partes aéreas demonstrou ser potencialmente citotóxico.(AU)

Senna species have been widely used by American, African and Indian ethic groups mainly in the treatment of feebleness, constipation, liver disorders and skin infections. Senna occidentalis (L.) Link is a perennial shrub native to South America and indigenous to tropical regions throughout the world. Current study evaluated the antimicrobial activity of aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts from S. occidentalis prepared from different parts of the plant. Antimicrobial activity was assessed against standard pharmaceutical microorganisms by spectrophotometry and microdilution technique. Escherichia coli was sensitive only to compounds extracted from seeds which may be proteinaceous. A broader antimicrobial spectrum was demonstrated by the hydroalcoholic extract of seeds, mostly against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The in vitro toxicity using mouse fibroblasts indicated that the extract might be a biocompatible ingredient for topical formulations, while the hydroalcoholic extract of aerial parts demonstrated to be potentially cytotoxic.(AU)

Reproduction, pollination and seed predation of Senna multijuga (Fabaceae) in two protected areas in the Brazilian Atlantic forest

One important subject is to determine the effectiveness of conservation areas, where different management categories are being applied, to maintain effective sexual reproduction in plants and their interactions with animal groups. To evaluate this issue, we compared the phenology, reproductive success, pollination and pre-dispersal seed predation of the legume tree Senna multijuga in two differently managed protected areas in Southeastern Brazil: the Itatiaia National Park and the Environmental Protection Area of Serrinha do Alambari, from December 2007 to December 2008. Vegetative and reproductive phenodinamycs were registered monthly in 80 individuals; other evaluations included 104 observation hours for pollination (March-May 2008) in 51 inflorescences; besides, fruit counts, fecundity and seed predation. Sexual reproduction of S. multijuga depends on the transfer of pollen by large bees (Bombus, Centris, Epicharis and Xylocopa), as the species is self-incompatible. Bruchidae species of the genus Acanthoscelides and Sennius predate seeds. Vegetative and reproductive phenodynamics differed among sites. Our results indicated that ecological interactions were lower at the protected area, but the reproductive processes in S. multijuga were not ruptured or critically degraded. This reinforces the idea that landscape areas with intermediate levels of protection, such as environmental protection areas, are suitable as buffer zones, and thus, relevant to the conservation of ecological processes when associated with more strictly protected areas. Rev. Biol. Trop. 59 (4): 1939-1948. Epub 2011 December 01.

Es importante determinar la eficacia de las áreas de conservación cuando se están implementando diferentes categorías de manejo, y una forma de hacerlo es conociendo si se mantiene una reproducción sexual efectiva en las especies de plantas y sus interacciones con grupos de animales. Para evaluar esta cuestión, se comparó la fenología, el éxito reproductivo, la polinización y la pre-dispersión de semillas depredadas de la leguminosa Senna multijuga en dos áreas protegidas sometidas a diferente tipos de manejo en el sureste de Brasil: el Parque Nacional de Itatiaia y el Área de Protección Ambiental de Serrinha de Alambari, de diciembre 2007 a diciembre 2008. La fenodinámica vegetativa y reproductiva fue registrada mensualmente en 80 individuos; otras evaluaciones incluyeron 104 horas de observación de la polinización (marzo-mayo 2008) en 51 inflorescencias, además del conteo de frutos, fecundidad y depredación de semillas. S. multijuga tiene una reproducción sexual que depende de la polinización de abejas grandes (Bombus, Centris, Epicharis y Xylocopa) y se considera una especie auto-incompatible. Las semillas son depredadas por especies de Bruchidae de los géneros Acanthoscelides y Sennius. La fenodinámica vegetativa y reproductiva difirió entre sitios. Nuestros resultados indican que las interacciones ecológicas fueron menores en el área protegida, pero los procesos reproductivos de S. multijuga no se vieron interrumpidos ni degradados de manera crítica. Esto refuerza la idea de que las zonas de paisaje con niveles intermedios de protección, tales como las áreas de protección ambiental, son adecuadas como zonas de amortiguamiento, y por lo tanto, relevantes para la conservación de los procesos ecológicos cuando se asocian con áreas en las que se da una protección más estricta.

Reproduction, pollination and seed predation of Senna multijuga (Fabaceae) in two protected areas in the Brazilian Atlantic forest.

One important subject is to determine the effectiveness of conservation areas, where different management categories are being applied, to maintain effective sexual reproduction in plants and their interactions with animal groups. To evaluate this issue, we compared the phenology, reproductive success, pollination and pre-dispersal seed predation of the legume tree Senna multijuga in two differently managed protected areas in Southeastern Brazil: the Itatiaia National Park and the Environmental Protection Area of Serrinha do Alambari, from December 2007 to December 2008. Vegetative and reproductive phenodinamycs were registered monthly in 80 individuals; other evaluations included 104 observation hours for pollination (March-May 2008) in 51 inflorescences; besides, fruit counts, fecundity and seed predation. Sexual reproduction of S. multijuga depends on the transfer of pollen by large bees (Bombus, Centris, Epicharis and Xylocopa), as the species is self-incompatible. Bruchidae species of the genus Acanthoscelides and Sennius predate seeds. Vegetative and reproductive phenodynamics differed among sites. Our results indicated that ecological interactions were lower at the protected area, but the reproductive processes in S. multijuga were not ruptured or critically degraded. This reinforces the idea that landscape areas with intermediate levels of protection, such as environmental protection areas, are suitable as buffer zones, and thus, relevant to the conservation of ecological processes when associated with more strictly protected areas.

Superação de dormência na qualidade de sementes e mudas: influência na produção de Senna multijuga (L. C. Rich) Irwin & Barneby / Overcoming of dormancy in the quality of seeds and seedlings: influence in the production of Senna multijuga (L.C. Rich) Irwin & Barneby

O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar a qualidade fisiológica e sanitária de sementes de Senna multijuga(L. C. Rich.) Irwin & Barneby relacionada aos métodos de superação de dormência e à interferência na produção de mudas. As sementes foram submetidas aos seguintes métodos: imersão em água fervente, as sementes foram imersas em água, com temperatura de 100°C, até esfriar, por 24 horas; escarificação ácida, onde as sementes foram imersas em ácido sulfúrico (H2SO4) a 90%, por 10 e 20 minutos, e testemunha (sem tratamento). Foram realizados os testes de sanidade, germinação, tetrazólio e avaliação da qualidade das mudas. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado. Para a avaliação da germinação foi utilizado um esquema fatorial (4 X 2), com quatro métodos de superação de dormência X dois fotoperíodos, para os substratos rolo-de-papel e vermiculita. A escarificação ácida constituiu-se no método mais eficiente para a superação da dormência das sementes de Senna multijuga. Penicillium sp. e Aspergillus sp. tiveram sua incidência aumentada quando o tegumento foi danificado pela escarificação ácida por 20 minutos. O controle de Fusarium spp. aumentou gradativamente com o aumento do tempo de exposição ao ácido sulfúrico.

The objective of this work was to determine the physiological and sanitary quality of Senna multijugaseeds related to the methods of dormancy overcoming and the influence on the seedlings quality. The seeds had been submitted to the following methods :immersion in water fervent, the seeds had been immersed in water, at 100°C, until cooling for 24 hours; acid escarification, where the seeds had been immersed in sulfuric acid (H2SO4) 90%, for 10 and 20 minutes, and control (without treatment). The tests of sanity, germination and tetrazolium had been carried through, and were evaluated the quality of the seedlings. For the germination of the evaluation an factorial project was used (4 X 2), with four methods of dormancy X two light periods, for substrate paper and vermiculite. The acid scarification consisted in the method most efficient for the dormancy of Senna multijugaseeds. Penicillium sp. and Aspergillus sp. they had for its increased incidence when the seed coast was damaged by the acid scarification for 20 minutes. The control of Fusarium spp. increases gradual with the increase of the time of sulfuric acid exposition.

Floral biology and reproductive system of enantiostylous Senna corymbosa (Caesalpiniaceae)

The genus Senna (K.Bahuin) Miller (Cassieae) is represented in Argentina by 35 species and several varieties distributed in temperate, tropical and subtropical regions, and presents a high degree of endemism. Some taxa are used for medicine, animal foraging and ornamental purposes. Floral morphology, phases, rewards, attractants, visitors, pollen, reproductive system, P/O ratio, OCI and ISI indexes of enantiostylous Senna corymbosa were analyzed for morphological androecial differentiation and possible related functional differences between stamens groups. The study was carried out over three consecutive flowering seasons in March of 1999, 2000 and 2001, in two populations near the city of Buenos Aires, Argentina. The species has a buzz-pollination syndrome. The pollinators are Bombus atratus that vibrate the stamens, leading to nothotribic or sternotribic deposition of pollen. P/O ratio and pollen production were high thanks to the precise pollinating mechanism that needs a large delivery of pollen to ensure effective pollen deposition. P/O ratio also indicates that the species is xenogamous, although geitonogamy and autogamy (only induced, not spontaneous)were also recorded. The species is self-compatible. There were differences in hand-pollination treatments between long and medium stamens in fruit set, as well as in vitro differential fertility between their pollen grains. Hence, there are morphological and functional androecium differences: the medium stamens play a nutritional role while the long ones play a reproductive one. These differences are reflected in the breeding system. Moreover, differential fertility and enantiostyly may diminish the effects of self-compatibility by partially reducing the contribution of geitonogamy to selfing

Se analizaron la morfología y fases florales, recompensa, atractivos, visitantes, polen, sistema reproductivo, índices OCI e ISI y relación polen/óvulo de la especie enantiostílica Senna corymbosa. El objetivo fue estudiar su biología floral y determinar la posible presencia de diferenciación morfológica en el androceo. Era importante saber si las diferencias morfológicas reflejaban diferencias funcionales entre los grupos de estambres. El estudio se llevó a cabo durante tres estaciones de floración consecutivas en marzo de 1999,2000 y 2001,sobre dos poblaciones presentes en zonas protegidas de la ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina. La especie presenta un síndrome de polinización vibrátil (buzz-pollination).Los polinizadores son individuos de Bombus atratus, capaces de vibrar los estambres y extraer polen, el que se deposita nototríbica y/o esternotríbicamente. La relación P/O fue extremadamente elevada, así como la producción de polen. Esto se relaciona con el comportamiento de los visitantes y con la alta precisión del mecanismo de polinización, que requiere una gran cantidad de polen para asegurar su efectiva deposición en el cuerpo del insecto. La relación P/O indica que la especie es xenógama, aunque se registraron también geitonogamia y autogamia inducidas. La especie, por lo tanto, es autocompatible. Se encontraron diferencias en los tratamientos de polinización manual entre estambres largos y medianos en cuanto al establecimiento de frutos, así como una fertilidad diferencial in vitro entre sus tipos polínicos. Existen, así, diferencias morfológicas y funcionales en el androceo: los estambres medianos tienen un papel nutricional mientras que los largos cumplen un papel reproductivo. Estas diferencias se reflejan en el sistema de cruzamiento. Más aún, la fertilidad diferencial y la enantiostilia disminuyen los efectos de la autocompatibilidad reduciendo parcialmente la contribución de la geitonogamia a la endogamia

Floral biology and reproductive system of enantiostylous Senna corymbosa (Caesalpiniaceae).

The genus Senna (K. Bahuin) Miller (Cassieae) is represented in Argentina by 35 species and several varieties distributed in temperate, tropical and subtropical regions, and presents a high degree of endemism. Some taxa are used for medicine, animal foraging and ornamental purposes. Floral morphology, phases, rewards, attractants, visitors, pollen, reproductive system, P/O ratio. OCI and ISI indexes of enantiostylous Senna corymbosa were analyzed for morphological androecial differentiation and possible related functional differences between stamens groups. The study was carried out over three consecutive flowering seasons in March of 1999, 2000 and 2001, in two populations near the city of Buenos Aires, Argentina. The species has a buzz-pollination syndrome. The pollinators are Bombus atratus that vibrate the stamens, leading to nothotribic or stemotribic deposition of pollen. P/O ratio and pollen production were high thanks to the precise pollinating mechanism that needs a large delivery of pollen to ensure effective pollen deposition. P/O ratio also indicates that the species is xenogamous, although geitonogamy and autogamy (only induced, not spontaneous) were also recorded. The species is self-compatible. There were differences in hand-pollination treatments between long and medium stamens in fruit set, as well as in vitro differential fertility between their pollen grains. Hence, there are morphological and functional androecium differences: the medium stamens play a nutritional role while the long ones play a reproductive one. These differences are reflected in the breeding system. Moreover, differential fertility and enantiostyly may diminish the effects of self-compatibility by partially reducing the contribution of geitonogamy to selfing.