Abstract Explosive pollination includes a rapid release of floral sexual elements that are enclosed in modified petals, and a subsequent contact with pollinators’ body. It requires specific groups of visitors in order to assure plant reproduction, thus reproductive success is threatened in species with explosive pollination mechanisms, especially when pollinator activity is uncertain. Autogamy can alleviate such a problem by improving plant reproductive output. Here we investigated the mating strategies of Marsypianthes chamaedrys, a species with an explosive pollen release mechanism and whose medicinal properties are broadly investigated, but no data is available regarding its reproduction. We studied its floral morphology, anthesis, floral visitors and breeding system. Flowers have a bilabiate organization with the reproductive structures housed within a lower, keel-like petal lobe. The species is protandrous and flowers have short life span. Only bees were able to activate the explosive mechanism, while butterflies acted as nectar thieves. Marsypianthes chamaedrys is self-compatible and able to autonomously self-pollinate, likely due to the elongation of the pistil within the keel of unvisited flowers. Marsypianthes chamaedrys likely has a mixed mating system, in which bee pollination and autogamy interplay to improve its reproductive output.

ABSTRACT The dependence of commercial crops on pollinators is closely related to their reproductive strategies and has direct impacts on production yields. Fruit production of Averrhoa carambola, the star fruit, is highly dependent on bee pollination. This distylous species may exhibit monomorphism associated with self-compatibility, a condition that may influence its degree of dependence on pollinators for fruit set. We evaluated the floral morphology and mating system of A. carambola and their relationships with pollinator dependence in an apparently pin-monomorphic orchard to address the following questions: Is the orchard indeed pin-monomorphic? Is the orchard self-compatible? Are pollination services sufficient to reach maximum productivity? Is fruit set related to the number of visits? We investigated floral morphometrics, mating system, and pollination following standard methods of plant reproduction research. The orchard exhibited pin-monomorphism and self-compatibility. Herkogamy strongly impaired spontaneous self-pollination, emphasizing the relevance of pollinators to crop yield. Considering that Apis mellifera was the only pollinator observed, and that the orchard showed pollen limitation, we recommend the implementation of pollinator management strategies. Additional studies will be needed to assess if the atypical distyly observed here occurs in other situations.

SUMMARY Most papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTC) harbor excellent prognosis. Although rare, distant metastases normally occur in lungs and/or bones. Here we describe a rare case of pancreatic metastasis presenting with rapid onset cholestatic syndrome. A literature review was also performed. A 73-year-old man with a high risk PTC was submitted to total thyroidectomy (TT) followed by radioiodine therapy. After initial therapy, he persisted with progressive rising serum thyroglobulin levels but with no evidence of structural disease. Recently, the patient presented with a rapid onset and progressive cholestatic syndrome. A 4 cm lesion in pancreas was identified, with echoendoscopy fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) confirming a pancreatic metastasis from PTC. The patient was submitted to a successful pancreaticoduodenectomy. Pancreatic metastases of PTC are rare and few long-term follow-up data are available to guide management. Fourteen cases were former reported, mean age was 65.7 years-old with mean time between PTC and pancreatic metastasis diagnosis of 7.9 years. Nine of them had another distant metastasis, nine were diagnosed by FNAB and just two received sorafenib.

Abstract Changes in eating habits generated a demand for processed foods. The use of bovine liver in processed foods provides nutritional enrichment; the use of oatmeal promotes moisture and fat substitution. This study evaluated hamburger-type products derived from bovine liver. Three formulations were prepared using bovine liver and containing 0%, 5%, and 10% oatmeal. The products were evaluated for moisture, protein, carbohydrates, lipids, and ash contents and presence of thermotolerant coliforms, coagulase positive staphylococci, Salmonella sp., Bacillus cereus, and Clostridium sulfite reducers. Yield percentage, sensory acceptance, and purchase intent were evaluated through child and adult sensory panels. The products with oatmeal presented lower lipid content and higher carbohydrate content than products without oatmeal. The microbiological analysis showed products with counts < 10 CFU/g for thermo-tolerant coliforms and coagulase positive staphylococci, and absence of Salmonella sp., Bacillus cereus, and Clostridium sulfite reducers. The child sensory panel classified the products using hedonic terms; this group demonstrated interest in consuming the products. The adult sensory panel classified the 5% oatmeal product with the best acceptability indexes. This group demonstrated satisfactory purchase intent. It is concluded that the use of bovine liver as a raw material for the production of hamburger-type products is feasible.

Resumo Cipura paludosa está inserida na família Iridaceae a qual se destaca pela grande diversidade de sistemas de polinização, ofertando recursos como néctar, pólen e óleo. Esse estudo foi conduzido em um fragmento de Mata Atlântica em área urbana, em Recife, Pernambuco. O trabalho teve como objetivo investigar a biologia floral e reprodutiva da herbácea C. paludosa. Foi avaliado o período de abertura floral, receptividade estigmática, deiscência das anteras, número de grãos de pólen e óvulos por flor, morfometria floral, experimentos de autopolinização espontânea e de polinização natural, além da observação de visitantes florais. Cipura paludosa é melitófila, autocompatível, oferece pólen e óleo (produzido em elaióforos tricomados) como recursos e recebe visitas de Plebeia sp. e Augochlora thalia. Por formar poucos frutos espontaneamente, C. paludosa se beneficia dos serviços de polinização para o seu sucesso reprodutivo. A ocorrência de abelhas não especialistas na coleta de óleo pode levar a má qualidade nos serviços de polinização, reduzindo a aptidão da espécie.

Abstract Cipura paludosa is taxonomically placed in the Iridaceae family which is notable for the diversity of pollination systems, offering resources such as nectar, pollen and oil. The study was conducted within a fragment of Atlantic Forest in Recife, Pernambuco, to investigate the floral and reproductive biology of C. paludosa. The floral opening period, stigmatic receptivity, anther dehiscense, number of pollen grains, ovules per flower and floral morphology were evaluated; experiments regarding to the reproductive system and flower visitor observations were performed. Cipura paludosa is a herbaceous plant with melittophilous and self-compatible flowers, visited by Plebeia sp. and Augochlora thalia. The flower resources produced by C. paludosa were pollen and oil (produced in trichomal elaiophores). To ensure reproductive success Cipura paludosa benefits from pollination services since it produces only a few fruits spontaneously. The presence of bees not specialized in oil collecting may result in poor quality pollination services consequently reducing the species reproductive output.

ABSTRACT Flowers of species of Senna are very morphologically diverse, however, nothing has been reported regarding variation in the presence of a unicarpellate gynoecium, which is characteristic of the group. This study reports the occurrence of a bicarpellate gynoecium in two enantiostylous species of Senna in an area of dry forest (Caatinga) in NE Brazil. Observations of floral morphology and estimates of the proportions of floral morphs in the populations were performed. The species produce three floral types: left (L), right (R) and bicarpellate (B). The proportion of these floral morphs were similar in the populations of Senna macranthera var. micans, but the number of B flowers in populations of S. trachypus was lower than that recorded for L and R flowers. The occurrence of this morphological variation may be related to enhancing pollen capture in both species; in S. trachypus, this variation may also be related to reducing florivory by caterpillars that were observed eating sexual elements of the flowers.

Na literatura tem sido amplamente registrado que aranhas Thomisidae predam visitantes florais de várias espécies de planta. Neste estudo nós apresentamos observações de Croton selowii Baill. (Euphorbiaceae), uma espécie monóica, abrigando aranhas Thomisidae em uma área de restinga de Pernambuco, Brasil. A espécie é visitada por invertebrados de várias ordens e vários deles são predados pelas aranhas, principalmente espécies de Diptera. As aranhas apresentaram um comportamento de esfregar as pernas dianteiras dentro das flores, o que pode ser interpretado como uma estratégia de camuflagem das pernas. Croton selowii parece representar um bom sítio de forrageamento para essas aranhas, pois possui um sistema de polinização generalista, sendo visitado por ampla gama de invertebrados e floresce em um período de baixa disponibilidade de flores na área.

In the literature it has been extensively mentioned that crab spiders (Araneae: Thomisidae) prey on floral visitors of several plant species. Here we present observations of Croton selowii Baill. (Euphorbiaceae), a monoecious species harboring individuals of crab spiders in an area of coastal vegetation of Pernambuco state, Brazil. The species is visited by several invertebrate orders, and some of them were preyed upon by the spiders, mainly Diptera species. The spiders rubbed the forelimbs within the flowers, which may constitute a strategy to camouflage these structures. Croton selowii seems to represent a suitable foraging site for the spiders, because it has a generalist pollination system (thus being visited by a wide range of invertebrate species) and blooms in a period of low flower resource availability in the area.

A família Rubiaceae apresenta uma grande variedade de mecanismos florais e dois deles parecem ser comuns em determinados grupos, tais como a distilia em Rubioidae e apresentação de pólen no estilete em Ixoroidae. Estes mecanismos incluem a hercogamia, uma estratégia que parece minimizar as chances de autopolinização. Este é o primeiro estudo acerca da biologia reprodutiva de Chiococca alba, uma espécie de ampla distribuição na América. Foram coletados dados da biologia floral e do sistema reprodutivo, avaliado através da observação de formação de frutos e crescimento de tubos polínicos após cruzamentos controlados. Flores de C. alba são hercogâmicas, protândricas, de cor clara e duram dois dias. Não foi observada a produção mensurável de néctar, apesar da presença de uma estrutura semelhante a um disco nectarífero na base do tubo da corola. C. alba é uma espécie preferencialmente auto-incompatível, no entanto, a autopolinização e a apomixia também contribuem para a produção de frutos em condições naturais. A estratégia reprodutiva observada (protandria e hercogamia) é diferente daquela esperada para a tribo Chiococceae (i.e., apresentação de pólen no estilete).

The family Rubiaceae comprises a wide spectrum of floral mechanisms and two of them seem to be common in certain groups, e.g., distyly in Rubioidae and styllar pollen in Ixoroidae. These mechanisms include herkogamy, which is interpreted as a strategy that avoids self-pollination. This is the first report on the reproductive biology of Chiococca alba, a species that is widely distributed in America. We studied floral biology and the mating system, which were evaluated through fruit set comparisons after controlled crosses (self- and cross-pollinations and test for apomixis), as well as through the evaluation of pollen tube growth resulting from these controlled crosses. Flowers of C. alba are herkogamous, cream, protandrous and lasted for two days. No measurable nectar was found, despite the presence of a nectary-like structure at the base of the corolla tube. Chiococca alba is a preferentially self-incompatible species, but self-pollination and apomixis also contribute to the natural fruit-set. Its reproductive strategy (herkogamy associated with protandry) is different from that expected for members of Chiococceae tribe (i.e., styllar pollen presentation).

(Biologia floral e sistema reprodutivo de Psychotria tenuinervis Muell. Arg. (Rubiaceae) na Floresta Atlântica, SE Brasil). O objetivo deste trabalho foi investigar a biologia de polinização, a morfometria floral, a proporção de morfos na população, e o sistema de cruzamentos de Psychotria tenuinervis em uma área de Mata Atlântica do SE, Brasil. A biologia da polinização foi estudada através de observações focais e o sistema de cruzamentos foi determinado usando cruzamentos controlados; dados de produção floral e morfometria floral foram comparados entre as duas formas florais. As duas formas florais apresentaram produção similar de flores, as quais são diurnas e hercogâmicas recíprocas. Ambas as formas florais são polinizadas por abelhas, com freqüência similar de visitas. O comprimento, o diâmetro da corola e o comprimento da antera foram similares entre as formas florais, porém os lobos estigmáticos foram maiores nas brevistilas. Psychotria tenuinervis é preferencialmente auto- e intramorfo incompatível, não apomítica e apresenta populações isopléticas. Na área de estudo, P. tenuinervis pode ser considerada uma espécie distílica típica, cujas flores hercogâmicas recíprocas parecem favorecer polinizações intermorfo e cruzamentos legítimos.

(Floral biology and breeding system oi Psychotria tenuinervis Muell. Arg. (Rubiaceae) in the Atlantic rain forest, SE Brazil). The aim of this study was to investigate pollination biology, floral morphometry, morph ratio and breeding system oiPsychotria tenuinervis in an area of Atlantic rain forest in southeastern Brazil. Pollination biology was studied based on focal observations and the breeding system was determined using controlled crosses; data on flower production and floral morphometry were compared between the two floral morphs. Flower production by the two floral morphs was similar, with flowers being reciprocally herkogamous, diurnal and pollinated at similar frequencies, mainly by medium-sized bees. Corolla length and diameter, as well as anther length, were similar between the floral morphs, whereas stigma lobes were larger in thrums. Psychotria tenuinervis is a preferentially self- and intramorph-incompatible, non-apomitic species, with isoplethic populations. At the study site, P. tenuinervis may be considered as a typical distylous species, with reciprocal herkogamous flowers that favour intermorph pollinations and legitimate matings.

O estudo da biologia floral e sistema de reprodução de Ferdinandusa speciosa Pohl (Rubiaceae) foi realizado durante os meses de março a setembro de 1996 em Uberlândia, MG, Brasil central. Esta espécie é uma arvoreta que ocorre em margens alagadas de matas de galeria. As populações estudadas floresceram de março a julho, apresentando pulsos de emissão de inflorescências que conferiram uma certa assincronia de floração tanto individual quanto populacional. As flores possuem corola vermelha, tubular, levemente curvada, medindo cerca de 4,7 cm de comprimento e duram dois dias. São protândricas, e a oferta de pólen precede em um dia a receptividade estigmática. Tanto o início da antese quanto a abertura dos lábios estigmáticos ocorrem no crepúsculo. O néctar está disponível nas fases masculina e feminina, apresentando maior concentração de açúcares na fase masculina. As flores são polinizadas por duas espécies de beija-flor, Chlorostilbon aureoventris e Phaethornis pretrei. Ferdinandusa speciosa é uma espécie autocompatível, não apomítica e com baixa produção de frutos em condições naturais. Não houve diferença significativa entre a produção de frutos formados por autopolinização e polinização cruzada, nem na taxa de crescimento de tubos polínicos provenientes destes dois tipos de cruzamento. As sementes formadas por polinização cruzada são maiores, com massa e taxa de germinação maiores do que as formadas por autopolinização, indicando que, embora a espécie seja autocompatível, a polinização cruzada é vantajosa.

A study of the floral biology and the breeding system of Ferdinandusa speciosa Pohl (Rubiaceae) was carried out from March to September 1996 in Uberlândia, MG, central Brazil. This species is a shrub or small tree that occurs in swampy edges of gallery forests. The two studied populations flowered somewhat asynchronously from March to July. The tubular flowers are red, approximately 4.7 cm long and last for two days. They are protandrous and the pollen is available one day before the stigma becomes receptive. The beginning of anthesis and the opening of the stigmatic lips occur at dusk. The nectar is secreted during both the male and the female phases, with concentration of sugars greater in the male phase. The flowers are pollinated by two hummingbird species, Chlorostilbon aureoventris and Phaethornis pretrei. Ferdinandusa speciosa is a self-compatible, non-apomictic species, with low fruit production under natural conditions in the populations studied. No differences were found between fruit set of self- and cross-pollinated flowers, nor in the pollen tube growth rate in the pistils of these flowers. The seeds formed by cross-pollination are larger, heavier and show a higher percentage of germination than those formed by self-pollination, which indicates inbreeding depression. This result suggests that, although the species is self-compatible, cross-pollination may be advantageous.