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Plant reproduction in the high-Andean Puna: Kentrothamnus weddellianus (Rhamnaceae: Colletieae)

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Abstract

The global picture of plant reproduction at high altitudes is still diffuse due to conflicting reports (e.g., about which are the prevalent breeding systems) and incomplete geographical and taxonomic coverage of high-altitude ecosystems. This paper reports on the reproductive biology of Kentrothamnus wedellianus, a shrub inhabiting the Puna semidesert in Argentina and Bolivia at ca. 3,600 m a.s.l. A set of four traits, including a high pollen/low nectar floral reward strategy, homogamy, a dry stigma, and partial self-compatibility, appear to be central for K. weddellianus to accomplish sexual reproduction in the high-altitude Puna. The existence of an entirely different set of characteristics in the related species Ochetophila nana suggests that adaptation to reproduction at high altitudes can be achieved through different pathways. Hence, the final results may strongly diverge from the patterns found in lowland species of each lineage, or not. More case studies still seem to be necessary before specific patterns can be discerned within the panorama of high-altitude plant reproduction.

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Acknowledgments

L. Compagnucci, J.C. Mariluis, P. Mulieri, L. Patitucci, S. Olea, A. Roig-Alsina, F.C. Thompson and J.P. Torretta helped with insect identification. In the field, G.G. Roitman helped with insect collection and M.C. Alvarez with experimental work. Comments by Lone Aagesen, Mariano Devoto, Norberto Montaldo and a anonymous reviewer helped to improve a previous draft. Financial support was granted by Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (Argentina) to D. Medan [PIP 5704].

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cátedra de Botánica Agrícola, Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Avda. San Martín 4453, C1417DSQ, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Diego Medan & Gabriela Zarlavsky

  2. Cátedra de Métodos Cuantitativos Aplicados, Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Avda. San Martín 4453, C1417DSQ, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Norberto J. Bartoloni

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  1. Diego Medan
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  2. Gabriela Zarlavsky
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  3. Norberto J. Bartoloni
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Correspondence to Diego Medan.

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Medan, D., Zarlavsky, G. & Bartoloni, N.J. Plant reproduction in the high-Andean Puna: Kentrothamnus weddellianus (Rhamnaceae: Colletieae). Plant Syst Evol 299, 841–851 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00606-013-0766-1

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