Reproductive Biology of Astragalus argaeus (Fabaceae), a critically endangered endemic species.

Astragalus argaeus is an endemic plant species that is under critical risk of extinction. Here we investigated its population census, breeding system and reproductive success to determine the main factors affecting restricted distribution of this species. According to the results from pollination experiments, A. argaeus was autogamous but benefit from the cross pollination (xenogamous) and the presence of pollinators increases fruit set. The pollen/ovule ratio of A. argaeus was calculated as 3119,which correspond to facultative xenogamy. Reproduction biology data obtained by both methods are quite compatible with each other. Pollen viability and stigma receptivity data showed that both stigma receptivity and pollen viability were high and was no temporal isolation throughout the anthesis. Seed viability of A. argaues was determined as 52%. The low reproductive success of the species could be attributed to low seed viability and germination rates, small population size and variations in season and climate.

[1]  A. Trias‐Blasi,et al.  Current distribution and conservation status reassessment of the Cyprus Tulip (Tulipa cypria: Liliaceae), new data from northern Cyprus , 2017 .

[2]  D. Oskay.  Reproductive biology of the critically endangered endemic plant Erodium somanum in Turkey , 2017 .

[3]  L. Behçet,et al.  Astragalus topalanense (Fabaceae), a new species from Turkey , 2016 .

[4]  M. Rahiminejad,et al.  Notes on Astragalus sect. Hymenostegis (Fabaceae) from Turkey , 2015 .

[5]  J. Pitts,et al.  Pollination Biology of Astragalus phoenix (Fabaceae) with Notes on the Natural History of its Pollinator, Anthophora porterae (Hymenoptera: Apidae) , 2013 .

[6]  C. Vural,et al.  A single locality, endemic species, Astragalus argaeus (Fabaceae) , 2012, Kew Bulletin.

[7]  J. Cane,et al.  Breeding Biology of the Threadstalk Milkvetch, Astragalus filipes (Fabaceae), with a Review of the Genus , 2011 .

[8]  A. Güvensen,et al.  Breeding systems and reproductive success on Salvia smyrnaea , 2011, Turkish Journal of Botany.

[9]  S. Gucel,et al.  Pollination behaviour of Linum aretioides Boiss. (Linaceae) and its relations with air temperature and humidity , 2010, Turkish Journal of Botany.

[10]  S. Gucel,et al.  Conservation biology of Asperula daphneola (Rubiaceae) in Western Turkey , 2009 .

[11]  G. Cristofolini,et al.  Pollen presentation, pollen-ovule ratios, and other reproductive traits in Mediterranean Legumes (Fam. Fabaceae - Subfam. Faboideae) , 2007, Plant Systematics and Evolution.

[12]  M. Rojas-Aréchiga,et al.  Seed germination of Trichocereus terscheckii (Cactaceae): Light, temperature and gibberellic acid effects , 2007 .

[13]  T. Takada,et al.  Importance of life history studies for conservation of fragmented populations: A case study of the understory herb, Trillium camschatcense , 2006 .

[14]  L. Allphin,et al.  Reproductive success and genetic divergence among varieties of the rare and endangered Astragalus cremnophylax (Fabaceae) from Arizona, USA , 2005, Conservation Genetics.

[15]  G. Anderson,et al.  Are ‘mating systems’ ‘breeding systems’ of inconsistent and confusing terminology in plant reproductive biology? or is it the other way around? , 2005, Plant Systematics and Evolution.

[16]  S. Barrett.  Mating strategies in flowering plants: the outcrossing-selfing paradigm and beyond. , 2003, Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences.

[17]  A. Dafni,et al.  FIELD TESTS FOR POLLEN VIABILITY; A COMPARATIVE APPROACH , 2001 .

[18]  T. Kaye.  From flowering to dispersal: reproductive ecology of an endemic plant, Astragalus australis var. olympicus (Fabaceae). , 1999, American journal of botany.

[19]  M. M. Maués,et al.  A rapid and simple procedure to determine stigma receptivity , 1998, Sexual Plant Reproduction.

[20]  J. D. Karron.  BREEDING SYSTEMS AND LEVELS OF INBREEDING DEPRESSION IN GEOGRAPHICALLY RESTRICTED AND WIDESPREAD SPECIES OF ASTRAGALUS (FABACEAE) , 1989 .

[21]  D. Govindaraju.  A note on the relationship between outcrossing rate and gene flow in plants , 1988, Heredity.

[22]  Y. Linhart,et al.  GENETIC STRUCTURE OF POPULATIONS OF GEOGRAPHICALLY RESTRICTED AND WIDESPREAD SPECIES OF ASTRAGALUS (FABACEAE) , 1988 .

[23]  D. Podlech.  Taxonomic and phytogeographical problems in Astragalus of the Old World and South-West Asia , 1986 .

[24]  Montgomery Slatkin,et al.  Gene Flow in Natural Populations , 1985 .

[25]  R. Lande,et al.  THE EVOLUTION OF SELF‐FERTILIZATION AND INBREEDING DEPRESSION IN PLANTS. II. EMPIRICAL OBSERVATIONS , 1985, Evolution; international journal of organic evolution.

[26]  D. Rabinowitz,et al.  Biological Aspects of Endemism in Higher Plants , 1985 .

[27]  R. Cruden.  POLLEN‐OVULE RATIOS: A CONSERVATIVE INDICATOR OF BREEDING SYSTEMS IN FLOWERING PLANTS , 1977, Evolution; international journal of organic evolution.

[28]  T. W. Green,et al.  THE POLLINATION ECOLOGY OF ASTRAGALUS CIBARIUS AND ASTRAGALUS UTAHENSIS (LEGUMINOSAE) , 1975 .

[29]  D. Levin,et al.  Gene Flow in Seed Plants , 1974 .

[30]  G. Stebbins.  Self Fertilization and Population Variability in the Higher Plants , 1957, The American Naturalist.