Search

Copyright of Revista Espanola de Antropologia Americana is the property of Universidad Complutense de Madrid and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Ceiba species have high ornamental value and are widely cultivated in tropical regions. However, genetic background of cultivated Ceiba plants remains unclear. To understand the genetic relatedness of cultivated Ceiba plants and genetic basis of key horticultural traits, here we explored the genetic relatedness of 153 accessions of Ceiba plants cultivated in Southern China and identified SNPs associated with five horticultural traits, based on 11 704 SNPs derived from double-digest restriction-site associated DNA sequencing (ddRAD-seq). Clustering analysis revealed that these accessions were composed of three groups: C. speciosa group, C. insignis group, and hybrid group. The GWAS identified two, four, two, three, and four SNPs related to petal color, petal striation number, flowering time, trunk shape, and prickles on the trunk and branches, respectively. One to two candidate genes were found near the SNPs strongly associated with these traits. This study revealed the genetic relatedness in the Ceiba plants cultivated in Southern China and presented the first GWAS analysis for five horticultural traits for them, laying a foundation for phenotype-related marker selection and molecular breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The species of the genus Ceiba produces fruits with fibers with a high content of cellulose. The fiber is used for textiles, cushion filling and for industrial purposes and its characteristics have been studied in some species including Ceiba pentandra (kapok), C. speciosa and C. aesculifolia. The use of the trunk and seeds of Ceiba has also been described for different species. This article presents a review on the biological diversity of the genus Ceiba (Malvaceae). The genus Ceiba has 18 recognized species that are distributed naturally in America and Africa. However, some Ceiba trees have been introduced to various countries, especially in Asia, due to their ornamental interest and potential uses for their fiber. Ecophysiological studies of different Ceiba species have shown that resistance to adverse environmental conditions varies from species to species. Therefore, Ceiba species are considered potentially useful in restoring ecosystems impacted by human activity. The information related to the classification, morphological characteristics, phenology, ecophysiology and distribution of the different species will be extremely relevant for the sustainable production of kapok fiber. Finally, the recent genomic and transcriptomic studies also provide a valuable resource for further genetic improvement and effective use of Ceiba trees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ceiba, is a large tree used for ornamental landscaping in tropical regions of the world. It is found in tropical areas, including Mexico, Central America, South America, the Caribbean, West Africa, and Southeast Asia. The present work communicates the detailed pollen morphology of four Ceiba species growing in India including one hybrid, C. speciosa (A.St.-Hil.) Ravenna, C. insignis (Kunth) P. E. Gibbs & Semir, C. x insignis (cross between C. insignis and C. speciosa) and C. pentandra (L.) Gaertn., using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM), Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope (CLSM) and Light Microscope (LM) to highlight the taxonomic characterization of these species and document finer morphological details to correlate them with other Ceiba spp., growing around the world. Pollen grain is 4-5-colporate, brevicolpate; sub-oblate to prolate-spheroidal to sub-prolate; sexine reticulate (muri provided with scattered spinuloid excrescences, lumina reticolumellate) and mostly thicker than nexine. The multivariate principal component analysis (PCA) was applied on Ceiba and Bombax ceiba to numerical data obtained from pollen morphometry which clearly revealed a significant variation between different genus and species. A pollen key, based on these micromorphological data (especially pollen aperture and size of muri), is also presented for the Ceiba and B. ceiba. The study provides an analogue for precise identification of Ceiba pollen grains recovered in Quaternary and pre-Quaternary sedimentary deposits in India and other tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Besides, pollen preservation, evolutionary trend and palaeoecology are the other important implications of this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Boletín de la Sociedad Argentina de Botánica is the property of Sociedad Argentina de Botanica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley is one of the areas with the highest biocultural diversity in Mexico. There, the pochote (Ceiba aesculifolia subsp. parvifolia) has been used for more than 7000 years, and its seeds are currently consumed and sold in traditional markets. However, the high demand-supply of this resource in regional markets could affect the permanence of the species populations. This study evaluated the state of populations harvested at different intensity levels, their risk, and potential for sustainable use. In the state of Puebla, pochote seeds are mainly commercialized, while in Oaxaca they are directly consumed by households. During 2 years, we censused five populations of the region from permanent 5000 m2 plots. We evaluated growth, survival, and fecundity of individual plants of each population and constructed demographic matrix models for calculating population growth rates (λ), viability, and elasticity. Population growth rates in Puebla were λ ˂ 1, while in Oaxaca λ > 1. Permanence of adult trees is the most important demographic aspect for maintaining populations’ growth rates. Viability analyses for 30 years showed that two populations studied are at risk of extinction. In localities where seeds are directly consumed, the populations tolerate harvest rates of nearly 90% of fruits, while in those used for commercialization the populations tolerate lower levels, because of variations in population structure and growth rates. By simulating different harvest rates, we suggest optimal sustainable harvesting. For conserving pochote, monitoring of used populations is crucial. Our current information provide criteria that may be helpful to local authorities and people for making appropriate decisions to obtain benefits from pochote without compromising its populations’ stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper investigates the physical and mechanical modifications of both poplar (I-214 clone) and ceiba veneers and plywood after heat treatments of different intensities (5 and 7 % of dry mass losses). Plywood panels were glued before and after heat treatment with urea-formaldehyde (UF) and melamine-urea-formaldehyde (MUF) resins. In order to assess the effects of treatments on both the wood and the glues, the dry mass, the density, the bending strength, the Young's modulus and the bonding quality were measured before and after heat treatment. Different treatments were compared as well. Results showed that the loss in cell wall polymers due to the heat treatment caused a significant reduction of the equilibrium moisture content of samples. From a mechanical point of view, the treatment resulted in an important reduction of strength and in a small reduction of stiffness. Bonding quality and mechanical properties were widely affected by the heat treatment. The different intensities of treatments applied (the treatment range was up to 5% and 7% of dry mass loss) did not show significant differences for most of the features assessed. The mechanical performance and the bonding quality of treated samples suggested that veneers should be glued after heat treatment. Apparent cohesive wood failure revealed that different degradations affect wood and glues with a prominent effect on glues for UF resins and a prominent effect on the wood for MUF resins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study categorized and identified plants depicted on Maya ceramics from the Classic Period (250 A.D-900 AD). We chose art objects with a predominance of iconographic images of Malvaceae subfamily Bombacoideae, which are easily identified morphologically and have culinary, medicinal, ceremonial, economic, and cosmological significance to the Maya. Among ten species of Bombacoideae native to the Southern Lowlands region of Central America (Belize, parts of Guatemala, and Mexico), the Maya utilized at least six, which also have Maya names. We observed four or five bombacoid species depicted on Maya ceramics; most images were identifiable to genus. Burial urns and incensarios (incense burners) commonly had images of trunk spines of Ceiba pentandra, the Maya World Tree." Flowers of Pseudobombax ellipticum, a plant used to make ceremonial beverages, were most similar to floral images portrayed on vessels, bowls, and plates, although the morphologically similar flowers of Pachira aquatica may also be depicted. Plants representing Quararibea funebris or Q. guatemalteca, which were used during preparation of cacao beverages, were discernable on drinking vessels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ceiba rubriflora Carv.-Sobr. & L. P. Queiroz, a new species of Malvaceae subfamily Bombacoideae from the State of Bahia, Brazil, is described and illustrated. It is considered to be endemic to calcareous outcrops in the valley of the Rio São Francisco, in the western region of the state. Notes on distribution, ecology and phenology are given. Relationships with related species are discussed and an addition to the key to species of Ceiba Mill. published by Gibbs & Semir (2003) are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Biotropica is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

• Background and aims Late-acting self-incompatibility (LSI), in which selfed flowers fail to form fruits despite apparently successful growth of the pollen tubes to the ovules, is a contentious and still poorly understood phenomenon. Some studies have indicated pollen tube–pistil interactions, and major gene control. Others favour an early acting inbreeding depression explanation.• Methods Experimental pollinations, including selfs (in a subsample of which the style was cut before pollen tubes reached the ovary), chase self/cross-pollinations, crosses, and mixed self/cross-pollinations were used to study floral/pistil longevity and effect on fruit set and seed yield in two Ceiba species known to have LSI.• Results Self-pollinations, including those with a cut style, had extended floral longevity compared with unpollinated flowers. Chase pollinations in which cross-pollen was applied up to 3 h after selfing set fruits, but with reduced seed set compared with crosses. Those with cross-pollen applied at 4 and 8 h after self-pollination all failed to set fruits. Flowers subjected to 1 : 1 and 2 : 1 self/cross-pollinations all produced fruits but again with a significantly lower seed set compared with crosses.• Conclusions Extended floral longevity initiated with self-pollen tubes growing in the style indicates some kind of pollen tube–pistil interaction. Fruit set only in chase pollinations up to 3 h implies that self-pollen tubes either grow more slowly in the style or penetrate ovules more slowly on arrival at the ovary compared with cross-tubes. This agrees with previous observations indicating that the incidence of penetrated ovules is initially lower in selfed compared with crossed pistils. However, the low seed yield from mixed pollinations indicates that self- and cross-pollen tubes arrive at the ovary and penetrate ovules more or less simultaneously. Possible explanations for these discordant results are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]