Variations with altitude in reproductive traits and resource allocation of three Tibetan species of Ranunculaceae
Zhao Zhigang A , Du Guozhen A C , Zhou Xianhui A , Wang Mantang A and Ren Qingji BA The State Key Laboratory of Arid Agroecology, Lanzhou University, Gansu, Lanzhou 730000, China.
B Grassland Workstation of Autonomous Prefecture of Tibetan of Gannan, Hezuo 747000, China.
C Corresponding author. Email: guozdu@lzu.edu.cn
Australian Journal of Botany 54(7) 691-700 https://doi.org/10.1071/BT05015
Submitted: 10 June 2005 Accepted: 1 May 2006 Published: 19 October 2006
Abstract
We investigated the adaptive response of alpine plants to elevational gradients by examining reproductive traits and resource allocation of three species of Ranunculaceae with contrasting mating systems in alpine and subalpine populations on the eastern QinhaiTibetan Plateu. The results showed that (i) at alpine sites, the self-incompatible Trollius ranunculoides Hemsley tended to become limited by pollination rather than by nutrient availability, although the self-compatible Anemone rivularis var. flore-minore Maxim. Fl. Tang. and A. obtusiloba D.Don. seemed not to be limited by pollen availability; (ii) influences on the reproduction of these three species induced by high altitude were seen in different reproductive characters, and the influences were, to some extent, dependent on the plant. Female investment in the self-compatible A. rivularis and A. obtusiloba was influenced by altitude and plant size; with a much lower carpel number per flower and larger mean seed size in A. rivularis, and a much higher carpel number per flower and smaller mean seed size in A. obtusiloba, at a higher altitude. Floral investment in the self-incompatible T. ranunculoides was also influenced by altitude and plant size, with a smaller single-flower size and larger seed at the higher altitude. Results also showed that (iii) reproductive allocation to flowering and fruiting did not always decrease with altitude as predicted. This may be due to higher nutrient availability in soil at alpine sites. (iv) Although self-pollination may be an assurance mechanism alleviating pollination limitation, changes in allocation pattern, (i.e. the male-biased floral sexual allocation in A. rivularis and the higher allocation to attractive structure in A. obtusiloba) seem to promote pollinator visits at the high altitude.
Acknowledgments
We thank Niu Kechang for help in the field and laboratory, and thank Dr Qing Guanglian for valuable statistical advises. This project was funded by a State key project for natural science foundation (90202009).
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