Abstract
Plant surface microstructure and its ultrastructural cuticular patterns, especially of the petal surface, is diverse in nature, and has associated diverse biological functions. These microstructures can be primary as well as secondary, i.e. hierarchical in development. Since the discovery of these structures over a century ago, many functional aspects about them, including biological, chemical, and physical, have been constantly redefined over the years. Funneliform flowers, an example of synorganization in corolla, are known to be a derived trait in angiosperms. As for pollinator interaction, gamopetalous corolla is a definite advantage because it provides a sturdy seat or a sturdy receptacle for the pollinator depending on the type of pollinator. Petal folds likewise play a role in increasing the total size of the interacting surface of the petal with the pollinator without losing compactness in the bargain. We illustrate that petal folds have multiple evolutionary occurrences in Acanthaceae as well as in Asterids and therefore provide a strong reason for their functional association with the corresponding types of floral forms. We present observations on petal folds and their surface microstructure in two Ruellia species studied, and note that the microstructure differs in different regions containing petal folds—denser on out-folds compared to the in-folds—throughout the throat of the funneliform corolla. We then discuss: (a) how these secondary microstructures differentiating in the two types of folds could be associated with varied functional aspects, and (b) what might be governing this differential development of cuticular secondary microstructure, through some hypotheses.
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Acknowledgements
EB is supported by a Maharishi Kanad Postdoctoral Fellowship, Institution of Eminence-Delhi University. AKC is supported by Academia Sinica and Taiwan Ministry of Science and Technology. All authors acknowledge the scientific environment provided by the Department of Botany, University of Delhi for free interaction and open observations. The authors thank the editor and the two reviewers for critical and constructive comments that helped improve the manuscript.
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EB conceived the idea with considerable inputs from AKC; EB and AKC came out with the hypotheses; while RG substantially contributed to the intellectual development of the same; EB led the writing of the manuscript with considerable inputs from AKC. RG gave final critical comments on the draft. All authors gave final approval for publication.
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Berry, E., Choudhary, A.K. & Geeta, R. Why do some funneliform flowers have petal folds accompanied with hierarchical surface microstructure?. Evol Ecol 37, 385–399 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10682-022-10217-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10682-022-10217-1