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The Relationship of Visiting Insect Diversity and Density of Valeriana jatamansi with Increasing Altitude in Western Himalaya

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Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India Section B: Biological Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In light of the recent evidences that pollinators have a significant implication for maintenance of pollen-mediated gene flow, the present study has been undertaken to investigate flowering phenology and visiting insect diversity and density in 9 different populations of Valeriana jatamansi. The performance of the V. jatamansi breeding system was also investigated at an experimental site. Field experiments were performed on control and visiting insect excluded plants (a total of 90 plants). Across populations, a total of 76 visiting insects belonging to 20 species were recorded. Comparison of visiting insects excluded plants and natural plants revealed 63.49% seed setting produced by natural-pollination, whereas only 37.51% of seeds were produced by self-pollination. Significantly higher seed viability (t = 4.284; p < 0.02) was recorded in seeds from control plants as compared to visiting insect excluded plants. Similarly, higher seed germination (38%) and seed weight were recorded in control plants as compared to visiting insect excluded plants. The total insect number (r = − 0.707) and species diversity (− 0.897) exhibited significantly (p < 0.05) negative relationship with altitude. A significant negative correlation existed between plant density and altitude (r = − 0.772; p < 0.05). The study provides further evidence that pollinators (and their diversity) are critical for sustaining genetic diversity and consequent adaptive capability in V. jatamansi.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank Dr. P. P. Dhyani, Director, GBPNIHESD for use of the facilities and encouragement and they also thank Mr. Tarun Belwal for helping to perform the seed germination experiments and colleagues of the Biodiversity Conservation and Management Theme for their assistance during this study. Partial funding support from SERB, New Delhi (DST No: SB/YS/LS-162/262) and GEF/UNEP/FAO Global pollination project (GPP) is acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. G. B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment and Sustainable Development, Garhwal Unit, Srinagar, Uttarakhand, 246174, India

    Arun K. Jugran

  2. G. B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment and Sustainable Development, Kosi-Katarmal, Almora, Uttarakhand, 263 643, India

    Ravindra K. Joshi, Indra D. Bhatt & Ranbeer S. Rawal

  3. Graphic Era University, Dehradun, India

    Lok Man S. Palni

Authors
  1. Arun K. Jugran
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  2. Ravindra K. Joshi
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  3. Indra D. Bhatt
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  4. Ranbeer S. Rawal
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  5. Lok Man S. Palni
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Correspondence to Arun K. Jugran.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest to publish this manuscript in PNASIB.

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Significance Statement

Insect diversity and density on V. jatamansi populations decreased with increasing altitude which may play role in decreasing genetic diversity of this species. These finding have significance with conservation and breeding of V. jatamansi.

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Jugran, A.K., Joshi, R.K., Bhatt, I.D. et al. The Relationship of Visiting Insect Diversity and Density of Valeriana jatamansi with Increasing Altitude in Western Himalaya. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., India, Sect. B Biol. Sci. 89, 371–378 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40011-017-0954-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40011-017-0954-9

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