Publications by authors named "Chris J Thorogood"
Rapid movement is rare in the plant kingdom, but a prerequisite for ballistic seed dispersal. A particularly dramatic example of rapid motion in plants is the squirting cucumber () which launches its seeds explosively via a high-pressure jet. Despite intriguing scientists for centuries, the exact mechanism of seed dispersal and its effect on subsequent generations remain poorly understood.
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- The study investigates the host specificity of parasitic plants, highlighting how their relationships with host plants can influence their evolution and distribution.
- Analysis of host preference data shows that certain plant families, like Asteraceae, have a significantly higher infection rate by parasites compared to others, indicating a potential ecological pattern in host selection.
- The findings reveal variability in host specificity among closely related parasite species and suggest that evolutionary pathways may favor eudicots over monocots, pointing to the need for further understanding of host-parasite dynamics in plant taxonomy.
Species limits in the genus are poorly understood, despite the plants' long history of use in traditional herbal medicine and food across their range. Here we present a taxonomic account for the genus in Iraq, where several taxa have been reported, most of them doubtfully. Using herbarium specimens, images of living material, and taxonomic literature, we found evidence of only one species occurring with certainty in Iraq: .
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMechanics reveals the role of peristome geometry in prey capture in carnivorous pitcher plants ().
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A
September 2023
Carnivorous pitcher plants () are a striking example of a natural pitfall trap. The trap's slippery rim, or peristome, plays a critical role in insect capture via an aquaplaning mechanism that is well documented. While the peristome has received significant research attention, the conspicuous variation in peristome geometry across the genus remains unexplored.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEndoparasitic plants are the most reduced flowering plants, spending most of their lives as a network of filaments within the tissues of their hosts. Despite their extraordinary life form, we know little about their biology. Research into a few species has revealed unexpected insights, such as the total loss of plastome, the reduction of the vegetative phase to a proembryonic stage, and elevated information exchange between host and parasite.
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- A new species from Terengganu State, Malaysia, is described, distinguished by its unique mitre configuration and orange trichomes on its floral surface.
- This species adds to the understanding of biodiversity within its genus, highlighting previously underestimated diversity.
- The researchers recommend that this new species be classified as Critically Endangered (CR) under IUCN criteria to highlight its conservation needs.
Contents Summary 1035 I. Introduction 1035 II. Evolution of the pitcher 1036 III.
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