Guillermo Huerta-Ramos

Guillermo Huerta-Ramos

Evolutionary Biologist at ENES-Morelia, UNAM

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Wetland Conservation in the Gulf of Mexico: The Example of the Salt Marsh Morning Glory, Ipomoea sagittata.

Published in Wetlands, 2015

Global climate change will have major effects on wetlands, ecosystems with elevated biodiversity and of enormous economic importance. Using ecological niche modeling and genetic data from three plastid DNA markers sequenced from 96 plants, we studied the salt marsh morning glory, Ipomoea sagittata, to understand the impact that future global warming and increasing sea level may have on aquatic plant conservation, distribution and genetic connectivity on the Gulf of Mexico. Data suggest that genetic variation is low and lacks structure; probable causes include high gene flow, clonal reproduction or use of ineffective molecular markers. Global warming models for its potential distribution in the year 2080 predict a loss of suitable habitat in its northern inland distribution (Cuatro Ciénegas Basin), while its coastal and southern habitats increase. Genetic connectivity decreases along the coast owing to a rise in sea level (Yucatán, Laguna Madre Basin, Usumacinta Basin). Three zones are identified, each requiring a different conservation strategy: 1) A saltwater intrusion zone where most protected areas are; 2) A stability zone which may offer optimal conditions for the creation of protected areas; 3) A zone of range expansion that may cause ecological instability, reducing species richness and promoting colonization by opportunistic species.

Recommended citation: Huerta-Ramos, G., Moreno-Casasola, P., & Sosa, V. (2015). "Wetland Conservation in the Gulf of Mexico: The Example of the Salt Marsh Morning Glory, Ipomoea sagittata." Wetlands. 35(4), 709-721. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13157-015-0662-2

Variation in Floral Morphology and Plant Reproductive Success in Four Ipomoea Species (Convolvulaceae) With Contrasting Breeding Systems

Published in Plant Biology, 2016

This study tested the hypothesis that self‐compatibility would be associated with floral traits that facilitate autonomous self‐pollination to ensure reproduction under low pollinator visitation. In a comparison of two pairs of Ipomoea species with contrasting breeding systems, we predicted that self‐compatible (SC ) species would have smaller, less variable flowers, reduced herkogamy, lower pollinator visitation and higher reproductive success than their self‐incompatible (SI ) congeners. We studied sympatric species pairs, I. hederacea (SC )– I. mitchellae (SI ) and I. purpurea (SC )– I. indica (SI ), in Mexico, over two years. We quantified variation in floral traits and nectar production, documented pollinator visitation, and determined natural fruit and seed set. Hand‐pollination and bagging experiments were conducted to determine potential for autonomous self‐pollination and apomixis. Self‐compatible Ipomoea species had smaller flowers and lower nectar production than SI species; however, floral variation and integration did not vary according to breeding system. Bees were primary pollinators of all species, but visitation rates were seven times lower in SC than SI species. SC species had a high capacity for autonomous self‐pollination due to reduced herkogamy at the highest anther levels. Self‐compatible species had two to six times higher fruit set than SI species. Results generally support the hypothesis that self‐compatibility and autonomous self‐pollination ensure reproduction under low pollinator visitation. However, high variation in morphological traits of SC Ipomoea species suggests they maintain variation through outcrossing. Furthermore, reduced herkogamy was associated with high potential for autonomous self‐pollination, providing a reproductive advantage that possibly underlies transitions to self‐compatibility in Ipomoea.

Recommended citation: Delgado‐Dávila, R., Martén‐Rodríguez, S., & Huerta‐Ramos, G. (2016). "Variation in Floral Morphology and Plant Reproductive Success in Four Ipomoea Species (Convolvulaceae) With Contrasting Breeding Systems." Plant Biology. 18(6), 903-912. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/plb.12507

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