Evolution of Seed Dispersal Modes in the Orchidaceae: Has the <i>Vanilla</i> Mystery Been Solved?
Orchid seeds are predominantly wind-dispersed, often developed within dry, dehiscent fruits that typically release millions of dust-like seeds into the air. Animal-mediated seed dispersal is a lesser-known phenomenon in the family and predominantly occurs in groups belonging to early-diverging linea...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2023-11-01
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| Series: | Horticulturae |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/9/12/1270 |
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| author | Adam P. Karremans Charlotte Watteyn Daniela Scaccabarozzi Oscar A. Pérez-Escobar Diego Bogarín |
| author_facet | Adam P. Karremans Charlotte Watteyn Daniela Scaccabarozzi Oscar A. Pérez-Escobar Diego Bogarín |
| author_sort | Adam P. Karremans |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Orchid seeds are predominantly wind-dispersed, often developed within dry, dehiscent fruits that typically release millions of dust-like seeds into the air. Animal-mediated seed dispersal is a lesser-known phenomenon in the family and predominantly occurs in groups belonging to early-diverging lineages bearing indehiscent, fleshy fruits with hard, rounded, dark seeds. In this review, we explore the evolutionary trends of seed dispersal mechanisms in Orchidaceae, focusing on the pantropical genus <i>Vanilla</i>. Notably, certain Neotropical species of <i>Vanilla</i> produce vanillin-aromatic compounds synthesized naturally in their fruits, which plays a pivotal role in seed dispersal. Ectozoochory occurs in dry, dehiscent fruits, whose seeds are dispersed by (i) male euglossine bees collecting the fruit’s vanillin aromatic compounds and (ii) female stingless bees collecting the fruit’s mesocarp. Endozoochory occurs in (iii) highly nutritious, indehiscent fruits consumed by terrestrial mammals or (iv) fleshy, dehiscent fruits whose mesocarp is consumed by arboreal mammals. Wind dispersal appears to be a derived state in Orchidaceae and, given its predominance, a trait likely associated with enhanced speciation rates. Zoochory primarily occurs in groups derived from early-diverging lineages; occasional reversions suggest a link between dispersal mode and fruit and seed traits. Interestingly, fruit dehiscence and fleshiness in <i>Vanilla</i> lack phylogenetic signal despite their role in determining dispersal modes, suggesting potential environmental adaptability. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T20:43:20Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-f2e7d0bd01354321b6204527df42dc99 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2311-7524 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T20:43:20Z |
| publishDate | 2023-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Horticulturae |
| spelling | doaj.art-f2e7d0bd01354321b6204527df42dc992023-12-22T14:12:26ZengMDPI AGHorticulturae2311-75242023-11-01912127010.3390/horticulturae9121270Evolution of Seed Dispersal Modes in the Orchidaceae: Has the <i>Vanilla</i> Mystery Been Solved?Adam P. Karremans0Charlotte Watteyn1Daniela Scaccabarozzi2Oscar A. Pérez-Escobar3Diego Bogarín4Lankester Botanical Garden, University of Costa Rica, Cartago P.O. Box 302-7050, Costa RicaLankester Botanical Garden, University of Costa Rica, Cartago P.O. Box 302-7050, Costa RicaDepartment of Ecology and Genetics, Uppsala University, 75236 Uppsala, SwedenRoyal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond TW9 3AE, UKLankester Botanical Garden, University of Costa Rica, Cartago P.O. Box 302-7050, Costa RicaOrchid seeds are predominantly wind-dispersed, often developed within dry, dehiscent fruits that typically release millions of dust-like seeds into the air. Animal-mediated seed dispersal is a lesser-known phenomenon in the family and predominantly occurs in groups belonging to early-diverging lineages bearing indehiscent, fleshy fruits with hard, rounded, dark seeds. In this review, we explore the evolutionary trends of seed dispersal mechanisms in Orchidaceae, focusing on the pantropical genus <i>Vanilla</i>. Notably, certain Neotropical species of <i>Vanilla</i> produce vanillin-aromatic compounds synthesized naturally in their fruits, which plays a pivotal role in seed dispersal. Ectozoochory occurs in dry, dehiscent fruits, whose seeds are dispersed by (i) male euglossine bees collecting the fruit’s vanillin aromatic compounds and (ii) female stingless bees collecting the fruit’s mesocarp. Endozoochory occurs in (iii) highly nutritious, indehiscent fruits consumed by terrestrial mammals or (iv) fleshy, dehiscent fruits whose mesocarp is consumed by arboreal mammals. Wind dispersal appears to be a derived state in Orchidaceae and, given its predominance, a trait likely associated with enhanced speciation rates. Zoochory primarily occurs in groups derived from early-diverging lineages; occasional reversions suggest a link between dispersal mode and fruit and seed traits. Interestingly, fruit dehiscence and fleshiness in <i>Vanilla</i> lack phylogenetic signal despite their role in determining dispersal modes, suggesting potential environmental adaptability.https://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/9/12/1270anemochorybirdsinsectsmammalsorchidsseed dispersal |
| spellingShingle | Adam P. Karremans Charlotte Watteyn Daniela Scaccabarozzi Oscar A. Pérez-Escobar Diego Bogarín Evolution of Seed Dispersal Modes in the Orchidaceae: Has the <i>Vanilla</i> Mystery Been Solved? Horticulturae anemochory birds insects mammals orchids seed dispersal |
| title | Evolution of Seed Dispersal Modes in the Orchidaceae: Has the <i>Vanilla</i> Mystery Been Solved? |
| title_full | Evolution of Seed Dispersal Modes in the Orchidaceae: Has the <i>Vanilla</i> Mystery Been Solved? |
| title_fullStr | Evolution of Seed Dispersal Modes in the Orchidaceae: Has the <i>Vanilla</i> Mystery Been Solved? |
| title_full_unstemmed | Evolution of Seed Dispersal Modes in the Orchidaceae: Has the <i>Vanilla</i> Mystery Been Solved? |
| title_short | Evolution of Seed Dispersal Modes in the Orchidaceae: Has the <i>Vanilla</i> Mystery Been Solved? |
| title_sort | evolution of seed dispersal modes in the orchidaceae has the i vanilla i mystery been solved |
| topic | anemochory birds insects mammals orchids seed dispersal |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/9/12/1270 |
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