Charles Darwin – pollination scientist
Say the name Charles Darwin and pollination is not the first thing that springs to most people’s minds.
AJ Cann
Alan Cann is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Leicester and formerly Internet Consulting Editor for AoB.
Adapting to life on land
This study examines pectins to understand the changes in cell wall structure associated with the transition from algae to land-plants.
Night life on the beach
Different reproductive strategies are important for avoiding pollinator competition between sympatric populations of two Silene spp.
Fancy a cool slice of watermelon?
This study uncovers the north-eastern African origins of the dessert watermelon and concludes that it was is domesticated there over 4000 years ago.
Clock genes and the solar rhythm
The rhythms of clock genes in Arabidopsis facilitates peak expression of photosynthesis-related genes at noon independently of day length.
Iron homeostasis in tomato plants
SlbHLH068, a putative transcription factor, is involved in iron homeostasis in tomato via an interaction with FER.
On Alternation of Generations
Video on the alternation of generations in ferns.
Another day, another league table
The 2015 Google Scholar Metrics have been released.
Journal Impact Factors
Impact factors for AoB journals are up.
Cell biology of lignification in higher plants
A review of current understanding of lignin biosynthesis and polymerisation.
Genetic variation, habitat destruction and survival
Habitat destruction and fragmentation affects genetic variation by reducing the size and increasing the isolation of populations.
Light quality, volatile emissions and plant–plant interactions
Mimicking the proximity of neighbouring plants using a supplemental far-red light treatment on plants.
Pollinators and maintaining variation in flower colour
This study uses dual choice assays and experimental arrays of blue and white flowers to determine pollinators’ preference for flower colour in Aquilegia.
Sexually deceptive orchids
The Chiloglottis trapeziformis orchid attracts male wasp pollinators using chiloglottones, a newly discovered class of volatile substances.