In fight against parasites, Barberry sacrifices seeds depending on survival chance

Isabelle Terranova

Source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/03/140304071204.htm
Author: No Author Given
Publishing Date: March 4, 2014

Summary: 

Scientists from the Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research (UFZ) and the University of Göttingen have concluded from their investigations on Barberry that plants have the ability to make complex decisions. When Barberry plants are infested with parasites, they abort their seeds. This is an effort to prevent the infestation. This is because the parasite feeds on the seeds that are inside the fruit, if the plant senses that a parasite has laid eggs inside it's fruit it will stop developing the seeds inside that fruit. This will starve the larva and prevent it from spreading. The other seeds are then saved and have a greater chance of being planted. This discovery shows that plants have the ability to remember things. It also shows that they can sense conditions inside and outside of them. Not only this but hey can predict future conditions and make changes to better themselves for future situations. This discovery is ground breaking and exciting. 


Connection:

The article connects to what we learned in the plant and ecosystem units. It connects to plants because the Barberry is a plant. It talks about the fruit of the plant that encase the seeds and protect them. They protect the seeds up to a certain point, but the parasite can still get in the fruit and devour the seeds. This is when the plant aborts the seeds in order to protect the other ones. This is a survival strategy and an adaptation to protect from the parasite. The plants with this adaptation will outcompete the other plants without it, like in the article.The scientist observed that the Oregon Grape, a very similar plant to the Barberry, has a higher density of larva because the Oregon Grape doesn't have the adaptation;"a highly specialized species of tephritid fruit fly, whose larvae actually feed on the seeds of the native Barberry, was found to have a tenfold higher population density on its new host plant, the Oregon grape,". The article connects to the ecosystems unit because this is an example of a parasitic relationship. The parasite uses the plant as a place to lay it's eggs. It also feed son the seeds. The parasite benefits while harming the plant. This article s relevant to our class in many ways.