The well established contemporary position of possibility of non-conflict relationship between science and various worldviews is epistemologically based on the concept of methodological naturalism – an approach that allows only natural... more
The well established contemporary position of possibility of non-conflict relationship between science and various worldviews is epistemologically based on the concept of methodological naturalism – an approach that allows only natural causes and processes to be a part of scientific explanations-that can coexist with a wide variety of different worldviews. This approach is substantially different from the position of ontological naturalism which is basically the claim that nature is the only thing that exists. In fact, ontological naturalism itself represents one of many possible worldviews. Separation of science and worldview realms is not a new standpoint but has a long tradition in epistemology that can be tracked to works of D. Hume, G. E. Moore and others. However, an overwhelming number of studies that addressed the relationship of Weltanschauung with evolutionary biology concentrated solely on the evolution/religion relation. This bias has historical reasons, starting with st...
A plant’s main mechanism to diminish the effects caused by high free radical levels generated during high irradiance is the synthesis of various secondary metabolites. In addition to interspecies differences, their concentrations may be... more
A plant’s main mechanism to diminish the effects caused by high free radical levels generated during high irradiance is the synthesis of various secondary metabolites. In addition to interspecies differences, their concentrations may be influenced by genetic, ontogenic, morphogenetic or environmental factors. We investigated the influence of genetic (genotypes from different natural habitats) and environmental (contrasting light regimes as well as successive parts of the vegetation period) variability on the accumulation of 10 selected phenolic compounds (phenolic acids, flavonoids, and xanthones) in Iris variegata genotypes. Genotypes originated from either sun-exposed or shaded natural habitats were transplanted to two experimental light treatments (high light intensity with a higher R/FR ratio and low light intensity with a lower R/FR ratio). Significant impacts of both genetic and environmental seasonal variability (spring, summer and fall during the vegetation period) on phenol...
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Phenotypic correlations were calculated and the levels of phenotypic integration of three congeneric species, annual Lamium purpureum and perennial Lamium album and Lamium maculatum, were estimated. Calculations were performed separately... more
Phenotypic correlations were calculated and the levels of phenotypic integration of three congeneric species, annual Lamium purpureum and perennial Lamium album and Lamium maculatum, were estimated. Calculations were performed separately for different stages of development during transplantation under different density and light treatments. L. purpureum exhibited greater integration in comparison to the other two species before exposure to environmental treatments, as well as greater variability in phenotypic correlations in response to light and density. The perennial species possessed similar correlation patterns in comparison to annual L. purpureum, becoming more similar to L. purpureum at later stages of development. The effects of density and light intensity were dependent on the specific combination of factors, as well as on the species under study. Density effects in L. purpureum were also habitat- and population-specific. A greater difference in response to density treatment...
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In this study we compared the biomonitoring potential of various types of flower asymmetry indices in Iris pumila (Dwarf Bearded Iris). We chose 197 naturally growing clones from the arid steppe habitat in the largest sandy area in Europe... more
In this study we compared the biomonitoring potential of various types of flower asymmetry indices in Iris pumila (Dwarf Bearded Iris). We chose 197 naturally growing clones from the arid steppe habitat in the largest sandy area in Europe (Deliblato Sands Nature Reserve), and we transplanted two replicates of each clone to a polluted highway site with a heavy traffic flow. After a period of acclimatization, lower levels of photosynthetic pigment concentrations and higher stomatal density and specific leaf area in transplants verified that the chosen highway site was indeed more stressful and therefore suitable for estimation of the flower asymmetry biomonitoring potential. We analyzed radially and bilaterally symmetrical flower structures (radial fluctuating asymmetry (RA) and bilateral fluctuating asymmetry (FA)) on three perianth parts—falls, standards, and styles—and calculated various asymmetry indices based on linear and geometric morphometrics. Despite utilizing a heavily poll...
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We analyzed genetic variability and phenotypic plasticity of flowering pattern and reproductive success in 97 clonal genotypes of Iris variegata originating from contrasting light habitats in Deliblato Sands and expressed under different... more
We analyzed genetic variability and phenotypic plasticity of flowering pattern and reproductive success in 97 clonal genotypes of Iris variegata originating from contrasting light habitats in Deliblato Sands and expressed under different experimental light conditions. Rhizome segments were taken from each of these clones and transplanted in the experimental garden near the Institute for Biological Research in Belgrade. Significant differences between genotypes were found for two traits (start of flowering, average flowering time). Genotypes originating from open and understory habitats significantly differed for three traits (number of flowers, number of capsules/number of flowers, seed mass/capsule). Significant effect of light treatment were found for three traits (number of capsules/number of flowers, seed mass/capsule, average seed mass). Statistically significant correlations between explored traits were generally similar but also to some extent habitat and treatment specific. ...
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In this work, we investigated the suitability of the threatened species, Iris pumila L., as a possible bioindicator of traffic pollution in its natural habitats (mostly protected areas and natural reserves). We examined its potential to... more
In this work, we investigated the suitability of the threatened species, Iris pumila L., as a possible bioindicator of traffic pollution in its natural habitats (mostly protected areas and natural reserves). We examined its potential to accumulate lead (Pb) and nickel (Ni) in polluted habitats, and the genetic variability for this capability, since it is an important facet of bioindicator suitability. We estimated the concentrations of Pb and Ni in the leaves of 17 I. pumila clones (genotypes) grown in one of their natural habitats, the unpolluted semi-arid habitat of the protected Deliblato Sands Special Natural Reserve, and in the leaves of 18 Iris pumila full-sib families grown in an experimental plot in a heavily polluted urban location in Belgrade, Serbia. Comparison of the contrasting habitats by one-way ANOVA analysis showed that both Pb and Ni concentrations were significantly higher (six-fold) in the I. pumila leaves collected from plants grown in the polluted urban habitat...
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The goal of this study was to analyze variation and covariation in epidermal characteristics (epidermal cell density -ECD, stomata density - SD, and stomata index - SI) on Iris pumila clones on between-clone, between-leaf and within-leaf... more
The goal of this study was to analyze variation and covariation in epidermal characteristics (epidermal cell density -ECD, stomata density - SD, and stomata index - SI) on Iris pumila clones on between-clone, between-leaf and within-leaf levels. ECD (similar to the pattern previously observed for SD) increased from the base to the top of leaf, while SI remained constant. Results of profile analyses indicated that clones, individual plants whitin clones (ramets), and three successive leaves on the same plant were not significantly different for examined characteristics, but genetic variation for position effect was detected (significant Zone x clone interaction). Results of the contrast analysis confirmed differences between the base and middle leaf positions for ECD (similar to those for SD) as well as between clone variation for those differences. Observed differences between leaf zones and correlations between analyzed traits were mostly consistent with the expansion hypothesis of...
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In order to analyze changes in biomass allocation patterns across genetically structured populations where plants are compet- ing for access to light, we performed glasshouse experiment with controlled genetic identity of competitors.... more
In order to analyze changes in biomass allocation patterns across genetically structured populations where plants are compet- ing for access to light, we performed glasshouse experiment with controlled genetic identity of competitors. Clonal replicates of 17 Lamium maculatum (L.) genotypes were grown in three treatments: control (low competition for light availability), intraclonal and interclonal compe- tition. It was shown that competition between genetically unrelated individuals (interclonal treatment) was the most stressful environment for Spotted Dead Nettle. Results of allometry analyses, based on standardized major axis (SMA) mathematical procedure, have shown the smallest differences in relative investment to sexual repro- duction between larger and smaller individuals when competing with unrelated plants. Our results indicate that allometric relationships between veg- etative and reproductive traits could be strongly af- fected by genetic relatedness of competing plants.
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Previous studies revealed significant phenotypic plasticity, genetic variability and population differentiation of flower morphometric traits on dwarf bearded iris Iris pumila. Also, study of I. pumila flowering phenology revealed... more
Previous studies revealed significant phenotypic plasticity, genetic variability and population differentiation of flower morphometric traits on dwarf bearded iris Iris pumila. Also, study of I. pumila flowering phenology revealed significant impact of habitat type as well as population differentiation for flowering time. Since the flowering time can influence other flower traits, we performed this analysis of flower morphometric traits in three time points during the flower bud ontogenic development in two habitat types (open vs. shaded). Analysis revealed that for most of the traits greater trait values were recorded for open habitat but only on latter time points. For most of the analyzed traits direction of differences in bud stage was the opposite to the direction of differences in mature flower stage detected in previous studies. However, length of the stem, a trait that showed the greatest variability between habitats and populations and therefore greatest genetic differentiation and phenotypic plasticity, was significantly greater in the samples from the late flowering shaded habitat in all time samples, indicating that in case of this trait different mechanisms were involved. Those findings have implications for design of the future studies on I. pumila.
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Research Interests: Genetics, Biology, Phenotypic Plasticity, Medicine, Ecological Indicator, and 12 moreEnvironmental Variables, Phenotype, Morphological Variation, Environmental Heterogeneity, Ecosystem, Protected Area, Human Activity, Magnitude Estimation, Genetic variation, Genetika, Growing Season, and Pine Forest
Plants from Open and Shade habitats in two natural populations (Vrsac and Avala) were grown in two densities (High and Low). As expected, density had significant effect on most of measured traits and that effect was concordant with Shade... more
Plants from Open and Shade habitats in two natural populations (Vrsac and Avala) were grown in two densities (High and Low). As expected, density had significant effect on most of measured traits and that effect was concordant with Shade avoidance syndrome predictions. Genetic differences between populations both in mean trait values and in plastic responses to density were also detected. Number of leaves and flowers showed plasticity in Avala population only, while shoot weight was plastic in both populations but with greater plasticity in Avala population. Differences between habitats for plant height and number of internodes were present in Vrsac population only. Habitat difference in response to density was revealed for seed weight and it was due to lack of response in plants originated from Shade habitat in Vrsac population. This study showed that not only populations, but also subpopulations occupying different habitats can differ genetically in their plastic response to density, and that between habitat differences can be population-specific.
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Evolutionary studies on the dwarf bearded iris, Iris pumila L., a perennial clonal monocot with hermaphroditic enthomophylous flowers, have been conducted during the last three decades on plants and populations from the Deliblato Sands in... more
Evolutionary studies on the dwarf bearded iris, Iris pumila L., a perennial clonal monocot with hermaphroditic enthomophylous flowers, have been conducted during the last three decades on plants and populations from the Deliblato Sands in Serbia. In this review we discuss the main advantages of this model system that have enabled various studies of several important genetic, ecological, and evolutionary issues at different levels of biological organization (molecular, physiological, anatomical, morphological and population). Based on published research and its resonance in international scientific literature, we present the main findings obtained from these studies, and discuss possible directions for further research.
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Previous studies revealed significant phenotypic plasticity and between-population differentiation in flower morphometric traits of Iris pumila in response to environmental variability between natural shade and exposed habitats. Since... more
Previous studies revealed significant phenotypic plasticity and between-population differentiation in flower morphometric traits of Iris pumila in response to environmental variability between natural shade and exposed habitats. Since these habitats differed in flowering times as well, in this work we investigated at which stages of flower bud development differences between open and shaded habitats start to appear. Our analysis detected several groups of trait development patterns through the I. pumila bud development in two contrasting habitats, with stem length being the most suitable trait for application in further analyses of so-called ?shade avoidance syndrome?.
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One of the most promising directions in the study of phenotypic plasticity is its detailed analysis in organisms that are also well-studied in other aspects. Also, conclusions based on plasticity studies in environmental gradients that... more
One of the most promising directions in the study of phenotypic plasticity is its detailed analysis in organisms that are also well-studied in other aspects. Also, conclusions based on plasticity studies in environmental gradients that closely mimic natural variation are shown to be the most relevant. Following those directions, we conducted this study of phenotypic plasticity on the currently best available model system in flowering plants--Arabidopsis thaliana, and utilized one of the most common variations experienced in the wild--variation in density. Four Arabidopsis thaliana commonly used inbred lines (ecotypes) were grown in densities from one to seven plants per pot. Both phenotypic plasticity and its genetic variability were detected for almost all of 11 analyzed traits, with analyzed ecotypes responding strongly to density of just two plants per pot. Density had small effect on life history and moderate effect on size traits, while vegetative and reproductive traits respon...