Flower movement induced by weather-dependent tropism satisfies attraction and protection

Abstract Flowers have antagonistic demands for reproductive success, that is, pollinator attraction and flower protection. However, how flowers accommodate these antagonistic reproductive demands has not been thoroughly analysed. In this study, we elucidate the mechanisms and adaptive significance o...

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Main Authors: Akari Shibata, Genki Yumoto, Hanako Shimizu, Mie N. Honjo, Hiroshi Kudoh
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-05-01
Series:Nature Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-59337-6
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author Akari Shibata
Genki Yumoto
Hanako Shimizu
Mie N. Honjo
Hiroshi Kudoh
author_facet Akari Shibata
Genki Yumoto
Hanako Shimizu
Mie N. Honjo
Hiroshi Kudoh
author_sort Akari Shibata
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Flowers have antagonistic demands for reproductive success, that is, pollinator attraction and flower protection. However, how flowers accommodate these antagonistic reproductive demands has not been thoroughly analysed. In this study, we elucidate the mechanisms and adaptive significance of weather-driven flower movement in Arabidopsis halleri. The auxin-based elongation of flower pedicels causes the change in flower orientation. Combinations of the circadian clock and light conditions activate either phototropism of the flower pedicels to make flowers upward-facing in the sun or gravitropism to make flowers downward-facing in the rain. The upward- and downward-facing flowers enhance pollinator attraction in the sun and flower protection in the rain, respectively, and both responses are required to increase reproductive success. The present study demonstrates that the weather-dependent tropism of flower pedicels functions to satisfy antagonistic reproductive demands under changing weather conditions.
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institution OA Journals
issn 2041-1723
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publishDate 2025-05-01
publisher Nature Portfolio
record_format Article
series Nature Communications
spelling doaj-art-db3a3c11aa364d81bb0ade153e857b492025-08-20T01:47:32ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232025-05-0116111310.1038/s41467-025-59337-6Flower movement induced by weather-dependent tropism satisfies attraction and protectionAkari Shibata0Genki Yumoto1Hanako Shimizu2Mie N. Honjo3Hiroshi Kudoh4Center for Ecological Research, Kyoto UniversityCenter for Ecological Research, Kyoto UniversityCenter for Ecological Research, Kyoto UniversityCenter for Ecological Research, Kyoto UniversityCenter for Ecological Research, Kyoto UniversityAbstract Flowers have antagonistic demands for reproductive success, that is, pollinator attraction and flower protection. However, how flowers accommodate these antagonistic reproductive demands has not been thoroughly analysed. In this study, we elucidate the mechanisms and adaptive significance of weather-driven flower movement in Arabidopsis halleri. The auxin-based elongation of flower pedicels causes the change in flower orientation. Combinations of the circadian clock and light conditions activate either phototropism of the flower pedicels to make flowers upward-facing in the sun or gravitropism to make flowers downward-facing in the rain. The upward- and downward-facing flowers enhance pollinator attraction in the sun and flower protection in the rain, respectively, and both responses are required to increase reproductive success. The present study demonstrates that the weather-dependent tropism of flower pedicels functions to satisfy antagonistic reproductive demands under changing weather conditions.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-59337-6
spellingShingle Akari Shibata
Genki Yumoto
Hanako Shimizu
Mie N. Honjo
Hiroshi Kudoh
Flower movement induced by weather-dependent tropism satisfies attraction and protection
Nature Communications
title Flower movement induced by weather-dependent tropism satisfies attraction and protection
title_full Flower movement induced by weather-dependent tropism satisfies attraction and protection
title_fullStr Flower movement induced by weather-dependent tropism satisfies attraction and protection
title_full_unstemmed Flower movement induced by weather-dependent tropism satisfies attraction and protection
title_short Flower movement induced by weather-dependent tropism satisfies attraction and protection
title_sort flower movement induced by weather dependent tropism satisfies attraction and protection
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-59337-6
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AT mienhonjo flowermovementinducedbyweatherdependenttropismsatisfiesattractionandprotection
AT hiroshikudoh flowermovementinducedbyweatherdependenttropismsatisfiesattractionandprotection