Self-discrimination in the tendrils of the vine Cayratia japonica is mediated by physiological connection

Proc Biol Sci. 2015 Sep 7;282(1814):20151379. doi: 10.1098/rspb.2015.1379.

Abstract

Although self-discrimination has been well documented, especially in animals, self-discrimination in plants has been identified in only a few cases, such as self-incompatibility in flowers and root discrimination. Here, were port a new form of self-discrimination in plants: discrimination by vine tendrils. We found that tendrils of the perennial vine Cayratia japonica were more likely to coil around neighbouring non-self plants than neighbouring self plants in both experimental and natural settings. The higher level of coiling around a physiologically severed self plant compared with that around a physiologically connected self plant suggested that self-discrimination was mediated by physiological coordination between the tendril and the touched plant as reported for self-discrimination in roots. The results highlight the importance of self-discrimination for plant competition not only underground,but also above-ground.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Plant Components, Aerial / growth & development
  • Plant Components, Aerial / physiology*
  • Plant Development
  • Vitaceae / growth & development
  • Vitaceae / physiology*