Small dasyurid marsupials - are they effective pollinators?

2000 ◽  
Vol 48 (5) ◽  
pp. 597 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ross L. Goldingay
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Pollen Load ◽  
Pollen Loads ◽  
Flower Visitation ◽  
Nectar Feeding ◽  
Antechinus Stuartii ◽  
Line Tracking ◽  
Species Being ◽  
Effective Pollinators ◽  
Effective Pollinator

The evidence that several species of dasyurid marsupial commonly visit flowers and therefore act as pollinators is reviewed. Three species of Antechinus have frequently been trapped visiting flowering banksias. Several studies provide compelling evidence that Antechinus stuartii is an effective pollinator. It was recorded visiting flowering banksias at eight locations, where it carried abundant pollen on its snout and in its faeces. At one site, regular flower visitation was demonstrated by automated photography and by spool-and-line tracking. Pollen load data for Sminthopsis murina and Sminthopsis griseoventer suggest that these species may also act as pollinators. Evidence for pollination by Phascogale tapoatafa is anecdotal but studies at three locations report extended bouts of nectar feeding, and heavy pollen loads were directly observed at one site. Some 38 plant species are known to be visited by 10 dasyurid species, with 4–10 plant species being visited by each of five dasyurid species. These observations suggest that several species of dasyurid are likely to be important pollinators. Further studies are needed to clarify the extent of their role. This review highlights the types of data that should be sought.

Pollen loads and pollen diversity on bodies of Eulonchus tristis (Diptera: Acroceridae): implications for pollination and flower visitation

2008 ◽  
Vol 140 (2) ◽  
pp. 257-264 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher J. Borkent ◽  
Evert I. Schlinger
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Pollen Grains ◽  
Pollen Loads ◽  
Flower Visitation ◽  
Pollen Species ◽  
Plant Pollen

AbstractAcroceridae is a family of spider-parasitic flies that often visit flowers as adults, although little is known about their possible role as pollinators. Eulonchus tristis Loew visiting flowers of Brodiaea elegans Hoover (Liliaceae s.l.) and Iris douglasiana Herbert (Iridaceae) were collected in California. Individuals carried large pollen loads, although visitors to B. elegans carried significantly more pollen grains than visitors to I. douglasiana. Visitors to B. elegans also carried a higher percentage of focal-plant pollen (91%) than visitors to I. douglasiana (38%). There was no difference in the diversity of pollen species (approximately nine) carried by visitors to either plant species. For visitors to B. elegans, no difference was seen in the amount or diversity of pollen carried with respect to the sex of the visitor. The behaviour potentially resulting in the acquisition of these pollen loads is discussed. These results show that E. tristis has the potential to be an important pollinator for these plant species, particularly B. elegans.

scholarly journals Mauritian coloured nectar no longer a mystery: a visual signal for lizard pollinators

2006 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 165-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dennis M Hansen ◽  
Karin Beer ◽  
Christine B Müller
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Evidence ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Flowering Plants ◽  
Visual Signal ◽  
Honest Signal ◽  
Endemic Plant ◽  
Floral Trait ◽  
Flower Visitation ◽  
Artificial Flowers ◽  
Endemic Plant Species

Most floral nectars are clear as water, and the enigmatic coloured nectar in three endemic plant species in Mauritius has puzzled scientists studying it. One hypothesis about the possible ecological function of coloured nectar is that it serves as a visual signal for pollinators. Recent studies have shown that at least two of the three Mauritian plant species with coloured nectar are visited and pollinated by endemic Phelsuma geckos. We here provide experimental evidence for the visual signal hypothesis by showing that Phelsuma ornata geckos prefer coloured over clear nectar in artificial flowers. In flowering plants, coloured nectar could additionally function as an honest signal that allows pollinators to assert the presence and judge the size of a reward prior to flower visitation, and to adjust their behaviour accordingly, leading to increased pollinator efficiency. Our study provides a first step in understanding this rare and intriguing floral trait.

scholarly journals The intersection of basic research and conservation: a 30-year study of the Critically Endangered Schiedea adamantis (Caryophyllaceae) on Lē‘ahi (Diamond Head Crater), Hawai‘i

Oryx ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 52 (3) ◽  
pp. 479-488 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann K. Sakai ◽  
Stephen G. Weller ◽  
Weigang Yang ◽  
Susan Ching Harbin ◽  
Talia Portner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Basic Research ◽  
Breeding Systems ◽  
Critically Endangered ◽  
Supplemental Irrigation ◽  
Long Term Study ◽  
And Storage ◽  
Species Being

AbstractWe report on how a long-term study of the reproductive biology of the Critically Endangered Schiedea adamantis (Caryophyllaceae), one of Hawai‘i's rarest plant species, was leveraged for conservation purposes. Our major goals were to provide seeds with the greatest genetic variation possible for reintroduction and to ensure that both female and hermaphroditic plants of this wind-pollinated species were reintroduced in a manner that maximized both outcrossing and seed production. Schiedea adamantis was one of the first Hawaiian plant species listed under the Endangered Species Act (USA). The species has been studied intensively to test hypotheses addressing the evolution of breeding systems. Information on outcrossing levels and the extent of inbreeding depression was integrated into ongoing reintroduction efforts. Population size peaked in 1994, when 267 flowering individuals were found on Lē‘ahi (Diamond Head Crater). By 2016 only 17 flowering individuals were present, with drought and invasive species being possible causes of this decline. Reintroduction attempts in 1998 using genetically diverse seeds were unsuccessful because of drought and a lack of sufficient supplemental irrigation. Additional reintroduction attempts in 2012 and 2014 were more successful because of increased supplemental irrigation. Plants used in reintroductions represent genotypes long since absent in the natural population, and may contain the genetic variability essential for evolutionary responses to climate change and the spread of invasive species. The destruction of many plants reintroduced in 2015 and 2016 by a fire in March 2016 highlights the need for additional restoration areas at Lē‘ahi and elsewhere, and storage of seeds for future use.

scholarly journals Megachile sculpturalis, the Giant Resin Bee, overcomes the blossom structure of Sunn Hemp (Crotalaria juncea) that impedes pollination

2016 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
H Glenn Hall ◽  
Laura Avila
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crop ◽  
Exotic Plant ◽  
Crotalaria Juncea ◽  
Optimal Position ◽  
Large Size ◽  
The Family ◽  
Sunn Hemp ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Effective Pollinators ◽  
Effective Pollinator

Bee species that are effective pollinators of sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea L.: Fabaceae: Crotalarieae) are few in number because of the large size and papilionaceous structure of the plant’s blossom.  Seed for this potentially valuable cover crop is largely unavailable due to the paucity of pollinators and to the plant’s self-incompatibility.  The introduced Megachile (Callomegachile) sculpturalis Smith (Megachilidae: Megachilinae), the giant resin bee, has the anatomy and behavior to be a most effective pollinator.  While holding onto the upper vexillum petal of the blossom with her mandibles, this bee has the strength to depress the lower keel causing pollen to be expelled by the style through the small opening at the end.  The bee is long enough for its metasoma to extend over the end of the keel, and, as a member of the family Megachilidae, has scopal hairs on the venter of the metasoma, which are thus in an optimal position to contact the pollen.  Honey bees (Apis mellifera L.: Apidae) are common visitors to sunn hemp flowers but are too small to be effective pollinators.  A honey bee worker robs the pollen by inserting her proboscis into the end of the keel and extracting the adhering pollen.  Possible problems could result from mutual enhancement of populations of an exotic bee and an exotic plant.

scholarly journals Botanical profile of bee pollen from the southern coastal region of Bahia, Brazil

2010 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 862-867 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcos da Costa Dórea ◽  
Jaílson Santos de Novais ◽  
Francisco de Assis Ribeiro dos Santos
Keyword(s):  
Apis Mellifera ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Coastal Region ◽  
Botanical Origin ◽  
Mimosa Pudica ◽  
Bee Pollen ◽  
Pollen Loads ◽  
Pollen Types ◽  
Pollen Sources ◽  
Forest Biome

This paper aims to identify the botanical origin of pollen loads collected by Apis mellifera L. in Canavieiras municipality, Bahia state. It provides a list of polliniferous plant species from the Atlantic Forest biome that are important for the development of regional apiculture. Using the acetolysis method, 35 bee-pollen samples were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. Results showed that pollen types Elaeis (23.99%), Mimosa pudica (22.78%) and Cecropia (13.68%) were the most abundant among the samples. These also showed the highest relative frequencies of the material studied and were important pollen sources for bees in the study area.

scholarly journals Experimental species removals impact the architecture of pollination networks

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 20170243 ◽  
Author(s):  
Berry J. Brosi ◽  
Kyle Niezgoda ◽  
Heather M. Briggs
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Network Structure ◽  
Global Environmental Change ◽  
Simulation Models ◽  
Dynamic Responses ◽  
Resource Overlap ◽  
Flower Visitation ◽  
Resource Complementarity ◽  
Dietary Niche ◽  
Pollination Network

Mutualistic networks are key for the creation and maintenance of biodiversity, yet are threatened by global environmental change. Most simulation models assume that network structure remains static after species losses, despite theoretical and empirical reasons to expect dynamic responses. We assessed the effects of experimental single bumblebee species removals on the structure of entire flower visitation networks. We hypothesized that network structure would change following processes linking interspecific competition with dietary niche breadth. We found that single pollinator species losses impact pollination network structure: resource complementarity decreased, while resource overlap increased. Despite marginally increased connectance, fewer plant species were visited after species removals. These changes may have negative functional impacts, as complementarity is important for maintaining biodiversity–ecological functioning relationships and visitation of rare plant species is critical for maintaining diverse plant communities.

Pollination ecology of the dioecious tree Commiphora guillauminii in Madagascar

2004 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 307-316 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nina Farwig ◽  
Emile F. Randrianirina ◽  
Friederike A. Voigt ◽  
Manfred Kraemer ◽  
Katrin Böhning-Gaese
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Fruit Set ◽  
Pollen Limitation ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Pollination Ecology ◽  
Floral Display ◽  
Flower Visitation ◽  
Visitation Rates ◽  
Male Flowers ◽  
Female Flowers

In dioecious plant species differences in morphology and resources between female and male flowers can have consequences for flower visitation rates. Female flowers sometimes lack pollen and can be less attractive to pollinators than male flowers. We studied the pollination ecology of the dioecious tree Commiphora guillauminii in a dry deciduous forest in western Madagascar. We recorded floral display, visiting insect species and visitation rates for female and male trees. The results showed that female trees produce significantly larger but fewer flowers per inflorescence than male ones. Number of flowers per tree did not differ between the sexes. During 270 observation-hours we observed 17 insect and two bird species visiting the flowers. Mean visitation rates of male flowers were 6.1 times higher than those of female flowers (1.07 vs. 0.18 visitors per flower h−1). Visitation rates to female and male trees showed similar daily and seasonal patterns. Fruit set (2.9%) was low, which could have been caused by pollinator or pollen limitation. This study suggests that dioecy may pose a risk for fruit set and, potentially, reproductive success for plant species with depauperate pollinator faunas on islands such as Madagascar.

The pollination ecology of the late-successional tree, Oroxylum indicum (Bignoniaceae) in Thailand

2008 ◽  
Vol 24 (05) ◽  
pp. 477-484 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tuanjit Srithongchuay ◽  
Sara Bumrungsri ◽  
Ekapong Sripao-raya
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Fruit Set ◽  
Pollen Grains ◽  
Pollen Load ◽  
Pollination Success ◽  
Oroxylum Indicum ◽  
Tropical Plant ◽  
Fruit Bat ◽  
Highly Sensitive ◽  
Multiple Species

Abstract:Although plant species that attract multiple species of pollinators predominate in tropical plant communities, pollination specialists appear to be at a greater advantage in tropical ecosystems in which pollinators are numerous and many plants flower synchronously. The present study determined the breeding system and legitimate pollinators ofOroxylum indicumVent. in Songkhla and Patthalung Provinces, Thailand.Oroxylum indicumexhibits steady-state flowering, with one or two flowers per inflorescence opening each night. Flowers open in the evening and drop off shortly after midnight, while its bilabiate stigma is highly sensitive, and quickly close upon being touched.Oroxylum indicumis self-incompatible. Hand-cross pollination and open pollination yielded the highest pollination success (47.7% and 31.2% respectively, n = 7 trees). About 900 pollen grains are needed for initiating fruit set. It is confirmed that a fruit bat,Eonycteris spelaea, is the legitimate pollinator. Bats are responsible for all pollen load and the pollen load from only one visit is generally sufficient to initiate fruit set. AlthoughEonycteris spelaeais effective, it is an inefficient pollinator. Compared with plant species pollinated by multiple animal species, the likelihood of pollination failure resulting from the decline in populations ofEonycteris spelaeawill be much more intense inOroxylum indicum.

scholarly journals Discriminatory power of rbcL barcode locus for authentication of some of United Arab Emirates (UAE) native plants

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammed H Jarrar
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Native Plants ◽  
Discriminatory Power ◽  
Wild Plant ◽  
Morphological Identification ◽  
Desert Plant ◽  
Simple Method ◽  
Scientific Value ◽  
Species Being

DNA barcoding of United Arab Emirates (UAE) native plants is of high practical and scientific value as the plants adapt to very harsh environmental conditions that challenge their identification. Fifty-one plant species belonged to 22 families, 2 monocots, and 20 eudicots; a maximum number of species being legumes and grasses were collected. To authenticate the morphological identification of the wild plant taxa, rbcL and matK regions were used in the study. The primer universality and discriminatory power of rbcL is 100%, while it is 35% for matK locus for these plant species. The sequences were submitted to GenBank; accession numbers were obtained for all the rbcL sequences and for 6 of matK sequences. We suggest rbcL as a promising barcode locus for the tested group of 51 plants. In the present study, an inexpensive, simple method of identification of rare desert plant taxa through rbcL barcode is being reported.

scholarly journals Pollination biology of Heracleum sphondylium L. (Apiaceae): the advantages of being white and compact

2014 ◽  
Vol 71 (2) ◽  
pp. 163-170 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcin Zych
Keyword(s):  
Pollination Biology ◽  
Pollen Load ◽  
Pollinator Importance ◽  
Pollen Loads ◽  
Importance Coefficient ◽  
Heracleum Sphondylium ◽  
Insect Group

Two questions were addressed in the present study: (1) What are the main pollinators of the two subspecies of <em>H. sphondylium</em>?, and (2) Do the studied plants share the pollinators' set or are they attractive for different groups of insects? The survey showed that among 40 insect taxa visiting both subspecies of <em>H. sphondylium</em> approx. only 53% carried significant pollen loads. However, the Pollinator Importance Coefficient (IC) calculated for each insect group, and based on observation of insects' abundance, within-umbel activity and pollen load revealed that only two taxa in case of <em>H. s</em>. ssp. <em>sibiricum</em> (<em>Thricops nigrifrons</em>, <em>Eriozona syrphoides</em>) and four in case of <em>H. s</em>. ssp. <em>sphondylium</em> (<em>T. nigrifrons</em>,<em>E. syrphoides</em>, <em>Meliscaeva cinctella</em> and <em>Arge ustulata</em>) were truly important pollinators. Although both subspecies were visited by similar insects, <em>H. s.</em> ssp. <em>sphondylium</em>, with its characteristic compact and white umbels, was visited more frequently by <em>Diptera</em> and <em>Hymenoptera</em>, while yellow-greenish loose umbels of <em>H. s</em>. ssp. <em>sibiricum</em> were preferred by <em>Coleoptera</em>. This paper indicates that the concept of faithful pollinators may also apply to a broader spectrum of <em>Apiaceae</em>, usually considered primitive in terms of pollination strategies, and suggests possible ways of differentiation in two closely related taxa.

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