Pollination ecology of Agave macroacantha
 (Agavaceae) in a Mexican tropical desert. I. Floral biology and pollination mechanisms

Data on pollination ecology of Araceae are still scarce and most concern species belonging to the subfamily Aroideae (García-Robledo et al. 2004, Gibernau 2003, Ivancic et al. 2004, 2005; Maia & Schlindwein 2006). In this subfamily, inflorescences consist of unisexual flowers: female flowers are located in the lower portion and the male flowers are in the upper portion of the inflorescence (Mayo et al. 1997). In the documented neotropical Aroideae, pollinators are nocturnal beetles and pollination mechanisms take place within a floral chamber during a short flowering cycle (generally 24–48 h) with floral rewards (sterile flowers rich in proteins and/or lipids) for the beetle pollinators, the secretion of resin to secure pollen on the pollinator, and the production of heat and odours (Chouteau et al. 2007, García-Robledo et al. 2004, Gibernau & Barabé 2002, Gibernau et al. 1999, 2000, 2003; Maia & Schlindwein 2006, Young 1986).

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Polinização de Vellozia candida Mikan (Velloziaceae) nos Afloramentos Rochosos do Costão de Itacoatiara, Niterói, RJ: Um Caso de Melitofilia em Inselbergue do Brasil

EntomoBrasilis ◽

10.12741/ebrasilis.v5i1.164 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

pp. 29-32

Author(s):

Fábio Castro Verçoza

Keyword(s):

Floral Biology ◽

Pollination Ecology ◽

Reproductive Phenology ◽

Flowering Period ◽

Rock Outcrops ◽

Floral Visitors ◽

Rocky Outcrops ◽

And Behavior ◽

Effective Pollinator

Este trabalho apresenta dados sobre a fenologia reprodutiva, a biologia floral e a ecologia da polinização de Vellozia candida Mikan (Velloziaceae) nos afloramentos rochosos do Costão de Itacoatiara, Niterói, RJ. Uma população de dez indivíduos da espécie foi estudada nessa localidade no período de junho de 2006 a dezembro de 2008. Foram realizadas observações sobre período de floração, morfologia, cor e odor das flores, ocorrência e comportamento dos visitantes florais. A floração de V. candida ocorreu de setembro a dezembro nos dois anos consecutivos do estudo. As flores são brancas, nectaríferas e exalam odor suave e adocicado. Reúnem características típicas da síndrome da melitofilia e foram intensamente visitadas por três espécies de abelhas. Xylocopa ordinaria Smith se destacou como o polinizador efetivo da espécie estudada. Por ser uma abelha de grande porte e robusta, durante a coleta de néctar e de pólen, deposita este último no estigma, polinizando as flores. Pollination of Vellozia candida Mikan (Velloziaceae) on Rock Outcrops of Costão de Itacoatiara, Niterói, RJ: A Case of Mellitophily Inselberg BrazilAbstract. This paper presents data on the reproductive phenology, floral biology and pollination ecology of Vellozia candida Mikan (Velloziaceae) on rocky outcrops of Costão Itacoatiara, Niterói, RJ. A population of ten individuals of the species was studied in this location from June 2006 to December 2008. Observations were made on flowering period, morphology, color and odor of flowers, the occurrence and behavior of floral visitors. The flowering of V. candida occurred from September to December in two successive years of study. The flowers are white, exude nectar and sweet odor. Meet typical syndrome melitophyly and were intensively visited by three species of bees. Xylocopa ordinaria Smith stood out as the effective pollinator of the species studied. Being a bee large and robust, while collecting nectar and pollen, the latter deposited on the stigma, pollinating the flowers.

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The pollination ecology of durian (Durio zibethinus, Bombacaceae) in southern Thailand

Journal of Tropical Ecology ◽

10.1017/s0266467408005531 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 25 (1) ◽

pp. 85-92 ◽

Cited By ~ 65

Author(s):

Sara Bumrungsri ◽

Ekapong Sripaoraya ◽

Thanongsak Chongsiri ◽

Kitichate Sridith ◽

Paul A. Racey

Keyword(s):

Floral Biology ◽

Pollination Ecology ◽

Fruit Bats ◽

Pollination Experiments ◽

Pollination Success ◽

Durio Zibethinus ◽

Fruit Bat ◽

Southern Thailand ◽

Fruit Orchards ◽

Frequent Visitor

Abstract:The floral biology and pollination ecology of durian, Durio zibethinus, were determined in eight semi-wild trees in mixed-fruit orchards in southern Thailand during April-May 2003 and 2005. Flowers open fully at 16h00–16h30 and most androecia drop around 01h00. Anthers dehisce at 19h30–20h00 when the stigmata are already receptive. In a series of pollination experiments, fruit was set in all treatments within 10 d. The greatest pollination success occurred after hand-crossed (76.6%), open (54.4%) and emasculation pollination (53.3%). Consistently, hand-crossed (12.2%), emasculation (8.7%) and open pollination (5.1%) yielded a substantial fruit set 2 mo after the pollination experiments. Very low pollination success in facilitated autogamy suggests that most durian trees are highly self incompatible. No mature fruit was found after insect pollination and automatic autogamy. Fruit bats, especially Eonycteris spelaea, are the major pollinators of this durian although the giant honey bee (Apis dorsata) was the most frequent visitor to the flowers. Bats visited durian flowers at the rate of 26.1 (SD = 20.7) visits per inflorescence per night. Since this semi-wild durian depends on fruit bats as its pollinator, protecting fruit bat populations and their roosts is vital for the production of the durian fruit crop.

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