scholarly journals The diversity of floral temperature patterns, and their use by pollinators

eLife ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael JM Harrap ◽  
Sean A Rands ◽  
Natalie Hempel de Ibarra ◽  
Heather M Whitney
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Differential Conditioning ◽  
Stingless Bees ◽  
Temperature Structure ◽  
Sensory Cues ◽  
Pollinating Insects ◽  
Plant Thermogenesis ◽  
Artificial Flowers ◽  
Different Parts

Pollinating insects utilise various sensory cues to identify and learn rewarding flower species. One such cue is floral temperature, created by captured sunlight or plant thermogenesis. Bumblebees, honeybees and stingless bees can distinguish flowers based on differences in overall temperature between flowers. We report here that floral temperature often differs between different parts of the flower creating a temperature structure or pattern. Temperature patterns are common, with 55% of 118 plant species thermographed, showing within-flower temperature differences greater than the 2°C difference that bees are known to be able to detect. Using differential conditioning techniques, we show that bumblebees can distinguish artificial flowers differing in temperature patterns comparable to those seen in real flowers. Thus, bumblebees are able to perceive the shape of these within-flower temperature patterns. Floral temperature patterns may therefore represent a new floral cue that could assist pollinators in the recognition and learning of rewarding flowers.

scholarly journals Insect Visitation to Wildflowers in the Endangered Garry Oak, Quercus garryana, Ecosystem of British Columbia

2005 ◽  
Vol 119 (2) ◽  
pp. 245 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. L. Parachnowitsch ◽  
E. Elle
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Quercus Garryana ◽  
Chi Squared ◽  
Insect Visitation ◽  
Introduced Honeybee ◽  
Pollinating Insects ◽  
Basic Biology ◽  
Oak Ecosystem ◽  
Plant Pollinator

The Garry Oak Ecosystem (GOE) is a fragmented and endangered ecosystem in Canada, and is currently the focus of conservation and restoration efforts in British Columbia. However, little is known about the basic biology of GOE forbs, or their relationships with pollinating insects. We monitored wildflowers and their insect visitors in 25 quadrats within a 25 × 25 metre plot, located in a fragment of the GOE near Duncan, British Columbia, for six weeks (the majority of the flowering period). Overall, 21 native and non-native forb species flowered in our quadrats during the survey, and we observed an additional six forb species flowering outside of our quadrats. Eight forbs were visited within quadrats by a total of 13 insect taxa, identified to morphospecies. Visits by eight additional morphospecies were observed outside of the quadrats. In general, visitation was low; however, most insect morphospecies were observed visiting more than one plant species, and most plant species were visited by more than one insect morphospecies, suggesting that pollination may be generalised in this community. A Chi-squared analysis indicated that insect visitation was not proportional to the relative abundance of forbs, with higher than expected visitation to Common camas (Camassia quamash), and no observed visits to 11 species, most with very small (putatively unattractive) flowers. The most frequent insect visitor was the introduced Honeybee, Apis mellifera, followed by native mason bees (Osmia spp.) and mining bees (Andrena spp.). Our observations provide baseline data for future, detailed studies that should investigate the importance of plant-pollinator mutualisms for sustainability of populations and communities in this rare ecosystem.

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 Diversity and Nesting Substrates of Stingless Bees (Hymenoptera, Meliponina) in a Forest Remnant

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Estefane Nascimento Leoncini Siqueira ◽  
Bruno Ferreira Bartelli ◽  
André Rosalvo Terra Nascimento ◽  
Fernanda Helena Nogueira-Ferreira
Keyword(s):  
Natural History ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Stingless Bees ◽  
Nest Site ◽  
Site Survey ◽  
Forest Remnant ◽  
Main Host ◽  
Nesting Sites ◽  
Reproductive Division ◽  
Plant Pollinator

Stingless bees are abundant and diverse key actors in several plant-pollinator networks in the neotropics, but little is known about their natural history and ecology. This study aims to contribute to knowledge about the diversity and dispersion of stingless bees and discusses the importance of nesting substrates. It was carried out in the Araguari river valley in Minas Gerais, Brazil, where a nest site survey was conducted in an area of 100 ha during 11 alternate months from 2006 to 2008, for a total of 1,200 observation hours. Sixty-nine nests were found, belonging to 12 genera and 20 different species. Nests ofMelipona rufiventriswere by far the most abundant. Stingless bees nested more frequently in hollows of live trees (64%), and 11 different substrates were identified. Seventeen plant species were used as nesting substrates andAnadenanthera macrocarpa(Fabaceae) was the main host, encompassing 23% of the surveyed nests. The area studied is important for the maintenance of stingless bees because it provides nesting sites for them. Without nesting sites the reproductive division of colonies is compromised, affecting the nests' survival.

scholarly journals A benefit to providing information? Flower size cues, plant attractiveness, and plant visit length

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 1168-1175 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carla J Essenberg ◽  
Paige E Guevarra ◽  
Hadley M Moreau ◽  
Cody J Jordan ◽  
Talia Zisman
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Flower Size ◽  
Laboratory System ◽  
Plant Fitness ◽  
Flower Visit ◽  
Whole Plant ◽  
Flower Quality ◽  
Artificial Flowers ◽  
Plant Pollen ◽  
Pollen Movement

Abstract In many plant species, flower size is correlated with the production of floral rewards such as nectar and pollen and, therefore, provides information to pollinators about flower quality. However, how relationships between flower size and rewards influence plant fitness is not well understood. In particular, it is unclear whether indicating to pollinators which flowers are unrewarding harms or benefits plants. We used a laboratory system with artificial flowers to examine bumblebees’ (Bombus impatiens) responses to plants that had flower size as an informative cue (with large flowers rewarding and small flowers unrewarding) as compared with “deceptive” plants that had a mixture of rewarding and unrewarding large flowers and plants with only large, rewarding flowers. Bees had previously foraged in a context in which only large flowers provided rewards. Small flowers were visited less often than large flowers. In comparing plants with different numbers of flowers, we found that small flowers, although they added less to a plant’s attractiveness than large flowers, did increase a plant’s attractiveness if present in sufficient number. Furthermore, plants with informative cues received substantially fewer flower visits per plant visit in comparison with deceptive plants, even when the plants with informative cues had a larger number of flowers. Cues identifying unrewarding flowers could, therefore, reduce rates of within-plant pollen movement, increasing the plant’s fitness gains per flower visit. Their contribution to whole-plant attractiveness and avoidance of inbreeding could help explain why many plants produce small, relatively unrewarding flowers even though pollinators avoid visiting them.

Resin-collecting bees (Apidae) on Clusia palmicida (Clusiaceae) in a riparian forest in Brazil

2001 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 149-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
SILMARY DE JESUS GONÇALVES-ALVIM
Keyword(s):  
Structural Material ◽  
Central America ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Stingless Bees ◽  
Riparian Forest ◽  
Flower Morphology ◽  
Nest Construction ◽  
Antimicrobial Compound ◽  
Floral Resin ◽  
Essential Resource

Primary flower resources to bees, i.e. those that satisfy basic needs, such as feeding and reproduction (Faegri & van der Pijl 1979), include pollen, nectar, oil, resin and gums. Resins are used in nest construction as a waterproof and structural material (Simpson & Neff 1981). It is also excellent antimicrobial compound, and a sticky defence against ant attacks (Armbruster 1984, Dressler 1982, Lokvam & Braddock 1999, Michener 1990, Roubik 1989, Sakagami et al. 1989). Plant species with flowers which produce terpenoid resins are rare (Armbruster & Webster 1979). Clusia L. (Clusiaceae), Clusiella Planch. & Triana (Clusiaceae), and Dalechampia L. (Euphorbiaceae) are the only known plants that secrete resins from floral structures (Armbruster 1984, Armbruster & Webster 1979, Bittrich & Amaral 1996). Although resin-producing plants provide an essential resource for a large number of bees in tropical communities, there are few studies about resin-collecting bees on Clusia spp. Skutch (1971) was the first to report visits on Clusia by stingless bees to collect floral resin. Other reports include observations on C. odorata Seem. (Croat 1978, Ramirez & Gomez 1978), C. alata Pl. & Tr. (Ramirez & Gomez 1978), and C. nemorosa G. F. W. Meyer (Armbruster 1984, Bittrich & Amaral 1996, Lopes & Machado 1998, Mesquita & Fransciscon 1995). Recently, Bittrich & Amaral (1996, 1997) have described the flower morphology and pollination biology of other Clusia species from Central America and Venezuela.

scholarly journals Metabolite Profiling of Different Tissues of Barleria dinteri through the GC-MS Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (6) ◽  
pp. 1336-1340
Author(s):  
Sechene S. Gololo ◽  
Chepape J. Semenya ◽  
Mutendela T. Olivier ◽  
Lesibana J. Sethoga ◽  
Emelinah H. Mathe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wound Healing ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Metabolite Profiling ◽  
Traditional Healers ◽  
Pharmacological Properties ◽  
Plant Parts ◽  
Aerial Parts ◽  
Ms Analysis ◽  
Different Tissues ◽  
Different Parts

Barleria dinteri is a medicinal plant with distribution in the Limpopo, Gauteng and Mpumalanga provinces of South Africa as well as in Botswana, Swaziland and Namibia with exclusive specific habitation on limestone-rich soil. The plant species is used by traditional healers for wound healing and treatment of some intestinal tumours, as well as to relieve joint pains and toothache. The present study was aimed at the metabolite profiling of the different tissues (branches, flowers, leaves, roots) of Barleria dinteri using GC-MS analysis. Different extracts of the plant parts samples were subjected to GC-MS analysis and detected compounds were compared for presence amongst the different tissues. The results of the study revealed that all different parts (branches, flowers, leaves and roots) of B. dinteri, possess compounds that are detectable through GC-MS analysis with most compounds detected in the aerial parts, particularly the flowers. The results of the current study could serve as a basis for the possible plant parts substitution of the roots of B. dinteri with the aerial parts and the exploration of the pharmacological properties of the flowers for sustainable uses of the plant species for medicinal purposes.

scholarly journals Phytoremediation potentials of some wild plants around the chromium mine

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Veli Çeliktaş ◽  
Necattin Türkmen
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Heavy Metal ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Metal Accumulation ◽  
Wild Plants ◽  
Mining Sites ◽  
Rhizosphere Soils ◽  
Different Parts

Abstract Phytoremediation is the general name of techniques that uses plants to remediate polluted environments. Heavy metals are one of the pollution resources caused by anthropogenic or natural ways. In this study, it was aimed to find new plant species for phytoremediation of heavy metals. For this purpose, field researches were done in chromium mining sites. After that, plants were selected, which were relatively abundant in the mining sites. Aethionema spicatum, Alyssum alyssoides, Alyssum floribundum, Alyssum oxycarpum, Thlaspi oxyceras, Convolvulus compactus, Onosma cappadocica and Salvia multicaulis were researched. For understanding phytoremediation potentials of plants, heavy metal analyses (Cr, Ni, Co, Pb, Zn, Mn, Cu and Fe) were done in rhizosphere soils and different parts of plants. Then plants were evaluated for accumulation and translocation of heavy metals by using BCF and TF calculations. Aethionema spicatum, Alyssum floribundum, Alyssum oxycarpum and Thlaspi oxyceras were found as hyperaccumulators for Ni because of their metal accumulation abilities.

scholarly journals Use of Medicinal Plants in Eastern Part of Pokhara, Nepal

ZOO-Journal ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 79-81
Author(s):  
Bishnu P Parajuli ◽  
Shubash C Bastola
Keyword(s):  
Medicinal Plants ◽  
Medicinal Plant ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Ethnic Community ◽  
Medicinal Plant Species ◽  
Plant Resources ◽  
Pokhara Valley ◽  
Different Parts

From the beginning of civilization, man's relationship with the surrounding plant resources has always been very intimate. This study provides information to the general people to protect such medicinal plants. Kumal ethnic community mainly lives in Thulo-Kumal Gaun and scattered in different parts of Pokhara valley such as Dhungepatan, Bhandardik and Patneri. Altogether 20 medicinal plant species were identified.

scholarly journals Bumblebees can detect floral humidity

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J. M. Harrap ◽  
Natalie Hempel de Ibarra ◽  
Henry D. Knowles ◽  
Heather M. Whitney ◽  
Sean A. Rands
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Flowering Plants ◽  
Pollinator Behaviour ◽  
Biologically Relevant ◽  
Floral Displays ◽  
Artificial Flowers ◽  
Different Levels

Floral humidity, a region of elevated humidity in the headspace of the flower, occurs in many plant species and may add to their multimodal floral displays. So far, the ability to detect and respond to floral humidity cues has been only established for hawkmoths when they locate and extract nectar while hovering in front of some moth-pollinated flowers. To test whether floral humidity can be used by other more widespread generalist pollinators, we designed artificial flowers that presented biologically-relevant levels of humidity similar to those shown by flowering plants. Bumblebees showed a spontaneous preference for flowers which produced higher floral humidity. Furthermore, learning experiments showed that bumblebees are able to use differences in floral humidity to distinguish between rewarding and nonrewarding flowers. Our results indicate that bumblebees are sensitive to different levels of floral humidity. In this way floral humidity can add to the information provided by flowers and could impact pollinator behaviour more significantly than previously thought.

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