-(Saranthe klotzschiana (Koer.) Eichl. (Marantaceae) and its explosive pollination mechanism). The pollination biology of Saranthe klotzschiana (Koer.) Eichl. was studied at an altitudinal forest ("brejo de altitude"), in the Parque Ecológico João Vasconcelos Sobrinho, Caruaru municipality -Pernambuco state, northeastern Brazil (8º18'36"S and 36º00'00"W). Saranthe klotzschiana bears inflorescences with 2.5-5.5 cm in length, and ca. 10-30 flowers, measuring 6-10 mm in length. The anthesis is diurnal with flowers opening at 4:00 h and lasting up to 14:30 h. Each inflorescence bears 4-12 open flowers per day. Each flower produced 1-3 µL of nectar with sugar concentration ranging from 27% to 32%. At dawn, frequent visits of diurnal moths and bees of the families Anthophoridae (Centris aenea, Epicharis (Epicharoides) sp., Mesoplia similis, Rhathymus acutiventris, and R. bicolor nigripes), Apidae (Euglossa truncata, E. carinilabris, Eulaema bombiformis, E. cingulata, E. nigrita, and Melipona scutellaris), and Colletidae (Ptiloglossa sp.) were observed. The bees visited flowers throughout anthesis, with a visiting peak from 6:00 to 11:00 a.m. Hummingbirds (Amazilia fimbriata, Chlorostilbon aureoventris, and Phaethornis ruber) were also observed visiting flowers of S. klotzschiana, beginning at 8:00 h. Before a visit the style is vertically positioned in relation to the ovary due to the tension played by the staminode. After a visit the style is detached, and the pollen is deposited in the proboscis (moth), tongue (bees) or beak (hummingbirds) of the visitor. The large bees and the hummingbirds were considered the main pollinators due to their efficacy on triggering the pollination mechanism.
ABSTRACT. Male territories, mating, distribution and relation to plants in Protomeliturga turnerae (Ducke, 1907) (Hymenoptera, Andrenidae). Protomeliturga turnerae (Ducke, 1907) represents the monotypic tribe Protomeliturgini (Andrenidae, Panurginae). The species is oligolectic on flowers of Turnera L. (Turneraceae). A survey of bees on flowers of Turneraceae and of material in entomological collections showed that P. turnerae is common and endemic in Northeastern Brazil, occurring from the State of Maranhão to Alagoas. In João Pessoa, Paraíba, we studied the reproductive biology and mating behavior of P. turnerae and its relations to plants. At the study site, the species was univoltine with males emerging 5-8 days before the females. Soon after emergence the males established territories on flowers of Turnera subulata Smith which they occupied during several days. Parts of each territory overlapped with those of 1 to 3 other males. On the average, a territory comprised 124 flowers, 59 being shared with other males. Males showed two mating strategies: patrolling the flowers of T. subulata in which females collected pollen or waiting in a specific flower inside the territory for arriving females. P. turnerae showed multiple mating. On the average, a male mated 7 times a day, each copula lasting 3 to 25 sec. We observed 2 to 3 males attempting to copulate with the same female. At the end of anthesis of T. subulata the males stopped flying activity and remained inside flowers until their closure.
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