Pollination biology and reproduction of Seemannia sylvatica (Kunth) Hanstein (Gesneriaceae) in the Serra da Bodoquena National Park, Mato Grosso do Sul

Abstract

Abstract:In Brazil, the family Gesneriaceae is represented by 23 genera and approximately 200 species. Seemannia sylvatica is an herb that occurs in dense populations in the riverbeds at Serra da Bodoquena. Goals of this study were to report the floral biology (on the first five days of anthesis), as well as to determine the breeding system and the pollinators of S. sylvatica. Data collection was conducted from June 2005 to July 2006 through monthly field trips, lasting for five days. Data on floral biology, breeding system and on the floral visitors were taken from individuals located along a track 2500 m long, in riparian forest of Salobrinha river. Flowers of S. sylvatica are tubular, red, with no perceptive odor and lasted more than five days (ca. 10 -20 days in individuals transferred to an urban garden and kept in vases). Seemania sylvatica is protandrous, and the male phase occurred between the first and the fourth days of anthesis, while the female one started in the fifth day. Mean nectar volume secreted was 4.77 ± 3.2 µl, with a significative variation among flowers of different ages. Otherwise, nectar concentration average was 9.71 ± 4.41%, and did not varied significantly in flowers of different ages. The flowers of S. sylvatica were pollinated mainly by the hummingbirds Phaethornis pretrei and Thalurania furcata, and pierced by the bee Ceratina chloris. The butterfly Parides anchises orbygnianus was considered an occasional pollinator of these flowers. Seemannia sylvatica is selfcompatible, since fruit set occurred on the experiments of spontaneous self-pollination, manual self-pollination, crosspollination and open pollination (control). The protandry, coupled with the pattern of nectar production, characterized by low volume and solute concentration, which induces the pollinators to visit different flowers in a given circuit foraging, act maximizing the likelihood of cross-pollination in S. sylvatica. Moreover, the high proportion of fruit set by autogamy is an important strategy considering that S. sylvatica is visited by few species, being pollinated mainly by P. pretrei. Therefore, in the absence of these visitors, the formation of fruits may be achieved. Keywords: breeding system, ornithophily, Phaethornis pretrei, protandry, riparian forest.CAMARGO, E., RODRIGUES, L.C. & ARAUJO, A.C. Biologia da polinização e reprodução de Seemannia sylvatica (Kunth) Hanstein (Gesneriaceae) no Parque Nacional da Serra da Bodoquena, Mato Grosso do Sul. Biota Neotrop. 11(4): http://www.biotaneotropica.org.br/v11n4/pt/abstract?article+bn02911042011Resumo: No Brasil, a família Gesneriaceae é representada por 23 gêneros e cerca de 200 espécies. Seemannia sylvatica é uma espécie herbácea que ocorre em densas populações nos leitos de rios da região da Serra da Bodoquena. Os objetivos deste estudo foram conhecer a biologia floral (nos primeiros cinco dias de antese), determinar o sistema reprodutivo e os polinizadores de S. sylvatica. A coleta de dados foi realizada no período de junho de 2005 a julho de 2006 através...

Special offer while stocks last: high-energy pulse of nectar caused by a massive post-fire flowering of Sinningia elatior (Gesneriaceae) in an area of Cerrado and implications for its pollination

“…A high number of thief/robber insects were recorded on S. elatior flowers. Even though this plant species is characterized as ornitophilous, this feature does not impede the occasional visits of different floral visitors, as observed by Camargo et al (2011) on flowers of Seemannia sylvatica (Kunth) Baill. (Gesneriaceae).…”

Pollination ecology of the Neotropical gesneriad Gloxinia perennis: chemical composition and temporal fluctuation of floral perfume

“…Spontaneous self‐pollination is known in other Gesneriaceae but is rare within the family (see Fenster & Martén‐Rodríguez ; Camargo et al . ). Seed set was significantly higher in the autogamy treatment than in spontaneous‐pollinated flowers or flowers naturally visited by pollinators, which indicates that seed set in natural populations is pollen‐limited.…”

Floral traits and pollination system of Zygophyllum xanthoxylum in the managed and wild populations in an arid region of Northwest China

“…For example, high temperature and drought is the dominant factor for the growth of Cactus in the tropical grassland while air humidity is the main survival-limited factor for the growth of Rhododendron in the low altitude ground. Recent studies found that insect activity is related to the pollination traits (Kawakita, 2010;Camargo et al, 2011;Revel et al, 2012;Wiemer et al, 2012). Global climate change will seriously affect the flowering season and pollinator activity (Saetersdal and Birks, 1997;McCarty, 2001).…”