A new species of Aspidistra (Ruscaceae s.l., Asparagales) from southern Vietnam, field observations on its flowering and possible pollination by flies (Phoridae)

Pollination of Vietnamese Aspidistra xuansonensis (Asparagaceae) by female Cecidomyiidi flies: Larvae of pollinator feed on fertile pollen in anthers of anthetic bisexual flowers

“…In addition to field observations, molecular barcoding was used to demonstrate taxonomic identity of pollinating insects and larvae. Together with our earlier work (Vislobokov et al, 2013), our study suggests the presence of different types of myiophily in Aspidistra (see also Tillich, 2014) and possible taxon‐specific interactions between pollinators and at least some species in the genus. Our data increase general knowledge on pollination systems of tropical flowers because specialized feeding of pollinators’ larvae on fertile pollen in anthers of anthetic bisexual flowers is a condition that differs from common examples of oviposition during pollination.…”

“…No parasitic fungus was found in the flowers of A. xuansonensis , and no damage to developing seeds was recorded. Aspidistra flowers do not produce nectar (Buchenau, 1867; Vislobokov et al, 2013; present study), and a larval diet of nectar is not recorded in the literature (Woodcock et al, 2014). No damage to perianth, stamen filaments, anther walls, or gynoecium was found in A. xuansonensis , but collapsed pollen grains appear in flowers during larvae development.…”

“…Features of floral morphology suggest pollination of Aspidistra species by fungus gnats (Diptera: Mycetophilidae, Sciaridae; Vogel, 1978; Tillich, 2005). Vislobokov et al (2013) made the first direct field observations of floral visitors in a mainland species of Aspidistra ( A. phanluongii in southern Vietnam) and documented pollination by Megaselia flies (Phoridae). Like the Japanese plants of A. elatior , A. phanluongii occurs outside the diversity center of the genus, and the results may not be reliably extrapolated to other species.…”

Characterization and high cross‐species transferability of microsatellite markers from the floral transcriptome of Aspidistra saxicola (Asparagaceae)

“…) with more than 100 species formally described and accepted (Tillich ; Vislobokov et al . ). Within Aspidistra , diversity in floral structure is remarkable, involving the shape of the anthers, the structure of the stigma, the attachment of the stamens and the arrangement of the lobes (Li ).…”

“…An excellent opportunity exists to explore the issues related to SSR markers from the transcriptome of Aspidistra Ker-Gawl., a monocot genus of flowering plants endemic to East Asia. The genus Aspidistra belongs to the family Asparagaceae (Chase et al 2009) with more than 100 species formally described and accepted (Tillich 2008;Vislobokov et al 2013). Within Aspidistra, diversity in floral structure is remarkable, involving the shape of the anthers, the structure of the stigma, the attachment of the stamens and the arrangement of the lobes (Li 2004).…”