Flowers and Beetles in the South American Tropics

Abstract

Examples of beetle pollination in the South American tropics are given. The case histories refer to representatives of the families Cyclanthaceae, Annonaceae, and Araceae. In most cases the cantharophilous syndrome does not seem to be the result of coevolution but of a one-sided adaptation of flowers to the behavior, necessities, and sense-capacities of beetle species. It is emphasized that cantharophily may not necessarily be an indication of ancientness of a flower/ insect relationship. Besides primitive angiosperms, there are derived and modern groups which, in theirpollination, are specialized for beetles.Carludovica palmata (Cyclanthaceae) is pollinated by small curculionids which are attracted by odors in the early morning hours. Annona coriacea (Annonaceae) and Philodendron selloum (Araceae) are pollinated by large dynastid scarab beetles in the evening hours. In all three species thermogenesis occurs. Although belonging to widely separate systematic groups, Annona flowers and Philodendron inflorescences have a similar pollination biology, which indicates that their adaptations to beetles are the result of convergent evolutionary developments.

Florivory and sex ratio in Annona dioica St. Hil. (Annonaceae) in the Pantanal at Nhecolândia, southwestern Brazil

“…The pollination system of this family is typically cantharophilous (Gottsberger 1970;1974;1990;Norman et al 1992), with flowers that are highly specialized for pollination by beetles. The flowers of these species are frequently large, with an elevated number of stamens and carpels, and show flattened and dense aggregations of the reproductive structures in which the petals often close over the flower center to form a floral chamber (Gottsberger 1974;1990).…”

“…The pollination system of this family is typically cantharophilous (Gottsberger 1970;1974;1990;Norman et al 1992), with flowers that are highly specialized for pollination by beetles. The flowers of these species are frequently large, with an elevated number of stamens and carpels, and show flattened and dense aggregations of the reproductive structures in which the petals often close over the flower center to form a floral chamber (Gottsberger 1974;1990). In addition, the flowers have massive, thick, nutritious petals (Gottsberger 1988;1990; A.C. Webber, data not published) and use thermogenic respiration (Gottsberger 1989b;1990;; A.C. Webber, data not published) to guarantee an elevated temperature inside the flower (Gottsberger 1986;1989a;1990; H.F. Paulino Neto, data not published) that may be 15 ºC above the surrounding air temperature (Gottsberger 1990;.…”

“…The flowers of these species are frequently large, with an elevated number of stamens and carpels, and show flattened and dense aggregations of the reproductive structures in which the petals often close over the flower center to form a floral chamber (Gottsberger 1974;1990). In addition, the flowers have massive, thick, nutritious petals (Gottsberger 1988;1990; A.C. Webber, data not published) and use thermogenic respiration (Gottsberger 1989b;1990;; A.C. Webber, data not published) to guarantee an elevated temperature inside the flower (Gottsberger 1986;1989a;1990; H.F. Paulino Neto, data not published) that may be 15 ºC above the surrounding air temperature (Gottsberger 1990;. The heat generated by the flowers enhances the volatilization of characteristic odours that serve to attract beetles (Gottsberger 1986;1989a;1990;; A.C. Webber, data not published).…”

Functional Coexpression of the Mitochondrial Alternative Oxidase and Uncoupling Protein Underlies Thermoregulation in the Thermogenic Florets of Skunk Cabbage

“…; Nagy et al, 1972;Gottsberger and Amaral, 1984; Symplocarpus spp. ; Seymour and Blaylock, 1999;Ito et al, 2004;Seymour, 2004; Helicodiceros muscivorus;Seymour et al, 2003), and also in palms (Bactris gasipaes;Schroeder, 1978; Carludovica palmata;Gottsberger, 1990; Bactris spp. ;Listabarth, 1996), lotus (Nelumbo spp.…”

Changes in the Composition of Xylem Sap during Development of the Spadix of Skunk Cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus)

“…These thermogenic plants include several species of the arum lily family, [1][2][3] palms, [4][5][6] lotus, [7][8][9] cycads, 10) and water lilies. 11,12) To date, however, only three plant species, Symplocarpus foetidus, 3,[13][14][15][16][17][18] Philodendron selloum, [19][20][21][22][23] and Nelumbo nucifera 8,9,24) have been shown to be homeothermic.…”