Nectar production dynamics and sugar composition in two Mucuna species (Leguminosae, Faboideae) with different specialized pollinators

Agostini, Kayna; Sazima, Marlies; Galetto, Leonardo

doi:10.1007/s00114-011-0844-6

Cited by 34 publications

(37 citation statements)

References 52 publications

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“…In addition, explosive openers removed high quantities of pollen grains, and the stigma made contact with their lower jaw. For example, M. japira, which is pollinated by diurnal birds, stores nectar during the day, whereas the nocturnal bat-pollinated M. urens blooms and secretes nectar only at night (Agostini, Sazima, & Galetto, 2011). Therefore, the explosive openers were likely to be the effective pollinators in this study area and elsewhere (Kobayashi, Denda, Liao, Lin, Liu, et al, 2018;Kobayashi, Denda, et al, 2017;Kobayashi et al, 2015).…”

Section: Pollination System Of M Macrocarpa In Northeastern Thailandmentioning

confidence: 86%

The pollination system of the widely distributed mammal‐pollinated Mucuna macrocarpa (Fabaceae) in the tropics

Kobayashi

Denda

Placksanoi

et al. 2019

Ecology and Evolution

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Although the pollinators of some plant species differ across regions, only a few mammal‐pollinated plant species have regional pollinator differences in Asia. Mucuna macrocarpa (Fabaceae) is pollinated by squirrels, flying foxes, and macaques in subtropical and temperate islands. In this study, the pollination system of M. macrocarpa was identified in tropical Asia, where the genus originally diversified. This species requires “explosive opening” of the flower, where the wing petals must be pressed down and the banner petal pushed upward to fully expose the stamens and pistil. A bagging experiment showed that fruits did not develop in inflorescences (n = 66) with unopened flowers, whereas fruits developed in 68.7% of inflorescences (n = 131) with opened flowers. This indicated that the explosive opening is needed for the species to reproduce. Four potential pollinator mammals were identified by a video camera‐trap survey, and 78.3% and 60.1% of monitored inflorescences (n = 138) were opened by gray‐bellied squirrels (Callosciurus caniceps) and Finlayson's squirrels (C. finlaysonii), respectively, even though more than 10 mammal species visited flowers. Nectar was surrounded by the calyx, and the volume and sugar concentration of secreted nectar did not change during the day. This nectar secretion pattern is similar to those reported by previous studies in other regions. These results showed that the main pollinators of M. macrocarpa in the tropics are squirrels. However, the species' nectar secretion pattern is not specifically adapted to this particular pollinator. Pollinators of M. macrocarpa differ throughout the distribution range based on the fauna present, but there might not have been no distinctive changes in the attractive traits that accompanied these changes in pollinators.

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Section: Pollination System Of M Macrocarpa In Northeastern Thailandmentioning

confidence: 86%

The pollination system of the widely distributed mammal‐pollinated Mucuna macrocarpa (Fabaceae) in the tropics

Kobayashi

Denda

Placksanoi

et al. 2019

Ecology and Evolution

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“…Nectar resorption was characterised by a constant decrease in nectar volume and amount of sugars. As sugar production in I. sessilis can reach up to 56 mg per flower and one single plant can produce hundreds of flowers per day over many weeks, nectar resorption may serve as an important strategy to save and reallocate resources to the production of new flowers, fruits and seeds (Pyke 1991; Nepi & Stpiczyńska 2008; Agostini et al. 2011).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Beyond the pollination syndrome: nectar ecology and the role of diurnal and nocturnal pollinators in the reproductive success of Inga sessilis (Fabaceae)

Amorim

Galetto

2012

Plant Biology

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Inga species present brush-type flower morphology allowing them to be visited by distinct groups of pollinators. Nectar features in relation to the main pollinators have seldom been studied in this genus. To test the hypothesis of floral adaptation to both diurnal and nocturnal pollinators, we studied the pollination ecology of Inga sessilis, with emphasis on the nectar secretion patterns, effects of sequential removals on nectar production, sugar composition and the role of diurnal and nocturnal pollinators in its reproductive success. Inga sessilis is self-incompatible and pollinated by hummingbirds, hawkmoths and bats. Fruit set under natural conditions is very low despite the fact that most stigmas receive polyads with sufficient pollen to fertilise all ovules in a flower. Nectar secretion starts in the bud stage and flowers continually secreting nectar for a period of 8 h. Flowers actively reabsorbed the nectar a few hours before senescence. Sugar production increased after nectar removal, especially when flowers were drained during the night. Nectar sugar composition changed over flower life span, from sucrose-dominant (just after flower opening, when hummingbirds were the main visitors) to hexose-rich (throughout the night, when bats and hawkmoths were the main visitors). Diurnal pollinators contributed less than nocturnal ones to fruit production, but the former were more constant and reliable visitors through time. Our results indicate I. sessilis has floral adaptations, beyond the morphology, that encompass both diurnal and nocturnal pollinator requirements, suggesting a complementary and mixed pollination system.

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“…The flowers of some species can reabsorb nectar (Nicolson 1995;Koopowitz and Marchant 1998;Nepi et al 2001;Luyt and Johnson 2002;Agostini et al 2011;Stpiczyńska et al 2012) and this is seen as part of a resource-recovery strategy and a means of maintaining homesostasis in the nectary. This phenomenon is characterized by a simultaneous decrease in volume and increase in concentration (Nepi and Stpiczyńska 2008).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Does Oeceoclades maculata (Orchidaceae) reabsorb nectar?

Aguiar

Pansarin

2013

European Journal of Environmental Sciences

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Nectar is the most common resource offered by orchid flowers. In some cases, flowers reabsorb nectar as part of a resource-recovery strategy. Nectar is present only in the morning in the widespread orchid Oececoclades maculata (Lindl.) Lindl. To determine whether this is due to reabsorption or evaporation of water, the volume of nectar and its concentration in previously bagged flowers were determined throughout the day at two hourly intervals. In addition, the entrance to the nectary of flowers of cultivated plants was obstructed with petroleum jelly in the morning, to prevent the evaporation of water and, in the afternoon, the presence of nectar was recorded. Furthermore, manually self-pollinated flowers, also with the entrance to the nectary obstructed, had their nectary checked 24 hours after pollination to determine whether post-pollination reabsorption occurred. In addition, the period when the pollinators of O. maculata foraged for nectar was determined in order to establish whether it was associated with the period when nectar was available. The volume and concentration of nectar in O. maculata flowers vary from 0.82 µl (25.10%) between 10-12 h and 0.36 µl (33.73%) between 16-18 h and this difference is caused by evaporation of water. Post-pollination reabsorption does not occur in this species. Pollinators forage most actively between 10-12 h. Thus, O. maculata does not reabsorb nectar, but evaporative water loss is a significant factor determining the variation in the volume and concentration of this reward and this is positively correlated with butterfly visitation.

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Nectar production dynamics and sugar composition in two Mucuna species (Leguminosae, Faboideae) with different specialized pollinators

Cited by 34 publications

References 52 publications

The pollination system of the widely distributed mammal‐pollinated Mucuna macrocarpa (Fabaceae) in the tropics

The pollination system of the widely distributed mammal‐pollinated Mucuna macrocarpa (Fabaceae) in the tropics

Beyond the pollination syndrome: nectar ecology and the role of diurnal and nocturnal pollinators in the reproductive success of Inga sessilis (Fabaceae)

Does Oeceoclades maculata (Orchidaceae) reabsorb nectar?

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