Pollination ecology of Monstera obliqua (Araceae) in French Guiana

Abstract

Data on pollination ecology of Araceae are still scarce and most concern species belonging to the subfamily Aroideae (García-Robledo et al. 2004, Gibernau 2003, Ivancic et al. 2004, 2005; Maia & Schlindwein 2006). In this subfamily, inflorescences consist of unisexual flowers: female flowers are located in the lower portion and the male flowers are in the upper portion of the inflorescence (Mayo et al. 1997). In the documented neotropical Aroideae, pollinators are nocturnal beetles and pollination mechanisms take place within a floral chamber during a short flowering cycle (generally 24–48 h) with floral rewards (sterile flowers rich in proteins and/or lipids) for the beetle pollinators, the secretion of resin to secure pollen on the pollinator, and the production of heat and odours (Chouteau et al. 2007, García-Robledo et al. 2004, Gibernau & Barabé 2002, Gibernau et al. 1999, 2000, 2003; Maia & Schlindwein 2006, Young 1986).

Distribution of calcium oxalate crystals in floral organs of Araceae in relation to pollination strategy

“…2F), the unshed pollen would be amply protected by crystals. Consistent with the hypothesis that these crystals effectively protect gynoecia and stamens, predation on stamens or gynoecia by pollinating beetles was never observed in field observations, except for predation on stigmata of Montrichardia arborescens as described above (Ramírez and Gómez, 1978; Valerio, 1984; Young, 1986; Mayo et al, 1997; Gibernau et al, 1999, 2000, 2003; Maia and Schlindwein, 2006; Chouteau et al, 2007; Maia et al, 2010; Gibernau 2011). The constriction of the spathe to form a floral chamber might also help protect the anthers by discouraging the beetles from visiting them.…”

“…They share bisexual flowers and open spathes with the other bee‐pollinated species that we studied. However, it has been observed that, at least in some populations of Monstera obliqua , nitidulid beetles visit the inflorescence, pollinate the female flowers, and stay overnight in the lower part of the spathe (Chouteau et al, 2007), characteristics of a party‐house pollination strategy. The inflorescences lack sterile staminodia, but the beetles were observed to eat shed pollen (Chouteau et al, 2007).…”

In the heat of the night – alternative pathway respiration drives thermogenesis in Philodendron bipinnatifidum

“…Among thermogenic arums, the capacity for heat generation differs markedly, from approx. 1-2°C above ambient temperature in Monstera obliqua (Chouteau et al, 2007) to 34°C above in Philodendron bipinnatifidum (syn. Philodendron selloum; Nagy et al, 1972;Seymour et al, 1983).…”

Adaptations for insect‐trapping in brood‐site pollinated Colocasia (Araceae)

“…Chouteau et al . () show that the nitidulid pollinator Colopeterus amputatus uses inflorescences of Monstera obliqua as mating sites and feeds on the pollen during the staminate phase of anthesis.…”

“…Amorphophallus, Cyrtosperma, Typhonium and Urospatha; Gibernau 2003; Punekar & Kumaran 2010) but information on their behaviour remains scarce. Chouteau et al (2007b) show that the nitidulid pollinator Colopeterus amputatus uses inflorescences of Monstera obliqua as mating sites and feeds on the pollen during the staminate phase of anthesis.…”