| Full text | |
| Author(s): |
Cordeiro, G. D.
;
Pinheiro, M.
;
Doetterl, S.
;
Alves-dos-Santos, I.
Total Authors: 4
|
| Document type: | Journal article |
| Source: | Plant Biology; v. 19, n. 2, p. 132-139, MAR 2017. |
| Web of Science Citations: | 12 |
| Abstract | |
Bees are the most important diurnal pollinators of angiosperms. In several groups of bees a nocturnal/crepuscular habit developed, yet little is known about their role in pollination and whether some plants are adapted specifically to these bees. We used a multidisciplinary approach to investigate the reproductive biology and to understand the role of nocturnal/crepuscular bees in pollination of Campomanesia phaea (Myrtaceae), popularly named cambuci. We studied the floral biology and breeding system of C.phaea. We collected the floral visitors and tested the pollinators' effectiveness. We also determined the floral scents released at night and during daytime, and studied behavioural responses of crepuscular/nocturnal bees towards these scents. The flowers of cambuci were self-incompatible and had pollen as the only resource for flower visitors. Anthesis lasted around 14h, beginning at 04:30h at night. The flowers released 14 volatile compounds, mainly aliphatic and aromatic compounds. We collected 52 species of floral visitors, mainly bees. Nocturnal and crepuscular bees (four species) were among the most frequent species and the only effective pollinators. In field bioassays performed at night, nocturnal/crepuscular bees were attracted by a synthetic scent blend consisting of the six most abundant compounds. This study describes the first scent-mediated pollination system between a plant and its nocturnal bee pollinators. Further, C.phaea has several floral traits that do not allow classification into other nocturnal pollination syndromes (e.g. pollinator attraction already before sunrise, with pollen as the only reward), instead it is a plant specifically adapted to nocturnal bees. (AU) | |
| FAPESP's process: | 13/26599-6 - Flower recognition by nocturnal bees: a study case with cambuci (Campomanesia phaea - Myrtaceae) |
| Grantee: | Guaraci Duran Cordeiro |
| Support Opportunities: | Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate |
| FAPESP's process: | 11/06811-5 - Phenology, reproductive biology and pollination of cambuci (Campomanesia phaea - Myrtaceae) and monitoring of associated apifauna |
| Grantee: | Guaraci Duran Cordeiro |
| Support Opportunities: | Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate |