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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

The attractive role of floral elements in heterantherous species without pronounced stamen differences

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Author(s):
de Brito, Vinicius Lourenco Garcia [1] ; Leite, Fernanda Barao [2] ; Telles, Francismeire Jane [3] ; Jorge, Leonardo Re [4] ; Sazima, Marlies [5]
Total Authors: 5
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Fed Uberlandia, Inst Biol, BR-3840090 Uberlandia, MG - Brazil
[2] Univ Estadual Campinas, Inst Biol, Programa Posgrad Biol Vegetal, BR-13083970 Campinas, SP - Brazil
[3] Univ Fed Uberlandia, Programa Posgrad Ecol & Conservacao Recursos Nat, BR-3840090 Uberlandia, MG - Brazil
[4] Czech Acad Sci, Inst Entomol, Dept Ecol, Biol Ctr, Ceske Budejovice 37005 - Czech Republic
[5] Univ Estadual Campinas, Inst Biol, Dept Biol Vegetal, BR-13083970 Campinas, SP - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 5
Document type: Journal article
Source: ARTHROPOD-PLANT INTERACTIONS; v. 15, n. 1 NOV 2020.
Web of Science Citations: 0
Abstract

Floral resources can be recognized by visitors through attractants that signal their presence. However, besides petals, it is still unclear how floral elements in heterantherous species are perceived by visiting bees. In this study, we aim to understand the role of stamens and petals of Pleroma granulosum and P. raddianum in attracting pollination bees, mainly by evaluating whether pollinator behaviour differs in response to different sized stamens between which there is no apparent colour contrast. Using colour visual models, we estimated bee colour discrimination between stamen sets and corolla in both species and carried out preference experiments among floral elements, using the bees Bombus morio and Xylocopa frontalis as models in the field. Pollination and feeding stamens are not discriminable by bees in both plant species. Bees only preferred flowers with petals, indicating that they are essential to long-distance attraction. During preferential tests, bees seemed to better respond to visual stimuli on the right side, suggesting lateralization. We also demonstrate that tactile stimulation by the anthers is necessary to trigger bee buzzing behaviour. Thus, since bees were not specifically attracted to any stamen set, heteranthery without colour differences between stamens is not enough to determine bee choice behaviour. (AU)