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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.)

lower morphology and plant-bee pollinator interactions are related to stamen dimorphism in Melastomatacea

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Author(s):
Valadao-Mendes, L. B. [1, 2] ; Rocha, I [3] ; Meireles, D. A. L. [4, 5] ; Leite, F. B. [6] ; Sazima, M. [7] ; Maruyama, P. K. [2] ; Brito, V. L. G. [3, 6]
Total Authors: 7
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Fed Minas Gerais, Programa Posgrad Ecol Conservacao & Manejo Vida S, Belo Horizonte, MG - Brazil
[2] Univ Fed Minas Gerais, ICB, Dept Genet Ecol & Evolucao, Ctr Sintese Ecol & Conservacao, BR-31270901 Belo Horizonte, MG - Brazil
[3] Univ Fed Uberlendia, Inst Biol, Uberlandia, MG - Brazil
[4] Univ Fed Goias, Inst Ciencias Biol, Dept Ecol, Goiania, Go - Brazil
[5] Univ Fed Uberlendia, Programa Posgrad Ecol & Conservaceo Recursos Nat, Uberlandia, MG - Brazil
[6] Univ Estadual Campinas, Inst Biol, Programa Posgrad Biol Vegetal, Campinas - Brazil
[7] Univ Estadual Campinas, Inst Biol, Dept Biol Vegetal, Campinas - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 7
Document type: Journal article
Source: Plant Biology; v. 24, n. 2 NOV 2021.
Web of Science Citations: 0
Abstract

Approximately 20,000 species of flowering plant offer mainly pollen to their pollinators, generally bees. Stamen dimorphism, a floral trait commonly present in some pollen flowers, is thought to be associated with exclusive pollen provision for highly effective bee pollinators. Notwithstanding, little is known about how stamen dimorphism is related to other floral morphological traits and, consequently, plant-pollinator interactions at the community scale. Here we investigated the relationship between stamen dimorphism and other floral morphological traits, as well as the interactions with pollinators in plants of Melastomataceae. We characterized each plant species as stamen dimorphic or stamen isomorphic according to differences in size and shape between stamen sets. Data on interactions between the plants and their bee pollinators were analysed as quantitative bipartite networks. We found that petal and style size and shape were correlated to stamen dimorphism. Stamen dimorphic species present larger flowers and less variable style shapes than stamen isomorphic species. Furthermore, stamen dimorphism is associated with higher richness of visiting bees, i.e. higher ecological generalization. During the evolutionary history of Melastomataceae, the dependence on pollinators for fruit set has possibly favoured the evolution of larger flowers with dimorphic stamens, which in turn are able to make use of a larger spectrum of pollen-collecting bees, leading to ecological generalization. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 03/12595-7 - Floristic composition, structure and functioning of the Dense Rainforest nuclei of Picinguaba and Santa Virgínia of Parque Estadual da Serra do Mar, State of São Paulo, Brazil
Grantee:Carlos Alfredo Joly
Support Opportunities: BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Thematic Grants