Floral biology and histochemical analysis of Vanilla edwallii Hoehne (Orchidaceae: Vanilloideae): an orchid pollinated by Epicharis (Apidae: Centridini)

Autor(es)

Pansarin, Emerson R. ^[1] ; Aguiar, Joao M. R. B. V. ^[1] ; Pansarin, Ludmila M. ^[2]

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Philosophy Sci & Letters Ribeirao Preto, Dept Biol, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Ecol, Biosci Inst, Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: PLANT SPECIES BIOLOGY; v. 29, n. 3, p. 242-252, SEP 2014.
• Citações Web of Science: 10

Resumo

The genus Vanilla is the most diverse in Vanilloideae, with ca 90 species distributed among tropical regions. Despite their economic importance, studies on pollination of Vanilla are very scarce and data on pollinators of species endemic to Brazil are lacking. Based on fieldwork and laboratory investigations, the floral biology of V. edwallii was studied. The pollinators and pollination process were recorded at the Serra do Japi reserve, state of Sao Paulo, southeastern Brazil, and the presence of floral reward was also investigated. Vanilla edwallii blooms in summer. The lateral inflorescences produce up to four pale green flowers. The white labellum is united to the base of the column forming a mentum. In the studied population V. edwallii is pollinated by Epicharis (Hoplepicharis) affinis, where the males exhibit a territorial behavior, defending flowers from other possible flower visitors. The pollen is deposited on the scutellum of bees when they abandon the flower. The mentum region is dry, suggesting no nectar production. The only secretory structures are osmophores dispersed on the inner surface of the lip responsible for production of a sweet fragrance, which together with color and morphology of flowers is related to bee attraction. The labellum is rich in mucilaginous cells, while the mucilaginous substance is retained inside the cells. The histochemical analysis also detected the presence of phenolic compounds and starch concentrated mainly at the adaxial surface of the lip and around the vascular bundles. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 09/53917-3 - Biologia floral de Vanilla edwallii Hoehne (Orchidaceae: Vanilloideae: Vanilleae)
• Beneficiário: João Marcelo Robazzi Bignelli Valente Aguiar
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Iniciação Científica
• Processo FAPESP: 07/07445-7 - Evolução dos sistemas de polinização em Vanilloideae (Orchidaceae) americanas
• Beneficiário: Emerson Ricardo Pansarin
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Jovens Pesquisadores