Beyond the pollination syndrome: nectar ecology and the role of diurnal and nocturnal pollinators in the reproductive success of Inga sessilis (Fabaceae)

Autor(es)

Amorim, F. W. ^{[1, 2]} ; Galetto, L. ^[3] ; Sazima, M. ^[2]

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Univ Estadual Campinas, Inst Biol, Programa Posgrad Biol Vegetal, BR-13083970 Campinas, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Estadual Campinas, Dept Biol Vegetal, Inst Biol, BR-13083970 Campinas, SP - Brazil

^[3] Univ Nacl Cordoba UNC, Inst Multidisciplinario Biol Vegetal UNC CONICET, Cordoba - Argentina

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: Plant Biology; v. 15, n. 2, p. 317-327, MAR 2013.
• Citações Web of Science: 34

Resumo

Inga species present brush-type flower morphology allowing them to be visited by distinct groups of pollinators. Nectar features in relation to the main pollinators have seldom been studied in this genus. To test the hypothesis of floral adaptation to both diurnal and nocturnal pollinators, we studied the pollination ecology of Inga sessilis, with emphasis on the nectar secretion patterns, effects of sequential removals on nectar production, sugar composition and the role of diurnal and nocturnal pollinators in its reproductive success. Inga sessilis is self-incompatible and pollinated by hummingbirds, hawkmoths and bats. Fruit set under natural conditions is very low despite the fact that most stigmas receive polyads with sufficient pollen to fertilise all ovules in a flower. Nectar secretion starts in the bud stage and flowers continually secreting nectar for a period of 8h. Flowers actively reabsorbed the nectar a few hours before senescence. Sugar production increased after nectar removal, especially when flowers were drained during the night. Nectar sugar composition changed over flower life span, from sucrose-dominant (just after flower opening, when hummingbirds were the main visitors) to hexose-rich (throughout the night, when bats and hawkmoths were the main visitors). Diurnal pollinators contributed less than nocturnal ones to fruit production, but the former were more constant and reliable visitors through time. Our results indicate I.sessilis has floral adaptations, beyond the morphology, that encompass both diurnal and nocturnal pollinator requirements, suggesting a complementary and mixed pollination system. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 07/58666-3 - Diversidade, composição florística e biologia reprodutiva da comunidade de plantas esfingófilas de Floresta Ombrófila Densa Montana - Mata Atlântica, no sudoeste brasileiro
• Beneficiário: Felipe Wanderley de Amorim
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Doutorado
• Processo FAPESP: 03/12595-7 - Composição florística, estrutura e funcionamento da Floresta Ombrófila Densa dos Núcleos Picinguaba e Santa Virgínia do Parque Estadual da Serra do Mar, estado de São Paulo, Brasil
• Beneficiário: Carlos Alfredo Joly
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Programa BIOTA - Temático