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Pollinator Faunas (pollinator + fauna)
Selected AbstractsPollination of the Lady's slipper orchid (Cypripedium calceolus) in Scandinavia , taxonomic and conservational aspectsNORDIC JOURNAL OF BOTANY, Issue 4 2009Alexandre Antonelli The Lady's slipper orchid Cypripedium calceolus L. is considered one of the most beautiful orchids of Europe. Consequently, the species has suffered from over-collecting and is now critically endangered in many countries. Although pollination success is suspected to influence the long-term survival of Cypripedium calceolus, relatively little is known about the identity of its pollinators in mainland Sweden , a region that comprises the largest European populations. In order to identify which species pollinate eight representative populations in mainland Sweden, we observed and sampled visitors to flowers using a standardized protocol. Specimens were identified and any pollen smear found on their body was examined for the presence of Cypripedium pollen. Nine species were recognized as effective pollen vectors (Andrena cineraria, A. carantonica, A. haemorrohoa, A. helvola, A. nigroaenea, A. praecox, Colletes cunicularius, Lasioglossum fratellum and L. fulvicorne), four of them for the first time in Scandinavia. This is the first time that a species of Colletes is reported to carry pollen of Cypripedium in this region. All but one specimens were females. Our results suggest a taxonomically heterogeneous pollinator fauna for Cypripedium calceolus and are discussed in light of the management of this species. [source] Differences in pollinator faunas may generate geographic differences in floral morphology and integration in Narcissus papyraceus (Amaryllidaceae)OIKOS, Issue 11 2007Rocío Pérez-Barrales Pollinators may generate selective pressures that affect covariation patterns of multiple traits as well as the mean values of single floral morphological traits. Berg predicted that flowers pollinated by animals whose morphology closely matches the flower's shape will be phenotypically more integrated (tighter correlation of flower traits) than will flowers pollinated by animals not closely fitting the floral morphology. We tested this hypothesis by comparing, in the Strait of Gibraltar region (south Spain, northern Morocco), populations of Narcissus papyraceus that have geographical differences in pollinator faunas. Long-tongued, nectar-feeding moths dominate the pollinator faunas of those populations close to the Strait of Gibraltar, whereas short-tongued, pollen-feeding syrphid flies dominate in peripheral populations farther from the Strait. Populations pollinated by moths and flies differed in the mean values of several floral traits, consistent with the evolution of regional pollination ecotypes. Populations pollinated by moths showed stronger intercorrelation (floral integration) than populations pollinated by hoverflies. Moth-pollinated populations also showed less variation in flower traits than vegetative traits, and this difference was stronger than in fly-pollinated populations. Thus, the pattern of differences in the phenotypic architecture of the Narcissus flowers is consistent with the hypothesis that populations have responded to different selective pressures generated by different pollinators. These data also supported most of the specific predictions of Berg's hypotheses about integration and modularity. [source] Breeding biologies, seed production and species-rich bee guilds of Cleome lutea and Cleome serrulata (Cleomaceae)PLANT SPECIES BIOLOGY, Issue 3 2008JAMES H. CANE Abstract The summer-blooming annual forbs Cleome lutea and Cleome serrulata (Cleomaceae) are native across the US Intermountain West and Rocky Mountains, respectively. Their farmed seed is sought to help rehabilitate western rangelands in those regions. This study of the reproductive biologies and pollinator faunas of C. lutea and C. serrulata is the first for this cosmopolitan family, the sister family to the Brassicaceae. Unlike the S-allele self-incompatibility systems of some Brassicaceae, both species of Cleome were found to be self-fertile and capable of some autogamy. Compared with selfing, outcrossing did not enhance seed set, seed viability or seedling vigor for either species (in fact, selfed progeny were more robust). Large, openly visited plants yielded >20 000 seeds each. Like several species of the sister family Capparaceae, flowers of both species first shed their pollen, secreted nectar and became receptive nocturnally. Although no nocturnal visitors were found, both Cleome species attracted a diverse array of diurnal native bees, wasps and butterflies. Among the many floral generalist bees that work Cleome flowers for pollen and nectar are two managed agricultural pollinators, Apis mellifera and Megachile rotundata. These observations bode well for pollinating C. lutea and C. serrulata in small commercial seed fields. It appears that diverse wild bees would benefit from the addition of native Cleome to restoration seed mixes, with the objective of sustaining native pollinator faunas during the first few years of postfire plant community rehabilitation. [source] | ||||||||||