| Title: | Temporal and sexual variation of leaf-produced pollinator-attracting odours in the dwarf palm |
| Author(s): | Dufay M; Hossaert-McKey M; Anstett MC; |
| Address: | "Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive, 1919 Route de Mende, 34293 Cedex 05, Montpellier, France. mathilde.dufay@univ-lille1.fr" |
| DOI: | 10.1007/s00442-004-1538-y |
| ISSN/ISBN: | 0029-8549 (Print) 0029-8549 (Linking) |
| Abstract: | "Information on intra-specific variation in pollinator-attracting floral traits provides clues to selective pressures imposed by pollinators. However, these traits also reflect constraints related to floral phenology or morphology. The specific weevil pollinator Derelomus chamaeropsis of the dioecious Mediterranean dwarf palm Chamaerops humilis is attracted by volatile compounds that leaves, and not flowers, release during anthesis. Production of these olfactory cues is thus probably not constrained by any other floral function. This provides the opportunity to study variation of a 'floral' trait that is not produced by a floral organ. We studied volatile compounds emitted by leaves of 12 individual C. humilis over the whole flowering season. The quantity of volatile compounds emitted by leaves reached a maximum when plants required pollinator visits. The relationship between odour emission and floral phenology was slightly different between male and female plants, probably reflecting differences in the exact time at which females and males benefit from pollinator visitation. Male plants produced higher quantities of volatile compounds than females. Odour composition was highly variable among individuals but did not differ between male and female plants. In this system, female C. humilis are pollinated by deceit and pollinators should be selected to avoid visiting them. The absence of sexual difference in blend composition may thus prevent pollinators from discriminating between male and female plants" |
| Keywords: | "Analysis of Variance Animals Arecaceae/*chemistry Chromatography, Gas Flowers/physiology Logistic Models *Odorants Plant Leaves/*chemistry Sex Factors Smell/*physiology Terpenes/analysis Time Factors Weevils/*physiology;" |
| Notes: | "MedlineDufay, Mathilde Hossaert-McKey, Martine Anstett, Marie-Charlotte eng Comparative Study Germany 2004/03/17 Oecologia. 2004 May; 139(3):392-8. doi: 10.1007/s00442-004-1538-y. Epub 2004 Mar 12" |
