| Title: | Reproductive biology of Syagrus coronata (Arecaceae): sex-biased insect visitation and the unusual case of scent emission by peduncular bracts |
| Author(s): | Barbosa CM; Maia ACD; Martel C; Regueira JCS; Navarro D; Raguso RA; Milet-Pinheiro P; Machado IC; |
| Address: | "Departament of Botany, Programa de Pos-Graduacao em Biologia Vegetal, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil. Departament of Systematics and Ecology, Universidade Federal da Paraiba, Joao Pessoa, Brazil. Instituto de Ciencias Omicas y Biotecnologia Aplicada, Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Peru, Av. Universitaria 1801, San Miguel 15088, Lima, Peru. Department of Zoology, Laboratorio de Taxonomia e Ecologia de Insetos, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil. Department of Fundamental Chemistry, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil. Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA" |
| ISSN/ISBN: | 1438-8677 (Electronic) 1435-8603 (Linking) |
| Abstract: | "Several monoecious species of palms have developed complex strategies to promote cross-pollination, including the production of large quantities of floral resources and the emission of scents that are attractive to pollinators. Syagrus coronata constitutes an interesting model with which to understand the evolution of plant reproductive strategies in a monoecious species adapted to seasonally dry forests. We monitored blooming phenology over 1 year, during which we also collected and identified floral visitors and putative pollinators. We identified potential floral visitor attractants by characterizing the scent composition of inflorescences as well as of peduncular bracts, during both male and female phases, and the potential for floral thermogenesis. Syagrus coronata produces floral resources throughout the year. Its inflorescences are predominantly visited by a diverse assortment of small-sized beetles, whose richness and abundance vary throughout the different phases of anthesis. We did not find evidence of floral thermogenesis. A total of 23 volatile compounds were identified in the scent emitted by the inflorescences, which did not differ between male and female phases; whereas the scent of the peduncular bracts was composed of only 4-methyl guaiacol, which was absent in inflorescences. The composition of floral scent chemistry indicates that this palm has evolved strategies to be predominantly pollinated by small-sized weevils. Our study provides rare evidence of a non-floral scent emitting structure involved in pollinator attraction, only the second such case specifically in palms. The peculiarities of the reproductive strategy of S. coronata might play an important role in the maintenance of pollination services and pollen dispersion" |
| Keywords: | Animals Arecaceae/*physiology Flowers/*physiology Insecta *Odorants Pollination 4-methyl guaiacol beetle pollination cocosoid palm floral volatiles peduncular bract; |
| Notes: | "MedlineBarbosa, C M Maia, A C D Martel, C Regueira, J C S Navarro, D M do A F Raguso, R A Milet-Pinheiro, P Machado, I C eng 311021/2014-0/Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPq)/ CNPq/PDJ - 152077/2016-2/Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPq)/ 459485/2014-8/Programa Ecologico de Longa Duracao do PARNA Catimbau (PELD/CNPq Catimbau)/ FACEPE/BCT - 0288-2.05/17/Fundacao de Amparo a Ciencia e Tecnologia do Estado de Pernambuco/ 001/Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Nivel Superior/ England 2020/08/07 Plant Biol (Stuttg). 2021 Jan; 23(1):100-110. doi: 10.1111/plb.13162. Epub 2020 Dec 1" |
