Reproductive biology of a primitive angiosperm,Pseudowintera colorata (Winteraceae), and the evolution of pollination systems in theAnthophyta

David G. Lloyd; Mark S. Wells

doi:10.1007/bf00937588

Specialization for Tachinid Fly Pollination in the Phenologically Divergent Varieties of the Orchid Neotinea ustulata

Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution ◽

10.3389/fevo.2021.659176 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

Author(s):

Carlos Martel ◽

Demetra Rakosy ◽

Stefan Dötterl ◽

Steven D. Johnson ◽

Manfred Ayasse ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Reproductive Biology ◽

Reproductive Strategy ◽

Reproductive Strategies ◽

Floral Traits ◽

Deceptive Pollination ◽

Fly Pollination ◽

Pollination Systems

Despite increased focus on elucidating the various reproductive strategies employed by orchids, we still have only a rather limited understanding of deceptive pollination systems that are not bee- or wasp-mediated. In Europe, the orchid Neotinea ustulata has been known to consist of two phenologically divergent varieties, neither of which provide rewards to its pollinators. However, detailed studies of their reproductive biology have been lacking. Our study aimed to characterize and understand the floral traits (i.e., morphology, color, and scent chemistry) and reproductive biology of N. ustulata. We found that the two varieties differ in all their floral traits; furthermore, while Neotinea ustulata var. ustulata appears to be pollinated by both bees (e.g., Anthophora, Bombus) and flies (e.g., Dilophus, Tachina), var. aestivalis is pollinated almost entirely by flies (i.e., Nowickia, Tachina). Tachinids were also found to be much more effective than bees in removing pollinaria, and we show experimentally that they use the characteristic dark inflorescence top as a cue for approaching inflorescences. Our results thus suggest that while both N. ustulata varieties rely on tachinids for pollination, they differ in their degree of specialization. Further studies are, however, needed to fully understand the reproductive strategy of N. ustulata varieties.

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REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY OF TROPICAL LOWLAND RAIN FOREST TREES. II. POLLINATION SYSTEMS

American Journal of Botany ◽

10.1002/j.1537-2197.1985.tb05358.x ◽

1985 ◽

Vol 72 (3) ◽

pp. 346-356 ◽

Cited By ~ 98

Author(s):

K. S. Bawa ◽

S. H. Bullock ◽

D. R. Perry ◽

R. E. Coville ◽

M. H. Grayum

Keyword(s):

Reproductive Biology ◽

Rain Forest ◽

Forest Trees ◽

Lowland Rain Forest ◽

Tropical Lowland ◽

Pollination Systems ◽

Tropical Lowland Rain Forest

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The specialization–generalization continuum in oil-bee pollination systems: a case study of six Brazilian species of Tigridieae (Iridaceae)

Biological Journal of the Linnean Society ◽

10.1093/biolinnean/blz185 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 129 (3) ◽

pp. 701-716

Author(s):

Suiane Santos Oleques ◽

Jefferson Nunes Radaeski ◽

Soraia Bauerman ◽

Olivier Chauveau ◽

Tatiana Teixeira de Souza-Chies

Keyword(s):

Reproductive Biology ◽

Significant Contribution ◽

South American ◽

Bee Pollination ◽

South American Species ◽

Pollinator Behaviour ◽

Visitation Frequency ◽

Pollination Systems ◽

Plant Pollinator

Abstract Several South American species of Iridaceae, especially those of Tigridieae, produce floral oils as rewards to oil-bee pollinators. The present study aimed to contribute to a deeper understanding of the reproductive biology, pollination ecology and level of specialization of the interactions of species encompassed in Tigridieae. Data on breeding and pollination systems were acquired from six species native to Southern Brazil. The visitation frequency and pollen load of pollen- and oil-collecting bees were also investigated. The results strongly suggest that the studied species are distributed along a specialization–generalization continuum. Three oil-producing taxa, Cypella herbertii, Cypella pusilla and Cypella amplimaculata, were pollinated effectively by oil-bees, whereas in the other two studied species, Kelissa brasiliensis and Herbertia pulchella, the oil-bees appeared to function as oil thieves, owing to failure to contact the plant reproductive parts during oil-foraging behaviour. New insights into aspects of the specialization–generalization continuum of pollination systems, differences in pollinator behaviour during oil and pollen foraging, and reproductive outputs of the studied species are provided. Taken together, our results provide a significant contribution towards a better understanding of reproductive biology and plant–pollinator interactions between Iridaceae and oil-collecting bees.

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Fine structure and possible functions of the hermaphrodite duct of some pulmonate snails (Mollusca: Gastropoda)

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100157887 ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 48 (3) ◽

pp. 68-69

Author(s):

Alan N. Hodgson

Keyword(s):

Electron Microscopy ◽

Transmission Electron Microscopy ◽

Fine Structure ◽

Seminal Vesicle ◽

Reproductive Biology ◽

Light Microscope ◽

Light Microscope Level ◽

Transmission Electron ◽

Standard Techniques

The hermaphrodite duct of pulmonate snails connects the ovotestis to the fertilization pouch. The duct is typically divided into three zones; aproximal duct which leaves the ovotestis, the middle duct (seminal vesicle) and the distal ovotestis duct. The seminal vesicle forms the major portion of the duct and is thought to store sperm prior to copulation. In addition the duct may also play a role in sperm maturation and degredation. Although the structure of the seminal vesicle has been described for a number of snails at the light microscope level there appear to be only two descriptions of the ultrastructure of this tissue. Clearly if the role of the hermaphrodite duct in the reproductive biology of pulmonatesis to be understood, knowledge of its fine structure is required.Hermaphrodite ducts, both containing and lacking sperm, of species of the terrestrial pulmonate genera Sphincterochila, Levantina, and Helix and the marine pulmonate genus Siphonaria were prepared for transmission electron microscopy by standard techniques.

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