The pollination biology and breeding system of Aplectrum hyemale (Orchidaceae)

1983 ◽  
Vol 61 (7) ◽  
pp. 1906-1910 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin P. Hogan
Keyword(s):  
Clonal Growth ◽  
Seed Weight ◽  
Fruit Set ◽  
Seed Viability ◽  
Pollination Biology ◽  
Flowering Period ◽  
East Central ◽  
Visitation Rates ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Central Illinois

The pollination biology of Aplectrum hyemale (Orchidaceae) in Brownfield Woods and in Trelease Woods, east central Illinois, was studied in May 1981. During 26 h of observation over the 4-day flowering period the only potential pollinators observed entering flowers were Dialictus oblongus (Hymenoptera: Halictidae). Five bees of this species were seen entering flowers; none could be seen to be carrying pollinia at any time. In spite of the low visitation rates fruit-set was 82.1% in unmanipulated flowers. Fruit-set in bagged, unmanipulated flowers was 70.6%, indicating that autogamy occurs in this species. Fruit-set in bagged, emasculated flowers was 47.1%, which suggests that agamospermy may occur. Fruit-set was 92.5% in hand-pollinated flowers. No significant differences were found between treatments in seed weight or in percent seed viability. Autogamy and (or) agamospermy, along with possible clonal growth, are consistent with previously published reports of low levels of variability in this species.

scholarly journals Pollination in the Rainforest: Scarce Visitors and Low Effective Pollinators Limit the Fruiting Success of Tropical Orchids

Insects ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 856
Author(s):  
Hortensia Cabrera Reyes ◽  
David Draper ◽  
Isabel Marques
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Set ◽  
Seed Viability ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Single Plant ◽  
Flower Visitors ◽  
Pollination Success ◽  
Pollination Limitation ◽  
Orchid Pollination ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Effective Pollinators

A single plant might be visited by many flower visitors but not all might act as pollinators. Legitimate pollinators might also differ considerably in their efficiency, limiting pollination success. Unsuitable climatic conditions such as rain also affect pollinator activity. However, in the evergreen rainforest there is no prolonged dry season and flowering occurs usually under rain. Here, we explore the dependence on pollinators and the efficiency of flower visitors for the fruiting success of 10 Andean rainforest orchids. All species were self-compatible but strictly pollinator-dependent. Overall, we found low levels of fruit set in control flowers while experimental geitonogamous and cross-pollinations increased fruit set, revealing extensive pollination limitation in all populations. Seed viability dropped considerably after self and geitonogamous pollinations suggesting the possibility of early-acting inbreeding depression. Even though we monitored flower visitors on an extensive survey, few visitors were seen in these species and even fewer acted as legitimate pollinators. Thus, even though orchid pollination might be extremely diversified, these results show that few visitors are pollinating these species, explaining the low levels of fruit set recorded in the area studied.

Pollination biology of Geissomeria pubescens Nees (Acanthaceae) in a forest remnant in central Brazil

Botany ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 92 (3) ◽  
pp. 215-222 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raphael Matias ◽  
Hélder Consolaro
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Set ◽  
Floral Biology ◽  
Pollination Biology ◽  
Energy Availability ◽  
Open Pollination ◽  
Forest Fragment ◽  
Central Brazil ◽  
Forest Remnant ◽  
Fruit Formation ◽  
Nectar Availability

Specialized plants like those in genus Geissomeria Lindl. (Acanthaceae) seem to depend directly on pollination by hummingbirds for reproduction. The goal of this study was to investigate the pollination biology of Geissomeria pubescens Nees (Acanthaceae) in a forest fragment in the municipality of Catalão, state of Goiás, Brazil, including aspects of morphology, floral biology, energy availability from nectar, and reproductive system. Geissomeria pubescens has pendulous red flowers, tubular corolla, diurnal anthesis, and no odor. These floral traits characterize G. pubescens as an ornithophilous species. The total amount of energy available from nectar was 8.60 ± 2.87 cal·flower–1, and each individual produced up to 22.53 cal·day–1. Based on the resources offered by G. pubescens, the fragment studied may support up to 94.6 hummingbirds during the peak of nectar availability. Hummingbirds were the only flower visitors, and Thalurania furcata (Gmelin, 1788) was the main pollinator. Flowers from manual cross- and self-pollination treatments produced fruits, but fruit set was low compared with open pollination. These results, along with the lack of fruit set from agamospermy and spontaneous selfing, demonstrate the importance of hummingbirds for pollen flow and, consequently, for fruit formation in G. pubescens.

scholarly journals POPULATION ECOLOGY OF THE NORTHERN SLIMY SALAMANDER (PLETHODON GLUTINOSUS) IN EAST-CENTRAL ILLINOIS

2015 ◽  
pp. 17-21
Author(s):  
John A. Crawford ◽  
Andrew R. Kuhns ◽  
Mathys J. Meyer
Keyword(s):  
Population Density ◽  
Population Ecology ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Ecosystem Integrity ◽  
East Central ◽  
Plethodon Glutinosus ◽  
Capture Success ◽  
Plethodontid Salamanders ◽  
Management Plans ◽  
Central Illinois

The importance of plethodontid salamanders in forested habitats has been recognized for decades and more recently plethodontids have been touted as a model taxon for monitoring ecosystem integrity and recovery. However, basic demographic data that are crucial to conservation and management plans are currently lacking for many species and regions. The objectives of our study were to characterize the population density, biomass, and capture success of a peripheral population of Plethodon glutinosus to provide a comparison for eastern populations and set a baseline for future monitoring of Midwestern populations. We estimated the population density of P. glutinosus at our site to be 0.41 salamanders/m2, with an estimated biomass of 0.70 g/m2. We did not find any evidence for temperature or precipitation affecting capture success. Our results showed that our density estimate falls within the range of other population ecology studies of Plethodon and sets a baseline for other peripheral Midwestern populations.

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