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Adaptation of floral traits and mating system to pollinator unpredictibility: the case of Disterigma stereophyllum (Ericaceae) in southwestern Colombia

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Abstract

The Neotropical group of Ericaceae offers a variety of floral displays. Here we present data on floral characteristics and breeding system of Disterigma stereophyllum, a Neotropical epiphyte Ericaceae abundant in semi-disturbed areas with pollinator unpredictability. Floral characteristics are intermediate between those typical of bee- and hummingbird-pollinated plants: the corolla is short, white, and urceolate, but the composition and amount of nectar are similar to those typically observed in hummingbird-pollinated species. Plants are capable of autonomously self-pollination, but manual outcrossing yielded more than twice as many fruits as self hand-pollination did. Moreover, outcross pollen grows more rapidly than self pollen down the style. Our results provide another example of a species with a ``mixed pollination syndrome'' which is cryptically self-incompatible and preferably attracts high-energy pollinators (hummingbirds), but which can also profit from small bee visitors and retains the ability to self-pollinate just in case. We hypothesize that interaction among several factors, including self pollinating possibility, and the capacity to attract a wide pollinator spectrum, may result in a lack of strong selection for a bee vs. a hummingbird floral morphology, thus allowing the persistence of mixed floral traits in these ericads. The maintenance of these traits may enhance the ability of this species to colonize semi-disturbed areas.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Área de Botánica, Departamento de Biología Vegetal, Facultad de Ciencias, Campus As Lagoas-Marcosende, Universidad de Vigo, 36200, Vigo, Spain

    L. Navarro & G. Ayensa

  2. Departamento de Botánica, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, 15705, Santiago de Compostela, Spain

    P. Guitián

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  1. L. Navarro
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  2. G. Ayensa
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  3. P. Guitián
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Correspondence to L. Navarro.

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This paper is devoted to the memory of Martha Janeth Portillo.

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Navarro, L., Ayensa, G. & Guitián, P. Adaptation of floral traits and mating system to pollinator unpredictibility: the case of Disterigma stereophyllum (Ericaceae) in southwestern Colombia. Plant Syst. Evol. 266, 165–174 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00606-007-0530-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00606-007-0530-5

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