Biodiversity of pollinators in four bee-friendly plant species

Pratheepa, M.; Amala, U.; Shivalingaswamy, T M

doi:10.18311/jbc/2019/23202

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

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“…Reports of blue-banded bees visiting Convolvulaceae species are less common, but they have been observed visiting I. digitata [51], Jaquemontia sp. [52], and I. aquatica [43]. Moreover, Kato et al [51] reported that, in Laos, Amegilla bees typically pollinate perennial, tubular flowers, which corresponds with the habit and morphology of our study species.…”

Section: Pollinator Observationssupporting

confidence: 74%

Pollination and Floral Biology of a Rare Morning Glory Species Endemic to Thailand, Argyreia siamensis

Jirabanjongjit

Traiperm

Sando³

et al. 2021

Plants

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Argyreia siamensis is extremely rare, and very little is known about its reproduction. The species has colorful flowers that seem likely to attract pollinators, but population sizes are typically small (<30 individuals). To determine whether poor reproduction contributes to its rarity, we investigated its mating system and potential pollinators in two populations. We also examined the staminal trichomes and floral nectary to investigate their role in pollinator attraction. The mating system was assessed with a bagging experiment and pollinator visits were recorded with action cameras. Additionally, we tested the staminal trichomes and floral nectary for terpenes and flavonoids and examined floral nectary micromorphology via scanning electron microscope and compound light microscope. Our results reveal that A. siamensis is self-incompatible and dependent on pollinators; the western population was pollinated by bees (Meliponini and Amegilla), while the eastern population was mainly pollinated by skipper butterflies (Hesperiidae). Both staminal trichomes and the floral nectary appear to contribute to pollinator attraction through the presence of terpenes and flavonoids (in both secretory structures) and nectariferous tissue and nectarostomata (in the nectary). Our results indicate that A. siamensis has reliable and effective pollinators and that insufficient pollination is likely not a primary cause of its rarity.

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