Chemical analyses confirm a rare case of seed dispersal by bees

Abstract

-It has been suggested that dispersal of seeds of Coussapoa asperifolia magnifolia could have endozoochoric dispersal by frugivorous birds and monkeys because the fruits are red when ripe, or exozoochoric dispersal, because the exocarp is mucilaginous and sticky. However, our field observations showed only stingless bees collecting the exocarp with seeds of C. asperifolia magnifolia, which are used for building and repairing their nests, from which the plants sprout. This paper aimed to determine the fruit chemical composition, since we postulated that C. asperifolia magnifolia is neither consumed by birds nor monkeys due to being very sticky and apparently resinous. Apolar extract analyses revealed the fruits are not resinous but extremely rich in waxes (mainly esterified triglycerides), and polar extract analyses revealed the sugar content to be close to the sensorial minimum level. This probably accounts for why only stingless bees are seen visiting fruits and dispersing seeds. mellitochory / insect-plant interaction / stingless bees / Apidae / Coussapoa

Do Hybrid Trees Inherit Invasive Characteristics? Fruits of Corymbia torelliana X C. citriodora Hybrids and Potential for Seed Dispersal by Bees

“…In other plants that are dispersed by bees, the bees collect the mucilaginous sticky exocarp and seeds [ 32 ], or collect resin and seeds from the exposed pod [ 33 ]. C .…”

Resin-foraging by colonies ofTrigona sapiensandT. hockingsi(Hymenoptera: Apidae, Meliponini) and consequent seed dispersal ofCorymbia torelliana(Myrtaceae)

“…Fruits of these species contain resin or waxes, and stingless bees collecting resin or waxes disperse their seeds (Nunez et al, 2008;Wallace et al, 2008). In C. asperifolia and C. torelliana, stingless bees are the only biotic seed dispersers and fruits show specific adaptations to seed dispersal by bees (Nunez et al, 2008;Wallace et al, 2008). This unusual seed dispersal syndrome, termed mellitochory, has not been recorded in other species.…”

“…Resin-foraging bees are critically important for seed dispersal of three plant species: a rainforest eucalypt, Corymbia torelliana (Wallace and Trueman, 1995;Wallace et al, 2008); a tree legume, Zygia racemosa (Bacelar-Lima et al, 2006); and an epiphyte, Coussapoa asperifolia (Garcia et al, 1992;Nunez et al, 2008). Fruits of these species contain resin or waxes, and stingless bees collecting resin or waxes disperse their seeds (Nunez et al, 2008;Wallace et al, 2008). In C. asperifolia and C. torelliana, stingless bees are the only biotic seed dispersers and fruits show specific adaptations to seed dispersal by bees (Nunez et al, 2008;Wallace et al, 2008).…”

Resin-foraging by colonies ofTrigona sapiensandT. hockingsi(Hymenoptera: Apidae, Meliponini) and consequent seed dispersal ofCorymbia torelliana(Myrtaceae)

“…Colonies can show distinct diurnal patterns of foraging, often determined by environmental cues such as temperature, wind speed and solar radiation (Heard and Hendrikz, 1993) and resource availability (Bartareau, 1996;De Bruijn and Sommeijer, 1997;Nagamitsu and Inoue, 2002). Colony foraging patterns in stingless bees have been Resin-foraging bees are critically important for seed dispersal of three plant species: a rainforest eucalypt, Corymbia torelliana (Wallace and Trueman, 1995;Wallace et al, 2008); a tree legume, Zygia racemosa (Bacelar-Lima et al, 2006); and an epiphyte, Coussapoa asperifolia (Garcia et al, 1992;Nunez et al, 2008). Fruits of these species contain resin or waxes, and stingless bees collecting resin or waxes disperse their seeds (Nunez et al, 2008;Wallace et al, 2008).…”

“…Colony foraging patterns in stingless bees have been Resin-foraging bees are critically important for seed dispersal of three plant species: a rainforest eucalypt, Corymbia torelliana (Wallace and Trueman, 1995;Wallace et al, 2008); a tree legume, Zygia racemosa (Bacelar-Lima et al, 2006); and an epiphyte, Coussapoa asperifolia (Garcia et al, 1992;Nunez et al, 2008). Fruits of these species contain resin or waxes, and stingless bees collecting resin or waxes disperse their seeds (Nunez et al, 2008;Wallace et al, 2008). In C. asperifolia and C. torelliana, stingless bees are the only biotic seed dispersers and fruits show specific adaptations to seed dispersal by bees (Nunez et al, 2008;Wallace et al, 2008).…”