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Diverse pollination systems of the twin-spurred orchid genus Satyrium in African grasslands

Authors :
Allan G. Ellis
Craig I. Peter
TimotheĆ¼s van der Niet
Christo Botes
Steven D. Johnson
Elin Boberg
Source :
Plant Systematics and Evolution. 292:95-103
Publication Year :
2011
Publisher :
Springer Science and Business Media LLC, 2011.

Abstract

The large terrestrial orchid genus Satyrium underwent evolutionary radiations in the Cape floral region and the grasslands of southern and eastern Africa. These radiations were accompanied by tremendous diversification of the unusual twin-spurred flowers that characterize the genus, but pollination data required to interpret these patterns of floral evolution have been lacking for grassland species in the genus. Here we document pollinators, nectar properties, and levels of pollination success for 11 grassland Satyrium species in southern and south-central Africa. Pollinators of these species include bees, beetles, butterflies, hawkmoths, noctuid moths, long-proboscid flies, and sunbirds. Most species appear to be specialized for pollination by one functional pollinator group. Long-proboscid fly pollination systems are reported for the first time in Satyrium (in S. macrophyllum and a high-altitude form of S. neglectum). Floral morphology, especially spur length and rostellum structure, differs markedly among plants with different pollinators, while nectar volume, concentration, and sugar composition are fairly uniform across species. Most taxa exhibited high levels of pollination success (>50% of flowers pollinated), a trend that can be attributed to the presence of nectar in the twin spurs.

Details

ISSN :
16156110 and 03782697
Volume :
292
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Plant Systematics and Evolution
Accession number :
edsair.doi...........38fa4a24ffd5da53f018a0b68b014c5f
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00606-010-0411-1