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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 56(4)

Demographics, pollination syndrome and conservation status of Macrozamia platyrhachis (Zamiaceae), a geographically restricted Queensland cycad

Irene Terry A E , Paul I. Forster B , Chris J. Moore C , Robert B. Roemer D and Peter J. Machin B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Department of Biology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City 84112, USA.

B Queensland Herbarium, Environmental Protection Agency, Brisbane Botanic Gardens, Mt Coot-tha Road, Toowong, Queensland 4066, Australia.

C Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Yeerongpilly, Queensland 4105, Australia.

D Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City 84112, USA.

E Corresponding author: Email: terry@biology.utah.edu

Australian Journal of Botany 56(4) 321-332 https://doi.org/10.1071/BT06202
Submitted: 10 October 2006  Accepted: 25 March 2008   Published: 16 June 2008

Abstract

To assess the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) status of Macrozamia platyrhachis F.M.Bailey, we surveyed this central Queensland cycad for its population abundance and health and its pollinator type and pollination syndrome (thermogenesis and volatile emissions). Plants are locally abundant within the 11 discrete populations surveyed, with an estimated population of 611 315 adult plants. Plants are highly restricted to a small area of occupancy, seed dispersal is nearly non-existent and extreme fires appear to have destroyed almost all seeds and seedlings and decimated the pollinators. Of known Macrozamia pollinators, only the thrips, Cycadothrips chadwicki Mound, were found on cones, and these were found in very low numbers. The pollination syndrome for this cycad appears to be unique, based on two cone traits. For one, thermogenesis peaks in early evening, a contrast with daytime peaks of other Cycadothrips-pollinated Macrozamia, but matches that of the Tranes weevil-pollinated Macrozamia machinii. In addition, cone volatiles include both previously unreported compounds as well as those reported exclusively on either Cycadothrips- or Tranes-pollinated species. Based on its small, fragmented area of occupancy, projected population declines and the unique pollination syndrome, we recommend that M. platyrhachis retain its current status as ‘Endangered’. Habitat management plans should stipulate that controlled burns be avoided during cycad coning season and that wildfires be controlled to minimise damage to seedlings and pollinators.


Acknowledgements

We thank Ross Healy of the EPA and EPA – QPWS staff at Blackdown Tableland N.P. for assistance in locating several populations of M. platyrhachis. Field assistance with some survey work was provided by Jenny Beard.


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