Pollination biology of Syngonanthus elegans (Eriocaulaceae – Poales)
Aline Oriani A C , Paulo T. Sano B and Vera L. Scatena AA Departamento de Botânica, Instituto de Biociências, São Paulo State University, C. Postal 199, 13506900 Rio Claro, SP, Brazil.
B Departamento de Botânica, Instituto de Biociências, University of São Paulo, C. Postal 11461, 05422-970 São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
C Corresponding author. Email: aoriani@terra.com.br
Australian Journal of Botany 57(2) 94-105 https://doi.org/10.1071/BT08119
Submitted: 3 July 2008 Accepted: 3 March 2009 Published: 11 May 2009
Abstract
Studies on the pollination biology of Eriocaulaceae are scarce although particularly interesting because of its inclusion in the Poales, a predominantly wind-pollinated order. The pollination biology of Syngonanthus elegans (Bong.) Ruhland was studied during two annual flowering periods to test the hypothesis that insect pollination was its primary pollination system. A field study was carried out, including observations of the morphology and biology of the flowers, insect visits and pollinator behaviour. We also evaluated seed set, seed germination and seedling development for different pollination modes. Although seeds were produced by self-pollination, pollination by small insects contributed most effectively to the reproductive success of S. elegans, resulting in the greatest seed set, with the highest germination percentage and optimum seedling vigour. The floral resources used by flower visitors were pollen and nectar that was produced by staminate and pistillate flowers. Self-pollination played a minor role and its consequence was inbreeding depression.
Acknowledgements
We thank CNPq – Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (grants no. 130690/2005–8 and no. 301404/2004–6) and FAPESP – Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (grant no. 2005/02141–4), for financial support, and Fazenda Monjolos Pousada for logistical support. Special thanks go to E. Giannotti, C. J. E. Lamas, F. J. Zara, L. M. de Almeida, L. A. A. Costa, C. J. B. de Carvalho, B. W. T. Coelho, L. A. Moura, C. Campaner, R. Ale-Rocha, S. A. Vanin, D. S. Amorim and A. R. Oliveira, for identification of the floral visitors, and E. Simão for assistance with the germination and statistical tests. A. Bianconi is acknowledged not only for help with the English version, but also for helpful suggestions. We also thank L. P. C. Morellato, P. E. A. M. Oliveira and the anonymous reviewers, for critical comments that improved the manuscript.
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