Respiration and temperature patterns in thermogenic flowers of Magnolia ovata under natural conditions in Brazil
Roger S. Seymour A C , Ilse Silberbauer-Gottsberger B and Gerhard Gottsberger BA Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia.
B Botanischer Garten und Herbarium, Universität Ulm, 89069 Ulm, Germany.
C Corresponding author. Email: roger.seymour@adelaide.edu.au
Functional Plant Biology 37(9) 870-878 https://doi.org/10.1071/FP10039
Submitted: 22 February 2010 Accepted: 25 May 2010 Published: 24 August 2010
Abstract
The roles of floral thermogenesis in pollination biology include attraction and reward of insects. Magnolia ovata (A.St.-Hil.) Spreng. produces ~56 g, bisexual, protogynous and scented flowers. Two distinct episodes of thermogenesis occur during anthesis: one beginning at about sunset and lasting ~3 h in the female phase and another that occurs synchronously 24 h later and lasting 4 h in the male phase. Female stage flowers produce up to 0.36 W to reach 27.3°C, which is 3.9°C above ambient air. In the male stage, corresponding values are 0.79 W, 29.7°C and 5.4°C, respectively. Most heat is generated in the petals in both phases (74 and 65%). Maximum, mass-specific rate of respiration is 23 nmol s–1 g–1 in the petals and 100 nmol s–1 g–1 in the anthers. The flowers are apparently not thermoregulatory, because respiration rate decreases, rather than increases, with decreasing ambient temperature. Scarab beetles, Cyclocephala literata, enter the floral chamber created by the petals in the female phase, mate, consume floral parts (mainly petals) and then depart in the male phase. Temperatures maintained in the floral chamber are sufficient to provide beetles with significant energy savings during their activities in both phases. Thermogenesis is, therefore, consistent with volatilisation of floral fragrances and energy rewards to beetle visitors.
Additional keywords: calorimetry, heat production, Magnoliaceae, respiratory rate.
Acknowledgements
This work was supported by the Australian Research Council and the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. We greatly appreciate the cooperation of Silvia R Machado of the Departamento de Botânica, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Botucatu, Brazil. We thank Robin Seymour, Cristina Mattos, Edy de Lello Montenegro, Carmen Regina Marcati, Luzia Gonçalves, Jose Angelo (Zico) Gonçalves and Oswaldo Rodrigues for assistance in Botucatu. Brett C. Ratcliffe, University of Nebraska State Museum, confirmed the pollinating beetle species.
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