Queiroz et al. 2015 (Conference Paper) Encholirium

Mixed pollination system in Encholirium spectabile: a Bromeliaceae from inselbergs pollinated by bats, opossums and hummingbirds

Author(s):—J. Queiroz, Z. Quirino, A. Lopes & I. C. Machado in Benko-Iseppon, A.M.; Alves, M. & Louzada, R. (2015) An overview and abstracts of the First World Congress on Bromeliaceae Evolution. Rodriguésia 66(2): A1-A66.

Publication:— (2015).

Abstract:—Plant species primarily pollinated by bats but with anthesis period extended beyond the nighttime may also be pollinated by diurnal animals, such as hummingbirds. In the present study, we analyzed nectar traits, frequency, behavior and effectiveness of day- and nighttime pollinators of Encholirium spectabile, a bromeliadcommon on rocky outcrops of the semiarid of northeastern Brazil. Nectar production began at 1700 h, and was continuous and lasted for 18 h. The total sugar amount produced in the lifetime of a flower was not affected by removals. Those values were similar to other species of chiropterophilous bromeliads, and were also compatible with the requirements of hummingbirds. We also recorded, for the first time, pollination by opossum in a bromeliad and in Caatinga vegetation. Observations on frequency and behavior of Didelphisalbiventris revealed the effectiveness of this marsupial in promoting pollen flow between individuals of E. spectabile during most of the flowering period. These results suggest a mixed pollination system in this bromeliad, which can be extremely advantageous in Caatinga inselbergs, a dry seasonal environment, which can be affected by fluctuations in the richness and abundance of pollinators.

Keywords:—Chiropterophily; Ornitophily; Nectar Secretion Pattern.