Ribeiro et al. 2015 (Conference Paper) Aechmea

Reproductive biology of Aechmea blanchetiana (Baker) L.B.Sm (Bromeliaceae) in Restinga of Guriri, São Mateus/ES, Brasil

Author(s):—I.F. Ribeiro, L.F.T. Menezes & G. Matallana 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:—Aechmea blanchetiana, found in Restinga of Guriri, São Mateus/ES Brasil presents self-compatibility and mixed reproductive strategies from the index of self-compatibility (1.49) and self-incompatibility (1.40), considered almost five times the number limit for the self-compatibility. The Kruskal Wallis statistical test confirms the indices with a p>0.05. The species is considered ornithophilous, with a nectar volume of 5.6 µl and sugar concentration above 33%, expected for species visited by hummingbirds. In 20 hours of observation the following animals were recorded as pollinators: hummingbirds, Thalurania glaucopis (Gmelin1788), Eupetomena macroura (Gmelin 1788), Amazilia fimbriata (Gmelin 1788) and Amazilia sp.; moths,Lychnuchoides oazis oazis (Hewitson 1878); and butterflies, Heliconius erato (Linnaeus 1758) and Phoebis sp. All are considered effective pollinators, pointing that the species present secondary pollination syndromes. The viability of the pollen in A. blanchetiana, above 88%, suggests that the species has more viable pollen grains per flower bud. The penetration of eggs occurred in all treatments of either 24 or 48 hours and highly successful germination of seeds ocurred in all treatments, with no observable statistically significant differencebetween the treatments (p> 0.05). From these results the species appears able to persists in the Restinga de Guriri regardless of the reproductive strategy used.

Keywords:—Bromeliaceae; Pollination Syndromes; Self-compatibility.