Rocca 2015 (Conference Paper) Lymania

Pollination ecology of Lymania azurea (Bromeliaceae): an endemic and threatened species from the Atlantic Rainforest

Author(s):—M. Rocca & F. Marinho 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:—Lymania azurea is an epiphyte or a terrestrial species, occurring aggregately in the Atlantic Rainforest understory in southern Bahia. This species flowers from September to November, displaying mostly an intermediateannual pattern of flowering. But surprisingly, one individual (genet) produced two inflorescences (each one on a different ramet) in an anthropogenic forest edge (a road) during the same year. It may open from two to four flowers per individual. Its inflorescence may bare 30 to 208 floral buds, with plants in the understory bearing fewer flower buds than plants near the forest edge. Flowers are tubular, the effective corolla is 1.2 cm long, petals are white to blue, and the calyx is green. There is no marked scent. By the end of the morning (1100?1200h), nectar volume and sugar concentration were 13.3µL (± 3.5) and 29.0% (± 4.5), respectively. Anthesis begins at 0230h and it takes about 14 h. Lymania azurea is predominantly self-incompatible, therefore it is highly dependent upon pollinators to ensure its reproductive success. A few hummingbird species were observed visiting its flowers, and Phaethornis ruber (Trochilidae) was the principal pollinator, making 77% of legitimate visits and taking pollen loads on the bill. Bees were also observed visiting flowers: the long-tongued bee Bombus (Fervidobombus) morio was considered a secondary pollinator if present and short-tongued bees were always pollen thieves. Mites were also observed and could interfere in exclusion experiments, transferring some pollen and producing a few seeds in bagged flowers. Fruits without seeds were also produced (probably at the very beginning of the reproductive season when few plants are in flower and available as mates) and they may improve the overall dispersal of seeds in the understory. Even though, almost whole infructescences were observed, with berries left behind and ignored, already dry near the forest edge. More light at forest edges gives more energy to plants and individuals of L. azurea may transfer this input into reproductive output, producing more buds, flowers, and seeds, allowing for cross pollination to occur. In spite of this, limitation in dispersion may occur in this species in forest edges.

Keywords:—Reproductive Phenology; Floral Biology; Floral Visitors.