Canela & Sazima 2003 (Article) animals

Florivory by the Crab Armases angustipes (Grapsidae) Influences Hummingbird Visits to Aechmea pectinata (Bromeliaceae)1

Author(s):—M.B.F. Canela & M. Sazima

Publication:—Biotropica 35(2): 289-294. (2003) — DOI

Abstract:—ABSTRACT Armases angustipes (Grapsidae) crabs were recorded on 31.5 percent of Aechmea pectinata inflorescences, a common ornithofilous bromeliad in rain forests of southeastern Brazil. Crabs foraged mainly in the morning and used newly opened flowers, usually damaging the corolla, consuming the stamens and stigma, and interfering with hummingbird visits. This florivory may reduce the reproductive success of A. pectinata, both directly through consumption of flowers and indirectly by reducing pollinator visits.

Keywords:—Aechmea pectinata, bromelicolous crab, florivory, hummingbirds, pollination success, southeastern Brazil, submontane rain forest