Abstract
Erythrina breviflora is visited by large numbers of passerine birds of which orioles (Icterus: Icteridae) are the primary pollinators. The flowers produce large quantities of nectar but they are rarely visited by hummingbirds. Inflorescence and floral morphology, and low levels of sucrose in the nectar probably explain the rarity of foraging hummingbirds. A comparison of Old WorldErythrina and their pollinators with New World species pollinated by orioles and hummingbirds suggests that parallel evolution has occurred. When the comparison is expanded to include other species pollinated by orioles, it is clear that various New WorldIcteridae, Thraupidae, etc. are ecological equivalents of Old WorldOriolidae, Pycnonotidae, Sturnidae, etc. and that flowers pollinated by these birds have similar characteristics.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ali, S. A., 1932: Flower-birds and bird-flowers in India. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.35, 573–605.
Alvarez del Toro, M., 1963: La enredadera cepillo, fuente de atraccion para las aves. Misc. Ornitologica: Inst. Cienc. Art. Chiapas, Mex. pp. 3–5.
Andrejeff, W., 1932: Ueber Nektarien und über die Menge des Nektars einiger Gehölzarten. Mitt. Deutsch. Dendrol. Gesell.44, 99–105.
Anonymous (a report of a talk byE. E. Galton), 1891: The fertilization of flowers by birds. Gard. Chron. Ser. 3,9, 330–331.
Baker, H. G., 1975: Sugar concentrations in nectars from hummingbird flowers. Biotropica7, 63–70.
Baker, I., andBaker, H. G., 1976: Analyses of amino acids in flower nectars of hybrids and their parents, with phylogenetic implications. New Phytol.76, 87–98.
Beumée, J., 1925: Vogelbezoek aan de bloemen vanSpathodea. De Tropische Natuur14, 28–30.
Cruden, R. W., andHermann-Parker, S. M., 1976: Defense of feeding sites by Orioles and Tanagers in Mexico. Auk (in press).
- - andPeterson, S. J., 1976: Patterns of nectar production and plant-pollinator coeveolution. (In prep.)
Docters van Leeuwan, W. M., 1932: Vogelbesuch an den Blüten von einigenErythrina-Arten auf Java. Ann. Jard. Bot. Buitenz.42, 46–95.
, 1938: Observations about the biology of tropical flowers. Ann. Jard. Bot. Buitenz.48, 27–68.
Fahn, A., 1949: Studies in the ecology of nectar secretion. Palest. J. Bot.4, 207–224.
Johow, F., 1898: Ornithophilie in der chilenischen Flora. Sitz. Akad. Wiss. Berlin28, 332–341.
Krukoff, B. A., andBarneby, R. D., 1974: Conspectus of species of the genusErythrina. Lloydia37, 332–459.
Leck, C., 1974: Further observations of nectar feeding by orioles. Auk91, 162–163.
Porsch, O., 1924: Vogelblumen-Studien I. Jahrb. Wiss. Bot.63, 553–706.
Raven, P. H., 1974:Erythrina (Fabaceae): Achievements and opportunities. Lloydia37, 321–331.
Schemske, D. W., 1975: Territoriality in a nectar feeding Northern Oriole in Costa Rica. Auk92, 594–595.
Scott-Elliot, M. A., 1890: Ornithophilous flowers in South Africa. Ann. Bot.4, 265–280.
Singh, T. C. N., 1929: A preliminary note on the pollination of the coral tree (Erythrina Indica Lamk.) J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.33, 460–462.
Skead, C. J., 1967: The Sunbirds of Southern Africa. Cape Town: A. A. Balkema.
Skutch, A. F., 1954: Life Histories of Central American Birds. Pacific Coast Avifauna No. 31.
Snow, B. K., andSnow, D. W., 1971: The feeding ecology of tanagers and honeycreepers in Trinidad. Auk88, 291–322.
Stiles, F. G., 1976: On taste preferences, color preferences, and flower choice in hummingbirds. Condor (in press).
Timkin, R. L., 1970: Food habits and feeding behavior of the Baltimore Oriole in Costa Rica. Wilson Bull.82, 184–188.
Toledo, V. M., 1974: Observations on the relationship between hummingbirds andErythrina species. Lloydia37, 482–487.
, 1975:Chiranthodendron pentadactylon Larreategui (Sterculiaceae): una especie pollinizada por aves percheras. Bol. Soc. Bot. Mex.35, 45–52.
- 1976: Pollination of some rain forest plants by non-hovering birds in Vera Cruz, Mexico. Biotropica (in press).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Cruden, R.W., Toledo, V.M. Oriole pollination ofErythrina breviflora (Leguminosae): Evidence for a polytypic view of ornithophily. Pl Syst Evol 126, 393–403 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00986292
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00986292