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Butterfly pollination in Pteroglossa (Orchidaceae, Orchidoideae): a comparative study on the reproductive biology of two species of a Neotropical genus of Spiranthinae

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Abstract

Spiranthinae orchids are known for being self-compatible and offering nectar as a reward. Although data on their pollinators are scarce, members of this tribe are mostly pollinated by bees, hummingbirds and moths. Some of them even reproduce through facultative self-pollination. Nothing is known about the pollinators and reproduction system in Pteroglossa. Based on records on flowering phenology, floral morphology, reward production, pollinators and breeding system, this paper aims to study the reproductive biology of two Pteroglossa spp. Both species offer nectar as a resource and are pollinated exclusively by diurnal Lepidoptera at the studied areas. Nectar is produced by two glandular nectaries, and is stored in a spur. Pollinaria possess a ventrally adhesive viscidium that is deposited on the basal portion of butterfly proboscides. Both species are self-compatible but pollinator-dependent. The reproductive success is low when compared to other Spiranthinae. Although no evident mechanical barrier to avoid self-pollination or geitonogamy was identified, the erratic behavior of the butterflies, with their infrequent visits to only one flower per inflorescence, contributes to an increased fruit set produced through cross-pollination. The presence of ventrally adhesive viscidia in Spiranthinae is responsible for greater pollinator diversity when compared to bee-pollinated Goodyerinae with dorsally adhesive viscidia, adapted to attach to bee mouthparts.

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Acknowledgments

We thank the "Base Ecológica da Serra do Japi", the "Guarda Municipal de Jundiaí" and "Fazenda Pinheirinho" for granting permission for the field work, André Victor Lucci Freitas (Unicamp) for butterfly identification, and Alain François for English improvements.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Depto. Biologia, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, 14040-901, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil

    Emerson R. Pansarin

  2. Universidade Federal do Maranhão, Campus de Pinheiro, Estrada Pinheiro-Pacas, s/n, Bairro Enseada, Pinheiro, MA, Brazil

    Alessandro W. C. Ferreira

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  1. Emerson R. Pansarin
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  2. Alessandro W. C. Ferreira
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Correspondence to Emerson R. Pansarin.

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Pansarin, E.R., Ferreira, A.W.C. Butterfly pollination in Pteroglossa (Orchidaceae, Orchidoideae): a comparative study on the reproductive biology of two species of a Neotropical genus of Spiranthinae. J Plant Res 128, 459–468 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10265-015-0707-x

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