Saproflorivory: A Diverse Insect Community in Fallen Flowers of Lecythidaceae in French Guiana |
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| Authors: | Julie Feinstein Scott Mori Amy Berkov |
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| Institution: | Department of Biology, City College of New York, City University of New York, Convent Avenue at 138th Street, New York, New York, 10031, U.S.A.; Institute of Systematic Botany, New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, New York, 10458-5126, U.S.A.; American Museum of Natural History, 79th Street and Central Park West, New York, New York, 10024, U.S.A. |
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| Abstract: | We investigated insects associated with flowerfalls from seven tree species belonging to the Brazil nut family (Lecythidaceae) in the lowland rain forest of French Guiana. Freshly fallen androecia were collected from the forest floor and incubated in rearing chambers. Over 1300 insects representing 21 families were collected from the caged flowers, including abundant Diptera and Coleoptera, five moth morphospecies and four species of lycaenid butterflies. These insects feed on androecia. We also documented the presence of predators and parasitoids, indicating an additional trophic level. |
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| Keywords: | Drosophila Eschweilera florivory Gustavia Lecythis Lycaenidae Nouragues Staphylinidae Stratiomyidae |
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