Pollination biology ofOpuntia polyacantha andOpuntia phaeacantha (Cactaceae) in southern Colorado |
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Authors: | Martha M Osborn Peter G Kevan Meredith A Lane |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Environmental Biology, University of Guelph, N1G 2W1 Guelph, Ontario, Canada;(2) Department of Environmental Population and Organismic Biology, University of Colorado, 80309 Boulder, CO, USA |
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Abstract: | The phenology, compatibility system, and pollinator fauna ofOpuntia polyacantha
Haw. andO. phaeacantha
Engelm. in southern Colorado were studied and compared. The total blooming periods overlap, but the peak of blooming differs between the species withO. polyacantha blooming first and for longer. Neither species is apomictic,O. polyacantha is largely self-incompatible andO. phaeacantha is self-compatible but may not automatically fully self-pollinate. Examination of flowering structures showed that the former has larger flowers with more perianth parts and heavier (but fewer) anthers. Further the flowers of the allogamous species are visited by greater diversity (but similar abundance) of pollinators. Medium to large bees of the generaDiadasia, Lithurge, Melissodes, Bombus, Agapostemon andMegachile were found to be effective pollinators of the Opuntias studied. The two species were compared as to their floral attributes, breeding systems, and pollinators, and the possible role of competition for pollinators is discussed with respect to its role in their evolutionary paths. |
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Keywords: | Angiosperms Cactaceae Opuntia polyacantha O phaeacantha Pollination biology phenology compatibility pollinator fauna |
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