Pollination ofPlectranthus vestitus (Lamiaceae) by trap-lining hovering bees in Madagascar

In a primary forest on the Central Plateau of MadagascarPlectranthus vestitus (Lamiaceae) was principally pollinated by the beePachymelus limbatus (Hymenoptera, Anthophoridae). A species ofStylogaster (Diptera, Conopidae) acted as a co-pollinator. Flower — pollinator interactions are described. The bee performed pollination while hovering, a flower-visit lasting onlyc. 0.3 seconds. Floral features such as shape and size of the corolla tube, and the lack of a landing place suggest specialization to hovering anthophorid beepollinators. Floral biology and pollination in the genusPlectranthus are discussed.     

Long-proboscid fly pollination of two orchids in the Cape Drakensberg mountains,South Africa

Large hovering flies with elongated nectar-feeding mouthparts play an important role in the pollination of South African plants. Here we describe and illustrate the pollination of two long-spurred orchids —Disa oreophila H. Bolus subsp.erecta Linder andBrownleea macroceras Sond. — by the long-proboscid flyProsoeca ganglbaueri Lichtwardt (Nemestrinidae).     

Pollination biology of annual and perennialLeonotis species (Lamiaceae)

The pollination syndromes ofLeonotis (Pers.)R. Br. are discussed. Ornithophily accounts for most of the nutlets set in perennialLeonotis species but in the annual species [L. nepetifolia (L.)R. Br.] autogamy prevails.Leonotis species are predominantly pollinated by a variety of sunbirds, although bees are also involved. Nectar is sucrose-dominant in perennial species but hexose-dominant in the annual.     

Pollination ecotypes of Satyrium hallackii (Orchidaceae) in South Africa

Intraspecific variation in floral traits may reflect adaptive shifts in the pollination system of a plant. This idea was tested by examining the pollination biology of Satyrium hallackii H. Bolus., an orchid which has spurs varying from 8 to 36 mm among populations in southern Africa. Field observations showed that the short-spurred form ( S. hallackii subsp. hallackii ) in coastal fynbos habitats is pollinated by bees, while the long-spurred form ( S. hallackii subsp. ocellatum ) in grassland habitats is pollinated primarily by hawkmoths and, secondarily, by long-tongued flies. The shift between hawkmoths and bees as pollinators may have been promoted by an ecological gradient in South Africa: carpenter bees are common in coastal fynbos habitats, but rare in grassland habitats where there are few available nesting sites. On the other hand, hawkmoths are common in grassland habitats, but rare in fynbos where there are few palatable host-plants. The formation of pollination ecotypes across pollinator gradients has probably been a major factor in the diversification of South African plants with specialized pollination systems.     

A reconsideration of the genusRabdosiella (Lamiaceae,Nepetoideae, Ocimeae)

The two generaPlectranthus andIsodon are compared and found to be very dissimilar.Isodon ist considered to be misplaced inOcimeae subtribePlectranthinae and apparently is more closely related to subtribeHyptidinae. The disjunct genusRabdosiella is compared to these two genera and regarded to be polyphyletic. The AfricanR. calycina (Benth.)Codd is returned toPlectranthus and calledP. calycinus Benth., while the AsianR. ternifolia (D. Don)Codd is placed inIsodon sect.Pyramidium and calledI. ternifolius (D. Don)Kudo.     

Pollination of four sympatric species ofAngelonia (Scrophulariaceae) by oil-collecting bees in NE. Brazil

The manner whereby the oil-producing bisaccate flowers ofAngelonia (Scrophulariaceae) are pollinated by female oil-collecting bees is reported for the first time. Observations were made in the Caatinga formation of Pernambuco, NE. Brazil, on four synchronopatric species. These differ in sizes and structural details of the corolla, level of flower exposition, and habitat preferences. All legitimate visitors wereCentris spp. (Anthophoridae):Angelonia hirta was mainly pollinated byC. fuscata andA. pubescens byC. hyptidis; A. bisaccata andA. hookeriana shared an unidentified species. Several exomalopsine, tetrapediine and meliponid bees exploit the flowers less descriminately for oil or pollen, respectively, without regularly contacting anthers and stigma. The flowers are protandrous, and are self-incompatible except those of the annualA. pubescens. After alighting, theCentris bees introduce their front legs simultaneously into each of the pouches and start alternate collecting movements to gather the oil from the trichome elaiophores. While doing so, they are forced by projections of the corolla floor to press their head under the anthers and stigma, whereby pollen is transferred with their frons or clypeus. On account of their collector type and behaviour,C. fuscata andC. spec. are not specialized toAngelonia but may equally exploit other nonrelated taxa for oil, whereasC. hyptidis exhibits oligolecty onA. pubescens. It possesses relatively elongate forelegs with padlike collectors suitable for sweeping the lipids from the scattered glandular hairs inside the divergent spurs of its host. It is the only species that also collects pollen (by buzzing) from the oil host.A. hirta and relatives, provided with dense elaiophore carpets, are, for their part, adapted to scrapingCentris species with typical oil collectors. Flower and bee phenologies, although largely dependent on the irregular rainfalls, are not always coincident.     

鼠尾草属东亚分支的传粉模式

简述了世界鼠尾草属传粉模式多样性,从宏观层面对东亚鼠尾草属分布中心———中国的鼠尾草属传粉模式进行归纳与总结。研究补充了以往所缺乏的东亚鼠尾草属核心类群的雄蕊结构和传粉模式,并提出雄蕊结构的可能进化方向。根据花器官形态、内部结构、雄蕊特征、花粉接触传粉昆虫的部位,将中国分布的鼠尾草属植物划分为3种模式类型:TypeⅠ,短药隔杠杆传粉模式(short-lever type),主要发生在弧隔鼠尾草亚属(subg.Salvia Benth.),其雄蕊药隔短,属原始结构类型;TypeⅡ,长药隔杠杆传粉模式(long-lever type),主要发生在荔枝草亚属(subg.Sclarea Benth.),雄蕊药隔明显伸长,是典型的背部杠杆传粉结构;TypeⅢ,退化杠杆传粉模式(degraded-lever type),主要发生在鼠尾草亚属(subg.Allagospadonopsis Briq.),花冠筒变短变窄,雄蕊下臂明显退化,传粉者无需进入冠筒即可取食花蜜,花粉触碰昆虫头部,进而杠杆作用弱化。研究表明,鼠尾草属传粉模式的进化趋向于提高传粉者的专一性,同时保证传粉过程的有效性、精确性和忠实性,推测具有退化雄蕊下臂的TypeⅢ模式可能更为进化。比较美洲和地中海2个进化分支的雄蕊结构和进化趋势,东亚多样性中心可能是一个独立的进化分支。毫无疑问,雄蕊结构与花器官和传粉功能高度相关,是适应传粉者的进化表型,它的进化对东亚分支的物种辐射与多样性形成可能具有关键作用。     

Pollination biology ofOpuntia polyacantha andOpuntia phaeacantha (Cactaceae) in southern Colorado

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.     

Floral divergence and convergence in the genusPelargonium (Geraniaceae) in southern Africa: Ecological and evolutionary considerations

Based on field observations and a survey of the available literature, the functional and evolutionary significance of floral characters ofPelargonium is investigated in relation to a recent infrageneric re-classification. Most of the 208Pelargonium taxa (recognized as species, subspecies or varieties) involved show bee and long-proboscid hovering fly pollination syndromes (about 60% and 25%, respectively), only 7% of the taxa are pollinated by butterflies, some 2 to 4% by hawkmoths and presumably 1% by birds. The heterogeneity ofPelargonium in terms of structural blossom types and pollination syndromes indicates an independent and repeated evolution of convergent flower morphs in the genus and even in sections.     

A taxonomical revision ofThymus sect.Teucrioides (Lamiaceae)

TheThymus teucrioides Boiss. & Spruner aggregate is revised and the following new taxa, all from the alpine zone in the Greek mountains, are described:Th. leucospermus Hartvig from the calcareous mountains of Pindhos and Mt Parnassos in Sterea Ellas,Th. rechingeri Hartvig with the subsp.macrocalyx Hartvig from calcareous mountains in Sterea Ellas and N Peloponnissos, andTh. teucrioides subsp.alpinus Hartvig from the serpentine areas of N Pindhos. In the variableTh. teucrioides s. str. many characters have turned out to be markedly geographically correlated and many local populations can be distinguished by a particular combination of characters.Dedicated to Prof.K. H. Rechinger on the occasion of his 80th birthday.     

A New Species ofSalvia (Lamiaceae) from the Sierra de Los Tuxtlas,Mexico

Salvia tuxtlensis, sp. n., is immediately recognized by its semipersistent bracts and yellow flowers. Its affinities are not clear. It is endemic to the Soteapan area in the Sierra de Los Tuxtlas, in Veracruz, Mexico.     

Differentiation patterns in the E. MediterraneanScutellaria rubicunda group (Lamiaceae)

Strict sterility barriers where found between theScutellaria populations on Sicily and the Greek populations. The material from Samos is separated by a strict sterility barrier from the other Greek populations. In contrast, the populations on mainland Greece and adjacent islands are all ± interfertile. Three species are recognized,S. rubicunda Hornem., endemic to Sicily, andS. brevibracteata subsp.icarica, endemic to Samos and Ikaria. All other populations are referred toS. rupestris with eight subspecies, most of which are endemic to one island or to one mountain. Three new subspecies are described, viz. subsp.rechingeri and subsp.olympica, endemic to mt Vourinos and mt Olympus in North Greece, respectively, and subsp.caroli-henrici, native to the Malea peninsula of Peloponnisos. The phytogeographical connections and genetic differentiation within and between populations are discussed.Dedicated to Prof. DrK. H. Rechinger on the occasion of his 80th birthday.     

Insect pollination and floral mechanisms in South African species ofSatyrium (Orchidaceae)

The morphologically diverse flowers in the genusSatyrium reflect adaptations to a wide range of pollinators. Several recently discovered pollination systems inSatyrium are described and illustrated here; these include pollination by solitary bees, carrion flies, butterflies and moths. Two basic types of floral mechanism are recognised inSatyrium: (1) Species pollinated by lepidoptera and birds have long floral spurs and plate-like viscidia seated in lateral rostellum notches; these viscidia become attached to the proboscis or bill of the pollinator. (2) Species pollinated by flies and bees have relatively short floral spurs and globose viscidia seated in terminal rostellum notches; these viscidia become attached to the face, thorax or eyes of the pollinator.     

TheMoegistorhynchus longirostris (Diptera: Nemestrinidae) pollination guild: long-tubed flowers and a specialized long-proboscid fly pollination system in southern Africa

A guild of 20 late spring- and early summer-flowering species ofIridaceae, Geraniaceae andOrchidaceae is pollinated partly or exclusively by the long-proboscid flyMoegistorhynchus longirostris (Nemestrinidae). This large-bodied fly, active in late spring and early summer, has mouthparts 40–70 (90) mm long and forages for nectar from a variety of species. These plants share a suite of convergent floral features including a straight or weakly curved floral tube usually 50–70 mm long but sometimes to 90 mm, relatively short petals or tepal lobes coloured white, cream or salmon with reddish nectar guides, and often violet or red anthers and pollen. Flowers of most species with these characteristics are zygomorphic with the stamens either arcuate (mostIridaceae) or declinate (Geraniaceae and someIridaceae). The flowers are odourless and typically secrete large amounts of nectar of relatively constant sugar concentration, mostly 24–29%, with a high sucrose:hexose ratio. Guild members utilize five separate sites of pollen deposition on the body of the fly, typically utilizing different deposition sites when two or more co-occur, indicating strong selection to aviod pollen contamination.M. longirostris is restricted to the west coast of southern Africa and at least 8 species appear to depend exclusively on the insect for pollination. The remaining species in the guild are pollinated by one or both of the long-proboscid fliesPhiloliche gulosa andP. rostrata (Tabanidae) over other parts of their range. Species and races pollinated entirely byM. longirostris have longer floral tubes which makes nectar unavailable to other insects, including other species of long-proboscid fly. The only insect with mouthparts long enough to forage effectively on these long-tubed flowers isM. longirostris and this fly must be considered a keystone species in the ecosystems in which it occurs.Dedicated to emer. Univ.-Prof. DrFriedrich Ehrendorfer on the occasion of his 70th birthday     

A revision of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Anisochilus</Emphasis> Wall. ex Benth. (Lamiaceae)

Summary  Sixteen species of Anisochilus are reviewed. Full synonymy, information about types, distributions, and a key to species are given. The type of the little known A. adenanthus Dalzell has been found and the widely used A. verticillatus is a synonym. A. sericeus and A. dysophylloides var. purpureus are synonyms of A. dysophylloides. A. henryi, a recently published name is a synonym of A. robustus. Nine names are lectotypified. The genus occurs in South Asia, from the East Himalaya, North Thailand, and South China in the North to Sri Lanka and Peninsular Thailand in the South.     

Phylogenetic relationships in theSideritis leucantha group (Lamiaceae)

Six closely related taxa of the sect.Eusideritis of the genusSideritis (S. leucantha, S. pusilla, S. flavovirens, S. granatensis, S. biflora andS. osteoxylla) are analysed to elucidate their phylogenetic relationships and position within the sect.Eusideritis. Meiotic behaviour, karyotype features, size and fertility of pollen grains, DNA amounts and seed protein profiles are reviewed. A polyploid origin of the group (from x = 7) and the further diversification through dysploidy and chromosome repatterning is postulated.S. osteoxylla is apparently of hybrid origin.     

Nutlet sculpturing of selectedTeucrium species (Lamiaceae): A character of taxonomic significance

Nutlet sculpturing of 23Teucrium species belonging to six sections was studied. The nutlets of analysed species were characterized by the presence of the oil glands of various density. SectionTeucrium is well defined by very densely distributed trichomes and oil glands on nutlets. Trichomes on nutlets were absent in all other species, except inT. marum from sect.Chamaedrys. Sect.Polium is a homogeneous group, distinguished from the other sections. There are some similarities of this sect. with sect.Scordium. Species of sect.Chamaedrys are heterogeneous and overlap according to the surface sculpturing characters with the other sections. The significance of nutlet microcharacters as additional taxonomical markers in the infrageneric classification of the genusTeucrium is discussed.     

多叶斑叶兰繁育系统与传粉生物学研究

为探讨多叶斑叶兰(Goodyera folisa)的繁育系统与传粉生物学特征,对其开花物候、花粉活力与柱头可授性、人工授粉、花的挥发性成分以及昆虫传粉行为进行了研究。结果表明,多叶斑叶兰的唇瓣黄色,萼片白色或白色带红褐色;单花花期为(9.4±0.8)d;花粉在开花后第1天具备活力,柱头在开花后第2天具备可授性,花粉活力和柱头可授性都在开花后第5天达到峰值。去雄套袋和不去雄套袋都不能结实,人工自花授粉、同株异花授粉和异株异花授粉的结实率分别为93.3%、95.0%和96.7%,自然结实率为43.3%。花朵的主要挥发性成分为1-辛烯-3-醇、3-辛醇和N,N-二甲基甲酰胺。多叶斑叶兰传粉者为中华蜜蜂(Apis cerana)。多叶斑叶兰具有自交亲和能力,但在自然界不具有主动自交现象,必须依赖中华蜜蜂传粉,花色及花香气味为吸引传粉者的主要因素。     

Environmental correlates of gastrointestinal parasitism in montane and lowland baboons in Natal,South Africa

We compared the gastrointestinal parasites of the baboon,Papio cynocephalus ursinus, living in montane (altitude, >1800 m) and coastal lowland (altitude, 100–200 m) habitats in Natal, South Africa, using fecal analysis. While the montane animals harbored a smaller number of species, helminth egg-output rates were higher in them than in the lowland animals. The decrease in parasite diversity with increasing altitude was expected, but the difference in helminth egg output was not. It may be due to a combination of food shortage, which characterizes the montane environment, especially at the end of winter, and the high proportion of soil-contaminated items in the diets of the montane animals.     

Pollination thoroughness and maternal yield regulation in wild radish,Raphanus raphanistrum (Brassicaceae)

Summary Under conditions where resources are limited, there are often negative correlations between components of maternal yield, or between fruit and flower production. Pollination, in turn, may vary among individuals and influence total maternal expenditure. We examined the impact of variation in pollination thoroughness upon yield components and overall plant growth in wild radish (R. raphanistrum) plants grown in the greenhouse. Plants received different pollination treatments in which 0% to 100% of all flowers produced were hand-pollinated. Fruit set was increased by hand-pollination, but rarely exceeded 30%, even when more than 50% of the flowers were pollinated. Plants receiving more thorough pollination or having greater proportion fruit set produced significantly smaller seeds. Seed number per fruit was not influenced by pollination treatment. Mean values of yield components and interactions between components often varied among plants from different maternal families. Increasing pollination thoroughness also resulted in dramatic decreases in flower production. If male fitness is related to flower number, there may be a tradeoff between maternal fecundity and successful pollen export operating at the whole-plant level in this species.