火把花的繁殖生物学研究

火把花（Colquhounia coccinea?）表现出典型的鸟媒综合征,因此具有作为引鸟景观植物的开发潜力。以自然、人工生境的火把花居群为研究对象,通过观察和试验对其开花物候、花部综合特征、访花动物及其行为、繁育系统、种子萌发特性进行研究,以明确火把花的繁殖特性及对不同访花动物的吸引潜力。结果显示,火把花的整体花期持续约3个月,单花花期为9.6±0.6 d;花蜜较丰富且稀薄,具有较短的花冠管和己糖为主的花蜜糖组成;访花动物主要是中华蜜蜂和多种食蜜鸟类,尤其是短喙的泛化鸟类,且在非自然生境中仍然能吸引鸟类访花;完全自交亲和但需要传粉者才能完成授粉,不存在花粉限制;不同授粉处理种子的发芽能力无显著差异;中华蜜蜂能有效传粉,鸟类的传粉作用需进一步验证。综上所述,火把花可供观赏的时间很长,具有明显的吸引鸟类访花的能力,容易通过有性繁殖途径快速获得大量幼苗。     

亚洲热带雨林两种鸟类媒介互利系统的比较

了解植物形态学性状如何影响鸟类传粉者和种子散布者的拜访,有助于阐明植物-鸟类相互关系的进化.本研究选取云南省西双版纳4类不同人类干扰程度的热带森林,比较植物-鸟类在种子散布和传粉基础上所构建的网络系统.结果表明：植物-食果鸟网络系统高度不对称,而植物-鸟类传粉者网络系统未出现类似的不对称现象.两类网络系统的差异主要表现在鸟类丰富度、鸟类活动能力以及适合鸟类拜访的一系列植物性状上.对这两个互利共生系统差异的了解有助于深入理解植物-鸟类互利关系的进化.     

沙棘属植物的分布格局及其成因

本文首先从植物类群、分布地域和垂直分布角度分别论述了沙棘属植物的地理分布概况,指出沙棘属在植物区系地理上,属旧世界温带分布类型;在区系成分上,是森林─—草原过渡带的成员;横断山及其毗邻的东喜马拉雅地区,是该属植物的类群分布中心、类群分化中心和原始类群中心。并对类群分布的地理替代现象、该属植物成林的丛片性特征以及果实中植化组成分与类群分布、类群进化间的相互关系进行了论述。文章最后着重对该属植物分布区格局的形成与该属植物起源的生态地理环境、散布的时间、路线以及繁育方式之间的关系进行了分析。     

高黎贡山五加科的植物地理学研究

本文从属、种及地史文献资料三方面对高黎贡山五加科植物进行了植物地理学研究。结果表明1.高黎贡山五加科植物包括15属56种及13变种。2.从起源来看,高黎贡山五加科植物以热带起源为主,热带属占66.7%(10属),温带属占33.3%(5属),而与地中海地区和中亚地区的联系十分微弱。3.从种的分布区式样来看高黎贡山五加科植物以温带分布型为主,温带分布型的物种占全科种数的88.4%(61种),这一统计结果与属的统计结果(66.7%的属系热带属)形成很大的反差,其原因在于掸邦-马来亚板块上的高黎贡山植物区系源于赤道热带,在板块位移过程中,随着高黎贡山的北移,喜马拉雅山脉的强烈隆升,五加科这一起源于热带的古老木本植物,因不适于比赤道带冷得多的气候环境而先后被淘汰,部分属种则在新的环境中经过适应、演化和重新分化,除个别热带属的北缘种在高黎贡山北端独龙江河谷中幸存下来(如树参属Dendropanax)以外,其余新分化出来的植物则是温带性的(如常春木属Merrilliopanax),因此,现在高黎贡山五加科植物区系中,热带起源的属多于温带属,但温带种大大多于热带种。所有这些成分中,中国-喜马拉雅分布的成分(15种)和中国特有的成分(43种)构成了高黎贡山五加科植物区系的基本骨架,这些成分标志着高黎贡山五加科植物区系的东亚温带性质。4.高黎贡山五加科植物特有现象突出。一方面表现在种类丰富,计有中国特有类群22种和变种,云南特有类群12种和变种,高黎贡山特有类群9种,另一方面表现在特有类群的丰富度与纬度成正比,就高黎贡山特有种来说,北段(贡山)的特有类群(8种和变种)远远多于南段的腾冲(仅1种)。5.由于掸邦-马来亚板块位移对高黎贡山生物区系的影响,部分高黎贡山五加科植物从滇东南或滇南至高黎贡山的一些连续分布区被间断为滇西北与滇东南的对角分布式样(如少毛云南     

中国特有的两种同域分布凤仙花属植物的传粉生物学研究

中国是凤仙花属物种多样性分布中心之一,存在着大量的特有和同域分布现象。为更好地理解同域分布近缘种的传粉综合征分化以及传粉昆虫资源分配问题,该文以中国特有种黄麻叶凤仙花(Impatiens corchorifolia)和金凤花(I.cyathiflora)为研究对象,通过野外调查和实验完成传粉生物学的相关研究,比较分析了这两个种的开花物候、花形态结构、传粉昆虫的种类及访花行为和人工授粉实验等方面的异同。结果表明：(1)两种凤仙花的花距不同,花距的长度与花蜜量呈正比,但与花蜜含糖量无关。花距类型决定了两种植物的传粉昆虫种类的分化。具短花距的黄麻叶凤仙花的花蜜含量为(4.57±1.43)μL,花蜜糖含量为(45.48±2.28)%,由蜜蜂和胡蜂为其传粉。拥有长花距的金凤花的花蜜含量为(10.15±3.28)μL,花蜜糖含量为(46.12±1.48)%,除蜜蜂和胡蜂传粉外,天蛾和熊蜂也为其传粉昆虫。(2)两种植物虽然共享3种传粉者,但表现为明显的错峰访花,传粉行为和花通道的差异决定了传粉者携带花粉的部位不一致。(3)繁育系统实验表明,两种植物均表现出明显的种间杂交障碍和异花授粉偏好性。因此,花...     

三江源地区传粉昆虫的活动规律研究

随着各种环境压力的日益增大,传粉昆虫多样性及其保护研究逐渐得到重视。为了调查三江源地区传粉昆虫的基本概况,于2021年7-9月通过随机样点法和定点观测法对14类(4目12科)传粉昆虫类群的传粉活动进行了观测。共得到传粉活动记录7 247条,观察到受访植物37种(13科31属)。分析结果表明,三江源地区传粉昆虫类群的传粉活力由高到低依次是熊蜂(访花频次占总频次的70.13%)、其他双翅目昆虫(11.19%)、灰蝶(10.49%)和蛱蝶(3.08%),而其他的传粉昆虫类群的访花频次占比不足1%,传粉作用较弱;其中,熊蜂在不同植物上的访花活动会呈现不同的高峰期：如在甘肃马先蒿Pedicularis kansuensis上呈现两个访花高峰期(11∶00-12∶00和18∶00-19∶00),而在假水生龙胆Gentiana pseudoaquatica上只有一个访花高峰期(11∶00-12∶00)等。研究显示,熊蜂是三江源地区传粉活力最高的传粉昆虫类群,且其访花的日活动规律因自身特性、受访植物种类和外界环境变化呈现不同的访花高峰期。三江源地区的生态平衡离不开传粉昆虫的作用,加强对传粉昆虫的保护有...     

“金虎尾路线”植物的花进化与传粉转变

以金虎尾科植物地理分布格局及迁移历史总结出来的“金虎尾路线”, 是解释热带植物洲际间断分布与长距离扩散格局的重要模式。金虎尾路线阐明了金虎尾科植物历史时期7次独立的从起源中心(南美洲)向旧世界(非洲和亚洲)的洲际长距离扩散事件。本文总结了金虎尾路线植物起源地与扩散地主要类群的花部特征与传粉系统, 以探讨这些类群及类似植物长距离扩散后的花进化与传粉转变等适应规律。金虎尾科的南美洲类群都有分泌油脂的萼片腺体, 花的形态结构非常保守, 是与美洲当地特有的条蜂科集油蜂长期协同进化的结果。金虎尾科的非洲类群花保守性消失, 花白色、辐射对称且无萼片腺体, 繁育系统为雄花-两性花异株(功能性的雌雄异株), 传粉者是采集花粉的蜜蜂科昆虫。亚洲的一些属发生了类似非洲类群的泛化适应转变, 但风筝果属(Hiptage)出现了镜像花、异型雄蕊和极度反折的花瓣, 且传粉者是亚洲特有的大蜜蜂(Apis dorsata), 显示出了非常特化的适应性转变。风筝果属所在支系的现存类群涵盖了南美洲、中美洲、非洲和亚洲等地的地方特有属, 体现了金虎尾路线整个迁移历史过程, 是认识金虎尾路线及其进化适应规律的关键类群, 值得在今后的研究中加以重视。     

“金虎尾路线”植物的花进化与传粉转变

以金虎尾科植物地理分布格局及迁移历史总结出来的"金虎尾路线",是解释热带植物洲际间断分布与长距离扩散格局的重要模式。金虎尾路线阐明了金虎尾科植物历史时期7次独立的从起源中心(南美洲)向旧世界(非洲和亚洲)的洲际长距离扩散事件。本文总结了金虎尾路线植物起源地与扩散地主要类群的花部特征与传粉系统,以探讨这些类群及类似植物长距离扩散后的花进化与传粉转变等适应规律。金虎尾科的南美洲类群都有分泌油脂的萼片腺体,花的形态结构非常保守,是与美洲当地特有的条蜂科集油蜂长期协同进化的结果。金虎尾科的非洲类群花保守性消失,花白色、辐射对称且无萼片腺体,繁育系统为雄花–两性花异株(功能性的雌雄异株),传粉者是采集花粉的蜜蜂科昆虫。亚洲的一些属发生了类似非洲类群的泛化适应转变,但风筝果属(Hiptage)出现了镜像花、异型雄蕊和极度反折的花瓣,且传粉者是亚洲特有的大蜜蜂(Apis dorsata),显示出了非常特化的适应性转变。风筝果属所在支系的现存类群涵盖了南美洲、中美洲、非洲和亚洲等地的地方特有属,体现了金虎尾路线整个迁移历史过程,是认识金虎尾路线及其进化适应规律的关键类群,值得在今后的研究中加以重视。     

木蜂的访花行为和传粉作用

木蜂作为蜜蜂科的重要类群,是热带和亚热带地区显花植物常见的传粉者.木蜂具有访花的季节时间长、访花植物种类多、能耐高温或低光照、能嗡声传粉等特点.这些访花特点是木蜂作为热带植物、尤其是温室作物、夜间开花植物和部分茄属植物的重要传粉者.近年来国外已经证明木蜂能有效为蓝莓、西番莲、荷包豆、温室西红柿和温室甜瓜授粉,但我国有关木蜂为多数农作物传粉的重要性和有效性的证据较少.本文综述了近年来木蜂的访花行为和传粉作用的研究进展,为进一步保护、管理和利用木蜂资源提供理论依据.     

韩国哈曼组鸟类足迹化石行为分析及与现代鸟类生态系统的对比（英文）

韩国下白垩统哈曼组地层中已发现有数个化石点,含丰富的恐龙、鸟类以及翼龙足迹化石,其中一个足迹化石地点位于韩国晋州市的庆尚南道科学教育研究所。1000多个鸟类足迹发现于同一岩层,同时另有数千件零散的标本在博物馆展出或藏于库存中。这些足迹标本显示了生物体在形态学与行为学等方面很高的多样性。本文描述了至少7种不同的形态类型,指示了取食行为(包括啄食、探食、捕食者与被捕食者之间的行为关系),以及镰刀状痕迹所反映出的着陆与奔跑的不同行为方式。保存的弓状痕迹及伴生的具蹼足迹与现生鸟类黑脸琵鹭(Palatea minor)在取食时留下的镰刀状痕迹相一致。单独的啄食及探食痕迹已有相关报道,集群探食痕迹亦有所发现。这个化石地点所保存的鸟类足迹在形态学和行为学上都非常进步,指示了今鸟类与现代鸟类相似的解剖学特征和行为模式。此前根据鸟类骨骼化石的记录,研究者认为反鸟类为早白垩世鸟类的主要类群,然而足迹形态的的高度多样性反映了早白垩世今鸟类已经具有很高的多样性。     

Bird pollination syndrome is the plant's adaptation to ornithophily,but nectarivorous birds are not so selective

Many tropical plants are pollinated by birds and several bird phylogenetical lineages have specialised to a nectar diet. The long-assumed, intimate ecological and evolutionary relationship between ornithophilous plants and phenotypically specialised nectarivorous birds has nevertheless been questioned in recent decades, where such plant–pollinator interactions have been shown to be highly generalised. In our study, we analysed two extensive interaction datasets: bird–flower and insect–flower interactions, both collected on Mt Cameroon, west-central Africa. We tested if: 1) insects and birds interact with distinct groups of plants; 2) plants with a typical set of ornithophilous floral traits (i.e. bird pollination syndrome) interact mainly with birds; 3) birds favour plants with bird pollination syndrome and; 4) if and how the individual floral traits and plant level nectar production predict bird visitation. Bird-visited plants were typically also visited by insects, while approximately half of the plants were visited by insects only. We confirmed the validity of the bird pollination syndrome hypothesis, as plants with bird-pollination syndrome traits were visited by birds at a higher rate and mostly hosted a lower frequency of visiting insects. However, these ornithophilous plants were not more attractive than the other plants for nectar-feeding birds. Nectar production per plant individual was a better predictor of bird visitation than any other floral trait traditionally related to the bird pollination syndrome. Our study thus demonstrated the highly asymmetrical relationship between ornithophilous plants and nectarivorous birds.     

The assembly of plants used as nectar sources by hummingbirds in a Cerrado area of Central Brazil

Studies on hummingbird–plant interactions commonly use a pollination approach emphasizing mutualistic relationships. But floral resources are often used opportunistically by these birds. Plant–pollinator assemblies and pollination sustainability will depend both on the well-adapted plants and other potential floral resources. The Cerrado, Neotropical savannas of Central Brazil, has ca. 7.5 % of its flora supposedly adapted to hummingbird pollination. But detailed information about flowers effectively used by hummingbirds at community level is still lacking. Hence, we recorded all plant species visited by hummingbirds, to determine how these nectariferous flowers were distributed in time and space in different plant formations of a Cerrado area, and also the hummingbird species that visit them. The study was conducted between March 2007 and December 2008 in the Panga Ecological Station. Data regarding flowering phenology, floral morphology and visitation were collected monthly. Forty-six nectariferous species from 39 genera and 17 families were recorded, most with annual flowering dynamics and tubular flowers. But only 21 species had a combination of traits fitting classic ornithophilous syndrome. For the remaining species hummingbird visitation was ascertained from observations at the study site or other sites in the region. Eight hummingbird species occurred in the area and were recorded visiting directly 36 plant species. The study area presented a relatively low number of ornithophilous plants, but a great habitat diversity and many non-ornithophilous plants that hummingbirds used as nectar sources. Therefore, in the studied Cerrado, the diversity of environments and nectariferous plants favour the maintenance of resident and migrant hummingbirds.     

Bird–flower interactions in the Macaronesian islands

Aims Several bird‐pollinated or ornithophilous flowers are present on the Macaronesian archipelagos, the Canary Islands and Madeira, but absent from nearby NW Africa and Europe. In Macaronesia, no specialist nectar‐feeding birds are found, but several generalist passerine bird species visit flowers for nectar. Two hypotheses attempt to explain the origin and evolution of ornithophily in the Macaronesian flora. According to ‘the island de novo hypothesis’, bird‐flowers evolved from mainland insect‐pollinated ancestors after island colonization. Alternatively, ancestors of the ornithophilous Macaronesian plant species evolved bird‐flowers before reaching the islands (‘the relict hypothesis’). In this study we first compile information of Macaronesian bird–flower interactions from the literature and our own field observations. Secondly, we discuss the two hypotheses of origin of ornithophily in the light of evidence from recent molecular plant phylogenies, palaeontology, historical biogeography of the African avifauna and flora, and present‐day ecological patterns. Location Madeira and Canary Islands. Results At least eleven endemic Macaronesian plant species from six genera have typical ornithophilous floral traits. These genera are: Canarina and Musschia (Campanulaceae), Isoplexis (Scrophulariaceae), Echium (Boraginaceae), Lotus (Fabaceae) and Lavatera (Malvaceae). These lineages have clear affinities to the Mediterranean region, except for Canarina whose closest relatives grow in East African mountains. Six generalist passerine bird species of Sylvia, Phylloscopus (Sylviidae), Serinus (Fringillidae) and Parus (Paridae) visit this flora for nectar. Main conclusion We suggest that the origin and evolution of ornithophilous traits in these plant species took place mostly in mainland areas prior to island colonization. In Canarina and Lavatera, it is well supported that ornithophily is a relict condition, which originated in mainland areas possibly in association with specialist nectar‐feeding birds. For the remaining plant species except Echium wildpretii bird floral traits probably also are a relict condition. These species may be derived from ancestors, which were visited by specialist nectar‐feeding birds during geological periods when the Mediterranean and the Ethiopian vegetation were intermingled in mainland Africa. Probably, these mainland ancestors went extinct due to severe climatic fluctuations, while their Macaronesian descendants survived in ‘refuge’ on the islands. Finally, the island de novo hypothesis may explain the evolution of a mixed bird/insect‐pollination system in the neo‐endemic red‐flowered Echium wildpretii.     

Opportunistic nectar-feeding birds are effective pollinators of bird-flowers from Canary Islands: experimental evidence from Isoplexis canariensis (Scrophulariaceae)

Insular floras, characterized by simple pollination networks, sometimes include novel mutualistic agents such as nonspecialist nectarivores. In this study we confirmed the effective pollination of Isoplexis canariensis by opportunistic nectar-feeding birds in Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain. This plant is among the ornithophilous species of the Canarian flora that lack past and present specialist nectarivorous birds. Experimental hand pollinations revealed self-compatibility, but cross-pollinated flowers produced a greater percentage of viable seeds than self-pollinated ones. Flowers were visited by five species of birds (Phylloscopus canariensis, Parus caeruleus, Sylvia melanocephala, Serinus canarius, and Fringilla coelebs) and by the endemic lizard (Gallotia galloti, Lacertidae). Insect pollination was absent, and the few insect visitors acted as nectar thieves or secondary nectar robbers. Birds represented 93.1% of total visits, with the Canarian Chiffchaff, Ph. canariensis, being the most frequent visitor. Flowers visited by birds set more, larger, and heavier fruit than flowers from which birds were excluded. Bird visitation also enhanced seed viability. These results demonstrate the active role of these opportunistic birds as effective pollinators of this Canarian bird-flower species. Further, the results reveal the need to consider the effect of these birds on the evolution of ornithophilous floral traits in absence of specialist nectarivores.     

Ornithophilie auf den Canarischen Inseln

(1) On the Canary Islands and Madeira typical bird-flowers occur in at least twelve species of six genera, although true flower-birds are absent. This inconsistency is in part elucidated by field observations on exotic and wild plants of Tenerife. —(2) In the Botanical Garden of Orotava it could be observed that various ornithophilous plants, which were introduced there, were visited by indigenous birds for nectar and in one case (Orthostemon) for food tissue. Of the three bird species involved, an endemic race of Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita) and resident Blackcaps (Sylvia atricapilla) exploit, and pollinate, flowers legitimously, while the Wild Canary (Serinus canaria) is predominantly a destructive nectar robber. —(3) The insular Chiffchaff also proved to be a regular pollinator in the wild, at least ofCanarina canariensis andIsoplexis canariensis, two ornithophilous paleoendemics. Ornithophily, thus, is naturally practised on the island, though by birds basically insectivorous. —(4) A list of Macaronesian plants bearing the more or less complete ornithophilous syndrome is presented, including newly recognizedTeucrium heterophyllum andScrophularia calliantha. —(5) On biogeographical and faunistic grounds it is presumed that the modern visitors of Canarian bird flowers are secondary rather than the original partners of the continental tertiary flora in which these plants originated. Palearctic immigrants, when becoming resident on the islands during and since the Pleistocene, adopted facultative nectar feeding, entering an orphaned food niche. Casual flower visits in Europe suggest a certain predisposition of the Chiffchaff and the Blackcap for the exploitation of flowers. — (6) The ability of unspecialized birds to acquire nectardrinking spontaneously and to pass this habit on to their offspring, is demonstrated by a population of Tree Sparrows (Passer montanus) which have visited ornithophilousKniphofia (Liliaceae) in Berlin for several years.

     

Patterns and Ecological Correlates of Pollination Modes Among Bromeliad Communities of Andean Forests in Bolivia

Abstract: We studied the distribution of five pollination modes (ornithophily, chiropterophily, entomophily, mixed/unspecific, autogamy) among the bromeliad communities of 74 forest sites in the Bolivian Andes and adjacent lowlands. We recorded a total of 188 bromeliad species belonging to 16 genera, including 115 (61 %) ornithophilous, 14 (7 %) chiropterophilous, 45 (24 %) entomophilous, 8 (4 %) autogamous, and 6 (3 %) species with mixed pollination mode. Ornithophily was the dominant pollination mode at high elevations and in wet regions, while entomophily dominated in arid regions. Chiropterophily was most common in wet lowland regions, autogamy in arid sites, and mixed pollination in the lowlands. Pollination modes were rather evenly distributed among life-forms and ecophysiological types, with a few exceptions: terrestrial forest bromeliads, mostly belonging to unarmed, soft-leaved taxa, had a prevalence of entomophily and few ornithophilous species; large, spiny terrestrial bromeliads of Puya and Bromelioideae showed a prevalence of ornithophily; and autogamy was restricted to the neotenous subgenus Diaphoranthema of Tillandsia. The restriction of unspecific pollination modes to the lowlands is hypothesized to be related to the abundance of pollinators, eliminating the need for specialized co-evolution, or to the overall rarity of bromeliads in this environment, precluding the development of specialized relationships. The low representation of entomophilous species in small dry forest regions compared to extensive areas is assumed to be due to the seasonal influx of hummingbirds and/or bats. Overall, the frequency of individual pollination modes was related to the availability of pollinators as determined by temperatures and humidity.     

Native birds and insects,and introduced honey bees visiting Echium wildpretii (Boraginaceae) in the Canary Islands

In this paper, we report observations of flower visitors of the endemic Echium wildpretii in Tenerife, Canary Islands. This plant inhabits the high altitudinal sub-alpine zone, which is characterized by a harsh climate, low species diversity and a short growing season. Echium wildpretii is a monocarpic perennial, producing a 2–3 m column-shaped, red-flowered, nectar-rich inflorescence. Although these floral traits have previously been suggested as being typical of ornithophilous flowers, this is the first study reporting observations of native birds (Phylloscopus collybita and Serinus canarius) in addition to insects visiting the flowers for nectar. The purposes of this study were firstly to investigate levels of visitation by native birds, native insects, and introduced honey bees. Secondly, we studied the influence of floral display (plant height and number of flowers), nearest neighbours (distance and size) and local vegetation structure on visitation rate. Finally, we discuss the evolution of ornithophily in an otherwise entomophilous plant lineage. We found that the level of bird visitation was relatively high early in the flowering season, but decreased in mid/late season, while the opposite pattern was found for introduced honey bees. For native insects, the frequency of visits was similar in early and late season. Bird visits were correlated with floral display. In the early season, visitation rates of honey bees and the two most common native bee species were correlated with size of the plant or its nearest neighbours, consistent with preference patterns for larger resource patches. Since only insects visit the flowers of other species in the Echium clade, E. wildpretii appears to have evolved from a truly insect-pollinated lineage.     

An Assemblage of Hummingbird-pollinated Flowers in a Montane Forest in Southeastern Brazil

Relationships between ornithophilous flowers and hummingbirds have been little studied in southern South America, where hummingbird species richness is low. We studied an ornithophilous flower assemblage and the hummingbird pollinators in a montane forest in southeastern Brazil. Twenty-three native hummingbird-pollinated plant species in 21 genera and 14 families were observed. Bromeliaceae, Fabaceae, Gesneriaceae, and Lobeliaceae are represented by more than one species within the assemblage. Flower shapes vary from narrow tube to bowl-shape, but tubular flowers prevail. The variety of flower shapes and sizes results in diverse pollen placement on the body parts of hummingbird visitors, although pollen is deposited mostly on the bill. Sugar concentration in nectar averages 22.1%, and nectar volume per flower averages 16.9 μl. The plant populations bloom for one month to year-round, and their flowering approaches the steady-state pattern. Four flower subsets may be defined within the assemblage, each subset related to the bill size and foraging habits of the most frequent bird visitor. Of the six species of hummingbirds recorded at the study site, four are common and largely resident. The four hummingbirds differ in bill size, body mass, and favoured foraging sites, attributes which reflect their favoured flower subsets. One hermit and one trochiline hummingbird share most of the flower species they use, these two birds being the major pollinators within the flower assemblage. This montane forest community may be viewed as medium-rich in ornithophilous flower species and poor in hummingbird species.     

Foraging Blue Tits Parus caeruleus may trade-off calorific value of food items and distance from cover

Capsule Flowers of an invasive plant species are more visited by native birds than flowers of ornithophilous endemic plants.

Aims To describe the bird guild and its behaviour visiting the century plant Agave americana in an insular environment and to determine which factors are affecting visitation rates.

Methods We noted number and species of birds visiting inflorescences on Tenerife, Canary Islands. We used multimodel inference of generalized linear models to analyse the factors affecting the number of visits and the visitor species richness.

Results Eighty-one per cent of inflorescences were visited by eight native bird species. All species fed on nectar and only the Atlantic Canary fed also on pollen. Foraging behaviour varied among species. Visitation rate increased with density and diversity of birds and flower characteristics and decreased through the day. The number of species visiting the inflorescences increased with diversity and density of birds in the surroundings and decreased through the day.

Conclusion The native bird community uses the invasive century plant as a feeding resource at a higher rate than it uses endemic ornithophilous plants. This could have negative effects for the pollination of endemic plants, but positive effects for birds.     

Floral diversity and pollen transfer mechanisms in bird-pollinated Salvia species

BACKGROUND AND: AIMS Bird-pollinated (ornithophilous) Salvia species (sages) transfer pollen either by means of a staminal lever mechanism or by immovable stamens. As the distribution of the two modes within the genus is not known, we present a survey of all ornithophilous sages. The main focus is given to floral diversity especially with respect to functional lever morphology. Thereby the hypothesis is tested that, due to a pollinator shift from bees to birds, the lever mechanism became unnecessary. METHODS: To get a general idea about the diversity of pollen transfer mechanisms, 186 ornithophilous Salvia species were classified according to the functional morphology of the stamen and the need for a lever movement. To test the functionality of the staminal levers and the fitting between flowers and birds the process of pollen transfer was examined by pollinator observations and tested by inserting museum skins and metal rods into fresh flowers. KEY RESULTS: The diversity of pollen transfer mechanisms is represented by eight case studies illustrating three main groups. In group I (approx. 50 %) the staminal lever mechanism is necessary to open access to nectar and to enable the transfer of pollen that is hidden in the upper lip. In group II (approx. 34 %) pollen is freely accessible and the lever mechanism is reduced in different ways and to different degrees. In group III (approx. 4 %) the lever works as in group I, but pollen is freely accessible as in II. The remaining approx. 13 % are not clearly classified. CONCLUSIONS: It is considered that the driving force behind the diverse modes of reduction is the necessity to increase the distance between nectar and pollen, thereby ensuring pollen deposition on the bird's feathered head. This is achieved several times in parallel by corolla elongation and/or exposure of the pollen-sacs. As soon as pollen is freely accessible, the lever movement loses its significance for pollination.