Reproductive and Pollination Biology of Magnolia and its Allied Genera (Magnoliaceae). I. Floral Volatiles of Several Magnolia and Michelia Species and their Roles in Attracting Insects |
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Authors: | SHOKO YASUKAWA HIDETOSHI KATO RYOHEI YAMAOKA HAJIME TANAKA HIROHITO ARAI SHOICHI KAWANO |
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Affiliation: | Laboratory of Chemical Ecology, Department of Applied Biology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Kyoto 606, Japan;Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-01, Japan;Hazawa 2-28-16, Nerima-ku, Tokyo 176, Japan;Department of Biology, College of Liberal Arts, Toyama University, Toyama 930, Japan;Institute of Genetic Ecology, Tohoku University, Sendai 980, Japan |
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Abstract: | Abstract Volatile substances emitted from the flowers of eight Magnolia taxa ( M. sieboldii ssp. japonica, M. praecocissima var. praecocissima and var. borealis, M. tomentosa, M. salicifolia, M. obovata, M. denudata, and M. grandiflora ) and one Michelia species ( M. compressa ) (Magnoliaceae) were examined and identified using GC-MS. Volatile substances of these Magnolia and Michelia species consist primarily of monoterpenoids and sesquiterpenoids produced by the mevalonate pathway, acetogenins by the acetate-malonate pathway, and phenyl-propanoids by the shikimate pathway. These Magnolia and Michelia species all possessed various combinations of volatile monoterpenoids, acetogenins, and phenylpropanoids, except for Magnolia obovata , which emitted primarily sesquiterpenoids. Free amino acids in pollen of 12 Magnolia and one Liriodendron species were also analyzed, and their value as food sources for pollinators evaluated. Pollinators visiting the flowers of five Magnolia species were collected in their native sites and identified. Their behaviors and roles as pollinating agents were assessed. |
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Keywords: | chemical attractant floral volatile Magnolia Michelia monoterpenoid pollination biology sesquiterpenoid |
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