Floral traits of mammal‐pollinated Mucuna macrocarpa (Fabaceae): Implications for generalist‐like pollination systems. Issue 16 (30th July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kobayashi, Shun; Denda, Tetsuo; Liao, Chi‐Cheng; Lin, Yu‐Hsiu; Wu, Shu‐Hui; Izawa, Masako
• Is Part Of: Ecology and evolution. Volume 8:Issue 16(2018)
• Page Start: 8607
• Page End: 8615
• Publication Date: 2018-07-30
• Subjects: floral shape -- mammalian pollinator -- Mucuna macrocarpa -- nectar -- pollination -- regional differences; Ecology -- Periodicals; Evolution -- Periodicals; 577.05
• DOI: 10.1002/ece3.4404
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2045-7758

Abstract

Abstract: Floral traits are adapted by plants to attract pollinators. Some of those plants that have different pollinators in different regions adapt to each pollinator in each region to maximize their pollination success. Mucuna macrocarpa (Fabaceae) limits the pollinators using its floral structure and is pollinated by different mammals in different regions. Here, we examine the relationships between floral traits of M. macrocarpa and the external morphology of mammalian pollinators in different regions of its distribution. Field surveys were conducted on Kyushu and Okinawajima Island in Japan, and in Taiwan, where the main pollinators are the Japanese macaque Macaca fuscata, Ryukyu flying fox Pteropus dasymallus, and red‐bellied squirrel Callosciurus erythraeus, respectively. We measured the floral shapes, nectar secretion patterns, sugar components, and external morphology of the pollinators. Results showed that floral shape was slightly different among regions and that flower sizes were not correlated with the external morphology of the pollinators. Volume and sugar rate of nectar were not significantly different among the three regions and did not change throughout the day in any of the regions. However, nectar concentration was higher in Kyushu than in the other two regions. These results suggest that the floral traits of M. macrocarpa are not adapted to each pollinator in each region. Although this plant limits the number of pollinators using its flower structure, it has not adapted to specific mammals and may attract several species of mammals. Such generalist‐like pollination system might have evolved in the Old World. Abstract : Floral shape of mammal‐pollinated Mucuna macrocarpa (Fabaceae) slightly differed and external morphology of pollinators differed across different regions, but the differences were not significantly correlated with the morphology of their mammalian pollinators. Similarly, the components of nectar did not show significant differences across regions. Because these species restrict its pollinators to mammals by floral traits, this species may have generalist‐like pollination system.