Insect pollination in temperate sedges? A case study in Rhynchospora alba (Cyperaceae). (2nd January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Villa-Machío, Irene; Zamora, Juan Carlos; Sandoval-Sierra, José Vladimir; Blanco-Pastor, José Luis; Fernández-Mazuecos, Mario; Jiménez-Mejías, Pedro
• Is Part Of: Plant biosystems. Volume 156:Number 1(2022)
• Page Start: 196
• Page End: 202
• Publication Date: 2022-01-02
• Subjects: Anemophily -- entomophily -- fitness traits -- reproductive biology -- tetrazolium test; Botany -- Periodicals; Biological systems -- Periodicals; Plants -- Periodicals; 581
• DOI: 10.1080/11263504.2020.1845846
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1126-3504

Abstract

Abstract: Sedges (Cyperaceae) are commonly pollinated by wind, but some transitions from wind to insect pollination have been reported in tropical sedges. Despite being a temperate sedge, the pollination strategy of Rhynchospora alba may partly depend on insects, as suggested by its white-colored inflorescences. Here we quantify the contribution of insects to the reproductive fitness of R. alba as an exploration of the success of entomophily in temperate sedges. Honeybees and hoverflies seem to be the primary visitors of R. alba in the study site, and pollen of R. alba was recovered from the mouthparts and legs of the insects. Treatments excluding insects led to a lower reproductive fitness (regarding fruit weight and fruit viability) than those not excluding them. Therefore, insects seem to contribute significantly to the pollination of R. alba despite moderate morphological adaptation. We highlight the role of entomophily as an overlooked reproductive mechanism in cold-temperate sedges.