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Australian Journal of Botany Australian Journal of Botany Society
Southern hemisphere botanical ecosystems
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Self-compatibility and specialisation in a fly-pollinated Acianthera (Orchidaceae: Pleurothallidiinae)

E. R. Pansarin A D , L. M. Pansarin B , M. E. P. Martucci C and L. Gobbo-Neto C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras, Universidade de São Paulo, 14040-901, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.

B Departamento de Ecologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, Rua do Matão, 321, trav. 14, 05508-900, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.

C Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Do Café s/n°, 14040-903, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.

D Corresponding author. Email: epansarin@ffclrp.usp.br

Australian Journal of Botany 64(4) 359-367 https://doi.org/10.1071/BT15177
Submitted: 6 August 2015  Accepted: 3 June 2016   Published: 24 June 2016

Abstract

Diptera is one of the most widespread order of pollinators within Angiosperms and the more important pollinator group of the orchid subtribe Pleurothallidinae. Acianthera aphthosa (Lindl.) Pridgeon & M.W.Chase was studied in a Brazilian nature reserve, covering aspects of phenology, floral morpho-anatomy, flower histochemistry, pollinators, pollination mechanisms and reproductive system. A. aphthosa possess multicellular papillae on the inner surface of the sepals, which release a fetid dung-like fragrance. The fragrance is released by apical stomata, and attracts several fly species of the families Calliphoridae, Muscidae, Sarcophagidae and Ulidiidae. However, only one species of Acrosticta (Ulidiidae) was shown to be an effective pollinator. The upper surface of the labellum possesses a secretory tissue that apparently is related to nectar production, although the secretion is retained under the cuticle. As is common in fly-pollinated orchids, the Diptera are trapped by the flower. However, contrary to what is reported for other myophilous orchids, the pollinators of A. aphthosa are not frightened after leaving the flower and commonly visit further flowers on the same plant and inflorescence. In this case, the retention of the anther cap by the pollinarium, tend to reduce the geitonogamous self-pollination. A. aphthosa is self-compatible but pollinator-dependent. To the best of our knowledge this is the first record of complete self-compatibility in Acianthera. The low amount of seeds without embryos in self-pollinated flowers, in contrast to cross-pollinations, seems to be a consequence of inbreeding depression.

Additional keywords: floral biology, myophily, reproduction, reproductive biology.


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