Pollination biology of Maianthemum s.s. (Asparagaceae) in different parts of its range

Abstract

Maianthemum F.H. Wigg. is a genus of perennial plants inhabiting temperate and subtropical regions of Eurasia and North America. Maianthemum sensu stricto includes just a few species that have a wide geographic distribution, are morphologically close, and possess open flowers adapted for a wide range of flower visitors. The present study is aimed at investigating the pollination biology of Maianthemum s.s. A comparison of the pollination biology of these species growing in the same area allows us to clarify ecological differences between the species. Investigation of the pollination biology of the same species in different parts of its range allows for the specification of variation in range of pollinators due to the environmental conditions. We studied pollination of M. bifolium in two far-apart locations (Moscow Region and Primorye Territory); also, in parallel, we studied three species M. bifolium, M. dilatatum, and M. intermedium in the same location in Primorye Territory. Proterandry is typical of all Maianthemum ssp. populations studied here. The studied species have a wide range of flower visitors. All of them can contribute to pollination, but the most stable and effective pollinators of Maianthemum s.s. are bees (Anthophila) and hoverflies (Syrphidae). Geographical position of population is the most important factor defining the range of pollinators of Maianthemum bifolium. The range of pollinators is weakly specific to the three species of Maianthemum s.s.