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Abstract
Cyclanthura flower weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Derelomini) are identified for the first time as pollinators of multiple species of Anthurium (Araceae) in Costa Rica. The weevils are present on the inflorescences in small numbers during the pistillate and staminate phase of anthesis, and consume plant tissues and pollen. The individuals of one species of Cyclanthura can visit several Anthurium species within the same locality. They also engage in reproductive activities and are likely to oviposit into the flowers. The mating strategies suggest that sperm precedence selects males that are able to secure their position as the last partner prior to oviposition.
Highlights
In her recent review of the reproductive biology of Araceae (Bown 2000), comments on the paucity of reliable identifications of pollinators for many aroid species, and concludes: “[t]here really is no alternative, whether the species in question grows on the roadside, in the middle of a river, or in the rainforest canopy, than to be there recording every event during flowering.” The present report offers such information for several species of Anthurium Schott, an exclusively Neotropical genus with over 800 species (Mayo et al 1997)
This paper presents an account of the behavior of adult Cyclanthura individuals on the inflorescences of Anthurium, based on field observations in Costa Rica and specimen label information throughout the range of the association
MATERIALS AND METHODS Natural history research in Costa Rica focused on Cyclanthura carinata Franz on the inflorescences of Anthurium formosum, A. tilaranense Standley, and A. upalaense Croat & Baker at the Estación Biológica Las Cruces (OET; 08° 47’ N, 82° 57’ W; elevation 1200 m above sea level; May 28 to May 31, 2003), and on Cyclanthura laticola Franz on the inflorescences of Anthurium consobrinum at the Estación Biológica La Selva (OET; 10° 26’ N, 83° 59’ W; elevation 50 m; June 5 to June 8, 2003)
Summary
In her recent review of the reproductive biology of Araceae (Bown 2000), comments on the paucity of reliable identifications of pollinators for many aroid species, and concludes: “[t]here really is no alternative, whether the species in question grows on the roadside, in the middle of a river, or in the rainforest canopy, than to be there recording every event during flowering.” The present report offers such information for several species of Anthurium Schott, an exclusively Neotropical genus with over 800 species (Mayo et al 1997). Most of them appear to be associated with the inflorescences of Arecaceae (Henderson 1986), recent efforts have resulted in the identification of numerous species pollinating and/or reproducing on the inflorescences of Cyclanthaceae (Anderson and Gómez 1997, Franz 2001, Franz and O’Brien 2001a y b, Franz 2004). One such clade of 15 Neotropical species has been named Cyclanthura, and is characterized by the presence of elytral elevations and impressions (Franz 2003a). Systenotelus Anderson and Gómez is an exception to this pattern (Anderson and Gómez 1997, Franz 2004, Franz and Valente 2005)
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