Pollination of Mabea Occidentalis (Euphorbiaceae) in Panama

Abstract

The reproductive biology of Mabea occidentalis (Euphorbiaceae), an understory tree of tropical moist forests, was studied on Barro Colorado Island, Panama. Morphological and be- havioral features of the flowers suggest that M. occidentalis is adapted to pollination by bats. These characteristic floral features include maroon and green inflorescences that hang outside of the foliage, nocturnal anthesis, strong musty odor, and many staminate flowers that produce relatively large amounts of pollen and nectar. Nectar concentration and composition fit the chiropterophilous syndrome. The largely self-incompatible inflorescences of M. occidentalis are visited nocturnally by small bats (Glossophaga soricina and Carollia castanea), the red woolly opossum, and noctuid and pyralid moths and diurnally by Trigona bees. The relative roles and contrasting foraging strategies of these potential pollinators are discussed. This is the first report of bat pollination for Euphor- biaceae.