Reproductive biology of a highly endemic species: Cipocereus laniflorus N.P. Taylor &amp; Zappi (Cactaceae)

Juliana Ordones Rego,Edivani Villaron Franceschinelli,Daniela Cristina Zappi

doi:10.1590/s0102-33062012000100023

Reproductive biology of a highly endemic species: Cipocereus laniflorus N.P. Taylor & Zappi (Cactaceae)

Juliana Ordones Rego, Edivani Villaron Franceschinelli + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.1590/s0102-33062012000100023

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Abstract

Cipocereus laniflorus N.P. Taylor & Zappi is an endemic species from the Serra do Caraça, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. In order to propose conservation strategies for this species, its reproductive strategies were investigated, including reproductive phenology, floral biology, floral visitors and breeding system. The flowering and fruiting period extends from May to October. Few flowers per plant open each night, producing up to 0.4 ml nectar, but 30% of them are nectarless. Probably pollen is also offered as a resource. Fruiting efficiency of C. laniflorus (47%) is close to that found in other Cactaceae species. Pollen of this species was detected in Anoura geoffroy, Soricina glossophaga and Pygoderma bilabiatum bats. Amongst the characteristics related to bat-pollination syndrome found in C. laniflorus, the cream-white colouring of the internal part of the flower, the numerous stamens and the nocturnal anthesis of short duration can be highlighted. Flowers of C. laniflorus are also visited by Nitidulidae beetles, Trigona fulviventris bees and hummingbirds, however bats are the main pollinators of this species. Finally, as a self-sterile species, C. laniflorus needs a pollinator and is more susceptible to the risk of extinction if local disturbances affect its pollination system.

Highlights

IntroductionCactaceae comprises ca. 124 genera and around 1500 species distributed almost exclusively within the American Continent, with major centres of diversity in the arid regions of Mexico, central Andes (Argentina and Bolívia) and Eastern Brazil (Barthlott & Hunt 1993; Hunt et al 2006; Taylor & Zappi 2004)
Cactaceae comprises ca. 124 genera and around 1500 species distributed almost exclusively within the American Continent, with major centres of diversity in the arid regions of Mexico, central Andes (Argentina and Bolívia) and Eastern Brazil (Barthlott & Hunt 1993; Hunt et al 2006; Taylor & Zappi 2004). Floral characters, such as colour, size, position of reproductive structures and time of anthesis are very diverse, and the species present a large array of pollination syndromes and several groups of invertebrates and vertebrates have been observed as visitors and pollinators, such as bees (Grant & Grant 1979; Mandujano et al.; 1996), beetles (Grant & Connell 1979), hawkmoths (Silva & Sazima 1995; Locatelli & Machado 1999a), birds and bats (Alcorn et al 1961, McGregor et al 1962; Locatelli & Machado 1999b; Aona et al 2006; Rocha et al 2007)
Amongst the cacti occurring in the Cadeia do Espinhaço (Minas Gerais, Brazil), Zappi (1989) suggested that species of Uebelmannia, Hatiora and Opuntia might be pollinated by bees, while species of Cereus, Discocactus and Arthrocereus might be pollinated by hawkmoths, Pilosocereus and Cipocereus are probably pollinated by bats, while Melocactus and Arrojadoa might be pollinated by hummingbirds, based on their floral morphology

Summary

Introduction

Cactaceae comprises ca. 124 genera and around 1500 species distributed almost exclusively within the American Continent, with major centres of diversity in the arid regions of Mexico, central Andes (Argentina and Bolívia) and Eastern Brazil (Barthlott & Hunt 1993; Hunt et al 2006; Taylor & Zappi 2004). 124 genera and around 1500 species distributed almost exclusively within the American Continent, with major centres of diversity in the arid regions of Mexico, central Andes (Argentina and Bolívia) and Eastern Brazil (Barthlott & Hunt 1993; Hunt et al 2006; Taylor & Zappi 2004) Floral characters, such as colour, size, position of reproductive structures and time of anthesis are very diverse, and the species present a large array of pollination syndromes (see Faegri & Van der Pijl 1979) and several groups of invertebrates and vertebrates have been observed as visitors and pollinators, such as bees (Grant & Grant 1979; Mandujano et al.; 1996), beetles (Grant & Connell 1979), hawkmoths (Silva & Sazima 1995; Locatelli & Machado 1999a), birds and bats (Alcorn et al 1961, McGregor et al 1962; Locatelli & Machado 1999b; Aona et al 2006; Rocha et al 2007). Some columnar cacti are self-compatible, the number of seeds produced by self-pollination is significantly lower than that produced by cross-pollination (McGregor et al 1962; Fleming et al 1994)

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