Abstract
ABSTRACT The present study evaluates and compares the phenology, pollination biology and breeding systems of Chamaecrista desvauxii (Collad.) Killip.and Clitoria laurifolia Poir. in a coastal plain degraded by sand mining in São Paulo State, Brazil, from January 2006 to May 2008. Flowering and fruiting events occurred in the warm and rainy season. Both species are self-compatible but only C. desvauxii was pollinator-dependent to set fruits. A small group of bees, comprising Eufrisea sp., Eulaema (Apeulaema) cingulata and Bombus morio, accessed the male and female floral structures and moved among individuals resulting in cross-pollinations. However, only B. morio was a frequent visitor and an effective pollinator. Although recruitment and survival of population in the study area are high for both species, we observed lower abundance and richness of visitors suggesting the possible lack of pollinators and pollen limitation.
Highlights
Habitat loss, fragmentation and the consequent loss of biodiversity are the main environmental impacts of human activities (Primm & Raven 2000)
The susceptibility of a plant species to habitat fragmentation is related to its reproductive biology, which reflects its degree of dependence on pollinators (Liu & Koptur 2003, Aguilar et al 2006, Warzecha et al 2016)
C. desvauxii presented intense flowering in the rainy season and their fruits and seeds matured at the transition to dry season
Summary
Fragmentation and the consequent loss of biodiversity are the main environmental impacts of human activities (Primm & Raven 2000). Such impacts may increase pollination failure as both pollen quantity and quality often decrease as populations become isolated (Lazaro & Traveset 2006, Alonso et al 2013, Suarez-Gonzales & Good 2014). Studies on breeding systems of plants in disturbed areas can provide relevant information about facilitation, competition for pollinators and reproductive success (Kearns et al 1998, Martínez 2003, Ghazoul 2006, Brito et al 2010). To assess the reproductive attributes of colonizing plants is important role for restoration programs in order to establish succession processes allowing the formation of a self-sustaining vegetation (Rosales et al 1997).
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