Abstract
The pollination biology of Saranthe klotzschiana (Koer.) Eichl. was studied at an altitudinal forest (brejo de altitude), in the Parque Ecologico Joao Vasconcelos Sobrinho, Caruaru municipality - Pernambuco state, northeastern Brazil (8o18'36S and 36o00'00W). Saranthe klotzschiana bears inflorescences with 2.5-5.5 cm in length, and ca. 10-30 flowers, measuring 6-10 mm in length. The anthesis is diurnal with flowers opening at 4:00 h and lasting up to 14:30 h. Each inflorescence bears 4-12 open flowers per day. Each flower produced 1-3 µL of nectar with sugar concentration ranging from 27% to 32%. At dawn, frequent visits of diurnal moths and bees of the families Anthophoridae (Centris aenea, Epicharis (Epicharoides) sp., Mesoplia similis, Rhathymus acutiventris, and R. bicolor nigripes), Apidae (Euglossa truncata, E. carinilabris, Eulaema bombiformis, E. cingulata, E. nigrita, and Melipona scutellaris), and Colletidae (Ptiloglossa sp.) were observed. The bees visited flowers throughout anthesis, with a visiting peak from 6:00 to 11:00 a.m. Hummingbirds (Amazilia fimbriata, Chlorostilbon aureoventris, and Phaethornis ruber) were also observed visiting flowers of S. klotzschiana, beginning at 8:00 h. Before a visit the style is vertically positioned in relation to the ovary due to the tension played by the staminode. After a visit the style is detached, and the pollen is deposited in the proboscis (moth), tongue (bees) or beak (hummingbirds) of the visitor. The large bees and the hummingbirds were considered the main pollinators due to their efficacy on triggering the pollination mechanism.
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