The planalto hermit, Phaethornis pretrei – a key species in a Neotropical savanna community in Central Brazil

Abstract

ABSTRACTAmong vertebrate pollinators, hummingbirds are the most important group in the Neotropics as they use a wide spectrum of plant species. The hummingbird Phaethornis pretrei (Phaethornithinae) was studied in a Neotropical savanna of Central Brazil. The objectives were to: (1) record the flowering period of species used by P. pretrei as food resources and establish whether this hummingbird is their exclusive visitor; (2) determine the return time of P. pretrei to a given plant species and the number of P. pretrei that use the same individual plant; (3) assess the pollen loads transported by P. pretrei; and (4) verify whether this hummingbird is resident in the area. The flowering period of plants used by P. pretrei was recorded for 22 months between 2007 and 2008. Focal observations were made concomitantly with capture and marking of hummingbirds and collection of pollen loads using adhesive tape. Phaethornis pretrei was recorded visiting 21 plant species, being the exclusive visitor of two species and performing more than 90% of visits to another four. Nineteen of those plant species were also visited by seven other hummingbird species. The return time of P. pretrei to typically ornithophilous flowers was around 1 hour and visits to the same plants were made by two or sometimes three individuals. Phaethornis pretrei may transport pollen of up to 10 species on its bill. This hummingbird is resident in the study area and promotes the flow of pollen, favouring the reproduction of several plant species. Therefore, it is a pollinator of great importance for this plant community, being a key species in the area in question.