Features of floral odor and nectar in the distylous Luculia pinceana (Rubiaceae) promote compatible pollination by hawkmoths.

ABSTRACT: It is hypothesized that in heterostylous plant species, standardization of signals of floral attraction between different morphs is advantageous, encouraging flower visitors to switch between morphs. It remains unclear whether signals of floral attraction (floral odor and properties of nectar) are similar between morphs in distylous species pollinated by hawkmoths, and how these relate to hawkmoth behavior. We observed the behavior of visitors to distylous Luculia pinceana (Rubiaceae), collected and analyzed floral odor, and examined properties of nectar (volume, sugar concentration, and composition) of long-styled and short-styled morphs during the day and night. Pollinator responses to the floral scent were tested with a Y-tube olfactometer. We conducted diurnal and nocturnal poll

SUBMITTER: Wang X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10030271 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature