Structural and Functional Co-Adaptation of Plants of the Genus <i>Lysimachia</i> L. (Primulaceae) and Pollinating Insects of the Genus <i>Macropis</i> Panzer (Hymenoptera, Melittidae).

ABSTRACT: The pollination system 'oil-collecting bees Macropis and oil-producing plants Lysimachia', probably originated a long time ago. Although much is already known about the biology and ecology of this fascinating interaction, we reveal here features of the structural elements of the secretory system of the Lysimachia flowers and the foraging behaviour of Macropis bees. A model describing the process of collecting flower oil by bees based on the laws of mechanics is presented. The model considers the histochemical and morphological features of the secretory apparatus in Lysimachia flowers, as well as the behaviour and micromorphological structure of the oil- and pollen-collecting apparatus of the bee. All these structures seem to be adapted for collecting flow

SUBMITTER: Radchenko VG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12657266 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature