Evolution and diversity of floral scent chemistry in the euglossine bee-pollinated orchid genus Gongora.

ABSTRACT:

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Background and aims

Animal-pollinated angiosperms have evolved a variety of signalling mechanisms to attract pollinators. Floral scent is a key component of pollinator attraction, and its chemistry modulates both pollinator behaviour and the formation of plant-pollinator networks. The neotropical orchid genus Gongora exhibits specialized pollinator associations with male orchid bees (Euglossini). Male bees visit orchid flowers to collect volatile chemical compounds that they store in hind-leg pouches to use subsequently during courtship display. Hence, Gongora floral scent compounds simultaneously serve as signalling molecules and pollinator rewards. Furthermore, because floral scent acts as the predominant reproductive isolating barrier among lineages, it has b

SUBMITTER: Hetherington-Rauth MC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4934395 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature