Unveiling the osmophores of Philodendron adamantinum (Araceae) as a means to understanding interactions with pollinators.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

Araceae species pollinated by nocturnal Cyclocephalini beetles attract their pollinators by inflorescence scents. In Philodendron , despite the intense odour, the osmophores exhibit no definite morphological identity, making them difficult to locate. This may explain why structural studies of the scent-releasing tissue are not available so far.

Methods

Several approaches were employed for locating and understanding the osmophores of Philodendron adamantinum . A sensory test allowed other analyses to be restricted to fertile and sterile stamens as odour production sites. Stamens were studied under light and electron microscopy. Dynamic headspace and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry were used to collect and analyse scents from different zones of the inf

SUBMITTER: Goncalves-Souza P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5458670 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature