The pollination system of the widely distributed mammal-pollinated Mucuna macrocarpa (Fabaceae) in the tropics.

ABSTRACT: Although the pollinators of some plant species differ across regions, only a few mammal-pollinated plant species have regional pollinator differences in Asia. Mucuna macrocarpa (Fabaceae) is pollinated by squirrels, flying foxes, and macaques in subtropical and temperate islands. In this study, the pollination system of M. macrocarpa was identified in tropical Asia, where the genus originally diversified. This species requires "explosive opening" of the flower, where the wing petals must be pressed down and the banner petal pushed upward to fully expose the stamens and pistil. A bagging experiment showed that fruits did not develop in inflorescences (n = 66) with unopened flowers, whereas fruits developed in 68.7% of inflorescences (n = 131) with opened flowers.

SUBMITTER: Kobayashi S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6580284 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature