First Results About Pollination of Silene migjornensis, an Endemic Plant Species of the Southern Dunes of Mallorca

Abstract

Silene migjornensis is a plant species restricted to a unique location in the south of Mallorca. Its floral syndrome suggests nocturnal pollination by lepidopterans, but pollinators of this species remain unknown. Several surveys were conducted along the flowering period, and potential pollinators were captured for pollen load analyses. Additionally, pollinator surveys were performed by counting the number and identity of floral visitors in groups of 100 flowers every 2 h at nighttime. A total of 210 specimens were analysed, and the efficacy and fidelity of floral visitors were obtained. Up to 16 taxa were identified as potential pollinators, including moths, spiders, harvestmen, beetles, cockroaches and true bugs, many of which are neglected pollinators. Beetles showed higher efficacy compared with harvestmen and cockroaches, while no statistical differences were found in fidelity among groups. However, the harvestman Phalangium clavipus was the most frequent floral visitor. Overall, the initial hypothesis that S. migjornensis has a pollination specialised towards lepidopterans is not confirmed. Finally, this study describes the first case of an endemic harvestman participating in the pollination of a plant species in Mallorca.