Anther mimicry in an African orchid pollinated by pollen-feeding beetles.

IF 3.6 3区 生物学 Q1 PLANT SCIENCES
Plant Biology Pub Date : 2025-06-23 DOI:10.1111/plb.70060
A Adit, S D Johnson
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Abstract

Flowers of many species have yellow markings that appear to mimic anthers or pollen and attract the attention of pollen-seeking insects (usually female bees). We investigated a putative case of anther mimicry in Disa similis, an orchid with nectarless mauve flowers and conspicuous yellow markings on the tips of the labellum and lateral petals. We studied D. similis in grasslands of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, by directly observing floral visitors. Spectral reflectance of floral parts of the orchid and sympatric species were analysed using spectrometry. Pollination success was recorded in relation to colour manipulation and florivory of the petal apices. Overall pollen transfer efficiency and breeding system was estimated to determine pollinator dependence for fruit set. The flowers of D. similis lack scent and are pollinated by the pollen-feeding beetle Isoplia lasiosoma which chews on the yellow petal apices. Overall flower colour resembles that of co-flowering plants that are visited by beetles for pollen-feeding, and the yellow UV-absorbing colour of the petal apices matches that of anthers and pollen. By covering the yellow markings with purple paint or removing them led to reduced pollination success. Pollen removal and deposition were strongly associated with florivory. Plants are self-compatible and dependent on pollinator visits for fruit set. Previous studies of orchids and other plants that deploy mimicry of anthers and pollen have reported bees or flies as pollinators without physical damage to flowers. Pollination of D. similis by pollen-feeding beetles and their consumption of anther-like apices of the petals are thus unexpected and novel findings.

非洲兰花的花药拟态,由取粉的甲虫授粉。
许多种类的花都有黄色的斑纹,看起来像花药或花粉,吸引寻找花粉的昆虫(通常是雌蜂)的注意。我们调查了Disa similis的一个假定的花药模仿案例,Disa similis是一种无花蜜的淡紫色花朵,在唇瓣和侧花瓣的尖端有明显的黄色标记。通过对南非夸祖鲁-纳塔尔省草原上的访花者的直接观察,研究了相似金蝇。用光谱法分析了兰科植物及其同域种花部的光谱反射率。授粉的成功与花瓣顶端的颜色操纵和花期有关。估计了总体花粉传递效率和育种系统,以确定坐果对传粉者的依赖。花无香味,由食粉甲虫Isoplia lasiosoma通过咀嚼黄色的花瓣尖来授粉。整体颜色类似于甲虫取食花粉的共花植物,花瓣顶端的黄色吸收紫外线的颜色与花药和花粉的颜色相匹配。用紫色涂料覆盖黄色斑纹或将其去除会降低授粉成功率。花粉的去除和沉积与花期密切相关。植物是自相容的,依赖于授粉者的访问果实集。先前对兰花和其他植物的研究表明,蜜蜂或苍蝇作为传粉者不会对花朵造成物理损害。因此,由取食花粉的甲虫授粉和它们消耗花药状的花瓣尖是意想不到的和新颖的发现。
本文章由计算机程序翻译,如有差异,请以英文原文为准。
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来源期刊
Plant Biology
Plant Biology 生物-植物科学
CiteScore
8.20
自引率
2.60%
发文量
109
审稿时长
3 months
期刊介绍: Plant Biology is an international journal of broad scope bringing together the different subdisciplines, such as physiology, molecular biology, cell biology, development, genetics, systematics, ecology, evolution, ecophysiology, plant-microbe interactions, and mycology. Plant Biology publishes original problem-oriented full-length research papers, short research papers, and review articles. Discussion of hot topics and provocative opinion articles are published under the heading Acute Views. From a multidisciplinary perspective, Plant Biology will provide a platform for publication, information and debate, encompassing all areas which fall within the scope of plant science.
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