Nocturnal pollination of Parkia velutina by Megalopta bees in Amazonia and its possible significance in the evolution of chiropterophily
Canopy observations of the rain forest tree Parkia velutina (Leguminosae: Mimosoideae) in Amazonian Brazil indicate that it is pollinated by night-flying bees. The small red flowers are organized into spherical heads; they open in the late afternoon and attract Megalopta bees (Halictidae: Augochlori...
| Autor principal: | Hopkins, M. J.G. |
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| Outros Autores: | Fortune-Hopkins, Helen C., A., Sothers, Cynthia |
| Grau: | Artigo |
| Idioma: | English |
| Publicado em: |
Journal of Tropical Ecology
2020
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| Acesso em linha: |
https://repositorio.inpa.gov.br/handle/1/19155 |
| Resumo: |
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Canopy observations of the rain forest tree Parkia velutina (Leguminosae: Mimosoideae) in Amazonian Brazil indicate that it is pollinated by night-flying bees. The small red flowers are organized into spherical heads; they open in the late afternoon and attract Megalopta bees (Halictidae: Augochlorini) which forage for pollen after dark. In contrast to the numerous bat-pollinated species of Parkia, no nectar was detected. Nocturnal melittophily is proposed as a possible intermediate stage in the evolution of chiropterophily from diurnal entomophily in Parkia. |