Floral nectar, nectary structure and pollinators in some Argentinean Bromeliaceae

The floral nectar chemical composition and nectary structure of some Argentinean Bromeliaceae were studied, including field observations on pollinators. Twenty species belonging to eight genera from the three subfamilies were analysed. The nectar components report is mostly new since no comprehensiv...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Annals of botany 1991-05, Vol.67 (5), p.401-411
Main Authors: Bernardello, L.M, Galetto, L, Juliani, H.R
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
abromeitiella
Aechmea
alkalinity
Amino acids
Apis mellifera
Argentinean Bromeliaceae
Biological and medical sciences
Biological taxonomies
Bromelia
Bromeliaceae
chemical composition
Deuterocohnia
Dyckia
Epithelium
floral nectar
flowers
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Genera
Morphology, anatomy, histology, cytology
Nectar
Nectaries
nectary structure
Ovaries
Papilio
peiya
plant anatomy
Plant cytology, morphology, systematics, chorology and evolution
plant morphology
Plants
pollinators
puya
quantitative analysis
Spermatophyta
Starches
Sugars
Tillandsia
Trochilidae
Vriesea
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Summary:The floral nectar chemical composition and nectary structure of some Argentinean Bromeliaceae were studied, including field observations on pollinators. Twenty species belonging to eight genera from the three subfamilies were analysed. The nectar components report is mostly new since no comprehensive study has been carried out on the family previously. Sugars were always present, while alkaloids, lipids. phenols, and proteins were not detected in any sample. Reducing acids were found in three species. Amino acids were detected in a very low concentration in only about half the samples. Pitcairnioideae species show a mean balanced disaccharide/monosaccharide nectar sugar composition, Bromelioideae had hexose-rich nectars and Tillandsioideae saccharose-dominant ones. Nectar concentration ranged from 16 to 48%. All taxa bear septal nectaries with many common features. Pitcairnioideae and Tillandsioideae members have half-inferior ovaries, a feature mostly overlooked in previous studies. Three types of nectary architecture were recognized in both subfamilies. Bromelioideae have inferior ovaries and possess comparable nectaries. Hummingbirds constitute the main flower pollinators of many species but butterflies and bees were occasionally seen in two species, cropping nectar and pollen, respectively.
ISSN:0305-7364
1095-8290
DOI:10.1093/oxfordjournals.aob.a088174