|
Pollination ecology of Iochroma (Solanaceae)
The approximately 25 species of Iochroma
exhibit an extraordinary diversity of flower form and color.
Field studies were conducted for 16 species to characterize their
pollination systems and to assess the potential contribution of
pollinator behavior to the persistence of closely related species in
sympatry (Smith et al. in press, AMBG). We found that 12 of the 16
species, encompassing a range
of flower colors and sizes, were principally pollinated by
hummingbirds, and in many cases, by the same hummingbird species. The
remaining species were either pollinated by a mix of hummingbirds and
insects (2 species) or exclusively by insects (2 species). Although
sympatric species were found to often share pollinator species,
individual pollinators tended to move among flowers of the same species
in mixed populations. These observations suggest that pollinators
may play an important role in maintaining species boundaries in areas
of sympatry.
Pictured at right, top to bottom: Acnistus arborescens being visited by a Syrphid fly (photo by R. Riina); Iochroma fuchsioides being visited by a butterfly, Heliangelus viola visiting I. fuchsioides and I. cyaneum (photos by S. Smith).
|
