Habenaria é um dos maiores gêneros da família Orchidaceae, e estimativas atuais pressupoem a existência de aproximadamente 835 espécies. Habenaria seção Pentadactylae com 34 espécies é a maior entre as 14 seções do gênero existente no novo mundo e compreende um conjunto de espécies morfologicamente bastante heterogênea. A fim de investigar a monofilia da seção e sua relação com outras seções do gênero, foram executadas análise Bayesiana e de Máxima Parcimônia com o emprego de um marcador nuclear (ITS) e três marcadores plastidiais (matK, intron trnK, rps16-trnk). Os resultados demonstraram que a seção Pentadactylae é altamente polifilética. Baseado nas análises filogenéticas e reavaliação de caracteres morfológicos, a seção Pentadactylae foi recircunscrita neste trabalho e sete espécies são aceitas: H. dutraei, H. ekmaniana, H. exaltata, H. henscheniana, H. megapotamensis, H. montevidensis e H. pentadactyla, enquanto outras 32 espécies foram excluídas. Habenaria crassipes é reconhecida como um sinônimo de H. exaltata. Lectótipos são designados para H. crassipes e H. recta. Todas as espécies da seção habitam pântanos ou locais bastante úmidos; com área de distribuição passando pelo norte da Argentina, Uruguai, Paraguai, sul, sudeste e centro do Brasil. O estado do Rio Grande do Sul (sul do Brasil), possivelmente, constitui um centro de diversidade da seção onde todas as espécies podem ser encontradas. A biologia reprodutiva de duas espécies da seção Pentadactylae, H. megapotamensis e H. montevidensis; e duas espécies da seção Macroceratitae, H. johannensis e H. macronectar, foram estudas. Todas as espécies estudadas oferecem néctar como recompensa floral aos polinizadores, produzido no interior de um prolongamento do labelo denominado esporão. Habenaria montevidensis é polinizada por borboletas da família Hesperiidae, enquanto as demais espécies são polinizadas por mariposas da família Sphingidae. Todas as espécies estudadas são auto-compatíveis mas dependentes de agentes polinizadores para a produção de frutos. O sucesso reprodutivo é alto (69,48 - 93%). Na área de estudo, todas as quatro espécies estudadas são reprodutivamente isoladas devido a um conjunto de fatores tais como diferenças na morfologia floral e diferentes polinizadores. / Habenaria is one of the largest genus of Orchidaceae family and current stimates accounts to the existence of 835 species. Habenaria section Pentadactylae with 34 species is the largest among the 14 New World sections of the genus and comprises a morphologically heterogeneous group of species. To investigate the monophyly of the section and the relation with other sections of the genus, Bayesian and parsimony analyses using one nuclear marker (ITS) and three plastid markers (matK, trnK intron, rps16-trnK) were performed. The results demonstrated that sect. Pentadactylae is highly polyphyletic. Based on the phylogenetic analyses and re-evaluation of morphological characters, Habenaria sect. Pentadactylae is re-circumscribed and seven species are accepted for the section: H. dutraei, H. ekmaniana, H. exaltata, H. henscheniana, H. megapotamensis, H. montevidensis and H. pentadactyla, while other 32 species were excluded. Habenaria crassipes is included under the synonym of H. exaltata. Lectotypes are designated for H. crassipes and H. recta. All species in the section are from marshes or wet grasslands and range from Northern Argentina, Uruguai, Paraguai and south, southeast and center of Brazil. The Rio Grande do Sul state (south Brazil), possibly constitute a diversity center of the section where every species can be founded. Most are rare, known by few populations, and threatened due to loss of habitat and population decline. The reproductive biology of two species from the section Pentadactylae, H. megapotamensis and H. montevidensis; and two species from the section Macroceratitae, H. johannensis and H. macronectar, were studied. All studied species offer nectar as floral reward concealed in a labellar process termed spur. Habenaria montevidensis is pollinated by Hesperiidae butterflies, while the remaining species are pollinated by Sphingidae moths. All studied species are self-compatible, but pollinator-dependent. The reproductive success is high (69.48 - 93%). At the study site, every four studied species are reproductively isolated by a set of factors that includes differing floral morphologies and different pollinators.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T18:55:27Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 5930.pdf: 2008307 bytes, checksum: d0e45679fd9d345a26733ef3c1512046 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-03-28 / Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos / It is estimated that approximately 73 % of the world crops are pollinated by a bees. The constant alteration of habitats has led to the decline of pollinators, which may reflect limitations in the quantity and quality of the fruits and seeds grown, becoming one of the biggest problems when it comes to agricultural production. Studies with agricultural crops and their pollinators may contribute in seeking proposals that combine agriculture and conservation of forest fragments. The general objective of this work was to study aspects of Solanum lycopersicum L. hybrid Pizzadoro pollination. The specific objectives were: 1) verify if the floral morphology influences the behavior of the pollinator visits, 2) evaluate the richness of pollinating bees and pollinators at different distances from the Legal Reserve area, 3) compare the efficiency of three species of bees pollination in two treatments: spontaneous self-pollination, and pollination under natural conditions. The study was conducted on a conventional tomato cultivation in the municipality of Estiva Gerbi, Sao Paulo. Flowers were collected and observed under a stereomicroscope and scanning electron microscope. Efficiency was compared between Apis mellifera, Augochloropsis sp. and Exomalopsis sp. by Spears index. Observations and sampling were made in situ at 50, 100 and 150 meters from the Legal Reserve. It was found that the anther dehiscence is longitudinal and that the efficiency of pollination by A. mellifera (0.72) was similar to Exomalopsis sp. (0.85) and greater than Augochloropsis sp. (0.22). It is considered that the success of A. mellifera is associated with the floral morphology. Eleven species of insects, of which 7 were considered pollinators were found. Fifty eight floral visits were recorded, out of which 24 in quadrant A (50 m), 13 in B (100 m) and 21 in C (150 m), with A. mellifera dominant with 62.1% of visits, followed by Augochloropsis sp. and Oxaea flavescens both with 10.3%, Exomalopsis sp. with 6.9 %, Allograpta sp. with 5.2 % ,Bombus sp. with 3.4 % and Xylocopa sp. 1.7 %. The data indicates that the Legal Reserve played a key role in providing pollinators for tomato crops and therefore emphasizes the need for conservation and restoration of forest fragments to assist in increasing crop production. / Estima-se que aproximadamente 73% das plantas cultivadas mundialmente sejam polinizadas por alguma espécie de abelha. A constante alteração de habitats vem provocando o declínio de polinizadores, que pode refletir em limitações na quantidade e qualidade dos frutos e sementes cultivados, constituindo-se em um dos maiores problemas quando se trata de produção agrícola. Estudos com culturas agrícolas e seus polinizadores podem contribuir na busca de propostas que conciliem agricultura e conservação de fragmentos florestais. O objetivo geral do presente trabalho foi estudar aspectos relacionados com polinização de Solanum lycopersicum L. híbrido Pizzadoro. Os objetivos específicos foram: 1) verificar se a morfologia floral influencia no comportamento de visita do polinizador; 2) avaliar a riqueza de abelhas polinizadoras e visitantes florais em diferentes distâncias da área de Reserva Legal; 3) comparar a eficiência de três espécies de abelhas na polinização em dois tratamentos: kautopolinização espontânea, e a polinização em condições naturais. O estudo foi realizado numa área de cultivo convencional de tomate no município de Estiva Gerbi, São Paulo. Foram coletadas flores e observadas em estereomicroscópio e microscópio eletrônico de varredura. Foi comparada a eficiência de Apis mellifera, Augochloropsis sp. e Exomalopsis sp. pelo teste de Kruskal-Wallis. Observações e coletas foram feitas in situ a 50, 100 e 150 metros da RL. Verificou-se que a deiscência da antera é do tipo longitudinal e que não houve diferença entre as espécies de abelhas, ou seja, o número de sementes produzidas não depende da espécie de abelha. Considera-se que o sucesso de A. mellifera esteja associado à morfologia floral. Foram encontradas 11 espécies de insetos, das quais 7 foram consideradas polinizadoras. Foram registradas 58 visitas florais; dessas, 24 no quadrante A (50 m), 13 no B (100 m) e 21 no C (150 m), sendo A. mellifera dominante com 62,1% das visitas, seguida de Augochloropsis sp. e Oxaea flavescens ambos com 10,3%, Exomalopsis sp. com 6,9%, Allograpta sp. com 5,2%, Bombus sp. com 3,4% e Xylocopa sp. com 1,7%. Os dados indicam que a RL desempenhou um papel fundamental no fornecimento de polinizadores para a cultura de tomate e, por isso, enfatiza-se a necessidade de conservação e restauração de fragmentos florestais para auxiliar no aumento da produção da cultura.

Habenaria é um dos maiores gêneros da família Orchidaceae, e estimativas atuais pressupoem a existência de aproximadamente 835 espécies. Habenaria seção Pentadactylae com 34 espécies é a maior entre as 14 seções do gênero existente no novo mundo e compreende um conjunto de espécies morfologicamente bastante heterogênea. A fim de investigar a monofilia da seção e sua relação com outras seções do gênero, foram executadas análise Bayesiana e de Máxima Parcimônia com o emprego de um marcador nuclear (ITS) e três marcadores plastidiais (matK, intron trnK, rps16-trnk). Os resultados demonstraram que a seção Pentadactylae é altamente polifilética. Baseado nas análises filogenéticas e reavaliação de caracteres morfológicos, a seção Pentadactylae foi recircunscrita neste trabalho e sete espécies são aceitas: H. dutraei, H. ekmaniana, H. exaltata, H. henscheniana, H. megapotamensis, H. montevidensis e H. pentadactyla, enquanto outras 32 espécies foram excluídas. Habenaria crassipes é reconhecida como um sinônimo de H. exaltata. Lectótipos são designados para H. crassipes e H. recta. Todas as espécies da seção habitam pântanos ou locais bastante úmidos; com área de distribuição passando pelo norte da Argentina, Uruguai, Paraguai, sul, sudeste e centro do Brasil. O estado do Rio Grande do Sul (sul do Brasil), possivelmente, constitui um centro de diversidade da seção onde todas as espécies podem ser encontradas. A biologia reprodutiva de duas espécies da seção Pentadactylae, H. megapotamensis e H. montevidensis; e duas espécies da seção Macroceratitae, H. johannensis e H. macronectar, foram estudas. Todas as espécies estudadas oferecem néctar como recompensa floral aos polinizadores, produzido no interior de um prolongamento do labelo denominado esporão. Habenaria montevidensis é polinizada por borboletas da família Hesperiidae, enquanto as demais espécies são polinizadas por mariposas da família Sphingidae. Todas as espécies estudadas são auto-compatíveis mas dependentes de agentes polinizadores para a produção de frutos. O sucesso reprodutivo é alto (69,48 - 93%). Na área de estudo, todas as quatro espécies estudadas são reprodutivamente isoladas devido a um conjunto de fatores tais como diferenças na morfologia floral e diferentes polinizadores. / Habenaria is one of the largest genus of Orchidaceae family and current stimates accounts to the existence of 835 species. Habenaria section Pentadactylae with 34 species is the largest among the 14 New World sections of the genus and comprises a morphologically heterogeneous group of species. To investigate the monophyly of the section and the relation with other sections of the genus, Bayesian and parsimony analyses using one nuclear marker (ITS) and three plastid markers (matK, trnK intron, rps16-trnK) were performed. The results demonstrated that sect. Pentadactylae is highly polyphyletic. Based on the phylogenetic analyses and re-evaluation of morphological characters, Habenaria sect. Pentadactylae is re-circumscribed and seven species are accepted for the section: H. dutraei, H. ekmaniana, H. exaltata, H. henscheniana, H. megapotamensis, H. montevidensis and H. pentadactyla, while other 32 species were excluded. Habenaria crassipes is included under the synonym of H. exaltata. Lectotypes are designated for H. crassipes and H. recta. All species in the section are from marshes or wet grasslands and range from Northern Argentina, Uruguai, Paraguai and south, southeast and center of Brazil. The Rio Grande do Sul state (south Brazil), possibly constitute a diversity center of the section where every species can be founded. Most are rare, known by few populations, and threatened due to loss of habitat and population decline. The reproductive biology of two species from the section Pentadactylae, H. megapotamensis and H. montevidensis; and two species from the section Macroceratitae, H. johannensis and H. macronectar, were studied. All studied species offer nectar as floral reward concealed in a labellar process termed spur. Habenaria montevidensis is pollinated by Hesperiidae butterflies, while the remaining species are pollinated by Sphingidae moths. All studied species are self-compatible, but pollinator-dependent. The reproductive success is high (69.48 - 93%). At the study site, every four studied species are reproductively isolated by a set of factors that includes differing floral morphologies and different pollinators.

Habenaria é um dos maiores gêneros da família Orchidaceae, e estimativas atuais pressupoem a existência de aproximadamente 835 espécies. Habenaria seção Pentadactylae com 34 espécies é a maior entre as 14 seções do gênero existente no novo mundo e compreende um conjunto de espécies morfologicamente bastante heterogênea. A fim de investigar a monofilia da seção e sua relação com outras seções do gênero, foram executadas análise Bayesiana e de Máxima Parcimônia com o emprego de um marcador nuclear (ITS) e três marcadores plastidiais (matK, intron trnK, rps16-trnk). Os resultados demonstraram que a seção Pentadactylae é altamente polifilética. Baseado nas análises filogenéticas e reavaliação de caracteres morfológicos, a seção Pentadactylae foi recircunscrita neste trabalho e sete espécies são aceitas: H. dutraei, H. ekmaniana, H. exaltata, H. henscheniana, H. megapotamensis, H. montevidensis e H. pentadactyla, enquanto outras 32 espécies foram excluídas. Habenaria crassipes é reconhecida como um sinônimo de H. exaltata. Lectótipos são designados para H. crassipes e H. recta. Todas as espécies da seção habitam pântanos ou locais bastante úmidos; com área de distribuição passando pelo norte da Argentina, Uruguai, Paraguai, sul, sudeste e centro do Brasil. O estado do Rio Grande do Sul (sul do Brasil), possivelmente, constitui um centro de diversidade da seção onde todas as espécies podem ser encontradas. A biologia reprodutiva de duas espécies da seção Pentadactylae, H. megapotamensis e H. montevidensis; e duas espécies da seção Macroceratitae, H. johannensis e H. macronectar, foram estudas. Todas as espécies estudadas oferecem néctar como recompensa floral aos polinizadores, produzido no interior de um prolongamento do labelo denominado esporão. Habenaria montevidensis é polinizada por borboletas da família Hesperiidae, enquanto as demais espécies são polinizadas por mariposas da família Sphingidae. Todas as espécies estudadas são auto-compatíveis mas dependentes de agentes polinizadores para a produção de frutos. O sucesso reprodutivo é alto (69,48 - 93%). Na área de estudo, todas as quatro espécies estudadas são reprodutivamente isoladas devido a um conjunto de fatores tais como diferenças na morfologia floral e diferentes polinizadores. / Habenaria is one of the largest genus of Orchidaceae family and current stimates accounts to the existence of 835 species. Habenaria section Pentadactylae with 34 species is the largest among the 14 New World sections of the genus and comprises a morphologically heterogeneous group of species. To investigate the monophyly of the section and the relation with other sections of the genus, Bayesian and parsimony analyses using one nuclear marker (ITS) and three plastid markers (matK, trnK intron, rps16-trnK) were performed. The results demonstrated that sect. Pentadactylae is highly polyphyletic. Based on the phylogenetic analyses and re-evaluation of morphological characters, Habenaria sect. Pentadactylae is re-circumscribed and seven species are accepted for the section: H. dutraei, H. ekmaniana, H. exaltata, H. henscheniana, H. megapotamensis, H. montevidensis and H. pentadactyla, while other 32 species were excluded. Habenaria crassipes is included under the synonym of H. exaltata. Lectotypes are designated for H. crassipes and H. recta. All species in the section are from marshes or wet grasslands and range from Northern Argentina, Uruguai, Paraguai and south, southeast and center of Brazil. The Rio Grande do Sul state (south Brazil), possibly constitute a diversity center of the section where every species can be founded. Most are rare, known by few populations, and threatened due to loss of habitat and population decline. The reproductive biology of two species from the section Pentadactylae, H. megapotamensis and H. montevidensis; and two species from the section Macroceratitae, H. johannensis and H. macronectar, were studied. All studied species offer nectar as floral reward concealed in a labellar process termed spur. Habenaria montevidensis is pollinated by Hesperiidae butterflies, while the remaining species are pollinated by Sphingidae moths. All studied species are self-compatible, but pollinator-dependent. The reproductive success is high (69.48 - 93%). At the study site, every four studied species are reproductively isolated by a set of factors that includes differing floral morphologies and different pollinators.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T19:29:36Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 3766.pdf: 1353527 bytes, checksum: f37cdaef9de5ea4a0d919474acd694c5 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-06-29 / Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos / Flowering plants need some external pollen vectors to accomplish sexual reproduction. For plants, the access of sexual mates by pollinators agents is a limiting factor, wich make pollen vectors a critical resource for plants to reproduce successfully. Simpatric plants that share the same pollination guild avoid direct competition differing the pollinators use mode. These thesis investigate in a cerrado community the coexistence mechanisms between plant species that use the same pollinators guild, the bats. The work was carried out in a cerrado area in Brazilian southeast, between July, 2007 and June, 2009. First of all, I assessed the chiropterophilous species composition in the area, describe the floral biology and the interactions with their flower visitors. I found nine species framed in the chiropterophily syndrome, and which the flowers received visits mainly from the bat Glossophaga soricina (except in Irlbachia alata). The species flowers are adjusted to the bats morphology, ethology and physiology, and offer flowers all year long, assuring food for the bats. Then I verify the mechanisms that allow the chiropterophilous species coexistence or the facilitative interactions in the area by pollinators share. I assess the floral characteristics, blooming phenology, nectar attributes and floral visitors. Nine plant species share similar floral characteristics that are noted by the bats sense, which play as facilitative interaction between species, which produces a single floral display for attract the pollen vector in common. However, the plant species differ in the places for pollen deposition in the bats body due to differing in floral morphology, species offered distinct nectar volume and concentration which may select/segregate the pollinator and share the pollinator use during the year by flowering at different moments, which allows species that share pollinators to coexist. At last, I checked how two species in the same genus and that use the same bats as pollinators differ in the way to use the same pollen vector. I estimate the bats role in the plants species floral biology and if the species differ in floral characteristics, nectar attributes and secretion time, flowering period. I verified that group - flowers with different size shall avoid pollen mixture among species, nectar with distinct soluble concentration shall attract higher number of visitors in distinct moments, massive flowering in different periods and sequentially, allows the Bauhinia holophylla and B. longifolia coexistence in the area, even sharing the G. soricina use as main pollinator. / Plantas com flores necessitam de vetores de pólen para reproduzir sexuadamente, tornando o acesso das plantas a parceiros sexuais via polinizadores um fator limitante e o polinizador, recurso crítico. Plantas simpátricas que compartilham as guildas de polinizadores evitam competição direta diferenciando seu modo de utilização. A presente tese investigou em uma comunidade de cerrado os mecanismos de coexistência entre espécies de plantas com mesma guilda de polinizadores, os morcegos. Realizei o estudo em uma área de cerrado no sudeste brasileiro, entre julho/2007 e junho/2009. Avaliei primeiramente a composição de espécies quiropterófilas na área, descrevi sai biologia floral e interações com os visitantes. Encontrei nove espécies, enquadradas como quiropterófilas, e que receberam visitas principalmente do morcego Glossophaga soricina (exceto Irlbachia alata). As flores das espécies são ajustadas às características morfo-eto-fisiológicas dos morcegos, e estão presentes ao longo de todo ano, garantindo alimento. Em seguida, verifiquei os mecanismos que permitem a coexistência e/ou facilitação das espécies quiropterófilas na área mediante a partilha dos polinizadores. Avaliei a diversidade de atributos florais, fenologia de floração, características do néctar e visitantes florais. Nove espécies de planta compartilharam característica florais notáveis aos sentidos dos morcegos, o que atua como facilitação entre espécies, criando display floral único para a atração do vetor de pólen em comum. Porém, as espécies diferem no local de deposição de pólen no coro do vetor via morfologia floral distinta, ofertaram distinto volume e concentração de solutos no néctar que pode selecionar/segregar o polinizador e partilharam o polinizador ao longo do ano via fenologia floral, o que permite a coexistência das espécies com polinizadores em comum (G.soricina). Por fim, verifiquei como duas espécies de mesmo gênero e que se utilizam dos morcegos como polinizadores diferenciam na forma de utilização destes quanto ao papel dos morcegos para a biologia floral das espécies de plantas e à morfologia floral, características do néctar e período de secreção e época de floração. Verifiquei que o conjunto flores com tamanho distinto que evita a mistura polínica entre espécies; néctar com diferentes concentrações de soluto que atrai maior número dos visitantes em horas distintas; floração maciça em diferentes períodos e em seqüência; permitem a coexistência de Bauhinia holophylla e B. longifolia na área ao dividirem o uso de G. soricina polinizador principal.

The goals of this research project were to identify the various insects observed to visit inflorescences of Echinacea angustifolia DC, and to rank these visitors according to their importance as pollinators of E. angustifolia in Saskatchewan. Studying nectar and the nectary is essential to understanding the interaction of disc florets with pollinators. Nectar-sugar production by disc florets of E. angustifolia and E. purpurea (L. Moench) was quantified from anthesis to cessation with production per disc floret peaking in the afternoon of the staminate phase (191.7 µg) and at midday of the first day of the pistillate phase (156.6 µg), respectively. Morphology of the disc-like floral nectaries of both Echinacea species was studied, as well as the ultrastructure of the nectary of E. purpurea. Modified stomata on the nectary rim are the most likely exits for nectar, but creases in the epidermis may also participate. The nectary of E. purpurea is vascularized by phloem alone, which occurred adjacent to the epidermis. Companion cells possessed wall ingrowths, and these cells may unload arriving sugar destined for either an apoplastic or symplastic pathway. Lobed nuclei were a key feature of secretory parenchyma cells, as was a predominance of mitochondria, suggesting that energy-requiring eccrine secretion predominates in E. purpurea. E. angustifolia exhibited a generalist pollination system, with pollinating insects belonging to the orders Coleoptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera, and Lepidoptera. The pollination efficiency of visitors was determined by single insect visits to bagged, virgin inflorescences followed by quantifying pollen tubes at the bases of receptive styles and/or calculating the percentage of shrivelled styles. It was determined that bumble bees (Bombus spp.) were efficient pollinators, indicating that they would likely contribute much to the pollination of E. angustifolia. Grasshopper bee flies (Systoechus vulgaris Loew) were plentiful but individually were not efficient pollinators, but taken together, they provided much pollination. Golden blister beetles (Epicauta ferruginea Say) were efficient pollinators but where yellow-petalled flowers occurred, their numbers on E. angustifolia decreased. Honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) were efficient pollinators and were present in low numbers without managed introduction. Pierid (2003) butterflies were regular visitors and efficient pollinators, and likely contributed significantly to E. angustifolia pollination. When introduced, the alfalfa leafcutter bee (Megachile rotundata Fabr.) preferred not to forage on E. angustifolia and as such, these solitary bees were not suitable as managed pollinators. In large agricultural plantings of E. angustifolia, however, native insects may not be capable of providing sufficient pollination for seed production when floral competition occurs.

The goals of this research project were to identify the various insects observed to visit inflorescences of Echinacea angustifolia DC, and to rank these visitors according to their importance as pollinators of E. angustifolia in Saskatchewan. Studying nectar and the nectary is essential to understanding the interaction of disc florets with pollinators. Nectar-sugar production by disc florets of E. angustifolia and E. purpurea (L. Moench) was quantified from anthesis to cessation with production per disc floret peaking in the afternoon of the staminate phase (191.7 µg) and at midday of the first day of the pistillate phase (156.6 µg), respectively. Morphology of the disc-like floral nectaries of both Echinacea species was studied, as well as the ultrastructure of the nectary of E. purpurea. Modified stomata on the nectary rim are the most likely exits for nectar, but creases in the epidermis may also participate. The nectary of E. purpurea is vascularized by phloem alone, which occurred adjacent to the epidermis. Companion cells possessed wall ingrowths, and these cells may unload arriving sugar destined for either an apoplastic or symplastic pathway. Lobed nuclei were a key feature of secretory parenchyma cells, as was a predominance of mitochondria, suggesting that energy-requiring eccrine secretion predominates in E. purpurea. E. angustifolia exhibited a generalist pollination system, with pollinating insects belonging to the orders Coleoptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera, and Lepidoptera. The pollination efficiency of visitors was determined by single insect visits to bagged, virgin inflorescences followed by quantifying pollen tubes at the bases of receptive styles and/or calculating the percentage of shrivelled styles. It was determined that bumble bees (Bombus spp.) were efficient pollinators, indicating that they would likely contribute much to the pollination of E. angustifolia. Grasshopper bee flies (Systoechus vulgaris Loew) were plentiful but individually were not efficient pollinators, but taken together, they provided much pollination. Golden blister beetles (Epicauta ferruginea Say) were efficient pollinators but where yellow-petalled flowers occurred, their numbers on E. angustifolia decreased. Honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) were efficient pollinators and were present in low numbers without managed introduction. Pierid (2003) butterflies were regular visitors and efficient pollinators, and likely contributed significantly to E. angustifolia pollination. When introduced, the alfalfa leafcutter bee (Megachile rotundata Fabr.) preferred not to forage on E. angustifolia and as such, these solitary bees were not suitable as managed pollinators. In large agricultural plantings of E. angustifolia, however, native insects may not be capable of providing sufficient pollination for seed production when floral competition occurs.

The main objective of this research project was to study the growth and development of the floral nectar spur of Centranthus ruber (L.) DC. Nectar spurs are tubular floral outgrowths, generally derived from the perianth organs, which typically contain secreted floral nectar. The morphological characteristics of the spur, particularly the length, determine which floral visitors will be able to access the nectar reward pooled at the spur tip. Therefore, nectar spurs are ecologically important for the development of specialised pollinator interactions and have been demonstrated to act as key innovations in the evolution of some taxa. Morphological and anatomical characteristics of the spur and floral nectary were investigated using light and scanning electron microscopy. Ultrastructural features of the nectar spur, particularly the floral nectary within, were assessed using transmission electron microscopy. Nectar in C. ruber is produced by a trichomatous nectary which runs along the entire, inner abaxial surface of the spur. The nectary is aligned with the single vascular bundle which runs along the abaxial side of the spur, through the sub-nectary parenchyma, and back up the adaxial side. The secretory trichomes are unicellular and, in late development, they develop a thick layer of secondary wall ingrowths which vastly increases the surface area of the plasma membrane for nectar secretion. Elongate, non-secretory trichomes occupy the entire remaining circumference of the spur’s inner epidermis, but their density is reduced compared to the secretory trichomes. The cellular basis for spur growth is poorly characterized in the literature. Until recently, it was assumed that all nectar spurs grow by the constant production of new cells via up to three potential meristematic regions (the meristem hypothesis, Tepfer 1953). The cellular basis for spur growth in C. ruber was investigated by cell file counts and cell length and width measurements along the lateral side of nectar spurs in each of the developmental stages. DAPI stained spurs were also examined with Confocal/Apotome microscopy to determine the timing and position of cell division activity throughout spur development. It was determined that elongation of the spur epidermal cells contributes much more to spur growth than cell division. In early development, division is the primary driver of spur growth and the cells are isotropic. However, as development progresses, cell division activity slows down and the spur cells become increasingly anisotropic until anthesis. The patterns of nectar secretion were determined by assessing the volume, solute concentration and carbohydrate composition of the nectar throughout flowering phenology in two C. ruber plants. Nectar volumes and solute amounts rose initially, followed by an eventual decline in both as phenology progressed towards senescence. Because this study was conducted on greenhouse grown plants, it can be assumed that nectar was not removed by insects, suggesting that it is likely reabsorbed following secretion. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis determined that C. ruber's nectar is sucrose dominant and that nectar composition remains stable following anthesis throughout floral phenology.