Pollination biology

Studies on the diversity, foraging activity and abundance of the insect visitors belonging to Lepidoptera, Hymenoptera, Diptera
and Coleoptera were carried out on sunflower (Helianthus sp.) commencing from 8.00 hrs to 17 hrs. during January, 2013 to
March, 2013 at five time periods i.e., 8-9 am, 1O-1l am, 12-1 pm, 2-3 pm and 4-5 pm at Phaldi, near Duttapukur (North 24
parganas, West Bengal).
17 insect species belonging to 10 families under four orders of insects were found to visit on the sunflower. Species diversity was
found maximum among order Lepidoptera. During the total study period, it was observed that, the abundance of Hymenoptera
(61.33%) was maximum followed by Diptera (18.86%), Coleoptera (11.66%) and Lepidoptera (8.15%). Of those, Diacamma
rugosum (13.78%) of Hymenoptera was found as dominant insect visitor. Besides these, Junonia lemonias, Junonia a/mana,
Danaus chrysippus, Pieris brassicae, Delias eucharis, Papilio po/ytes, Pe/opidas mathias were also found as casual visitors of
the sunflowers.
The peak activity of the insect visitors on the sunflowers was observed during 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Comparison of the number of
visiting insects belonging to different orders indicated that number of Hymenoptera was higher, followed by Diptera, Coleoptera
and Lepidoptera during 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. The results indicated that hymenopterans and dipterans were the major insect visitors of
sunflowers. It was also evident that temperature and relative humidity also affected the number of insects visiting sunflowers. All
the inferences were made by statistical analysis of the data that were obtained from the frequent field observations.
Keywords: Sunflower, Hymenoptera, Insect species, Diversity.

Orthoptera have been used for decades for numerous evolutionary questions but several of its constituent groups, notably crickets, still suffer from a lack of a robust phylogenetic hypothesis. We propose the first phylogenetic hypothesis for the evolu- tion of crickets sensu lato, based on analysis of 205 species, representing 88% of the subfamilies and 71% tribes currently listed in the database Orthoptera Species File (OSF). We reconstructed parsimony, maximum likelihood and Bayesian phylogenies using fragments of 18S, 28SA, 28SD, H3, 12S, 16S, and cytb (~3600 bp). Our results support the monophyly of the cricket clade, and its subdivision into two clades: mole crickets and ant-loving crickets on the one hand, and all the other crickets on the other (i.e. crickets sensu stricto). Crickets sensu stricto form seven monophyletic clades, which support part of the OSF fami- lies, “subfamily groups”, or subfamilies: the mole crickets (OSF Gryllotalpidae), the scaly crickets (OSF Mogoplistidae), and the true crickets (OSF Gryllidae) are recovered as monophyletic. Among the 22 sampled subfamilies, only six are monophyletic: Gryllotalpinae, Trigonidiinae, Pteroplistinae, Euscyrtinae, Oecanthinae, and Phaloriinae. Most of the 37 tribes sampled are para- or polyphyletic. We propose the best-supported clades as backbones for future definitions of familial groups, validating some taxonomic hypotheses proposed in the past. These clades fit variously with the morphological characters used today to identify crickets. Our study emphasizes the utility of a classificatory system that accommodates diagnostic characters and monophyletic units of evolution. Moreover, the phylogenetic hypotheses proposed by the present study open new perspectives for further evo- lutionary research, especially on acoustic communication and biogeography.

In the second part of this series we treated the primitive orchid genera Cypripedium and Cephalanthera. In this article we introduce two further representatives of the primitive orchids. We will discuss the development of a specific organ intended for attaching the pollinia to a pollinator.

• Bees are the most important diurnal pollinators of angiosperms. In several groups of bees a nocturnal/crepuscular habit developed, yet little is known about their role in pollination and whether some plants are adapted specifically to these bees. We used a multidisciplinary approach to investigate the reproductive biology and to understand the role of nocturnal/crepuscular bees in pollination of Campomanesia phaea (Myr-taceae), popularly named cambuci. • We studied the floral biology and breeding system of C. phaea. We collected the floral visitors and tested the pollinators' effectiveness. We also determined the floral scents released at night and during daytime, and studied behavioural responses of crepuscu-lar/nocturnal bees towards these scents. • The flowers of cambuci were self-incompatible and had pollen as the only resource for flower visitors. Anthesis lasted around 14 h, beginning at 04:30 h at night. The flowers released 14 volatile compounds, mainly aliphatic and aromatic compounds. We collected 52 species of floral visitors, mainly bees. Nocturnal and crepuscular bees (four species) were among the most frequent species and the only effective pollinators. In field bioassays performed at night, nocturnal/crepuscular bees were attracted by a synthetic scent blend consisting of the six most abundant compounds.

Human migrations across geographic boundaries can facilitate the introduction of new husbandry practices and dispersal of plants and animals, resulting in changes in biodiversity. As previously demonstrated, the 12th century BC Philistine migration – to the southern Levantine littoral, involved the transportation of pigs from Europe, engendering long term genetic displacement of local Near Eastern haplotypes. Building on this, and combining biogeographical methods of Floral List comparisons with archaeological data, we have elucidated the Philistine impact on Southern Levantine floral ecosystems. We demonstrate that previously unexploited local plants were incorporated into the Philistine milieu, and new species were introduced – from Europe, the Aegean, Egypt and Mesopotamia –resulting in the earliest locally cultivated sycamore, cumin, coriander, bay tree and opium poppy. This research has highlighted the impact of past cultures on the formation of floral ecosystems and their long-term effects on contemporary local biological diversity.

Georgian, Elizabeth, Zhendong Fang, Eve Emshwiller, Anna Pidgeon.  (2015)  The Pollination Ecology of Rhododendron floccigerum Franchet (Ericaceae) in Weixi, Yunnan Province, China.  Journal of Pollination Ecology.  16(11):72-81.    http://www.pollinationecology.org/index.php?journal=jpe&page=article&op=view&path[]=330&path[]=116

Identifying the pollinators of Rhododendron species is of great interest due to potential conservation threats in the native range of the genus, but the pollinators of species in Rhododendron subgenus Hymenanthes section Pontica subsection Neriiflora are unknown. Bees (Hymenoptera; family Apidae) are thought to be the pollinators of many Rhododendron species; however, species in subsection Neriiflora have ornithophilous floral morphology. We studied R. floccigerum (subsection Neriiflora) to determine the identities of visiting, potentially pollinating, and robbing species through in-person and time lapsed camera trap observations. We compared floral morphological characteristics of R. floccigerum with visitor morphological measurements to determine if visitors could fit inside the corolla. Thirteen species were observed visiting R. floccigerum (two insects, two mammals, and nine birds) and this study provides the first empirical evidence of both bird and mammal visitors to Rhododendron species. We determined that the following species are potential pollinators: Bombus sp. (an insect genus), Aethopyga gouldiae, Garrulax affinis, Heterophasia melanoleuca, and Yuhinia diademata (all bird species), and we suspect that Apis sp. (an insect genus), Dremomys pernyi, Tamiops swinhoei (two mammal species), Minla ignotincta, M. strigula, Parus major, and Phylloscopus affinis (four bird species) likely rob R. floccigerum. All visitors were able to fit their heads/bodies into the corolla. We also found that though predation is frequent, the number of robbers and variety of robbing methods is unlikely to contribute to floral morphological evolution or speciation. Further understanding of the pollination biology of species in subgenus Hymenanthes will allow for effective conservation.

Background: Snakes possess adaptive characteristics of morphology that may result in incorrect reconstruction
of phylogeny. Molecular approaches have become the major source of new information for advancing our
understanding of evolutionary, genetic relationships, and species identification.
Objective: We studied DNA sequences of Ophiophagus hannah in different parts of Thailand and compared
them with those of O. hannah from other countries.
Materials and Methods: We studied the mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 (ND2) and control
region (CR) sequences of 12 individuals O. hannah from different localities across Thailand. Phylogenetic
analysis of DNA sequences were compared to the published sequences of O. hannah deposited in NCBI
GenBank database from other countries.
Results: O. hannah could be categorized into 2 Clades, 5 haplotypes, and 4 localities based on 43 different
nucleotide positions from the 736 bp of ND2 and 673 bp of CR. Clade A was haplotype A from southern
Thailand. Clade B consisted of haplotypes B, C, D, and E. Haplotype B and C came from northern Thailand.
Haplotype D came from western Thailand, while haplotype E was O. hannah from central Thailand. The DNA
sequences of Clade B were similar to the sequences of O. hannah in Myanmar and southern China that are
already deposited in NCBI GenBank database.
Conclusion: We found a different genotype of O. hannah from southern Thailand and suggest that this may
be a new species of O. hannah.
Keywords: CR, ND2, Ophiophagus hannah, phylogenetic

En el presente estudio se evaluó la dieta de murciélagos filostómidos de los bosques montanos del valle de Kosñipata (San Pedro, Cusco). Las especies evaluadas pertenecieron a los géneros Carollia, Sturnira y Anoura. Se analizó la dieta en base a la presencia de polen y semillas en muestras fecales. Se realizó un análisis de la importancia de las plantas consumidas, la amplitud del nicho alimenticio y el nivel de superposición del nicho alimenticio. Los resultados mostraron que la dieta de los murciélagos está compuesta en su mayoría por frutos y néctar-polen de las plantas. Los principales recursos registrados pertenecieron a los géneros Piper (registrado en 23,08% de las muestras), Cecropia (en 21,15%) y Abutilon (en 13,46%), los cuales fueron los recursos más importantes para la comunidad de murciélagos evaluada. La amplitud de nicho alimenticio para las 6 especies analizadas indicó que son especialistas en su dieta en el área de estudio. Por otro lado, los mayores niveles de superposición de nicho alimenticio ocurre entre las especies C. brevicauda, C. perspicillata y S. erythromos.

Dactylorhiza viridis is the only representative of the genus Dactylorhiza which produces nectar, as all other species have unrewarding flowers. Nectar is presented in cavities at the base of the lip as well as in the spur, which is accessible by a narrow, triangular slit. Known pollinators are ichneumon wasps (Ichneumonidae), beetles (Coleoptera) and sawflies (Tenthredinidae). In May 2014 we observed how Honeybees frequently visited and pollinated flowers of Dactylorhiza viridis in the Heyoule nature reserve (Eben-Emael, Belgium). Most of the bees had two pollinaria attached to their clypeus, demonstrating that they were genuine pollinators. Even plants completely covered by the vegetation were visited, probably because the Honeybees discovered the nectar by their sense of smell. This is the first published record of the pollination of Dactylorhiza viridis by Honeybees. 

Bijzondere bestuivers bij orchideeën deel 4: De Honingbij, een ongewone bestuiver van de Groene nachtorchis (Honeybees, unusual pollinators of Dactylorhiza viridis). Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/276496943_Bijzondere_bestuivers_bij_orchideen_deel_4_De_Honingbij_een_ongewone_bestuiver_van_de_Groene_nachtorchis_%28Honeybees_unusual_pollinators_of_Dactylorhiza_viridis%29 [accessed May 18, 2015].

In the last decades, pollinators have drastically declined as a consequence of anthropogenic ac-tivities that have local and global impacts. The food industry has been expanding intensive agri-culture crops, many of them dependent on animal pollination, but simultaneously reducing native pollinator habitats. Chile is a good example of this situation, becoming an agro-alimentary pow-erhouse in Latin America, where intensive agriculture expansion is done at the expense of natural lands, posing a major threat to biodiversity. Here, we discussed the drivers responsible for the decline of pollinators (including habitat loss, pesticides, invasive species, and climate change) and its synergistic effects. This is particularly critical considering that Chile is a hotspot of en-demic bee species locally adapted to specific habitats (e.g., Mediterranean-type ecosystems). However, there is a lack of data and monitoring programs that can provide evidence of their conservation status and their contribution to crop yields. Based on our analysis, we identified information gaps to be filled and key threats to be addressed in order to reconcile crop produc-tion and biodiversity conservation. Addressing the local context is fundamental to undertake management and conservation actions with global impact.

Honeybees’ (Apis indica Fabricius) response to landing guides located on flowers of Smithia hirsuta Dalzell, an endemic herb of India is studied. The bees perceive the colour contrast as landing guides which serve as a map to the concealed floral reward, the nectar. Hence they associate these with nectar and forage precision with maximum energy conservation.