INVESTIGADORES
TORRES Carolina Cecilia
artículos
Título:
Nectar sugar composition and pollinators for the naturalized exotic Leonurus japonicus (Lamiaceae) in central Argentina.
Autor/es:
GALETTO, L.; TORRES, C.
Revista:
The International Journal of Plant Reproductive Biology
Editorial:
The Society of Plant Reproductive Biologists
Referencias:
Año: 2010 vol. 2 p. 167 - 170
ISSN:
0975-4296
Resumen:
Volumes of nectar and sugar concentration were measured in different populations of the naturalizedexotic Leonurus japonicus Houtt. (Lamiacaea) in central Argentina. Qualitative and quantitative nectarsugar composition were determined and compared between populations. In general, nectar sugarconcentration was high and volume per flower was very low for all populations. Nectar sugars wereglucose, fructose and sucrose for all populations, but sucrose clearly predominates over hexoses.Honeybees and bumblebees were recorded as the main pollinators in this region. Bumblebees preferencesfor sucrose-high nectars can be indicating that this exotic species can attract these pollinators andassure seed production to expand their populations. On the other hand, honeybees can use this nectarresource because they are generalist and have enzymes to break the sucrose in hexoses. New interestingstudies can be settled considering the invasion process as theoretical framework, and developing fieldexperiments to link plant reproductive biology, nectar traits and pollinator preferences.
