Evidence of rodent pollination in Cajophora coronata (Loasaceae)

COCUCCI A. A.; SÉRSIC, A.

PLANT SYSTEMATICS AND EVOLUTION

SPRINGER WIEN

Lugar: Austria; Año: 1998 vol. 211 p. 113 - 128

0378-2697

Abstract:  Vegetative  and  floral features  of  Cajophora  coronata  (Loasaceae)  suggest adaptations  to  pollination by  rodents: (1) mammal  guard represented  by  a  covering of stinging hairs; (2) geoflory; (3)  white  corolla; (4)  open  flowers  with  copious  low concentration nectar; (5) abundant pollen; (6) maximum pollen and nectar presentation  in the  afternoon hours and  in the  night. Palynological analysis  revealed pollen  loads  of C.  coronata  on the nostrils and whiskers  of captured rodents  (Graomys griseoflavus,  fam. Muridae).  Pollen and anther remains were also  found in faeces sampled  in the surround- ings.  Additional evidence includes  rodent  footprints  obtained by  placing  smoked plates beneath the flowers, which revealed flower visitation during  the night. These observations are to our knowledge  the first  evidence  of  flower visitation by rodents in South America and the first in the New World outside  the range  of flower bats and bat flowers.