The southernmost parakeet might be enhancing pollination of a dioecious conifer

GLEISER, G; LAMBERTUCCI SERGIO A; SPEZIALE, K.L.; HIRALDO, F.; TELLA, J.L.; AIZEN, M.

ECOLOGY

ECOLOGICAL SOC AMER

Año: 2017

0012-9658

Avianpollination is accomplished when pollen grains remain attached to the feathersof birds capable of feeding without damaging reproductive. Among parrots,Lories and Lorikeets (Loriinae) have specialized brush-tipped tongues for pollenand nectar feeding, and are important pollinators in tropical forests from theAustralasian region. Likewise, although stemming from granivorous ancestors, Lathamus discolor (Platycercinae) developeda brush tongue and morphological adaptations in the digestive tract favoring nectarivory,being an effective pollinator of Eucalyptusglobulus. On the contrary, the rest of parrot specieslack specialized mouthparts to handle plant reproductive structuresnon-destructively. Indeed, they generally damage flower tissues when feeding onnectar or pollen, although behavioral observations suggest that someparrot species are capable of foraging non-destructively on flowers and mightpromote successful pollination. The case of the interaction between AustralParakeets and Araucaria araucana?s reproductive cones is unique because AustralParakeets feed destructively on male reproductive cones and perch withoutfeeding on branches with female cones bearing receptiveovules. Given that parakeets often handle portions of male cones with theirfeet and bath themselves with pollen grains as they feed on male cones, it isvery likely that a portion of pollen grains from their bodies reaches ovulescontained in female cones, once they perch on these cones. Therefore, theseparation of male and female functions into different structures may facilitatebiotic pollination by Austral Parakeets.