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Pollination Biology of Gentianales in a Southern Ecuadorian Montane Forest

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Pollination Biology of Gentianales in a Southern Ecuadorian Montane Forest Pollination Biology of Gentianales in a Southern Ecuadorian Montane Forest Dissertation zur Erlangung des Grades eines Doktors der Naturwissenschaften – Dr. rer. nat. – der Fakultät für Biologie, Chemie und Geowissenschaften der Universität Bayreuth von Doris Anne Wolff Bayreuth 2005 Die vorliegende Arbeit wurde am Lehrstuhl für Pflanzensystematik der Universität Bayreuth in der Arbeitsgruppe von Frau Prof. Dr. S. Liede-Schumann angefertigt. Die dieser Arbeit zugrunde liegenden praktischen Feld- und Laborarbeiten wurden im Zeitraum von Februar 2000 bis August 2002 durchgeführt. Teile der Arbeit wurden durch die Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG Li 496/11-1 im Rahmen der FOR 402) gefördert. Vollständiger Abdruck der von der Fakultät für Biologie, Chemie und Geowissenschaften der Universität Bayreuth genehmigten Dissertation zur Erlangung des akademischen Grades Doktor der Naturwissenschaften (Dr. rer. nat.). Tag der Abgabe: 10.10.2005 Tag des wissenschaftlichen Kolloquiums 13.02.2006 Mitglieder des Prüfungsausschusses: Prof. Dr. John Tenhunen (Vorsitzender) Prof. Dr. Sigrid Liede-Schumann (Erstgutachter) Prof. Dr. Erwin Beck (Zweitgutachter) PD Dr. Gregor Aas Prof. Dr. Klaus H. Hoffmann Contents 1 General Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 1 References ........................................................................................................................................... 7 2 Nocturnal versus diurnal pollination success in Isertia laevis (Rubiaceae): a sphingophilous plant visited by hummingbirds................................................................................................... 12 2.1 Abstract .................................................................................................................................... 12 2.2 Key words................................................................................................................................ 13 2.3 Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 13 2.4 Material and methods............................................................................................................... 14 2.4.1 Plant material and study site........................................................................................... 14 2.4.2 Phenology, anthesis, and flower morphology.................................................................. 14 2.4.3 Nectar dynamics and nectar sugar composition ............................................................. 15 2.4.4 Flower visitation.............................................................................................................. 15 2.4.5 Reproductive system ........................................................................................................ 15 2.5 Results ...................................................................................................................................... 16 2.5.1 Phenology, anthesis, and flower morphology.................................................................. 16 2.5.2 Nectar dynamics and nectar sugar composition ............................................................. 17 2.5.3 Flower visitation.............................................................................................................. 20 2.5.4 Reproductive system ........................................................................................................ 21 2.6 Discussion ................................................................................................................................ 22 2.6.1 Nectar sugar composition................................................................................................ 22 2.6.2 Flower visitors................................................................................................................. 23 2.6.3 Pollination effectiveness.................................................................................................. 25 2.7 Acknowledgements .................................................................................................................. 26 2.8 References ................................................................................................................................ 27 3 Observations on pollination in small flowering Asclepiadoideae (Apocynaceae) of Southern Ecuador........................................................................................................................ 31 3.1 Abstract .................................................................................................................................... 31 3.2 Key words................................................................................................................................ 32 3.3 Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 32 3.4 Material and methods............................................................................................................... 36 3.4.1 Study site.......................................................................................................................... 36 3.4.2 Phenology........................................................................................................................ 36 3.4.3 Flower visitors................................................................................................................. 37 3.4.4 Nectar sugar composition................................................................................................ 37 3.5 Results ...................................................................................................................................... 38 3.5.1 Flower morphology and flower scents ............................................................................ 38 3.5.2 Phenology........................................................................................................................ 41 3.5.3 Pollinaria removal and pollinia insertion ....................................................................... 45 3.5.4 Fruit set ........................................................................................................................... 49 3.5.5 Pollinators ....................................................................................................................... 50 3.5.6 Nectar composition.......................................................................................................... 53 3.6 Discussion ................................................................................................................................ 53 3.6.1 Phenology........................................................................................................................ 53 3.6.2 Pollinaria removal and pollinia insertion ....................................................................... 54 3.6.3 Fruit set ........................................................................................................................... 55 3.6.4 Pollinators ....................................................................................................................... 55 3.6.5 Nectar composition.......................................................................................................... 56 3.7 Acknowledgements .................................................................................................................. 57 3.8 References ................................................................................................................................ 58 4 Nectar sugar composition and volumes of 47 species of Gentianales from a Southern Ecuadorian montane forest......................................................................................................... 62 4.1 Abstract .................................................................................................................................... 62 4.2 Key words................................................................................................................................ 63 4.3 Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 63 4.4 Material and methods............................................................................................................... 64 4.4.1 Study site and plant material........................................................................................... 64 4.4.2 Characterization of flower syndromes and observation of flower visitors...................... 65 4.4.3 Nectar sampling and analysis.......................................................................................... 65 4.4.4 Statistical analysis ........................................................................................................... 66 4.5 Results ...................................................................................................................................... 72 4.5.1 Nectar sugar composition and concentration.................................................................. 72 4.5.2 Nectar volume and standing crop.................................................................................... 75 4.6 Discussion ...............................................................................................................................
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