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Plant Biol (Stuttg) 2000; 2(3): 331-334
DOI: 10.1055/s-2000-3712
Original Paper
Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart ·New York

Flowering and Pollination of Philodendron melinonii (Araceae) in French Guiana

M. Gibernau 1 , D. Barabé 1 , D. Labat 2
  • 1 Institute de Recherche en Biologie Végétale, Université de Montréal, Jardin Botanique de Montréal, Montréal (Québec), Canada
  • 2 Laboratoire d'Ecologie Terrestre, Université de Toulouse III, Toulouse Cedex, France
Further Information

Publication History

October 29, 1999

April 10, 2000

Publication Date:
31 December 2000 (online)

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Abstract

The pollination ecology of Philodendron melinonii was studied at two locations in French Guiana. Inflorescences of P. melinonii were regularly visited by Cyclocephala colasi, a scarab beetle also found in inflorescences of P. solimoesense in the same area. The flowering cycle lasted two days and the inflorescence exhibited features typical for beetle pollination (e.g., floral chamber, food rewards, flower heating). The flowering process is well synchronized with the night activity of Cyclocephala visitors. The spadix temperature was measured during the entire flowering cycle in the field in French Guiana and in greenhouse conditions at the Montreal Botanical Garden. Both measurements gave a similar temperature pattern with a two hour delay at the Botanical Garden. The spadix warmed up twice during the flowering period and its temperature was not significantly different from that of ambient air between the two peaks. These two temperature peaks are also well synchronized with the arrival and departure of the beetles on two consecutive nights.

Key words

Cyclocephala - Dynastinae - heat production - pollination specificity

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D. Barabé

Institut de Recherche en Biologie Végétale Université de Montréal Jardin Botanique de Montréal

4101 Rue Sherbrooke Est Montréal (Québec) Canada H1X 2B2

Email: Denis.Barabe@umontreal.ca

Section Editor: G. Gottsberger

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