Carlos Martel

Plant attractants: integrating insights from pollination and seed dispersal ecology

Reproduction in many angiosperms depends on attracting animals that provide pollination and seed dispersal services. Flowers and fleshy fruits present various features that can attract animal mutualists through visual, olfactory, acoustic, and tactile cues and signals, and some of these traits may result from selection exerted by pollinators and seed dispersers. Plant attractants can provide information regarding the presence, location, and quality of the reward. However, because of the different functional outcomes of pollination and seed dispersal, pollination systems are thought to be more highly specialized than seed dispersal systems. Despite these interesting parallels and contrasts, theoretical and empirical insights in the sensory ecology of pollination and seed dispersal are rarely considered together. Here, we review extant theory and data of sensory attractants from both pollination and seed dispersal systems. We discuss theoretical and empirical similarities and differences between pollination and seed dispersal and offer suggestions for ways in which insights from each field may benefit the other in future.

Sexual Deception in the Eucera-Pollinated Ophrys leochroma: A Chemical Intermediate between Wasp- and Andrena-Pollinated Species

Ophrys flowers mimic sex pheromones of attractive females of their pollinators and attract males, which attempt to copulate with the flower and thereby pollinate it. Virgin females and orchid flowers are known to use the same chemical compounds in order to attract males. The composition of the sex pheromone and its floral analogue, however, vary between pollinator genera. Wasp-pollinated Ophrys species attract their pollinators by using polar hydroxy acids, whereas Andrena-pollinated species use a mixture of non-polar hydrocarbons. The phylogeny of Ophrys shows that its evolution was marked by episodes of rapid diversification coinciding with shifts to different pollinator groups: from wasps to Eucera and consequently to Andrena and other bees. To gain further insights, we studied pollinator attraction in O. leochroma in the context of intra- and inter-generic pollinator shifts, radiation, and diversification in the genus Ophrys. Our model species, O. leochroma, is pollinated by Eucera kullenbergi males and lies in the phylogeny between the wasp and Andrena-pollinated species; therefore, it is a remarkable point to understand pollinator shifts. We collected surface extracts of attractive E. kullenbergi females and labellum extracts of O. leochroma and analyzed them by using gas chromatography with electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD) and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). We also performed field bioassays. Our results show that O. leochroma mimics the sex pheromone of its pollinator’s female by using aldehydes, alcohols, fatty acids, and non-polar compounds (hydrocarbons). Therefore, in terms of the chemistry of pollinator attraction, Eucera-pollinated Ophrys species might represent an intermediate stage between wasp- and Andrena-pollinated orchid species.

Telipogon koechlinorum (Orchidaceae), a new species from Machu Picchu, Peru

A new species of Telipogon (Orchidaceae, Oncidiinae) from Cusco, in Andean Peru, is described and illustrated. Telipogon koechlinorum is closely related to T. casadevalliae. The most significant differences are the clavate column with an elongate and incurved mentum, and a callus split in two by the column.ResumenUna especie nueva de Telipogon (Orchidaceae, Oncidiinae) proveniente de Cusco, en los Andes peruanos, es descrita e ilustrada. Telipogon koechlinorum sería cercanamente relacionado a T. casadevalliae. Las diferencias más significativas son la columna clavada con un mentón elongado e incurvado y un callo divido en dos por la columna.

Notes and Emended Description of Telipogon Peruvianus T. Hashim. (Orchidaceae)

Abstract Martel, C. & W. Nauray Huari (2013). Notes and emended description of Telipogon peruvianus T. Hashim. (Orchidaceae). Candollea 68: 245–250. In English, English and French abstracts. Telipogon peruvianus T. Hashim. (Orchidaceae, Oncidiinae), a Peruvian endemic and poorly known species, is recollected in the type locality and its distribution revised. An emended description, taxonomic and ecological notes are provided.

Telipogon peruvianus (Orchidaceae) Flowers Elicit Pre-Mating Behaviour in Eudejeania (Tachinidae) Males for Pollination

Several neotropical orchid genera have been proposed as being sexually deceptive; however, this has been carefully tested in only a few cases. The genus Telipogon has long been assumed to be pollinated by male tachinid flies during pseudocopulatory events but no detailed confirmatory reports are available. Here, we have used an array of methods to elucidate the pollination mechanism in Telipogon peruvianus. The species presents flowers that have a mean floral longevity of 33 days and that are self-compatible, although spontaneous self-pollination does not occur. The flowers attract males of four tachinid species but only the males of an undescribed Eudejeania (Eudejeania aff. browni; Tachinidae) species are specific pollinators. Males visit the flowers during the first few hours of the day and the pollination success is very high (42% in one patch) compared with other sexually deceptive species. Female-seeking males are attracted to the flowers but do not attempt copulation with the flowers, as is usually described in sexually deceptive species. Nevertheless, morphological analysis and behavioural tests have shown an imperfect mimicry between flowers and females suggesting that the attractant stimulus is not based only on visual cues, as long thought. Challenging previous conclusions, our chemical analysis has confirmed that flowers of Telipogon release volatile compounds; however, the role of these volatiles in pollinator behaviour remains to be established. Pollinator behaviour and histological analyses indicate that Telipogon flowers possess scent-producing structures throughout the corolla. Our study provides the first confirmed case of (i) a sexually deceptive species in the Onciidinae, (ii) pollination by pre-copulatory behaviour and (iii) pollination by sexual deception involving tachinid flies.

Taxonomical Notes on Telipogon falcatus with Comments on Hofmeisterella (Orchidaceae: Oncidiinae)

Abstract. The transfer of Telipogon falcatus to Hofmeisterella is here challenged and Hofmeisterella falcata is relegated to the synonymy of Telipogon falcatus. Additional features to distinguish the species and comments about the type material are also provided. The recently described Hofmeisterella biglobulosa is discussed and referred to Hofmeisterella eumicroscopica.

Caesalpinia spinosa (Caesalpiniaceae) leaves: anatomy, histochemistry, and secondary metabolites

Caesalpiniaspinosa (Molina) Kuntze is an extensively used plant in the industry and folk medicine, and it is characterized by containing high quantities of tannins in its pods. Ultrastructure and chemical aspects of C.spinosa leaves were analyzed to identify their properties and the function of their specialized cells. Leaflets are amphistomatic with an internal bifacial structure. Subspherical idioblasts occur on the subepidermal area of leaflets and are immersed in the parenchymatous tissue of rachis and petiole. Histochemical analyses showed that tannins are widespread on the parenchymatous tissue of leaflets, rachis, and petioles, and subspherical idioblasts present a lipophilic nature containing essential oils and lipids. Glandular trichomes occurring on the rachis and petiole bear phenolic compounds. GC–MS analysis reveals the presence predominantly of monoterpenes in the leaf essential oil. The detected compounds may be related to the antimicrobial- and antioxidant activity of C. spinosa extracts.

Stelis machupicchuensis (Orchidaceae), a new species from S Peru

Abstract: Stelis machupicchuensis Collantes & C. Martel, from the cloud forest of Cusco, Peru, is proposed as a new species. The new species is similar to S. antennata Garay, from which it differs in the oblique subpentagonal-trullate petals, pentagonal-subtrullate lip and subquadrate to suborbicular callus. A description, illustrations and taxonomic account are provided. Citation: Collantes B., Farfán J. & Martel C. 2017: Stelis machupicchuensis (Orchidaceae), a new species from S Peru.— Willdenowia 47: 167–172. doi: https://doi.org/10.3372/wi.47.47208 Version of record first published online on 25 August 2017 ahead of inclusion in August 2017 issue.