Pollination mechanisms

Question 1

The diversity of flower and inflorescence form reflects

Answer 1

diverse adaptations to pollination

Question 2

Describe primary attracts to biotic pollinators

Answer 2

• pollen
• nectar
• oil
• protection and brood place
• sexual attraction

Question 3

Describe pollen

Answer 3

rich in protein, starch and fats

Question 4

Describe nectar

Answer 4

sugary exudate from nectaries (also amino acids and fat)

Question 5

Describe oil

Answer 5

• fat oil from elaiophores
• e.g. Scrophulariaceae, Orchidaceae

Question 6

Describe protection and brood place

Answer 6

• Calluna and thrips
• figs and fig wasps

Question 7

Describe sexual attraction of a pollinator to a plant

Answer 7

Orchidaceae particularly

Question 8

Describe secondary attractants of plants to pollinators

Answer 8

• odour
• visual attraction
• temperature
• motion

Question 9

Give examples of pollinator plant odours

Answer 9

• night flowering plants
• ’rotting meat’ flowers
• sex pheromones

Question 10

Give examples of pollinator plant visual attraction

Answer 10

• colour
• UV
• shape
• ‘honey guides’
• reflection

Question 11

Give examples of pollinator plant temperature attraction

Answer 11

heliotropic flowers in colder climates

Question 12

Describe pollinator plant motion attraction

Answer 12

‘flickering’ of large inflorescences

Question 13

primary attractants are

Answer 13

rewards

Question 14

List some pollinator syndromes

Answer 14

• Beetles (Cantharophily)
• Flies (Myophily)
• Bees (Melittophily)
• Wasps
• Butterflies (Psychophily)
• Moths (Phalaenophily)
• Ants
• Birds (Ornithophily)
• Bats (Chiropterophily)
• Possums
• Others: mice, lemurs, lizards
• Wind (Anemophily)
• Water

Question 15

Describe the components of a pollinator syndrome

Answer 15

• corolla tube
• nectar spur

Question 16

Angraecum sesquipedale

Answer 16

• Madagascan star orchid
• extremely elongated nectary
• pollinated by long-tongued hawkmoth Xanthopan morganii praedicta (Morgan’s sphinx moth)

Question 17

List some flowers adapted to generalist pollination

Answer 17

• carrot family (Apiaceae)
• daisy family (Asteraceae)

Question 18

Describe some pollinator-rich regions

Answer 18

• Tropical rainforests
• Sub-tropics
• Mediterranean
• Warm temperate

Question 19

Pollinator-rich regions

Answer 19

invite specialisation and outcrossing

Question 20

List some pollinator-poor regions

Answer 20

• Boreal
• Alpine
• Deserts
• Cold temperate

Question 21

Pollinator-poor regions

Answer 21

invite generalisation and selfing/apomixis

Question 22

Describe pollination in Orchidaceae

Answer 22

• Nectar reward
• Traps
• Deceit
• Provision of brood hole or resting place

Question 23

Describe deceit in orchid pollination

Answer 23

• mimicry of nectar reward
  flowers
• mimicry of female insects

Question 24

Describe Ophrys speculum

Answer 24

attracts Campsoscolia ciliata males

Question 25

Describe Ophrys sphegodes (Early Spider Orchid)

Answer 25

• pollinated by Andrena nigroaenea
• induces pseudocopulatory behaviour in male Andrena nigroaenea

Question 26

Describe Ficus

Answer 26

800-1000 predominantly tropical species

Question 27

Describe the Moraceae

Answer 27

• Mulberries
• Jack Fruit (Bread Fruit)
• Hops
• Cannabis

Question 28

Fig wasps =

Answer 28

Agaonid wasps (Agaonidae)

Question 29

Give examples of fig wasp symbiosois

Answer 29

• Blastophaga quadraticeps pollinates Ficus religiosa
• Ceratosolen arabicus pollinates Ficus sycomorus

Question 30

Describe pollination in Ficus

Answer 30

• wasps deliberately pollinate female and neuter flowers
• females fill pouches before leaving syconium
• in brood syconium, females use forelegs to remove pollen and apply to stigmas after laying egg

Question 31

Describe female fig wasps

Answer 31

• pair of pollen pouches on the underside of the thorax
• each can carry 2,000-3,000 pollen grains