Effect of Florivory on the Donation and Deposition of Pollen in Ipomoea imperati
Rebeca Menchaca Garcia
Centro de Investigaciones Tropicales, Universidad Veracruzana, Calle José María Morelos No. 44, Zona Centro, Xalapa, Veracruz C.P. 91000, Apartado Postal 525, México.
Juan Carlos Lopez Acosta *
Centro de Investigaciones Tropicales, Universidad Veracruzana, Calle José María Morelos No. 44, Zona Centro, Xalapa, Veracruz C.P. 91000, Apartado Postal 525, México.
Anel Edith Garcia Ramirez
Instituto de Ecología A.C., 91070 Xalapa Enríquez, Ver., Mexico.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The potential effect of florivory on donation and deposition of pollen in Ipomoea imperati was studied. Three different levels of flowering damage (0%, 25%, and 75%) were applied to emasculated and non-emasculated flowers and the number of pollen donated and deposited was measured. It was found that there are significant differences in pollen donation and reception between flowers with 75% damage compared to the control and flowers with 25% damage. It is concluded that the florivory has a negative effect on pollen transport of Ipomoea imperati. This negative effect could be associated with a change in visiting patterns and behavior of the pollinators.
Keywords: lpomoea imperati, florivory, fitness, deposition of pollen, donation of pollen