Dalsgaard, B., Timmermann, A., Martín González, A. M., Olesen, J., Ollerton, J. and Andersen, L. (2010) Heliconia-hummingbird interactions in the Lesser Antilles: a geographic mosaic? Caribbean Journal of Science. 46(2/3), pp. 328-331. 0008-6452. [Mailed 2012]
- Information
Information
Abstract:
One of the most striking examples of plant-pollinator co-adaptation is between the heliconias Heliconia bihai and H. caribaea, and the Lesser Antillean hummingbird - the purple-throated carib Eulampis jugularis. To date, the purple-throated carib is the only reported pollinator of these heliconias on the islands of St. Lucia and Dominica. Here, we show that the pollination of H. bihai and H. caribaea in the Lesser Antilles is more complex than previously hypothesized, locally involving several hummingbird species, specifically the green-throated carib Eulampis holosericeus, rufous-breasted hermit Glands hirsuta, blue-headed hummingbird Cyanophaia bicolor, and the antillean crested hummingbird Orthorhyncus cristatus. Hopefully, our observations will stimulate research into whether H. bihai and H. caribaea show local co-adaptation toward hummingbird pollinators other than the purple-throated carib. This would further verify the co-adaptation hypothesis between heliconias and Lesser Antillean hummingbirds, although, depending on locality, more hummingbird species have to be added as mutualistic partners.
Additional Information:
Journal issue dated 2010, published 2012
Subjects:
Creators:
Dalsgaard, B., Timmermann, A., Martín González, A. M., Olesen, J., Ollerton, J. and Andersen, L.
Publisher:
University of Puerto Rico
Faculties, Divisions and Institutes:
Date:
2010
Date Type:
Publication
Page Range:
pp. 328-331
Journal or Publication Title:
Caribbean Journal of Science
Volume:
46
Number:
2/3
Language:
English
ISSN:
0008-6452
Status:
Published / Disseminated
Refereed:
Yes
Related URLs:
 |