Pseudocopulation of an orchid by male ants: a test of two hypotheses accounting for the rarity of ant pollination

R. Peakall; A. J. Beattie; S. H. James

doi:10.1007/BF00379410

Pseudocopulation of an orchid by male ants: a test of two hypotheses accounting for the rarity of ant pollination

R. Peakall^*, A. J. Beattie, S. H. James

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

53 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The orchid Leporella fimbriata is pollinated by pseudocopulation with winged males of the ant Myrmecia urens. This recently studied interaction provides a unique opportunity to examine the two current hypotheses concerning the apparent rarity of ant pollination systems worldwide. The first hypothesis requires a series of specialized growth forms and floral characteristics regarded as adaptations to ant pollination. L. fimbriata does not possess them. The second considers the pollenicidal effects of secretions from the metapleural gland of ants. These glands are absent in M. urens males and it may be that the occurrence of ant pollination requires the absence of metapleural glands in the vector.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	522-524
Number of pages	3
Journal	Oecologia
Volume	73
Issue number	4
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00379410
Publication status	Published - Oct 1987
Externally published	Yes

Keywords

Ant pollination
Metapleural gland
Orchid
Pseudocopulation

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10.1007/BF00379410

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title = "Pseudocopulation of an orchid by male ants: a test of two hypotheses accounting for the rarity of ant pollination",

abstract = "The orchid Leporella fimbriata is pollinated by pseudocopulation with winged males of the ant Myrmecia urens. This recently studied interaction provides a unique opportunity to examine the two current hypotheses concerning the apparent rarity of ant pollination systems worldwide. The first hypothesis requires a series of specialized growth forms and floral characteristics regarded as adaptations to ant pollination. L. fimbriata does not possess them. The second considers the pollenicidal effects of secretions from the metapleural gland of ants. These glands are absent in M. urens males and it may be that the occurrence of ant pollination requires the absence of metapleural glands in the vector.",

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year = "1987",

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AU - Beattie, A. J.

AU - James, S. H.

PY - 1987/10

Y1 - 1987/10

N2 - The orchid Leporella fimbriata is pollinated by pseudocopulation with winged males of the ant Myrmecia urens. This recently studied interaction provides a unique opportunity to examine the two current hypotheses concerning the apparent rarity of ant pollination systems worldwide. The first hypothesis requires a series of specialized growth forms and floral characteristics regarded as adaptations to ant pollination. L. fimbriata does not possess them. The second considers the pollenicidal effects of secretions from the metapleural gland of ants. These glands are absent in M. urens males and it may be that the occurrence of ant pollination requires the absence of metapleural glands in the vector.

AB - The orchid Leporella fimbriata is pollinated by pseudocopulation with winged males of the ant Myrmecia urens. This recently studied interaction provides a unique opportunity to examine the two current hypotheses concerning the apparent rarity of ant pollination systems worldwide. The first hypothesis requires a series of specialized growth forms and floral characteristics regarded as adaptations to ant pollination. L. fimbriata does not possess them. The second considers the pollenicidal effects of secretions from the metapleural gland of ants. These glands are absent in M. urens males and it may be that the occurrence of ant pollination requires the absence of metapleural glands in the vector.

KW - Ant pollination

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KW - Orchid

KW - Pseudocopulation

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JO - Oecologia

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IS - 4

ER -

Pseudocopulation of an orchid by male ants: a test of two hypotheses accounting for the rarity of ant pollination

Abstract

Keywords

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