Variations in the efficacy of intersexual chemical mimicry in a dioecious palm

Resumen

The pollination processes occurring over short time scales are crucial to sustain the complex dynamics of plant-pollinator interactions. Here, we characterized the diel patterns of flower opening, scent emission, and insect visits in highly dimorphic male (rewarding) and female (deceptive) inflorescences of the ivory palm (Phytelephas aequatorialis), a thermogenic dioecious species endemic to western Ecuador. We conducted field experiments using artificial scented-baits (artificial flowers) consisting of a heating plate (simulating thermogenesis) and p-methylanisole (the primary odor compound) in two different amounts (50 μL and 400 μL to mimic female and male inflorescences, respectively). We found that female inflorescences open synchronously, while male inflorescences can open anytime throughout the day. Both sexes emitted floral odors consistently throughout the day. Even though male inflorescences emitted greater quantities of p-methylanisole, odor sources of different amounts of p-methylanisole in the artificial flower attracted a similar diversity and abundance of insects throughout the day. This attraction was equally effective within five minutes of the emission from the artificial flower. The findings suggest that intersexual mimicry in P. aequatorialis is sustained by the efficiency of a consistent odor release, which optimizes the probability of both sexes being visited by the same insect community during the day.

Citation: Orellana-Vera, G., Auffray, T., Montúfar, R., Giberneau, M., Pincebourde, S., Guasti, M., Casas, J. & Dangles, O. 2025. Variations in the efficacy of intersexual chemical mimicry in a dioecious palm. Revista Jard. Bot. Nac. Univ. Habana 46(Número especial 1): 72.

Trabajo presentado en el XIII Congreso Latinoamericano de Botánica. Sesión Ecología, Interacciones, Medio Ambiente y Cambio Climático.