ISSN:
1615-6110
Keywords:
Geraniaceae
;
Pelargonium
;
Bees
;
beeflies
;
birds
;
butterflies
;
long-proboscid flies
;
convergence
;
evolution
;
floral ecology
;
pollination
;
pollination guilds
;
pollination syndromes
;
Southern Africa
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Abstract Based on field observations and a survey of the available literature, the functional and evolutionary significance of floral characters ofPelargonium is investigated in relation to a recent infrageneric re-classification. Most of the 208Pelargonium taxa (recognized as species, subspecies or varieties) involved show bee and long-proboscid hovering fly pollination syndromes (about 60% and 25%, respectively), only 7% of the taxa are pollinated by butterflies, some 2 to 4% by hawkmoths and presumably 1% by birds. The heterogeneity ofPelargonium in terms of structural blossom types and pollination syndromes indicates an independent and repeated evolution of convergent flower morphs in the genus and even in sections.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00986083
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