Repository logo
 

Flowers of Deceptive Aristolochia microstoma Are Pollinated by Phorid Flies and Emit Volatiles Known From Invertebrate Carrion

Published version
Peer-reviewed

Change log

Authors

Rupp, Thomas 
Oelschlägel, Birgit 
Rabitsch, Katharina 
Mahfoud, Hafez 
Wenke, Torsten 

Abstract

jats:pDeceptive flowers decoy pollinators by advertising a reward, which finally is not provided. Numerous deceptive plants are pollinated by Diptera, but the attractive cues and deceptive strategies are only identified in a few cases. A typical fly-deceptive plant genus is jats:italicAristolochia</jats:italic>, which evolved sophisticated trap flowers to temporarily capture pollinators. Though rarely demonstrated by experimental approaches, jats:italicAristolochia</jats:italic> species are believed to chemically mimic brood sites, food sources for adult flies, or utilize sexual deception. Indeed, for most species, studies on scent composition and attractive signals are lacking. In this study, we focused on jats:italicAristolochia microstoma</jats:italic>, a peculiar Greek endemic with flowers that are presented at ground level in the leaf litter or between rocks and are characterized by a unique morphology. We analyzed flower visitor and pollinator spectra and identified the floral scent composition using dynamic headspace and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Female and male phorid flies (Phoridae) are the exclusive pollinators, although the flowers are also frequently visited by Sciaridae, as well as typical ground-dwelling arthropods, such as Collembola and arachnids. The carrion-like floral scent mainly consists of the oligosulphide dimethyldisulfide and the nitrogen-bearing compound 2,5-dimethylpyrazine. These compounds together are known to be released from decomposing insects, and thus, we conclude that pollinators are likely deceived by chemical imitation of invertebrate carrion, a deceptive strategy not described from another plant species so far.</jats:p>

Description

Keywords

3108 Plant Biology, 31 Biological Sciences, 3103 Ecology

Journal Title

Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

2296-701X
2296-701X

Volume Title

9

Publisher

Frontiers Media SA