Title
Chemical analyses confirm a rare case of seed dispersal by bees
Date Issued
01 November 2008
Access level
open access
Resource Type
journal article
Author(s)
Nunez C.
Oliveira M.
Lima R.
Sargentini E.
Pereira O.
Araújo L.
Universidad de Sao Paulo
Publisher(s)
Springer Nature
Abstract
It has been suggested that dispersal of seeds of Coussapoa asperifolia magnifolia could have endozoochoric dispersal by frugivorous birds and monkeys because the fruits are red when ripe, or exozoochoric dispersal, because the exocarp is mucilaginous and sticky. However, our field observations showed only stingless bees collecting the exocarp with seeds of C. asperifolia magnifolia, which are used for building and repairing their nests, from which the plants sprout. This paper aimed to determine the fruit chemical composition, since we postulated that C. asperifolia magnifolia is neither consumed by birds nor monkeys due to being very sticky and apparently resinous. Apolar extract analyses revealed the fruits are not resinous but extremely rich in waxes (mainly esterified triglycerides), and polar extract analyses revealed the sugar content to be close to the sensorial minimum level. This probably accounts for why only stingless bees are seen visiting fruits and dispersing seeds. © 2008 INRA DIB-AGIB EDP Sciences.
Start page
618
End page
626
Volume
39
Issue
6
Language
English
OCDE Knowledge area
Biología Ciencias de las plantas, Botánica Biología (teórica, matemática, térmica, criobiología, ritmo biológico), Biología evolutiva
Scopus EID
2-s2.0-58149129493
Source
Apidologie
ISSN of the container
00448435
Sources of information: Directorio de Producción Científica Scopus