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Insular interactions between lizards and flowers: flower visitation by an endemic Mauritian gecko

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 November 2001

DORTE FRIIS NYHAGEN
Affiliation:
Department of Ecology & Genetics, Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade Block 540, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark Email: Dorte.nyhagen@biology.au.dk
CAROLINE KRAGELUND
Affiliation:
Department of Ecology & Genetics, Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade Block 540, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
JENS. M. OLESEN
Affiliation:
Department of Ecology & Genetics, Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade Block 540, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
CARL G. JONES
Affiliation:
Forestry Quarters, Mauritian Wildlife Foundation, Black River, Mauritius
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Lizards mainly eat arthropods, fruit, nectar, pollen and animal scats (Pérez-Mellado & Casas 1997, Whitaker 1987), using their sense of smell and good colour vision while foraging (Vinson & Vinson 1969). Although several papers have contributed to the knowledge on the relationship between lizards and floral resources, this topic is often still regarded as anecdotal. However, a few detailed ecological studies on lizard and flower interactions have been conducted, e.g. in New Zealand and the Balearic Isles (Eifler 1995, Sáez & Traveset 1995, Traveset & Sáez 1997,Whitaker 1987). Pollination by lizards was rendered likely by the following findings: first, Mediterranean lacertid lizards and New Zealand geckos have pollen adhering to their belly, throat and labium; second, they may carry pollen for several hours, and thus also transport pollen some distance away from a pollen donor plant. New Zealand geckos carry pollen up to 72 m away from donors. Good experimental evidence of lizard pollination was produced by Pérez-Mellado & Casas (1997). They showed that an umbellifer species produced less viable seeds if Podarcis lilfordi lizards were excluded from flowers.

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SHORT COMMUNICATION
Copyright
© 2001 Cambridge University Press