Hostname: page-component-7b9c58cd5d-v2ckm Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2025-03-15T21:16:37.772Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Nocturnal pollination of Parkia velutina by Megalopta bees in Amazonia and its possible significance in the evolution of chiropterophily

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 November 2000

M. J. G. Hopkins
Affiliation:
CPBO, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, CP 478, Manaus, AM, Brazil
H. C. Fortune Hopkins
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Sciences, Lancaster University, Bailrigg, Lancaster LA1 4YQ, UK
C. A. Sothers
Affiliation:
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AB, UK
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

Canopy observations of the rain forest tree Parkia velutina (Leguminosae: Mimosoideae) in Amazonian Brazil indicate that it is pollinated by night-flying bees. The small red flowers are organized into spherical heads; they open in the late afternoon and attract Megalopta bees (Halictidae: Augochlorini) which forage for pollen after dark. In contrast to the numerous bat-pollinated species of Parkia, no nectar was detected. Nocturnal melittophily is proposed as a possible intermediate stage in the evolution of chiropterophily from diurnal entomophily in Parkia.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
2000 Cambridge University Press