ISSN:
1615-6110
Keywords:
Angiosperms
;
Acanthaceae
;
Bignoniaceae
;
Bombacaceae
;
Caesalpiniaceae
;
Caryocaraceae
;
Chrysobalanaceae
;
Fabaceae
;
Lobeliaceae
;
Lythraceae
;
Malvaceae
;
Marcgraviaceae
;
Mimosaceae
;
Musaceae
;
Onagraceae
;
Orchidaceae
;
Passifloraceae
;
Proteaceae
;
Rubiaceae
;
Solanaceae
;
Tiliaceae
;
Zingiberaceae
;
Flower nectar
;
amino acids
;
sugars
;
evolutionary significance
;
pollination biology
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Abstract Individual amino acids and sugars from flower nectar of 32 plant species with different pollination systems were quantified and compared. Data show that there is no correlation between sugar and amino acid concentration. Furthermore there is no correlation between composition and concentration of amino acids and evolutionary advancement, nor any direct relation with pollination systems. However, higher sugar concentrations are often linked with more advanced morphological characters. Nectars from pierced or damaged flowers or nectars contaminated with pollen exhibit modifications and increases in amino acid composition. The presence of proline probably indicates such pollen contamination. Most pollinating animals depend on flower nectar in their energetic requirements, yet innumerable alternative amino acid and protein sources exist. Future research has to consider the relationship between nutritional requirements of pollinating animals and dependence on flower nectars.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00984031
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