Open AccessPollination of endangered Cuban cycad Microcycas calocoma (Miq.) A.DC.
Author(s) -
VOVIDES ANDREW P.,
OGATA NISAO,
SOSA VICTORIA,
PEÑAGARCÍA ESPERANZA
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
botanical journal of the linnean society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.872
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1095-8339
pISSN - 0024-4074
DOI - 10.1111/j.1095-8339.1997.tb02254.x
Subject(s) - cycad , pollinator , biology , endangered species , pollination , population , ecology , pollen , habitat , demography , sociology
Observations indicate that natural regeneration in the field of the cycad Microcycas calocoma (Miq.) A.DC. is extremely low, and has been so since early this century. It appears that populations of its insect pollinator are practically extinct, but some pollinator activity appears to be present in the largest population of Microcycas. Recommendations for identification and captive breeding of die pollinator are suggested as a complementary conservation strategy to a Microcycas propagation programme already established at the Cuban National Botanical Garden.