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EXTRAFLORAL NECTARIES AS ADAPTATIONS FOR BIRD POLLINATION IN ACACIA TERMINALIS
Author(s) -
Knox R. B.,
Kenrick J.,
Bernhardt P.,
Marginson R.,
Beresford G.,
Baker I.,
Baker H. G.
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
american journal of botany
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.218
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1537-2197
pISSN - 0002-9122
DOI - 10.1002/j.1537-2197.1985.tb08371.x
Subject(s) - nectar , biology , pollination , petiole (insect anatomy) , botany , petal , acacia , pollen , hymenoptera
Characteristics of the flowering trees of Acacia terminalis may be interpreted as adaptations for bird pollination. Each leaf bears a single red nectary up to 12 mm long on its petiole. Nectaries show greatest secretory activity at flowering (max. 15 μ l/nectary/day), and nectar was found only in the early morning. The nectar contains a mean of 16% sugars (max. >50%) and is hexose rich with 18 amino acids, especially glutamine and phenylalanine. Analyses of foraging dynamics and pollen loads from feathers of passerine birds further support this interpretation.