Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-dlnhk Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-25T08:41:18.550Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

An overview of plant–pollinator relationships in southern Africa

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 February 2007

Steven D. Johnson
Steven D. Johnson*
Affiliation:
School of Botany and Zoology, University of Kwazulu-Natal, P. Bag X01, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg, 3209, South Africa
*
*Email: [email protected]
Get access

Abstract

A particularly rich array of pollination systems is represented in the flora of southern Africa. Hopliine beetles, long-proboscid flies, satyrine butterflies, hawk moths, birds and rodents appear to assume greater importance as pollinators than they do in other temperate regions. These ‘alternative’ pollination systems may have developed because the bee-fauna of southern Africa is not particularly rich relative to the flora. Pollination by moths, for example, is relatively frequent in the eastern half of southern Africa where bee diversity is lowest. Pollination systems in southern Africa are relatively specialized and shifts between pollinators have been shown to be an important driving force in plant diversification and speciation. Changes in land-use, particularly afforestation and ploughing of grasslands, invasion of alien plants, overgrazing and urban developments have disrupted these mutualisms with mostly unknown consequences for ecosystem functioning. Future research will be directed at expanding our knowledge of pollination systems, with a strong focus on the conservation of mutualistic ecological interactions.

Keywords

beesbiodiversityconservationmutualismpollination
Type
Review Article
Information
International Journal of Tropical Insect Science , Volume 24 , Issue 1 , March 2004 , pp. 45 - 54
Copyright
Copyright © ICIPE 2004

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Alexandersson, R., Johnson, S.D. (2001) Pollinator mediated selection on flower-tube length in a hawkmoth-pollinated Gladiolus (Iridaceae). Proc. R. Soc. B 269, 631–636.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Allen-Wardell, G., Bernhardt, P., Bitner, R., Burquez, A., Buchmann, S., Cane, J., Cox, P., A., Dalton, V., Feinsinger, P., Ingram, M., Inouye, D., Jones, C., E., Kennedy, K., Kevan, P., Koopowitz, H., Medellin, R., Medellin-Morales, S., Nabhan G., P., Pavlik, B., Tepedino, V., Torchio, P., Walker, S. (1998) The potential consequences of pollinator declines on the conservation of biodiversity and stability of food crop yields. Conserv. Biol. 12, 8–17.Google Scholar
Baum, D. A. (1995) The comparative pollination and floral biology of baobabs ( Adansonia Bombacaceae). Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 82, 322–348.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bond, W. J. (1994) Do mutualisms matter? Assessing the impact of pollinator and disperser disruption on plant extinction. Phil. Trans. R. Soc. Ser. Biol. Sci. 344, 83–90.Google Scholar
Coetzee J., H., Giliomee J., H. (1985) Insects in association with the inflorescence of Protea repens (L.) (Proteaceae) and their role in pollination. J. Ent. Soc. Southern Afr. 48, 303–314.Google Scholar
Collins, B. G. (1983) Pollination of Mimetes hirtus (Proteaceae) by Cape sugarbirds Promerops cafer and orange-breasted sunbirds Nectarinia violacea. J. S. Afr. Bot. 49, 125–142.Google Scholar
Collins, B., G., Rebelo T. (1987) Pollination biology of the Proteaceae in Australia and southern Africa. Aust. J. Ecol. 12, 387–421.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cowling R., M., Hilton-Taylor, C. (1997) Phytogeography, flora and endemism Vegetation of southern Africa, 43–61Cowling, R. M., Richardson, D. M., Pierce, S. M.Cambridge University Press, CambridgeGoogle Scholar
Dafni, A. (1997) The response of Amphicoma spp. (Coleoptera; Glaphyridae) beetles to red models differing in area, shape, and symmetry. Israel J. Plant Sci. 45, 247–254.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Darwin, C. R. (1877) On Various Contrivances by which British and Foreign Orchids Are Fertilized by Insects, Facsimile edn. John Murray, London.Google Scholar
Donaldson, J., Nanni, I., Zabchariades, C., Kemper, J. (2002) Effects of habitat fragmentation on pollinator diversity and plant reproductive success in Renosterveld shrublands of South Africa. Conserv. Biol. 16, 1267–1276.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dressler, R. L. (1981) The Orchids: Natural History and Classification, Harvard University, Cambridge, USAGoogle Scholar
Faegri, K., van der Pijl, L. (1979) The Principles of Pollination Ecology, Pergamon, Oxford.Google Scholar
Gess, S. K. (1996) The Pollen Wasps: Ecology and Natural History of the Masarinae, Harvard University Press, Cambridge, USA.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gess, S. K., Gess, F. W. (1989) Flower visiting by masarid wasps in southern Africa (Hymenoptera: Vespoidea: Masaridae). Ann. Cape Prov. Mus. (Nat. Hist.) 18, 95–134.Google Scholar
Goldblatt, P., Bernhardt, P. (1990) Pollination biology of Nivenia (Iridaceae) and the presence of heterostylous self-compatibility. Israel J. Bot. 39, 93–111.Google Scholar
Goldblatt, P., Bernhardt, P. (1999) Pollination of Moraea species (Iridaceae) with a staminal column. Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 86, 47–56.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Goldblatt, P., Manning, J. C. (1996) Phylogeny and speciation in Lapeirousia subgenus Lapeirousia (Iridaceae: Ixioideae). Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 83, 346–361.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Goldblatt, P., Manning, J. C. (1999) The long-proboscid fly pollination system in Gladiolus (Iridaceae). Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 86, 758–774.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Goldblatt, P., Manning, J. C. (2000) The long-proboscid fly pollination system in southern Africa. Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 87, 146–170.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Goldblatt, P., Manning, J. C. (2002) Evidence for moth and butterfly pollination in Gladiolus (Iridaceae-Crocoideae). Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 89, 110–124.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Goldblatt, P., Bernhardt, P., Manning, J. (1989) Notes on pollination mechanisms of Moraea inclinata and M. brevistyla (Iridaceae). Plant Syst. Evol. 163, 201–209.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Goldblatt, P., Bernhardt, P., Manning, J. C. (1998) Pollination of petaloid geophytes by monkey beetles (Scarabaeidae: Rutelinae: Hopliini) in southern Africa. Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 85, 215–230.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Goldblatt, P., Manning, J., Bernhardt, C. P. (1999) Evidence of bird pollination in Iridaceae of southern Africa. Adansonia 21, 25–40.Google Scholar
Goldblatt, P., Bernhardt, P., Manning, J. C. (2000a) Adaptive radiation of pollination mechanisms in Ixia (Iridaceae: Crocoidea). Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 87, 564–577.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Goldblatt, P., Manning, J. C., Bernhardt, P. (2000b) Adaptive radiation of pollination mechanisms in Sparaxis (Iridaceae: Ixiodeae). Adansonia 22, 57–70.Google Scholar
Harris, B., Baker, J., H., G. (1958) Pollination in Kigelia africana Benth. J. W. Afr. Sci. Ass. 4, 25–30.Google Scholar
Hattingh, V., Giliomee, J. H. (1989) Pollination of certain Leucadendron species (Proteaceae). S. Afr. J. Bot. 55, 387–393.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hawksworth, D. L. (1995) Magnitude and distribution of biodiversity Global Biodiversity Assessment pp. 193–274Heywood, V. H.Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.Google Scholar
Hepburn, H. R., Crewe, R. M. (1990) Defining the Cape honeybee: reproductive traits of queenless workers. S. Afr. J. Bot. 86, 524–527.Google Scholar
Hepburn, H. R., Crewe, R. M. (1991) Portrait of the Cape honeybee, Apis mellifera capensis. Apidologie 22, 567–580.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hepburn, H. R., Guillarmod, J. (1991) The Cape honeybee and the fynbos biome. S. Afr. J. Sci. 87, 70–73.Google Scholar
Johnson, S. D. (1992) Pollination of Disa filicornis (Orchidaceae) through deception of mason-bees. S. Afr. J. Sci. 58, 541–542.Google Scholar
Johnson, S. D. (1993) Carpenter bee pollination of Herschelianthe graminifolia (Orchidaceae) on the Cape Peninsula. Flora 188, 383–386.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Johnson, S. D. (1994a) Evidence for Batesian mimicry in a butterfly-pollinated orchid. Biol. J. Linn. Soc. 53, 91–104.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Johnson, S. D. (1994b) The pollination of Disa versicolor, Orchidaceae, by anthoporid bees in South Africa. Lindleyana 9, 209–212.Google Scholar
Johnson, S. D. (1995a) Moth pollination of the cryptic Cape orchid Monadenia ophrydea. Flora 190, 105–108.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Johnson, S. D. (1995b) Observations of hawkmoth pollination in the South African orchid Disa cooperi. Nord. J. Bot. 15, 121–125.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Johnson, S. D. (1996a) Bird pollination in South African species of Satyrium (Orchidaceae). Plant Syst. Evol. 203, 91–98.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Johnson, S. D. (1996b) Pollination, adaptation and speciation models in the Cape flora of South Africa. Taxon 45, 59–66.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Johnson, S. D. (1997a) Insect pollination and floral mechanisms in South African species of Satyrium (Orchidaceae). Plant Syst. Evol. 204, 195–206.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Johnson, S. D. (1997b) Pollination ecotypes of Satyrium hallackii (Orchidaceae) in South Africa. Bot. J. Linn. Soc. 123, 225–235.Google Scholar
Johnson, S. D. (2000) Batesian mimicry in the non-rewarding orchid Disa pulchra, and its consequences for pollinator behaviour. Biol. J. Linn. Soc. 71, 119–132.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Johnson, S. D., Bond, W. J. (1994) Red flowers and butterfly pollination in the fynbos of South Africa Plant pp. 137–148 In Animal Interactions in Mediterranean-Type Ecosystems, (Arianoutsou, M., Groves, R. H.) Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Johnson, S. D., Liltved, W. R. (1997) Hawkmoth pollination of Bonatea speciosa (Orchidaceae) in a South African coastal forest. Nord. J. Bot. 17, 5–10.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Johnson, S. D., Midgley, J. J. (1997) Fly pollination of Gorteria diffusa (Asteraceae), and a possible mimetic function for dark spots on the capitulum. Amer. J. Bot. 84, 429–436.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Johnson, S. D., Midgley, J. J. (2001) Pollination by monkey beetles (Scarabaeidae: Hopliini): Do color and dark centers of flowers influence alighting behavior?. Environ. Entomol. 30, 861–868.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Johnson, S. D., Steiner, K. E. (1994a) Efficient pollination of the mass-flowering Cape orchid Disa obtusa Lindl. (Orchidaceae) by Bibio turneri Edwards (Diptera: Bibionidae). Afr. Entomol. 2, 64–66.Google Scholar
Johnson, S. D., Steiner, K. E. (1994b) Pollination by megachilid bees and determinants of fruit-set in the Cape orchid Disa tenuifolia. Nord. J. Bot. 14, 481–485.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Johnson, S. D., Steiner, K. E. (1995) Long-proboscid fly pollination of two orchids in the Cape Drakensberg mountains, South Africa. Plant Syst. Evol. 195, 169–175.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Johnson, S. D., Steiner, K. E. (1997) Long-tongued fly pollination and evolution of floral spur length in the Disa draconis complex (Orchidaceae). Evolution 51, 45–53.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Johnson, S. D., Steiner, K. E. (2000) Generalization versus specialization in plant pollination systems. Trends Ecol. Evol. 15, 190–193.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Johnson, S. D., Ellis, A., Carrick, P., Swift, A., Horner, N., van Rensburg, S. J., Bond, W. J. (1993) Moth pollination and rhythms of advertisement and reward in Crassula fascicularis (Crassulaceae). S. Afr. J. Bot. 59, 511–513.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Johnson, S. D., Linder, H. P., Steiner, K. E. (1998a) Phylogeny and radiation of pollination systems in Disa (Orchidaceae). Amer. J. Bot. 85, 402–411.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Johnson, S. D., Steiner, K. E., Whitehead, V. B., Vogelpoel, L. (1998b) Pollination ecology and maintenance of species integrity in co-occurring Disa racemosa L.f. and Disa venosa Sw. (Orchidaceae) in South Africa. Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 85, 231–241.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Johnson, S. D., Pauw, A., Midgley, J. (2001) Rodent pollination in the African lily Massonia depressa ( Hyacinthaceae ). Amer. J. Bot. 88, 1768–1773.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Johnson, S. D., Edwards, T. J., Carbutt, C., Potgieter, C. J. (2002) Specialization for hawkmoth and long-proboscid fly pollination in Zaluzianskya section Nycterinia (Scrophulariaceae). Bot. J. Linn. Soc. 138, 17–27.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kearns, C. A., Inouye, D. W., Waser, N. M. (1998) Endangered mutualisms: the conservation of plant–pollinator interactions. Annu. Rev. Ecol. Syst. 29, 83–112.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Manning, J. (2002) The pollination of Tritoniopsis parviflora (Iridaceae) by the oil-collecting bee Rediviva gigas (Hymenoptera: Melittidae): the first record of oil-secretion in African Iridaceae. S. Afr. J. Bot. 68, 171–176.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Manning, J. C., Brothers, D. J. (1986) Floral relations of four species of Rediviva in Natal. J. Entomol. Soc. S. Afr. 49, 107–114.Google Scholar
Manning, J. C., Goldblatt, P. (1996) The Prosoeca peringueyi (Diptera: Nemestrinidae) pollination guild in southern Africa: long-tongued flies and their tubular flowers. Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 83, 67–86.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Manning, J. C., Goldblatt, P. (1997) The Moegistorhynchus longirostris (Diptera: Nemestrinidae) pollination guild: Long-tubed flowers and a specialized long-proboscid fly pollination system in southern Africa. Plant Syst. Evol. 206, 51–69.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Manning, J. C., Linder, H. P. (1992) Pollinators and evolution in Disperis (Orchidaceae), or why are there so many species?. S. Afr. J. Sci. 88, 38–49.Google Scholar
Manning, J., Snijman, D. (2002) Hawkmoth pollination in Crinum variabile (Amaryllidaceae) and the biogeography of sphingophily in southern African Amaryllidaceae. S. Afr. J. Bot. 68, 212–216.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Marloth, R. (1895) The fertilization of Disa uniflora, Berg, by insects Trans. S. Afr. Phil. Soc. Marloth R.Google Scholar
McDonald, D. J., van der Walt, J. J. A. (1992) Observations on the pollination of Pelargonium tricolor, section Campylia (Geraniaceae). S. Afr. J. Bot. 58, 386–392.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Memmott, J. (1999) The structure of a plant–pollinator food web. Ecology Letters 2, 276–280.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Michener, C. D. (1979) Biogeography of the bees. Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 66, 277–347.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mostert, D. P., Siegfried, W. R., Louw, G. N. (1980) Protea nectar and satellite fauna in relation to the food requirements and pollinating role of the Cape sunbird. S. Afr. J. Sci. 76, 409–412.Google Scholar
Pauw, A. (1998) Pollen transfer on bird's tongues. Nature 394, 731–732.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Picker, M. D., Midgley, J. J. (1996) Pollination by monkey beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Hopliini): flower and colour preferences. Afr. Entomol. 4, 7–14.Google Scholar
Potgieter, C., Edwards, J., T., J., Miller, R. M., van Staden, J. (1999) Pollination of seven Plectranthus spp. (Lamiaceae) in southern Natal, South Africa. Plant Syst. Evol. 218, 99–112.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rebelo, A. G. (1987a) A Preliminary Synthesis of Pollination Biology in the Cape Flora Pretoria Foundation for Research DevelopmentGoogle Scholar
Rebelo, A. G. (1987b) Sunbird feeding at Satyrium odorum Sond. flowers. Ostrich 52, 185–186.Google Scholar
Rebelo, A. G., Siegfried, W. R. (1985) Colour and size of flowers in relation to pollination of Erica species. Oecologia 65, 584–590.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Rebelo, A. G., Siegfried, W. R., Crowe, A. A. (1984) Avian pollinators and the pollination syndromes of selected mountain fynbos plants. S. Afr. J. Bot. 2, 285–396.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Roubik, D. W. (1992) Loose niches in tropical communities: why are there so few bees and so many trees? Effects of Resource Distribution on Animal pp. 327–354Plant Interactions, Hunter, M. D., Ohgushi, T., Price, P. W.Academic Press, Inc., San Diego.Google Scholar
Scott-Elliot, G. F. (1891) Notes on the fertilisation of South Africa and Madagascar flowering plants. Ann. Bot. 5, 333–405.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Start, A. N. (1972) Pollination of the baobab ( Adansonia digitata L.) by the fruit bat Rousettus aegyptiacus E. Geoffroy. East African Wildlife Society 10, 71–72.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Steiner, K. E. (1989) The pollination of Disperis (Orchidaceae) by oil-collecting bees in southern Africa. Lindleyana 4, 164–183.Google Scholar
Steiner, K. E. (1993a) Has Ixianthes (Schrophulariaceae) lost its special bee?. Plant Syst. Evol. 185, 7–16.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Steiner, K. E. (1993b) Oil orchids and oil bees in southern Africa- Disperis and Rediviva. S. Afr. Orchid Journal 24, 2–5.Google Scholar
Steiner, K. E. (1998a) Beetle pollination of peacock moraeas (Iridaceae) in South Africa. Plant Syst. Evol. 209, 47–65.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Steiner, K. E. (1998b) The evolution of beetle pollination in a South African orchid. Amer. J. Bot. 85, 1180–1193.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Steiner, K. E., Whitehead, V. B. (1988) The association between oil-producing flowers and oil-collecting bees in the Drakenberg of southern Africa. Monogr. Syst. Bot. Missouri Bot. Gard. 25, 259–277.Google Scholar
Steiner, K. E., Whitehead, V. B. (1990) Pollinator adaptation to oil-secreting flowers – Rediviva and Diascia. Evolution 44, 1701–1707.Google ScholarPubMed
Steiner, K. E., Whitehead, V. B. (1991) Oil flowers and oil bees: further evidence for pollinator adaptation. Evolution 45, 1493–1501.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Steiner, K. E., Whitehead, V. B., Johnson, S. D. (1994) Floral and pollinator divergence in two sexually deceptive South African orchids. Amer. J. Bot. 81, 185–194.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Struck, M. (1994) Flowers and their insect visitors in the arid winter rainfall region of southern Africa: observations on permanent plots. Composition of the anthophilous insect fauna. J. Arid Environ. 28, 45–50.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Struck, M. (1997) Floral divergence and convergence in the genus Pelargonium (Geraniaceae) in Southern Africa: ecological and evolutionary considerations. Plant Syst. Evol. 208, 71–97.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ueckermann, C., van Rooyen, M. W. (2000) Insect pollination and seed set in four ephemeral plant species from Namaqualand. S. Afr. J. Bot. 66, 28–30.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Vogel, S. (1954). Blütenbiologische Typen als Elemente der Sippengliederug, dargestellt anhand der Flora Südafrikas Fischer, Jena.Google Scholar
Vos, W. T., Edwards, T. J., van Staden, J. (1994) Pollination biology of annual and perennial Leonotis species (Lamiaceae). Plant Syst. Evol. 192, 1–9.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Waser, N. M., Chittka, L., Price, M. V., Williams, N. M., Ollerton, J. (1996) Generalization in pollination systems, and why it matters. Ecology 77, 1043–1060.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Watmough, R. H. (1974) Biology and behaviour of Carpenter bees in southern Africa. J. Ent. Soc. Southern Afr. 37, 261–281.Google Scholar
Whitehead, V. B. (1984) Distribution, biology and flower relationships of fideliid bees of southern Africa (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Fideliidae). S. Afr. J. Zool. 19, 87–90.Google Scholar
Wiens, D., Rourke, J. P. (1978) Rodent pollination in southern African Protea spp. Nature 276, 71–73.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wiens, D., Rourke, J. P., Casper, B. B., Rickart, E. A., Lapine, T. R., Peterson, C. J. (1983) Non-flying mammal pollination of southern, African Proteas: a non-coevolved system. Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 70, 1–31.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wright, M. G., Visser, D., Coetzee, J. H., Giliomee, J. H. (1991a) Insects and bird pollination of Protea species in the western Cape: Further data. S. Afr. J. Sci. 87, 214–215.Google Scholar
Wright, M. G., Visser, D., de Lange, J. H. (1991b) Autoecological studies on Audouinia capitata (Bruniaceae). 2 Insects as pollen vectors. S. Afr. J. Bot. 57, 260–263.CrossRefGoogle Scholar