New Zealand Journal of Ecology (1984) 7: 203- 203

Movement of honey-eaters and pollen flow in Phormlum tenax

Conference Abstract
J. L. Craig  
  1. Department of Zoology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
Abstract: 

[Abstract of a paper read at the Ecological Society Conference, 1983.]

First paragraph:
Numerous workers have shown that rewards for pollinators (e.g. nectar) typically promote patterns of movement that are beneficial for the plant in terms of pollen flow. For example, in self-compatible species, field studies have shown a significant variation in seed set and seed viability with pollen from different distances. The problem is even greater with self-incompatibility where extensive movement between perfect flowers on the same plant can provide minimal pollination but a loss of rewards that would attract subsequent pollinators. These patterns stimulated a study of pollinator movements on flax, Phormium tenax (Agavaceae); an apparently self-sterile plant with a large but simply structured inflorescence.

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