Bibliographic Details
| Title: |
NECTAR BARRIER FOR BIRDS IN ANISACANTHUS (ACANTHACEAE) A KEYHOLE BARRIER. |
| Authors: |
Manktelow, Mariette1 (AUTHOR) mariette.manktelow@ebc.uu.se |
| Source: |
Southwestern Naturalist. Jun2026, Vol. 70 Issue 2, p1-11. 11p. |
| Subjects: |
Acanthaceae, Hummingbirds, Insect pollinators, Pollination, Species |
| Abstract (English): |
This study describes a nectar barrier for birds in the hummingbird pollinated genus Anisacanthus (Acanthaceae). The most studied species is A. thurberi, but similar structures suggest a presence of a nectar barrier also in A. andersonii, A. junceus, A. linearis, A. pumilus, A. quadrifidus var. brevilobus, and A. quadrifidus var. wrightii. Similar structures were present but more weakly expressed in A. tetracaulis and A. puberulus, species that will need more detailed studies. When mimicking a hummingbird beak with a tweezer, I found that a visiting hummingbird would be able to move the style downwards in the nectar barrier to open a hole into the nectar chamber. I name the nectar barrier a Keyhole Barrier due to its appearance. A similar nectar barrier is present in Mexacanthus mcvaughii, a species now nested within Anisacanthus, and differences in that species could be due to an adaptation to insect pollination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Abstract (Spanish): |
Este estudio describe una barrera de néctar para aves en el género Anisacanthus (Acanthaceae), polinizado por colibríes. La especie más estudiada es A. thurberi, aunque estructuras similares sugieren la presencia de una barrera de néctar también en A. andersonii, A. junceus, A. linearis, A. pumilus, A. quadrifidus var. brevilobus y A. quadrifidus var. wrightii. Estructuras similares estaban presentes, con una expresion más débil, en A. tetracaulis y A. puberulus que requerirán estudios más detallados. Al imitar el pico del colibrí con una pinza, observé que un colibrí visitante podría mover el pistilo hacia abajo dentro de la barrera de néctar para abrir un orificio hacia la cámara de néctar. He nombrado a esta barrera de néctar como Barrera de Cerradura debido a su apariencia. Una barrera de néctar similar está presente en Mexacanthus mcvaughii, una especie actualmente incluida dentro de Anisacanthus, y las diferencias en esa especie podrían deberse a una adaptación a la polinización por insectos. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| Database: |
Engineering Source |
