Old Lineage, New Insights: Phenology, pollination and reproductive traits of Vellozia species from cerrado savanna mountaintop grasslands

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ID: 315175
2026
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Abstract
Abstract Background and Aims Tropical angiosperms depend primarily on pollination for reproduction. However, plants may develop strategies to reproduce by selfing to cope with potential scarcity of pollinators. Here, we investigate the reproductive requirements of Vellozia (Velloziaceae) from the campo rupestre vegetation. Specifically, we addressed whether these species present a common reproductive strategy to assure reproductive success and cross pollination. Hence, we monitored phenology, quantified morpho-functional floral traits and determined mating systems to later estimate the contribution of pollinators to fruit formation, and identify mechanisms involved in seed production in the absence of pollinators. Methods Patches belonging to thirteen co-occurring Vellozia species were sampled in a campo rupestre, mountaintop Cerrado vegetation in southeastern Brazil. We investigated the reproductive phenology, floral morpho-functional traits, mating systems, pollinator contribution to fruit formation and seed germination, as well as species compatibility system over a two-year sampling. We also determined the assemblage of potential pollinators. Key Results Flowering in Vellozia species presented two main patterns: massive blooming pulses concentrated in the rainy season, with the greatest overlap of co-flowering species occurring in November and February, or low-intensity flowering extended through the transition from the rainy to the dry season. Additionally, fire events triggered flowering in V. alata and V. caruncularis. Most species were completely or partially self-compatible, except for V. taxifolia. However, pollinators contributed substantially to fruit and seed production in all species, except for V. patens, which relied partially on autonomous selfing. Hummingbirds such as Colibri serrirostris and Chlorostilbon lucidus were the most frequent pollinators. Conclusions Our results bring new insights into the flowering phenology and reproductive strategies of an emblematic diverse genus from campo rupestre, showing a diversification of flowering strategies, self-compatibility and pollinator dependency. This study has important implications for science-based conservation strategies targeting endemic and/or threatened species of the Cerrado flora.
Reference Key
openalex_W7162654400 Use this key to autocite in the manuscript while using SciMatic Manuscript Manager or Thesis Manager
Authors I Gélvez-Zúñiga, L Ashworth, J C Santiago, F Faria, W Justino, G W Fernandes, L P C Morellato
Journal Annals of botany
Year 2026
DOI
10.1093/aob/mcag152
URL
https://doi.org/10.1093/aob/mcag152
Keywords Keywords not found

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