HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in ISI Web of Science Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via ISI Web of Science (10) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Sakai, S. Articles by Nagamasu, H. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Sakai, S. Articles by Nagamasu, H. Agricola Articles by Sakai, S. Articles by Nagamasu, H.

Artocarpus (Moraceae)–gall midge pollination mutualism mediated by a male-flower parasitic fungus¹

¹ Center for Ecological Research, Kyoto University, Sakyo, Kyoto, Japan 606-8502; ² Graduate School of Human and Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, Sakyo, Kyoto, Japan 606-8501; and ³ The Kyoto University Museum, Kyoto University, Sakyo, Kyoto, Japan 606-8501

ABSTRACT

A previously undescribed pollination system involving a monoecious tree species, Artocarpus integer (Moraceae), pollinator gall midges, and fungi is reported from a mixed dipterocarp forest in Sarawak, Borneo. The fungus Choanephora sp. (Choanephoraceae, Mucorales, Zygomycetes) infects male inflorescences of A. integer, and gall midges (Contarinia spp., Cecidomyiinae, Diptera) feed on the fungal mycelia and oviposit on the inflorescence. Their larvae also feed on the mycelia and pupate in the inflorescence. The gall midges are also attracted by female inflorescences lacking mycelia, probably due to a floral fragrance similar to that of male inflorescences. Because of the sticky pollen, dominance of Contarinia spp. in flower visitors, and pollen load observed on Contarinia spp. collected on both male and female inflorescences, Artocarpus integer is thought to be pollinated by the gall midges. Although several pathogenic fungi have been reported to have interactions with pollinators, this is the first report on a pollination mutualism in which a fungus plays an indispensable role. The pollination system described here suggests that we should be more aware of the roles fungi can play in pollinations.

Key Words: Borneo • gall midge • Lambir • monoecy • Moraceae • Mucorales • pollination

This article has been cited by other articles:

				L.-C. Yuan, Y.-B. Luo, L. B. Thien, J.-H. Fan, H.-L. Xu, and Z.-D. Chen Pollination of Schisandra henryi (Schisandraceae) by Female, Pollen-eating Megommata Species (Cecidomyiidae, Diptera) in South-central China Ann. Bot., March 1, 2007; 99(3): 451 - 460. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. L. Datwyler and G. D. Weiblen On the origin of the fig: phylogenetic relationships of Moraceae from ndhF sequences Am. J. Botany, May 1, 2004; 91(5): 767 - 777. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Sakai Aristolochia spp. (Aristolochiaceae) pollinated by flies breeding on decomposing flowers in Panama Am. J. Botany, March 1, 2002; 89(3): 527 - 534. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Sakai Thrips pollination of androdioecious Castilla elastica (Moraceae) in a seasonal tropical forest Am. J. Botany, September 1, 2001; 88(9): 1527 - 1534. [Abstract] [Full Text]