Login | DPI Staff queries on depositing or searching to era.daf.qld.gov.au

Reproductive Biology of Corymbia citriodora subsp. variegata and Effective Pollination across its Native Range.

Share this record

Add to FacebookAdd to LinkedinAdd to XAdd to WechatAdd to Microsoft_teamsAdd to WhatsappAdd to Any

Export this record

View Altmetrics

Bacles, C.F.E., Brooks, J., Lee, D.J., Schenk, P. and Lowe, A.J. (2009) Reproductive Biology of Corymbia citriodora subsp. variegata and Effective Pollination across its Native Range. Southern Forests, 71 (2). pp. 125-132.

Full text not currently attached. Access may be available via the Publisher's website or OpenAccess link.

Article Link: http://dx.doi.org/10.2989/SF.2009.71.2.7.822

Publisher URL: http://www.informaworld.com

Abstract

The spotted gum species complex represents a group of four eucalypt hardwood taxa that have a native range that spans the east coast of Australia, with a morphological cline from Victoria to northern Queensland. Of this group, Corymbia citriodora subsp. variegata (CCV) is widespread in south-eastern Queensland and northern New South Wales. It is currently the most commonly harvested native hardwood in Queensland. However, little basic knowledge of the reproductive biology of the species is available to inform genetic improvement and resource management programmes. Here we take an integrative approach, using both field and molecular data, to identify ecological factors important to mating patterns in native populations of CCV. Field observation of pollinator visitation and flowering phenology of 20 trees showed that foraging behaviour of pollinator guilds varies depending on flowering phenology and canopy structure. A positive effect of tree mean flowering effort was found on insect visitation, while bat visitation was predicted by tree height and by the number of trees simultaneously bearing flowers. Moreover, introduced honeybees were observed frequently, performing 73% of detected flower visits. Conversely, nectar-feeding birds and mammals were observed sporadically with lorikeets and honeyeaters each contributing to 11% of visits. Fruit bats, represented solely by the grey-headed flying fox, performed less than 2% of visits. Genotyping at six microsatellite markers in 301 seeds from 17 families sampled from four of Queensland's native forests showed that CCV displays a mixed-mating system that is mostly outcrossing (tm = 0.899 ± 0.021). Preferential effective pollination from near-neighbours was detected by means of maximum-likelihood paternity analysis with up to 16% of reproduction events resulting from selfing. Forty to 48% of fertilising pollen was also carried from longer distance (>60 m). Marked differences in foraging behaviour and visitation frequency between observed pollinator guilds suggests that the observed dichotomy of effective pollen movement in spotted gums may be due to frequent visit from introduced honeybees favouring geitonogamy and sporadic visits from honeyeaters and fruit bats resulting in potential long-distance pollinations.

Item Type:Article
Corporate Creators:DPIF
Additional Information:© NISC Pty Ltd.
Keywords:Contemporary gene flow; Corymbia; eucalypt; mating system; pollinator visitation; reproductive biology; spotted gums.
Subjects:Science > Botany
Forestry
Live Archive:14 Mar 2011 07:44
Last Modified:03 Sep 2021 16:48

Repository Staff Only: item control page