POLLINATION ECOLOGY OF THE RARE TROPICAL DECIDUOUS TREE SPECIES, Maerua apetala (ROTH) M. JACOBS (CAPPARACEAE) IN THE SOUTHERN EASTERN GHATS FOREST OF ANDHRA PRADESH, INDIA

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.13133/2239-3129/16891

Keywords:

Maerua apetala, protandry, obligate xenogamy, entomophily, zoophily, barochory

Abstract

Maerua apetala (Roth) M. Jacobs is a rare tropical deciduous tree species. Leaf fall and leaf flushing occur almost simultaneously during late December-mid-February while flowering occurs during March-April. The flowers are white with a creamy tinge, hermaphroditic, strongly protandrous and obligately xenogamous. The floral characters such as morning anthesis, anther dehiscence immediately after anthesis, large size, scent production, numerous exerted stamens, sufficient volume of nectar and huge pollen production suggest a mix of entomophily and zoophily. Accordingly, the tree is pollinated by bees and birds; the former promotes geitonogamy while the latter promotes xenogamy. Among birds, sunbirds are typically nectar robbers while other birds are pollinators. Fruit dispersal mode is barochory but seed germination and seedling formation either at parental trees or away from them have not been found and hence the tree is on the verge of extirpation.


Author Biographies

S. Sravan Kumar, Department of Environmental Sciences Andhra University Visakhapatnam 530 003 India

Mr. Sravan Kumar Samareddy is a doctoral research student working for Ph.D. under the supervision of Prof. A.J. Solomon Raju in the Department of Environmental Sciences, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam 530 003 India

J. Solomon Raju Aluri, Andhra University

Dr. Aluri Jacob Solomon Raju is a Professor of Environmental Sciences in Andhra University, Visakhapatnam, India. He was the Head of the Department during 2009-2012. He is currently the Chairman, Board of Studies of the Department. Further, he is a member of Academic Senate of the Andhra University. He was the Visiting Professor of University of Colima, Mexico. He was a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at the University of Akron, USA for a period of two years. He has published more than 300 research papers, participated and presented scores of research papers at more than 75 national and more than 50 International conferences held in India and abroad.  He visited USA, Canada, UK, Brazil, Paraguay, Italy, Mexico, France, Germany, China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia, Ethiopia and Tanzania. In recognition of his superior record of scholarship, he was awarded Distinguished Achievement Award by the University of Akron, USA. He is also the recipient of Best Research Award and Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Best Academician Award of Andhra University, Loyola Environmental Award from Loyola College, Chennai and Andhra Pradesh Scientist Award from Andhra Pradesh Council of Science & Technology, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh. He successfully completed a number of major research projects on the Eastern Ghats Forests funded by ICAR, UGC, DST, CSIR, DBT and MoEF. He has been awarded UGC-BSR Grant for distinguished achievements in his research field. He has also worked on biodiesel plants such as Pongamia and Jatropha and work on these plants laid foundation for others to initiate work in commercial lines.  He has also published ten books on various subjects published by national and international publishers. Twenty five Ph.Ds and 10 M.Phils were awarded under his guidance. Further, he is currently serving as a resource person for All India Radio, TV Channels, Consultant for issues relating to environment. Further, he is currently operating a DST Project on the reproductive biology keystone plant species. He is an expert-cum-reviewer for scores of scientific journals published by Elsevier, Springer publishers, Indian Publishers, US Publishers and African Publishers. He is the Chief Editor of Advances in Pollen-Spore Research and Journal of Palynology. He is the Expert member of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Govt. of India in sanctioning the research projects.  

Downloads

Published

2021-03-02

How to Cite

Sravan Kumar, S., & Aluri, J. S. R. (2021). POLLINATION ECOLOGY OF THE RARE TROPICAL DECIDUOUS TREE SPECIES, Maerua apetala (ROTH) M. JACOBS (CAPPARACEAE) IN THE SOUTHERN EASTERN GHATS FOREST OF ANDHRA PRADESH, INDIA. Annali Di Botanica, 11, 33–42. https://doi.org/10.13133/2239-3129/16891

Issue

VOL 11 (2021)

Section

Research Articles

License

The copyright for articles in this journal are retained by the author(s), with first publication rights granted to the journal, articles are free to use with proper attribution in educational and other non-commercial setting.