Floral biology and pollination mechanism of Salacca vermicularis Becc. (Areceae: Calameae)
Salacca (Arecaceae), a genus of palms with 23 accepted species, has its centre of diversity in Borneo. Salacca vermicularis Becc. which is endemic to Borneo, has, despite its edible fruits, has never been studied concerning its floral biology and pollination mechanisms. In this study, the phenolog...
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| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | en |
| Published: |
Forest Research Institute Malaysia
2025
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/48212/1/Wong-FLORALBIOLOGYPOLLINATION-2025.pdf http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/48212/ https://jtfs.frim.gov.my/jtfs/article/view/3076 https://doi.org/10.26525/jtfs2025.37.1.36 |
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| Summary: | Salacca (Arecaceae), a genus of palms with 23 accepted species, has its centre of diversity in Borneo.
Salacca vermicularis Becc. which is endemic to Borneo, has, despite its edible fruits, has never been
studied concerning its floral biology and pollination mechanisms. In this study, the phenology, floral
rewards, floral visitors, and possible seed dispersal agents of S. vermicularis were investigated, and
experiments performed on the breeding mechanisms of S. vermicularis. Anthesis in staminate
flowers begins around noon and persists until early morning on the second day whilst anthesis in
pistillate flowers begins around evening and may take up to 40 hours to fully bloom. Floral scent was
present throughout the anthesis for staminate and pistillate plants. Apomixis is not present in this
species. Several insect visitors were observed, namely Heterotrigona (Apidae) sp. as well as members of
Curculionidae, Sciaridae, Formicidae, and Acaridae. Three species of visitors are likely the dispersal
agents of S. vermicularis, namely Hystrix sp. (Hystricidae: Hystricinae), Tragulus sp. (Tragulidae) and
Lariscus insignis (Sciuridae: Callosciurinae). A mongoose (Herspetidae) was observed foraging nearby
but is unlikely as a dispersal agent. |
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