Psicofilia em duas espécies de Asteraceae Bercht. & J. Presl

• Autor(a) principal: Lucena, Adjeane Gomes
• Data de Publicação: 2021
• Outros Autores: Lima, José Ronaldo Ferreira de, Silva, Charlane Moura da, Almeida, Natan Messias de
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: Diversitas Journal
• Texto Completo: https://diversitasjournal.com.br/diversitas_journal/article/view/1314

ABSTRACT: The Asteraceae family is among the largest of Angiosperms, and can be found in all regions of Brazil. Studies show that representatives of Asteraceae present flowers with characteristics of Psychophilia (pollination by butterflies) and simple and fast reproduction. The present study aimed to investigate the occurrence of Psychophilia in two species of this family, as well as to analyze the influence of pollinators on fruit formation. The field research took place in an anthropized area, in a transition region between Mata Atlântica and Caatinga. The behavior and frequency of floral visitors in two species of Asteraceae, Emilia fosbergii Bercht. & P. ​​Presl.  and Ageratum conyzoides Bercht. & P. ​​Presl., were evaluated. In addition, spontaneous and natural fruit formation was analyzed. The results show that E. fosbergii was visited by butterflies and bees, being the first most frequent group. A. conyzoides was visited by butterflies, and occasionally by beetles on their flowers. All visitors were considered pollinators. The morphological characteristics of the flowers of both species limit the action of other visitors, favoring pollination by butterflies, thus confirming Psychophilia. The two species studied showed spontaneous fruit formation and natural pollination, which did not differ statistically. Despite spontaneously forming fruit in both species, these flowers benefit from the action of pollinators to guarantee pollen flow and, consequently, genetic variability in the population. KEYWORDS: Butterfly pollination, pollen flow, self-pollination.