Private channels in plant-pollinator mutualisms

Abstract

Volatile compounds often mediate plant-pollinator interactions, and may promote specialization in plantpollinator relationships, notably through private channels of unusual compounds. Nevertheless, the existence of private channels, i.e., the potential for exclusive communication via unique signals and receptors, is still debated in the literature. Interactions between figs and their pollinating wasps offer opportunities for exploring this concept. Several experiments have demonstrated that chemical mediation is crucial in ensuring the encounter between figs and their speciesspecific pollinators. Indeed, chemical messages emitted by figs are notably species-and developmental stage-specific, making them reliable cues for the pollinator. In most cases, the species-specificity of wasp attraction is unlikely to result from the presence of a single specific compound. Nevertheless, a recent paper on the role of scents in the interaction between Ficus semicordata and its pollinating wasp Ceratosolen gravelyi showed that a single compound, 4-methylanisole, is the main signal compound in the floral scent, and is sufficient by itself to attract the obligate pollinator. Mainly focusing on these results, we propose here that a floral scent can act as a private channel, attracting only the highly specific pollinator. © 2010 Landes Bioscience.

Keywords

Agaonidae; Chemical mediation; Coevolved mutualism; Ficus; Floral filter; Private channel

Published in

Plant Signaling and Behavior
2010, volume: 5, number: 7, pages: 893-895
Publisher: Landes Bioscience

SLU Authors

• Proffit, Magali

  • Department of Plant Protection Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Ecology

Publication identifier

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4161/psb.5.7.12040

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/132456