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SUMMARY:The (micro)diversity of pollination systems in the genus Ceropegia
  (Apocynaceae: Asclepiadoideae): biogeographic and phylogenetic perspectiv
 es - Dr Jeff Ollerton\, University of Northampton
DTSTART:20081204T160000Z
DTEND:20081204T170000Z
UID:TALK13485@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:3901
DESCRIPTION:Large plant genera can give insights into the role of pollinat
 ors in promoting the diversification of plant groups if they are studied f
 rom biogeographic and phylogenetic perspectives.  The genus Ceropegia cont
 ains >180 spp. and is an Old World taxon of Apocynaceae subfamily Asclepia
 doideae with distinctive flask-shaped flowers which temporarily trap polli
 nators.  Flower visitor and pollinator data for c.60 Ceropegia taxa were a
 nalysed with reference to the main centres of diversity of the genus and t
 o a cpDNA-nrDNA molecular phylogeny.  The diversity of pollinators\, bioge
 ographic and phylogenetic patterns of pollinator exploitation\, and the le
 vel of specificity of the interactions were all examined.  All species are
  pollinated by small (0.5 - 4.0mm)\, predominantly female Diptera which ar
 e probably searching for egg laying sites.  These flowers are therefore de
 ceptive and offer no reward to pollinators.  Despite possessing functional
 ly specialized pollination systems\, Ceropegia species can be ecological s
 pecialists or generalists. Intriguing biogeographic and phylogenetic patte
 rns may reflect processes of regional dispersal and diversification\, thou
 gh some findings may be caused by inconsistent sampling.  Comparisons are 
 made with other trap-flower plant genera and the possible role of pollinat
 or loss in the conservation of Ceropegia and other functionally similar ge
 nera will be discussed. \n\nhttp://www2.northampton.ac.uk/portal/page/port
 al/aps/appliedscience/envsci/staff/jeff-ollerton
LOCATION:Department of Plant Sciences\, Large Lecture Theatre
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