Marcgravia evenia

Marcgravia evenia
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Ericales
Family: Marcgraviaceae
Genus: Marcgravia
Species: M. evenia
Binomial name
Marcgravia evenia

Marcgravia evenia is a species of flowering vine in the Marcgraviaceae family. Within this family it belongs to the Galetae group, which is characterized by a long inflorescence axis and boat shaped nectaries [1]. The plant is endemic to Cuba.

Bat ecology

Marcgravia evenia relies on Monophyllus, a Cuban nectar-feeding bat,[2] for pollination. This plant that has evolved bowl shaped leaves which act as reflectors for a bat's biosonar [3]. This helps the bats to find the plants with greater ease and hence pollinate them with more frequency. The shape of the leaves also helps to guide the bats in locating the hidden feeders. [4]

References

  1. ^ Dressler, S. (2000). A new species of Marcgravia (Marcgraviaceae) from Amazonia with some notes on the Galeatae group including a key. Willdenowia 30, 369-374 http://www.jstor.org/pss/3997403
  2. ^ National Geographic and European Scientists Name New "Talking Plant" http://blogcritics.org/scitech/article/national-geographic-and-european-scientists-name/
  3. ^ Simon, R., Holderied, M.W., Koch, C.U., von Helversen, O., 2011. Floral Acoustics: Conspicuous Echoes of a Dish-Shaped Leaf Attract Bat Pollinators. [S.l.]: Science, (333) 6042. 631-633 p. DOI: 10.1126/science.1204210 http://www.sciencemag.org/content/333/6042/631.abstract?sid=366a8c37-22c9-4fed-bc91-45edd2f9d20a
  4. ^ Gill, Victoria. "Plants Evolved a Bat Beckoning Beacon". BBC Nature 29 Jul 2011: 1. Web. 29 July 2011 http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/14328999

External links