Reproductive success of the Canarian Echium simplex (Boraginaceae) mediated by vertebrates and insects.

摘要: Oceanic island ecosystems favour the appearance of novel interactions as a consequence their depauperate and disharmonic flora fauna. We investigated Echium simplex, endemic to Anaga Biosphere Reserve in NE Tenerife, Canary Islands, belongs Canarian bird-flower element. Along two flowering seasons, we studied breeding system E. identified floral visitors compared pollination effectiveness different animal guilds (insects versus vertebrates) by means selective exclosures. simplex is self-compatible but selfing significantly reduced fruit set. The flowers were visited five bird species (mostly Phylloscopus canariensis Serinus canarius, also Cyanistes teneriffae, Sylvia atricapilla melanocephala), lizard (Gallotia galloti) over hundred insect (mainly hymenopterans coleopterans). Flying insects increased set whereas small flower dwellers beetles) decreased both seed Vertebrates had negligible effect on reproductive success. conclude that although resources provided may be important some vertebrate species, these do not appear contribute increase fitness plant, which was more dependent upon flying for additionally found plant structures are heavily damaged feral goats, threaten maintenance this species.