Transfer of Banksia-Spinulosa Pollen by Mammals - Implications for Pollination

摘要: Native mammals have been implicated by various authors as visitors to flowers of Australian plants in both eastern and western Australia, but few data are available allow an estimation their potential pollinators. In the present study, Antechinus stuartii, Petaurus breviceps Rattus fuscipes were regularly trapped flowering Banksia spinulosa. A Cercartetus nanus also captured. Individuals all species carried pollen on fur. Pollen loads greater which had traps for short periods, suggests that will groom from fur if left longer traps. Therefore, foraging probably dramatically underestimated previous authors, effect pollination may greatly underestimated. Furthermore, significantly more was removed B. spinulosa at night than during day, suggesting importance nocturnal pollinators this site.