Spatial and temporal variation in volatile composition suggests olfactory division of labor within the trap flowers of Aristolochia gigantea

摘要: Abstract The olfactory components of floral advertisement can be complex, often showing dynamic patterns emission and chemical composition that may reflect diverse functions related to pollination. In this study we investigated the spatial temporal variation volatile production in distinctive kettle trap flowers Neotropical pipevine Aristolochia gigantea (Aristolochiaceae). These show unusual complexity scent chemistry morphology addition conspicuous changes at distinct stages during ontogeny. study, volatiles were collected from separate development (bud, female, male, wilted flower), different functional units (limb, black ring, yellow disk, utricle, nectary) within each stage. Our results document a strikingly complex for A. gigantea. Female stage emissions are dominated by sweet lemon-scented citronella-like compounds including (E)- (Z)-citral, citronellol citronellal, same time include smaller amounts pungent, brood-site associated such as dimethyl disulfide, 2-heptanone, 3-methyl-1-butanol. Volatile plummet one day later male flowers, except increased monoterpenoids sesquiterpenoids, burst linalool chamber. Volatiles emitted resemble vegetative background soon 48 h post anthesis. Multidimensional scaling revealed unexpected differentiation across flower (e.g. vs. outside trap), well sexual expression matured. suggest protogynous or inflorescences utilize division labor, concert with visual tactile cues, choreograph pollinator behavior female optimized.