NECTAR BY DAY AND NIGHT - SIPHOCAMPYLUS-SULFUREUS (LOBELIACEAE) POLLINATED BY HUMMINGBIRDS AND BATS

Most species of the neotropical genus Siphocampylus are believed to be bird-pollinated. The pollination biology of Siphocampylus sulfureus was studied in a montane region in SE Brazil. This species has features intermediate between ornithophilous and chiropterophilous syndromes: it presents a striking combination of yellowish flowers with strong odour (chiropterophilous features), and diurnal anthesis and sucrose-dominated nectar (ornithophilous features). Major pollinators were hummingbirds by day, and a phyllostomid bat by night. Siphocampylus sulfureus may be viewed as a recent derivate from the presumed ornithophilous stock within sect. Macrosiphon, and thus benefits from the activity of both diurnal and nocturnal vertebrate pollinators.1914173223724