Topic
Ceroxylon
About: Ceroxylon is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 16 publications have been published within this topic receiving 117 citations.
Papers
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that one insect species alone, Mystrops rotundula Sharp, accounted for 94%–99% of the effective pollination services for all three species of wax palms, and Reproductive success might be compromised for all species by the population decline of one of them, as it would tamper with the temporal orchestration of pollen offer.
Abstract: Solitary, dioecious, and mostly endemic to Andean cloud forests, wax palms (Ceroxylon Bonpl. ex DC. spp.) are currently under worrisome conservation status. The establishment of management plans for their dwindling populations rely on detailed biological data, including their reproductive ecology. As in the case of numerous other Neotropical palm taxa, small beetles are assumed to be selective pollinators of wax palms, but their identity and relevance in successful fruit yield were unknown. During three consecutive reproductive seasons we collected data on population phenology and reproductive and floral biology of three syntopic species of wax palms native to the Colombian Andes. We also determined the composition of the associated flower-visiting entomofauna, quantifying the extent of the role of individual species as effective pollinators through standardized value indexes that take into consideration abundance, constancy, and pollen transport efficiency. The studied populations of C. parvifrons (Engel) H. Wendl., C. ventricosum Burret, and C. vogelianum (Engel) H. Wendl. exhibit seasonal reproductive cycles with marked temporal patterns of flower and fruit production. The composition of the associated flower-visiting entomofauna, comprised by ca. 50 morphotypes, was constant across flowering seasons and differed only marginally among species. Nonetheless, a fraction of the insect species associated with pistillate inflorescences actually carried pollen, and calculated pollinator importance indexes demonstrated that one insect species alone, Mystrops rotundula Sharp, accounted for 94%–99% of the effective pollination services for all three species of wax palms. The sequential asynchronous flowering of C. parvifrons, C. ventricosum, and C. vogelianum provides an abundant and constant supply of pollen, pivotal for the maintenance of large populations of their shared pollinators, a cooperative strategy proven effective by high fruit yield rates (up to 79%). Reproductive success might be compromised for all species by the population decline of one of them, as it would tamper with the temporal orchestration of pollen offer.
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14 citations
TL;DR: A general pattern of diversity suggests that the cordilleras of Colombia have served as historical recipients of gene flow occurring only scantly along the northern Andes, suggesting that both historical constraints to dispersal but also current anthropogenic effects might explain the high levels of population structuring.
Abstract: Given the geographical complexity of the Andes, species distributions hold interesting information regarding the history of isolation and gene flow across geographic barriers and ecological gradients. Moreover, current threats to the region's enormous plant diversity pose an additional challenge to the understanding of these patterns. We explored the geographic structure of genetic diversity within the Ceroxylon quindiuense species complex (wax palms) at a regional scale, using a model-based approach to disentangle the historical mechanisms by which these species have dispersed over a range encompassing 17° of latitude in the tropical Andes. A total of 10 microsatellite loci were cross-amplified in 8 populations of the 3 species comprising the C. quindiuense complex. Analyses performed include estimates of molecular diversity and genetic structure, testing for genetic bottlenecks and an evaluation of the colonization scenario under approximate Bayesian computation. We showed that there was a geographical diversity gradient reflecting the orogenetic pattern of the northern Andes and its end at the cordilleras facing the Caribbean Sea. A general pattern of diversity suggests that the cordilleras of Colombia have served as historical recipients of gene flow occurring only scantly along the northern Andes. We provided evidence of important isolation between the largest populations of this complex, suggesting that both historical constraints to dispersal but also current anthropogenic effects might explain the high levels of population structuring. We provide a list of advisable measures for conservation stakeholders.
13 citations
TL;DR: The breeding biology of the Santa Marta Parakeet Pyrrhura viridicata is described based on the study of the population inhabiting the San Lorenzo Ridge, an Important Bird Area within the Sierra Nevada deSanta Marta, Colombia.
Abstract: The breeding biology of the Santa Marta Parakeet Pyrrhura viridicata is described based on the study of the population inhabiting the San Lorenzo Ridge, an Important Bird Area within the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia. We performed surveys during 2005–2008 and installed 48 nest boxes at four sites in May 2006. Nineteen nesting attempts were recorded: nine were made in nest boxes and ten occurred in natural cavities. Clutches of the Santa Marta Parakeet averaged 4.5 eggs per nest and up to seven eggs were observed in a single cavity. Previously undescribed breeding behaviours are reported for the species: cooperative breeding and replacement clutching. The only natural cavities used for nesting were in dead Wax Palms Ceroxylon ceriferum. This palm is one of the most common and numerous tree species in the San Lorenzo Ridge between 2300–2700 m elevation and key for the species' breeding cycle.
7 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigated the impact of anthropogenic activities on the ecological structure and preferences of these species in order to develop proper conservation strategies in Andean natural forests and found that light availability was important for the establishment of both species, especially for the canopy species.
Abstract: The wax palm (Ceroxylon echinulatum) and palm heart (Prestoea acuminata) are key elements in Andean natural forests. This ecosystem is threatened by deforestation and habitat degradation, thus, it is vital to explore the impact of anthropogenic activities on the ecological structure and preferences of these species in order to develop proper conservation strategies. Fifty-seven 400 m2 plots were established in two forest areas, a disturbed forest (n = 30 plots) and an undisturbed forest (n = 27 plots) in the Ecuadorean Andes. Nine micro-environmental variables and the number of individuals of C. echinulatum and P. acuminata in five size classes were recorded in each plot. Logistic regression models helped identify environmental variables that influence the establishment of the species. Results showed that different micro-environmental variables determined the presence of different size classes. Both species were benefitted by the environmental conditions of the disturbed forest. Light availability was important for the establishment of both species, especially for the canopy species (C. echinulatum). This palm was negatively affected by the variable “fallen wood”, while P. acuminata was negatively affected mainly by the steepness of the terrain. The environmental variables for the successful establishment of the studied species that were identified by this study provide clues for the sustainable management of C. echinulatum and P. acuminata in Andean forests.
5 citations
TL;DR: Ceroxylon weberbaueri Burret, a poorly known species, is recollected from its type locality and is neotypified.
Abstract: Ceroxylon weberbaueri Burret, a poorly known species, is recollected from its type locality. An amended description is provided and the species is neotypified.
5 citations
Related Topics (5)
Performance Metrics
| Year | Papers |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |