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Pollination Biology of Theobroma and Herrania (Sterculiaceae)

II. Analyses of Floral Oils

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Abstract

Floral fragrance oils related to pollination were studied in three species of Theobroma and one Herrania species (Sterculiaceae) in Costa Rica. This study was prompted by field observations that floral odours and floral visitors are markedly different between Theobroma and Herrania, as well as between species of Theobroma.

Floral fragrance in cultivated T. cacao consisted of 78 components, primarily saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons, with 1-pentadecene the major constituent followed by n-pentadecane. The distribution of 1-pentadecene was similar at 0900 hr (43.6%), 1130 hr (52.5%) and 2000 hr (51.1%) sampling times but only 1.2% at 1600 hr. The ratio of 1-pentadecene to n-pentadecane in the 1600 hr sample, approximately 1:6, contrasted with a 3:1 ratio at 0900 and 1130 and a 6:1 ratio at 2000 hr. The greatest concentration of volatiles was found in the 1130 hr sample, with 0900 and 2000 hr concentrations being essentially equal and intermediate between the high (1130 hr) and the low (1600 hr).

Of the 58 compounds detected in T. mammosum steam distillate at 0815 hr, an array of linalool oxides accounted for 12.5% of the oil followed by isoeugenol (8.9%). Saturated hydrocarbons were also present but, unlike T. cacao, n-tricosane was the major hydrocarbon (12.2%). The major constituents of T. mammosum oil clearly distinguish this species from T. cacao.

A markedly different profile of major floral volatiles was found in T. simiarum: major constituents included the monoterpenoids citral, geraniol, nerol, and citronellol. Unlike the oily, hydrocarbon fragrance of T cacao and T mammosum, T. simiarum floral fragrance is citrus-like both in the field and laboratory. Our fragrance studies suggest considerable evolutionary divergence within Theobroma.

The floral fragrance of H. cuatrecasana contained volatiles characteristic of dipteran-pollinated plant species. Unusual volatiles found in Herrania fragrance included iridomyrmecin, guaiol, and other azulenic derivatives. No such monoterpenoids and bicyclic sesquiterpenoids (with the exception of longifolene, 0.1%, in T. simiarum) were found in Theobroma. The profiles of floral fragrance chemotaxonomically support the exclusion of Herrania spp. from the genus Theobroma.

Résumé

Les essences florales parfumées liées à la pollinisation ont été etudiees dans trois espèces de Theobroma et une espèce d’Herrania (Sterculiaceae) au Costa-Rica. Cette étude est née d’observations sur le terrain qui ont montré que les odeurs et visiteurs floraux sont nettement différents entre Theobroma et Herrania, de même que parmi les différentes espèces de Theobroma.

L’essence florale dans le T. cacao cultivé se compose de 78 éléments principalement des hydrocarbures saturés et non-satures avec 1-pentadecene comme principal contituant suivi de n.pentadecane. La distribution de 1-pentadecene était similaire aux heures de relevés suivantes: à 09.00 hr (43,6%), a 11.30 hr (52,5%), à 20,00 hr (51,1%) mais seulement de 1,2% à 16.00 hr. La proportion de 1-pentadecene par rapport à n -pentadecane dans la prélèvement de 16.00 hr, approximativement de 1:6, contrastait avec une proportion de 3:1 a 09.00 hr et 11.30 hr et celle de 6:1 à 20.00 hr. Le plus grand taux de concentration d’éléments volatiles a été trouvé dans le prélèvement de 11.30hr, les taux de concentration de 09.00 hr et de 20.00 hr étant essentiellement égaux et intermédiaires entre le taux le plus élevé (11.00 hr) et le plus faible (16.00 hr).

Des 58 composés détectés dans T. mammosum à 08.15h un assortiment d’oxydes linaloés représentait 12,5% de l’essence suivi d’isoeugenol (8,9%). Des hydrocarbones satures étaient aussi présents mais, à la difference de T. cacao, n-tricosane était le principal hydrocarbone (12,2%). Les principaux éléments constitutifs de l’essence de T. mammosum distinguait clairement cette espèce de T. cacao.

Un profil nettement différent des principaux éléments volatiles floraux a été trouvé dans T. simiarum: les principaux éléments constitutifs comprenaient monoterpinoides, citrol, géraniol, nérol et cintronellol. A la différence de l’essence huileuse, hydrocarbonée de T. cacao et T. mammosum, l’essence florale de H. cuatrecasana contenait des éléments volatils caractéristiques des espèces de plantes à pollinisation par diptères. Des éléments volatils inhabituels trouvés dans l’essence de Herrania comprenaient iridomyrmecin, guaiol et autres dérivés hydrocarbonés. Ni monoterpinoides, ni sesquiterpinoides bicycliques (à l’exception de longifolene, 0,1% dan T. simiarum) n’ont été trouvés dans Theobroma. Les profils de l’essence floral confirment chimiotacinomiquement l’exclusion des espèces Herrania du genre Theobroma.

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Author notes

  1. Barbara J. Erickson

    Present address: , Present address: 105 W. Albatross Road, Tucson, Arizona, 85741, USA

  2. Eric H. Erickson Jr.

    Present address: Present address: U.S.D.A., A.R.S., Carl Hayden Bee Research Center, Tucson, Arizona, 85719, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Entomology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, 53706, USA

    Barbara J. Erickson

  2. Invertebrate Zoology Section, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53233, USA

    Allen M. Young

  3. Department of Zoology, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53201, USA

    Melanie A. Strand

  4. USDA, ARS, North Central States Bee Research Unit, Department of Entomology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, 53706, USA

    Eric H. Erickson Jr.

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  1. Barbara J. Erickson
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Erickson, B.J., Young, A.M., Strand, M.A. et al. Pollination Biology of Theobroma and Herrania (Sterculiaceae). Int J Trop Insect Sci 8, 301–310 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742758400005282

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