Small mammal pollination in Protea Witzenbergiana

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dc.contributor.advisorMidgley, Jeremy Jen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorMeek, Sarahen_ZA
dc.date.accessioned2017-10-30T13:58:02Z
dc.date.available2017-10-30T13:58:02Z
dc.date.issued2011en_ZA
dc.date.updated2017-03-10T09:38:41Z
dc.description.abstractProtea witzenbergiana possesses some features common to that of therophilous Proteas in the Cape Floristic Region, such as a cup-shaped, downwards-hanging inflorescence surrounded by red involucral bracts, which emits a yeasty, musky odour. The flowering season occurs in the winter and the plants occur in small, localized and isolated stands in the Witzenberg fynbos. However, the species has never been investigated as to whether it is pollinated by small mammals. This study investigated whether the plant is rodent-pollinated, and if so to what extent by various species. Fieldwork was carried out over three days of live trapping, during and after the flowering season. Exclosure experiments were set up in order to assess seed set. Mammal droppings were collected, processed and pollen grains were counted. All small mammal species excepting one (Otomys irroratus) contained pollen grains in their faeces. Oendromus melanotis, Mus minutoides and Aethomys namaquensis were found to be the most important pollinators. The small mammal community showed a distinct change in size and composition after flowering season had ended, suggesting that the availability of nectar resources may be an important food supply to small mammals in the area. Implications of these findings could be relevant for conservation and co-evolutionary studies.en_ZA
dc.identifier.apacitationMeek, S. (2011). <i>Small mammal pollination in Protea Witzenbergiana</i>. (Thesis). University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Science ,Department of Biological Sciences. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/11427/25926en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationMeek, Sarah. <i>"Small mammal pollination in Protea Witzenbergiana."</i> Thesis., University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Science ,Department of Biological Sciences, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/25926en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationMeek, S. 2011. Small mammal pollination in Protea Witzenbergiana. University of Cape Town.en_ZA
dc.identifier.ris TY - Thesis / Dissertation AU - Meek, Sarah AB - Protea witzenbergiana possesses some features common to that of therophilous Proteas in the Cape Floristic Region, such as a cup-shaped, downwards-hanging inflorescence surrounded by red involucral bracts, which emits a yeasty, musky odour. The flowering season occurs in the winter and the plants occur in small, localized and isolated stands in the Witzenberg fynbos. However, the species has never been investigated as to whether it is pollinated by small mammals. This study investigated whether the plant is rodent-pollinated, and if so to what extent by various species. Fieldwork was carried out over three days of live trapping, during and after the flowering season. Exclosure experiments were set up in order to assess seed set. Mammal droppings were collected, processed and pollen grains were counted. All small mammal species excepting one (Otomys irroratus) contained pollen grains in their faeces. Oendromus melanotis, Mus minutoides and Aethomys namaquensis were found to be the most important pollinators. The small mammal community showed a distinct change in size and composition after flowering season had ended, suggesting that the availability of nectar resources may be an important food supply to small mammals in the area. Implications of these findings could be relevant for conservation and co-evolutionary studies. DA - 2011 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PB - University of Cape Town PY - 2011 T1 - Small mammal pollination in Protea Witzenbergiana TI - Small mammal pollination in Protea Witzenbergiana UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/25926 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/25926
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationMeek S. Small mammal pollination in Protea Witzenbergiana. [Thesis]. University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Science ,Department of Biological Sciences, 2011 [cited yyyy month dd]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/25926en_ZA
dc.language.isoengen_ZA
dc.publisher.departmentDepartment of Biological Sciencesen_ZA
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Scienceen_ZA
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Cape Town
dc.subject.otherBotanyen_ZA
dc.subject.otherBiological Conservationen_ZA
dc.titleSmall mammal pollination in Protea Witzenbergianaen_ZA
dc.typeBachelor Thesis
dc.type.qualificationlevelHonours
dc.type.qualificationnameBSc (Hons)en_ZA
uct.type.filetype
uct.type.filetypeText
uct.type.filetypeImage
uct.type.publicationResearchen_ZA
uct.type.resourceThesisen_ZA
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