Community ecology of small-mammal pollinated proteas

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dc.contributor.advisorMidgley, Jeremyen_ZA
dc.contributor.advisorSteenhuisen, Sandy-Lynnen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorKuhn, Nicolaen_ZA
dc.date.accessioned2015-10-14T12:37:02Z
dc.date.available2015-10-14T12:37:02Z
dc.date.issued2013en_ZA
dc.description.abstractThe floral characteristics of small-mammal pollinated (SMP) Protea species have been assessed in a number of previous studies. This study aimed to determine whether the inflorescences of Protea canaliculata, Protea sulphurea and Protea humiflora possess these traits and are pollinated by small mammal species. An additional aim of this study was to determine whether there is a variation in pollinator efficiency of different animal species. Floral characteristics that may influence plantpollinator interactions were measured, including floral dimensions, nectar production and spectral reflectance. Live-trapping was conducted using Sherman traps and mean facial and faecal pollen load was determined for the different species caught. Furthermore pollinators were observed through footage from motion sensor cameras placed facing the inflorescences of SMP proteas. The results of this study confirmed that Protea canaliculata, Protea sulphurea and Protea humiflora are pollinated by small mammal pollinators. The evidence supporting this is that the afore-mentioned species have traits that correspond to those possessed by known small-mammal pollinated proteas including: bowlshaped inflorescences, high nectar concentrations (ranging between 24.1-42.9%), sucrose-rich nectar composition, a "yeasty" scent, floral colours that are visible to small mammals, and a winter flowering season. These proteas were found to have separated peak flowering times, providing a nectar source throughout winter for small mammals at this site. Fifty-eight small mammals of seven different species, were trapped in P. canaliculata and P. sulphurea stands over 98 hours. The average nighttrapping success was 22.7% and day-trapping success was 5.7%, indicating a relatively abundant nocturnal small-mammal population. A separation in pollinator efficiency was observed for different small mammal species, with Elephantulus edwardii identified as the most effective pollinator as it showed the greatest pollen removal (highest faecal pollen load) and spent the longest time foraging on inflorescences (±28 seconds per inflorescence). Another important pollinator was Aethomys namaquensis because it visited flowers 75% more frequently than any of the other pollinators. Camera trapping was shown to be a superior method than conventional trapping for assessing pollination by providing insight into pollinator behaviour, identifying new pollinators of 'trap-shy' species and also due to its more animal-friendly disposition.en_ZA
dc.identifier.apacitationKuhn, N. (2013). <i>Community ecology of small-mammal pollinated proteas</i>. (Thesis). University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Science ,Department of Biological Sciences. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/11427/14252en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationKuhn, Nicola. <i>"Community ecology of small-mammal pollinated proteas."</i> Thesis., University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Science ,Department of Biological Sciences, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/14252en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationKuhn, N. 2013. Community ecology of small-mammal pollinated proteas. University of Cape Town.en_ZA
dc.identifier.ris TY - Thesis / Dissertation AU - Kuhn, Nicola AB - The floral characteristics of small-mammal pollinated (SMP) Protea species have been assessed in a number of previous studies. This study aimed to determine whether the inflorescences of Protea canaliculata, Protea sulphurea and Protea humiflora possess these traits and are pollinated by small mammal species. An additional aim of this study was to determine whether there is a variation in pollinator efficiency of different animal species. Floral characteristics that may influence plantpollinator interactions were measured, including floral dimensions, nectar production and spectral reflectance. Live-trapping was conducted using Sherman traps and mean facial and faecal pollen load was determined for the different species caught. Furthermore pollinators were observed through footage from motion sensor cameras placed facing the inflorescences of SMP proteas. The results of this study confirmed that Protea canaliculata, Protea sulphurea and Protea humiflora are pollinated by small mammal pollinators. The evidence supporting this is that the afore-mentioned species have traits that correspond to those possessed by known small-mammal pollinated proteas including: bowlshaped inflorescences, high nectar concentrations (ranging between 24.1-42.9%), sucrose-rich nectar composition, a "yeasty" scent, floral colours that are visible to small mammals, and a winter flowering season. These proteas were found to have separated peak flowering times, providing a nectar source throughout winter for small mammals at this site. Fifty-eight small mammals of seven different species, were trapped in P. canaliculata and P. sulphurea stands over 98 hours. The average nighttrapping success was 22.7% and day-trapping success was 5.7%, indicating a relatively abundant nocturnal small-mammal population. A separation in pollinator efficiency was observed for different small mammal species, with Elephantulus edwardii identified as the most effective pollinator as it showed the greatest pollen removal (highest faecal pollen load) and spent the longest time foraging on inflorescences (±28 seconds per inflorescence). Another important pollinator was Aethomys namaquensis because it visited flowers 75% more frequently than any of the other pollinators. Camera trapping was shown to be a superior method than conventional trapping for assessing pollination by providing insight into pollinator behaviour, identifying new pollinators of 'trap-shy' species and also due to its more animal-friendly disposition. DA - 2013 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PB - University of Cape Town PY - 2013 T1 - Community ecology of small-mammal pollinated proteas TI - Community ecology of small-mammal pollinated proteas UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/14252 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/14252
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationKuhn N. Community ecology of small-mammal pollinated proteas. [Thesis]. University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Science ,Department of Biological Sciences, 2013 [cited yyyy month dd]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/14252en_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.otherBiological Sciencesen_ZA
dc.titleCommunity ecology of small-mammal pollinated proteasen_ZA
dc.typeBachelor Thesis
dc.type.qualificationlevelHonours
dc.type.qualificationnameBSc (Hons)en_ZA
uct.type.filetypeText
uct.type.filetypeImage
uct.type.publicationResearchen_ZA
uct.type.resourceThesisen_ZA
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