Producción y costo de frutos y semillas entre modos de polinización en 232 especies de plantas tropicales

Abstract

The levels of seeds sel and of aborted seeds, ovules and flowers-fruits were detennined in 232 Venezuelan plant species, andcompared with type of pollination. F1ower-fruit abortion was similar among pollination modes, but ovule abortion and seeds sel were significantly different among pollination Illodes. The lowest levels of aborted ovules and the highest levelsof seeds set occured in wind-, butterfly-, and beetle-pollination. The number of seeds per fruit was lower in wind-, butterfly-, and beetle-pollinated plants compared with bat-pollinated plants. Fruit and flower weight were significantly hígher in bat-poIlinated species than in the other poIlination modes.These results are jnterpreted on the basis of the biomass assigned to flowers, fruits, and seeds, as well as particular characteristics of the pollination modes.