thermogenesis

From: Don Martinson <dmartin at post.its.mcw.edu> on 1998.06.03 at 03:54:34(2223) Since I recall several posts to aroid-l regarding thermogenesis (production of heat by an inflorescence) in aroids, I thought the following article which appeared in Spring 1998 issue of the Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS) in regard to thermogenesis in Philodendron radiatum at the La Selva (Costa Rica) Biological Station. >Hot Sex with Scarab Beetles by Danny Beath > +More >Philodendron radiatum, a large vine native to La Selva has been shown to >exhibit intense nocturnal heating or thermogenesis to attract its main >pollinators, dynastine scarab beetles (Cyclocephala sp.) Philodendron >radiatum is well named, as the temperature in newly opened blooms peaks at >an incredible 44.3 Celsius (112 Fahrenheit) around 6:20PM and this is >accompanied by a strong spearmint-gum-like perfume. Beetles arrive soon >afterwards and stay overnight. The beetles emerge the following evening >to feed on newly produced pollen that adheres to the beetles due to >resinous secretions inside the bloom. The beetles escape soon after dusk >just as the inflorescence closes shut. > >Danny Beath (STRI) recent studied pollination biology at La Selva funded >by a Andrew W. Mellon OTS/STRI Fellowship Award > > Don Martinson dmartin@post.its.mcw.edu

From: Al Wootten <awootten at NRAO.EDU> on 1998.06.03 at 14:20:59(2227) Thanks for the interesting note, Don. My son is heading to La Selva on an ecology class trip in three weeks; I passed it on to him as something to hunt for. I hope the drought and fires which have plagued Oaxacan cloud forests haven't affected those in Costa Rica. Clear skies, Al +More +---------------------------------------------------------+ |Al Wootten, Slacktide, Sturgeon Creek at the Rappahannock| |Astronomer (http://www.cv.nrao.edu/~awootten/) | |Deltaville, Virginia (804)776-6369 | +---------------------------------------------------------+

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