Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1111/jse.12812
Title (Primary) The evolution of tachinid pollination in Neotinea ustulata is related to floral cuticular composition and the combined high relative production of (Z)-11-C23/C25enes
Author Martel, C.; Rakosy, D.; Romero, P.E.; Jersáková, J.; Ayasse, M.
Source Titel Journal of Systematics and Evolution
Year 2023
Department BZF; iDiv
Volume 61
Issue 3
Page From 487
Page To 497
Language englisch
Topic T5 Future Landscapes
Supplements https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/action/downloadSupplement?doi=10.1111%2Fjse.12812&file=jse12812-sup-0001-Supplemental_Data.docx
Keywords alkenes; deceptive pollination; European orchids; exaptation; fly pollination
Abstract Among terrestrial orchids, and particularly among the subtribe Orchidinae, flies are underrepresented as pollinators. The European Neotinea ustulata, which developed specialized pollination by tachinid flies, is known to produce high relative concentrations of the floral cuticular alkenes (Z)-11-tricosene and (Z)-11-pentacosene (referred to as (Z)-11-C23/C25enes), which seem to be uncommon among orchid flowers. If the evolution of tachinid pollination is related to that of (Z)-11-C23/C25enes, we can expect that closely related species have a different floral chemical pattern and significantly small or no production of (Z)-11-C23/C25enes, independently of their pollinator guild identity (e.g., bees, flies, moths). We chemically compared the floral cuticular composition among Neotinea species, performed electrophysiological analyses, reconstructed the phylogenetic Orchidinae tree, and identified the evolutionary history of pollinator guild and (Z)-11-C23/C25enes production within the Orchidinae. Neotinea ustulata has evolved a markedly different floral cuticular composition compared to other Neotinea and produces both compounds ((Z)-11-C23/C25enes) in high relative quantities (i.e., above 8% in combination), which are detectable by tachinid antennae. Moreover, most Orchidinae taxa have minimal or no production of these alkenes, independently of the identity of their pollinator guild. Our ancestral reconstruction suggested that (Z)-11-C23/C25enes production was an evolutionary exaptation in Neotinea, whereas tachinid pollination was a unique evolutionary innovation for N. ustulata. Floral cuticular composition and, in particular, the combined production of (Z)-11-C23/C25enes at relatively high concentrations is intimately linked to the evolution of tachinid pollination within the Orchidinae.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=25278
Martel, C., Rakosy, D., Romero, P.E., Jersáková, J., Ayasse, M. (2023):
The evolution of tachinid pollination in Neotinea ustulata is related to floral cuticular composition and the combined high relative production of (Z)-11-C23/C25enes
J. Syst. Evol. 61 (3), 487 - 497 10.1111/jse.12812