Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
The ecological significance of many biochemicals in plant nectars is not
known. It has been suggested that nectar rewards should not be too great be-
cause of the risk of increased levels of geitonogamous self-pollination
(Klinkhamer & De Jong, 1993). These authors were referring to limits on
nectar volume, but the same function of controlled attractiveness can be as-
cribed to certain secondary compounds occurring in nectar. However, it is
not necessary to postulate an adaptive function if secondary compounds in-
volved in herbivore resistance are present in nectar as a passive consequence
of their presence in phloem (Adler, 2000), and this is an area that deserves
special attention. Information is accumulating rapidly on the chemical diver-
sity of nectar, the phylogenetic background to this diversity, and the
nutritional and behavioural implications for nectar consumers. We look for-
ward to future studies that will elucidate the patterns and processes involved.
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