Biologia reprodutiva de Heteropterys byrsonimifolia A. Juss. (Malpighiaceae): uma espécie potencial para restauração de cerrados degradados

Abstract

Large areas of cerrado are degraded, directly affecting the provision of ecosystem services such as water production, which supplies large regions of the country. Many native species are resistant to the degradation conditions and accelerate the process of natural succession. Studying the ecology and reproduction of these species is of great interest for their use and for ecological restoration plans that aim to promote the restoration of interaction networks between plants and animals. Heteropterys byrsonimifolia A. Juss. (Malpighiaceae) has oil flowers that interact with female solitary bees, which collect these resources to feed larvae and seal colonies. This plant is found in Cerrado formations and has excellent potential for restoring degraded areas as it acts as a succession accelerator. Therefore, the objective was to study the phenology and reproductive biology of this species. The study was conducted in a remnant of degraded cerrado sensu stricto at the Instituto de Ciências Agrárias da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais in Montes Claros MG. In this area, H. byrsonimifolia had individuals with morphs with and without elaiophores. Phenology, floral morphology, floral biology, pollen viability, reproductive system, fruit and seed morphometry, germination and pollinators observed were studied. Flowering peaked in early October and fruiting and dispersal occurred in November and December. The flower morphs showed morphological differences in the width of the landing petal, the length of the stamens, the length of the anthers and the length of the other petals, and these differences can be explained by the relationship with the pollinators. Flower life was 24 hours, with receptive stigma for 12 hours. The species showed low pollen viability in both flower morphs, with germination below 5%. H. byrsonimifolia is self-incompatible and relies on the action of pollinators for fruiting. Ants and bees were observed foraging on the flowers. There was a significant difference in fruit and seed morphometry between plants with and without elaiophores, no differences were observed between crosses. There was no germination of seeds. Knowledge of the reproductive strategies of native species is crucial for managing areas for conservation or restoration, as is enabling and controlling the quality of seeds for seedling production.