- Marcgravia evenia
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Marcgravia evenia Conservation status Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae Order: Ericales Family: Marcgraviaceae Genus: Marcgravia Species: M. evenia Binomial name Marcgravia evenia Marcgravia evenia is a species of plant in the Marcgraviaceae family, within this family it belongs to the Galetae group, which is characterized by a long inflorescence axis and boat shaped nectaries [1]. This plant that has evolved bowl shaped leaves which act as reflectors for a bat's biosonar [2]. This helps the bats to find the plants with greater ease and hence pollinate them with more frequency. The shape of the leaves also helps to guide the bats in locating the hidden feeders. [3] The plant is native to Cuba and relies on Monophyllus, a Cuban nectar-feeding bat,[4] for pollination.
References
- Kaufman, Rachel. "Bats Drawn to Plant via "Echo Beacon"." National Geographic 28 Jul 2011: 1. Web. 29 Jul 2011. <http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2011/07/110728-plants-bats-sonar-pollination-animals-environment/>.
- ^ Dressler, S. (2000). A new species of Marcgravia (Marcgraviaceae) from Amazonia with some notes on the Galeatae group including a key. Willdenowia 30, 369-374 http://www.jstor.org/pss/3997403
- ^ Simon, R., Holderied, M.W., Koch, C.U., von Helversen, O., 2011. Floral Acoustics: Conspicuous Echoes of a Dish-Shaped Leaf Attract Bat Pollinators. [S.l.]: Science, (333) 6042. 631-633 p. DOI: 10.1126/science.1204210 http://www.sciencemag.org/content/333/6042/631.abstract?sid=366a8c37-22c9-4fed-bc91-45edd2f9d20a
- ^ Gill, Victoria. "Plants Evolved a Bat Beckoning Beacon". BBC Nature 29 Jul 2011: 1. Web. 29 July 2011 http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/14328999
- ^ National Geographic and European Scientists Name New "Talking Plant" http://blogcritics.org/scitech/article/national-geographic-and-european-scientists-name/
External links
Categories:- IUCN Red List data deficient species
- Marcgravia
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