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<p>Closely related species with sympatric distributions often evolve mechanisms of reproductive isolation. In <i>Mucuna</i> species lacking autonomous self-pollination, animals that trigger explosive flower opening are considered the primary pollinators. Nevertheless, no comparative studies have examined pollination mechanisms among sympatric species within the same subgenus of <i>Mucuna</i>. In this study, we aimed to clarify the floral traits and pollinators of <i>Mucuna membranacea</i> Hayata and <i>M. gigantea</i> (Willd.) DC. (Fabaceae), which co-occur on Iriomote-jima Island, Japan. Camera trap surveys showed that the Yaeyama flying fox (<i>Pteropus dasymallus yayeyamae</i>) visited flowers and caused explosive flower openings, whereas birds and insects consumed nectar without triggering an explosive opening. Bagging experiments showed that neither species set fruit autonomously, indicating a lack of autonomous self-pollination. These results suggest that the primary pollinator of both species is <i>P. d. yayeyamae</i>. Measurements of flower morphology revealed differences in flower length and stigma position between the two species, suggesting that pollen attachment sites on the pollinator and stigma contact position differ, potentially reducing reproductive interference. Additionally, nectar volume, concentration, and flower-opening force differed between the two species, although their effects on pollination remain to be investigated.</p>

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Flower visitors and floral traits of two sympatric Mucuna (Fabaceae) species on Iriomote-jima Island in the Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年4月21日

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  • Shun Kobayashi,
  • Moe Tsuruta,
  • Tetsuo Denda,
  • Masako Izawa

摘要

Closely related species with sympatric distributions often evolve mechanisms of reproductive isolation. In Mucuna species lacking autonomous self-pollination, animals that trigger explosive flower opening are considered the primary pollinators. Nevertheless, no comparative studies have examined pollination mechanisms among sympatric species within the same subgenus of Mucuna. In this study, we aimed to clarify the floral traits and pollinators of Mucuna membranacea Hayata and M. gigantea (Willd.) DC. (Fabaceae), which co-occur on Iriomote-jima Island, Japan. Camera trap surveys showed that the Yaeyama flying fox (Pteropus dasymallus yayeyamae) visited flowers and caused explosive flower openings, whereas birds and insects consumed nectar without triggering an explosive opening. Bagging experiments showed that neither species set fruit autonomously, indicating a lack of autonomous self-pollination. These results suggest that the primary pollinator of both species is P. d. yayeyamae. Measurements of flower morphology revealed differences in flower length and stigma position between the two species, suggesting that pollen attachment sites on the pollinator and stigma contact position differ, potentially reducing reproductive interference. Additionally, nectar volume, concentration, and flower-opening force differed between the two species, although their effects on pollination remain to be investigated.