Pollen micromorphology and its taxonomic significance in the selected melliferous taxa of Upper Dir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: insights for honeybee-plant interactions
摘要
This research explores the palynological diversity and taxonomic significance of melliferous flora in District Upper Dir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The present research work characterized Rosaceae as the most significant family in terms of pollen collection by honeybees, followed by Labiatae, Asteraceae and Apiaceae. These families supported significant floral resources that were highly used by honeybee populations. Twenty melliferous taxa from eight plant families were collected, identified, and their pollen morphology studied through light microscopy. The pollen shapes showed diverse shapes, aperture types, and exine ornamentation, with characteristics such as tricolpate, pentacolpate, and hexacolpate structures. Aperture types ranged from tricolpate to pentacolpate and hexacolpate, with the surface ornamentation varying significantly across taxa, including echinate, scabrate, psilate, reticulate, and microechinate patterns. Quantitative measurements such as polar and equatorial diameters, P/E ratios, aperture dimensions, and exine thickness provided valuable data for distinguishing species. The largest pollen grains were observed in Calendula arvensis, while the smallest were in Alternanthera philoxeroides. Statistical analysis highlighted significant pollen morphological variations among species, enhancing taxonomic classification. The result of this research is crucial for improving beekeeping practices and honey production by identifying key floral resources that support honeybee populations. In addition, this research work provides a baseline for understanding plant-pollinator interactions, contributing to the conservation of biodiversity and the development of strategies for sustainable agricultural practices. By linking palynological diversity with taxonomic classification, this work enriches the field of plant sciences and facilitates accurate species identification.