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<p>Plant-pollinator interactions have historically been defined by the attractant-reward paradigm, where visual pigments and volatile organic compounds serve as the primary communication channels. However, the prevalence of thermogenesis in ancient plant lineages has long suggested the existence of cryptic sensory modalities. This review synthesizes recent breakthrough evidence demonstrating that cycads (<i>Zamia furfuracea</i>) utilize infrared radiation (IR) as a specific, active pollination signal, fundamentally distinct from convective heat or volatile dispersion. We highlight the physiological mechanisms driving this phenomenon, detailing how the circadian-regulated alternative oxidase (AOX) pathway generates precise thermal pulses that act as glowing beacons for nocturnal pollinators. Furthermore, we explore the molecular basis of this interaction, specifically the identification of TRPA1 cation channels in the antennae of <i>Pharaxonotha</i> weevils, which function as dedicated IR receptors. By establishing that these insects "see" heat patterns rather than merely sensing ambient warmth, these findings redefine thermogenesis as a sophisticated optical signaling strategy. Finally, we discuss the evolutionary implications of this "hot spot" communication, proposing that IR signaling represents an ancestral, pre-floral sensory channel that facilitated pollination networks millions of years before the radiation of angiosperm visual displays.</p>

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Beyond color and scent: infrared radiation as an ancient sensory modality in plant-pollinator communication

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年6月30日

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  • Saikat Sena,
  • Vijay Kumar

摘要

Plant-pollinator interactions have historically been defined by the attractant-reward paradigm, where visual pigments and volatile organic compounds serve as the primary communication channels. However, the prevalence of thermogenesis in ancient plant lineages has long suggested the existence of cryptic sensory modalities. This review synthesizes recent breakthrough evidence demonstrating that cycads (Zamia furfuracea) utilize infrared radiation (IR) as a specific, active pollination signal, fundamentally distinct from convective heat or volatile dispersion. We highlight the physiological mechanisms driving this phenomenon, detailing how the circadian-regulated alternative oxidase (AOX) pathway generates precise thermal pulses that act as glowing beacons for nocturnal pollinators. Furthermore, we explore the molecular basis of this interaction, specifically the identification of TRPA1 cation channels in the antennae of Pharaxonotha weevils, which function as dedicated IR receptors. By establishing that these insects "see" heat patterns rather than merely sensing ambient warmth, these findings redefine thermogenesis as a sophisticated optical signaling strategy. Finally, we discuss the evolutionary implications of this "hot spot" communication, proposing that IR signaling represents an ancestral, pre-floral sensory channel that facilitated pollination networks millions of years before the radiation of angiosperm visual displays.