Promiscuous pollination of Australia’s baobab, the boab, Adansonia gregorii

• DOI: 10.1071/bt16049
• Publication Date: 2016-10-14T03:00:52Z
• Authors: Jordy Groffen; Gary Rethus; Jack Pettigrew
• Keywords: Megabats; 0106 biological sciences; Hawkmoths; Kimberley; P. alecto; Flower evolution; 15. Life on land; 01 natural sciences

Australia’s native baobab, Adansonia gregorii (F.Muell., Malvaceae: Bombacoideae) is the only baobab outside African continent. Baobabs of continent have shades either red, orange and yellow coloured flowers are pollinated by insects, especially hawkmoths Sphingidae family, or white small mammals (e.g. bats lemurs). In contrast, Australian with white, erected flowers, was found to be mostly hawkmoths. It possible that for this white-flowered species, play a role in pollination. Therefore, aim study identify major pollinators baobab. Motion cameras were used December 2013 ground observations performed flowering season 2015–2016 observe (potential) pollinators. Results show other birds sugar gliders (Petaurus breviceps) pollinating flowers. The pollinator was, however, black flying fox (Pteropus alecto): it observed foraging groups consuming anthers Pollination megabats, as fox, could played an important evolution erect flower baobabs.