Reproductive phenology of Miconia mirabilis (Melastomataceae) within three distinct physiognomies of Atlantic Forest, Bahia, Brazil

Biota Neotropica

Michaele De Souza Pessoa²  Kristel Myriam De Vleeschouwer²  Daniela Custódio Talora¹  Larissa Rocha¹  André Márcio Araújo Amorim¹ 

[1] ,Royal Zoological Society of Antwerp Center for Research and Conservation Antwerpen,Belgium

关键词: flowering;    fruiting;    pioneer species;    secondary forest;    floração;    frutificação;    espécies pioneiras;    floresta secundária;   

DOI  :  10.1590/S1676-06032012000200006

来源: SciELO

【 摘 要 】

Although Miconia mirabilis is a very common species in disturbed forest areas and is known for providing food resources for the local fauna, little is known about its reproductive phenology and other ecological aspects. The present study compares intra- and inter-annual patterns in the reproductive phenophases of that species in three distinct physiognomies of Atlantic Forest in Southeastern Bahia based on semi-quantitative observations conducted over a period of three years. We searched for possiblerelationships with climatic variables, differences among sites and synchrony. Both the flowering and fruiting strategies of M. mirabilis were classified as annual extended in all three study sites. We found no significant differences among years. Despite low seasonality of the regional climate, intensities of the different phenophases were negatively correlated with day length and temperature. In general, inter- and intra-population synchrony for flowering and fruiting was high (between 0.65 and 0.78), except for inundated forest, probably due to the stress caused by flooding. Given that Miconia mirabilis has the potential to be an important food resource for the local fauna due to the large quantities of flowers and fruits produced and their almost year-round availability, and its capacity for occupying impoverished areas, the species may be considered in restoration programs as a potentially interesting species capable of attracting frugivores to disturbed areas.

【 授权许可】

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