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Plant adaptations for pollination by nocturnal animals
Bakovská, Julie ; Tropek, Robert (advisor) ; Sklenář, Petr (referee)
Nocturnal pollination is a part of the reproductive process of plants. The night is characterized by changes in abiotic factors, mainly by a decrease in solar radiation and temperature, while plants and pollinators adapt to these conditions. Plants and pollinators adapt to each other throught the process of coevolution. As a result plants present traits preferred by their pollinators. Sets of convergent traits shared by plants pollinated by single functional group are called pollination syndromes and include reward type, scent, colour and flower morphology. The pollination syndromes and other adaptations of plants pollinated by nocturnal pollinators are presented in this thesis, in the context of adaptations of pollinators' senses to nighttime conditions. Simultaneously, it is referred to the evolutionary reasons for the transition of activity to the night. Significant nocturnal pollinators, associated with pollination syndromes include moths, divided into hawkmoths (sphingophily pollination syndrome) and other nocturnal moths (phalaenophily), bats (chiropterophily) and non-flying mammals (therophily). Other important nocturnal pollinators exhibiting adaptations to nocturnal pollination are beetles and nocturnal bees.
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Moths as nocturnal pollinators in the tropics
Barták, Michal ; Tropek, Robert (advisor) ; Sedláček, Ondřej (referee)
in English In this thesis, I reviewed the available knowledge on the role of moths in the pollination of flowering plants in tropical ecosystems. Moths appeared as relatively frequent visitors of flowers with moth-attracting adaptations. Moths were proved to be essential pollinators of some specialized plant species. An obligatory mutualism with micromoths was found in more than 550 highly specialized plant species. Macromoths appeared as effective pollinators of numerous tropical shrubs, trees, and herbs from numerous plant families. Moths were the only recorded visitors and/or pollinators in several cases. In communities, plant species with moth pollination syndromes were relatively uncommon, and moths were generally infrequent visitors of their flowers, which could also be affected by abiotic factors. The proportion of actually moth-pollinated plant species in communities was even slightly lower than the proportion of plants with moth pollination syndromes in other areas. Some moths (e.g., hawkmoths) can thieve nectar from virtually any shorter-spurred/tubed flowers with their long proboscis. Other moths were reported as nectar thieves in some too accessible flowers. However, moths were reported to be rare nectar thieves and prefer visiting the flowers they also pollinate. This thesis should...
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Preferences of the main groups of pollinators for the functional floral traits
Malá, Karolína ; Janovský, Zdeněk (advisor) ; Hadrava, Jiří (referee)
This bachelor thesis summarizes the preferences of the main functional groups of pollinators towards floral traits of plants. Due to coevolution and mutual selection pressures, these two life forms have begun to adapt to each other and develop traits on which the future of their life depends. The plant seeks to attract its pollinators, thus ensuring efficient pollen transfer or reproduction for its species. Attractants are used to motivate visitors to its flowers. These attractants provide pollinators with either direct rewards (food, shelter, brood) or rewards in the form of sensory perceptions (colour, scent, morphology). Recently, it has become apparent that flower colour, morphology and the type of food reward offered by the flower have the greatest influence on pollinator choice. Based on preferences towards attractants, we can organize several functional groups whose representatives have the same or similar choice preferences. Key words Pollination syndromes, pollinator, selection pressures, plant traits, coevolution, preferences, fidelity, diptera, coleoptera, lepidoptera, hymenoptera, birds, colour, morphology, rewards
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Pollinators as a subject of science education in lower secondary school
MAŠKOVÁ, Anna
This bachelor thesis is focused on pollinators as a subject of science education in lower secondary school. It includes survey of pollination, pollination syndromes and importance od the groups of insects involved in pollination. Comparative analysis of biology textbooks for lower secondary schools in terms of pollinators, pollination and results of questionnaire survey of student's knowledge on this topic. Based on this knowledge was designed a time - saving project to teach pollinators.
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