Spatial and temporal variation in volatile composition suggests olfactory division of labor within the trap flowers of Aristolochia gigantea

摘要

Highlights?Floral scent ofAristolochia giganteachanges rapidly over its three-day lifespan.?Distinct spatial units within the flower release markedly different volatile blends.?A function to choreograph pollinator behavior to mediate pollen transfer is posited.AbstractThe olfactory components of floral advertisement can be complex, often showing dynamic patterns of emission and chemical composition that may reflect diverse functions related to pollination. In this study we investigated the spatial and temporal variation of volatile production in the distinctive kettle trap flowers of the Neotropical pipevineAristolochia gigantea(Aristolochiaceae). These flowers show unusual complexity in scent chemistry and floral morphology in addition to conspicuous changes in scent at distinct stages during floral ontogeny. In this study, volatiles were collected from separate stages in development (bud, female, male, wilted flower), and from different functional units (lim