The Evolution and Ecology of Specialized Mutualisms Between Perfume Flowers and Male Euglossine Bees
- Author(s)
- Jasen W. Liu, Florian Etl, Mauricio Fernández Otárola, Adam P. Karremans, Santiago R. Ramírez
- Abstract
The unique mutualism between male euglossine bees and the perfume flowers they pollinate in tropical America is one of the most iconic plant–pollinator associations, with a rich body of research incorporating chemical ecology, speciation, and natural history. Male bees collect species-specific blends of compounds from the environment to subsequently use during courtship display. As bees exhibit rapidly evolving olfactory preferences, divergence in floral scent causing visitation by different sets of bee species is thought to drive speciation of the plants via pollinator isolation. Here, we synthesize our current understanding of this specialized system, reviewing the extensive literature on chemical production and diversity in these plants with implications for speciation, and discuss broader patterns from biogeographic and macroevolutionary studies in the group. We highlight gaps in knowledge and propose promising future avenues of research.
- Organisation(s)
- Department of Botany and Biodiversity Research
- External organisation(s)
- University of California, Davis, Universidad de Costa Rica
- Journal
- Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics
- Volume
- 56
- Pages
- 241-264
- No. of pages
- 24
- ISSN
- 1543-592X
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-ecolsys-102723-064710
- Publication date
- 2025
- Peer reviewed
- Yes
- Austrian Fields of Science 2012
- 106008 Botany, 106012 Evolutionary research, 106029 Plant morphology
- Keywords
- Portal url
- https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/8b786e90-6682-4ee9-996b-a0850ab444e8