Research Progress on the Effects of Pollen Compounds on the Development of Pollinators
1. Faculty of Forestry, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, China
2. Key Laboratory of Plant Resources Conservation and Sustainable Utilization, Chinese Academic of Sciences, Guangzhou 51065, China
| Abstract: | Pollen compounds are essential precursor substances that regulate the development of flowering plant pollen into effective male gametes. They are also important compounds that affect the larval development and adult reproduction of pollinating insects that feed on pollen. Since the 1950s, the classification of pollen compounds and their effects on flowering plants have Some progress has been made in research related to the biological role of pollen development, due to the maturity of liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC/MS) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). However, compared with other compounds produced by flowering plants, pollen compounds have complex chemical compositions, various types, and diverse biological functions. The current understanding of the effects of different types of pollen compounds on the development of pollinators is still insufficient. This paper systematically summarizes the current effects of pollen compounds on the development of pollinating insects, explains the specific effects of pollen compounds on the development of pollinating insects, and discusses the possible selective adaptability of pollinating insects to pollen compounds. Finally, the issues that should be paid attention to in the study of pollen compounds are looked forward to, and the idea that the effects of pollen compounds on the development of pollinators can be used to regulate plant-pollinator interactions in future research is put forward to gain an in-depth understanding of the biology of pollen compounds on the development of pollinators. The role of pollen compounds and the adaptation of pollinators to pollen compounds are greatly significant to understanding the ecological role of pollen compounds in plant-pollinator interactions. |
| Keywords: | Pollen Compounds; Pollinating Insects; Function; Selective Adaptability |
| DOI: | 10.57237/j.life.2023.04.003 |
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Received: 4 October 2023
Accepted: 9 November 2023
Published Online: 15 November 2023
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