Biología de la polinización de Leptocereus scopulophilus (Cactaceae) en el Pan de Matanzas, Cuba

The genus Leptocereus comprises about a dozen species endemic to the Caribbean. The majority of these species are endemic to Cuba and all of them are threatened by extinction. In this paper, the flowers of L. scopulophilus are characterized considering the inner diameter of the perianth, the deep of the nectar chamber and the length of the floral tube. Flower development is described taking into account the anthesis, and the production and concentration of nectar. The mating system of this species is determined and flower visitors and pollinators are identified. The diameter inner of perianth is 1,84 cm, the length of floral tube is 2,16 cm and the deep of nectar chamber is 0,62 cm. The anthesis occurs in the afternoon around 18:30, the production of nectar begin among 21:00 and 22:00 and is extend until 10:00 of the next day, while the nectar concentration vary among 19,4 % and 16,2 % of sacarose. L. scopulophilus is exclusively out crossing and self-incompatible species. The flowers have a syndrome of chiropterophillous pollination, however, 14 visiting species have been identified. Only the nocturnal pollination by Monophyllus redmani bat is successful.