Die Klebstoffhaare an den Antheren vonCyclanthera pedata (Cucurbitaceae)

Abstract

The highly specialized, two-celled hairs fringing the anthers ofCyclanthera pedata (L.)Schrad. and its relatives aid in pollination by producing a glue which sticks the coarse pollen grains onto insect visitors. This was proven by direct observations, confirming older assumptions. The adhesive is extruded from the big basal cell which bursts upon the slightest touch to the small top cell.—Turgor and, possibly, swelling pressure of the sticky material, are responsible for plasmoptysis and ejaculation. Cell contraction is due to tension of cuticular clips and, to a minor degree, to elasticity of the pectinic wall. A preformed apical dehiscence line disrupts when the top cell is bent aside.—The anthers hairs of a flower develop synchronously. From light and electron microscopic observations, the adhesive appears not to be a product of internal secretion. It originates from the endopolyploid giant nucleus of the basal cell, which finally degenerates by liquefying and swelling. The numerous peculiar elaioplasts apparently do not contribute to the hair's function.—The anther hairs are homologous to, and possibly have evolved from the so-called explosion hairs occurring on the green parts of manyCucurbitaceae.