The role of sterile apices of Puya chilensis (Bromeliaceae) on the nectar-feeding behavior of passeriform birds in central Chile

The factors affecting the behavior of non-specialized nectar-feeding passerines have received little attention in the literature on plant-pollinator interactions. Puya chilensis (Bromeliaceae) has sterile branch apices that project outward from the inflorescence. In this study, we evaluate the funct...

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Main Authors: Natalia Ugas-Bravo, Pilar Guerrero, Rodrigo Medel
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: KeAi Communications Co., Ltd. 2025-09-01
Series:Avian Research
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2053716625000465
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author Natalia Ugas-Bravo
Pilar Guerrero
Rodrigo Medel
author_facet Natalia Ugas-Bravo
Pilar Guerrero
Rodrigo Medel
author_sort Natalia Ugas-Bravo
collection DOAJ
description The factors affecting the behavior of non-specialized nectar-feeding passerines have received little attention in the literature on plant-pollinator interactions. Puya chilensis (Bromeliaceae) has sterile branch apices that project outward from the inflorescence. In this study, we evaluate the functional role of sterile apices as support systems for bird foraging behavior. We recorded bird visitation and flower probing in the presence and absence of sterile branches during the spring seasons of 2021 and 2024. The results revealed that experimental plants with excised branches received fewer bird visits and flower probings than control plants, indicating that sterile branches play an important role in the nectar-feeding behavior of passerine birds in P. chilensis.
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spelling doaj-art-7ac2cf36f54946dbaa00fe7e17176f822025-08-20T02:47:25ZengKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.Avian Research2053-71662025-09-0116310026710.1016/j.avrs.2025.100267The role of sterile apices of Puya chilensis (Bromeliaceae) on the nectar-feeding behavior of passeriform birds in central ChileNatalia Ugas-Bravo0Pilar Guerrero1Rodrigo Medel2Departamento de Ciencias Ecológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Casilla 653, Santiago, ChileDepartamento de Ciencias Ecológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Casilla 653, Santiago, ChileCorresponding author.; Departamento de Ciencias Ecológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Casilla 653, Santiago, ChileThe factors affecting the behavior of non-specialized nectar-feeding passerines have received little attention in the literature on plant-pollinator interactions. Puya chilensis (Bromeliaceae) has sterile branch apices that project outward from the inflorescence. In this study, we evaluate the functional role of sterile apices as support systems for bird foraging behavior. We recorded bird visitation and flower probing in the presence and absence of sterile branches during the spring seasons of 2021 and 2024. The results revealed that experimental plants with excised branches received fewer bird visits and flower probings than control plants, indicating that sterile branches play an important role in the nectar-feeding behavior of passerine birds in P. chilensis.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2053716625000465BromeliaceaeNectar-feeding birdsPasserinesPollinationPuya chilensisSterile apices
spellingShingle Natalia Ugas-Bravo
Pilar Guerrero
Rodrigo Medel
The role of sterile apices of Puya chilensis (Bromeliaceae) on the nectar-feeding behavior of passeriform birds in central Chile
Avian Research
Bromeliaceae
Nectar-feeding birds
Passerines
Pollination
Puya chilensis
Sterile apices
title The role of sterile apices of Puya chilensis (Bromeliaceae) on the nectar-feeding behavior of passeriform birds in central Chile
title_full The role of sterile apices of Puya chilensis (Bromeliaceae) on the nectar-feeding behavior of passeriform birds in central Chile
title_fullStr The role of sterile apices of Puya chilensis (Bromeliaceae) on the nectar-feeding behavior of passeriform birds in central Chile
title_full_unstemmed The role of sterile apices of Puya chilensis (Bromeliaceae) on the nectar-feeding behavior of passeriform birds in central Chile
title_short The role of sterile apices of Puya chilensis (Bromeliaceae) on the nectar-feeding behavior of passeriform birds in central Chile
title_sort role of sterile apices of puya chilensis bromeliaceae on the nectar feeding behavior of passeriform birds in central chile
topic Bromeliaceae
Nectar-feeding birds
Passerines
Pollination
Puya chilensis
Sterile apices
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2053716625000465
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