A New Pollination Syndrome-Squirrel Pollination in a Tropical Rainforest in Lambir Hills National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia.

Abstract

A new pollination syndrome, squirrel pollination, was found in a tropical rainforest in Lambir Hills National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia. Madhuca sp. (Sapotaceae) has flowers of which stamens and petals fuse together to form fleshy and berry-like corollas. The corollas are as sweet as 15 %in sugar concentration as sucrose equivalent. The berry-like corolla is easily detachable from pistil/ovary which is bitter to taste. Three species of squirrel, Callosciurus prevostii, Sundasciurus hippurus inquinantus, S. lowii and a species of flying squirrels, Petaurista petaurista were observed to forage on flowers at high frequency. Squirrels and flying squirrels were observed to take away the corolla from the twig, to hold by hands to eat it. Pollen was observed to be attached to the fingers and the fur around the mouth. Although pollen transfer from the tree to the other tree was not confirmed, the behavior of squirrels and flyingsquirrels could act as pollinators.