title: Fragrance chemistry and pollinator affinities in Nyctaginaceae.
abstract: We present results of dynamic head-space collections and GC-MS analyses of floral and vegetative fragrances for 20 species in three genera of Nyctaginaceae: Acleisanthes, Mirabilis and Selinocarpus. Most of the species included in this study are either hawkmoth or noctuid moth-pollinated. A wide variety of compounds were observed, including mono- and sesquiterpenoids, aromatics (both benzenoids and phenylpropanoids), aliphatic compounds, lactones, and nitrogen-bearing compounds. Intraspecific variation in fragrance profiles was significantly lower than interspecific variation. Each species had a unique blend of volatiles, and the fragrance of many species contained species-specific compounds. The fragrance profiles presented here are generally consistent with previous studies of fragrance in a variety of moth-pollinated angiosperms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson AZ 85721, USA. rlevin@lms.si.edu
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Levin
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Raguso
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: McDade
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019684:Magnoliopsida / Q000737:chemistry*; D009036:Moths / Q000502:physiology*; D009812:Odorants; D011058:Pollen; D013045:Species Specificity