Reproductive ecology of two pioneer legumes in a coastal plain degraded by sand mining

ABSTRACT The present study evaluates and compares the phenology, pollination biology and breeding systems of Chamaecrista desvauxii (Collad.) Killip.and Clitoria laurifolia Poir. in a coastal plain degraded by sand mining in São Paulo State, Brazil, from January 2006 to May 2008. Flowering and fruiting events occurred in the warm and rainy season. Both species are self-compatible but only C. desvauxii was pollinator-dependent to set fruits. A small group of bees, comprising Eufrisea sp., Eulaema (Apeulaema) cingulata and Bombus morio, accessed the male and female floral structures and moved among individuals resulting in cross-pollinations. However, only B. morio was a frequent visitor and an effective pollinator. Although recruitment and survival of population in the study area are high for both species, we observed lower abundance and richness of visitors suggesting the possible lack of pollinators and pollen limitation.