Biologists have discovered a previously unknown flower species in Greece with a unique “deceptive” pollination strategy.
According to a description published in the journal Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution on May 21, the newly identified plant, named Aristolochia microstoma, has undergone millions of years of evolution to develop flowers that emit a foul odor reminiscent of decaying insect carcasses to attract a specific fly species known scientifically as Megaselia scalaris, or the coffin fly, which lays its eggs inside dead insects to ensure the larvae have a plentiful food supply.
Specimen of Aristolochia microstoma discovered in Greece. (Photo: T. Rupp/B. Oelschlägel/K. Rabitsch).
However, A. microstoma is not a carnivorous plant; rather, it lures female flies for the purpose of pollination.
“Our discovery represents the first known case of a flower capable of deceiving pollinating animals by mimicking the scent of dead insects,” emphasized Professor Stefan Dötterl from the Paris Lodron University of Salzburg, the lead author of the study.
In nature, only 4-6% of plants can mimic the scent or shape of other species to attract pollinators, many of which belong to the genus Aristolochia.
“Aristolochia is a large group of plants containing over 550 species worldwide, most commonly found in tropical and subtropical regions,” added Professor Christoph Neinhuis from the Botanical Garden of the Dresden University of Technology in Germany, a co-author of the study.
A detailed analysis of the volatile compounds in A. microstoma flowers revealed that it contains 16 volatile substances, including several nitrogen and sulfur-containing molecules, oligosulfides, and notably, alkylpyrazines, compounds rarely produced by flowering plants. Scientists also identified the presence of 2,5-dimethylpyrazine, a compound with a fragrance reminiscent of rice or roasted peanuts.
Previous studies suggested that A. microstoma was pollinated by insects living on leaves, such as ants. The new findings indicate that this is incorrect; instead, the primary pollinator is the coffin fly Megaselia scalaris.
