Pollination ecology of a pioneer species:: Musa itinerans (Musaceae) in Xishuangbanna, South Yunnan, China

Pollination ecology of Musa itinerans Cheesman (Musaceae), a pioneer species in the tropical min forest, was explored in Xishuangbanna, South Yunnan, China. This research involved flowering phenology, nectar production, visitation patterns of pollinators and bagging experiments. It was found that (1) flowering of M. itinerans occurred a whole year round with a peak at the early dry season (Nov.) and the daily flowering pattern had two obvious peaks in the early morning and in the late evening, respectively; (2) nectar production occurred at two obvious peaks, during the day and in the night-time (from 8 am to 12 pm, and from 8 pm to 12 am, respectively), which allowed the two different foragers to visit at specific times; and (3) long-tongue fruit bats (Macroglossus sobrinus) and sunbirds ( Arachnothera longirostris) were both effective pollinators of Musa itinerans.