Trochetia | |
---|---|
Trochetia blackburniana | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Malvales |
Family: | Malvaceae |
Genus: | Ruizia |
Subgenus: | Trochetia DC, 1823 |
Species | |
see below |
Trochetia is a subgenus of flowering plants, now placed in the genus Ruizia and the family Malvaceae (formerly in the Sterculiaceae, but genera now usually subsumed in the Dombeyoideae and other subfamilies). Species are endemic to the Mascarene Islands. The original genus was first described by A.P. de Candolle in 1823, who named it in honour of French botanist Henri Dutrochet.
The genus Trochetia consists of scrubs or small trees, which can reach a height from two to eight metres. The hermaphroditic flowers are either white (T. triflora), pink (T. parviflora), or reddish orange (T. boutoniana). They are either single-standing, or grow in a cluster of three flowers. Some species have bell-shaped petals. All plants of this genus are imperiled due to the competition of invasive species, like the guavas from China but also by destruction caused by introduced monkeys and rats. Five species occur on Mauritius and one on La Reunion. The habitat consists of humid forests with a high annual rainfall or mountainous slopes which are directed windwards.
Plants from the genus Trochetia belong to the few plants worldwide that can produce coloured nectar. Some scientists, like the Danish ecologist Jens Olesen assume that this could be linked to bird species which have pollinated this plants in the past and are extinct today. [1] However, recent research has demonstrated that not only do endemic Phelsuma geckos pollinate some of the species, but that they actually prefer coloured over clear nectar. Hence, the 'mystery of the Mauritian coloured nectar' can be considered at least partly solved now. Whether the nectar-feeding birds in Mauritius also react to the coloured nectar as a signal for floral reward remains to be seen. [2]
The main pollinators of today are the Mauritius olive white-eye (Zosterops chloronothos) and the Mauritius grey white-eye (Zosterops mauritianus), introduced honey bees, or geckos from the genus Phelsuma .
Recent research has shown that in the absence of the locally extinct Mauritius olive white-eye, Trochetia blackburniana's main pollinator in the area of Le Pétrin is the blue-tailed day gecko (Phelsuma cepediana). the pollination efficiency of these geckos depend on the proximity to dense patches of Pandanus , which are a favourite microhabitat for the geckos - possibly because the spiky leaves of Pandanus protect them from their main predator, the Mauritius kestrel (Falco punctatus). [2]
Some authorities have classified much more species but these are either in doubt or synonyms of other plants. The similar Atlantic genus Trochetiopsis was until 1981 included herein [3] but actually Helmiopsis might be a closer relative of Trochetia (as is also suggested by biogeography). [4] The formerly recognized species Trochetia richardii was reclassified as Helmiopsis richardii . Trochetia thouarsii was first synonymized with Trochetia pentaglossa and later reclassified as Nesogordonia thouarsii . Both plants are from Madagascar.
The following species were accepted:
The blue-tailed day gecko, also known commonly as Lacépède's gecko, is a diurnal species of gecko, a lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is endemic to the island Mauritius. It typically inhabits warm and humid places and dwells on different trees and bushes.
The Rodrigues giant day gecko is an extinct species of day gecko. It lived on the island of Rodrigues and surrounding islands and typically dwelt on trees. The Rodrigues giant day gecko fed on insects and nectar, and, unlike most other day geckos, was apparently nocturnal in habit.
The Round Island day gecko, also known commonly as Günther's gecko, is an endangered species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is endemic to the islet Round Island, Mauritius, and typically dwells on palm trees. The Round Island day gecko feeds on insects and nectar.
The Mauritius lowland forest day gecko, also known commonly as Guimbeau's day gecko and the orange-spotted day gecko, is a diurnal species of gecko, a lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is native to the western coast of Mauritius and typically inhabits large trees. The Mauritius lowland forest day gecko feeds on insects and nectar.
Mauritius ornate day gecko is a diurnal species of gecko. It occurs on the island of Mauritius and some surrounding islands and typically inhabits different trees and bushes. The Mauritius ornate day gecko feeds on insects and nectar.
The Mascarene Islands or Mascarenes or Mascarenhas Archipelago is a group of islands in the Indian Ocean east of Madagascar consisting of islands belonging to the Republic of Mauritius as well as the French department of La Réunion. Their name derives from the Portuguese navigator Pedro Mascarenhas, who first visited them in April 1512. The islands share a common geological origin beneath the Mascarene Plateau known as the Mauritia microcontinent which was a Precambrian microcontinent situated between India and Madagascar until their separation about 70 million years ago. They form a distinct ecoregion with unique biodiversity and endemism of flora and fauna.
Nesocodon is a monotypic genus of flowering plants within the family Campanulaceae. The sole species is Nesocodon mauritianus, formerly known as Wahlenbergia mauritiana, which is endemic to the island of Mauritius.
The Réunion grey white-eye is a small passerine from the family Zosteropidae, which is native to the islands of Réunion.
The Mauritian flying fox, also known as Greater Mascarene flying fox or Mauritius fruit bat is a large megabat species endemic to Mauritius and La Réunion.
The flowering plant genus Trochetiopsis consists of two extant and one extinct species endemic to the island of Saint Helena. They were formerly placed in the family Sterculiaceae, but this is included in the expanded Malvaceae in the APG and most subsequent systematics.
The wildlife of Mauritius consists of its flora and fauna. Mauritius is located in the Indian Ocean to the east of Madagascar. Due to its isolation, it has a relatively low diversity of wildlife; however, a high proportion of these are endemic species occurring nowhere else in the world. Many of these are now threatened with extinction because of human activities including habitat destruction and the introduction of non-native species. Some have already become extinct, most famously the dodo which disappeared in the 17th century.
Dombeyoideae is a widely distributed subfamily of the Malvaceae, as proposed by the APG. Most of the plants placed here were once assembled with more or less related genera in the paraphyletic Sterculiaceae; a lesser number were placed in the Tiliaceae which were also not monophyletic.
Ruizia parviflora is a very rare shrub from the family Malvaceae. It is endemic to Mauritius.
Roussea simplex is a woody climber of 4–6 m high, that is endemic to the mountain forest of Mauritius. It is the only species of the genus Roussea, which is assigned to the family Rousseaceae. It has opposing, entire, obovate, green leaves, with modest teeth towards the tip and mostly pentamerous, drooping flowers with yellowish recurved tepals, and a purse-shaped orange corolla with strongly recurved narrowly triangular lobes.
Pandanus iceryi ("Vacoas") is a species of plant in the family Pandanaceae. It is endemic to Mauritius.
Perrier Nature Reserve is a small nature reserve protecting indigenous plants and primary forest, in the central highlands of Mauritius. It is still closed to the public.
Ile aux Aigrettes is an islet off the south-east coast of Mauritius. It functions as a nature reserve and a scientific research station. It is also a popular visitors attraction—both for tourists and for Mauritians.
Guthriea capensis is an acaulescent perennial herb endemic to South Africa and occurring in cool and damp sites facing south or east in the mountains of the Cape Province, Lesotho and KwaZulu-Natal. Guthriea is monotypic and was named after the botanist and mathematician Francis Guthrie by his friend the botanist Harry Bolus.
Ebony Forest Reserve Chamarel or just the "Ebony Forest" is a registered Non-Profit organisation, registration number: NSIF/2024/0016 conserving Mauritian endemic species with a rehabilitated indigenous forest, situated in Chamarel, in the south-west of Mauritius.
Ruizia is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Malvaceae. It contains 13 species native mostly to the Mascarene Islands, and one species native to Madagascar.