| dc.description.abstract |
<p>The genus Anthurium represents one of the largest genera restricted to the neotropics
and has long been recognized as one of the "megagenera" of flowering plants, in addition
to claiming the bulk of diversity (~25%) in its family, the Araceae. Despite this
vast and beguiling array of morphologic diversity, observations on the biotic interactions
that Anthurium participate with other living organisms in are scant. Although these
types of observations help establish foundational knowledge on the natural history
of organisms and are well-known from other large clades of neotropical herbs (i.e.,
orchids), the few observations that have been made for Anthurium are scattered throughout
the literature, and no attempt has been made to synthesize this information. Primary
literature documents were procured largely through the Duke Univeristy Library system.
A total of 316 discrete biotic interactions are referenced here, 22 of which are evidenced
here as new. Previously considered to be pollinated primarily by euglossine bees (Dressler
1968, Williams & Dressler 1976; Croat 1980), this review evidences a diverse assemblage
of biotic interactors that complements the taxonomic, morphologic, and ecologic diversity
of Anthurium. It is hoped that this information can provide a starting point for current
and future researchers to springboard from as they continue to demystify the evolutionary
forces that facilitated the diversification of this understudied megagenus</p>
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