Biomaterial Database

Spectral analysis of flowers used by nectar-feeding birds in an urban area in Southeastern Brazil. 2010

M C B Toledo, and R J Donatelli

Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de Taubaté – UNITAU, Av. Tiradentes, 500, CEP 12010-180, Taubaté, SP, Brazil. cecilia@unitau.br

The objective of this study was to determine the spectral characteristic of nectar-producing flowers visited by nectarivorous birds in urban areas. This study was carried out in the central area of the city of Taubaté, in the northeast of the State of São Paulo. The sample areas included green areas, such as squares and parks, and the vegetation of streets and avenues. Twelve plant species were recorded with flowers visited by five nectar-feeding birds. The most visited flower species were those that reflected in long wavelengths (>600 nm). The study discussed the birds' detection capability due to the tetrachromatic vision of nectar-feeding birds and the conspicuity of flowers in urban environments. Finally, the study assessed the scarcity of plants attractive to nectar-feeding birds and the need for a management strategy to favour these species and biodiversity in urban areas.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D001938	Brazil	A country located on the eastern coast of South America, located between Colombia and Peru, that borders the Atlantic Ocean. It is bordered on the north by Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana, on the south by Uruguay, and on the west by Argentina. The capital is Brasilia.
D003116	Color	The visually perceived property of objects created by absorption or reflection of specific wavelengths of light.	Colors
D005247	Feeding Behavior	Behavioral responses or sequences associated with eating including modes of feeding, rhythmic patterns of eating, and time intervals.	Dietary Habits,Eating Behavior,Faith-based Dietary Restrictions,Feeding Patterns,Feeding-Related Behavior,Food Habits,Diet Habits,Eating Habits,Behavior, Eating,Behavior, Feeding,Behavior, Feeding-Related,Behaviors, Eating,Behaviors, Feeding,Behaviors, Feeding-Related,Diet Habit,Dietary Habit,Dietary Restriction, Faith-based,Dietary Restrictions, Faith-based,Eating Behaviors,Eating Habit,Faith based Dietary Restrictions,Faith-based Dietary Restriction,Feeding Behaviors,Feeding Pattern,Feeding Related Behavior,Feeding-Related Behaviors,Food Habit,Habit, Diet,Habit, Dietary,Habit, Eating,Habit, Food,Habits, Diet,Pattern, Feeding,Patterns, Feeding,Restrictions, Faith-based Dietary
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D001717	Birds	Warm-blooded VERTEBRATES possessing FEATHERS and belonging to the class Aves.	Aves,Bird
D014505	Urban Population	The inhabitants of a city or town, including metropolitan areas and suburban areas.	Urban Residence,Urban Spatial Distribution,Distribution, Urban Spatial,Distributions, Urban Spatial,Population, Urban,Populations, Urban,Residence, Urban,Urban Populations,Urban Residences,Urban Spatial Distributions
D057048	Plant Nectar	Sugar-rich liquid produced in plant glands called nectaries. It is either produced in flowers or other plant structures (extrafloral nectaries), providing a source of attraction for pollinating insects and animals, as well as being a nutrient source to animal mutualists which provide protection of plants against herbivores.	Extrafloral Nectar,Nectar,Nectar, Extrafloral,Nectar, Plant
D035264	Flowers	The reproductive organs of plants.	Blooms, Plant,Blossoms,Pistil,Plant Style,Anther, Plant,Carpal, Plant,Carpals, Plant,Filament, Flower,Flower Filament,Ovary, Plant,Petals, Plant,Plant Anther,Plant Calyx,Plant Carpals,Plant Corolla,Plant Ovary,Plant Petals,Plant Sepals,Plant Stamen,Plant Stigma,Sepals, Plant,Stamen, Plant,Stigma, Plant,Style, Plant,Anthers, Plant,Bloom, Plant,Blossom,Calyx, Plant,Calyxs, Plant,Corolla, Plant,Corollas, Plant,Filaments, Flower,Flower,Flower Filaments,Ovaries, Plant,Petal, Plant,Pistils,Plant Anthers,Plant Bloom,Plant Blooms,Plant Calyxs,Plant Carpal,Plant Corollas,Plant Ovaries,Plant Petal,Plant Sepal,Plant Stamens,Plant Stigmas,Plant Styles,Sepal, Plant,Stamens, Plant,Stigmas, Plant,Styles, Plant