PRODUCTION AND COST OF FRUITS AND SEEDS A MONG POLLINATION TYPES IN 232 SPECIES OF TROPICAL PLANTS

The levels of seeds set and of aborted seeds, ovules and flowers-fruit s were determined in 232 Venezuelan plant species, and compared with t ype of pollination. Flower-fruit abortion was similar among pollinatio n modes, but ovule abortion and seeds set were significantly different among pollination modes. The lowest levels of aborted ovules and the highest levels of seeds set occured in wind-, butterfly-, and beetle-p ollination. The number of seeds per fruit was lower in wind-, butterfl y-, and beetle-pollinated plants compared with bat-pollinated plants. Fruit and flower weight were significantly higher in bat-pollinated sp ecies than in the other pollination modes. These results are interpret ed on the basis of the biomass assigned to flowers, fruits, and seeds, as well as particular characteristics of the pollination modes.