POLLINATION OF ENDANGERED CUBAN CYCAD MICROCYCAS-CALOCOMA (MIQ) A-DC

Observations indicate that natural regeneration in the field of the cy cad Microcycas calocoma (Miq.) A.DC. is extremely low, and has been so since early this century. It appears that populations of its insect p ollinator are practically extinct, but some pollinator activity appear s to be present in the largest population of Microcycas. Recommendatio ns for identification and captive breeding of the pollinator are sugge sted as a complementary conservation strategy to a Microcycas propagat ion programme already established at the Cuban National Botanical Gard en. (C) 1997 The Linnean Society of London.