REPRODUCTIVE-BIOLOGY OF COCCOLOBA-UVIFERA (POLYGONACEAE) A POLYGAMOUS-DIOECIOUS SPECIES

The reproductive biology of Coccoloba uvifera (L.) Jacq. (Polygonaceae ) was studied in the Venezuelan coastal zone. Morphological and experi mental analysis of floral traits indicated that C. uvifera had two flo wer types, based on stamens and pistil size. C. uvifera is polygamous - dioecious (monoecious, female and male individuals) at population le vel. Experimentally monoecious individuals were self - compatible, and a low proportion of fruit and seeds were produced by self - pollinati on. The number of flowers per inflorescence, fruits per infrutescence and fruit weight were higher in dioecious than in monoecious individua ls. Pollination was done small insects, mainly hymenopterans. The poll ination system is generalist according to insect visitation, frecuency , pollen load and site of pollen transportation. Fruit are dispersed b y bats. Apparently, the polygamous - dioecious condition in C. uvifera originated in a hermaphrodite ancestor and monoecism is an a intermed iate condition.