The roles of lizards in New Zealand plant reproductive strategies

Abstract

Geckos in the genus Hoplodactylus regularly visit flowers to feed on nectar. They collect considerable amounts of pollen, mostly on their throats, from species such as Metrosideros excelsa and Phormium tenax. This pollen can be carried for many metres and for up to at least 12 hours, and there is thus the opportunity for lizards to transfer it to a conspecific plant to effect cross-pollination.

Geckos in the genus Hoplodactylus and skinks in the genera Leiolopisma and Cyclodina all include considerable quantities of fleshy fruit in their diet during summer. Fruits most commonly consumed are in the genera Coprosma, Gaultheria, Hymenanthera, Macropiper, and Muehlenbeckia. Seeds pass through the gut undamaged and germination trials showed that at least some are viable. Because of the size, colour, and positioning of the fruit it appears that some divaricating shrubs (e.g., Coprosma, Hymenanthera) or vines (e.g., Muehlenbeckia) may be specifically adapted to seed dispersal by lizards.

Keywords:

• pollination
• seed dispersal
• nectarivory
• frugivory
• lizard
• gecko
• skink