Pera glabrata is a widely distributed tree in Brazil. The plant species is important for conservation and restoration of degraded areas due its presence in impacted environments. Besides, the production and the dispersion of large quantities of seeds, provide food supply for many species of animals. Despite its phytosociological importance, there are no studies addressing its reproductive ecology. The objectives of this study are to characterize the reproductive phenology, floral morphology, breeding system and pollination and seed dispersal of the species. The study was conducted in an area of cerrado in São Carlos (SP). It was found that Pera glabrata is dioecious, showing massive flowering and the flowers of both sexes are small, involuted, yellow and with diurnal anthesis. The male flowers provide nectar, and emit a sweet odor, while the female ones do not offer visible reward to visitors. The flowers were visited by 32 small species of Diptera and Hymenoptera. Fruits and seeds were developed through autogamy. Twenty-five bird species visited individuals bearing ripe fruits, and 16 species ingested arilate seeds. In conclusion, Pera glabrata is an autogamous species, with several small insects pollination system and ornithocoric dispersal of its seeds.
Reproduction; Pollination; Seed dispersal
