It is known that floral scents attract pollinator service for plants, and differences in floral fragrances are thought to be related to pollinator type. We have examined the relationship between floral fragrance and hawkmoth-pollination within a phylogenetic context. The genera Selinocarpus, Acleisanthes, and Mirabilis (Nyctaginaceae) are predominantly hawkmoth-pollinated. Through headspace floral scent collections and GC-MS analysis we found that these species have complex floral fragrance profiles. Interestingly, the fragrance composition appears strongly associated with phylogenetic relationship. This suggests that hawkmoths are attracted to a variety of floral volatiles, and as a result may constrain the evolution of floral fragrance less than has been previously thought.

Key words: floral scent, hawkmoth-pollination, Nyctaginaceae, phylogeny