Infrared radiation is an ancient pollination signal

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Valencia-Montoya, Wendy A.; Lienard, Marjorie A.; Rosser, Neil; Calonje, Michael; Salzman, Shayla; Tsai, Cheng-Chia; Yu, Nanfang; Carlson, John R.; Cogni, Rodrigo; Pierce, Naomi E.; Bellono, Nicholas W.
• 署名单位: Harvard University; Harvard University; Harvard University; University of Liege; University of Miami; University System of Georgia; University of Georgia; Columbia University; Yale University; Universidade de Sao Paulo
• 刊物名称: SCIENCE
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0036-8075; 1095-9203
• DOI: 10.1126/science.adz1728
• 发表日期: 2025-12-11
• 页码: 1164-1170
• 关键词: INSECT POLLINATION; CERATOZAMIA ZAMIACEAE; CONE THERMOGENESIS; HEAT-PRODUCTION; temperature; coleoptera; BEETLES; biology; REPRESENTATION; association

摘要

Color and scent are well-known pollinator cues. Some plants also produce heat, but its role remains unclear. Here, we report that plant-generated thermal infrared radiation serves as a pollination signal and describe the underlying mechanisms of heat production and infrared detection. Mitochondrial adaptations heat plant reproductive structures in a circadian pattern, radiating infrared that is sufficient to attract beetle pollinators. Beetle antennae contain infrared-activated neurons with thermosensitive ion channels that are structurally tuned to match host plant thermogenesis. Comparative analyses revealed that infrared is among the earliest pollination signals, and indicate a deep-time transition from infrared-based to color-dominated signaling in flowering plants. Our findings uncover an ancient sensory modality shaping the early evolution of pollination, one of the world's most vital processes linking plants and animals.