Notes on the microfaunal complement and pollination mechanisms of Poellnitzia rubriflora (Asphodelaceae: Alooideae): an example of mite-flower domatia association

The monotypic Poellnitzia Uitewaal is one of seven genera recognized in the subfamily Alooideae (Asphodelaceae). It is endemic to a small area in the Robertson Karoo, south-western Cape Province, South Africa. A synthesis of natural history observations, breeding experiments and all available information on, amongst others, inflorescence architecture, flower morphology, floral attractants and rewards and several floral inhabitants and visitors, suggest that a newly described species of mite, Adhaerenseius floralis Loots & Theron, and its phoretor(s) probably fulfil the role of pollination agents. It is also proposed that the connivent flowers of Poellnitzia serve as seasonal "acarodomatia" and that this association is comparable in scope to the widely recognized mite-leaf domatia associations.