Oil flowers and related oil-collecting bees: a 50-year timeline of knowledge and future directions

Fifty years have passed since the first descriptions of the floral oil syndrome by Stefan Vogel. Over those past decades, substantial knowledge was obtained mainly on the taxonomic distribution, morphologies and phylogenetics involved in floral oil-mediated interactions. Many studies have also extended the understanding of several ecological and evolutionary aspects of these interactions over the last two decades, mainly in neotropical environments, where oil bee-oil flower interactions are more diverse and abundant. Although researchers worldwide have been inspired by Vogel's work, the Brazilian research on oil-collecting bees and oil-secreting plants has particularly played a crucial role for this expansion. Here, we review the findings on floral oil systems and organize them in an illustrative timeline, containing a representative picture of important studies since Vogel's first discoveries. We summarize not only the structural biology and taxonomic groups involved, but also the ecological, evolutionary and conservation aspects addressed to date. In addition, we indicate future directions for a broader understanding of these interactions.

Automated summary

Since the first descriptions of the floral oil syndrome by Stefan Vogel, substantial knowledge has been obtained on the taxonomic distribution, morphologies and phylogenetics involved in floral oil-mediated interactions. Brazilian research on oil-collecting bees and oil-secreting plants has played a crucial role in this expansion. Future directions for a broader understanding of these interactions are also indicated.