The micropilar secretions of many gymnosperms are used to capture airborne pollen. However, in the gnetophytes, the micropilar drop also serves as a "reward" for pollinators, a function similar to the floral nectar of angiosperms that shares a similar basic chemistry with micropilar drop. Research has shown that insects may have exerted selective pressure in changing the composition of the micropilar drop in those species with pollination mediated by both wind and insects. This result has important evolutionary implications.

For this line of research the MAEC Lab collaborates with: Center for Forest Biology, University of Victoria (Canada); Museum of the North and Department of Biology and Wildlife, University of Alaska Fairbanks (Alaska, USA).