Intraflower variation in nectar secretion: Secretion patterns and pollinator behavior in male- and female-phase flowers
| Autor: | Yutaka Matsubara, Tomoyuki Itagaki, Ando Misaki, Satoki Sakai |
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| Rok vydání: | 2018 |
| Předmět: |
0106 biological sciences
Plant Nectar Pollination Flowers Plant Science medicine.disease_cause 010603 evolutionary biology 01 natural sciences Geitonogamy Japan Pollinator Pollen Genetics medicine Animals Nectar Ecology Evolution Behavior and Systematics Bumblebee biology Reproduction Aquilegia food and beverages Nectar secretion Feeding Behavior Bees biology.organism_classification Horticulture Inflorescence 010606 plant biology & botany |
| Zdroj: | American Journal of Botany. 105:842-850 |
| ISSN: | 0002-9122 |
| DOI: | 10.1002/ajb2.1099 |
| Popis: | PREMISE OF THE STUDY Plants that secrete abundant nectar attract many pollinator visits, potentially leading to a high frequency of geitonogamous pollination. However, intraflower variation in nectar volume might enhance early departure from the flower or inflorescence, reducing geitonogamy. To examine the adaptive significance of multiple nectar-producing spurs within flowers, we related intraflower variation in nectar characteristics to pollinator foraging behavior and plant reproductive success in protandrous Aquilegia buergeriana var. oxysepala. METHODS We investigated if nectar volume and sugar mass relate to spur length and if intraflower variation in nectar characteristics differ between male- and female-phase flowers. Because male function requires more pollinator visits than female function, male-phase flowers are expected to have greater nectar volume and lower intraflower variation in nectar volume than female-phase flowers. We used intraflower variation in spur length as an indicator of variation in nectar characteristics and investigated how spur length variation affects pollinator behavior, pollen removal, and seed production. KEY RESULTS Male-phase flowers had greater nectar volume and lower intraflower variation in nectar volume than female-phase flowers. Intraflower variation in spur length reduced the duration of bumblebee visits. Short visits reduced seed production, but increased pollen removal. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that high intraflower variation in nectar production rate can reduce geitonogamy and potentially increase the genetic diversity of pollen received. Such pattern of nectar secretion within and among flowers may allow flowers to ensure effective pollen transfer or high seed production. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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