Geographic patterns and pollination ecotypes in Claytonia virginica. (1st January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Parker, Alison J.; Williams, Neal M.; Thomson, James D.
• Is Part Of: Evolution. Volume 72:Number 1(2018)
• Page Start: 202
• Page End: 210
• Publication Date: 2018-01-01
• Subjects: Fly pollination -- native bees -- pollen depletion -- pollinator‐mediated selection -- pollen presentation; Evolution -- Periodicals; Heredity -- Periodicals; Évolution (Biologie) -- Périodiques; Hérédité -- Périodiques; 338.47004094
• DOI: 10.1111/evo.13381
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0014-3820

Abstract

Abstract: Geographical variation in pollinators visiting a plant can produce plant populations adapted to local pollinator environments. We documented two markedly different pollinator climates for the spring ephemeral wildflower Claytonia virginica : in more northern populations, the pollen‐specialist bee Andrena erigeniae dominated, but in more southern populations, A. erigeniae visited rarely and the bee‐fly Bombylius major dominated. Plants in the northern populations experienced faster pollen depletion than plants in southern populations. We also measured divergent pollen‐related plant traits; plants in northern populations produced relatively more pollen per flower and anther dehiscence was more staggered than plants in southern populations. These plant traits might function to increase pollen dispersal via the different pollen vectors.