| Abstract Detail
Pollination Biology Anton, Kristin [1], Cruzan, Mitchell, B [2], Rhode, Jennifer [3]. Floral Morphological Variation Affects Pollen Deposition in the Piriqueta caroliniana Complex. Pollinator choice can affect mating patterns and gene flow within and among plant populations, and these plant/animal interactions may result in selection on floral morphology. While there have been several studies on flowers with more specialized pollination systems, we know very little about the effects of variation in floral characters on pollinator behavior in plants with generalist floral morphologies. In this study we investigate the effects of flower size, symmetry, and shape on pollinator behavior and the stigma pollen load size in the Piriqueta caroliniana hybrid complex at field sites in Florida. The range of diversity observed in the floral morphology of parental and hybrid genotypes in this complex provides an excellent opportunity for investigating the reproductive consequences of transgressive floral traits in an obligate outcrossing species. We used a combination of digital image analysis, field observations, counts of pollen loads and seed production to quantify the relationships among floral morphology and visitation on reproductive success. Analysis of P. caroliniana plants grown in both greenhouse and field gardens show significant differences in floral morphology among individual genotypes (P < 0.05 for differences in round vs. separated petals, size, and symmetry). Common garden studies performed in July 2004 and July 2006 demonstrate that Piriqueta’s suite of nectar-collecting pollinators make morphological discriminations among flowers, preferring to visit those that are larger and/or more symmetrical (P < 0.05) and flowers with less petal separation (P < 0.001). Observations of floral pollinators are being quantified to further study the relationship between pollinator efficiency, visitation, pollen load size, and fruit/seed production.
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Related Links:
Cruzan Lab Portland State University Homepage
1 - Portland State University, Biology, PO Box 751, Portland, OR, 97207, USA
2 - Portland State University, Biology, P.O. Box 751, Portland, OR, 97207, USA
3 - 107 Pa Johns Road #215, Milledgeville, Georgia, 31061, USA
Keywords:
hybridization
floral morphology
pollen deposition
reproductive success
hybrid zones
Piriqueta caroliniana
Turneraceae
transgressive traits.
Presentation Type: Poster:Posters for Topics
Session: P
Location: Exhibit Hall (Northeast, Southwest & Southeast)/Hilton
Date: Sunday, July 8th, 2007
Time: 8:00 AM
Number: P75003
Abstract ID:979 |
