Abstract Detail
Pollination Biology Smith-Huerta, Nancy L. [1], Huerta, Alfredo J. [1]. Flower color polymorphism has variable effects on pollen deposition but not seed set in natural populations of Clarkia tembloriensis (Onagraceae). Color patterns are known to influence bee visitation to flowers, and it is not unusual to observe flower petal color polymorphism in bee-pollinated plants. It is possible that certain flower petal color patterns in a polymorphic population could be visited preferentially by bees, resulting in differential pollen deposition and seed set between the flower color types. This study examined the effects of a petal spot polymorphism (presence or absence) on pollen grain deposition and seed set in three different natural populations of the California wildflower Clarkia tembloriensis. Frequency of the petal spot trait in the study populations was 60% in Panoche, 50% in Tumey, and 10% in Idria. Pollen deposition was significantly greater for spotted flowers in the Panoche and Tumey populations but not in the Idria population. This suggests that pollinators visited spotted flowers more frequently than unspotted flowers in the Panoche and Tumey populations. However these differences in pollen deposition did not lead to differences in seed set. Seed set was approximately 55 seeds/capsule regardless of presence/absence of petal spot or population. Male reproductive success (measured by pollen deposition on stigma) was strongly affected by flower color pattern in the Panoche and Tumey populations, while female reproductive success (measured by seed set) was not affected. These results are consistent with current perceptions of sexual selection which predict male reproductive success will be more strongly affected by access to mates than female reproductive success. Log in to add this item to your schedule
1 - Miami University, Department of Botany, Oxford, Ohio, 45056, USA
Keywords: Clarkia Floral color pollen deposition seed set sexual selection.
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: P75001 Abstract ID:954 |