Is floral diversification associated with pollinator divergence? Flower shape, flower colour and pollinator preference in Chilean Mimulus.
Ann Bot
; 101(5): 641-50, 2008 Apr.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-18272528
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Adaptation to different pollinators is thought to drive divergence in flower colour and morphology, and may lead to interspecific reproductive isolation. Floral diversity was tested for association with divergent pollinator preferences in a group of four closely related wildflower species: the yellow-flowered Mimulus luteus var. luteus and the red-pigmented M. l. variegatus, M. naiandinus and M. cupreus. METHODS: Patterns of pollinator visitation were evaluated in natural plant populations in central Chile, including both single-species and mixed-species sites. Floral anthocyanin pigments were identified, and floral morphology and nectar variation were quantified in a common garden experiment using seeds collected from the study sites. KEY RESULTS: Mimulus l. luteus, M. l. variegatus and M. naiandinus are morphologically similar and share a single generalist bumblebee pollinator, Bombus dahlbomii. Mimulus cupreus differs significantly from the first three taxa in corolla shape as well as nectar characteristics, and had far fewer pollinator visits. CONCLUSIONS: This system shows limited potential for pollinator-mediated restriction of gene flow as a function of flower colour, and no evidence of transition to a novel pollinator. Mimulus cupreus may experience reduced interspecific gene flow due to a lack of bumblebee visitation, but not because of its red pigmentation: rare yellow morphs are equally undervisited by pollinators. Overall, the results suggest that factors other than pollinator shifts may contribute to the maintenance of floral diversity in these Chilean Mimulus species.
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Color
/
Mimulus
/
Flores
/
Polinización
/
Insectos
Tipo de estudio:
Prognostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Aspecto:
Patient_preference
Límite:
Animals
País/Región como asunto:
America do sul
/
Chile
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Ann Bot
Año:
2008
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Estados Unidos
Pais de publicación:
Reino Unido