Abstract Detail

Reproductive Processes

Essenberg, Carla [1], Benson, Gabriel W. [2].

Informative floral reward cues: patterns of correlation between flower size and floral reward production.

Many plant species exhibit marked variability across flowers in the production of floral rewards such as nectar and pollen. In many cases, other floral traits, such as flower size or scent, are correlated with reward production and therefore provide information to pollinators about flower quality. The potential impacts of these reward cues on plant fitness are poorly understood and depend in part on the degree to which they provide information about within-plant versus between-plant variation in flower quality. Previous studies have usually not distinguished between within- and between-plant correlations or have measured only one or the other. We measured relationships between flower size and both pollen and nectar production in the ericaceous shrub Lyonia ligustrina (maleberry). Although pollen production was not significantly related to flower size, we found correlations between flower diameter and nectar production (volume and amount of sugar) both between and within plants. These plants, therefore, assist pollinators in discriminating between their own flowers as well as providing information about their quality in relation to other plants. Whether providing such information carries fitness costs or advantages remains uncertain; we hope to use this species to explore fitness implications of reward cues.

1 - Dept. Of Biology, 44 Campus Ave., Bates College, Lewiston, ME, 04240, United States
2 - Bates College, Department of Biology, 44 Campus Ave., Lewiston, Maine, 04240, United States

Keywords:
pollination
Floral traits
nectar
pollen
flower size
cues
information.

Presentation Type: Poster
Session: P, Reproductive Processes
Location: Grand Ballroom - Exhibit Hall/Mayo Civic Center
Date: Monday, July 23rd, 2018
Time: 5:30 PM This poster will be presented at 6:15 pm. The Poster Session runs from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm. Posters with odd poster numbers are presented at 5:30 pm, and posters with even poster numbers are presented at 6:15 pm.
Number: PRP016
Abstract ID:812
Candidate for Awards:None