Pollinator, herbivore, and climatic selective pressures differ across a floral color transition zone.

ABSTRACT:

Premise

Spatial and temporal variations in climate and ecological interactions may underlie the origin and maintenance of floral color polymorphisms across a species range. Betalains are nitrogen-containing, phylogenetically restricted pigments that, like the widespread and well-studied anthocyanins and carotenoids, may attract pollinators, deter herbivores, and protect against abiotic stress.

Methods

We investigated which selection pressures underlie betalain pigmentation variation in Abronia fragrans, a wildflower polymorphic in floral color across its range.

Results

While most populations produced white flowers, some in the south-central United States bore pink flowers with reduced floral display, suggesting a trade-off between pigment production and reproductive i

SUBMITTER: Jaeger SL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12816444 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature