Extreme divergence in floral scent among woodland star species (Lithophragma spp.) pollinated by floral parasites.

ABSTRACT:

Backgrounds and aims

A current challenge in coevolutionary biology is to understand how suites of traits vary as coevolving lineages diverge. Floral scent is often a complex, variable trait that attracts a suite of generalized pollinators, but may be highly specific in plants specialized on attracting coevolved pollinating floral parasites. In this study, floral scent variation was investigated in four species of woodland stars (Lithophragma spp.) that share the same major pollinator (the moth Greya politella, a floral parasite). Three specific hypotheses were tested: (1) sharing the same specific major pollinator favours conservation of floral scent among close relatives; (2) selection favours 'private channels' of rare compounds particularly aimed at the specialist pollinator; or

SUBMITTER: Friberg M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3605946 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature