Floral adaptation to local pollinator guilds in a terrestrial orchid.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

Studies of local floral adaptation in response to geographically divergent pollinators are essential for understanding floral evolution. This study investigated local pollinator adaptation and variation in floral traits in the rewarding orchid Gymnadenia odoratissima, which spans a large altitudinal gradient and thus may depend on different pollinator guilds along this gradient.

Methods

Pollinator communities were assessed and reciprocal transfer experiments were performed between lowland and mountain populations. Differences in floral traits were characterized by measuring floral morphology traits, scent composition, colour and nectar sugar content in lowland and mountain populations.

Key results

The composition of pollinator communities differed

SUBMITTER: Sun M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3890390 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature