Geographic consistency and variation in conflicting selection generated by pollinators and seed predators.

ABSTRACT:

Backgrounds and aims

Floral traits that attract pollinators may also attract seed predators, which, in turn, may generate conflicting natural selection on such traits. Although such selection trade-offs are expected to vary geographically, few studies have investigated selection mediated by pollinators and seed predators across a geographic mosaic of environments and floral variation.

Methods

Floral traits were investigated in 14 populations of the bumble-bee-pollinated herb, Pedicularis rex, in which tubular flowers are subtended by cupular bracts holding rain water. To study potentially conflicting selection on floral traits generated by pollinators and florivores, stigmatic pollen loads, initial seed set, pre-dispersal seed predation and final viable seed production were

SUBMITTER: Sun SG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4970362 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature