Pollinator preference and pollen viability mediated by flower color synergistically determine seed set in an Alpine annual herb.

ABSTRACT: Gentiana leucomelaena manifests dramatic flower color polymorphism, with both blue- and white-flowered individuals (pollinated by flies and bees) both within a population and on an individual plant. Previous studies of this species have shown that pollinator preference and flower temperature change as a function of flower color throughout the flowering season. However, few if any studies have explored the effects of flower color on both pollen viability (mediated by anther temperature) and pollinator preference on reproductive success (seed set) in a population or on individual plants over the course of the entire flowering season. Based on prior observations, we hypothesized that flower color affects both pollen viability (as a function of anther temperature) and pollen deposition

SUBMITTER: Mu J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5415513 | biostudies-literature | 2017 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature