Intraspecific variation in the petal epidermal cell morphology of Vicia faba L. (Fabaceae).

ABSTRACT: At a microscopic scale, the shape and fine cell relief of the petal epidermal cells of a flower play a key role in its interaction with pollinators. In particular, conical shaped petal epidermal cells have been shown to have an important function in providing grip on the surface of bee-pollinated flowers and can influence bee visitation rates. Previous studies have explored interspecific variation in this trait within genera and families, but naturally-occurring intraspecific variation has not yet been comprehensively studied. Here, we investigate petal epidermal cell morphology in 32 genotypes of the crop Vicia faba, which has a yield highly dependent on pollinators. We hypothesise that conical cells may have been lost in some genotypes as a consequence of selective sweeps or genet

SUBMITTER: Bailes EJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6039855 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature