Modelling sexually deceptive orchid species distributions under future climates: the importance of plant-pollinator interactions.

ABSTRACT: Biotic interactions play an important role in species distribution models, whose ignorance may cause an overestimation of species' potential distributions. Species of the family Orchidaceae are almost totally dependent on mycorrhizal symbionts and pollinators, with sexually deceptive orchids being often highly specialized, and thus the interactions with their pollinators are expected to strongly affect distribution predictions. We used Maxent algorithm to explore the extent of current and future habitat suitability for two Greek endemic sexually deceptive orchids (Ophrys argolica and Ophrys delphinensis) in relation to the potential distribution of their unique pollinator (Anthophora plagiata). Twelve climate change scenarios were used to predict future distributions. Results indicated tha

SUBMITTER: Tsiftsis S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7327032 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature