Selective pollination by fungus gnats potentially functions as an alternative reproductive isolation among five Arisaema species.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

Interspecific difference in pollinators (pollinator isolation) is important for reproductive isolation in flowering plants. Species-specific pollination by fungus gnats has been discovered in several plant taxa, suggesting that they can contribute to reproductive isolation. Nevertheless, their contribution has not been studied in detail, partly because they are too small for field observations during flower visitation. To quantify their flower visitation, we used the genus Arisaema (Araceae) because the pitcher-like spathe of Arisaema can trap all floral visitors.

Methods

We evaluated floral visitor assemblage in an altitudinal gradient including five Arisaema species. We also examined interspecific differences in altitudinal distribution (geographic isol

SUBMITTER: Matsumoto TK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8052922 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature