Divergence in floral scent and morphology, but not thermogenic traits, associated with pollinator shift in two brood-site-mimicking Typhonium (Araceae) species.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Flowers which imitate insect oviposition sites probably represent the most widespread form of floral mimicry, exhibit the most diverse floral signals and are visited by two of the most speciose and advanced taxa of insect - beetles and flies. Detailed comparative studies on brood-site mimics pollinated exclusively by each of these insect orders are lacking, limiting our understanding of floral trait adaptation to different pollinator groups in these deceptive systems.

Methods

Two closely related and apparent brood-site mimics, Typhonium angustilobum and T. wilbertii (Araceae) observed to trap these distinct beetle and fly pollinator groups were used to investigate potential divergence in floral signals and traits most likely to occur under pollinator-mediated sele

SUBMITTER: Sayers TDJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8389470 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature