34 research outputs found
Non-linear relationship between intensity of plant-animal interactions and selection strength
Greater pollination generalization is not associated with reduced constraints on corolla shape in Antillean plants
Floral antagonists counteract pollinator-mediated selection on attractiveness traits in the hummingbird-pollinated Collaea cipoensis
Selection by Pollinators on Floral Traits in Generalized Trollius ranunculoides (Ranunculaceae) along Altitudinal Gradients
The contribution of a pollinating seed predator to selection on Silene latifolia females.
Interactions, antagonistic or mutualistic, can exert selection on plant traits. We explored the role of Hadena bicruris, a pollinating seed predator, as a selective agent on its host, the dioecious plant Silene latifolia. We exposed females from artificial-selection lines (many, small flowers (SF) vs. few, large flowers (LF)) to this moth. Infestation did not differ significantly between lines, but the odds of attacked fruits aborting were higher in SF females. We partitioned selection between that caused by moth attack and that resulting from all other factors. In both lines, selection via moth attack for fewer, smaller flowers contrasted with selection via other factors for more flowers. In LF females, selection via the two components was strongest and selection via moth attack also favoured increased fruit abortion. This suggests that the moths act as more of a selective force on flower size and number via their predating than their pollinating role