Structural anther mimics improve reproductive success through dishonest signaling that enhances both attraction and the morphological fit of pollinators with flowers

Structural anther mimics improve reproductive success through dishonest signaling that enhances both attraction and the morphological fit of pollinators with flowers

Numerous studies have identified traits associated with anther mimicry; however, the processes underlying floral deception remain poorly documented for these structures. We studied the importance of pollinator attraction and mechanical fit of anther mimics in Tritonia laxifolia (Iridaceae) and their...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Evolution Vol. 76; no. 8; pp. 1749 - 1761
Main Authors: Newman, Ethan L., Khoury, Katharine L., Niekerk, Sandy E. van, Peter, Craig I.
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: United States Oxford University Press 01-08-2022
Subjects:
Absorbents
Animal reproduction
Animals
Attraction
Bees
Breeding success
Color perception
Flowers
Flowers - anatomy & histology
Mimicry
morphological fit
Plants
Pollen
pollen deposition
pollen mimicry
pollen‐collecting behavior
Pollination
Pollinators
preferences
Reproduction
Seed set
Success
Tritonia laxifolia
preferences
pollen deposition
pollen-collecting behavior
seed set
morphological fit
pollen mimicry
Tritonia laxifolia
Color perception
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Summary:Numerous studies have identified traits associated with anther mimicry; however, the processes underlying floral deception remain poorly documented for these structures. We studied the importance of pollinator attraction and mechanical fit of anther mimics in Tritonia laxifolia (Iridaceae) and their relative contributions to reproductive success. To determine anther mimics role in attraction, we offered bees’ binary choices to flowers painted with UV‐absorbent and UV‐reflecting paints. We also conducted preference experiments between flowers with excised anther mimics and unmanipulated controls, from which mechanical fit was assessed by allowing single visits. Anther mimics’ effects on female reproductive success were determined using similar treatments, but on rooted plants. Bees preferred UV‐absorbent over UV‐reflecting anther mimics. Bees did not discriminate between flowers with and without three‐dimensional anther mimics. Single visits resulted in more pollen deposition on unmanipulated controls over flowers with their anther mimics excised, which was directly linked to pollen‐collecting behavior. Controls with unmanipulated anther mimics had higher seed set than those with their anther mimics excised. This study provides insights into pollinator‐mediated selection on deceptive floral signals and shows that three‐dimensional anther mimics increases reproductive success through both attraction and pollen‐collecting behaviors.
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ISSN:0014-3820
1558-5646
DOI:10.1111/evo.14540