利用昆虫携带的花粉初探西藏入侵植物印加孔雀草在当地传粉网络中的地位

入侵植物在新生境中成功定殖后, 通过利用当地传粉昆虫促进繁殖可以更好地保证种群的扩张, 但是入侵植物在当地传粉网络中的角色和地位仍不是很清楚。本文利用西藏近年发现的入侵植物印加孔雀草(Tagetes minuta), 分析其访花昆虫所携带的植物花粉种类, 构建了植物花粉-传粉者网络, 探讨印加孔雀草快速入侵和扩张的可能机制。结果表明印加孔雀草为泛化传粉系统, 共有13种昆虫访花, 其中12种携带有印加孔雀草花粉, 所有花粉中印加孔雀草花粉数量占比为89.89%。12种印加孔雀草传粉昆虫中, 4种泛化传粉昆虫(1种蜂、2种食蚜蝇和1种蝇)是其主要传粉昆虫。本研究揭示印加孔雀草在较短时间内已经成功利用多种当地泛化传粉昆虫为其授粉, 已顺利融入当地的传粉网络, 今后需要更加重视对印加孔雀草的防控。     

入侵植物黄花刺茄在新疆不同生境中的繁殖特性

外来植物的入侵与其繁殖特性密切相关,比较外来植物在不同生境中的繁殖特性将为揭示其入侵的最适生境及其入侵机制并制定合理的管理策略提供理论依据。黄花刺茄(Solanum rostratum)是一种原产新热带区和美国西南部、仅进行有性繁殖的一年生杂草,已在中国新疆等7个省/市成功入侵。本文对黄花刺茄在新疆绿洲、荒漠草原和砾质荒漠中的有性繁殖特性进行了研究,旨在比较该物种在不同生境中的繁殖能力,明确其在新疆入侵的最适生境。结果表明:(1)黄花刺茄单花开放持续时间为27–47 h。3种生境中植株每天开花时间和单花开放持续时间基本相同,但开花数/株表现为绿洲>荒漠草原>砾石荒漠,生境间存在极显著差异(P<0.01)。(2)3种生境中黄花刺茄的传粉昆虫均为四条隧蜂(Halictus quadricinctus)、隧蜂(Halictus sp.)和扁柄木蜂(Xylocopa latipes),且均为蜂振传粉。其中,扁柄木蜂的访花次数极少。(3)3种生境中传粉昆虫的总访花频率表现为绿洲>荒漠草原>砾石荒漠,彼此间均存在显著差异(P<0.05)。四条隧蜂喜好低温高湿环境,而隧蜂偏好高温低湿环境,四条隧蜂的日访花高峰期早于隧蜂。(4)3种生境中黄花刺茄的结实数/株、结籽数/果实、结籽数/株及种子千粒重表现为绿洲>荒漠草原>砾石荒漠,且结实数/株与开花数/株及传粉昆虫的总访花频率均呈极显著正相关,结籽数/果实和结籽数/株与总访花频率均呈显著正相关。这些结果说明:在新疆干旱区,绿洲是黄花刺茄入侵的最适生境。黄花刺茄在绿洲中可获得较多的资源,形成较多的花以吸引更多的传粉昆虫,并产生较多且千粒重较大的种子。     

菊科入侵植物三叶鬼针草的繁殖特征及其与入侵性的关系

三叶鬼针草(Bidens pilosa)是一种危害严重的菊科入侵植物。通过实验观察和人工控制套袋等方法, 对其花序开花动态、花粉胚珠比 (P/O)、自交亲和性、花粉活力、访花昆虫和种子 (瘦果)的萌发率等与繁殖相关的特征进行了研究, 探讨了这些繁殖特征与入侵性的关系。三叶鬼针草在10-11月开花, 单个花序的花期约为5-6天。每小花的花柱基部有圆筒状的蜜腺环绕。单个花序内可自交亲和, 自交结实率和花粉活力均较高, 其P/O值为1 7 54.1 2±29 .8 7。主要访花者为灰蝶科(Lycaenidae)、粉蝶科(Pieridae)和茧蜂科(Braconidae)昆虫。三叶鬼针草所具有的灵活交配机制是其入侵成功的重要因素。此外, 三叶鬼针草结实量大、种子产生迅速且适于传播, 以及种子萌发范围广和短期快速萌发等特性也增强了其入侵性。     

菊科入侵植物三叶鬼针草的繁殖特征及其与入侵性的关系

三叶鬼针草(Bidens pilosa)是一种危害严重的菊科入侵植物.通过实验观察和人工控制套袋等方法,对其花序开花动态、花粉胚珠比(P/O)、自交亲和性、花粉活力、访花昆虫和种子(瘦果)的萌发率等与繁殖相关的特征进行了研究,探讨了这些繁殖特征与入侵性的关系.三叶鬼针草在10-11月开花,单个花序的花期约为5-6天.每小花的花柱基部有圆筒状的蜜腺环绕.单个花序内可自交亲和,自交结实率和花粉活力均较高,其P/O值为1754.12士29.87.主要访花者为灰蝶科(Lycaenidae)、粉蝶科(Pjerjdae)和茧蜂科(Braconidae)昆虫.三叶鬼针草所具有的灵活交配机制是其入侵成功的重要因素.此外,三叶鬼针草结实量大、种子产生迅速且适于传播,以及种子萌发范围广和短期快速萌发等特性也增强了其入侵性.     

新疆党参的花部综合征与次级花粉呈现

次级花粉呈现是植物提高花粉输出和接受的效率与准确性以及促进异交的一种繁殖策略.新疆党参(Codonopsis clematidea)具有典型的次级花粉呈现特性.本文采用野外观测、授粉实验与室内显微观测等方法,对该物种的花部综合征及其次级花粉呈现过程进行了详细观测,并对这些特征的适应意义进行了探讨.结果表明:新疆党参钟状下垂的蓝色花冠及黑黄色蜜腺,不仅避免了雨水冲刷雌雄蕊、稀释花蜜以及风移出花粉等不利影响,还增加了对传粉者的吸引,延长了花粉活力及柱头可授性持续时间.次级花粉呈现属于亚顶端花柱呈现者,呈现机制为沉积机制.该特性限制了单个传粉者带走的花粉量,延长了花粉呈现时间,使更多传粉者参与传粉过程,增加了雄性适合度.其雄性先熟及雌雄蕊空间位置变化,避免了雌雄功能干扰,为传粉者取食花蜜、输出花粉以及柱头接受异源花粉提供了通道和机会.其泛化传粉系统的主要传粉昆虫为林野熊蜂(Bombus silvarum)、草地熊蜂(B.paradoxus)和树长黄胡蜂(Dolichovespula sylvestris),其较长的单花花期(6 d左右),昆虫访花高峰期与花粉活力最高时期及柱头最佳授粉期相吻合,以及较大的泌蜜量、较高的花蜜糖浓度和较长的泌蜜时间等特征,可提高传粉者的访花频率,增加成功传粉的机会和传粉效率.在气候多变的天山山区,该物种特殊的花部综合征和次级花粉呈现机制对提高其传粉效率并促进异交繁殖成功具有重要意义.     

牛耳朵传粉生物学研究

苦苣苔科(Gesneriaceae)报春苣苔属(Primulina Hance)是一个近年来备受关注的类群,其纷繁复杂的物种多样性和属下种间的特有分布引起了分类学家和植物学研究者的极大兴趣。该属除了极少数的物种如牛耳朵[(Primulina eburnea (Hance) Y. Z. Wang)]以外,绝大部分的物种为狭域分布或地方特有种,其分布范围很窄。为了揭示牛耳朵的传粉生物学和繁育系统对其生殖过程和拓殖能力的影响机制,作者系统地研究了牛耳朵的开花物候、花粉与柱头活性、访花昆虫的种类和访花行为、花粉胚珠比、OCI指数和套袋实验结实率,探究其传粉等生殖过程对牛耳朵的广布是否有正面影响。结果表明:牛耳朵的自然花期是3—5月,全花期约45 d,其中盛花期约20 d,单花期6～8 d;开花后1～2 d花粉活力最强,开花前柱头没有可授性;花粉胚珠比为537;杂交指数为5;去雌套袋、去雄套袋均无法结实,说明本种不存在无融合生殖;与自然授粉相比,自花授粉结实率略低,异花授粉结实率略高,说明自交亲和;牛耳朵的主要传粉者是花条蜂(Anthophora florea)和熊蜂(Bombus sp.)。花蜜产量较高、花粉量较大、花粉活力较强等特点,有利于牛耳朵完成传粉和结实的整个繁殖过程。因此,这一结果显然有利于牛耳朵的拓殖进而广布在我国华南至西南地区的喀斯特地区。     

牛耳朵传粉生物学研究

苦苣苔科(Gesneriaceae)报春苣苔属(Primulina Hance)是一个近年来备受关注的类群,其纷繁复杂的物种多样性和属下种间的特有分布引起了分类学家和植物学研究者的极大兴趣。该属除了极少数的物种如牛耳朵[(Primulina eburnea(Hance)Y. Z. Wang)]以外,绝大部分的物种为狭域分布或地方特有种,其分布范围很窄。为了揭示牛耳朵的传粉生物学和繁育系统对其生殖过程和拓殖能力的影响机制,作者系统地研究了牛耳朵的开花物候、花粉与柱头活性、访花昆虫的种类和访花行为、花粉胚珠比、OCI指数和套袋实验结实率,探究其传粉等生殖过程对牛耳朵的广布是否有正面影响。结果表明:牛耳朵的自然花期是3—5月,全花期约45 d,其中盛花期约20 d,单花期6～8 d; 开花后1～2 d花粉活力最强,开花前柱头没有可授性; 花粉胚珠比为537; 杂交指数为5; 去雌套袋、去雄套袋均无法结实,说明本种不存在无融合生殖; 与自然授粉相比,自花授粉结实率略低,异花授粉结实率略高,说明自交亲和; 牛耳朵的主要传粉者是花条蜂(Anthophora florea)和熊蜂(Bombus sp.)。花蜜产量较高、花粉量较大、花粉活力较强等特点,有利于牛耳朵完成传粉和结实的整个繁殖过程。因此,这一结果显然有利于牛耳朵的拓殖进而广布在我国华南至西南地区的喀斯特地区。     

青藏高原晚期开花植物线叶龙胆的传粉生态学

线叶龙胆(Gentiana lawrencei var. farreri)主要分布在青藏高原, 在晚秋和早冬开花。为了探明线叶龙胆繁育系统特点, 探讨其对环境的繁殖适应特征, 对其传粉生态学过程进行了连续3年的观察。线叶龙胆自然状态下的结籽率很低, 存在严重的花粉限制。雌雄异位和不完全雌雄异熟的花特征表明其结实必须依赖昆虫传粉。繁育系统实验表明, 部分套袋花也能结实, 这可能主要是由蓟马(Thripidae spp.)和蚂蚁(Formica spp.)等小昆虫协助自交所致。克什米尔熊蜂(Bombus kashmirensis)和苏氏熊蜂(B. sushikini)是线叶龙胆的有效传粉昆虫, 但其访花频率非常低, 分别为0.006和0.005 time·flower^-1·h^-1。线叶龙胆花持续期和柱头可授能力都长于其他已报道的龙胆类植物, 从而在温度低、传粉昆虫少的情况下提供了更多传粉机会。线叶龙胆同时具有协助自交和杂交的繁殖现象, 以及较长的花持续期和柱头持续能力, 这可能是其在青藏高原地区赖以存活和延续的一个重要原因。     

雄全异株植物瘿椒树(省沽油科)的传粉生物学

从开花动态、传粉昆虫、花的形态结构、繁育系统、花粉活力和柱头可授性等方面研究了我国特有珍稀植物瘿椒树(Tapiscia sinensis Oliv.)的传粉生物学特性。瘿椒树是典型的雄全异株植物,两性花中含有功能性花粉,且自交亲和,但雄花花粉活力和萌发力是两性花的10倍以上。雄株和两性植株具有相同开花物候期,花期均为5月下旬至6月上旬,单花期为4-5天,雄花和两性花的5枚花药开裂的不同步性明显延长了散粉时间。两性花雌蕊先熟,柱头可授性较长。具有适应风媒和虫媒传粉的花部特征。传粉昆虫主要为蜜蜂科(Apidae)和食蚜蝇科(Syrphidae)昆虫,访花高峰期为8:30-10:30。维持瘿椒树雄全异株的可能机制是:雄株总体上增加了异交花粉的数量和质量;两性花的雄蕊为该物种提供了繁殖保障,同时为传粉者提供了报酬。     

澜沧舞花姜繁殖生物学特性及其进化意义探讨

 舞花姜属（Globba）植物具有多样的繁殖策略。分布于西双版纳的澜沧舞花姜（Globba lancangensis）自然条件下既能结实,同时又能在花序下部产生珠芽。通过对澜沧舞花姜的花部性状、花粉活力、传粉昆虫的访花行为、结实状况、珠芽产量等多方面的观测,初步了解了澜沧舞花姜的繁殖生物学特性。结果表明,澜沧舞花姜具有雄花及两性花同株的性表达特征。雄花及两性花的花粉在中午12∶00以前活力很高,之后雄花的花粉活力急剧下降,而两性花的花粉到16∶00仍有萌发能力。澜沧舞花姜在花序上产生雄花及两性花,每个花序每天仅开少量的花,其中50%的时间仅开雄花或两性花,在整个种群中形成了一定程度的暂时性的雄花两性花异株现象,从而增加了异交的可能性。澜沧舞花姜雄花的存在为P/O低的两性花提供了花粉补贴,这使得它可以通过调节雄花与两性花比例来调节种群的P/O,从而保证一定的结实能力。人工自交与异交下结果率没有差异,但自交结实率显著低于异交结实率,表明澜沧舞花姜有明显的自交不亲和现象。排蜂（Megapis dorstata）和黄绿彩带蜂（Nomia strigata）是澜沧舞花姜的主要访花昆虫,其中排蜂是它的有效传粉昆虫。澜沧舞花姜可能通过雄花两性花同株与自交不亲和相结合来促进异交。     

Reproductive system and fitness of Vriesea friburgensis,a self‐sterile bromeliad species

Reproductive biology and plant fertility are directly related to many aspects of plant evolution and conservation biology. Vriesea friburgensis is an epiphytic and terrestrial bromeliad endemic to the Brazilian Atlantic rainforest. Hand‐pollination experiments were used to examine the reproductive system in a wild population of V. friburgensis. Plant fertility was assigned considering flower production, fruit and seed set, seed germination, and pollen viability. Self‐sterility observed from spontaneous selfing and manual self‐pollination treatments may be the consequence of late‐acting self‐incompatibility. Hand‐pollination results indicated no pollen limitation in the population studied. Floral biology features such as a few daily open flowers, nectar production, and sugar concentration corroborate hummingbirds as effective pollinators, although bees were also documented as pollinators. Components of fitness such as high flower, fruit, and seed production together with high seed and pollen viability indicate that this wild population is viable. From a conservation point of view, we highlight that this self‐sterile species depends on pollinator services to maintain its population fitness and viability through cross‐pollination. Currently, pollinators are not limited in this population of V. friburgensis. Conversely, the maintenance and continuous conservation of this community is essential for preserving this plant–pollinator mutualism.     

Intrinsic and extrinsic factors acting on the reproductive process in alpine‐snowbed plants: roles of phenology,biological interaction,and breeding system

Pollinator activity and competition for pollinators lead to quantitative and qualitative pollen limitations on seed production and affect the reproductive success of plant species, depending on their breeding system (e.g., self‐compatibility and heterospecific compatibility) and genetic load (e.g., inbreeding depression and hybrid inviability). In alpine ecosystems, snowmelt regimes determine the distribution and phenology of plant communities. Plant species growing widely along a snowmelt gradient often grow with different species among local populations. Their pollinators also vary in their abundance, activity, and behavior during the season. These variations may modify plant–pollinator and plant–plant interactions. We integrated a series of our studies on the alpine dwarf shrub, Phyllodoce aleutica (Ericaceae), to elucidate the full set of intrinsic (species‐specific breeding system) and extrinsic factors (snow condition, pollinator activity, and interspecific competition) acting on their reproductive process. Seasonality of pollinator activity led to quantitative pollen limitation in the early‐blooming populations, whereas in the late‐blooming populations, high pollinator activity ensured pollination service, but interspecific competition for pollinators led to qualitative and quantitative pollen limitation in less competitive species. However, negative effects of illegitimate pollen receipt on seed‐set success might be reduced when cryptic incompatibility systems (i.e., outcross pollen grains took priority over self‐ and heterospecific pollen grains) could effectively prevent ovule and seed discounting. Our studies highlight the importance of species‐specific responses of plant reproduction to changing pollinator availability along environmental gradients to understand the general features of pollination networks in alpine ecosystems.     

Pollination ecology in the narrow endemic winter-flowering Primula allionii (Primulaceae)

Reduction of pollen flow can affect plant abundance and population viability and cause selection on plant mating system and floral traits. Little is known on the effect of this phenomenon in species naturally restricted to small and isolated habitats, that may have developed strategies to cope with long-term isolation and small population size. We investigated the pollination ecology of the endemic distylous winter-flowering P. allionii to verify the possible limitation of female fitness due to reduced pollinator visits. We recorded a higher production of pollen grains in long-styled morph, and a higher seed set in short-styled morph. The high intra-morph variability of sexual organ position may explain the hybridization phenomena allowing and easier intra-morph pollination. The fruit set is constant, although its winter-flowering period might decrease pollen transfer. Nevertheless, the lower competition for pollinators with neighbouring plants and the long-lasting anthesis may offset its reproductive success. Even if our results show no evidence of imminent threats, changes in plant–pollinator interactions might increase inbreeding, resulting in an increased extinction risk.     

Reproductive traits associated with invasiveness in Conyza sumatrensis

Conyza sumatrensis (Retz.) E. Walker, a member of Asteraceae, is a highly invasive species. However, its reproduction biology remains poorly known. To understand the role of reproductive traits in successful invasion of the species, we studied several traits of its reproductive system: the miniature capitulum and gynomonoecious sexual system, the biology and phenology of capitula and florets, pollen/ovule ratio, the mating system (selfcompatibility), flower visitors, physical traits and dispersal potential of achenes, germination potential of achenes from manually pollinated capitula, and the association of these traits with invasiveness. Our study showed that the reproductive traits of autonomous seed production, versatile mating system of self- and cross-pollination, and generalized pollination system might contribute to the species' successful invasive capability. The invasiveness was further enhanced by the high and rapid production of achenes, as well as the high percentage, rapid germination rate and high dispersal capability of achenes. It was concluded that in annual or winter-annual weeds, autonomous seed production contributed significantly to the invasiveness of the species.     

Direct and indirect effects of pollinators and seed predators to selection on plant and floral traits

Although flowering traits are often assumed to be under strong selection by pollinators, significant variation in such traits remains the norm for most plant species. Thus, it is likely that the interactions among plants, mutualists, and other selective agents, such as antagonists, ultimately shape the evolution of floral and flowering traits. We examined the importance of pollination vs pre-dispersal seed predation to selection on plant and floral characters via female plant-reproductive success in Castilleja linariaefolia (Scrophulariaceae). C. linariaefolia is pollinated by hummingbirds and experiences high levels of pre-dispersal seed predation by plume moth and fly larvae in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, USA, where this work was conducted. We first examined whether female reproduction in C. linariaefolia was limited by pollination. Supplemental pollination only marginally increased components of female reproduction, likely because seed predation masked, in part, the beneficial effects of pollen addition. In unmanipulated populations, we measured calyx length, flower production, and plant height and used path analysis combined with structural equation modeling to quantify their importance to relative seed set through pathways involving pollination vs seed predation. We found that the strength of selection on calyx length, flower production, and plant height was greater for seed predation pathways than for pollination pathways, and one character, calyx length, experienced opposing selection via pollination vs seed predation. These results suggest that the remarkable intraspecific variation in plant and floral characters exhibited by some flowering plants is likely the result of selection driven, at least in part, by pollinators in concert with antagonists, such as pre-dispersal seed predators. This work highlights the subtle but complex interactions that shape floral and vegetative design in natural ecosystems.     

Reproductive success of Dactylorhiza incarnata ssp. incarnata (Orchidaceae): the effects of population size and plant visibility

Reproduction of plants pollinated solely by flower-visiting animals depends on the ability of the population and each of its flowering member to attract pollinators. Factors affecting the pollination of nectarless species differ somewhat from those affecting the pollination of rewarding species due to the avoidance behaviour of pollinators after visiting empty flowers.
We studied a non-mimic food-deceptive orchid, Dactylorhiza incarnata ssp. incarnata, in 16 populations in central Finland to examine if population properties and plant size affected reproductive success of plants.
We found that the number of flowering plants increased total pollinia removal and seed production of the population, but had no effect on reproduction of individual plants. Dactylorhiza incarnata occurred in open mires with virtually no rewarding species in the neighbourhood, but the distance from the forest edge did not have any effect on reproduction. However, increased variation in the number of flowers among within-population plants enhanced plant reproductive success. The increased variation probably hampered the learning process of flower visitors. Plant size affected reproductive success only in populations with a high general reproductive success indicating that in the rarely visited populations, pollination of individual plants is mainly affected by random effects.     

Shading by invasive shrub reduces seed production and pollinator services in a native herb

Plant invasions disrupt native plant reproduction directly via competition for light and other resources and indirectly via competition for pollination. Furthermore, shading by an invasive plant may reduce pollinator visitation and therefore reproduction in native plants. Our study quantifies and identifies mechanisms of these direct and indirect effects of an invasive shrub on pollination and reproductive success of a native herb. We measured pollinator visitation rate, pollen deposition, and female reproductive success in potted arrays of native Geranium maculatum in deciduous forest plots invaded by the non-native shrub Lonicera maackii and in two removal treatments: removal of aboveground L. maackii biomass and removal of flowers. We compared fruit and seed production between open-pollinated and pollen-supplemented plants to test for pollen and light limitation of reproduction. Plots with L. maackii had significantly lower light, pollinator visitation rate, and conspecific pollen deposition to G. maculatum than biomass removal plots. Lonicera maackii flower removal did not increase pollinator visitation or pollen deposition compared to unmanipulated invaded plots, refuting the hypothesis of competition for pollinators. Thus, pollinator-mediated impacts of invasive plants are not limited to periods of co-flowering or pollinator sharing between potential competitors. Geranium maculatum plants produced significantly fewer seeds in plots containing L. maackii than in plant removal plots. Seed set was similar between pollen-supplemented and open-pollinated plants, but pollen-supplemented plants exhibited higher seed set in plant removal plots compared to invaded plots. Therefore, we conclude that the mechanism of impact of L. maackii on G. maculatum reproduction was increased understory shade.     

Extremely reduced sexual reproduction in the clonal cactus Echinopsis thelegona

Sexual and asexual reproduction may occur simultaneously in some plant species. Under certain environmental conditions asexual reproduction is predominant, which generates ecological consequences on sexual fecundity. In this context, we studied the reproductive ecology of the creeping clonal cactus Echinopsis thelegona in La Bodega (Salta, Argentina), where low fruit and seed production was preliminarily observed. Specifically, we studied the flower availability, fruit and seed production, reproductive system, floral visitors and effects of neighbor ramets on reproductive success. The number of available flowers per day was low, and fruit production was low or null as well. Echinopsis thelegona is self-incompatible. Although its flowers have sphingophilous traits, we did not find evidence of moths visiting them. Only native and exotic bees visited the flowers of this species, though with a low number of visits. Therefore, nocturnal visitors were not registered as pollinators of E. thelegona, perhaps because of their low local abundances. On the other hand, bees behaved as inefficient pollinators of E. thelegona due to their foraging behavior, which moves pollen within individuals. A pollen-addition experiment revealed that there is no fruit production at short distances among ramets. Therefore, the combination of self-incompatibility, low flower production and low local abundance of pollinators could account for the low fruit production observed in this species. This finding suggests that populations of E. thelegona persist by clonality and that they tend toward the loss of sexuality.     

蝶形花植物猪屎豆自花传粉机制研究

猪屎豆( Crotalaria pallida)为典型的蝶形花植物,分布极广,是路边或遭破坏生境中最常见的先锋种之一,野外观察未发现其有营养生殖的现象,主要为种子繁殖。该研究通过对自然生境中猪屎豆开花物候、访花昆虫及繁育系统的研究,旨在从繁殖的角度阐述其快速扩张的能力。结果表明：尽管猪屎豆的主要访花昆虫是蜜蜂,但蜜蜂的访花频率极低[(1.73±1.30)次/花序·h-1],且在整个花期内花药和柱头均被龙骨瓣包裹,蜜蜂访花时未成功接触柱头和花粉,不能实现传粉,因此蜜蜂不是猪屎豆有效的传粉昆虫,这与假说“蝶形花普遍是对膜翅目昆虫,尤其是对蜜蜂传粉的适应”不一致。人工授粉结果显示,猪屎豆为自交亲和种,不存在无融合生殖现象,其繁殖主要通过主动自交生产种子来实现,且在自交过程中长短花药都参与主动自交。这种自交方式不同于其他蝶形花植物的主动自交仅由短花药实现。对猪屎豆而言,长短花药均参与自交能够增加柱头的授粉几率,保证其在不利的生境中成功结籽,是其成功扩张的关键因素之一。     

Local plant density,pollination and trait–fitness relationships in a perennial herb

Both differences in local plant density and phenotypic traits may affect pollination and plant reproduction, but little is known about how density affects trait–fitness relationships via changes in pollinator activity. In this study we examined how plant density and traits interact to determine pollinator behaviour and female reproductive success in the self‐incompatible, perennial herb Phyteuma spicatum. Specifically, we hypothesised that limited pollination service in more isolated plants would lead to increased selection for traits that attract pollinators. We conducted pollinator observations and assessed trait–fitness relationships in a natural population, whose individuals were surrounded by a variable number of inflorescences. Both local plant density and plant phenotypic traits affected pollinator foraging behaviour. At low densities, pollinator visitation rates were low, but increased with increasing inflorescence size, while this relationship disappeared at high densities, where visitation rates were higher. Plant fitness, in terms of seed production per plant and per capsule, was related to both floral display size and flowering time. Seed production increased with increasing inflorescence size and was highest at peak flowering. However, trait–fitness relationships were not density‐dependent, and differences in seed production did not appear to be related to differences in pollination. The reasons for this remain unclear, and additional studies are needed to fully understand and explain the observed patterns.