Effects of conspecific and heterospecific floral density on the pollination of two related rewarding orchids |
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Authors: | Karl J Duffy Jane C Stout |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Botany, School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland;(2) Present address: School of Biological and Conservation Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg, 3209, South Africa |
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Abstract: | Variation in within-population floral density can affect interactions between plants and pollinators, resulting in variable
pollen export for plants. We investigated the effects of conspecific and heterospecific floral densities on pollination success
both of two related, self-compatible, nectar-rewarding orchid species in Ireland, Spiranthes
romanzoffiana (rare and listed as endangered) and its congener, S. spiralis (more abundant and not of conservation concern). Floral densities, insect visitation rates, and orchid pollen transport were
recorded in multiple quadrats in four populations of both orchid species over their flowering season. We found that conspecific
and heterospecific co-flowering plant density affected pollination in both orchid species. For S. romanzoffiana, higher heterospecific density increased pollen removal. For S. spiralis, higher conspecific visitation increased pollen removal and increased heterospecific density decreased pollen deposition.
In addition, increased conspecific density increased pollen deposition in both species. This study shows that plants may interact
to facilitate or compete for different components of the pollination process, namely; pollinator attraction, pollen removal
and deposition. Such interactions have immediate consequences for endangered plant species, as increases in both conspecific
and heterospecific coflowering density may ameliorate the negative effects of rarity on pollination, hence overall reproductive
success. |
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