脓疮草复合体的形态性状分析与分类修订

脓疮草复合体(Panzerina lanata complex)隶属于唇形科脓疮草属,原有6个合法学名。通过从内 蒙古、陕西、甘肃、宁夏及新疆等5个省或自治区的22个居群取样,进行野外和移栽后的对比观测及性 状分析,并结合多变量统计分析,从不同水平和角度对复合体进行了研究。结果表明,此复合体的根、茎 等都是环境可塑性很高的性状,叶次之,而花部、果实和种子性状的可塑性较小。以往划分复合体类群 的叶裂程度、茎叶被毛及萼齿形态等几个鉴别性状在天然居群中连续变化,以此划分的几个“种”,不过 是连续变异的极端个体。再结合地理分布的特征,将P．alaschanica、P．kansuensis和P. albescens归并 在P．1anata中,同样可证明P．argyracea不存在。对22个居群11个形态性状的统计学和主成分分析 与性状分析结果一致。研究表明,该复合体小坚果表面具疣与否、花冠超出萼筒的多少及花干后变色与 否等是其分种性状,以此分种标准该复合体可分为2种:Panzerina lanata(L．)Sojak和Panzerina parviflora(C．Y．Wu et H．W．Li)Y．Z.Zhao．     

狭叶沙参复合体(桔梗科)的物种生物学研究

通过对狭叶沙参复合体进行居群(共46个)采样、引种、栽培实验,生物学特性观察,染色体观察 (已发表),杂交、同工酶比较、形态性状的定性定量分析、茎解剖和花粉形态的观察,发现：(1)该 复合体主要进行异花授粉,实生苗第二年才抽茎生花;(2)32个居群的染色体计数表明,在辽宁东部、 辽宁西部(绝大部分地区)和山西霍县的居群都为二倍体(2n=34),而其它地方的居群为四倍体(2n 68);(3)叶的酯酶同工酶的变异大,和一些形态特征,尤其是叶的形态和大小的变异相似,而种子的酯 酶同工酶则相当稳定;(4)通过9个居群的杂交试验,在狭叶沙参和石沙参四倍体居群间得到了一 些F1种子,而辽宁西部二倍体与上述的四倍体居群间的杂交未产生任何F1种子;(5)性状分析(包括 聚类分析与主成份分析)和茎解剖的研究,揭示了它们在叶、果实、花和种子的形态、髓纤维组织的有无、 叶锯齿和花萼裂片齿的有无和多少等形状上的变异幅度,并据此分辨出8个宗。其中辽宁西部的二倍 体宗形态上相当独特,被提升为种的等级。 其余7个宗,根据不同的分化程度被处理为三个种和5个 亚种;(6)运用杂交指数法分析了石沙参和狭叶沙参在太行山一带杂交的可能性;(7)分析讨论了复合体内各类群的起源和进化关系。     

蒙古冰草遗传多样性的RAPD分析

采用RAPD技术对蒙古冰草（Agropyron mongolicum Keng)6个天然居群和2个栽培品种（系）的45个个体进行了遗传多样性检测。17个引物共检测到101个位点,其中多态位点81个,占80.2%,相对于其它小麦族植物,显示出了较高的遗传多样性,多样性指数（DC）分析的结果表明,遗传多样性在居群内和居群间的分布存在不均衡现象,但总体来看,居群内的遗传变异高于居群间,这是由蒙古冰草异花,风媒传粉的外繁育系统所决定的,在天然居群与栽培品种（系）间,前者的DC值为0.250,后者的DC值为0.181,而且前者的平均遗传距离（0.290)也高于后者（0.213),表明天然居群间的遗传分化大于栽培品种（系）,这与天然居群间环境的异质性密切相关,同时也反映了栽培品种（系）间较近的亲缘关系,UPG-MA聚类分析的结果表明,8个居群基本上可被分为与其生境特点及生长条件相适应的3个类群,反映了自然选择及人工选择对居群间遗传分化的巨大影响。     

岩白菜（虎耳草科）不同海拔居群的繁殖分配

资源分配策略是植物生活史研究的重要内容之一,植物用于繁殖的相对资源比例（即繁殖分配）与植株的生活史特征、个体大小及植株的生境密切相关。本文研究了藏东南色季拉山一个阴坡上海拔4200m～4640m范围内6个不同居群的虎耳草科多年生草本植物岩白菜（Bergenia purpurascens）的繁殖分配特征,结果发现：（1）繁殖器官生物量、营养器官生物量、地上部分总生物量、花数目、花序轴长度均随海拔的升高而显著降低,而叶数目随海拔变化不大,繁殖分配值则先降低后升高,转折点在林线过渡带（海拔4400m）处;（2）各居群（海拔4300m居群除外）营养器官生物量与繁殖器官生物量均显著正相关,而营养器官生物量与繁殖分配则负相关,但各居群的显著性不同;（3）各居群繁殖器官生物量与植株个体大小（营养器官生物量）呈不同程度的异速增长,而繁殖分配则与植株个体大小负相关;（4）各居群植株都存在一个繁殖所需的个体大小阈值,而且这一阈值在林线以下区域随海拔的升高而显著增大,在林线以上区域变化不显著。研究结果表明,海拔并不是影响岩白菜繁殖分配策略的唯一生态因子,不同居群的生境状况和植株个体大小都与其资源分配策略密切相关,高山地区林线的存在对植物资源的权衡方式会产生巨大影响。     

中华猕猴桃和美味猕猴桃自然居群遗传结构及其种间杂交渐渗

 利用9对SSR引物对中华猕猴桃（Actinidia chinensis）和美味猕猴桃（A. deliciosa）两近缘种的5个同域分布复合体和各自1个非同域分布居群进行了遗传多样性、居群遗传结构的分析以及种间杂交渐渗的探讨。结果表明：1）两物种共有等位基因比例高达81.13%,物种特有等位基因较少（中华猕猴桃：13.27%,美味猕猴桃：5.61%）,但共享等位基因表型频率在两近缘种间存在差异,而且与各同域复合体中两物种样本的交错程度或间距存在关联;2）两种猕猴桃均具有极高遗传多样性,美味猕猴桃的遗传多样性（H_o＝0 .749, PIC＝0.818）都略高于中华猕猴桃（H_o＝0.686,PIC＝0.799）;3）两猕 猴桃物种均具有较低的Nei’s居群遗传分化度,但AMOVA分析结果揭示种内异域居群间（F_ST=0.091 5）和同域复合体种间（F_ST=0.111 5）均存在一定程度的遗传分化;中华猕猴桃居群遗传分化（G_ST=0.086; F_ST=0.212 1）高于美味猕猴桃（G_ST= 0.080;F_ST=0.142 0）;4）同域分布复合体两物种间的遗传分化（G_ST=0.020）低于物种内异域居群间的遗传分化（中华猕猴桃：G_ST=0.086; 美味猕猴桃：G_ST=0.080）,同域复合体物种间的基因流（N_m＝7.89 -29.75）远远高于 同种异域居群间（中华猕猴桃：N_m =2.663; 美味猕猴桃：N_m=2.880）; 5）居群UPGMA聚类揭示在同一地域的居群优先聚类,个体聚类结果显示多数个体聚在各自居群组内,但各地理居群并不按地理距离的远近聚类,这与Mantel相关性检测所揭示的居群间遗传距离与地理距离没有显著性相关的结果一致。进一步分析表明两种猕猴桃的遗传多样性和居群遗传结构不仅受其广域分布、远交、晚期分化等生活史特性的影响,同时还与猕猴桃的染色体基数高 (x=29)、倍性复杂和种间杂交等因素密切相关,其中两种猕猴桃的共享祖先多态性和同域分布种间杂交基因渗透对两猕猴桃的居群遗传结构产生了重要影响。     

燕麦草多倍体复合体的等位酶多样性研究

对欧洲及地中海地区燕麦草复合体２７个居群的等位酶电泳调查表明,燕麦草复合体维持比较高的等位酶多样性（Ｈｅ＝０．４４７,Ａ＝３．２９）,亚种间遗传分化较小（ＧＳＴ＝０．０５３）;在四个亚种内,也维持着比较高的多样性（Ｈｅ：０．３２５－０．５３３）,各亚种内的基因多样度主要存在于居群之内,居群间分化较小。四倍体的基因多样性高于二倍体的。燕麦草复合体内居群间基因流较高,表明燕麦草繁育方式主要为风媒远交。     

宝盖草的繁育系统

宝盖草(Lamium amplexicaule L.)具两种类型的花:短花冠的闭花授粉的花和长花冠的开花授粉的花。本文研究了在3个不同生态环境的自然群体中这两种类型花的数量和开花时间的变化,并通过套袋试验,种子萌发试验和刈割试验,获得了有关开花节律和生活周期以及与环境条件和人类干扰的关系的结果。宝盖草的种子绝大部分是自花授粉的产物,但也有一定程度的异花授粉。自花授粉有利于开拓新的定居环境,而异花授粉则使后代能适应多种环境条件,而这两种授粉方式的结合是使宝盖草成为一种成功的杂草的主要因素。     

中国特有种——沙芥繁育系统和传粉生物学研究

运用定位观察、杂交指数、花粉-胚珠比、套袋试验和重力玻片法等方法,对沙芥自然居群和人工栽培种群的开花日动态、繁育系统和传粉习性进行了研究.结果显示:沙芥在自然居群和人工栽培种群开花日高峰分别在19:00和15:00～18:00.沙芥繁育系统为异花授粉植物.沙芥传粉媒介中风的飘移能力非常微弱;沙芥自然居群的访花昆虫有19种,分属于6个目;人工栽培种群的访花昆虫有11种,分属于6个目.意大利蜜蜂、熊蜂、黑带食蚜蝇和拟蜂食蚜蝇是两个居群共有的主要传粉昆虫,在自然居群熊蜂每天的访花频率呈双峰曲线,其中访花最高峰与开花日高峰基本重叠.     

玉蝉花繁殖生态学研究

通过野外调查、人工授粉和室内种子萌发实验等,对天目山玉蝉花（Iris ensata）种群繁殖生态特征进行了研究。结果显示：玉蝉花自然种群呈聚集型分布,种群更新主要依赖贡献率为0.756的无性繁殖。人工同瓣和异瓣自花授粉座果率分别为10%和20%,结实数分别为0和4±1（n=2）粒/果;同株和异株异花授粉座果率分别为80%和100%,结实数分别为59±7（n=8）和64±9（n=10）粒/果,自交主要来自同株异花授粉,而同株花异熟、雌雄异位和异向等可有效降低自交。自然套袋不结实,不存在无融合生殖。花粉/胚珠比1277±270（n=10）,辅证玉蝉花为兼性异花授粉、异花授粉植物。有效授粉昆虫为蜜蜂（Apismellifica）,访花频率为0.019次.花-1.h-1,单只蜜蜂回访同朵花的比率为3.5%。自然种群立地种子数估算值为368粒/m2,种子宿存,具非深度生理休眠,萌发需光,低温层积60d萌发率达94.9±0.7%。玉蝉花种群繁殖适应对策为k对策,具备自我维持机制,但现正受人为干扰。     

西藏喜马拉雅紫茉莉野生居群果实形态变异

为了明确不同种源喜马拉雅紫茉莉野生种质资源的果实形态差异,在西藏选取了16个居群,测量了8个果实性状,分别进行了单因素方差分析、主成分分析、聚类分析和相关性分析,为喜马拉雅紫茉莉遗传多样性的评价和种质选育提供依据。结果显示：（1）8个果实性状的平均值在不同居群存在差异,八宿县怒江山居群（TNC2）的总苞筒长、总苞裂片长和宽、果长、果形、百粒重均最小,其他居群未表现出明显的规律性;9个居群均以果纹路的变异系数最大,多数居群以果宽或果长变异最小。（2）总体上看,8个性状的变异系数在8.58%~25.57%之间,其中总苞裂片宽变异最大（25.57%）,而果宽变异最小（8.58%）;各性状的F值在12.180~134.761之间,均表现为差异极显著,表明8个性状在不同居群间均存在明显差异。（3）主成分分析显示,果长和总苞裂片大小是造成各居群间果实表型差异的主要因素。（4）根据果实性状,16个居群分为两大支,聚类结果与各居群的地域分布并无关联。（5）除总苞裂片宽与经度呈显著负相关关系外,经度、纬度和海拔对8个果实性状不存在显著影响。     

The Analysis of Morphological Characters and a Taxonomic Revision on Panzerina anata (L.) Sojak Complex (Labiatae)

Panzerina lanata ( L. ) Sojak complex is distributed on the Mongolia plateau. Twenty-two populations representing six species in the complex: P. lanata, P. alaschanica, P . kansuensis , P . albescens , P. argyracea and P . parviflora , were sampled throughout the range of the complex including 2 provinces and 3 autonomous regions. Extensive studies were carried out by comparison of wild collection and cultivation, and morphological analysis based on character evaluation and multivariate procedures. It is showed that there exists considerable phenotypic plasticity in some morphological characters, especially those of the root, caudex and leaf. However, the characters of flowers, capsules and seeds were less influenced by environments. The character analysis indicates that some characters, which were used to distinguish taxa of the complex, for example the degree of leaf division, the morphology of calyx and so on, are continuous in a wide range in wild populations. Some “species” in the complex described according to the differences in those characters are only extreme individuals within their continuous variation. As a result, the above analysis and their geographical distribution suggest that P. alaschanica , P. kansuensis , P. albescens be actually the extreme individuals within P. lanata. In the same way, P. argyracea is invalid. The principal components analysis of 11 morphological characters on the individuals from 22 populations shows no differences. Thus, this paper considers that characters such as nutlet with or without wart, size of corolla exceeding calyx or not and dry flowers with or without colour, may be used to distinguish taxa of this complex. From the above analysis, it is indicated finally that the six species in this complex are better reduced taxonomically into two species, namely P. lanata (L.) Sojak and P. parviflora (C. Y. Wu et H. W. Li) Y. Z. Zhao, the difference of two species as follow: Nutlet surface smooth; corolla, 2～2.2 cm long; flower white and unchanging after dry .......................................................... Panzerina parviflora Nutlet surface tuberculate; corolla, 2.5～ 4 cm long; flower white, but becoming yel- lowish after dry ....................................................... P. lanata     

Morphological variability in rupicolous species of the Acianthera prolifera complex (Orchidaceae) occurring in southeastern Brazil

We carried out multivariate morphometric analysis of 23 floral characters in seven populations of a complex of four species of Acianthera (Orchidaceae) occurring in Brazilian campo rupestre (rocky field) vegetation (A.?hamosa, A.?limae, A.?modestissima, and A.?prolifera) that flower synchronously and are partially intercompatible, and one putative hybrid population between A.?limae and A.?prolifera. We also carried out cluster analysis involving these eight populations plus 21 populations of a previously published study belonging to another species complex of Acianthera occurring in campo rupestre, including 12 floral characters in the analysis. Allopatric species pollinated by the same group of Diptera showed higher floral similarity among themselves than to a sympatric species pollinated by another group of Diptera. Such patterns indicate the existence of floral convergence in allopatric species and/or radiation in sympatric species. The analysis also indicated that there is more floral similarity between species of different complexes but that share the same group of pollinators. Large overlap was observed between A.?limae and the putative sympatric hybrids, indicating the occurrence of later generations of hybrids and/or individuals of A.?limae with introgression. The results do not support A.?hamosa and A.?modestissima as distinct species. These taxa are geographically isolated, occurring in different environments, are recognized only by vegetative characters that show high phenotypic plasticity, and share the same pollinators, being interfertile.     

MUTATIONAL MELTDOWN IN SELFING ARABIDOPSIS LYRATA

The majority of plant species and many animals are hermaphrodites, with individuals expressing both female and male function. Although hermaphrodites can potentially reproduce by self‐fertilization, they have a high prevalence of outcrossing. The genetic advantages of outcrossing are described by two hypotheses: avoidance of inbreeding depression because selfing leads to immediate expression of recessive deleterious mutations, and release from drift load because self‐fertilization leads to long‐term accumulation of deleterious mutations due to genetic drift and, eventually, to extinction. I tested both hypotheses by experimentally crossing Arabidopsis lyrata plants (self‐pollinated, cross‐pollinated within the population, or cross‐pollinated between populations) and measuring offspring performance over 3 years. There were 18 source populations, each of which was either predominantly outcrossing, mixed mating, or predominantly selfing. Contrary to predictions, outcrossing populations had low inbreeding depression, which equaled that of selfing populations, challenging the central role of inbreeding depression in mating system shifts. However, plants from selfing populations showed the greatest increase in fitness when crossed with plants from other populations, reflecting higher drift load. The results support the hypothesis that extinction by mutational meltdown is why selfing hermaphroditic taxa are rare, despite their frequent appearance over evolutionary time.     

IS PINUS SYLVESTRIS RESISTANCE TO PINE TWIST RUST ASSOCIATED WITH FITNESS COSTS OR BENEFITS?

Seven-year-old Pinus sylvestris were studied in two field trials with respect to height growth and injury caused by the fungal pathogen Melampsora pinitorqua. Each trial comprised single-tree progenies from two to 11 parent trees from each of 45 pine populations in northern Sweden (open pollinated) and Finland (control pollinated with a pollen mixture from 22 north Swedish trees). Heritability estimates were in the range of 6-18%. Most of genetic variation in height growth and rust resistance in Swedish populations and in height growth in Finnish populations occurred within populations (86-100%). In populations of Finnish origin variation in rust resistance consisted of more equal among- and within-population components (68% and 32%, respectively). Family genetic correlations between pathogen resistance and tree height the previous year (disease-free environment) were positive among Finnish populations and Swedish coast populations, suggesting that pathogen resistance confers fitness benefits even in the absence of disease, whereas Swedish inland populations showed a negative correlation indicative of fitness costs. Patterns of genetic correlations at the population level tended to be just the reverse compared with those found at the family level. No genotype × trial interactions were detected for any of the examined characters. Prerequisites for establishment of a genecological balance between host and parasite are discussed.     

Life history variation in the heavy metal tolerant plant Thlaspi caerulescens growing in a network of contaminated and noncontaminated sites in southern France: role of gene flow, selection and phenotypic plasticity

* Here we explore life history differences in a set of neighbouring metallicolous and nonmetallicolous populations of the heavy metal tolerant plant Thlaspi caerulescens. * We contrasted data from field observations and from a common garden experiment, in which soil zinc (Zn) concentration and light availability were manipulated, and data on microsatellite molecular variation. * The two ecotypes showed few differences in life history in the field, but large differences in their response to Zn concentration in the common garden. Soil toxicity affected most characters in nonmetallicolous plants, while it had no effect on metallicolous plants. The two ecotypes responded similarly to light. Genetic differentiation for quantitative characters between ecotypes contrasted with the absence of differentiation for microsatellites. Conversely, populations of the same ecotype showed similar responses to Zn, despite their high differentiation for molecular markers. * We conclude that divergent selection related to soil toxicity has had a predominant role in shaping life history differences between ecotypes, gene flow weakly opposing local adaptation despite geographical proximity.     

Morphological aspects and phylogenetic analyses of pollination systems in the Tylophora–Vincetoxicum complex (Apocynaceae-Asclepiadoideae) in Japan

Pollinators of two Cynanchum , five Tylophora , and 16 Vincetoxicum species were observed in 26 populations in Japan. The following pollination systems were observed in 18 species: moth pollination, generalized insect pollination, wasp pollination, dipteran pollination, both dipteran and moth pollination, and autogamy. Principal component analysis based on 13 floral characters indicated that the size of the pollinator tended to increase with sizes of all characters measured. Furthermore, species that have developed interstaminal parts of the corona and concealed stigmatic chambers tend to be pollinated by long-tongued insects. The phylogenetic distribution of pollinator types showed that species belonging to Clade I are pollinated exclusively by Diptera, whereas those of Clade II are pollinated by four insect orders. The most prominent pollinator transition in the Tylophora–Vincetoxicum complex is dipteran to moth pollination. The most common morphological change of the plants from dipteran pollination to moth pollination, or vice versa, is modification of the corolla. In the Tylophora–Vincetoxicum complex, pollination mode shifts are generally accompanied by modifications of the corona and the structure of gynostegium. One hypothesis for the rapid radiation observed in Clade II is that a widely distributed species may have partitioned its distribution in the relatively near past and adapted to various environments, in which the dominant pollinators were different, and that the local races may then have diverged from each other after they were isolated.  © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2008, 93 , 325–341.     

Pollen source affects female reproductive success and early offspring traits in the rare endemic plant Polemonium vanbruntiae (Polemoniaceae)

Understanding the relative magnitudes of inbreeding and outbreeding depression in rare plant populations is increasingly important for effective management strategies. There may be positive and negative effects of crossing individuals in fragmented populations. Conservation strategies may include introducing new genetic material into rare plant populations, which may be beneficial or detrimental based on whether hybrid offspring are of increased or decreased quality. Thus, it is important to determine the effects of pollen source on offspring fitness in rare plants. We established pollen crosses (i.e. geitonogamous‐self, autonomous‐self, intrasite‐outcross, intersite‐outcross and open‐pollinated controls) to determine the effects of pollen source on fitness (seeds/fruit and seed mass) and early offspring traits (probability of germination, number of leaves, leaf area and seedling height) in the rare plant Polemonium vanbruntiae. Open‐pollinated, intrasite‐outcross and geitonogamous‐self treatments did not differ in fitness. However, plants receiving autonomous‐self pollen had the lowest fitness and the lowest probability of seed germination. Intersite‐outcross plants contained fewer seeds/fruit, but seeds germinated at higher frequencies and seedlings were more vigorous. We also detected heterosis at the seed germination stage. These data may imply that natural populations of P. vanbruntiae exhibit low genetic variation and little gene flow. Evidence suggests that deleterious alleles were not responsible for reduced germination; rather environmental factors, dichogamy, herkogamy and/or lack of competition among pollen grains may have caused low germinability in selfed offspring. Although self‐pollination may provide some reproductive assurance in P. vanbruntiae, the result is a reduction in germination and size‐related early traits for selfed offspring.     

泡沙参复合体（桔梗科）的物种生物学研究：Ⅰ表型的可塑性

表型可塑性是生物变异中由环境引起的一种变异,是植物适应的一种重要方式。对沙参属这样一个形态上复杂多变、分类上很难处理的类群,研究其表型可塑性不仅为探讨性状变异、判断其系统学意义及选择可靠的分类性状提供了有益的资料,而且有助于揭示沙参属植物变异、适应和进化的机制。本文从泡沙参复合体中选择了6个居群,利用播种和移栽试验,通过对不同个体和居群在一致条件下的表现及野外和移栽后的对比,对根、茎、叶、花和果等形态性状的表型可塑性进行了初步的观测分析。结果表明,一些叶片、花部和果实性状具有较大的发育可塑性,尤其是叶形、花萼裂片不仅发育变化大,而且随发育过程定向变化。环境可塑性较大的性状主要是根、茎、花序分枝等性状,而叶片、花部、果实和种子性状的环境饰变能力都较小。最后,对泡沙参复合体形态性状的变异从发育可塑性和环境可塑性的角度进行了讨论。     

Biosystematic Studies on Adenophora potaninii Korsh. Complex (Campanulaceae). Ⅰ. Phenotypic Plasticity

Phenotypic plasticity is the environmental modification of genotypic expression and an important means by which individual plants respond to environmental heterogeneity. The study of phenotypic plasticity in the genus Adenophora, which is very complicated taxo nomically because of great morphological variation, proves to be helpful in both investigating the phenotypic variation so as to evaluate potential taxonomic value of their characters and providing important sources of information on the variation, adaptation and evolution of the genus. Twenty-three populations representing all the six species in Adenophora potaninii complex were transplanted into the garden. Of them six populations were selected for study ing their performance in the field and in the garden, in addition to cultivation experiment under different treatments. The results show that there exists considerable developmental plasticity in some leaf, floral and capsule characters. In particular, the leaf shape and length of calyx lobe display significant developmental variation with the maximum being three times as great as the minimum, which is noteworthy because they were previously considered as diagnostic. The characters of root, caudex, stem and inflorescence are found to be very plastic, especially the root diameter, the number of stems, stem height and inflorescence length with great environmental plasticity. In addition, the populations from different habi tats show distinct amounts of plasticity. On the contrary, the characters of leaf, floral, cap sule and seed are less influenced by environments. It seems that the considerable variation in the characters of leaf is attributed mainly to genetic differences. Finally, the phenotypic plasticity of morphological characters of A. potaninii complex and its taxonomic significanceis discussed.     

Enhancement of fruit quality in Capsicum annum through pollination by Hypotrigona gribodoi in Kakamega,Western Kenya

A study was carried out in Kakamega forest, in the western region of Kenya, to evaluate the effectiveness of the stingless bee Hypotrigona gribodoi (Magretti, 1884) on the pollination of green pepper. Three treatments were applied and consisted of self‐pollination, pollination by feral pollinators in the open field and pollination by H. gribodoi in a net cage. The differences in fruit yield and seed quality were compared among treatments. Flowers pollinated by H. gribodoi produced the heaviest fruits with the highest seed numbers followed by feral pollinators and lastly self‐pollinated flowers. Moreover, seeds were significantly bigger in size in fruits resulting from flowers pollinated by H. gribodoi compared to fruits obtained from self‐pollinated flowers or flowers pollinated by feral insects. We, therefore, conclude that H. gribodoi is an efficient pollinator of green pepper in the tropical region of East Africa.