Co-flowering richness has variable effects on pollen quantity and quality limitation in four Clarkia species

• DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcae136
• Publication Date: 2024-08-12T21:48:16Z
• Authors: Cristopher Albor; Katherine Eisen; Emma Moore; Monica Geber; Tia-Lynn Ashman; Robert A Raguso; Gerardo Arceo-Gómez
• Keywords: 0106 biological sciences; 01 natural sciences

Abstract Background and Aims Pollination failure occurs from insufficient pollen quantity or quality. However, the relative contributions of vs. quality to overall limitation, how this is affected by co-flowering context, remain unknown for most plant populations. Here, we studied patterns deposition tube formation across populations four predominately outcrossing species in genus Clarkia evaluate richness congeners affects contribution limitation. Methods We partition variation production individuals, identify main sources components reproductive success. further quantify limitation success using piecewise regression analyses. Finally, number community strength Results Across all contexts, proportion tubes produced varied greatly among species, these were not always correlated. For instance, C. xantiana received smallest loads yet highest tubes, while speciosa exhibited opposite pattern. Yet, had variable effects on Specifically, breakpoint values, which are an indicator two-fold higher four-species compared with one- two-species communities two suggesting that can increase increasing congeners. Conclusions Our results reveal a complex interplay between context may have different evolutionary outcomes