Stimulation of flower nectar replenishment by removal: A survey of eleven animal-pollinated plant species

• DOI: 10.26786/1920-7603(2014)2
• Publication Date: 2019-04-08T16:05:57Z
• Authors: Elaine Y Luo; Jane Elizabeth Og...; James D Thomson
• Keywords: 0301 basic medicine; 03 medical and health sciences; Evolution; QH359-425; QK900-989; 15. Life on land; Plant ecology

Understanding the interaction between reward-seeking flower feeding animals and plants requires consideration of dynamic nature nectar secretion. Studies on several suggest that secretion may increase in response to its removal, but it is not clear whether phenomenon widespread. We determined 11 species Colorado mountain wildflowers showed removal-enhanced replenishment (RENR). measured floral phenology, volumes, rate replenishment, compared cumulative produced following five hourly removals with accumulated after hours. Nectar occurred rapidly, within minutes; statistically significant RENR was observed 9 our study species, strongest effects bee-pollinated species. discuss implications plant measurement nectar, adaptive advantage RENR, energetic costs RENR.