Do pollinators play a role in shaping the essential amino acids found in nectar?

New Phytologist, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 2, 2025

Summary Plants produce floral nectar as a reward for pollinators, which contains carbohydrates and amino acids (AAs). We designed experiments to test whether pollinators could exert selection pressure on the profiles of AAs in nectar. used HPLC measure free sugars 102 UK plant species. Six distinct essential (EAAs) were defined using relative proportions with clustering algorithm; we then tested bumblebee ( Bombus terrestris ) preferences EAA proline two‐choice assay. found phylogenetic signal phenylalanine, methionine well total concentrations nonessential acids. However, there was no profile. Bumblebees did not exhibit preference any six profiles; however, four stimulated feeding. By contrast, bumblebees avoided an inverse concentration‐dependent manner. Our data indicate that bees are likely have mechanisms postingestive evaluation solution but unlikely taste EAAs at nectar‐relevant quantities. predict increase value postingestively.

Language: Английский

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Diurnal nectar secretion dynamics in Roscoea cautleoides (Zingiberaceae) reveal the role of non-sugar chemicals in plant–pollinator interaction

Current Plant Biology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 100443 - 100443

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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Quantitative analyses reveal interactions of community plants and insect flower visitors are associated with relative composition of nectar amino acids

Plant Ecology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 10, 2025

Language: Английский

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