A signal-like role for floral humidity in a nocturnal pollination system

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 13(1)

Published: Dec. 15, 2022

Abstract Previous studies have considered floral humidity to be an inadvertent consequence of nectar evaporation, which could exploited as a cue by nectar-seeking pollinators. By contrast, our interdisciplinary study night-blooming flower, Datura wrightii , and its hawkmoth pollinator, Manduca sexta reveals that relative acts mutually beneficial signal in this system. The distinction between cue- signal-based functions is illustrated three experimental findings. First, gradients are nearly ten-fold greater than those reported for other species, result from active (stomatal conductance) rather passive (nectar evaporation) processes. These sustained the face wind reconstituted within seconds moth visitation, implying substantial physiological costs these desert plants. Second, water balance compensated through increased visitation moths, with concomitant increases pollen export. We show moths innately attracted humid flowers, even when rewards experimentally decoupled. Moreover, can track minute changes via antennal hygrosensory sensilla but fail do so occluded. Third, their preference flowers benefits hawkmoths reducing energetic flower handling during foraging. Taken together, findings suggest may function mediating final stages choice hawkmoths, complementing attractive visual olfactory signals beyond threshold nocturnal plant-pollinator

Language: Английский

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Costs of floral larceny: A meta‐analytical evaluation of nectar robbing and nectar theft on animal‐pollinated plants

Ecology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 106(3)

Published: March 1, 2025

Abstract Mutualistic interactions are biological markets in which different species exchange commodities to mutual benefit. Mutualisms are, however, susceptible exploitation, with some individuals taking without reciprocating. While it is generally assumed that exploiters will inflict fitness costs, evidence for such costs mixed and difficult generalize due their context‐dependent nature. Animal‐pollinated flowers commonly exploited by larcenists, non‐pollinating animals consume floral rewards often transferring pollen. The impacts of larcenists on plant reproduction vary widely, suggesting they differing plants, but types larceny most least costly, why, has received little attention. We employed a meta‐analytical approach explore the effects flower nectar traits, pollinator visitation, reproduction. focused two contrasting forms larceny: primary robbing—nectar consumption through holes constructed corolla rather than entering legitimately—and theft—nectar no pollen transfer. found both robbing theft had negative quantity quality, only negatively affected visitation rates. Similarly, robbers impact either female or male reproductive success, whereas thieves consistently reduced success. These were not associated mating systems nor identities effective pollinators, challenging previous generalizations. This study provides comprehensive evaluation larcenists' animal‐pollinated revealing more detrimental robbing. results enhance our understanding intricate dynamics mutualism exploitation ecological evolutionary contexts.

Language: Английский

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Ecological drivers of bee cognition: insights from stingless bees

Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 77(12)

Published: Nov. 23, 2023

Language: Английский

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The interplay of experience and pre-existing bias in nectar-robbing behavior by the common eastern bumble bee

Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 77(3)

Published: March 1, 2023

Language: Английский

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Flower visitor networks: Reduced reproductive success driven by antagonists in a hummingbird‐pollinated species

Biotropica, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 56(4)

Published: May 24, 2024

Abstract Flower–animal interactions encompass a continuum of mutualistic to antagonistic behaviors. Although the importance pollinators in interaction networks has been widely reported, role floral antagonists remains overlooked. In Collaea cipoensis , an endemic shrub from southeastern Brazil, we modeled individual‐based network assessing flower visitors' functional behavior and tested if plant centrality increases fitness. Centrality indicates how well‐connected given is with rest conspecifics through shared visitors. Specifically, visitor are amplified by many‐flowered individuals, whether relationship between fitness encompasses effects mutualists or antagonists. Subsequently, quantified each visiting species' effectiveness. Antagonistic were most frequent (97% visits), primarily conducted nectar‐robbing bee Trigona spinipes (66%), which was also central species detrimental antagonist. The hummingbirds Colibri serrirostris Eupatomena macroura efficient pollinators, high contribution quantity—floral visitation—and quality—viable seeds—components, respectively. Many‐flowered plants showed greater centrality, boosted plant's cohesion increased visitation. Accordingly, better connected, mainly due Thus, not positively translated into more reproductive success. Our results reinforce dynamic scenarios flower–animal interactions, consequences ecology. We highlight incorporating distinct types unveil complexity interacting systems, that when explored, hide potential evolutionary for Portuguese available online material.

Language: Английский

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The ethics of theft: reevaluating the impacts of floral larceny on plant reproductive success

Plant Diversity, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Dec. 1, 2024

Plants and their interaction partners offer unparalleled views of evolutionary ecology. Nectar larceny, entailing nectar extraction without pollinating, is thought to be an example a harmful, antagonistic behavior, but the precise consequences floral larceny on plant reproductive success remain contentious. We conducted comprehensive meta-analysis 153 studies across 120 species, using 14 moderators assess effects examine key moderators. found that negatively impacts flower traits, pollinator visitation, pollen deposition, fruit set, while having neutral effect critical female fitness indicators, such as seed set quality, well male fitness. By altering may reduce geitonogamy, potentially enhancing genetic diversity. Additionally, factors type, mating system, limitation were identified these effects. Our analysis reveals ultimately success, with potential benefits in certain contexts. These findings suggest plays complex multifaceted role within plant-pollinator interactions, facilitating stability coexistence larcenists host plants.

Language: Английский

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Nectar robbing by bees affects the reproductive fitness of the distylous plant Tirpitzia sinensis (Linaceae)

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 13(11)

Published: Nov. 1, 2023

Nectar robbing can affect plant reproductive success directly by influencing female and male fitness, indirectly affecting pollinator behavior. Flowers have morphological chemical features that may protect them from nectar robbers. Previous studies on focused mainly homotypic plants. It remains unclear how affects the of distylous plants, whether defense strategies two morphs are different. Nectar-robbing rates long- short-styled morph (L-morph, S-morph)

Language: Английский

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The unresolved ecological and evolutionary role of fungal fruit body coloration

Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 11

Published: Dec. 8, 2023

Fruit body-forming fungi are hyperdiverse and of central importance for the functioning ecosystems worldwide. They provide habitat resources other organisms perform critical roles in carbon nutrient cycling. Like animals plants, fungal coloration is expected to play a fundamental role response biotic abiotic environments, thus providing invaluable information predict associated diversity Anthropocene. Despite centuries plant animal research, fruit body colors ecology remains mostly obscure. Essential questions unresolved, such as: How do function cope with stress? Do attract dispersal vectors or prevent predation via camouflage aposematism? What significance fitness? implications climate change-induced color change on biodiversity? Here, I review existing knowledge outline several research trajectories better understand ecological colors. Revealing climate-driven adaptations interactions will improve forecasts under interrelated biodiversity inform cross-taxonomic conservation strategies.

Language: Английский

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Microhabitat and Pollinator Differentiation Drive Reproductive Isolation between Two Sympatric Salvia Species (Lamiaceae)

Plants, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 11(18), P. 2423 - 2423

Published: Sept. 16, 2022

Evaluation of multiple barriers contributing to reproductive isolation between sympatric plant species is key understanding the mechanism their coexistence; however, such investigations in biodiversity hotspots are still rare. In this study, we investigated and compared geography, microhabitat, phenology, flora, pollinators, addition pollen-pistil interactions, seed production, germination closely related Salvia digitaloides S. flava on Yulong Snow Mountain, Southwestern Yunnan, China. The geographic distribution these overlapped, but adaptation physical chemical properties soil microhabitats differed. They shared same flowering time differed flower size, style length, nectar volume, sugar concentration, longevity. Both bumblebees as effective constancy for two was relatively strong. Pollen tube growth, were lower interspecific than intraspecific crosses. Our study suggested that microhabitat pollinator acted most important isolating maintaining coexistence species. also highlighted post-pollination play an role preventing gene flow

Language: Английский

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Floral Cues and Flower Handling Tactics Affect Switching Decisions by Nectar-Foraging Bumble Bees

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: May 2, 2024

Abstract Nectar foraging bees change their use of floral resources as plant species appear in the environment and disappear over lifetimes. The new flowers used may involve different cues nectar extraction tactics. Although bumble can adapt to changes required tactics, little is known about whether prioritize switching tactics or when deciding which switch to. In a laboratory assay, we forced Bombus impatiens (common eastern bee) workers either handling tactic they were using continue but colour artificial foraged on. We examined bees’ tendency was influenced by how similar novel familiar ones. conducted 2 × factorial experiment flowers, manipulating that initially trained (legitimate visitation robbing) similarity between colours (similar distinct). found under most conditions preferred flower retain However, given experience with legitimate markedly from those had experienced previously, tended while continuing forage on same colour. These findings suggest resource currently exploited resource, along employed bees, jointly plays an important role decision-making bees.

Language: Английский

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