Effects of Floral Morphology, Temperature, Date, Time, and Population Origin on Pollinator Visitation to the Wild Radish , Raphallus rapluinistrum
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Authors
LaPenna, Nicholas
Issue Date
1999
Type
Thesis
Language
en_US
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
Floral morphology is an important component of fitness in insect pollinated plants. For
plants that rely on animals for pollination, such as Raphanlls raphallislrunl, the effect floral
morphology has on the number of flowers probed and amount of time spent by pollinators during
visitation can be a crucial determinant of fitness. In this study, two floral characteristics (petal
width and petal length) were measured in order to calculate average petal area and petal asymmetry
(average left petal area - average right petal area). 5 other variables were recorded; the number of
flowers open, plant height, time of day, date, and air temperature. Relationships between these
variables were analyzed and compared with visitation rates for 3 different pollinator taxa consisting
of Diptera (Syrphidae only), Hymenoptera, and Lepidoptera.
In addition, comparison of pollinator visitation rates between two R. raphanislunl
populations from different geographic regions were made to find out if the populations differed
enough to affect the pollinator's visitation rates and duration. Pollinators were also collected,
identified, and compared with pollinator compositions from previous R raphallislrllnl study
sights.
The two populations varied slightly in average petal area, petal asymmetry, number of
flowers open, and plant height. There were no significant differences in the pollinator's reactions
to the two populations. In general, pollinator visitation increased with increasing number of
flowers open and average petal area. Pollinator visitation decreased later in the season. The 3 taxa
of pollinators responded differently to the effects of petal symmetry and time of day. Ambient
temperature and the height of the plant had no effect on the pollinators.
Description
vi, 27 p.
Citation
Publisher
Kalamazoo College
License
U.S. copyright laws protect this material. Commercial use or distribution of this material is not permitted without prior written permission of the copyright holder.