How Are the Flower Structure and Nectar Composition of the Generalistic Orchid Neottia ovata Adapted to a Wide Range of Pollinators?

Plant-pollinator interactions significantly influence reproductive success (RS) and drive the evolution of pollination syndromes. In the context of RS, mainly the role of flower morphology is touched. The importance of nectar properties is less studied, despite its significance in pollination effect...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of molecular sciences 2021-02, Vol.22 (4), p.2214
Main Authors: Brzosko, Emilia, Bajguz, Andrzej, Chmur, Magdalena, Burzyńska, Justyna, Jermakowicz, Edyta, Mirski, Paweł, Zieliński, Piotr
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adaptation
amino acids
Animal reproduction
Breeding success
Competition
female reproductive success
Flowers & plants
High-performance liquid chromatography
Influence
Kruskal-Wallis test
Morphology
natural selection
Nectar
Nitrogen
orchids
Plant nectar
Plant reproduction
plant-pollinator interactions
pollinaria removal
Pollination
Pollinators
Populations
Reproduction
Soil properties
Statistical methods
Success
Sucrose
Sugar
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Summary:Plant-pollinator interactions significantly influence reproductive success (RS) and drive the evolution of pollination syndromes. In the context of RS, mainly the role of flower morphology is touched. The importance of nectar properties is less studied, despite its significance in pollination effectiveness. Therefore, the aim of this study was to test selection on flower morphology and nectar chemistry in the generalistic orchid . In 2019-2020, we measured three floral displays and six flower traits, pollinaria removal (PR), female reproductive success (FRS), and determined the soil properties. The sugars and amino acids (AAs) were analyzed using the HPLC method. Data were analyzed using multiple statistical methods (boxplots, ternary plot, one-way ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis test, and PCA). Variation of flower structure and nectar chemistry and their weak correlation with RS confirms the generalistic character of . In particular populations, different traits were under selection. PR was high and similar in all populations in both years, while FRS was lower and varied among populations. Nectar was dominated by glucose, fructose, and included 28 AAs (Ala and Glu have the highest content). Sugars and AAs influenced mainly FRS. Among soil parameters, carbon and carbon:nitrogen ratio seems to be the most important in shaping flower structure and nectar chemistry.
ISSN:1422-0067
1661-6596
1422-0067
DOI:10.3390/ijms22042214