Compatibility systems and pollinator dependency in morning glory species (Convolvulaceae)
Abstract Background The Convolvulaceae is a large family containing species exhibiting a range of breeding systems and pollinated by diverse animal taxa. We studied the pollination ecology of 15 Convolvulaceae species, representing seven genera (Argyreia Lour., Camonea Raf., Evolvulus L., Hewittia W...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2023-09-01
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| Series: | BMC Plant Biology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-023-04437-y |
| _version_ | 1797577102148501504 |
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| author | Piriya Hassa Paweena Traiperm Alyssa B. Stewart |
| author_facet | Piriya Hassa Paweena Traiperm Alyssa B. Stewart |
| author_sort | Piriya Hassa |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background The Convolvulaceae is a large family containing species exhibiting a range of breeding systems and pollinated by diverse animal taxa. We studied the pollination ecology of 15 Convolvulaceae species, representing seven genera (Argyreia Lour., Camonea Raf., Evolvulus L., Hewittia Wight & Arn., Ipomoea L., Merremia Dennst. ex Endl., and Operculina Silva Manso), in northeastern Thailand, a family that is highly diverse yet understudied in the paleotropics. Specifically, we studied their compatibility systems and degrees of pollinator dependency using pollination experiments, examined pollinator composition and visitation rates using video observation, and determined if there is an association between pollinator visitation rates and degree of pollinator dependence. Results Our results showed that most species are self-compatible, but the degree of pollinator dependence varies. Six species were found to be highly dependent on pollinators, as two are self-incompatible and four are self-compatible but had reduced seed set when pollinators were excluded, possibly due to herkogamy. Seven species showed low dependence on pollinators and seed set remained high when pollinators were excluded. Pollinator dependence was inconclusive for two species as seed set was low in all pollination treatments. We also found an association between pollinator visitation rates and degree of pollinator dependence. Specifically, species exhibiting high pollinator dependence received frequent visits from pollinators, while species exhibiting low pollinator dependence either received frequent visits from pollinators (and received high amounts of xenogamous pollen) or infrequent visits from pollinators (and received significantly lower amounts of xenogamous pollen). Most of our study species were primarily visited by bees (e.g., Lasioglossum, Amegilla, Apis, and meliponines), with the exception of one night-blooming species that was visited primarily by crepuscular butterflies and hawkmoths. Conclusions The cumulative findings of this study demonstrate how pollinator dependence is influenced by breeding system, and suggest that pollinator visitation is consistently high for species exhibiting high pollinator dependence but varies across species exhibiting low pollinator dependence. Our findings are also important for assessing the conservation risks of paleotropical Convolvulaceae. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T22:03:16Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-52fa0b9c50f54adfa8a9edf1993ac6be |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2229 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T22:03:16Z |
| publishDate | 2023-09-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Plant Biology |
| spelling | doaj.art-52fa0b9c50f54adfa8a9edf1993ac6be2023-11-19T12:52:47ZengBMCBMC Plant Biology1471-22292023-09-0123111410.1186/s12870-023-04437-yCompatibility systems and pollinator dependency in morning glory species (Convolvulaceae)Piriya Hassa0Paweena Traiperm1Alyssa B. Stewart2Department of Plant Science, Faculty of Science, Mahidol UniversityDepartment of Plant Science, Faculty of Science, Mahidol UniversityDepartment of Plant Science, Faculty of Science, Mahidol UniversityAbstract Background The Convolvulaceae is a large family containing species exhibiting a range of breeding systems and pollinated by diverse animal taxa. We studied the pollination ecology of 15 Convolvulaceae species, representing seven genera (Argyreia Lour., Camonea Raf., Evolvulus L., Hewittia Wight & Arn., Ipomoea L., Merremia Dennst. ex Endl., and Operculina Silva Manso), in northeastern Thailand, a family that is highly diverse yet understudied in the paleotropics. Specifically, we studied their compatibility systems and degrees of pollinator dependency using pollination experiments, examined pollinator composition and visitation rates using video observation, and determined if there is an association between pollinator visitation rates and degree of pollinator dependence. Results Our results showed that most species are self-compatible, but the degree of pollinator dependence varies. Six species were found to be highly dependent on pollinators, as two are self-incompatible and four are self-compatible but had reduced seed set when pollinators were excluded, possibly due to herkogamy. Seven species showed low dependence on pollinators and seed set remained high when pollinators were excluded. Pollinator dependence was inconclusive for two species as seed set was low in all pollination treatments. We also found an association between pollinator visitation rates and degree of pollinator dependence. Specifically, species exhibiting high pollinator dependence received frequent visits from pollinators, while species exhibiting low pollinator dependence either received frequent visits from pollinators (and received high amounts of xenogamous pollen) or infrequent visits from pollinators (and received significantly lower amounts of xenogamous pollen). Most of our study species were primarily visited by bees (e.g., Lasioglossum, Amegilla, Apis, and meliponines), with the exception of one night-blooming species that was visited primarily by crepuscular butterflies and hawkmoths. Conclusions The cumulative findings of this study demonstrate how pollinator dependence is influenced by breeding system, and suggest that pollinator visitation is consistently high for species exhibiting high pollinator dependence but varies across species exhibiting low pollinator dependence. Our findings are also important for assessing the conservation risks of paleotropical Convolvulaceae.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-023-04437-yBeesBiodiversityBreeding systemsPollination ecologyPollinator dependence patternsSelf-compatibility |
| spellingShingle | Piriya Hassa Paweena Traiperm Alyssa B. Stewart Compatibility systems and pollinator dependency in morning glory species (Convolvulaceae) BMC Plant Biology Bees Biodiversity Breeding systems Pollination ecology Pollinator dependence patterns Self-compatibility |
| title | Compatibility systems and pollinator dependency in morning glory species (Convolvulaceae) |
| title_full | Compatibility systems and pollinator dependency in morning glory species (Convolvulaceae) |
| title_fullStr | Compatibility systems and pollinator dependency in morning glory species (Convolvulaceae) |
| title_full_unstemmed | Compatibility systems and pollinator dependency in morning glory species (Convolvulaceae) |
| title_short | Compatibility systems and pollinator dependency in morning glory species (Convolvulaceae) |
| title_sort | compatibility systems and pollinator dependency in morning glory species convolvulaceae |
| topic | Bees Biodiversity Breeding systems Pollination ecology Pollinator dependence patterns Self-compatibility |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-023-04437-y |
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