Insect-mediated pollination in slickspot peppergrass, Lepidium papilliferum L. (Brassicaceae), and its implications for population viability.

摘要: -Field experiments on the pollination biology of slickspot peppergrass, Lepidium papilliferum L. (Brassicaceae), a rare species endemic to microsites in sagebrush-steppe habitat southwestern Idaho, were conducted at 2 sites from May July 2001. Site KB contained over 10,000 plants, whereas site WC less than 150 plants. Insect exclusion revealed that seed production papillijerum is dependent insect-mediated pollination; median percent set dropped 70% 2% when insects excluded nowers. A total 25 insect families 5 orders visited flowers: 24 and 11 WG. Only 9 more trace amounts pollen their bodies: Hymenoptera-Anthophoridae, Apidae, Colletidae, Halictidae, Spheeidae. Vespidae; Coleoptera-Cerambycidae. Dermestidae; Diptera-Syrphidae. Inseets these are likely responsible for papilliferum., although some may be only minor significance due infrequent visits flowers. Two 4 most common pollen-laden found KB, honey bees (Apis mellifem) colletid bees, absent or rore we. Three other pollen-carrying present Spheeidae, Vespidae, not WC. We raise several possible explanations this disparity pollinator communities between discuss importance diversity long term viability L papillijerum.