Population size, pollination and phenotypic trait selection in Phyteuma spicatum

摘要: Abstract Plants in small populations may receive fewer visits, smaller pollen loads or of poorer quality and suffer from reduced reproductive success compared to plants larger populations. Consequently, limitation has been suggested result the evolution reliance on pollinators enhancement traits that attract pollinators. The main aim this study was experimentally quantify strength pollinator-mediated selection floral display size flowering phenology varying size, using self-incompatible, perennial herb Phyteuma spicatum as species. We conducted supplementary hand pollinations six (ranging between ca. 20–3000 individuals) over two consecutive years assessed gradients (i.e., trait–fitness relationships) open- hand-pollinated plants. Our results show some are limited years, but, contrary our expectation, degree not significantly related population size. found phenotypic for increased inflorescence (in most both years), but we obtained no strong evidence This have low statistical power, an inherent problem studies examining effects require inclusion with only few individuals. In addition, given appeared be spatially temporally variable, abiotic biotic factors other than contributed