Relative contributions to seed production by floral visitors of slickspot peppergrass, Lepidium papilliferum (Brassicaceae)

摘要: Assessing the relative contributions to seed production made by different types of floral visitors is fundamental understanding evolution morphology and influence that particular pollinator taxa have on plant fitness reproduction. This 3-year study examined activity in three populations Lepidium papilliferum, a threatened mustard endemic sagebrush-steppe habitat southwest Idaho. Relative amounts time visitor spent foraging flowers, visitation rates (number flowers visited per unit during bout), pollination effectiveness (fruit set single visit virgin flower) were recorded for each 12 insect L. papilliferum flowers. calculated as product interaction frequencies (the number taxon—the “quantity” component pollination) flower—the “quality” pollination). Despite superiority some terms effectiveness, estimates influenced primarily an taxon’s frequency with Pollinator assemblages varied widely both spatially temporally, which suggest not under strong selective pressure shift from its generalist strategy toward greater specialization. For this plant, reliance diverse assemblage pollinators may serve important buffer against disruption reproductive success caused fluctuations population sizes individual taxa.