Predispersal seed herbivores, not pollinators, exert selection on floral traits via female fitness. 2008

Amy L Parachnowitsch, and Christina M Caruso
Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada N1G 2W1. alp43@cornell.edu

Herbivores that oviposit in flowers of animal-pollinated plants depend on pollinators for seed production and are therefore expected to choose flowers that attract pollinators. This provides a mechanism by which seed herbivores and pollinators could impose conflicting selection on floral traits. We measured phenotypic selection on floral traits of Lobelia siphilitica (Lobeliaceae) via female fitness to determine the relative strength of selection by pollinators and a specialist predispersal seed herbivore. We were able to attribute selection on flowering phenology to the herbivores. However, no selection could be attributed to pollinators, resulting in no conflicting selection on floral traits. Unlike pollinators, whose preference for certain floral traits does not always translate into higher fitness, any discrimination by seed herbivores is likely to decrease fitness of the preferred floral phenotype. Thus predispersal seed herbivores may be a significant agent of selection on floral traits.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D005247 Feeding Behavior Behavioral responses or sequences associated with eating including modes of feeding, rhythmic patterns of eating, and time intervals. Dietary Habits,Eating Behavior,Faith-based Dietary Restrictions,Feeding Patterns,Feeding-Related Behavior,Food Habits,Diet Habits,Eating Habits,Behavior, Eating,Behavior, Feeding,Behavior, Feeding-Related,Behaviors, Eating,Behaviors, Feeding,Behaviors, Feeding-Related,Diet Habit,Dietary Habit,Dietary Restriction, Faith-based,Dietary Restrictions, Faith-based,Eating Behaviors,Eating Habit,Faith based Dietary Restrictions,Faith-based Dietary Restriction,Feeding Behaviors,Feeding Pattern,Feeding Related Behavior,Feeding-Related Behaviors,Food Habit,Habit, Diet,Habit, Dietary,Habit, Eating,Habit, Food,Habits, Diet,Pattern, Feeding,Patterns, Feeding,Restrictions, Faith-based Dietary
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D001517 Coleoptera Order of winged insects also known as beetles comprising over 350,000 species in 150 families. They possess hard bodies with mouthparts adapted for chewing. Beetles,Beetle
D012639 Seeds The encapsulated embryos of flowering plants. They are used as is or for animal feed because of the high content of concentrated nutrients like starches, proteins, and fats. Rapeseed, cottonseed, and sunflower seed are also produced for the oils (fats) they yield. Diaspores,Elaiosomes,Embryos, Plant,Plant Embryos,Plant Zygotes,Zygotes, Plant,Diaspore,Elaiosome,Embryo, Plant,Plant Embryo,Plant Zygote,Seed,Zygote, Plant
D012641 Selection, Genetic Differential and non-random reproduction of different genotypes, operating to alter the gene frequencies within a population. Natural Selection,Genetic Selection,Selection, Natural
D054817 Pollination The transfer of POLLEN grains (male gametes) to the plant ovule (female gamete).
D029746 Lobelia A plant genus of the family CAMPANULACEAE used medicinally and is a source of LOBELINE. Indian Tobacco,Lobelia inflata,Lobelia laxiflora,Sierra Madre Lobelia,Indian Tobaccos,Lobelia laxifloras,Lobelia, Sierra Madre,Lobelias, Sierra Madre,Sierra Madre Lobelias,Tobacco, Indian,Tobaccos, Indian,laxiflora, Lobelia,laxifloras, Lobelia
D035264 Flowers The reproductive organs of plants. Blooms, Plant,Blossoms,Pistil,Plant Style,Anther, Plant,Carpal, Plant,Carpals, Plant,Filament, Flower,Flower Filament,Ovary, Plant,Petals, Plant,Plant Anther,Plant Calyx,Plant Carpals,Plant Corolla,Plant Ovary,Plant Petals,Plant Sepals,Plant Stamen,Plant Stigma,Sepals, Plant,Stamen, Plant,Stigma, Plant,Style, Plant,Anthers, Plant,Bloom, Plant,Blossom,Calyx, Plant,Calyxs, Plant,Corolla, Plant,Corollas, Plant,Filaments, Flower,Flower,Flower Filaments,Ovaries, Plant,Petal, Plant,Pistils,Plant Anthers,Plant Bloom,Plant Blooms,Plant Calyxs,Plant Carpal,Plant Corollas,Plant Ovaries,Plant Petal,Plant Sepal,Plant Stamens,Plant Stigmas,Plant Styles,Sepal, Plant,Stamens, Plant,Stigmas, Plant,Styles, Plant

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