Abstract Detail

Pollination Biology

Goodrich, Katherine R. [1], Raguso, Robert A. [2].

Patterns of floral phenotype in Asimina and Deeringothamnus (Annonaceae).

Recent empirical work has demonstrated that traditionally held views of specialized pollination syndromes are the exception to the rule in most natural settings, calling into question the role of ethological isolation as a speciation mechanism for flowering plants. However, floral phenotypes (scent, morphology, color, etc.) provide crucial signals for attraction and manipulation of pollinating insects. Thus, patterns of correlated floral traits and variation therein cannot be overlooked when addressing gene flow and species boundaries between closely related plant taxa. Here we describe correlated patterns in floral phenotype including floral scent, color (spectral reflectance) and morphology for species of Asimina and Deeringothamnus (Annonaceae). Our study addresses the much-needed synthesis of olfactory and visual aspects of floral display, and applies this detailed analysis of floral phenotype to all species encompassing two small genera of Annonaceae. Using multivariate descriptive statistics, we identify several factors and the associated contributions of floral trait variables which explain a significant portion of character state variation between species. These factors reveal non-random combinations of color, scent and morphology in these flowers, providing testable predictions for functional integration associated with different habitats or pollination strategies.

Broader Impacts:

1 - Widener University, Department of Biology, 1 University Place, Chester, PA, 19013, USA
2 - Cornell University, Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Ithaca, NY, 14853

Keywords:
Floral scent
Floral phenotype
Annonaceae
Correlated floral traits
Floral color
floral morphology.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper:Papers for Topics
Session: 48
Location: 551B/Convention Center
Date: Wednesday, August 4th, 2010
Time: 8:00 AM
Number: 48001
Abstract ID:246