Functional role of long-lived flowers in preventing pollen limitation in a high elevation outcrossing species
Author
dc.contributor.author
Arroyo, Mary T. K.
Author
dc.contributor.author
Pacheco, Diego Andés
Author
dc.contributor.author
Dudley, Leah S.
Admission date
dc.date.accessioned
2018-06-05T14:45:37Z
Available date
dc.date.available
2018-06-05T14:45:37Z
Publication date
dc.date.issued
2017
Cita de ítem
dc.identifier.citation
Aob Plants 9: plx050
es_ES
Identifier
dc.identifier.other
10.1093/aobpla/plx050
Identifier
dc.identifier.uri
https://repositorio.uchile.cl/handle/2250/148571
Abstract
dc.description.abstract
Low pollinator visitation in harsh environments may lead to pollen limitation which can threaten population persistence. Consequently, avoidance of pollen limitation is expected in outcrossing species subjected to habitually low pollinator service. The elevational decline in visitation rates on many high mountains provides an outstanding opportunity for addressing this question. According to a recent meta-analysis, levels of pollen limitation in alpine and lowland species do not differ. If parallel trends are manifested among populations of alpine species with wide elevational ranges, how do their uppermost populations contend with lower visitation? We investigated visitation rates and pollen limitation in high Andean Rhodolirium montanum. We test the hypothesis that lower visitation rates at high elevations are compensated for by the possession of long-lived flowers. Visitation rates decreased markedly over elevation as temperature decreased. Pollen limitation was absent at the low elevation site but did occur at the high elevation site. While initiation of stigmatic pollen deposition at high elevations was not delayed, rates of pollen arrival were lower, and cessation of pollination, as reflected by realized flower longevity, occurred later in the flower lifespan. Comparison of the elevational visitation decline and levels of pollen limitation indicates that flower longevity partially compensates for the lower visitation rates at high elevation. The functional role of flower longevity, however, was strongly masked by qualitative pollen limitation arising from higher abortion levels attributable to transference of genetically low-quality pollen in large clones. Stronger clonal growth at high elevations could counterbalance the negative fitness consequences of residual pollen limitation due to low visitation rates and/or difficult establishment under colder conditions. Visitation rates on the lower part of the elevational range greatly exceeded community rates recorded several decades ago when the planet was cooler. Current pollen limitation for some species in some habitats might underestimate historical levels.
es_ES
Patrocinador
dc.description.sponsorship
Fondecyt
1140541
ICM-MINECON
P05-002
PBF-23
CONICYT-PCHA/Magister Nacional
2013-22131579