BIOL 312 Lecture Notes - Lecture 22: Nectar Robbing, Anemophily, The Orchids

• School: University of Victoria
• Department: Biology
• Course: BIOL 312
• Professor: Steve Perlman

Document Summary

Pollination: transfer of male gametes (pollen) from one flower to a female receptacle of the same or different flower. Can be achieved in many ways (wind, animals). Planets get sex, pollinators get food, usually nectar (high carbs) and/or pollen (high protein). Conditions for mutualism: benefits to the interacting partners must outweigh the costs. In some interactions, cheating and breakdown of the mutualisms can occur. Long history of association (remember study showing increased fertilization of mosses by soil microarthropods). Conifers and cycads primarily wind-pollinated, but many insect-pollinated. Angiosperms primarily animal-pollinated but also many selfing or wind- pollinated groups. Pollination from the plant side benefits: high probability pollen will be transferred to right species. Efficient long-distance pollination in places with little wind. Less pollen production due to greater pollination efficiency. Costs: investment in rewards for pollinators, structures to attract them. Plant adaptations for pollination: traits to promote outcrossing: male and female flowers separated in space or time, self-incompatibility.