EEB440H1 Chapter Notes - Chapter N/A: Nectar Guide, Floral Symmetry, Pollination
27 Apr 2016
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Mutualism process, beneficial to both species involved (mostly). Mutualisms help the plants disperse genes even though they are not capable of movement. Pays to be selfish in evolution, same here. Deception has evolved in some instances to attract pollinators without providing anything. A given plant-pollinator interaction may be mutualistic in some contexts but antagonistic in another. Animal-pollinated can persist at lower population densities than wind-pollinated due to animals carrying pollen further and tending to be plant specific. In closed-canopy rainforests, wind is not common, but animals are, which allow for animal pollination. Since animal-pollinated are higher in likelihood to reach plants, less energy can be put into pollen production. Plants need to produce visual and olfactory cues to attract animals. Need to allocate energy to producing a reward. May be costs due to other non-pollinators making use of the flower and cues as food. Readily accessible high-quality rewards (nectar, pollen, oils, water)
