We found a match
Your institution may have rights to this item. Sign in to continue.
- Title
Local population density affects pollinator visitation in the endangered grassland daisy Rutidosis leptorhynchoides (Asteraceae).
- Authors
Courtice, Ben; Hoebee, Susan E.; Sinclair, Steve; Morgan, John W.
- Abstract
The spatial arrangement of plants has implications for their pollination. Dense patches of flowering plants can result in increased pollinator attraction and, consequently, higher pollination and seed set per flower. We investigated this effect in the endangered, self-incompatible Australian daisy Rutidosis leptorhynchoides F.Muell. (Asteraceae) by quantifying the effect of plant density on pollinator visitation and seed set in a wild population. Pollinator activity was investigated by direct observation of insect behaviour, by examining the pollen carried on candidate insect species, by video monitoring of visitation, and by tracking the movement of dye as a pollen analogue. Two native Lasioglossum species (Hymenoptera: Halictidae) were identified as the most frequent pollen-carrying visitors to inflorescences. Their visitation was significantly higher where plants were dense, but no statistical correlation between seed set and plant density was found. Florivory was identified as potentially having a substantial negative influence on seed set, but without any clear relationship to plant density. Given that R. leptorhynchoides has declined substantially across its range, and previous reintroduction attempts have often failed, our findings provide key information pertaining to knowledge of pollinator and florivore behaviour in relation to plant density. To maximise success of future management strategies, these animal-plant interactions should be captured in species recovery designs. The effect of local plant population density on pollinator visitation and seed set was investigated in a wild population of the endangered daisy Rutidosis leptorhynchoides. Density positively affected visitation by native bees, but seed set was high at all densities. New observations of pollinator and florivore visitors were made. Image: The native bee Lasioglossum brunnesetum visiting Rutidosis leptorhynchoides inflorescence.
- Publication
Australian Journal of Botany, 2019, Vol 67, Issue 8, p638
- ISSN
0067-1924
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1071/BT18243