Articles
FLOWERING PHENOLOGY AND BUMBLEBEE-MEDIATED POLLEN FLOW IN PHYTEUMA NIGRUM (CAMPANULACEAE)
Article number
437_3
Pages
59 – 64
Language
Abstract
Pollen dispersal varies substantially during the flowering period.
When can we expect the largest distances of pollen flow or the best period for outcrossing? Several aspects determining pollen flow are measured during the flowering season of the rare plant species Phyteuma nigrum. This self-incompatible species flowers during three weeks in May and June and is mainly pollinated by bumblebees, queens and workers.
Visitation rate decreased from early flowering till the end of flowering.
Pollen flow is estimated from pollinator foraging distances, measured as inter-inflorescence distance and the overall distance between the first and eleventh inflorescence visited.
Special attention is paid to the amount of large distances, the tail of the dispersal graph and the amount of intra-plant movements.
Flown distances followed the mean inter-inflorescence distances.
However, maximum distances of inter inflorescence movements and of overall distances were larger during early flowering than during peak flowering; during late flowering distances were even smaller than during peak flowering.
Observations on individually marked bumblebees appeared to be useful in the explanation of these differences.
The best period for outcrossing is estimated.
When can we expect the largest distances of pollen flow or the best period for outcrossing? Several aspects determining pollen flow are measured during the flowering season of the rare plant species Phyteuma nigrum. This self-incompatible species flowers during three weeks in May and June and is mainly pollinated by bumblebees, queens and workers.
Visitation rate decreased from early flowering till the end of flowering.
Pollen flow is estimated from pollinator foraging distances, measured as inter-inflorescence distance and the overall distance between the first and eleventh inflorescence visited.
Special attention is paid to the amount of large distances, the tail of the dispersal graph and the amount of intra-plant movements.
Flown distances followed the mean inter-inflorescence distances.
However, maximum distances of inter inflorescence movements and of overall distances were larger during early flowering than during peak flowering; during late flowering distances were even smaller than during peak flowering.
Observations on individually marked bumblebees appeared to be useful in the explanation of these differences.
The best period for outcrossing is estimated.
Publication
Authors
Manja M. Kwak
Keywords
phenology, bumblebees, visitation rate, flight distances, pollen flow
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