| Abstract Detail
Pollination Biology Imbert, Eric [1], Bessière, Jean-Marie [2], Schatz, Bertrand [3]. Flower color polymorphism in Iris chamaeiris: does the color matter ? Flower color is a key feature in the plant/insects relationships, in particular for the attractivity of pollinators. As a consequence, this character is submitted to important selective pressures, and most species show a narrow intraspecific variability. However, some species such as Viola lutea, Dactylorhiza sambucina or Iris chamaeiris are polymorphic. The maintenance of polymorphism for traits under a high selective pressure is a recurrent question in evolutionary biology. Negative frequency-dependent selection is one mecanism explaining this polymorphism. Iris chamaeiris (Iridaceae) is a common species in Mediterranean communities that has a striking purple-yellow flower color polymorphism. It can also be find some intermediate phenotypes. To test the negative frequency-dependent selection hypothesis, I conducted in 2006 and 2007 a set of observations about pollinator attractivity and fruit set in naturel populations. Two main hypotheses were tested : does the perianth color influence pollinator visits and fruit production ? Does the environment -frequency of the yellow form around a focus plant- influence the same parameters ? In this talk, I will present the results of this experiment, and discussed about flower color in this species. Log in to add this item to your schedule
1 - Institut des Sciences de l\'Evolution, Université Montpellier II, Montpellier, 34000, France 2 - Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Chimie de Montpellier, Laboratoire de chimie appliquée, 8 rue de l’Ecole Normale, Montpellier, 34000, France 3 - Centre d\'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive, 1919 route de Mende, Montpellier, 34000, France
Keywords: Floral color floral polymorphism.
Presentation Type: Oral Paper:Papers for Topics Session: 68 Location: 211/SUB Date: Wednesday, July 30th, 2008 Time: 3:45 PM Number: 68001 Abstract ID:368 |