Paucity of natural history data impedes phylogenetic analyses of pollinator‐driven evolution

Natural selection by pollinators is an important factor in the morphological diversity and adaptive radiation of flowering plants. Selection by similar pollinators in unrelated plants leads to convergence in floral morphology, or “floral syndromes.” Previous investigations into floral syndromes have mostly studied relatively small and/or simple systems, emphasizing vertebrate pollination. Despite the importance of multiple floral traits in plant‐pollinator interactions, these studies have examined few quantitative traits, so their co‐variation and phenotypic integration have been underexplored. To gain better insights into pollinator‐trait dynamics, we investigate the model system of the phlox family (Polemoniaceae), a clade of ∼400 species pollinated by a diversity of vectors. Using a comprehensive phylogeny and large dataset of traits and observations of pollinators, we reconstruct ancestral pollination system, accounting for the temporal history of pollinators. We conduct phylogenetically controlled analyses of trait co‐variation and association with pollinators, integrating many analyses over phylogenetic uncertainty. Pollinator shifts are more heterogeneous than previously hypothesized. The evolution of floral traits is partially constrained by phylogenetic history and trait co‐variation, but traits are convergent and differences are associated with different pollinators. Trait shifts are usually gradual, rather than rapid, suggesting complex genetic and ecological interactions of flowers at macroevolutionary scales.

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“…Additionally, our broad coding of “bee‐pollination” may miss specialization within this category (Fenster et al. 2004; van der Niet 2020).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…2001; Ollerton et al. 2015; van der Niet 2020). We incorporated both knowledge and uncertainty about pollinators in our reconstruction of ancestral pollination type by including hypothesized primary and secondary pollinators.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Complex interactions underlie the correlated evolution of floral traits and their association with pollinators in a clade with diverse pollination systems

Rose

Sytsma

2021

Evolution

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“…At first, pollinators may directly promote the selection of flower shapes if the trait covaries with reward (pollen and nectar) ( Gómez et al, 2008b ; Gómez & Perfectti, 2010 ). Secondly, flower shape may depend on pollinator specialization ( Reich et al, 2020 ; Niet, 2021 ). Specialized pollinators may promote the evolutionary transitions of floral shapes ( Schemske & Bradshaw, 1999 ; Moyroud & Glover, 2017 ).…”

Section: Survey Methodologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Mutualist- and antagonist-mediated selection contribute to trait diversification of flowers

Huang

Liu

Dou

et al. 2022

PeerJ

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Flowers are generally short-lived, and they all face a multidimensional challenge because they have to attract mutualists, compel them to vector pollen with minimal investment in rewards, and repel floral enemies during this short time window. Their displays are under complex selection, either consistent or conflicting, to maximize reproductive fitness under heterogeneous environments. The phenological or morphological mismatches between flowers and visitors will influence interspecific competition, resource access, mating success and, ultimately, population and community dynamics. To better understand the effects of the plant visitors on floral traits, it is necessary to determine the functional significance of specific floral traits for the visitors; how plants respond to both mutualists and antagonists through adaptive changes; and to evaluate the net fitness effects of biological mutualisms and antagonism on plants. In this review, we bring together insights from fields as diverse as floral biology, insect behavioral responses, and evolutionary biology to explain the processes and patterns of floral diversity evolution. Then, we discuss the ecological significance of plant responses to mutualists and antagonists from a community perspective, and propose a set of research questions that can guide the research field to integrate studies of plant defense and reproduction.

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“…Despite tremendous progress in the fields of pollination biology, quantitative genetics, comparative biology, phylogenetics and genomics, the paucity of empirical data from natural history studies limits progress in understanding pollinator-driven evolution (van der Niet, 2021).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Interactions between plants, their pollinators and herbivores have been key in the evolution of flowering plants (Barrett, 2013; Kergoat et al., 2017; Moreau et al., 2006; Schoen et al., 2019). Despite tremendous progress in the fields of pollination biology, quantitative genetics, comparative biology, phylogenetics and genomics, the paucity of empirical data from natural history studies limits progress in understanding pollinator‐driven evolution (van der Niet, 2021).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

PICT: A low‐cost, modular, open‐source camera trap system to study plant–insect interactions

et al. 2021

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1. Commercial camera traps (CTs) commonly used in wildlife studies have several technical limitations that restrict their scope of application. They are not easily customizable, unit prices sharply increase with image quality and importantly, they are not designed to record the activity of ectotherms such as insects. Those developed for the study of plant-insect interactions are yet to be widely adopted as they rely on expensive and heavy equipment.2. We developed PICT (plant-insect interactions camera trap), an inexpensive (<100 USD) do-it-yourself CT system based on a Raspberry Pi Zero computer designed to continuously film animal activity. The system is particularly well suited for the study of pollination, insect behaviour and predator-prey interactions. The focus distance can be manually adjusted to under 5 cm. In low light conditions, a near-infrared light automatically illuminates the subject. Frame rate, resolution and video compression levels can be set by the user. The system can be remotely controlled using either a smartphone, tablet or laptop via the onboard Wi-Fi. PICT can record up to 72-hr day and night videos at >720p resolution with a 110-Wh power bank (30,000 mAh).Its ultra-portable (<1 kg) waterproof design and modular architecture is practical in diverse field settings. We provide an illustrated technical guide detailing the steps involved in building and operating a PICT and for video post-processing.3. We successfully field-tested PICT in a Central African rainforest in two contrasting research settings: an insect pollinator survey in the canopy of the African ebony Diospyros crassiflora and the observation of rare pollination events of an epiphytic orchid Cyrtorchis letouzeyi.4. PICT overcomes many of the limitations commonly associated with CT systems designed to monitor ectotherms. Increased portability and image quality at lower costs This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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Paucity of natural history data impedes phylogenetic analyses of pollinator‐driven evolution

Cited by 25 publications

References 77 publications

Complex interactions underlie the correlated evolution of floral traits and their association with pollinators in a clade with diverse pollination systems

Complex interactions underlie the correlated evolution of floral traits and their association with pollinators in a clade with diverse pollination systems

Mutualist- and antagonist-mediated selection contribute to trait diversification of flowers

PICT: A low‐cost, modular, open‐source camera trap system to study plant–insect interactions

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