Visibility and attractiveness of Fritillaria (Liliaceae) flowers to potential pollinators

Abstract

Visual floral characters play an important role in shaping plant-pollinator interactions. The genus Fritillaria L. (Liliaceae), comprising approximately 140 species, is described as displaying a remarkable variety of flower colours and sizes. Despite this variation in visual floral traits of fritillaries, little is known about the potential role of these features in shaping plant-pollinator interactions. Here, we seek to clarify the role of visual attraction in species offering a robust food reward for pollinators early in the spring, which is the case for Fritillaria. We also searched for potential tendencies in the evolution of floral traits crucial for plant-pollinator communication. The generality of species with green and purple flowers may indicate an influence of environmental factors other than pollinators. The flowers of the studied species seem to be visible but not very visually attractive to potential pollinators. The food rewards are hidden within the nodding perianth, and both traits are conserved among fritillaries. Additionally, visual floral traits are not good predictors of nectar properties. When in the flowers, pollinators are navigated by nectar guides in the form of contrasting nectary area colouration. Flower colour does not serve as a phenotypic filter against illegitimate pollinators—red and orange bird-pollinated fritillaries are visible to bees.

Analysis of Research Status and Development Trend of Nanotoxicology of Liliaceae Medicinal Plants

“…The concentration of silver nanoparticles was needed to be digested by nitric acid and hydrogen After the silver nanoparticles were uniformly dispersed by ultrasonic dispersion method, the solution of 3−3.5 mL silver nanoparticles was placed in a quartz colorimetric plate. And the plasma resonance absorption peak was measured by UV-Vis spectrophotometer in the wavelength range of 200 −700 nm to determine whether the silver nanoparticles coated with sodium citrate were successfully synthesized [15]. The hydrodynamic diameter and zeta potential of silver nanoparticles could be determined by the dynamic light scattering (Zetasizer Nanoseries Nano-ZS90, Malvern Instruments, UK).…”

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

“…For example, the inflorescence of sunflower, which is composed of many greatly reduced flowers, can still produce dense clusters of flowers resembling large flowers to effectively attract pollinators ( Moyroud & Glover, 2017 ). Thirdly, smaller or shorter-lived flowers may have potential advantages against antagonists ( Galen, 1999 ; Teixido, Barrio & Valladares, 2016 ; Roguz et al, 2021 ). In Trifolium repens , herbivores weakened selection for increased inflorescence production, suggesting that large displays are costly in the presence of herbivores ( Santangelo & Johnson, 2019 ).…”

Plant Attractants and Rewards for Pollinators: Their Significant to Successful Crop Pollination

“…Visual signals are the utmost studied in the context of flower trait evolution in shaping plant-animal interactions [45] where these signals aid in flower recognition and learning by pollinators [46]. Flower colour is a very essential feature that constrains the specific pollinators that visit flowmers and influences overall pollinator behaviour [47].…”

“…1d) that may cause damage to the flowers [61]. Nevertheless, there are some factors selecting for smaller flowers [45] as such theory predicts that when the pollinators are plentiful and competent, smaller flowers could be gainful in relations to water balance particularly.…”

“…The aspects of floral morphology such as the arrangement of the reproductive parts and petals can be important in limiting access to floral reward [48]. Floral traits such as floral designs or corolla entrance diameter likely evolved to enable and increase the effectiveness of pollination [45]. Moreover, lipped, or labiate, flowers can provide a platform on which bumblebees can land before entering the flower, while hummingbirds visit long tubular flowers, that hover while probing the deep flowers with their long beaks [9].…”