Absence of pollinator-mediated premating barriers in mixed-ploidy populations of Gymnadenia conopsea s.l. (Orchidaceae)

0376219 - ÚVGZ 2012 RIV NL eng J - Journal Article
Jersáková, Jana - Castro, Sílvia - Sonk, N. - Milchreit, K. - Schödelbauerová, Iva - Tolasch, T. - Dötterl, S.
Absence of pollinator-mediated premating barriers in mixed-ploidy populations of Gymnadenia conopsea s.l. (Orchidaceae).
Evolutionary Ecology. Roč. 24, č. 5 (2010), s. 1199-1218. ISSN 0269-7653. E-ISSN 1573-8477
R&D Projects: GA AV ČR KJB600870601
Institutional research plan: CEZ:AV0Z60870520; CEZ:AV0Z60050516
Keywords : cytotypes * floral volatiles * fragrant orchid * gas chromatography-electroantennographic detection * matting barriers * polyploidy
Subject RIV: EH - Ecology, Behaviour
Impact factor: 2.398, year: 2010

Polyploidy has played a key role in plant evolution and diversification. Despite this, the processes governing reproductive isolation among cytotypes growing in mixed-ploidy populations are still largely unknown. Here, we investigated the pre-mating barriers involved in the maintenance of three co-occurring cytotypes from the genus Gymnadenia (Orchidaceae): tetraploid and octoploid G. conopsea and tetraploid G. densiflora. We assessed differences in flowering phenology, floral morphology, and visual and olfactory cues, which could lead to assortative mating. The importance of olfactory cues was also assessed in the field by analysing the moths' responses to the olfactory display of the plants, and by following the pollinator's behaviour on artificial arrays. Our complex approach demonstrated that the coexistence of Gymnadenia cytotypes in mixed-ploidy populations was only partly explained by differences in floral phenology, as cytotypes with overlapping flowering might freely exchange.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0208681