Abstract Detail

Symbioses: Plant, Animal, and Microbe Interactions

GUSTAFSON, NICHOLE  [1], LOVELESS , MARILYN DIANE [1].

Extrafloral Nectary Production in Erythrina flabelliformis Kearney.

In many defensive mutualisms, plants produce extra-floral nectaries (EFN) to attract ants, which may deter herbivores (or florivores).  The energetic costs of such EFN, both structurally and in terms of caloric content, are poorly understood.  We measured nectary size and nectar volume produced by calyx nectaries on buds and flowers of Erythrina flabelliformis (Fabaceae) in two populations in SE Arizona. We found a significant difference in average nectary size between the two study populations.  Within our main study site, we also found significant differences in mean  nectary diameter and in mean EFN production (volume) between individuals within the population.  Nectaries were smaller in younger buds, but there were no significant differences in nectar volume or sugar concentration (Brix) between buds of different stages.  However, because buds produce EFN continuously for up to 14 days before flowering, the overall plant investment in EFN far exceeded that in the floral nectar that attracts the hummingbird pollinators of this species.  This suggests that if EFN secretion is genetically determined, it might be under strong selection under different conditions of florivory.

1 - THE COLLEGE OF WOOSTER, Department Of Biology, 931 College Mall, WOOSTER, OH, 44691, USA

Keywords:
extrafloral nectar
DEFENSIVE MUTUALISM
herbivory
ERYTHRINA FLABELLIFORMIS.

Presentation Type: Poster:Posters for Topics
Session: P
Location: Eyrie/Boise Centre
Date: Monday, July 28th, 2014
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: PSB006
Abstract ID:779
Candidate for Awards:None