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The contribution of a pollinating seed predator to selection on Silene latifolia females
Author(s) -
BURKHARDT A.,
RIDENHOUR B. J.,
DELPH L. F.,
BERNASCONI G.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal of evolutionary biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.289
H-Index - 128
eISSN - 1420-9101
pISSN - 1010-061X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1420-9101.2011.02436.x
Subject(s) - biology , selection (genetic algorithm) , pollination , silene , predator , predation , botany , ecology , pollen , artificial intelligence , computer science
Interactions, antagonistic or mutualistic, can exert selection on plant traits. We explored the role of Hadena bicruris , a pollinating seed predator, as a selective agent on its host, the dioecious plant Silene latifolia . We exposed females from artificial‐selection lines (many, small flowers (SF) vs. few, large flowers (LF)) to this moth. Infestation did not differ significantly between lines, but the odds of attacked fruits aborting were higher in SF females. We partitioned selection between that caused by moth attack and that resulting from all other factors. In both lines, selection via moth attack for fewer, smaller flowers contrasted with selection via other factors for more flowers. In LF females, selection via the two components was strongest and selection via moth attack also favoured increased fruit abortion. This suggests that the moths act as more of a selective force on flower size and number via their predating than their pollinating role.