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Reproduction in Polemonium: Pre‐Dispersal Seed Predation
Author(s) -
Zimmerman Michael
Publication year - 1980
Publication title -
ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.144
H-Index - 294
eISSN - 1939-9170
pISSN - 0012-9658
DOI - 10.2307/1937415
Subject(s) - pollinator , biology , predator , pollination , predation , limiting , reproduction , seed predation , ecology , phenology , biological dispersal , seed dispersal , pollen , population , demography , mechanical engineering , sociology , engineering
Evidence is presented indicating that the anthomyiid seed predator, Hylemya sp., of Polemonium foliosissimum Gray (Polemoniaceae) preferentially attacks those plants which receive high numbers of pollinator visits. Seed mortality is high in ovaries which set many seeds (i.e., mortality is density—dependent) during the portion of the flowering season when pollinators are limiting resources and plants compete for pollinator service. The actions of both the seed predator and the pollinators of P. foliosissimum are responsible, in part, for the observed flowering phenology of this species.