Abstract Detail

Pollination Biology

Wilson, Adam [1], Kyra, Krakos [1].

A comparative study of the reproductive biology of Asclepias in glade, prairie, and wetland populations.

Members of the Asclepias genus, the milkweeds, are hosts to many insects who choose to limit their pollination to one or very few plants called specialists. Other pollinators besides monarch butterflies have been documented as main pollinators in milkweed populations. This research focused on variation of plant morphology and pollination systems in glade, prairie, and wetland Asclepias populations. We measured morphological traits and pollination systems in both habitats. Our results indicate that there is no morphological difference in traits (p>.05) across all traits measured. Pollinator observation results and pollen load analysis showed different main pollinators for each habitat. In the glade, Bombus accounted for 96% of the pollen flow; in the prairie, Apis accounted for 70% of the pollen flow, and in the Wetland, there was a lack of pollinators. Our results show that the reproductive biology of Asclepias is broader than a specialized relationship with just monarch butterflies, which may have conservation implications.

1 - Maryville University, Biology, 650 Maryville University Drive, Saint Louis, MO, 63141, USA

Keywords:
Milkweed
Monarch
conservation.

Presentation Type: Poster
Session: P, Pollination Biology Posters
Location: Exhibit Hall/Savannah International Trade and Convention Center
Date: Monday, August 1st, 2016
Time: 5:30 PM This poster will be presented at 5:30 pm. The Poster Session runs from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm. Posters with odd poster numbers are presented at 5:30 pm, and posters with even poster numbers are presented at 6:15 pm.
Number: PPL003
Abstract ID:142
Candidate for Awards:None