Abstract Detail

Pollination Biology

McCauley, Ross A [1], Allen, Shilah [1], Breeden, Meredith [1], Weber-Sauer, Melanie [1].

Hybridization via long-distance pollen dispersal explains the occurrence of endemic Ipomopsis (Polemoniaceae) across the Southern Rockies.

In 2011 a new species of Ipomopsis, I. ramosa was described from southwestern Colorado from a single isolated canyon. To better understand the species biology we initiated a series of field studies focused on determining flowering phenology, pollination, breeding system, and seed dispersal and laboratory studies to investigate phylogenetic relationships. Field studies indicated that the species is an obligate outcrosser reproductively isolated from the similar and widespread I. aggregata with which it grows sympatrically by floral morphology, principally floral tube length and stamen insertion. Its principle pollinator is the White-lined sphinx Moth (Hyles lineata), although it is also visited early in the season by the migratory Western Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio rutulus). Phylogenetic relationships to other Ipomopsis of the Southern Rockies using the chloroplast trnL-trnF spacer point to a close relationship to geographically near populations of I. aggregata. Investigating the same relationships with the nrITS region points however to a more complex origin with a close relationship seen to two other narrow endemic species of southern Colorado and northern New Mexico, I. polyantha and I. sancti-spiritus. We propose that there may be a common origin for these endemic Ipomopsis in the migratory behavior of Papilio rutulus which may carry pollen long distances leading to occasional hybridization with establishent of discrete taxa in restricted geographic areas.

1 - Fort Lewis College, Department Of Biology, 1000 Rim Drive, Durango, CO, 81301, USA

Keywords:
Ipomopsis
Polemoniaceae
hybridization
long-distance dispersal
pollination.

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 6:15 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: PPL008
Abstract ID:592
Candidate for Awards:None