Abstract
-Stamens of Berberis thunbergii respond to a tactile stimulus by snapping toward the stigma. When filaments are stimulated (tripped), anthers that strike an object (e.g., a glass cover slip or floral visitor) deposit some of the sticky pollen that is held together by viscin threads. When stamens were stimulated experimentally, 53% of the total pollen was deposited on the first trip, and 20% on the second, resulting in a pattern of diminishing removal. Pollen removal by bees resulted in a similar pattern. However, small bees (e.g., Andrenids) tripped fewer stamens per visit than large bees (i.e., Bombus spp.). Our results do not support either the numerical or proportional removal patterns of Harder and Thomson (1989) but do conform to the diminishing removal model proposed by Harder (1990) for plant/pollinator associations where there is a high variance in the number of pollinator visits.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.