Corolla stickiness prevents nectar robbing in Erica.

Abstract

Floral stickiness is a rare trait with unknown function, but it is common in the mega-diverse Cape genus Erica (Ericaceae). This study investigated the role of stickiness measured as adhesive strength in Erica as protection against nectar robbing and its correlation with floral traits. We compared the incidence of nectar robbing in flowers of the same species with or without experimentally added stickiness, and amongst communities of co-occurring species with flowers differing in stickiness. Additionally, we tested the relationship between stickiness and pollination syndrome, corolla shape, corolla length and sepal-corolla ratio across the whole genus. Stickiness was correlated with lower floral damage rates within and between species, indicating it functions as an anti-nectar robbing trait. Across the genus Erica, stickiness is most strongly correlated with bird and long-proboscid fly pollination, presumably because of their larger nectar rewards. Stickiness was also correlated with floral traits that are often associated with high risk of being damaged by nectar robbers: narrow-mouthed corollas, long corollas and shorter sepals. These results show that corolla stickiness defends Erica flowers against nectar robbing and thereby potentially improves fitness.