Abstract
AbstractFloral traits exhibit variations in response to both biotic and abiotic factors, potentially leading to dynamic interactions between plants and pollinators. Little is known about whether these geographic variations in floral traits influence species–specific interactions in obligate mutualisms. In this study, variations in flower morphology, color and scent were investigated within and among Kadsura longipedunculata populations. Local midge pollinators across three populations were sampled to examine the plant‐insect dynamics at the geographic scale. Our results suggested dimorphism in androecium color within and among populations. Floral scent analyses suggested quantitative differences in major compounds (terpenes) among populations and between individuals with differing colors, but similar composition of volatile compounds between different color morphs. Stamen chamber size did not differ between different color morphs within the Xinning population. However, it was significantly larger in the Xinning population compared to the Hengshan population. Totally, four pollinating and ovipositing gall midge species were identified in these three populations with shared Resseliella kadsura between the Xinning and Hengshan population and shared Resseliella sp. between the Xinning and Lushan population. The variations in floral traits and pollinator guilds provide new empirical evidence for the dynamic interactions at geographic scales within specialized pollination mutualisms, potentially supporting the geographic mosaic theory of coevolution.
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