The following data were determined for the floral breeding systems of 3 species

Question

The following data were determined for the floral breeding systems of 3 species in a plant community. Before the flowers matured, half of them were enclosed in soft, cloth bags to prevent any pollinator from visiting. Half of the flowers were left alone as ‘controls’ without bags, and these data were collected. ‘% seed set’ refers to the percentage of ovules that could have become fertilized and developed into seed if every ovule was successfully fertilized.

First, consider only floral color: Which color suggests a high diversity community and why? Discuss what other characteristics might indicate a high diversity community. Which color is the most common in natural systems? What does that mean for pollination and pollinators?

Second, consider the data for nectaries and % seed set with flowers unbagged: Discuss why there might be variation in pollination success just based on these data and your knowledge.

Finally, contrast % seed set data for both unbagged and bagged flowers. Which species has the greatest amount of inbreeding and which the greatest proportion of outcrossing? Define what you mean by those terms. Are there any advantages to inbreeding? Advantages to outcrossing?

% Seed Set with Flowers bagged 0% 0% 50% % Seed Set with ith Species Species 1 Species 2 Species 3 Floral Color Yellow None Purple Nectaries? Yes 0 Yes Flo wers unbagged 90% 65% 70%

Explanation / Answer

Purple seed color shows high diversity community. It's percent seed set of viable ovules for bagged and unbagged is 50 and 70%. So, pollination in Species 3 flowers has been more. More pollination means genetic diversity. Presence of nectaries also indicates high diversity. Presence of nectaries means more insect pollination is possible. So, more insects will bring pollen from varied flowers, so more diversity will be there.

In natural systems, none color is most prominent, which has been observed in species 2. Species 2 dont have nectaries. So, cross-pollination must be rare. More self-pollination (in breeding) has occured, which has lead to no color flowers. Greates out-crossing has occured in yellow flowers of species 1, because there bagged flowers have 0 % seed set.

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse T
• Subjects

---

---

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.