Comparing <i>Bombus</i> pollinator efficacies in <i>Delphinium barbeyi</i> (Ranunculaceae) reproductive success
Abstract
Pollinator populations are decreasing globally constituting a major conservation concern. A decline in a particular pollinator species may cause plant population declines. Certain Bombus species may be more effective pollinators; i.e. they contribute more to female reproductive success of a flower species than others. This study determined the pollination efficacy of five Bombus species in Delphinium barbeyi reproductive success in a subalpine ecosystem. I determined the pollinator efficacy of each bee species by the amount of conspecific pollen (CP) and percentage of CP deposited on D. barbeyi stigmas and the resulting seed set of each flower visited. Bombus nevadensis was the most effective pollinator due to its high CP deposition and resulting seed set. B. appositus was the least effective pollinator because it deposited the least amount of CP and was related to the lowest seed set. B. californicus, flavifrons, and kirbeyellis were of intermediate pollinator efficacy. These results suggest bee morphology such as body size and bee behavior such as floral fidelity may contribute to pollinator efficacy in this system. This study provides a model with which to determine bumblebee pollination efficacy in a wildflower population.
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