Observing the effects of a nectar-inhabiting bacterium, Pantoea sp., and nectar robbing on male fitness in Ipomopsis aggregata

Abstract

There is still much unknown about how microbes within flower nectars, specifically bacteria, impact pollinators. Hummingbirds use gustatory and visual cues to determine which flowers are most rewarding. The diversity in colonization of nectar-inhabiting microbes, such as bacteria, can alter the scent, taste, and chemical composition of a plant's nectar. Additionally, antagonistic nectar-robbing by insects can further alter the composition of nectar and affect a pollinator's perception of a floral reward. Despite this, there is very little research looking at the combined effect of nectar-inhabiting bacteria and nectar robbing on pollen movement and male flower fitness, within a natural system. We aim to observe this effect through inoculation of Pantoea sp. bacteria and application of a robbing treatment on Ipomopsis aggregata, a hummingbird- pollinated plant. We will track pollen donation using quantum dot fluorescent crystals. We expect to see lower male fitness and less pollen donation in plants that were robbed and inoculated with bacteria because Pantoea has been seen to ferment sugars within nectar, and robbing has previously been seen to deter pollinators.

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