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The Evolution of Resource Provisioning in Pollination Mutualisms.

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    Natural selection shapes plant nectar traits, favoring higher production when resources are scarce or pollinators are efficient. Nectar traits evolve together, balancing costs and benefits for mutualistic interactions.

    Keywords:
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    Area of Science:

    • Ecology
    • Evolutionary Biology
    • Plant-Animal Interactions

    Background:

    • Resource dynamics are crucial for consumer-resource mutualisms.
    • Floral nectar traits evolve under selective pressures, impacting ecological interactions.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To explore the evolution of nectar provisioning traits in biotically pollinated plants.
    • To model natural selection on nectar production rate and reservoir volume.

    Main Methods:

    • Developed a mathematical model of natural selection on two quantitative nectar traits.
    • Examined nectar production evolution under varying ecological cost-benefit regimes.

    Main Results:

    • Natural selection favors higher nectar production in low-productivity environments or with efficient pollinators.
    • Nectar traits evolve as a suite, with costs of one trait compensated by investment in another.

    Conclusions:

    • Ecological conditions drive the evolution of plant resource provisioning.
    • Species interactions shape resource traits, generating observed patterns in nature.