Abstract Detail

Ecological Section

Hoeft , Adam Patrick [1], Krakos , Kyra Neipp [2], Rork, Adam Maxwell [3].

A Comparative Study on the Reproductive Biology of Four Missouri Native Tradescantia ssp.(Commelinaceae).

This study focuses on the pollination and reproductive biology of four native Missouri species in the genus Tradescanita. Specifically we compare plant morphology and pollination systems of each species with previous studies from 70 years ago in the same region. In addition, we examined the variation in pollinators between species over a seasonal breeding period. We also recorded pollinator behavior and sharing among Tradescantia spp. The identification of bees from the family group Halictidae as the main pollinators for two of the plant species does not agree with previous observations made for the genus 70 years earlier. While two of these species share numerous overlapping characteristics the identification of a natural hybrid has yet to be discovered at this study site. This study asks the following questions:  1. What is the current breeding system for the populations of Tradescantia at Shaw Nature Reserve? 2. Do the main pollinators differ between co-blooming species? 3. Can these four species potentially produce hybrids? 4. Are the current pollination systems consistent with studies from 70 years ago? We experimentally tested for pollen tube formation with hand pollination experiments. Our results indicate that these species have the potential to produce hybrid offspring, and utilize partially overlapping pollination systems but are not experiencing pollen limitation. Observations from consecutive summers show that bees in Halictidae are the main pollinator group for two forest species, T. virginiana and T. subaspera, while the main pollinators of a prairie species T. ohiensis are Bombus and Apis. The partial overlap in bloom time and coexistence of T. ohiensis and T. longipes puts these two species in competition for pollinators for most of the bloom time of the much shorter T. bracteata.

1 - 828 Lost Creek Ln, Washington, MO, 63090, USA
2 - Maryville University, Biology, 650 Maryville University, St Louis, MO, 63141, USA
3 - Maryville University, Biology, 650 Maryville University , St. Louis, MO, 63141, USA

Keywords:
hybridization 
pollination
Breeding System
Missouri Natives
Climate change.

Presentation Type: Poster:Posters for Sections
Session: P
Location: Eyrie/Boise Centre
Date: Monday, July 28th, 2014
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: PEC035
Abstract ID:492
Candidate for Awards:Ecological Section Best Undergraduate Presentation Award