Society for Conservation Biology Auburn University Chapter Guest

Society for Conservation Biology Auburn University Chapter Guest Speaker: Dr. David Steen “Road mortality and freshwater turtle conservation in North America” WHERE? 112 Rouse Life Sciences WHEN? TUESDAY Mar. 3 6: 00 -7: 00 PM Check us out on Facebook Also: Info on Tigers 4 Tigers plans for spring semester!

Biotic Pollination • Plant-animal interactions, often mutualisms Mystery slide…. .

Outcrossing • Favor outcrossing?

Outcrossing • Favor outcrossing: • 4) Self-incompatibility: stop

Pollination syndromes • Pollination Syndrome: flower & pollinator • Disclaimer: We make broad generalizations and exceptions exist to most statements!

Pollination syndromes • Bee pollination • Bees: – intelligent, agile – Good sight (incl. European honeybee Halictid bee Leafcutter bee Bumble bee

• Flowers: – – Pollination syndromes Colorful (not red) Landing platform: Mildly fragrant Often nectar guides: Orchid flower with nectar guides (lines) on petals Petals in visible light (top) and UV (bottom)

Pollination syndromes • Fremontodendron decumbens (endangered chaparral shrub) flowers • UV reflectance photo (right) Tony Danza? ?

Pollination syndromes • Beetle pollination • Beetles: – Clumsy, dumb – Poor vision,

Pollination syndromes • Bird pollination: • Flower-visiting birds: – Agile, long beak – visual: see red – poor “smell”

• Flowers: Pollination syndromes – red/orange – Nectar (m Aloe ? ? ?

Pollination syndromes • Butterfly pollination • Butterflies: good vision/smell, long tongue – Don’t hover well tongue extended coiled tongue

Pollination syndromes • Flowers: – Color varies (blue, yellow, orange) Phlox pilosa

Pollination syndromes • Bat pollination – Nocturnal: sight good (

• Flowers Pollination syndromes – Open night: light color – Lots – May be pendant (). Parkia flowers

Pollination syndromes • Bat pollination: Mainly tropical • In U. S. , saguaro Saguaro cactus Saguaro flowers

Pollination syndromes • Moth pollination • Moths: – Sight good (but

Pollination syndromes • Flowers: – Open night – Sweet Night blooming jasmine

Pollination syndromes • Moth story: nectar spur • Nectar spur: long pouch (nectar @ bottom) Nectar spurs on columbine

Pollination syndromes • Moth story: nectar spur • Nectar spur: long pouch (nectar @ bottom) • Selection for

Pollination syndromes • Angraecum orchid (Madagascar) Nectar spur almost 1 ft. long!

Pollination syndromes • Flesh fly pollination – Fly: Good smell • Flowers Stapelia flower Asimina triloba

Fly flower: Rafflesia • Ex, Rafflesia • Root parasite • Largest flower Tony Danza? 2014 Some tourist guy….

Pollination syndromes • Largest inflorescence • Corpse-flower (titan arum) Inside view �spadix and spathe

Sexual Mimics • Fls. look/smell like female bee/wasp – Study: Sexual mimic orchids Male “mating” with flower!

Pollination syndromes • Grass pink orchid (Calopogon): – Fake stamens (on labellum) – No reward Most orchids…… Calopogon orchid (fl. upside down!)

Biotic Pollination • Mutualism: (+, +) interaction • Do animal cheaters prosper? ? Floral robbers! Cool robbers…

Biotic Pollination • Floral Larceny: Visitor – Ex, snapdragon: • Is robbing bad? ? (nectar robbing)

Biotic Pollination • Neg. or pos. ! • Pos. : “legitimate”

Biotic Pollination • Cheaters prosper? ? Animal cheaters. • Yucca moth story • Yucca filamentosa

Biotic Pollination • Pollination: yucca moth • Behavior: female

Biotic Pollination • Mutualism: plant pollinated, moth young eat seeds

Biotic Pollination • Abort frs. w/ few seeds!

Biotic Pollination Interesting plant-animal interactions, often mutualisms Fish affect pollination? Mystery slide…. .

Biotic Pollination • Fish affect pollination? • Peelbark St. John’s wort (Hypericum fasciculatum) • Pond margins

Biotic Pollination • Trophic cascade: Effects

Ch. 7: Plant Growth and Reproduction (Seed Dispersal)

“Thinking” like a plant…. • Coast redwood – 2, 000 yrs. : to • Safe site: location suitable

Why disperse? • 1) Escape competition (parent/siblings) • Seed shadow: pattern Usually “acorn doesn’t fall far from tree” Bristlecone pine: lives up to 5000 years!