Abstract Detail

Reproductive Processes

Rodriguez, Rosa [1], Wolfe, Andi [2], Kubatko, Laura [2].

Anther morphology and abiotic factors affect pollen presentation.

Pollen presentation theory (PPT) is a system of ideas that aims to explain how plants schedule and present pollen to maximize pollen transfer. Anther morphology is an essential component of PPT because it directly influences pollen release and collection. However, little is known about how anther morphology aids or limits pollen collection by different pollen vectors. Also, evidence suggest that low temperature and high humidity reduce anther dehiscence time, which directly affects pollen presentation. The effect of temperature and humidity has not been explicitly considered in the development of PPT, and to our knowledge, no study has experimentally evaluated the effect of temperature and humidity on anther dehiscence time in nature. We studied PPT in Penstemon, the largest genus of plants endemic to North America. Penstemon is an ideal system to study pollen presentation because of its diverse anther morphology, pollination syndromes, and wide geographic distribution. We combined observational and experimental approaches to evaluate the effect of anther morphology, temperature, and humidity on anther dehiscence time. The results show that anther morphology was strongly correlated with anther dehiscence time, so that anthers that dehisce from tip-to-tip and across the connective open slower than anthers that are saccate. Also, the experiment revealed that anther dehiscence time was positively correlated with humidity in all treatments and with temperature in some treatments. These results are consistent with field observations from prior studies and provide new insights into the role of anther morphology on pollen presentation schedule.

1 - The Ohio State University, Evolution, Ecology And Organismal Biology, 318 W 12th Ave3, Building 131, Columbus, OH, 43210, United States
2 - Ohio State University, Department Of Evolution, Ecology And Organismal Biology, 318 W. 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43210, United States

Keywords:
pollen presentation theory
Penstemon
Plantaginaceae
Anther morphology
temperature
Humidity.

Presentation Type: Poster
Session: P, Reproductive Processes Posters
Location: Virtual/Virtual
Date: Thursday, July 30th, 2020
Time: 5:00 PM Time and date to be determined
Number: PRP006
Abstract ID:741
Candidate for Awards:None